Note To Self: Thanksgiving 2016

Things to remember and/or do differently next year:

1) Don't rely on the pop-up turkey "done-ness" timer! This was the second year in a row that I did and the turkey was NOT done! So frustrating especially after taking the turkey out of the oven, letting it sit, as directed, and then start slicing only to discover it needs more time in the oven! ARGGHH!

2)My baster died! 😞  It served me well for probably 20 years - and this year succumbed to dry-rot! It developed a crack alone the ridge that even duct-taping by Sharon would not fix. I wonder what is new in the world of Turkey Basters?

3)The thing I dread the most about Thanksgiving has nothing to do with who will be gathered around the table, or how to set the table, or even anything relating to side dishes. The hated thing is CARVING THE ^%*&^#$ TURKEY!!!! Okay, let me breathe.... If you didn't pick up on it, I HATE carving the turkey! Granted, part of this has to do with item #1 above and being really pissed that the turkey wasn't done yet. But even with that aside I have to get a handle on this because it makes me miserable every year! So, next year I have thought about not doing gravy or plating any sides until after I have carved the turkey. Another problem I have is needing a plan for the platters: I need one to use for cutting and one for the meat... somehow this always gets screwy as well.

4)Last thing: Cook the sausage longer for the stuffing. So, this was my second year cooking Thanksgiving without mom, and I am just not able to get the stuffing tasting like hers. I think next year I need to really brown the sausage... like to crunchy and brown. The stuffing was missing something and maybe that will get me closer. I know one thing she did was use a lot of butter which I don't use at all. I am hoping that doesn't account for all the difference because I cannot see myself using all that butter!

Okay, so enough for now. I do LOVE Thanksgiving. I am hopeful to behave better next year - and not let the turkey get the best of me!

I Don't Have A Favorite Holiday Memory

"Write about a favorite holiday memory?"  That is the writing prompt offered... I wish I could remember holidays from my childhood. I remember pictures of a Christmas or two. I can remember some foods from Thanksgiving meals-but I think those were from adult years, not growing up years. Birthdays? No memories there. This could be depressing.

So the question did not say the memories needed to be from growing up years...a funny time one Fourth of July in Floyd, VA- sitting on the front porch at Blanche and Fred 's (in laws) and the fireworks seemed like they took forever in between. When there were two or three close together we joked about it being the finale. The fireworks were more like stutter-works.

I really enjoy holidays with the kids, though my fear is they might have the same non-memories as I have. I would really hate that. Then I think of folks like June and others who really go hog-wild on the holidays - decorations galore. I just can't do that. I don't feel right about that.

What I do love more than a favorite holiday memory - is enjoying dinner evey evening at the table with Charles and the kids. Having them teasing each other, or busting out laughing at Charles or some other silliness. Asking a question or sharing something from their day. Those times are my favorites! Everyday favorites.

P.S.

P.S. Some Mondays are like that too.

The work I do leaves me feeling…

The work I do leaves me feeling...

Ashamed...  I have not done the work. I am not prepared. I am relying on too many sources and not enough on The Source. I am more concerned with who is in worship than The One we have gathered to worship.

Embarrassed... my thoughts are not complete and they do not flow like I would like them to. I rely too much on my crappy notes. My speech idiosyncrasies dominate - I stutter and stammer and repeat myself.

Ecstatic... that people we invite to worship because it is All Saints Sunday and we are remembering a loved one actually come! That I have the privilege of serving with a "Deacon on Location" who invites others to serve with us in worship, has some wonderful altar candles and decor, and assists in organizing and readying the space for worship.

Amused... that I have prayed and asked God to send us "the people no one else wants"* and we have become a quirky, diverse, ragtag, messy, and chaotic church that really works at loving everyone.

Stunned... by the simple yet powerful witness of an acolyte.

Some Sundays are like that.

*Thanks Jorge A. for sharing this prayer wisdom.

NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month)

Okay, so I just learned about this at about 10 pm tonight (pre-time change, but still late). I have been really wanting to blog more and so I am hopeful this will help. I am counting on the daily "prompts" to really help - because right now I need all the help I can get. So, this is it... November, a new blog beginning.

Help me Holy Ghost!!

Titus 3:10-11 (CEB)

After a first and second warning, have nothing to do with a person who causes conflict, because you know that someone like this is twisted and sinful--so they condemn themselves.

2 Timothy 1:1 (CEB)

"From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus."

"...to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus." Do I do that? How do I do that? How can I be more intentional about doing that?

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (CEB)

Actually, godliness is a great source of profit when it is combined with being happy with what you already have. We didn't bring anything into the world and so we can't take anything out of it; we'll be happy with food and clothing.

What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said?

What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said?  That question is the subtitle of a book... the book^[1] is a dialogue by two authors, Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo, who try to live by the commands of Jesus in literal, practical, and real-life ways. I have not read the book - but I have tried to live into that question.

Yesterday, just how hard it is to live what I believe about Jesus became even more real to me and to my congregation.

Leonard Lynn, who was murdered last week, and the person who has confessed to killing him, Erick Niemi, are known to me. Leonard has attended worship at our church for over a year. Both Leonard and Erick have come to Soul Cafe, our church and community dinner on Wednesday evenings.

I knew Leonard better than Erick. Leonard was in church last Sunday and at dinner on Wednesday. Leonard was a lot like a street corner preacher - he was passionate about his love for Jesus; he had a deep, booming voice; but his theology made me cringe sometimes. When he shared in worship I could see a few people roll their eyes and you knew they were thinking, “Oh no, here we go again... another sermon....”   Even so, he endeared himself to us. He was a good friend to a group of people that met for bible study in each others’ homes; he shared money, time and resources whenever he could. In his own way, he too, tried to live as if Jesus meant what he said. We missed Leonard in worship on Sunday.

I know Erick only through our church and community dinner. He comes sporadically. I got to know him by name only a few months ago. He delighted in the fact that I remembered his name--his eyes brightened when I greeted him. The evening I asked his name I went and sat with him during dinner - neither one of us had much to say - we just enjoyed the food and the company. I will miss Erick on Wednesday.

You hear often enough, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” We reference the struggles of others - see those who are homeless, those who rely on day labor pools for work, those arrested for prostitution and shoplifting, those who struggle to feed their families and make their mortgage payments... “There but for the grace of God, go I” we tritely say.

I was preaching on grace this morning as I was also reeling from the news I’d received ten minutes before the start of worship: that Leonard had been murdered and that Erick confessed to doing it!

            Grace...

           

            Unconditional love....

 ...words fumbled out of my mouth while my brain screamed at me: Leonard! Erick!

I preached:

“One’s status and condition do not need to be altered in order to be invited into divine love... into this relationship with God. The nature of [God] is to be love, and the great conversion of faith is to let this love live in us.”^[2]

We set up obstacles between God’s grace and other people finding that grace.

It is this beautiful offer of unconditional love.

Let’s not mess that up.

Then we sang a hymn: A Charge to Keep I Have^[3]

  

verse 2 says:

            To serve the present age,

            my calling to fulfill;

            O may it all my powers engage

            to do my Master's will!

My calling to fulfill... this is taking all my strength and my power....

We prayed. And then I shared the awful news: Leonard! Erick! My voiced trembled; there was that horrible, collective, gasp! There were tears, and questions, and there was remembering.

What if Jesus really meant what he said? 

Oh God, help me not to mess this up!

This is hard! People are already grumbling about our church and about our ministry. What will they say if they know Leonard and Erick were here? That Leonard and Erick were one of us? I can hear them now...

There it is again: What if Jesus really meant what he said?

My brain is still screaming at me - and my heart aches: What if Jesus really meant what he said?

            Jesus said:  “...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”^[4]

            Jesus said:  “‘...Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’”^[5]

Sinners. Really? That’s me. That’s them. That’s all of us. Okay then... We will begin again from here:

“The Word became flesh and blood,

    and moved into the neighborhood.”^[6]

The Word... Of course he meant what he said!

And us? We will continue to let God’s love live in and through us, and move into the neighborhood.

---

^[1] Campolo, Tony and The Simple Way. Red Letter Revolution: What If Jesus Really Meant What He Said? Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012.

^[2] Farley, Wendy. “Galatians 1:1-12 Theological Perspective.” Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, Vol. 3. Eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor. Louisville: Westminster John Know Press, 2010.

^[3]  Wesley, Charles. “A Charge to Keep I Have.” The United Methodist Hymnal. Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989. No. 413.

^[4] Matthew 5:44 The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

^[5] Mark 2:17 The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

^[6] John 1:14 The Message Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

What's An Amma To Do?!?!

So, I am driving down the road a few blocks from home, two kids and three pizzas in the car and two other adults waiting for dinner at home, when on the side of the road I see a person in the ditch. Is it Ronnie or Forrest? I don't know. I stop and back up the car, put on the hazard lights and get out to check on him. I know him, but not his name; I know it now--it's Jerry. And Jerry is very drunk! What's an Amma to do? I don't know, but this is what I did...

I helped Jerry stand up, swaying, but standing none the less. His baby blue bedroll sits beside the ditch, his radio down in it. Before he falls down I get him to sit down by the bedroll. He repeats himself over and over again: "I'm sorry" "I can't get up" "I can't walk" "I'm sorry I'm drunk" "I need help". He wants to stand up again, so again I help him. What's an Amma to do? I don't know, but this is what I did...

I told Jerry my kids were in the car and I had to take them home before I could help him further. I asked where he "camped" and he couldn't exactly tell me. (Hmmm, when I come back where am I going to take him?) He kept repeating himself still... "I need help" "I need a ride" "I'm sorry" I told him again I would be back. He sat down next to the bedroll. He looked sad. I felt bad. What's an Amma to do? I don't know, but this is what I did...

I got back in the car. Thing One and Thing Two had lots of questions and lots to say: "What are you going to do" "What is wrong with him" "You have to come back and help him" "You are coming back, right" "He can't stay in the ditch... its raining". Back home we unload, go inside, and sit down for pizza. Thing One fills Hokie Fan and Nonny in on all the gory details... What's an Amma to do? I don't know, but this is what I did...

After dinner I called a fellow Jesus Freak (Mrs. T) to see if she knew where Jerry's camp is. "He is passing through," she tells me, but suggests John (one of the "bench boys") may know where he stays. So I call John; no minutes on his phone, so no John. I tell Hokie Fan I am going to see if Jerry is still in the ditch and then ask one of the "bench boys" to help get him to a different place--where, I don't know. Hokie Fan does not like the idea, but doesn't have a better one. He makes me promise to call him in 15 minutes. What's an Amma to do? I don't know, but this is what I did...

I got in the car and went to find Jerry. He was gone. I drive a few blocks knowing he couldn't have walked anywhere. I am sad. Is Jerry in jail? My hunch is yes. When there is no place for our homeless neighbors they drink themselves silly and end up in the Sheriff's Shelter, the most expensive "shelter" in town. How sad is that! What is an Amma to do!?!?

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five: Lent Edition

What are some things you appreciate about the season of Lent? Perhaps you would share 5 of them with us. And for your bonus question feel free to share one thing you could do without.

1) Ash Wednesday - For the last two years a colleague and I have worked together to create a "journey through lent" booklet (not the best descriptor...) that has the gospel readings for the season of Lent and questions for reflection. Then we created prayer stations in the sanctuary to go with each gospel reading. So the Ash Wednesday service is more of a self-guided prayer walk, and folks leave with a "guide" for the Lenten journey. This year will be different - more in keeping with a traditional Ash Wednesday service of repentance but still utilizing a prayer station... tweaking an idea I found at a website called "Contemplative Prayer Stations," and the idea I am using from there is called "Confession with sand".

http://www.creativeprayer.com/index.php?blog=2


2) I love the more reflective services in this season: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday. I am challenged to be more creative and I love that! This year I hope to create a prayer station/prayer walk in the sanctuary for the Mon-Wed of Holy Week.

3) I am usually challenged in my own walk with Jesus in the season of Lent - as I challenge others to a more disciplined life, my own priorities are "in my face" and I am called to a closer walk.

4) Some of my favorite hymns are Lenten themed: What Wondrous Love Is This, Jesus Remember Me, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, Lift High the Cross, and more.

5) And I love that as we are moved in this season to consider our own walk with Jesus and his call on our lives - that we are reading and hearing of Jesus journey to the cross - and in the world around us spring is bringing the landscape to life promising resurrection.

Beautiful Ammas!!

The third of the "Templeamma Trinity" is ordained at this year's annual conference in Jackson, Mississippi!



And she has a trinity of "Templeammas in Training"!! Aren't they gorgeous!?!?

Praying in Color

Yesterday I spent my Day Apart "praying in color." That is the book title (see pic) and it introduces a visual and interactive way of praying. It is a very easy read - about a wonderful way to pray. Check it out! The book is by Sybil MacBeth

I So Want To Be Better At This...

a plea and a prayer...
My life has been so upside down for so long... I wasn't good at this before (meaning posting regularly) - it was all new - when my world turned. So my plea and prayer are for the discipline of taking time for the important things, for setting priorities. Blogging is not at the top of the list, by any means, but finding a way to give voice to myself - that is near the top.

Lord, in your mercy, hear my prayer.

In Loving Memory of Poppa Hugh

July 14, 1932 - January 25, 2009

New Church Blog

Hey - I am very excited! I have finally set up our church's blog! Here is the web address for "Turning The World Upside Down":

http://bunnellmethodist.blogspot.com/

Initially I am starting with a blog entry on Mondays highlighting the lectionary psalm for the week, and on Wednesday I will share what the preaching text is and add any comments or thoughts from our "Soul Cafe" discussion.

This morning two people had added comments to the psalm discussion!! I don't know that I have very many folks in the congregation that will participate but I hope that for the few that do it will be meaningful. And who knows, maybe some new folks will find us through our blog.

My Family In Stitches

My family in stitches! I knitted them all scarves for Christmas... my first ever knitting projects! And I am pretty proud of myself... even if my husband's wasn't completed until New Year's Eve.

Hokie Fan's scarf is maroon and orange (Virginia Tech colors of course!); I had promised it would be done by Orange Bowl game time and I made it! Yippee!! And the Hokies won!!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 got their scarves Christmas Day. Thing 1 got a scarf of royal blue chenille which he picked out because it was the softest of all the chenille yarn he touched to his cheek. Thing 2 picked the yarn color "Monet" when we were choosing yarn for a church activity. Her's was my very first knitting project so it has numerous errors... but Thing 2 kept saying she didn't care - she still thought it was very special anyway- "everybody makes mistakes." I added the tassles as an extra surprise. They are a very soft purple "fuzzy" yarn mixed with the yarn from the scarf.

Still Looking Back

Okay, I guess I'm still "looking back" in a way - meandering through last year's photos and finding favorites. I want to put them here to share them with you - but more to remember. To smile. To reflect.
I have very few photos - maybe only this one - with all four of us... So, this one must be my 2008 family favorite! We are in Floyd County, VA preparing to enter the corn maze... fun, fun, fun!

Photo credits go to my niece Brittany... thanks Brit!

Friday Five: Favorite Things

RevGal BlogPals "Friday Five":


Five things that I remember/ treasure from 2008:

1. The visit we had with Grandma Blanche before she died.

2. Our church being the catalyst for a coalition of faith communities to form and open a cold-weather shelter in our town.

3. Kayaking with my friend Kathy.

4. Papa Hugh's cancer diagnosis and saying our good-byes before he left for Tennessee.

5. Learning to knit and making my family scarves for Christmas.


Five things that I am looking forward to in 2009:

1. More knitting and more kayaking!

2. The five-day Academy of Spiritual Formation with Drs. Mallard and Bondi.

3. Dreaming big dreams with my congregation and the Cold-Weather Shelter Coalition for ways to address poverty and homelessness in our community.

4. Living healthier and being healthier.

5. More fun times with my family.

Favorite Photos 2008

Here is my favorite photo of my son (Thing 1) in 2008. This was taken in July at Blue Springs State Park... our first canoe trip.

And here is my favorite photo of my daughter (Thing 2) in 2008. This was taken in October in the wonderful town of Floyd, Virginia... my husband's hometown.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 are twins - eight years old and in second grade. They bring light and joy to my life - especially on dark days. For their presence in our lives I am TRULY grateful!