We're at General Assembly!

My friends and fellow pastor, Connie W and I made it to Indianapolis last night! We stayed in a "cheap" hotel on the outskirts of Indy last night, after checking out where the convention center and our assembly hotel were....right in downtown Indianapolis. As we drove in this morning, we had to drive right by Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts, which is only about 2 blocks away from our hotel. I'm not used to this 'lifestyle'... the valet unloaded our car and brought our bags to the room (we had to tip him, of course), I'm paying for internet access, and our room is so beautiful and upscale I'm almost afraid to sleep in the bed. :-)
This afternoon we attended the opening business session which included the State of the Church address, more on that later. We also saw a small part of the exhibitors because we kept getting stopped by people we know. The exhibit hall is an every day experience. I have the 2009 chalice for my collection. Now we're resting between sessions and will soon head back across to the convention center (across the street) for evening worship. Will write before going to bed.
Blessings to you all!!! Thanks for the traveling prayers!

Getting Ready to Go to GA!

Well, I think I'm pretty much ready. The laundry has been done, the suitcase packed, Marshall's bag has been packed (toys, food, tie-out). He's staying with Bob & Annie while I'm gone. My 'back up' is in place and know that God will watch over her and everyone in the Parish... shoot... they'll probably thrive without me. :-) I've checked pretty much everything off my to-do list except for a couple things that can't be done until just before leaving. I'm excited about going to General Assembly. It has been described as the Disciples really huge family reunion. I know I will see many old friends who are serving in other churches around the country and will also make new friends. I know there will be thought-provoking discussion and debate about many of the issues during the business sessions... because that's who we are as Disciples. Always up for a debate... thank you Alexander Campbell. I know that I will be mentally and intellectually enriched by the workshops offered on Friday and Saturday afternoon. I think I'm going to follow a Learning Track on Spiritual Practices... but there are so many workshops to choose from I haven't made up my mind yet. Most of all I know that I will be spiritually fed and energized... sometimes to the point of shouting AMEN and sometimes having goosebumps and sometimes to tears... in the amazing worship services together with some of the best of the best Disciple preachers speaking. I'm also looking forward to getting to know my travel-buddy and hotel roommate, Connie, who is the pastor in Vinton. We have only met a couple times... but after a week together we'll get to know each other a LOT. I don't even know if she's a night owl like me. But... it's all an adventure and I can't wait! I'll keep you posted on my travels and experiences!

Relay for Life

Boy was this a busy weekend! It was Watermelon Day in Stanhope, we had Angel Food Ministries distribution day, so that meant going to Ames to pick up food (that's a whole 'nother story!) and distribute the food at the Parish, I did a graveside funeral, the gals hosted a bridal shower at the church and then I spent almost 2 hours talking with the bride and groom to get to know them and get wedding logistics nailed down. But the most important thing I did (with due respect to everything else), at least for my heart and soul... was participate in the Hamilton County Relay for Life. I was greatly honored and humbled to be asked to offer the opening prayer Friday night, but that was such a miniscule thing compared to how I was touched by the whole event... especially the tears in my eyes during the survivor lap, especially when friends Laura, Mara, Betty J, and Arlene went by...and walking the track during the luminary service with all the lights out except for the candles lit inside the hundreds of luminaries lining the track. As we walked in silence, a local radio DJ, Pat Powers, read off the names of people whose names were on the luminaries (either in Memory of or in Honor of). I tried to pause briefly in front of luminaries for friends...Margaret, Doris, Charles, Jeannie Mac, Arlene, Laura, Mara, Amanda, and others... and, of course, to say a prayer of thanks in front of a luminary for dad.

But it was a lot of FUN, too! Our team captain, Miriam, was so organized, not just with our team, but also as a member of the Relay planning team.

There was dancing and teams had fundraisers, like our 'track your laps' cords with a bead for each lap around and bowling, and selling purple wrist bands, a pie auction, selling candy, and much more. at 11 there were fireworks.

Oh yes... another inspiration in the evening... one of our youngest 'team members' ... Amanda Ostrem, was also the Honorary Chair of the event. Amanda is just 4 years old and just came through a horrendous couple years fighting a very aggressive form of leukemia. You'd never know it from the energy and spunk this little princess has. The picture is of Amanda giving a princess wave during the survivor lap, riding on her dad's shoulders.

As of Friday night, Hamilton County had raised over $50,000. Final totals aren't in yet. THANK YOU to everyone that helped with the team and our fundraising events, especially those friends and family who supported me for the event and to help eradicate this awful disease that has touched us all. Oh... and by the way... from over 4 miles in laps, plus 30 minutes of non-stop dancing (thank goodness for the 60 degree temps). Plus other walking and standing from 5 pm to midnight. Yes, when I got to bed at 2 am my lower half was screaming "What have you been doing!!!???" but I'm OK now... mostly. :-)

Better than I thought

The 4th of July is over and it wasn't as bad as a thought. I had my cheeseburger and corn on the cob and potato salad. I watched the History Channel all day long that was running a great series called "The Revolution" and I love early U.S. History. Then Marshall and I got in the car and headed for the fireworks in Ames. We got there about 7:30, so drove by and scoped out the parking lot which had several people having picnics and 'tailgating', but not too many early birds. So we went thru the fast food drive up and drove by the bandshell park. Everything was done and everyone had disbursed! I was surprised. The streets of Ames were amazingly quiet. So we went back and found our parking spot, shared dinner and then went for a walk to see some of the folks gathered. It was so much fun to walk around and 'people watch'... and when you have a big beautiful golden on a leash people automatically say hi and children want to come up and pet him. Families had picnics, youth were throwing footballs and baseballs back and forth, some families had board games going on in the back of pick up trucks, kids in their p.j.s, one group playing a bean bag toss game, kids on scooters and every nationality (it was Ames after all) you could imagine. And... of course... lots of sparklers, snakes, roman candles, bottle rockets, large sparklers, and various other legal and non-legal fireworks people were setting off. The parking lot displays were a pretty good prelude to the big show. The Ames display finally started at 10 and it was great. Marshall was very aware (but not scared of) all the fireworks and noise around him, but then laid down and slept through the actualy fireworks show. Guess it didn't spook him much. :-)
So, all in all, what I thought was going to be just another 4th to dread it turned out to be a pretty good one. I'm already planning on going back next year... and inviting my family and maybe some friends to bring their coolers and a picnic and lets have our own party in the parking lot. Who knows.

4th of July

Well, it's the 4th of July. I have a love/hate relationship with this day. At one time in my life it was my absolute favorite holiday (next to Christmas). On the 4th you could count on the whole family being together at Mom & Dad's house, maybe grandparents (in my younger days), maybe visiting aunts and uncles and cousins. But our family would all be together for the day. We'd have a traditional day... grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, a big stock pot on the stove filled with sweet corn, a big bowl of Mom's yummy potato salad (basic potato salad, no extra stuff, no pickles, no fancy spices, no mustard, just potatoes, eggs, onion, salt, pepper and mayonaisse) and of course carrot sticks and celery and chips. We'd have bowls of hand-picked black raspberries from the backyard all sugared up and making their own syrup in the fridge, a chocolate cake frosted with white frosting sitting on the counter. Sometimes Mom was creative with strawberries and blueberries or something in her cake decorating, sometimes it was just left plain... waiting for the birthday candles for my sister-in-law, Patty's, birthday. I always thought it would be cool to have fireworks and sparklers for my birthday every year. Best of all, we made ice cream. Not the electric ice cream makers of today, but Mom made a creamy bowl of goodness with eggs and vanilla and cream and just the slightest hint of lemon to enhance the vanilla flavor and pour it into the hand-crank freezer drum. Dad and my brothers would put it all together in the maker with the ice and salt, top it off with an old rug and we'd all take turns turning the crank. Younger ones first while it was still pretty much liquid, then the older ones or stronger ones as the concoction froze. It was a victorious moment when it was declared done, but also a temptation as we all wanted to eat it right away, but had to release it back to Mom to wrap up and put in the freezer. Our taste buds would have to wait. It was hard, even though the extra hours in the freezer would be worth it once we dug into it and it had had time to blend flavors together even more.
After enjoying our BBQ meal eaten outside around the picnic table(s) we'd clean up and play a lawn game or just chat. In my older years there would be a bottle or two of wine coolers or beer or wine brought out to share. Then as the sun started to go down we'd gather up our lawn chairs and blankets and walk the 3 blocks to the Iowa Veterans Home where the fireworks were shot off and we'd all take turns deciding which vowel sound to make next... ooooo..... ahhhhh.... eeeeeee.....OOOO... then laugh. After the grand finale it was back home to light sparklers and have our own ground displays, sing Happy Birthday, cut cake and bring out the ice cream. Top it all off with chocolate sauce or the syrupy black raspberries (or maybe a bit of both). It was a truly wonderful holiday. A day to celebrate, a day to leave any worries of the world behind.
But today it is a day I have come to dread in some ways. In the years since the "glory days" of my youth my father has died, we have all grown older and had families, my brothers both live in Missouri, as does my nephew and his family. My niece lives in Texas withher family. iI have divorced. My mom has remarried but has no desire to go to the fireworks which for many years got moved out to the college campus, where we had to fight to find a parking place sat in our cars and then waited for an hour to be able to finally get our car out of the retreating traffic in the lot. My own son grew old enough that he preferred spending the 4th with his friends at all the festivities (by then we'd stopped the family event).
I am reminded of an essay in a book of writings on Iowa called Family Reunion. It was written by an English Lord, married to an Iowan, in the form of a letter to his brother back home in England. He began the letter by saying something to the effect of "It's the 4th of July today... a day that I, as a Englishman, want to stay in bed, put my pillow over my head and wait for the day to be over." That's sort of how I feel about this day. Like the dear Lord Patrick Acton, this is a day to remind me of what I have lost in some ways. No parties, I often have spent the night watching the fireworks on TV (which are spectacular, but not quite the same), no family gathering. Oh... I was invited to my cousins at the last minute because my Mom mentioned something to them, but for some reason I don't want to go. I love them, but maybe I'm still just too stuck wanting a past that cannot be retrieved.
So today I'm going to try something new... or old. No, I didn't get the supplies to make ice cream, altho I thought about it. But I did make a bowl of Mom's potato salad last night. And I have sweet corn in the fridge and hamburger patties thawing. They'll have to be cooked on my little George Foreman since my Weber grill bit the dust last summer, but I'll have my own little 4th of July party. Then I'm hoping to put Marshall in the car and go to Ames to see their fireworks. We'll see how he does with fireworks. He sleeps through storms, so I'm betting he'll be fine.
Tomorrow we're doing an "old fashioned 4th of July weekend" community church service in the park with our Lutheran friends and I (the staunch supporter of separation of church and state) have looked at patriotic decorations for the park and tables and am looking forward to the morning of patriotic hymns and a brief glimpse of something from the past to hang onto for the future.
Isn't that why we go to church, though? We come together to belong... to be with family, to celebrate and cheer and sing as well as cry together and pray together and celebrate and hold onto something even bigger than one country's independence. We bring our losses, our sadness as well as our joys and our celebrations to a place of holiness, no matter where it might be, to stand before and with our fellow Christians and our Lord and Savior. We come to honor and build upon the traditions of the past, to grasp onto something that was, but also to build on that past to find hope and new beginnigs in the future.
So it's not going to be such a bad day ... or weekend... afterall. I might even do the things I must do today wearing my red, white and blue and singing my favorite Schoolhouse Rock history songs. I'll have to take my head out from under my pillow and move onward and forward in God's hands.

Weddings

I promised to post a picture from the wedding on my next post, so I'm sharing my favorite picture from my son and daughter-in-laws wedding last fall. Sorry I didn't post pictures right away after the wedding... but I wasn't blogging back then. As you can see, it's not one of the "posed" pictures it was one my brother caught as they were coming out of the church and it's my favorite for several reasons: the joy on their faces is pure and complete and not posed for a picture, the bubbles with their shine and rainbows highlighted the fun and joy of the event, and their pastor is looking over them in the background. It is a picture of pure love and joy and beauty. It's the first picture I see in my row of pictures leading up the stairway. That day was so filled with love, so MUCH fun for everyone who was there and truly a day of happiness and celebration.

Our Annie is a gift from God to the family and I am so happy to have her in my life, in Bob's life and in our family. She beautiful girl that is grounded, very smart, funny, responsible, and money savvy. She has 'settled' Bob in a way I didn't think could happen, and yet they also have so much fun together. They come from similar backgrounds and family values. Most of all she makes him so very, very happy. He loves her so much. God truly blessed us all when God brought Annie back into our lives again. Our families have crossed paths off and on since high school, including Sara and I being pregnant with Bob & Annie the same summer, commiserating with each other as we waddled together to the slo-pitch diamonds to watch our hubbies play. I've often said that God smiled down and thought, "They have no idea how important these 2 babies are going to be to one another some day." And now we know and rejoice.

One other wedding picture I'm sharing is from a wedding I was honored to officiate at recently at Iowa State University under the iconic campanille with the Bells of Iowa State ringing. After a momentary worry about the rain clouds, the wedding went off as scheduled and the cloud cover actually kept the summer heat and humidity at a more tolerable levels. This pic was taken by the grooms aunt. Thanks Dalene. It was a highlight in my ministry to be asked to be a part of this couple's special day. They are also a couple that have been 'in the world' for a few years since their graduation from ISU so don't come to this part of their lives together with starry-eyed images of what marriage is. Seth & Willow are a beautiful couple who, both alone and together, are doing what they can to make a difference in their world and share their lives with many others. I wish them a life time of happiness.

To all of you who God has gifted with the precious blessing of marriage, I pray that you will always keep God as a part of your relationship. It is God who created us, created love, and created us to be together, helping and love and supporting one another. God bless you all in your commitments, whether they are newly made vows or from years of doing the work of making marriage work.

I'm so bad at this

You'd think someone who loves to write and read would be better at blogging! But I never think to get online to add to my blog. I guess I should just get into a discipline of daily blogging a little bit. Then I wouldn't get so far behind. But then... sometimes I go several months without checking my Facebook account and then find all sorts of messages... and I might go 3 days without checking email (altho not very often!)

So I'm posting a picture or two to update you on Marshall. In my next post I'll also post a picture from the wedding last September. I can't believe my son & daughter-in-law are going to have their 1st anniversary in just a few months! They are so cute together.

As you can see, Marshall has grown a LOT this winter! For the first 7 months of his life he gained about 10 lbs a month. He's pretty much come to his full height (I think) or he's slowed down a lot. THANKFULLY. He's now about 93 lbs and about 27" at his shoulder. He loves to sit at "his" window in the living room and survey his kingdom when he can't sit regally outside. No one can come to my house (except Bob) without Marshall letting me know... or walk by, or mow the neighbors yard, etc. Good watch dog. And big enough to intimidate if he's barking at you. But he's just a big softie... A little girl at the church started calling him Marshmallow when he was very small... and he's generally so mellow that it's actually a very good nickname.

The black dog in the second pic is his "cousin" Skeeter, my oldest brother Chuck's dog. He's a Beauceron (french sheepdog) Labrador mix... and Marshall and Skeeter are the same size now. They had a great time together when I went to their home for part of my vacation last month. Watching them play, wrestle and run together was so much fun.

OK... That's it for right now... I'll post again VERY SOON. I promise.