Lights Out

Yesterday, in the middle of the day, the power went out in the church. I worked for as long as I could with the Laptop on battery. Finally, I went home when it became clear the power wasn't going to come back on for some time. We don't know what happened or why the power went out. We have emergency lights but not a backup generator.



I came back last night to teach a class, and the lights were back on, but the building was cold. That told me it had not been on long.



It got me to thinking about my own life, and when the power in my life goes out. Do I have a backup generator for my life? Am I connected with the source of energy for all life, Creator God?
Am I using up all my energy on all kinds of things except for those places I need to be spending my energy? Do I even have emergency lights in my life? How can I do a better job using my energy more efficiently? How can I make sure I am connected to the source of energy?

A funeral for Prince Aiden

Thank you to each of you for your prayers, thoughts and support about our cat's death, Prince Aiden. This morning, Zachary said to me, "I loved Prince Aiden, I miss him." I know, I know. This is a picture of Prince Aiden.

Early evening we went out in the woods back of our house to bury him. We found a place not far off the trail, that we could dig up. The kid's wanted to help dig, but the clay was so hard, from lack of rain, that Bob dug it. We placed the body, which was wrapped up and in a trashbag, in the hole. We then said their goodbyes. Well, poor Kara got to giggling and laughing at everything Katy said. We tried to comfort her, because we knew behind the laughter were the tears and sadness. We had to calm Katy down, because she thought Kara was making fun of her. And Zach then wouldn't say anything, because he was afraid, that she would laugh at him. But we explained what was going on, so Katy went on and said her goodbyes, then Zachary. I then gathered us together and held hands as we prayed together. I thanked God for sending us Prince Aiden for a short time. I was crying while I prayed. Kara then got quiet and was crying softly. Then we pushed the dirt back over the grave, patted it down good. Zachary asked for a wooden cross to be put there. They all know where the grave is now and can get to easily if they need to.

This is the second cat we have had to die in the last month, it breaks my heart. The kids go through a litany now; " I miss Rhianna, I miss Prince Aiden. The only cats we have left is big fat kitty, and Midnight." I know, I know.

When Rhianna died, Bob wouldn't let the kids see the body or help bury him. They were really mad at him. I guess he learned his lesson. I told him how important it was to have the kids present so they could do their grieving. Good night sweet prince.

On a happier note, the kids had a great time swimming, and playing yesterday. It was so sweet and pure joy to hear their laughter, and their talking and playing. It was one of those God moments. I was trying to savor it, and hold it close to my heart. I was trying to put it in my memory bank. You sure can't buy these moments, and these times with the kids.

points in my world.

• Well, it is Memorial day today. And yet I will be spending most of my day at the Ball park for a double header of my son's Baseball team. Lathering up the sun screen, and Bob is putting up the canopy. But yesterday, Bob and I put together a picture board for Memorial day and invited others to do the same. I'll see if I can get them together to show you later. It was very moving.

• It was Pentecost Sunday yesterday, and the person bringing the announcements told them I would explain Pentecost to them. I used the children's sermon to tell them about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, and explain how the Holy Spirit helps us to become Christ Like which tied into my sermon. I wasn't preaching Pentecost lectionary passages. We are doing a series on the Purpose Driven Life to go along with the Book Study. We are at the third purpose of "Becoming Christ Like". I have to tell you after attending the Festival of Homiletics, listening to the "Rock Stars" of the Preaching World, I really felt humbled about my preaching. And I got the idea from what the Bishop said in his lecture on the last day about preaching, that he didn't care for the Purpose Driven Life or the style of preaching that Rick Warren preached. I really felt anxious. But the Bishop said something that I do agree with, that when the Holy Spirit shows up it is awesome, disconcerting, powerful, well we don't have the words to describe it, at least I don't. But I think God is there in the church and its us who don't always show up, or we may come to church physically but not in the whole. Our minds and hearts are often elsewhere, including myself sometimes. My prayer was that I showed up and that we showed up to receive the word we needed to hear.

• Yesterday, we said goodbye to our Youth Director. It was sad. We gave her a gift card and a gift. She tried hard to work with our youth. She tried different means of working with them. But in the end it did not work. But we wanted to thank her for her time with us and our youth and ministering to them. So we said goodbye and thank you. We prayed over her and for her future. She is getting married, and finishing her graduate degree. Anybody in our area looking for a youth director? I can recommend one. We have a different youth group. We have some members of our church who are youth. Then we have youth whose parents don't go to church. We also have the young men from a local children's home. Good boys at heart, but boys with lots of needs, lots of pain, and no parents around. It makes for a hard youth group. So, Abi is working with the youth along with another man, Bob and some other people who said they would help until we decide what direction we are going in.

• Last night we came home from Sunday night church to see our beautiful male cat, Prince Aiden on the side of the road. Yes, we lost another cat. He was breathing but not really responding. Bob took him to the emergency clinic and they put him to sleep. Bob brought his body home so we can bury him and have a little burial service for him today. The girls were just in tears as was I. He slept on Kate's bed, and was one of the most loving male kitties I have ever had. The Vet told Bob that our street was known as "death road" for pets. We have a fenced in yard, but that doesn't keep the cats in, except for big cat. We have a pet door for the dogs to go in and out. I guess we may have to think about getting rid of the pet door, and just let the dogs in and out. I don't know.

• But the truth is, a pet's death is not a human death. It is not the same. It is grievous, but not the same. And it is not the same as the sacrificial deaths of our military. So today we take time to remember our military and those who died in war. I have a great Uncle who died in WWI. Bob has an Uncle who died at war also. Probably there are others, I don't know. I think Grand dad told us his brother died in the Spanish American War. Here is a link to a Memorial Day prayer that I like. Did you know that there are this many US deaths in Iraq:
• U.S. Deaths Confirmed By The DoD: 3441
• Reported U.S. Deaths Pending DoD Confirmation: 14
• Total 3455 from IC website.
• This doesn't include contractors, journalists, other nation's military(here are British Numbers), nor does it include the Iraqis' deaths.
• And let's not forget we got another war going on, that has heated up again, Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Here is a list of American War Casualties for all wars.
• I think it is important to put a face to the number, go to the Washington post for that.
• Whether you agree or disagree with the present administration and it's policies, take time to remember those who have died for your right to agree or disagree.

• And last point in my world. yesterday the local paper talked about the KKK coming to Tuscumbia on Saturday(You can't read the article anymore if you don't have an account, but you can see the pictures.). I didn't know about it, nor did I go, I was at the ball park all day and had a spend the night friend over for the girls. (That's another story.) They were there to talk about illegal immigration and their usual topics. What was neat was that there were protests about them being there. They say there were a lot of young faces in the crowd of protesters. The protesters were nonviolent and held up signs that said "Love thy Neighbor", and "God's Love is Colorblind". They had to cancel the cross burning due to the Fire alert we are under. In the end they had to leave due to the crowd who were gathered singing a few verses of "Jesus Loves the Little Children". Can you imagine it was the singing of that sweet little children's hymn that forced them to leave. In light of what the Festival of Homiletics theme was on, "Preaching for Transformation", a sermon was preached yesterday. Don't be fooled by their talk about illegal immigration, they still spew hatred, and racism. Instead pray for them, protest them with nonviolent protests, love them as the Bible tells us too, and sometimes sing that sweet Song; "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, including the KKK...."

Festival of Homiletics

Hi, Have you wondered where I was? Why wasn't I blogging? Was I ever going to blog again? Well, here I am. I am at the Festival of Homiletics in Nashville, TN. The reason I haven't been blogging is due to the limited time period I have to use the internet at the place I am staying. I am staying at Scarritt-Bennett at the Vanderbilt Campus. It is a beautiful place. Quiet. Peaceful. Nice little restaurants around. They even have a labyrinth which I have walked a couple of times. But they only keep the building that has the internet open for until 9pm. By the time we have gotten back in the evening, it is just not enough time to even do email. The Festival is great. Great worship. Great preaching. Great teaching. It is just great.(Have I used great too much?) But the parking downtown is a night mare, and the cost is more than I am used to paying. But I realize I don't live in a big city or go downtown much. Logistics has every one scattered about. And did I say that there are 1600 people here. Now how am I suppose to find anybody with that many people? But I did meet-up with the revgalblogpals who are here last night, and it was good to meet them and be with them. Today I saw some guys from the methoblog who were help lead the emerging worship service. How do they have time to do all the things they do?

This afternoon we went to the Upper Room, which was a nice experience. There were also more books one could buy. But I did not buy any there. Don't tell Bob I bought some at the Festival though. I have got to quit buying books and read the ones I have bought. And I have to finish Velvet Elvis for Monday's discussion. But I am having a good time and learning a lot. I haven't stopped blogging or left this world. I'll try to write more as I can.

World's best mom

Have you seen these photos of the world's best mom over at Slate? They are some really good black and white pictures.

Do you consider your mom, the world's best mom?

My kid's these days say to me, "Mom, you are my bestest mom." And I say thanks.

Today, Kara told me she remembers her Chinese mom, and coming out of her stomache. Okay, that's a six year old's version, which led to one of those talks in answer to the question "How can you come out of your mommy's stomache." I told Kara, that she probably does have a memory of her mom and being inside her. I told her I was glad she could remember her. And I told her I wished I could meet her to tell her that I thank her for having Kara. She looked at me funny on that one, but then lept into my arms for a hug and kisses all over, as she puts it.

Do I consider my mom, the world's best mom? I consider my world's best mom. She is the best mom for me. She has had a big inflence on me being who I am. My mom was always giving to others, being there for others in their time of need. She loves Jesus, and she taught me to love Jesus. She used to hum and sing when she was working around the house. Yes, I do too. She also worked outside the home as a nurse, and she was a good one. She raised three kids who are very different. She loves her grand kids and they adore her. She loves her kids, and they love her. So yes, I consider her world's best mom.

Was she perfect? Nah, but neither am I. Did she try her best? Oh yes she did. She would dance and play with us. She did her best to make home life good for us. And I think that's a good thing. She made sure our needs were met. She supported me in getting a college and seminary education. She prays for me and supports me now. She's my mom.

My mom is getting older now and needs us more. Her age is starting to wear on her more. Although she still gets around, is a volunteer for Hospice, and is active in her church and my sisters. She has friends she still goes to visit or goes out to eat with. I hate I am not closer by.

I want to say "thanks Mom, You are my bestest mom!"

Clumsy me

This week has been so fast and furious that we had not unpacked all the suitcases, including mine in the bedroom. And of course it was the big one. Well, we had it sitting in the floor and the big cat, Tygger had taken it over as if to say, "you aren't going anywhere, anytime soon." That was okay, because we had it set it out of the way or at least I thought it was. The other night, I was going into the bedroom to go to bed, and the lights were off. Koda, the little dog was under my feet. I rounded the corner into our bedroom and went tripping pretty as you please over the edge of the suitcase, spilling right onto the floor. The suitcase had some kind of hard plastic edge to it that scraped and bruised my thigh all the way from the knee. I was laying on the floor crying and the dog was licking my face. He thought it was a game and funny. Inspite of my screaming when I fell, the kids did not wake up. Bob came in and rescued me, turned out I have a pretty bruise and abrasion. It has really hurt for a couple of days. We iced it down and I have been using IBprophin. I have been wearing shorts too, could not stand anything to touch it. Needless to say, the suitcase has been emptied and put away. Tygger is very angry with us too for doing that or maybe she was angry that we went away in the first place.

Post Holy Week/Easter Sunday Grunge Day

For some reason, I don't remember last year wearing me out like this. But maybe it did and I don't remember. Maybe it was the all day Sunday headache? I just know that Monday I grunged all day. I did take Zachary to speech therapy and picked up the girls at school. I tried to read a book while waiting for Zach, but couldn't get the words to stop traveling on the page. Instead, I just flipped through a magazine looking at the pictures. We went to Zach's ball game Monday evening. Other than that I was in slow motion all day.
How about you?
I am counting the days down until we go on Spring Break vacation.
4 days and counting.
It will come Abi, be patient, it will come.
Anybody else on a Post Holy Week/Easter Holiday?

Where did the time go?

Where did the time go between my last post and today?

• Thursday; trip to Bham to a committee meeting that took longer than originally thought, wrote a rough draft for Sunday's sermon, and saw my therapist.
• Friday; caught up on office mail, phone calls, etc,went visiting in the afternoon. Kid's had ball practice in the afternoon. Tried to do the Friday five, but home computer gliched and I lost everything, lost my patience too.
• Saturday; spent all day at the ball park with multiple games, also took them to swim lessons.
• Sunday; Sunday morning meet and greet, worship prep, worship and preaching, Easter egg hunt and party at the church, choir practice, nap, and finished reading "Leaving Church'
• Monday, today; back in the office catching up on the office work, preparing for: a Wednesday talk, hosting a worship service on Thursday for two other churches, a sermon for Friday night, and a sermon for Easter Sunday, plus those who come by to talk, and ball practice this afternoon.

Now I know where the time went and is going, going . . . gone.

Date or no Date

People have been asking, did you get the date or not? The answer is yes, Bob and I did have a date. He was unable to find a sitter. So I found us not one but two 13 yr old girls from the church who babysat for us. This was the first time they had babysat our kids, but they did a great job.

What did we do on our date night? We went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Great food. And we went to the $2 movie theater. Now don't get your rankles up and say my hubby is a cheap date. It was me who chose the theater. The full price theater didn't have any movies I wanted to see, and we did go by and check it out. Instead we went to see the "Pursuit of Happyness." I know, I know, it will be out on DVD soon. We had not gotten to see it when it was at the big theater, and I wanted to see it without the kids, although they would have liked it too. I loved it and so did Bob.

It was a great night for us. And on top of that it was a Saturday night, you know the night before Sunday worship. I had gotten my sermon done that afternoon so I could go and not worry about it.

So for all the inquiring minds, we did have a date for my anniversary. Oh the other thing we did was talk about what we liked about being married to each other. That was sweet real sweet.

Happy Anniversary

Today is my 17th wedding anniversary. 17 years ago I said yes to Bob that I would be his wife, and he said yes to me. The picture is of the Main Post Chapel at Ft. Benning, Ga, where we got married. Our wedding pictures aren't on a disk and so I can't post them. That may be one of my future to dos. We have had our ups and downs, sicknesses and health, financial problems, disagreements, and yet we have stayed committed to each other and our marriage. We deal with conflict differently. He is an introvert and I am an extrovert on the Meyers Briggs scale. He comes from Texas and I come from Florida. He plays golf, I learned to play golf. I played tennis, he learned to play tennis. He likes Opera, I learned to like Opera. I liked movies, he has learned to go to them with me. We like hiking, biking, boating, and fishing. We also like working on home projects together. He grew up Lutheran and converted to Catholism. I grew up Southern Baptist and converted to United Methodist. He converted to Methodism. We have both grown spiritually together. I like to go the ocean, and he likes to go to the mountains. So we go to both places and enjoy. I have to brag on my hubby. He is one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest, humurous, loving man yet all man that I know. I am so thankful for him. To steal and redo a line from Tootsie, "I am a better woman from knowing him and being with him." Some of the things we have done to help ourselves and our marriage are as follows; Marriage Enrichment, Marriage Enrichment retreats, and Marriage Counseling. But the most important thing we have done is praying together, reading God's word together, forgiving each other, seeing each other through God's eyes, and turning ourselves over to God.

March Anniversaries

It was a year ago, that we went to China to get our son Zach. Boy has time flown. And how he has grown, and is maturing. He is such a whirlwind of activity, loudness, and fun. I am so glad that God brought us together.

Yesterday, was the date of my father's birthday. I could always remember it because it was the first day of spring. I now remember it emotionally because he died in 1998. I miss him a lot on this earth. I don't miss him spiritually. I know where he is. And he often comes to me in dreams, thoughts and feelings. I am grateful also that God allowed us to be together, as father and daughter.

Saturday, March 24 is my Wedding Anniversary. My husband has been going around saying 17 years, wow 17 years. His first marriage lasted 12, but probably should have ended the day it began. He can't believe we have been married longer than his first and that it has been so much better than the first. I can't believe I am even married, and even still married. I was single for so long, that I had come to the place of accepting that I might remain single for my life. And I will admit that for most of my life I thought I wasn't marriage material, you know, things I thought about myself from some pain and hurt of life. And yet here I am married to this beautiful man for 17 years. Wow. He is working on getting a babysitter so we can have a date Saturday. Ya'll pray, he hasn't been able to find one yet.

And on March 29, I started blogging this blog of St. John's Rev Abi. It was originally named Vicar of Wadley for where I served as pastor. Here is my first post,The vicar is in Maybe.
I originally started blogging about our trip to China to get Zach on our adoption blog under the name of my husband. (I turned that over to my husband, who sadly has not picked it up, but dropped it.) But I have to say I am so glad I started blogging, in that it has opened up a whole new world of friends from all around the world. I have a new family in the revgalblopals, and with those in the Methodist blogging world. I have met some of them f2f at conferences, and will hopefully be seeing some more at the Festival of Homiletics in May. I thankful that God brought us together.

Wow what great anniversaries to have in March. I am celebrating!

On the Road Again

I am on the road again. I will be gone from home from this Monday until next Tuesday late. First I will be at the Emmaus walk of the Alabama Cluster as one of the spiritual directors from Monday until Thursday.
Then Thursday, Bob and kids will pick me up for us to go to Avon Park, Florida for my Granddad's funeral. I am doing the funeral.
Then Sunday I am back at Camp Sumatanga for the Board of Ordained Ministry Retreats. I am on one of the Interview teams and I present an interviewee. It won't be as emotional for me, because I am not on the hot seat.

Yep, a lot of travel time, sitting time, eating and eating out. Using my mind, heart and soul. Long days, maybe even some sleepless night. Emmaus will be a very Spiritual time. The time in Florida will be an emotional time. The Interview Retreat will be mental, and wearing. So keep me in your prayers and I'll keep you posted.

A person in overdrive

I feel like a person on overdrive. Can I give that up for Lent?

Thursday had early morning meetings and phone calls, then I went to Huntsville for a meeting. Dealt with a death in a church member's family.
Friday I finished up preparations for my practice talk for the Walk to Emmaus on Obstacles to Grace, and worked on my sermon, and saw my kids somewhere in there. I think I fell asleep next to my hubby.
Saturday, drove back to Huntsville for the Emmaus Team meeting, did my practice talk. Came back to deal with family and then finish for Sunday morning preaching.
Sunday, preached. Dealt with family. Worked on my homily/meditation for Monday Morning Minister's Meeting on the second word from Jesus on the cross. Dealt with some church member's needs. I think I saw my family a little bit.
Monday morning finished up homily which included power point presentation, and then presented it. Then we discussed it and added our ideas. Came home around 2pm to work on my report for Board of Ordained Ministry for one of the candidates for Elder's orders in the Methodist church that was due that day. Nothing like working at the last minute. Got it in that evening. Went to a meeting that evening.
Tuesday went to Memphis to the Shea Ear Clinic to see what they could do about the ringing in the ears. It was an all day adventure. lots of testing. He does think he can treat the ringing, but I have to set it up since it is a three day outpatient treatment. Recommends hearing aids also. Came home, missed the eating out with the women once again. Spent time with my family, and then worked on things for today. Set up the church, the kids helped me set up the altar it looks neat for Ash Wednesday.
Today, I have been here since 7:30am for Ash Wednesday.I have had 3 people come at 10am. We had a brief yet meaningful service. So I have been working on the liturgy and sermon for tonight. Finishing emails that were delayed. Taking care of phone calls. Doing the bulletin for tonight. My secretary is out with her son who has the flu. Zachary is sick, Bob took him to the Doc, but she was not overly concerned. He took him to school, but then they called and said he had green snot coming out his nose and for him to please come get him. Zachary was glad to be home. He can't blow his nose yet, he breathes in instead which has made a simple cold worse.
Whew. I'll be glad when today is over. We have a Ash Wednesday worship service at 6:30pm. I am done when it is done.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a little less intense and busy.
I am coming out of overdrive and resting.

Oh and my 101 year old Grandpa is in the hospital in Jacksonville, and they don't know why yet.
And Bob is applying for Social Security. He actually seems relieved.

Tuesday night blogging

• I have finally been successful in switching to the new blogger after much consternation.
• I thank you all for you patience and support and encouragement while I have been involved in church bidness, mommying, district bidness, and you name it. ( I think it is the you name its that get you in trouble.)
• I did see my Doc, and she told me this about my memory; I am overloaded, I am over 50, and I am in an overly anxious church situation. She said all that has led to the short term memory breakdown. She upped my anti anxiety medicine, and told me I was probably going to have to work harder at remembering and to take better care of myself.
• Did you get all those overs? So I took today off and gelled.
• My cell phone bit the dust while I was out in the middle of nowhere. I now have a new cellphone, the razor. I am putting my appointments on it and it will notify me. (Don't have one them pDA's.)

I'll blog more later about some of things I meant to blog but have not.

meetings, paperwork and memory problems

• I have had a meeting every night, and day since the beginning of the year. It is not the slow time of the year. Church meetings, District meetings, planning meetings, and conference meetings. I am meetinged out.
• Today I finished the paperwork for the end of year report for the North Al. Conf about St. John. I recently turned in a six year report on my ministry at all the churches I served. At the end of November was the Charge Conference report which also included numbers from last year's Charge Confernce to this one. Now would someone please tell me why I have to make three different reports on similar questions? Why there is no database, except the one I made with excell for me? Can we get on the same sheet of paper people?
• My short term memory is shot. I was embarrassed to realize that Saturday in a meeting, I had not done something I said I would do and needed to do to report at this meeting. And then as I realized that, I realized several other things I had forgotten to do. On the way home, I began to wonder if it was the early warning signs of dementia, later signs of the end of menopause, or just being overloaded mentally.
• Tonight I have another meeting. I'll have you know, I refused to go to a District meeting on my day off when the kids and hubby were home. I just want to stay home.