"Do what you have to do and let God take care of First Church."

Things I like about the past few days:

Belcher women and b'day lunches, Annika' smile, Bedford Station, dinners w/the First Church crew, Camp Bethel, swinging, facilitating scriptural discoveries, mocha coffee on cool autumn days, fall colors, fresh flowers, candles, singing, First Church of the Brethren


Things I am not sure how to feel about:

Virginia Sinks' tears, Ann Kinder's tight grasp of my hand, Charlie's sarcastic yet hesitant goodbyes, Sue's grief hidden under false stern demands, Betty's hesitant expressions of endearment, Mary Frances' hugs and conditions, saying goodbye and yet not going anywhere, leaving when there are so few left, opportunities for ministry in areas that touch my heart, being called "mature", being wanted to fulfill a position of ministerial leadership, working with a seasoned, genuinally humble and gentle pastor, an office w/a computer and DSL not 10 minutes from my house, working in and studying the same thing, knowing it is right while it is also hard

Exciting? Scary? If it were dull and familiar then it probably isn't right.

finding out that when you put it on paper, what you are doing is more than you ever imagined; knowing that a breathe is coming; sheila's wisdom; michael's talks from the heart; feeling that b is right where she should be

Are you tired? NO! Are you mad? NO! I'M BOTH!

long drives with Rob, Fall, Ashley the adult, tiramasu, silence in the once bloody battlefield, century old towns, peanut butter swirl ice cream, the beauty that is Virginia, David's voice speaking the Word, Carol Lena's smile and hugs, Jonas' wisdom, Zeb's giggle, That Mouth!, Rob and Jonas catching butterflies, my own bed

Life

It has been a while. Not because there is nothing to be thankful for, but because I have been overwhelmed.

UVA visits with neuro surgeons
Pending neuro tests that make me cringe
Back pain
I am an Assistant Pastor
I have an office
B is in Elgin
B has a...cubicle
Leah is safe and sound
Sam is home with hospice
My shared b-day with Daddy is coming up soon
This OT class has a lot of reading
Leadership for Prayer Retreat to do
Annual Conference Jr High event to plan
Saying good-bye to First
Wondering if I will be at T'giving worship and breakfast
Upcoming visits and visitors
More expected great nieces/nephews
Being part of prayers answered

This weekend

Leah at home, Heritage Day, Daleville fried apple pies, "Better than sex cake" - at Camp Bethel???!!!dinner and football with friends, looking out at all the familiar faces, children running down the aisle, church at Wendy's, Love Feast, 3-year olds that break the gender barrier and want to wash feet, making Mike Dowdy speechless

"...not to be served, but to serve"

I am humbled by...
the look in the eyes of the annointed
the call to serve from those who do not know me
the honest concern of a little boy named Ezekiel