Blah, Blah, Blah

One of the most important aspects of participating in a community is the ability to communicate. Why is it then, that we are so lacking in that ability?

Fragmentation

Not for the first time I looked at the sand beneath my feet. Millions of tiny bits and pieces of shell making up the beach on which I walk. Fragments of lives that are either no more, or have moved on to "bigger and better."

These shell fragments always remind me of the fragments of our lives that we leave behind - whether we are no more, or like some of those sea creatures, have moved on. Wherever we go, whomever we interact with, we always leave bits and pieces of ourselves behind. Some of those bits are positive and some are negative. Some of those pieces are large and some, well, may be miniscule.

We don't think about that much. The fact that we always leave a bit of ourselves behind. I believe we do though, even in today's seemingly isolated society. Nor do we think about the bits and pieces of others who are no longer with us - unless, of course, they play a prominent role in our lives. Then, it seems as if we pick and choose between those bits - like shell hunting. We sometimes push aside those miniscule bits in our efforts to fine the best pieces to claim as our own - the biggest, the prettiest, the ones that seem to be the most whole.

What about those parts left behind that are not so pretty? Those that are not "whole?" They too are to be recognized and respected for what they are. If it were not for those miniscule sometimes obscure and not so pretty bits and pieces, we would not have that wonderful beach to walk on and enjoy.

Today's song

It has been a while...

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a day that I could give you
I'd give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
I'd sing a song to make you feel this way

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a tale that I could tell you
I'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I'd make a wish for sunshine all the while

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
Sunshine almost all the time makes me high
Sunshine almost always

God speed

20 years ago Karen Hutchins came into the Sunday School class I was teaching. "I'll make you a deal," she said. "The same deal I've made with Freddy's other teachers. If you don't believe anything he says about me, I won't believe anything he says about you."

Freddy was a very cute little boy who loved to talk, and talk, and talk. He was the apple of his grandfather's eye and recently the Most Eligible Bachelor in Roanoke.

My heart aches for this little one and those he leaves behind.

New River

Appalachian Morning

By the manner of their living?

Over 5000 are expected at this "family reunion." And, yes, that's what it seems like to me. Just like a family reunion, there are those kin folk you love to see, those you are surprised to see and some you really just try to not have to spend too much time with. And, just like a family reunion, there are memories shared, futures examined and beliefs considered.

One thing I have learned at both is that Rob is absolutely right..."Everybody's different."

Then again, being "different" is no excuse for rudeness, bossyness or condescention.

Then again, isn't being different what the Church of the Brethren is supposed to be known for?

If so, different from what? I always thought it was "different from the world," but at times, I really can't see much difference.

The body of Christ...

Home again after a few days in the land of kudzoo, coal trucks and double-wides. Funny how things turn around on you. After feeling that my entire description of life in the area where I was born depicted such a negative picture, I ended up, not explaining, not even defending, but trying to get others to accept it.

For evening devo's I decided to do my Bisquick communion. It would have been perfect too...if everyone hadn't been so gosh darn different! I gave each person a cup with a small amount of Bisquick in it and asked them to add a small amount of the liquid of their choice. I explained that the end result should be about the consistancy of cake batter. Too bad not everyone's image of cake batter is the same. Some were so thick they wouldn't pour out of the cup and others were pure liquid! Into the cake pan they all went, however, then into the oven. After a much longer time than expected, the mixture finally took on a somewhat brownish and spotty cake-like appearance. When dumped out onto a plate...well let's just say that it was not the perfect loaf of communion bread. Trying to break and serve this lump of oooey-gooey, half-baked stuff was a chore, but we did it.

After everyone had taken communion, it hit me! This was probably the worst tasting and worst looking communion bread they had ever had. Definitely not what some would consider "proper." It was a complete mess. But then, so is life. Our purpose was not to judge those we were there to serve. Our purpose was not to pry into the "stories." Instead, our purpose was to be in communion with God's children who needed our help at this specific time, in this specific place. We were not "Brethren to the Rescue!" We were brothers and sisters extending a hand to one another.

Are you really paying for the car in front of you too?

Thought I was going to get off easy today. Take fresh water to job sites, maybe help hang some drywall. But no. Pulling up floors, piling up old moldy, ratty insulation and pushing new insulation through a hole. That's what I got to do. Margaret, the lady who owned the house seemed quite upset when she saw all we were doing and how difficult it seemed. Another advisor, Sarah, told her, "Well, it has got to be done and we're here." Margaret was so appreciative. In the midst of the hauling, prybarring and sweating, the lovely lady offerred us some hot coffee. Instead, we headed to Wendy's for milkshakes, floats and Frosty's. That vanilla milkshake was one of the best ever! What was it that made it and the "breakfast for dinner" so delicious? I think it was satisfaction and exhaustion from a job well done.

It is not pronounced "holl-ow"

Here I am back in the hollers of Kentuck. They asked me to share a little about the area and my personal experience with it. I really didn't realize just how negative my thoughts were until I heard myself speak. During our introductions, Sharon asked us to share one expectation we had for the week. Without thinking, I said I wanted to come here and work with a different attitude. This morning, driving a group to their worksite, I could hear the birds singing everywhere. Driving down the road, sitting at the stoplights. Birds singing and sun shining over the misty mountain tops. The attitude is already changing.

Fun, fun fun!

Last week Rob and I went to Ohio to celebrate the wedding of Emily Beck. Helping with the many little things that go along with the ceremony and a 300 person reception was fun! After all, it really wasn't our responsibility, we just got to play with flowers, oranges, gold fish and eat some good food and see some great people.

This week I have spent each evening with 25 children ranging from 4 - 13 years old at VBS. Even with the responsibilities I had, it too was fun. Getting hugs from little boys and girls, watching small faces change from frowns to smiles at the mention of lemonade, seeing adults playing kickball and eating popsicles and enjoy being kids themselves again.

Next week? Well next week, I get to rest up from all of this fun! Then...well, we'll talk about that later.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

I never cease to be amazed at how small, seemingly unimportant things can make a day seem so much brighter! Praise God for creating minds that can figure out how to cut a canopy of leaves out of a $1 plastic tablecloth!

Whatsoever you do....

There's something wonderful about being able to offer respite to another. Something so comforting to me in the act of providing comfort for another. Knowing that one is safe, and able to rest comfortably in my home, to be provided for with the basic things that we often take for granted....a soft place to lay your head, drinkable water, fresh food, a shower.

"Karen, you can't take everyone home with you."

Maybe not. But I think I'd like to.

Welcome to the family Rebekka Elaine Larson!!

With brother Eric


With brother Alec


With sister Annika


Rebekka

I'm the mama

Fixing breakfast, surprise donations for VBS, free and easy AT hikers healing and resting in my home, being given "trail names" - Mama and Papa Cassell, The Homeplace biscuits and gravy

Me: "I'm really gonna try not to "mother" you too much."
Australian Just Mike: "That's ok, I miss being mothered somewhat."

Me: "Well, I guess I'll go to the office and try to do some "ministering."
John: "You've already done more than called for today. You're way ahead of the game."

Look out world, here she comes!

First Day of School

Last Day of School

Oh, the places she'll go!

Close your eyes and think of me

Spring, the way the bright green of the hillsides pop against the blue sky, random tufts of daffodils on the roadside, little waterfalls cascading down the mountain side from morning rains, the blue hazy mountains of home, mountain top views and valley communities, Deep Purple, Carol King and other classic rock groups, coming home after a long day to a dinner of flounder

Welcome to the family Esther Pearl Ferris!

Born March 22, 2008 8lb 14 oz

Brother Henry and Daddy (Paul David)


Mama (Mary)

Lord, help my unbelief

The devotion I read today had this statement, "...truth does not depend on my understanding..."

There is so much I try to understand, but don't...God loves me, flawed as I am. Jesus died for me. People love me even though their actions, and sometimes their words, seem to contradict it. Then on the opposite end of the scale...people go on mass killing sprees, abuse those without the power to protect themselves, violence seems to be the reaction of choice. Just to name a few.

These things are true, they just are. My understanding, or lack of understanding, does not change that. In a world that says, "prove it," faith can struggle.

Guide my feet, hold my hand, stand by me, I'm your child

Dana Belle: "Well Karen, you're installed now!"
Me: "Yep, just like an appliance."

So went an exchange between myself and a member of the congregation where I have been called to serve as the Assistant Pastor.

The role of a pastor, the meaning of ordination within the Church of the Brethren, the training for leadership in the church. These topics have been among the many I have discussed with Dana Beth and several of those young adults she has spent the past 3 years with. For me, however, in the past 5 months, they have become most significant, especially today during my "installation service." The comment I made to Dana Belle was a little sarcastic and said in jest, but then as I see what Webster has for a definition of the word "install," I'm not so sure I was that far off....

1 a: to place in an office or dignity by seating in a stall or official seat b: to induct into an office, rank, or order 2: to establish in an indicated place, condition, or status 3: to set up for use or service

Yep, there it is "to set up for use or service." That's me.