Ugh/Yay: New Interface

This last week something extraordinary happened.  Was it the frozen yogurt buffet or just the spring air?  Who knows.  All I know is that on the way IN to the frozen yogurt self-serve joint, as Michael and I passed the "WYSIWYG" sign on a building, I knew what it meant, and he didn't.  After I explained it to him [what you see is what you get, like talking about GUIs], he said, "Did you just out-nerd me?"  Why yes, yes I did.  It might be one of the first times that's ever happened, since I married a computer/car/politics/Star Wars/Star Trek/gaming/Firefly-lovin' ginger geek man.  Oh, but I cannot TELL you  how much I love this man in all of his geek glory.  It is big-time love.  He almost matches my level of geekness in library/learning/theology/continuing education/music criticism/coffee/pseudo-foodie/wanderlust glory.

Speaking of interfaces, I've been getting a new one.  My educational experiences have given me a new take on fashion.  I used to really enjoy mall shopping, but now I dislike it, preferring instead to derive at least 90% of my wardrobe from thrift stores and clearance racks.  It's become a form of creative self-expression, an internal rebellion against those who've tried to micromanage my style in the past because of my gender, and those whose industry depends on manipulating and oppressing the current masses. So now, I'm wearing fun stuff that I like, even if it's not "in style".  I'm making some of my own stuff (like an obi belt this afternoon, to wear at my cousin's wedding tomorrow along with a $6 dress my mom found and a pair of shoes I bought years ago at a thrift store).  I'm thrifting on a regular basis and reselling or giving away older clothing items that I don't wear anymore.  It's like I've finally given myself permission to...be myself.  That sounds ridiculous, but women do it to themselves all the time.

You can take my culottes (please!), but you cannot take...MY FREEDOM!

I've heard that you start to care/worry less what other people think of you as you get older.  I guess 32 is the beginning of older.  As I was looking for instructions on obi belt construction, I ran across this fantastic blog, academichic, which unfortunately is no longer being updated.  But I am planning on returning, both for their commentary on fashion, gender, and academia, and also for their plethora of creative ideas!  My friend Kim also does some cool stuff, and was very clever with her 30 for 30 posts.  [This is unrelated, but I bet if I had her as my math teacher, I might not despise math to the same degree.]

I have to confess though, despite the strides I've made in self-acceptance, I hit a new low this week as I sat on the couch eating brownies out of a pan while my husband worked out two feet away from me.  I have been exercising more than I used to, so at least I've made progress, but sheesh.  Granted, they were magical brownies I made from scratch using a Tyler Florence recipe, so they were delicious.

I'm going running now.

Morning Glory

I tried a new muffin recipe for a faculty event this morning, and really liked the result!  I feel like you could alter it in any number of ways to suit your family's tastes.  They also seem to be the kind of breakfast treat that would energize you longer than a God-forsaken pastry, which always tempts me [shakes fist at pastries everywhere]! 

So good morning, and good, healthful eating to you and yours.  Just ignore the croissants and cinnamon swirl coffeecake on either side of the muffins...

Morning Glory Muffins

Ingredients

    1 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour

    1 cup regular oats

    1/2 cup packed brown sugar

    2 teaspoons baking soda

    1/4 teaspoon salt

    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    1 cup Greek yogurt

    1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2)

    1 large egg

    1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained

    1 cup raisins

    1/2 cup sliced almonds

    1/2 cup coconut

   

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350° and coat muffin tin with cooking spray. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture. Combine yogurt, banana, egg, and pineapple; add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in raisins, almonds, and coconut. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pans immediately; cool on a wire rack.

Adapted from this recipe. 

Spelling Bee Win

Just for fun...some photos from the spelling bee I entered at the seminary where I work.  Too small to be enlarged, but you get the idea.  Participants had to bring a donation for a local ministry site in Northeast KC, and if we missed a word, we were allowed one "bribe" to the judges to buy our way back in (bribes included brownies, candy, quarters, etc.).  Everybody got a prize, and a good time was had by all!

Spelling my first word.  The student on my right was knitting.  :)

A student prepares to spell

The illustrious judges--one staff, one student, and our president.

"patripassianism" (just me and two faculty left at this point)

Represent!

Accepting my prize from "Vanna" and the student coordinator

p.s.  I don't always dress like that for work; it was my spelling outfit.

Week-end Reflections

I was just thinking over the blessings and difficulties of the last week and wanted to journal a bit, mostly so I can look back later and remember obstacles overcome and goals attained.  Below are some things I did this week:

• Won a theological spelling bee (patripassianism, supralapsarianism, and perichoresis were a few of my words).  I feel this was only a partial victory because they gave the faculty members harder words than the rest of us, but still--good times!
• Sought the wisdom of others in dealing with a conflict and successfully resolved the conflict.
• Problem-solved along with my team, and others, at work in order to best process and respond to a crisis situation. 
• Planned and led a meaningful worship service with Communion.
• Played the piano softly for an hour during an Ash Wednesday service led by students, then worshiped with friends at another more "postmodern" service later that evening.
• Pondered the inadequacies of language when it comes to being a mystic with a dear friend who is made of similar stuff. 
• Enjoyed a field trip to my current favorite secondhand clothing store to sell some old clothing items and replace a well-worn pair of jeans whose derriere had become compromised.
• Taught a class of six worship interns and fostered deep, critically-reflective discussion.
•  Prayed for a family member in the ICU who has always been especially authentic, kind, and supportive of Michael and me.  Wonderful people should never have to go to the hospital.
•  Cooked a delicious meal with my husband and practiced mindfulness.

 Sometimes I don't feel like I'm doing much, but when I look back on things with a bigger perspective I realize I am probably doing some good in the world.  And then there's the laundry.

Prayer for a New Year

An excerpt from Edward Hays' prayer, "New Year's Blessing Prayer for Clocks and Calendars" from his book, Prayers for the Domestic Church:

"Lord...we ask your blessing...upon your gift to us of time.

Bless our clocks and watches, you who kindly direct us to observe the passing of minutes and hours.  May they make us aware of the miracle of each second of life we experience.  May these our ticking servants help us not to miss that which is important, while you keep us from machine-like routine....

Bless our calendars, these ordered lists of days, weeks, and months, of holidays, holydays, fasts and feasts--all our special days of remembering.  May these servants, our calendars...now grace our homes and our lives.  May they remind us of birthdays and other gift-days, as they teach us the secret that all life is meant for celebration and contemplation.

Bless, Lord, this new year, each of its 366 days and nights....Bless us with new moons and full moons....Grant to us, Lord, the new year's gift of a year of love.  Amen."

2012 is looking good so far.  Last year was pretty intense for me, professionally.  A year ago I was asked to be the interim Director of Community Formation for the month of January until they decided what direction they wanted to take the position next.  I had no training because the previous person left in mid-December, so I had to do lots of self-directed learning along the way, and things didn't go as smoothly as I would have preferred (although, being a perfectionist, they rarely do).  By February they had invited me to continue on as the Director of Spiritual Formation in a half-time capacity in addition to my work in the Dean's office.  I was thrilled, since this was one of my main areas of study in seminary.  But again, I had no training, so the last 11 months have been quite an adventure as I learned what the rhythms of the worship and discipleship life looked like on our campus.  Most of the time I was operating in survival mode.  I was accomplishing the items on my job description, but my stores of creativity and imagination were depreciating quickly, so planning and guiding ministries on campus became more and more difficult.  Listening and doing pastoral care, attending meetings, and receiving any sort of feedback grew tedious.  [You with me, pastors?]  Fortunately my spiritual friend and coworker Diane was nearby and was a continuous voice of reason and encouragement, reminding me to return to my "hidden source of calm repose".  And when I went home at night, manspouse was ever present to be a rock, support, and shelter as needed.  Ah, the grace of friends! 

As for this year, I'm looking forward to further developing and supporting spiritual life on campus, now that I've oriented myself to the position and its various tasks.  We had the week off between Christmas and New Year's, and I was able to rest and recover from all of my fall activities.  Between planning for worship services, teaching, supervising four interns and two part-time musicians, training colleagues during times of turnover, singing in a women's holiday ensemble, and doing things at church, I was pretty worn out.  It's good to be back! 

Differentiated Listeners

I was just thinking--the only sermon I remember from my summers going to church camp is Ralph Wheeler's "I Can't Come Down".  In fact, it's one of only a handful of sermons I can remember when I look back on my life, even though I've heard hundreds--maybe thousands!  I've learned more about God through music, and liturgy, and books, and daily interactions with people than I have from sermons, honestly.  Not everybody is like me, but plenty are.  The reason I'm mentioning it is because I hope those of you who preach (and teach) regularly remember those of us who have different learning styles.  If you get stuck trying to think of creative ways you could otherwise communicate messages from Scripture, then honey--you best make some friends who can help you out.  Just don't give up.  The next generation is pretty good-natured, but they're not going to stick around just to hear another three point monologue.  The church is changing and we've got to get out on that dance floor and get our jazz hands on!

Story Telling

There has been a lot of talk on the seminary scene about the importance of telling stories.  Not just "I went on a walk the other day and saw a bird on a statue", but stories which change our lives.  The Bible is full of these stories (e.g., Jesus' many parables), as many have learned, but these aren't the only stories that have the power to move people.  This isn't news to English teachers, but the rest of us forget sometimes that, when we're trying to communicate a particular message to someone, or a group of people, a story might work better than a list of facts or descriptions.

Literature is a no-brainer as far as sharing stories goes, but not every format needs to use text as its medium.  Another example would be movies.  How many of us felt our hearts warmed by the stories of The Lord of the Rings characters, or even Star Wars?  Music, poetry, art, and dance are other modes of narrative communication (I would even add food to that list).  Recently I read about a correspondent for the Science journal who created a way for Ph.D. students to tell the "story" of their research through a video dance contest.  The best entry would win $100 and a subscription to the journal.  Thus, the "Dance Your Ph.D." contest was born!  I would love to see a "dance your faith" contest, ha.

Have you ever learned an important lesson from a story?  Have you ever learned an important lesson from your own story?

If you'd like to improve your storytelling skills, the KC Public Library is holding their 12th annual KC Storytelling Celebration next weekend, and there's a storytelling workshop for adults on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 5, at 1:00 p.m. (Plaza Branch).  Check it out!

#501

I just realized that my last post was my 500th.  Weird.  We might as well make this fun: In a salute to the original weblogs, I give you a list of links.

Absurd warning signs and disclaimers

Crafts, design, and other fun DIY projects

WATER (Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual)

"Apple, Demystified", a balanced article about Steve Jobs 

and Apple products (you'll have to visit your local library to read 

the whole article, from the Chronicle of Higher Ed, Review section)

Awesome.  Awesome.  And more awesome.  

December of next year will be awesome as well, 

perhaps even worthy of my hyperbole?

A fun new local blog I found, with beautiful photography 

and fun stories about going to the library.

A Friday Night in

Michael is out with the guys tonight so I am enjoying a creative night in with the pups and getting my introvert fix on.  Behold: a lone can of tuna in the cupboard, and an interesting recipe for tuna croquettes from Alton Brown's Good Eats show!  Thus I experimented, and was pleasantly surprised (normally I don't find canned tuna that exciting, just cheap and edible).  I will make these again, as well as the accompanying lemony tartar sauce recipe from Emeril.  There were a few adjustments I had to make--I added a teaspoon of white wine vinegar in the tartar sauce since Ina Garten's recipe sounded good too, and I used lime juice and zest because I didn't have any lemons.  Delicious!  Oh, and I added dill and left out the onions in the croquettes, and used herb-y bread crumbs instead of panko.  Like I said--I experimented, and I WON.

Also on the agenda: reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog and/or Reading Lolita in Tehran.  I've started both, and am enjoying them greatly, but it takes me a while to get through books because I have a habit of reading four or five at once.  Besides those two, I'm also tossing back the books below, which are in my office at work.  But those I just savor a bit at a time.  Ok...I guess that's more than four or five.

 Books shown above:

The Art of Spiritual Direction

Holy Invitations

The Spiritual Leader's Guide to Self-Care (a must-have for spiritual leaders)

An Altar in the World

Prayers for the Domestic Church

Sadhana: A Way to God (helpful for meditation)

The Protestant Mystics (not my favorite)

Daily Prayer: A Little Book for Saying the Daily Office

A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants (a fave and a classic)

Altars under the Sky (found on the library free book table!)

Last weekend I helped my parents paint their new house that they're renovating.  Doesn't it look cute?  They are hoping to be moved in by fall of 2012, so we're still working on the inside.  It's going to be great!

This weekend is my ten year college reunion, hard to believe.  Those festivities are tomorrow, so I guess I should do my nails or something.  Do you think I should go in costume?  I think Michael should get this one.

Congratulations Are in Order

Well, it seems we have things to celebrate.  Last weekend Z. Doolittle got married, and we got to enjoy seeing K. Kramer at the wedding as well--a treat since he and Lindsey now make their abode in Texas!  The groom wore wingtips...

"Surprise!"

You've got to see this app...

I also heard via the book of faces that our very own D. Confer and his wife Mia had their second child, during a sandstorm, in Dubai.  [Did I get that right?]  How exciting!  Her name is Flannery, and I'm still waiting to hear whether the middle name is Eugenia, after her father.  And in case you hadn't heard from other sources, Amber and Ben W. had their third little girl nearly one month ago.  I haven't had the chance to meet her yet but she is beautiful just like her mom.

Also, Ms. Diane C. R. S. and her husband Dave recently moved into a neat little house closer to the city, in the Hyde Park neighborhood, I believe.  It looks like a home from the early part of the 20th century, when they converted houses into multiple apartments to rent to families during the war.  Diane has a passion for the city, and for the black community especially, so this was a meaningful and intentional action on their part.  Their second anniversary is this weekend, and I heard a rumor that pumpkin-hunting is being plotted.

My cousin Gabe turned 30 this last week as well, hard to believe.  And Tiff and Chris will be home from Mongolia at the end of the year, hurray! 

I myself have nothing to report, other than being tired after cleaning out the sacristy today.  If you don't know the term, it's basically the little back room in the church where priests change into their holy garments (like the one Julie and I accidentally snuck into at St. Peter's in Rome), and where "sacred...treasures are kept".  I love being the keeper of the treasures--washing the Communion serving ware (chalice and paten), choosing banners for each worship service (paraments), lighting the Christ candle, etc.  It's not exactly something they taught us how to do in seminary, but it's a form of holy hospitality that I enjoy along with my regular worship planning duties.  That's my celebration.

It's Hard to Hold an Umbrella with Jazz Hands

After several days of perfect, high-70s weather last week, KC has cooled off a bit and is showing off its bright fall colors.  I myself am wearing maroon pants, but am in no way related to ridiculous music with lyrics like, "moves like Jagger" (don't ask). 

On the other hand, I am in love with this mashup that the Glee cast did of Singin in the Rain and Umbrella.  I can't hardly stand to watch the show because, having actually taught high school choir (not to mention being in show choir myself once upon a time), I can tell you that high school singers never sound like the broadway-style, 20-something singers depicted in this show.  It frustrates me because I don't want the rest of the world to have that expectation of high school singers while their voices are still developing.  Still, the music is cool, so enjoy this mashup, and sharing an umbrella with a friend today!

Prayer Request

Michael's dad went to the ER tonight with some esophageal issues.  Please keep him in your prayers, friends.

Happy Birthday Siri

It's Siri's first birthday!  Happy birthday to our fuzzy lady, Miss Siri Fraulein Brockhaus.  Hang in there while I show you four pictures and try not to die from the cuteness.  And yes, she's as sweet as she looks.

Baby G. Shepherds are like little bears and we heart them.

One year later, Siri takes a stroll in Brookside with some lady who needs a haircut.

Riding in cars with dogs - Siri rollin' next to her adopted brother Comanche.

Siri's actual brother, Samson, looking somewhat regal as he awaits his bath.

Counting Our Anniversary Blessings

Tomorrow is my second wedding anniversary with manspouse.  Hard to believe that two years have flown by!  I thank God for the gift of getting to be married to my best, and craziest, friend.  And for the multitude of other gifts we've been given:

I think of friends like Libby and Diane, who, when they heard about Michael's car being shot at when he was doing some work up in northeast KC, came over that night with their significant others for moral support.  Oddly enough, this incident happened miles and miles from where we're living now, but last week I heard about a shooting at 119th and 69 hwy, which is a block away from where we used to live in the suburbs.  Crazy.  Which leads me to the next blessing...

I am also grateful for our current home in Kansas City, and our landlord, Darin (old seminary friend).  He's been a good friend and I'm glad there was an opening for us to live in this neighborhood.  The neighbors on this street have been more friendly to us than any other neighborhood I've lived in.  Like any place, it has its drawbacks, but the rhythm and energy of the city, as well as its opportunities for artists, are exactly my cup of tea...or coffee rather.  Waldo, Brookside, the Plaza, Westport, Crossroads, downtown, Power & Light, City Market, Columbus Park--I love them all!  There are SO many interesting people to meet and converse with, and fun things to do. When I think back to my college years and early twenties, I wonder why it took me so long to explore my own city. 

I think, too, of the many meals we've shared with family and friends the last two years:  the holidays with both families; the fiesta at our house with work colleagues; the outings to area restaurants and other meals with small group pals from church; the night we went to Thai Place because our electricity was out, and discovered the deliciously cheap small plates; the bacon wrapped date (and other) tapas at Avenues with everyone we could drag over there; the wedding rehearsal dinner with loved ones at Winstead's; the near-weekly pilgrimage to the little Korean restaurant in Waldo; the impromptu meals with friends like Libby and Roland, who let us shower at their duplex when our water was out--and then fed us; the family picnics in Independence with Genie's famous cooking; going to Chick-fil-a once a week to use up the 365 free sandwich coupons Michael won; and of course, the many meals Michael and I have prepared together or for each other.  Jesus is definitely known in the breaking of the bread.

Another one of the big things I'm thankful for in the past two years are various people who made time just to hang out and talk with us.  To share ideas about life, even if they were different, and to talk about dreams for the future.  To debate, on occasion, and to be authentic and honest (i.e., the "say what you mean and mean what you say" sort of folks).  To care about our life goals and allow us to care about yours.  It's easy to judge someone, or a couple, without actually communicating and being in relationship with them (or by just reading about their online status, ha!), but those of you who have journeyed with us through life and been mutually supportive are the best thing since sliced bread.  In fact, if we were down to our last slice of bread we would give it to you.

And, we saved the best for last.  Where would we be (literally), without our parents?  They have been so supportive and loving, during the good and the hard times.  That is such a great gift that I can't even begin to describe it.  P.s., Ask my mom about why she was mad at the pink fountain.  Friends, as I've mentioned, have also been a giant gift.  Those of you who have loved us and lived life with us these two years are worth your weight in gold.  Finally, we musn't forget our housemates, Comanche and Siri, in the list of gifts.  These two bundles of hilarity are a constant source of delight.  Good call with the dog invention, God.

Well, I could go on and on, but there's laundry that needs a good ironing.  Thanks to my mom, el Sumpter in Mongolia and Aimee Michelle for the early happy anniversary wishes!  We already started celebrating this weekend, with a fantastic meal at the Plaza, movie, and walk in Loose Park with the dogs, but since tomorrow is the date we'll probably continue the festivities.

Sans Shofar

I like this understanding of the process of repentance and forgiveness, written by Rabbi Alan Lurie.  Every lesson or sermon I've heard on these topics has been one-sided, but this makes it a communal undertaking.  Much more New Testament, if you ask me.  I'd like to read more of his stuff when I have time; it looks interesting.

In other news--it's clothing for the "Casual Priest"! 

Happy Rosh Hashanah, everyone.

A Great Quotation

If you can't ride two horses at once, you shouldn't be in the circus.
~American Proverb

A Birthday Weekend Tale, and Beyond

Last weekend was my 32nd birthday, and it was great.  Thus it was that I came to write this blog.

I couldn't figure out why Michael wanted to know exactly what time I would be home from work on Friday, until I walked in the door.  I was greeted by the birthday perros, in their shiny birthday hats.  The dogs' chagrined greeting was followed by a home-cooked dinner prepared by manspouse.  Using Internet magic, he taught himself how to fry chicken in olive oil without it smoking, and made this delicious whole wheat-based fried chicken, encrusted with a bit of brown sugar and pecans.  Also on the menu was steamed broccoli and baked sweet potato cubes that had been tossed in a mild spice.  And for dessert--underbaked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  A-mazing.  He had also decorated the house in streamers, balloons, and birthday signs, after having gone grocery shopping and cleaned the house, might I add.  It made me feel shiny.  Thanks, Michael!

The next day my parents came up, and we had a fantastic lunch at Andre's, which is located a few blocks from the Plaza on Main (near the library and Glace, which is also great).  I might have to do another post sometime that's just about Andre's, but for now I'll just tell you that it's a Swiss restaurant that has been in KC for over 50 years, and I believe it's owned by the same Swiss family who opened it originally.  It is a delightful eating experience, and though it seems to be a bit more exciting to those of the female persuasion, I'd highly recommend it to anyone.  I have Libby Tedder to thank for taking Diane and I to eat there earlier this summer for the first time.  Speaking of Libby, Michael and I took a break that day to help her move, since it was her last day in KC before she headed for Montana.  Bittersweet, but good.  Afterward my mom took me shopping at my favorite consignment store in Overland Park, Clothes Mentor, where I got a few new-to-me items to wear to work.  This was good, because the last time I really went shopping for work stuff was during my first year of teaching in 2003.  Some of the shoes that I got then and am still wearing are literally crumbling off my feet, ha!  Time for an update, methinks.  Thanks Mom (and Dad)!  For dinner the four of us went to Kokoro Maki House in Waldo for tasty Korean/Japanese foods.  I love that place.  Finally, we concluded our evening with a delicious piece of the hummingbird cake my mom made, which concluded our calorie barrage for the day.  SO delicious. 

On Sunday (my actual birthday) we went to Christ Church, then met Michael's parents for lunch at Houlihan's.  Thanks, Brockhauses!  It was a really beautiful day, so we ate out on the patio and enjoyed the comic antics of our server.  When we got back to KCMO we went with my parents and the dogs to take a walk in Loose Park, which is really beautiful right now.  It was a really great weekend.

The week that followed was a bit of a blur, since it was the first week of the 2011-2012 academic year, and the seminary was abuzz with people and events.  I was in charge of planning and orchestrating the Opening Convocation chapel service, which is kind of a big deal, but I had lots of help and people seemed to enjoy it.  I was also asked to be a small group leader for the Intro to Ministry course, which is like a very small part-time job for an hour each week during the fall semester.  Technically, my position is called "Teaching Assistant", but I'm doing more facilitating than teaching.  I'm definitely looking forward to working with the group of ministerial students I've been assigned.  Other things that are different from last year are that I'm now chairing a committee and supervising four spiritual formation/worship interns, a choir director, and an accompanist.  These things are in addition to planning/coordinating two full chapel worship services a week, with various preachers, Communion, music, readings, etc.  Needless to say, it's quite busy--but I love it.  I love being a pastor to, for, and with, pastors.  I love planning worship in creative and diverse ways.  I love discovering people's gifts and finding ways for them to be expressed in the community.  I love being in a place where my being a woman in ministry doesn't threaten people or elicit remarks about how only men can be pastors, or the head of the house, etc.  In fact, it's the opposite--I'm encouraged and supported in being the person God has called me to be, instead of the person others think I should be because of their own perceptions. 

Quite a birthday gift.

Practicing Ukarimu: Tedders Update

Friends Diane and Libby, out for lunch at Andre's.

Our friends Libby Tedder and Roland Tedder are getting ready to move away from KC.  It's a bittersweet time, but we're sending them off with lots of love.  Libby is very close to graduating with her MDiv, and will be moving to Montana.  Some of you know Libby as my last seminary roommate when I lived on Walrond, before Michael and I got married.  We became fast friends...fast.  Others of you may have seen her at our wedding, which she officiated.  She is a brilliant and gifted pastor.  We've shared a lot of wonderful conversations about life, ministry, and the importance of self-care (especially as it involves our cherished retreat center, Shantivanam).

Roland, her younger brother who is also attending seminary, will be moving to Kenya for the year as part of his experience with NTS's 365M program, a year-long intercultural (mission) studies experience.  He will excel at this, especially given that their family already has roots in South Africa (Libby and Roland are MKs with dual citizenship there and in the U.S.).  I have really loved getting to know this family better, and plan to continue our friendships even given the distance which separates us. 

Roland sells Michael more coffee

If you are a fan of delicious coffee, I'd encourage you to purchase some of the Kenyan coffee that Roland is selling to help pay for his trip there.  He helped select the beans, and has also partnered with Benetti's, a local coffeeshop in Raytown, to get them roasted!  Michael and I bought a bag about a couple of weeks ago, and we both loved it so much that we bought another bag last night at their going-away party.  I enjoy it even more than the Roasterie coffee we were drinking before.  Roland's coffee is named Ukarimu, which means hospitality.  If you go to the website, you can order it using Paypal and have it delivered right to your very own door, to share with friends.

Side note:  Don't think that Roland doesn't know how to pick shoes that match.  He injured his foot in a wild Ultimate Frisbee game recently, so we're praying for it to heal quickly before he heads overseas.


Speaking of sharing with friends, Michael and I owe Libby and Roland big time, because they let us come take showers at their house a while back when our water was out for a whole weekend (I'm sure our coworkers appreciated the favor).  They even fed us delicious S. African food for dinner while we were there!  All of us who live in KC will definitely miss them a ton.

Personal Blogging Rules, Draft #1

I've been blogging for six years now, and have enjoyed sharing this kind of community with those of you who know me, read it, and respond in dialogue. Online community is a gift, but to enjoy it authentically with others requires much discernment and compassion.  I know there are those who read blogs or wander around Facebook just to stay in the know about other people's lives, without ever actually engaging them in conversation and relationship (some call this "online stalking").  And to be fair, I can't blame them.  It's easier to read about a friend's life than to talk to her/him about it.  But this is not genuine friendship, and will result in loneliness eventually.  I've been guilty of doing this, but as an adult God has challenged me to rethink this kind of behavior.  Ideally, we would always get to share thoughts and life in person, but we don't always have that opportunity.  So I occasionally take time to [try to] explain what is going on in my life, and reflect on said life, at which point you can follow up and chat with me at your convenience!  Many of you do, and I heart you.

I'm not exactly a regular blogger, but when I do write, there are a few basic rules through which I filter content.  In a society whose media is often a chaotic, self-absorbed mess, I think it's important for those with an online presence to be intentional about our voices.  So I've been thinking about what my filter looks like, and decided that these are my basic rules.  Although, I revise them pretty regularly based on things I learn, so we should probably call it Personal Blogging Rules, draft #1.

• I will not blog angry, as a reaction something I or those I love have experienced--even if it would be completely justified.  Wisdom doesn't exactly emanate from this genre of posting (in a blog or other social media), so my ranting will not help anyone, and it won't really make me feel better, in the end.
• I will share resources that have been helpful to me or to people I know.  Items of a spiritual nature, in particular, are meant to be shared!
• I will write about faith in the most balanced and generous ways possible to me.  If I have a hangup of some kind, I will try to acknowledge it and see it from differing perspectives.  I will work to not fear people or ideas that are different, or be threatened by them.  I will seek for greater understanding of all God's creatures, and compassion for them.  Except some spiders.
• I will take delight in life, and report it here.  This would explain all the posts about food.
• I will create paths, if needed, to connect disciplines and persons which some may see as unrelated.  Some days it make take a push mower, others a machete--but we're going to play nice if it kills me.
• I will be authentic as much as possible, even though I am guaranteed to be misunderstood by some, and written off by others.

It's a start.  If you have your own rules or questions about mine, I'd love to hear them.  Peace.

I'm Praying for You (and Me)

  In our prayers, both personal and corporate, many times we pray for the problems of the world, for there are many.  This week I'm thinking especially of the famine in Africa, the divisive culture of politics in the U.S., and the riots in London.  I pray, and work, towards hope in these circumstances.

But I'm concerned about a trend I've noticed among the pastors (and others) I serve, at the seminary and elsewhere.  They are quick to remember the problems and suffering of others, but reluctant to consider their own needs.  Self-forgetting, even.  This can be problematic for various reasons; in a broad sense it's bad news to take care of everyone but yourself.  Some people call this being a servant, but it's usually because they have had this modeled for them in an unhealthy way.  As children of God we are expected to care for ourselves as well as other people, and God's creation.  This is an important biblical principle, and one Jesus demonstrated during his ministry.  For us to pretend or deny that we do not have wants and needs that need to be addressed, both in prayer and in action, is to deceive ourselves.  And I'm guilty of it, to be sure.  Fortunately I have been learning how to better do this, especially in the past year or two, but I still have a lot to learn about self-care and allowing myself some of the spiritual hospitality that I enjoy sharing with others. 

Last semester I planned a chapel service called "Prayers for the World", which was divided into three parts.  During the first third we prayed for global concerns. and sang a related song.  During the second third we did the same, except we prayed for the local community of KC.  And during the final portion of the service, we prayed personal prayers.  At this point, I broke things up into three sections which looked something like this:

Prayers for the Pain of Illness or Death

John 11:30-35, NRSV

Be Still My Soul, v. 1

Prayers for the Pain of Uncertainty or Transition

Lamentations 1:3-4, The Message

Be Still My Soul, v. 2

Prayers for the Pain of Disappointment or Loss

Psalm 61:1-3, NLT

Be Still My Soul, v.3

During the singing of each verse from the hymn, I invited people to come up and light a candle for whatever personal concern they were lamenting.  Quite a few people came up to do so.  After the service was over, many told me it had been a very meaningful, healing time for them, and that they needed to be given this kind of space to care for themselves.  A couple even said they thought we should have that service every semester! 

I don't have the solution for helping us remember that caring for our bodies and minds is a way of honoring God's creation, but others are helping me learn.  More on this later.  In the meantime, I will do my best to pray and keep encouraging other friends to continue in their self-care efforts.  If we don't take care of ourselves, at some point it will become impossible to take care of others.  I'm going to make little signs that say this and pin them to some of your shirts...you know who you are!