Wednesday

Today started with watching my friends 3 year old daughter while he attended a meeting. I am ready for my nap, but alas, preparation for Bible Study awaits, as well as a premarital wedding appointment, and of course getting ready for Sunday, the newsletter went to the printer yesterday, we await the proof to be finalized. I worked on my planning for next year's lectionary study, year B starts in Advent.

Help me o Parent of us all, to work this day with you in my heart, Amen.

Tuesday

Today might bring sunshine,
Today might bring heat
Today might bring joy and laughter
or even a someone new to meet!

Today is full of possiblilities, and as I continue to work here in the office, I seek to be aware of God's presence in the present of this day!

Monday!

Back in the Saddle again!
Monday is here and so I am off to work, time to get that newsletter done, the mail answered, and the mountain of papers off my desk! This is the last week of summer schedule, choir starts on Sunday, and Sunday School the following week! I am in the office with the A/C on, time for some music and work!

Dear God, as this work week continues, help me be open to your Holy Spirit, help me to share your love with all I meet this week, Amen.

Getting Ready

It is time to get ready for Sunday, it occurs to me that I have spent my whole life preparing for this moment, to worship, to preach, to pray with others. I have studied, worked, rested, prayed, journaled and now I am once again at the point of being fully what God has been calling me to do and be. Ready or not here I go!

Failure

As I get older, I realize that life is full of failures, times when no matter our best effort, our best thinking, our best preparation, when everything goes wrong. In fact, I think why my daughter can do things on the computer that I cannot is because she is not afraid to fail, to click the wrong link etc. I want to make sure and don't explore as much because of the fear of failure. So, now I am changing my thinking and feeling as though it is okay to fail, as long as I do not run away from the failure. I have learned to learn from failures and although this does not always keep me from making more failures!
Also, failure is not always individual, when it comes to our kids, there is universal failure, to the docs who are not sure what to do, to the lack of research, to the lack of therapy, to the failure of understanding, and as a society we do not like risk taking. As parents of exceptional children, we call out for all of these folks to risk, to try new things, to try new therapies, and it is okay if they fail, as long as they keep inventing, creating, who knows what will lead to success? We may not even see the success now, but those who follow may learn from all we have succeeded and failed at.

Still recovering from the virus

I hate waking up and feeling ill. My joints hurt, my stomach is quesy and I have a lack of energy. Unfortunately the doctor can only recommend fluids and rest. I want to be able to do the work I know is waiting, but I can only manage a few things, before I am ready to rest. Pray for me, as I need patience to recover and heal.

Monday, Monday

Today I am home, I have been catching up on emails and reading. Summer has zoomed by and there has been little time to let my mind and soul catch up with all the experiences this year has brought. Today I am slowing down, and since a virus has slowed me down, it is a day to drink water and rest so I can be ready for the rest of the week.

Week Goes by Fast

On Wednesday, I spent time in the office and worked on Bible Study for that night. I am so grateful for this Bible Study Group that is in the midst of a intensive study. The insights and discoveries of who Jesus is and what we are called to do are a part of our gathering together. And on this day I was especially glad for a group that helps me discover my place in the world.
Thursday was Parent orientation for all our preschool parents, I wrote a welcome letter and distriubuted to all our parents. I chatted with several, one family has had 3 of their children in our preschool and now their youngest is attending, the Mom tearfully said, "This will be the last year, it is going to be hard to move on". School starts this Monday, so I expect many tears from those children who have not been apart from their families before. I know in a short while these same children will not want to go home because they have made new friends and have such a great time at preschool.
Friday was rest day, a time to reflect and get some household tasks done. Then it was off to the Hollywood Bowl for music and fireworks! What a great event.
Saturday is finalizing worship and the sermon for tomorrow, and then an Angel's Game with Mercy Me performing after the game. My daughter loves this Christian Band, so it should be fun!

Strength for the Journey

"Awake, awake, put on your strength" Isaiah 52:1

Camp is all about putting on my strength, being in nature, listening to the stories of campers who live with HIV/AIDS every day, the morning hikes and devotions, all of this gives me strength. As I come back down the mountain I want to be aware of the presence of God in my daily living, to be awake to the strength God provides! As I prepare for Bible study, and worship for Sunday, I want to be fully awake to God and to my brothers and sisters I walk this journey with.

Finishing up the week

In three short days I will go to camp for a week, so I have been preparing by working on a prayer workshop I will be teaching. Also, today means the end of the newsletter advertising specialist who leaves us and goes to work for another church next week. I served snow cones to the whole preschool, and it was fun to see each smiling face, such angels. In a little while I go to a wedding rehersal for a wonderful couple I have gotten to know. But first a hospital call for a member who had surgery. I will say this about the day, there was not a dull moment, no time to whine or complain, just being present to the various people who I interacted. Praise God who works to bring us together to work for righteousness and justice in a chaotic world!

Wednesday

Today is about networking with Chamber of Commerce members in the morning, working on a wedding for a couple from Cal Poly, to gearing up for snow cones at preschool. Tonight Bible Study. In the midst of the heat, the work of the church continues as we support those who struggle, and those who serve those who are in need.

Living with a disability

I attended the San Gabriel Valley (CA) Disability coalition meeting today. I learned new things and met new people who offer many services with those living with disabilities. One of the important points of the meeting was to remind us all, whether we are living with a disability ourselves, or advocate for someone who does, or offer services to the disabled, there are many different types of disabilities, from the person who is in a wheelchair, who has a very visible type of disability, to those who live with unseen disabilities, cognitive in nature. My daughter for example, looks like a typical young adult, but once she starts talking, you notice her speech delay. Sometimes those who have the more hidden disabilities can be treated with impatience and bullying. The last time we traveled we took a plane which is very full, and so we opted to board when the airline announced boarding for anyone who needed a bit of extra time. My daughter does need extra time due to her hidden disability but I wondered if the people watching us board understood this. I wonder too if there have been times I have been impatient with those who might not look like someone who has a disability, perhaps I have treated others more harshly than I might if the disability was apparent. How about you? Perhaps next time someone is acting a bit different than our expectations we might wonder if they too have a disability and we can be a bit more patient.

Spring Floods and Pastor's Schedule

Yesterday our church took a special offering for those who have experienced losses during the spring flooding. We do so because we care about those who are struggling in other parts of our country,people who are just like us, people whose stories have touched our hearts. Today I worked with our advertising salesperson who solicits businesses in our area to advertise in our newsletter. Our these two things connected? Well, by supporting our church newsletter, we can put out the word of what our church is doing. This news is good for existing members, so they can plan to participate in the programs and business of the church so we can be the best stewards of what God has entrusted us to do. And it helps us do the work of God in our neighborhood and world. In sponsoring our newsletter the businesses free us from the expenses related to the publication of the newsletter, and so we can use our resources for ministry and mission. In this way our businesses are our partners in changing the world! I wonder as I go about my work this week if I will be able to see how those in my life partner with me and others so we can change the world for Christ? Pastor Steve

Pastor's Steve's schedule the week for August 1

Monday; Office, Trustees Meeting
Tuesday: Queen of the Valley coalition for the homeless,Meet with Rev. Jimmy Nih Office
Wednesday: Networking breakfast, Office and Bible Study
Thursday: Office, Wedding Rehearsal
Friday: Afternoon Networking
Sat. wedding,
Sunday: Worship, Bible Study, Leave for Camp (August 7-13)