Patience

Tomorrow

That's when they will start moving the rubble away from the site of the church building.

"We have to be patient" 

That's been the refrain of the members of the congregation. And we have been, though it's been hard to see the pile of wood, stone, metal, glass, and plastic sitting there for six weeks. Finally, it looks like things will start to happen. It'll be weeks before they are done.

So we will have more of a chance to practice the spiritual gift of patience.

We hope they find our bell, our time capsule, our two safes. We look forward to having an empty lot rather than the remains of the building.

In the meantime, we are grateful: grateful to the community that surrounds, to the church that took us in, to the fire, police, and DPW, to God. No one was hurt; we remain a church. A lot to be thankful for.

For those who don't know the story, here are links to what happened.

Painting Survives Fire
The Day After

I will post updates as we move forward, with patience.

A Faithful Soul

My church has suffered a loss. A woman has died who served us in many capacities.


She joined our faith community when she took on the directorship of a local home for retired women, but she had a varied and interesting career. She served as a nurse at a children's hospital, a missionary at a children's home, and as the Minister of Christian Education at a church in a nearby town before starting at the home here.

After here retirement, she became our volunteer minister of visitation. She has also offered pastoral care when our pastor was on vacation, written a devotional book, and helped organize various mission and service projects. She was a frequent visitor at our house as we faced losses.

She was a valued member of our church family. 

This is of course, a beginning for her. She is in Heaven -- has gone Home. She was ready to do so. We will remember her, mourn her, celebrate her life and then move on keeping a piece of her alive in our hearts. We will look forward to seeing her again.  For the moment we are sad.

We look to God and each other for comfort, and to the sure and certain hope of resurrection for those who know Jesus.

Who are you remembering?




I am participating on the October 2017 Ultimate Blog Challenge. A blog post every day in October. #blogboost

Prayer for Those Affected by Natural Disasters.

With Harvey having devastated parts of Texas, Irma threatening the Caribbean, drought causing famine in Uganda and other parts of Africa, and wildfires blazing in the Pacific Northwest of the US, it seems time for a prayer for those affected by natural disaster.

This one comes from jesuitresource.org.

May we who are in Christ pray it sincerely.

Compassionate Lord

Compassionate Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by recent natural disasters. We remember those who have lost their lives so suddenly. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and loss. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayer for strength. Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the long road of rebuilding ahead.
We ask your blessing on all those who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their security and their hope. Bless the work of relief agencies and those proving emergency assistance. May their work be guided by the grace and strength that comes from You alone.
Help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, in aid to the best of our abilities. Keep our hearts focused on the needs of those affected, even after the crisis is over. We ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.


Have a blessed day. 

Meme-ic Monday: Micah 6:8

So much violence. Gays are targeted, blacks are targeted, police officers are targeted. And that's just from what made the national news in one country over a short period of time.

If we think globally, it's even easier to be "daunted."

The devil wants to stir up chaos and division, to make the Church a target of hate and suspicion.

The answer to that is to follow Micah 6:8, as described in this meme, and to pray. Always to pray.


Go to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. That is what is required of us.



Be a blessing! And have a blessed day.





Micah 6:8 in context



I have learned much about doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God in my years with the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park. It's a fabulous experience for high school teens. Two weeks in August, in southern Maine. Still slots available for 2016!

Today's Impressions (Our Mission Trip)

It's "Transformation Tuesday" for the website of the youth conference I volunteer for. Thanks to a terrific fellow worker, the new site looks great. Check it out: CYCOP.ORG.

Here in New Orleans, I am seeing signs of a different type of transformation. We toured the Lower Ninth Ward and saw many new homes, including several built by the Make It Right Foundation. They'll float if the waters rise again! Learn more here: http://www.archdaily.com/259629/make-it-right-house-morphosis-architects.

We visited the memorial, right next to the bridge that the residents could have left but were stopped from crossing the bridge. They went home and climbed on their roofs to wait. In the 1, 000 died in the lower ninth ward.


So much is going on here. It's wonderful and yet sad. So much was lost, so many people died.

One place we visited was Burrell's. Mr. Burrell has opened a barbershop and grocery store. He has plans to open a laundromat and an internet cafe. These are the only such services in his neighborhood. He told us that if he is the only one doing it, he'll build up the area on his own. We were overwhelmed by his story,


What examples of transformation have you seen lately?






CYC is an amazing experience of Christian community and discipleship training for high school youth. This year's theme is "Maximum Impact: Life Transformed by Christ." We meet two weeks in August on the southern coast of Maine. If you're 14-18 years old, join us!

Meme-ic Monday: Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans is recovering slowly from Hurricane Katrina. As of last year, the 10 year anniversary, only 34% of residents had returned to their homes in the Lower Ninth Ward, the area hardest hit when the levees broke. 

But that's pretty well known.

My family and I are in New Orleans for the first time, working with a mission team from our American Baptist region. Some members of our team have been coming for years. 

A team member, who started coming shortly after the storm, worked at school today. She said it was wonderful to see schools and children, because in the immediate aftermath there had been so few,

Two small groups worked at construction sites, helping to rebuild homes that were damaged in the storm. One homeowner is still in Texas. The other is living in part of her house, although a member of that team said it "wouldn't be livable by our standards."

Me? I encountered rats. Assigned to a food pantry, I thought I would be sorting, boxing and distributing food, and I did for part of the time. However, we arrived before the food and we were asked to clear out a room, sending some stuff to a thrift store and throwing out garbage. Rat droppings were everywhere. I found a dead rat. Other team members saw more rat bodies and a live one. They moved a huge box of popcorn kernels, the rats' main food source we think, out. 

While the room was swept, I moved over to organizing food boxes and dividing large bags of rice into small ziploc bags. 

But what really stands out about the day was the appreciation. I and another team member were introduced to the food pantry customers as people who had come down to help after Katrina. There was a wave of thanks on the people's faces. 

And then there was lunch. We had brown bag sandwiches, but Miss Brenda figured we would want New Orleans food and cooked fried chicken and jambalaya just for us. Delicious. (Alright we were a tad nervous, because of the rats. but we got over it. That stuff was cooked in boiling oil ,, and, boy, did it smell good!!)

So today's meme reminds us of the slow progress rebuilding the Lower Ninth Ward. Behind it there are stories, so many stories. You should visit. These people need to tell those stories. And they are very grateful for the chance to tell them to new ears. And appreciative of whatever work you can do. 

Song for Sunday: Here is Love

In church this morning, we sang a song that was new to me. It was the second verse that grabbed my attention, because of the interesting phrase in the last line:

Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

                           ~William Rees


 Here's a link to a recording by Matt Redman

  

 It reminds me of some reading I did recenlty. In Interrupted, Jen Hatmaker reminds us that Judas was at the table during the last supper. Jesus gave his betrayer his body and blood. Later, Jesus accepted a kiss from Judas. Love kissed betrayal. How amazing is that! Vast as the ocean, indeed.

For more thoughts on this look at Hymn -Theology-Kiss a Guilty World in Love by Bridget Willard.

What hymn or song speaks to you about the greatness of God's love?

I've learned a lot about God's love at the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park, a quality two-week discipleship training program and experience of Christian community for high school teens. It meets every August on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. There is still time to register for CYC 2015: Profile of a Daring Life. Hope to see you there!

Thoughts on a Prayer Service

I attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey yesterday. Pretty amazing, eh? I am very blessed to have this 10 days of visiting family and seeing important historical and literary places in England with my son. We will then, with my husband,  get to visit family all over England with a few more educational trips thrown in.

This amazing blessing shows how much I have. Which brings me back to Sung Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

The general confession from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer was read in unison. It goes like this:

O God, Our Father, , we have sinned against in thee in thought, word, and deed:. we have not loved thee with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee; cleanse us from our sins; and help us to overcome our faults; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Later in the service we heard this reading from the New Testament:

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. ²⁴ So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
²⁵ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
²⁷ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, ²⁸ for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
²⁹ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
³⁰ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
³¹ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”



The juxtaposition struck me, especially in light of my "wealth." (I am a lower middle class American by income.Globally, that's a lot of wealth.) From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Time for prayer and loving my neighbor more.





CYC is a two week conference for high school teens on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. August 2-15. Check it out here.

Why Forgive?

For Christians, the answer to "why forgive?" is easy. At least easy to recite.  We forgive (or should) because God forgave us. We forgive (or should) because God will forgive us in the same way we forgive others. We forgive (or should) because we are commanded to.


But there are other reasons to forgive that apply to those of any religion or none.


It is good for our mental health.

It helps us to be more rational and calm.

 Source: Forgiveness from Psychology and It's Practice.

It's good for our physical health.

Apparently, those who forgive have lower incidents of high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The Healing Power of Forgiveness from IDEA Health and Wellness

It makes us happier.

Forgiving gives us peace of mind, makes it easier to relax and lets us enjoy life more. 

Source: Forgive and... Feel Happier from  Greater Good.

It allows for better relationships.

It helps us to love each other well and allows for strong friendships, marriages and fellowships.

Source: Forgiveness and Relationships by Rodney Buchanan

For all these reasons and more, forgiveness is important.


What are your reasons for forgiving?

Forgiveness -- Definition

Forgiveness

Part 2 -- Definition

It's good near the beginning of a discussion to define terms. 

Dictionary.com defines "forgive" this way:

verb (used with object), forgave, forgiven, forgiving.

1.

to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.

2.

to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).

3.

to grant pardon to (a person).

4.

to cease to feel resentment against:

to forgive one's enemies.

5.

to cancel an indebtedness or liability of:

to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

verb (used without object), forgave, forgiven, forgiving.

6.

to pardon an offense or an offender.

 Strong's Concordance offers these alternate ways to translate the Hebrew and Greek words
Forgive --to let go, give up a debt, to remit,to take, take away, carry off,

 To look further into Biblical words for forgive, try here.

nasa 

aphiemi 

But in practical terms, what does it mean to forgive?

When we are harmed by someone, we need to let go of anger and not hold anything against that person.
 Easier said that done, more often than not, but very freeing.

Check out these blogs and articles for more on defining forgiveness.


The Positive Way: Forgiveness as the Key to the Future
Family Life: What it Means to Forgive
About Religion: What is Forgiveness?
Nichols State University Counseling Center: What Does it Mean to Forgive?

We'll discuss the practical aspects of forgiving in the posts ahead. I'll be aiming for Tuesdays and Fridays for this series.

How do you define forgiveness?



Part one of this series: Forgiveness Thoughts and Quotes




Post six for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge. Hope you'll forgive me for being a day behind!

Song for Sunday: Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright

This song came on the car radio yesterday and a friend told me it was a perfect song for me. I tend to be a worrier. 

Today's sermon, for this first Sunday in Lent, was "It's All Good," based on Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

So this seemed like an ideal song for today's "Song for Sunday."

Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!"

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou:"

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry!"
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" - I won't worry!
"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right" - I won't worry!
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, oh no!
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!

                                   ~Bob Marley


What song reminds you to relax?

Inherited Honor

Here at the Judson Celebrations, American Baptists are honored.  Why? Because 200 years ago it was two Americans who brought the gospel to Burma. Really, I haven't done anything to deserve this personally, it's all because of the ancestors.

200 years ago, Adoniram and Ann Hasseltine Judson arrived in Burma sick, discouraged and feeling terribly alone. By the grace of God, they survived and learned to teach and preach in Burma. Now, the Burmese consider them theirspiritual parents. It goes the other way, too. Roy Medley, General Secretary of ABC/USA, spoke . He described the Baptist church as "our first children in the faith, now grown and matured and working shoulder to shoulder with us to build God's kingdom." He also called on them to work for peace and justice.

One of the government speakers also asked them to work for peace and unity. He told them he was excited to see the ethnic groups gathered together for celebration.

Historically, there has been much unrest between the ethnic groups in Burma. Some of them, anyway. The government representive tasked the visitors to work for peace a united Mysnmar. Later, we enjoyed dances and songs from various ethnic groups (plus Japan) and others will perform on the other nights. Because this was the opening ceremony many people dressed in their traditional village clothing. (Jordan and I purchased and wore Karen outfits.) Much of this reminds me of the Intercultural Conference I attended last summer. A different set of ethnic groups but the same goal: unite in Christ while preserving and honoring the various cultures.

Have a blessed day!

Multicultural Experience --Sort of

How did you hear about the Conference? Do you go to this church?

I heard that question a lot today. I was a guest speaker at a conference and was, for much of the time, the only white person present.

I had a great time. I was speaking to (and re-enacting for) a national youth and young adult group. They have a direct connection to the woman I re-enact and their host church had invited me. They are first and second generation Americans. This group was using English, unlike their parents down the hall.  They also dressed like typical American teens and twenty-somethings and their t-shirts proclaimed American interests. This makes sense. They grew up here. They fit in at their schools and colleges. In some ways this was not an intercultural experience because we all share American culture.

 On the other hand, these young folks enjoy their annual weekend conference when they gather as Christians of their specific ethnicity, so much so that they are resisting attempts to make it biennial.

From the moment I walked in this morning, I was welcomed, even by people who didn't know why I was there. I was greeted, directed to the food line, spoken too by everyone. People were curious about my presence, though. I kinda stood out.

Finally, my contact was located, I was given information and shown to my room. Everyone smiled, everyone was friendly. The youths included me in their worship and games.

I couldn't quite get over a sense of being "other", though. Probably because I was.

I mean, yes, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, yes we all live in the same country,  speak the same language and know the same songs. Still, they were gathered because of ethnicity and I was different. Which is part of what intercultural worship, ministry, and cooperation is about. Being different together.

When I was done speaking I stayed for worship and then excused myself when we got to a long break.

I had enjoyed myself and was grateful for the chance to be part of the celebration.

When have you been involved in an event for another culture?

 

Song for Sunday: I Sing the Almighty Power of God

I seem to be on a hymn kick for "Songs for Sunday. " It'll be something different next week.


Today was Creative Arts Sunday at our church, during which we celebrate the gifts of handwork and artistry that God has given us. We also honor God as Creator.

I also have had a wonderful reminder this weekend of how God creates humans, knitting them together in the womb, so that they arrive as beautiful babies (and all babies are beautiful, though I saw pictures of an extra-beautiful one yesterday.)

So, today, Isaac Watts wonderful hymn about the creative power of God:

 I sing the almighty power of God, 
 that made the mountains rise, 
 that spread the flowing seas abroad, 
 and built the lofty skies.  
 I sing the wisdom that ordained 
 the sun to rule the day; 
 the moon shines full at God's command, 
 and all the stars obey.  

 I sing the goodness of the Lord, 
 who filled the earth with food, 
 who formed the creatures thru the Word, 
 and then pronounced them good.  
 Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, 
 where'er I turn my eye, 
 if I survey the ground I tread, 
 or gaze upon the sky.

 There's not a plant or flower below, 
 but makes thy glories known, 
 and clouds arise, and tempests blow, 
 by order from thy throne; 
 while all that borrows life from thee 
 is ever in thy care; 
 and everywhere that we can be, 
 thou, God, art present there.

How have you seen God's creativity this week?

Knit Together

I am seriously considering writting a devotional for Christian knitting circles and individual knitters. This post would be an entry in it and I would love feedback.



We use a lot of different stitches when we knit, don't we? Garter stitch, stockingette stitch, basket stitch, moss stitch, rib stitch -- and on and on. There are also yarnovers, knit-togethers and similar things that adorn patterns.

All of these stitches and patterns are based on knit and purl stitches. Without those stitches it wouldn't be knitting.

Churches are somewhat the same. We have different church polities, different worship styles, different views, different theologies. A beautiful variety even if there is some tension between us at times.

Like knitting, we are based on something. Our foundation is Jesus Christ. Without Him, we aren't Christian. In Him, we have unity.

Some projects use one type of stitch, some use several. Sometimes churches work independently, sometimes together. Either way, we are all working to further the Kingdom.

Ultimately, we all be knit together into One church. Until then, let us respect and enjoy the variety.



<sup>From Jesus' prayer for the disciples:

"</sup>I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."       John 17:22-24

How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!

 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
 It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore.

                 Psalm 133

I have been participating in the January 2013 Ultimate Blog Challenge. Last day and I haven't finished, but I have increased my readership and been introduced to some great people, wonderful blogs and new perspectives. A win, I'd say, despite my failure.

Physician Assisted Suicide.

I live in Massachusetts and we are voting in two days on whether or not to allow physician assisted suicide. I oppose the law. I haven't been happy with the arguments against it, though. Here are the major ones I have seen:

The question is poorly written.  If it was well-written would you vote for it? I wouldn't. Still, if you are not morally opposed to physician-assisted suicide, this is something to consider. 

Predicting the end of life is difficult. Very true. My grandmother lived more than 10 years after the doctors told her she had two weeks. An important point. Still, even if we could accurately predict the end of life, I would oppose this law. 

The question doesn't require patients requesting a prescription to end life to receive counseling or meet with a psychiatrist or psychologist.  If this safeguard were in place, I would still vote no on this question.

The prescription could be provided by any doctor, regardless of specialty. I am guessing that most doctors whose specialties rarely involve the terminally ill -- eye doctors, podiatrists, etc., -- would not be writing these prescriptions. But, again, even if there were restrictions, I would not vote for this law. 

Proposed safeguards are not adequate and will allow for elder abuse. That's horrible in and of itself, but if adequate protective measures were included I would still oppose this measure. 


Clearly my oppostion to Question 2 is not related to safeguards and procedures. It's about respect for life. The law already allows people to refuse any medical treatment, even if it would save their life. Pain medication and other palliative measures are available to those who want them.

If we enact this law, we may well set up an environment in which people will begin to see the terminally ill as a burden. There will be subtle undercurrents and societal pressures that will cause those with heartbreaking diagnoses to see it as their duty to die and relieve their caregivers of difficult responsibilty. It will blur the line between medical care and mercy killing.

I see the intentional taking of life as playing God. Even if you don't believe in God, can see that putting one's self in the place of a deity is wrong: It is not for us to decide who lives and who dies.

Please, if you live in Massachusetts, vote no on question 2. 

Teaching Knitting ....not

I can knit and I can teach, but I can't teach knitting.

Multiplication, chemical equations, adverbs, and the significance of political movements I can get across. I can even instruct children in sewing. But I have never successfully gotten a child to move a stitch from one needle to the other, even when they were motivated.

I can demonstrate several different stitches -- I even presented a children's chat once in which I demonstrated knit, purl, knit together, yarn over, etc and likened the stitches to the various denominations that God will someday join together in one kingdom, represented by a completed piece. I know the vocabulary of knitting, too. Still, I can't teach anyone how to do it.

I don't why.

I also don't think I have a point here. I just needed to write a blog post today and this was what came to mind. Maybe because I recently took up knitting again.

Is there something you can do but can't teach to others?





This is my 21st post for the October Ultimate Blog Challenge. I am going for 31 posts in 31 days!

Domestic Violence

I am at a Missions Conference and this evening attended a talk on how a particulary ministry is helping women cope. The speaker lives in a place where 80% of women can expect to experience domestic violence sometime during their lives.

The women of a Baptist church there felt called to help their despairing sisters. The men of their church told them to just preach the gospel and bring the women into the church. The women had other ideas. They birthed a ministry that has now rescued 120 women and their children from horrific situations. Situations in which they were subject to rape, enslavement, and beatings. One woman was hung from the ceiling by a dog collar until she was unconscious. When she woke up, she was beaten.

It is mind boggling to think that such things go on and that many turn a blind eye.

It is inspiring to know that, in Jesus name, there are women working hard to end the fear and horror.


I ask you to pray for these women -- the victims and the rescuers -- and the missionaries who help.

Here is one place of refuge -- Deborah's Home.


Are you aware of any ministries that work against Domestic Violence?

My blog site is currently a "work in progress." I am playing with the look, reducing the amount of advertising and consolidating the labels so that things are easier to find. Comments and suggestions welcome. Look for changes over the next few weeks.

This is my eighteenth post for the October 2012 Ultimate Blog Challenge. I'm trying for 31 posts in 31 days, plus commenting on two posts by other people every day. 

Adjustments

I have been playing with my blog lately.

Most of my adjustments have been incremental, but today I did a bit more. I have changed the background (again), tweaked the widths, and moved gadgets around.

I'd love to know what you think. ( I know there is more to do.)


You know, sometimes, our spiritual lives need adjusting, too. Maybe a tweak here and there, maybe a wholesale rehauling, maybe something in between. As we make those adjustments it is good to get feedback from friends, pastors, prayer partners....just like fellow bloggers can give feedback on a site.


Do you need to make adjustments?

How will you get feedback?

My blog site is currently a "work in progress." I am playing with the look, reducing the amount of advertising and consolidating the labels so that things are easier to find. Comments and suggestions welcome. Look for changes over the next few weeks.

This is my eighth post for the October 2012 Ultimate Blog Challenge. I'm trying for 31 posts in 31 days, plus commenting on two posts by other people every day.

Walking for Exercise......Or?

I started walking once a week-ish with a dear friend over the summer.

We met years ago at CYC (see sidebar) -- back when it had a different name -- drifted apart and then met up again when her daughter joined the conference. We seem to have one of those friendships that can pick up where we left off after years of very limited contact. 

This weekly walk is supposed to give us extra exercise and help us be healthier. It does do that, I suppose, but the "side" benefits have been even greater. 

We have been sharing the struggles in our lives, praying for each other, offering advice, comfort, help. Because what we are "really" doing is walking around the lake, we can just talk. There is no agenda, no pressure. 

It has been a positve addition to my routine and, I hope, to hers. I highly recommend finding a walking buddy -- or maybe a knitting buddy. It doesn't really matter what your obstensible purpose is, as long as it doesn't interfere with talking. It's being together that counts. 

What's been a good new addition to your routine lately?

My blog site is currently a "work in progress." I am playing with the look, reducing the amount of advertising and consolidating the labels so that things are easier to find. Comments and suggestions welcome. Look for changes over the next few weeks.

This is my fifth post for the October 2012 Ultimate Blog Challenge. I'm trying for 31 posts in 31 days, plus commenting on two posts by other people every day.