Neat.

CAMP!

Well I've been busy and house/dog sitting this week.

Looking for help........we're going to have a youth campout (one night) and I'm looking for a fun bible study. Suggestions? :)

I personally have never been to camp! Only short stints with the girl scouts...so I'm inexperienced here. Hopefully we can do a longer camp experience next summer.

Thou Shalt.....

I thought it was funny that a day or so after admitting to #4 in the "random 8" meme...the Vatican came out with 10 commandments regarding road rage:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11194027

Retreat! Run Away Run Away!

Hola.
So, I have not taken a true vacation in....hmm I don't know. Closest thing resembling that was bout 4 years ago. It's hard to travel when you are single...and your other single friends don't desire to go to the same places, or travel at the same time. So frequently any time off has been used in small chunks to go to expos or conferences....don't get me wrong that's good stuff.

In brief conversation with a couple pastors recently....I received a scolding look when they heard that I never use my vacation time. That got me to thinking. I really could use a true vacation...a weeklong sabbatical....something that completely removes me from my current element, and allows me to relax and unwind.

So...I was thinking....a retreat center! Mark and others have mentioned Holden Village...which looks interesting...the remoteness actually seems a little intimidating....but I consider it. Does anyone else have other suggestions of retreat destinations? Preferably Lutheran or ecumenically friendly types, of course.

Random 8

Well, Mark tagged,me....and as I've said before...if he tagged me to jump off a bridge I suppose I would.....claim jinx and stay dry.

Here's the gist of the Meme:


1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3.At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.


Ooookay....
1. I dip my grilled cheese in ketchup and pickle juice.

2. I prefer unsalted preztels and nuts.

3. I think I'm going to pre-order the Harry Potter from the grocery store. So I can buy cucumbers and a bestseller at the same time.

4. I'm a potty-mouthed stupid head when I'm at the wheel.

5. My favorite color is purple.

6. I did not start eating fish until about a year ago.

7. I am physically incapable of getting tan.

8. My 2 year old niece and her Auntie are equally goofy and strange. And frequently act the same.

Does that work?
The first 8 people to read this are tagged. So there.

synod assembly

synod assembly.
good times.
i was pleased with the voting results.
got to hang out a little with some people local to me.
got to get to know some folks better who i only knew professionally/cordially last year.
staying up late talking theology with some respected people, and enjoying an ale...priceless.

Phew! :)

I can breathe! All of my big obligations are now on hiatus.

Sunday School, done for the season. I got a few wonderful cards from parents...they appreciate me! Wow. I love their kids, what can I say? The music is fun.

Call Committee...should be done. Just a congregational vote away from that being final. Next time I'm involved with the process I'll be on the other side.

Choir, summer hiatus. Even though I love it...it's nice to know that I won't be letting a group down by missing a Sunday to visit others.

Confirmation class, done for the season. Phew! :) Two of my kids were confirmed this past Sunday....with the bishop participating (thanks B).

St. RuthRE's Church's anniversary. Service went off without a hitch, finished multiple entertainment bits for the meal afterward, got things produced for favors and sale, MC'd the event. Everyone came together so nicely and worked so well, and the love that we all share and family that we are.....really showed....really made itself known. Assisting the bishop was an honor.

So what's left now? SYNOD ASSEMBLY! WEEEE!
I joke that it's a big party..which...sure it has some aspects of that. If by party you mean seeing friends, enjoying conversation...and at the end of the day maybe a glass of wine. Then, yes. I'm eager to vote on some resolutions..there's a couple doozies. I'm looking forward to our guest speaker...and to the many events, workshops, etc.
I look forward to the festival service....it's so wonderful. Can't beat missing work for a few days either ;)

One more day of work-work. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

TONIGHT on CNN

Brought to you by Jim Wallis and friends.

TONIGHT 7 PM EST....a Presidential Forum of the Dems...discussing faith issues....but this time we're talking about poverty and social justice! Instead of the right-wing agenda.

Check it out.