Happy Things

Whew! It's been a while! It's been a month full of trips and vacations and planning for next year. But I feel excited about what's coming up and am looking forward to my second year at Grace. Summer has been Wonderful (yes, with a captial W) weather and I am soaking it up as much as I can. This has inspired me to make today's post...

Things that make me happy:

• Gorgeous summer days
• Worshipping God in a church community and on my own
• Talking to my mom and dad
• Spending time outside
• Taking walks at night
• Singing great hymns
• Good songs on the radio
• The wild raspberries and blueberries we ate in the Boundary Waters
• Being with good friends
• Praying- especially Lectio Divina style.
• Lake Michigan
• Good coffee!
• Laughing
• Jonah

I could go on.

If you heard my recent sermon on lists, I now realize I left something out. It is good to make lists of our blessings, not just lists of what we need or want or have to do. So I encourage you to make a list of the good things in your life. Share it if you want, by leaving a comment to this message. I'd love to hear what makes you happy. May God bless you with many good things.

Mission Trip

On Saturday I leave for a mission trip to the Boundary Waters with 14 high school students and 2 other adults. I am excited for the trip but anxious about the long drive up there! Keep us in your prayers for safety and lots of fun!

I am really looking forward to spending time with the kids and being in the beautiful setting of the North Shore (on Lake Superior). I've never been there but spending time outdoors always does good for my soul. And being away from our normal, everyday lives somehow makes it easier for us to be open to other people and more honest about what's going on inside ourselves.

I was reading an article the other day that said on our "sabbath" day, we should do the opposite of whatever we normally do. If we are busy, we should not do anything. If we are normally indoors, we should step outside. Sabbath is a break from our daily routines, a change of pace. I hope that the trip to the Boundary Waters will be a good Sabbath for everyone, that even though we will be working hard, we will be refreshed by spending our time doing something different. We spend so much time focusing on ourselves- it can be renewing to focus on others for a bit.

Have you found Sabbath time this summer? What do you do to renew your body and spirit?

Do It Anyway!

Here are some good words for you today, brought to you by Mother Theresa (probably)...they are a good reminder of why we are here.


People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered...
forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives...
be kind anyway

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies...
succeed anyway

If you are honest, people may cheat you...
be honest anyway

What you may spend years building, someone may destroy overnight...
build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous...
be happy anyway

The good you do today, may be forgotten tomorrow...
do good anyway

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough...
give your best anyway

You see, in the end, it's between you and God...
it was never between you and them anyway

Amen.

NOT Coming Up on the 10:00 News...

As I was thinking about what to blog about today, I started going over what I have been doing lately. Confirmation Camp was the first thing to come to mind. It was such a great week. I was so proud of those 18 kids from Grace. They really committed themselves to the lessons and activities. They learned and supported each other and had fun together.

It's too bad that things like that don't make the news.

There were dozens of counselors and staff at camp that went out of their way to be good Christian examples for all the kids at camp.

Some high school students and adult volunteers met for pizza and a movie a couple weeks ago.

Soon Grace will be filled with many children and volunteers who give many hours of their time to provide the kids with a great vacation bible school experience.

The high school students will be leaving at the end of July for a mission trip to the boundary waters.

I know these things may not seem newsworthy, but to me they are. In a world that can get so caught up in all the bad things that happen, I see so many good things happening, too.

Young teens support each other and grow in their faith together. High Schoolers meet not to cause trouble but to enjoy a night together with people they might not normally hang out with. As college tuition hits the roof, college students earn pennies for 3 months to make a difference in the lives of others, instead of working a less rewarding job for more money. People of all ages give their time to help children learn about God and have a great time doing it.

Where do you see good in the world? Write a comment and let me know.

"Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward." ~Matthew 10:42

Monday Five...Reader's Theatre Edition

1)Do you think of summer as a particularly good season for reading?
Yes and no. I do love to lay on a lounge chair in the shade and read a good book. Or better yet, by a body of water: lake, ocean, pool...i'm not particular. But summer is also a good time to be out and about- going to parties, fests, and just enjoying the good weather by being active.

2) Have you ever fallen asleep reading on the beach?
I really am not one for falling asleep in public places. I never was able to sleep during class at school. Too embarrassing. What if I snore or drool or something?

3) Can you recall a favorite childhood book read in the summertime?
Hmm...I think I read the boxcar children books in the summer. I loved those! I thought it would be so cool to live like that. Other favorite books were the Little House on the Prairie series, Wind in the Willows, Angelina Ballerina, and A Wrinkle in Time. I was quite a reader when I was young. I wish I read more now, but I think I need a break from reading after 8 years of college and seminary!

4) Do you have a favorite genre for light or relaxing reading?
Oh, definitely things that take my mind off "real" life. I really like Jennifer Weiner ("In Her Shoes") and the Harry Potter series.

5) What is the next book on your reading list?
Well, I have VOWED to finish Parker Palmer's "A Hidden Wholeness" before I start anything else! But my next FUN book would probably be another Jennifer Weiner book or the first James Patterson mystery book that AIM Ruth lent to me. I got into mysteries for a while in High School so I think it would be fun to pick that up again.

What do you all like to read? What are some of your favorites?

I'd like a table for 945,874, 291,385,257...and counting

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that I love communion. I think it is one of God's miracles. To think that Jesus is present for us so easily in this way, and that he is present for all people who come to his table, is beyond understanding. But I know that it's true because I have felt him there. When I eat that flimsy little wafer (or more preferrably, that little tasty piece of bread) and I take a sip of wine, I know that God is with me. I can feel myself change on the inside.

Another thing that I love about communion is that it connects us to ALL other Christians. Christians in Grafton and Cedarburg, in Michigan, Connecticut, Brazil, Tanzania, Nicaragua, India...we are connected to Christians everywhere, all over the world, when we eat and drink at this table. We eat with young and old, black and white, republican and democrat...the list goes on and on. At God's table, we are even connected with those who are sharing the eternal feast with Christ in Heaven. That can be some comfort to know that those we miss so much are with us when we eat this meal.

Sometimes when I take communion I think about the people who have meant so much to me on my faith journey. I think about the congregation where I grew up in Lockport, IL, about my internship congregation in Saint Louis, about my "Soul Sister" friends from camp, my old pastors and professors who helped shape my faith, and of course, my mom and dad. It strengthens me to know that I am "surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1). We can cheer each other on as we run together toward Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." Thanks be to God for this gift of communion through time and space!

Something Fun

1. what are 2 names you go by? heidi and pastor heidi (wow how interesting!)

2. name 2 things you are wearing:a black blazer and a khaki skirt (yawn again!)

3. 2 of my favorite things: my grandma murken's ring and my bed

4. 2 things i want very badly...a prius and more time in each day

5. 2 favorite pets...of course jonah. the other would be my dog growing up- a miniature schnauzer, alex. i wanted to name him abecrombie but my mom talked me out of it.

6. 2 people i'd like to see on my doorstep...my best friend kelly and steph or any of my sistern friends from seminary

7. 2 things i did last night...went to meetings at church and for a nice walk with brian and jonah.

8. 2 things i've eaten recently...pad thai and a yummy muffin (thanks lisa!)

9. favorite beverages: mmm...iced americanos with cream and i do love coca-cola, though I don't indulge in it very often.

10. 2 things on tomorrow's agenda: drive to chicago to visit friends and go to all my favorite places in my old neighborhood. (thank GOD my life has gotten more interesting though the course of this survey!)

11. what are 2 of the furthest trips in the last 5 years? nicaragua and to holden village in washington.

12. 2 favorite holidays: christmas- i love, love, love me some baby jesus- and thanksgiving- i love turkey and spending a great day with my great family.