*blush*

imngrace has honored me with this award. Thank you, thank you! I love your blog, too! Although I haven't been a very good blogger or blogging buddy lately, I appreciate those of you who still check in on me every n0w and again.


Of course, as with every Bloggy Award, there are A Few Rules. They are:

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.


• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.


• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!


• Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Several of you have already received this award, so I am awarding only those whom, I think, haven''t yet been so honored. So, without any further ado, I give this award to the following 5 blog friends:

Sarah because if I was ever skeptical about finding true friendship in the "virtual world," becoming friends with Sarah via the RevGals blogring has cured any skepticism I had. She is one of the most authentic and crazy-smart people I have ever known. (She is also a new mother. Her daughter was born just a few days ago!)

Revcrystalk (though she will always be HipChick to me!) because I resonate so much with what she writes. Sometimes I wonder of we were separated at birth or something! She is very honest and so funny!

Towanda I got interested in Towanda's blog because I noticed that she was then a student at my Alma mater, The Iliff School of Theology. I remain a reader because she challenges me to look beyond the end of my nose and notice those who are crying out for justice here and abroad. Her courage inspires me to truly live out the gospel. She also posts from funny cartoons from time to time!

Mrs. M because Diana's blog was one of the first I got up the nerve to leave a comment on when I was first dipping my toes into the blogging world. She writes about her sense of call with passion and humor. AND she sometimes posts recipes!

Mags Oh, Mags...she just rocks, plain and simple. She posts wonderful sermons and has such wisdom. She also sometimes posts funny YouTube clips...:)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving tomorrow.

As for me, I'll be in bed. I is a sicky. I got the last appointment available at my doctor's office cause I just couldn't shake this crud. I'm on antibiotics. $55 dollars worth of antibiotics! I hate being allergic to both sulfa and penicillin.

We'll probably have Thanksgiving dinner on Friday.

Have fun everyone!

Why I've Been Away For Awhile

I have had a crazy few weeks with no time or energy to blog. A couple of days after being elected pastor by the church that sent spies, (I really need to think of a new blog name for them now, huh?) I flew out West to visit my parents, sister and brother-in-law, and most importantly, meet my baby nephew who was born on October 20. He is a sweet, sweet boy!

The day after I arrived, my mom, sister and I went to see "The Secret Life of Bees," which was actually pretty good, but could never, ever live up to the book. Afterwards, we went to my parents place so I could raid my mom's closet. We were hanging out in my mom' s room when, my dad rushed in and tearfully blurted out, "Your mom died."

This was my Mema. She was 88 years old living by herself and did not have any diagnosis of a life-threatening disease or condition. She just fell down dead. She didn't even have time to push her "I've fallen and I can't get up" button on her wrist.

She was a fiercely independent woman and, I think, that this was probably exactly the way she would have wanted it. She lived alone, but had daily contact with my aunt who lived down the street. She wasn't in pain or living in a nursing home, which she would have hated.

The funeral was this past Monday here in my city and I preached. She didn't have a pastor, so rather than have someone who didn't know her do it, I agreed. I'm glad I did. It was a gift to my Mema, my family and myself. There's a lot more to say about that, but I don't think I will. My Mema and I had a complicated relationship, but I loved and admired her, even when she held me at arm's length.

I promptly got a cold the next day and it's getting worse. This is a hard time of year to slow down.

That's Exactly How I Feel, Too...

First of all, everything went well. I am the pastor-elect of (Important Reformer) Presbyterian Church by a vote of 120-something yeas to 4 nays. Not bad... I can live with that. I was told that those four "wouldn't vote for Jesus himself."

I didn't feel good at all in the pulpit, though. They have very bright spotlights, which blinded me and made me super hot. The light made the pulpit mic cast a big shadow over my manuscript, which made it hard to read. Also, I had underestimated the font size I would need, so basically, I preached from memory. It didn't feel good, but I got through it.

My family was great and so supportive, patiently shaking hands and telling people their names again and again and again. My son drew this picture when we got home and told me, "I felt like a handshaking machine today!" Yep.

Give Me Oil In My Lamp...

Keep me burnin', burnin' burnin'...

Great camp song based on our parable this week. Although one verse that we used to sing is what I really need right now:

"Give me umption in my gumption, let me function, function, function..."

I am almost always done writing my sermon by this time Saturday. I am stuck... Help!

ETA: It's 10:15 pm and I'm as done as I'm gonna be tonight. It'll be okay. I'll tweak it some in the morning and then, I'll let the Spirit do what she will with it!

Sarah, I just now read your kind offer to listen to my sermon. I'm afraid it might be a little too late now- shoot. Thanks so much for offering. I may take you up on that some other time! I'm going to try to get a good night sleep now.

Friday Five: Funny Papers

Presbyterian Gal says: After an exhausting election here in the states it's time for some spirit lifting! Join me with a nice cup of tea or coffee or cocoa and let's sit back and read the Funny Papers!

1. What was your favorite comic strip as a child?

I loved the Family Circus, especially when Billy would go on one of his "adventures" through the neighborhood!

2. Which comic strip today most consistently tickles your funny bone?

Bizarro.

3. Which Peanuts character is closest to being you?

I'd like to say Linus, but it's probably Lucy.

4. Some say that comic strips have replaced philosophy as a paying job, so to speak. Does this ring true with you?

Perhaps, in this "sound bite" culture. I don't know.

5. What do you think the appeal is for the really long running comic strips like Blondie, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace as some examples?

Oh, I could write about archetypes and timeless themes, but it's because they're funny and have become part of the American cultural landscape. I mean, without the Blondie strip, we wouldn't have the Dagwood sandwich!

Bonus question: Which discontinued comic strip would you like to see back in print?

Well, it's not discontinued, but I was furious when my local paper stopped printing Cathy- and right before her and Irving's wedding! ACK!!

Getting Ready to Party!

My son is decorating our entire house with Obama...we have Obama forks, Obama napkins, Obama pepper shaker and...

I'm not sure if should be proud or disturbed! I *do* hope that we get to pop open that champagne tonight!

ETA: My 5 year old daughter just informed me that she likes, "Mr. McCain." So, my son made her a McCain napkin. We respect a variety of political views in our household!

Well, Better This Sunday Than Next....

It was bound to happen at some point. I suppose.

I was standing at the communion table with the bread in my hands- lovely, beautiful bread made from the special communion bread recipe of a dearly departed saint of this congregation. I was holding this bread up...and I forgot the words.

I forgot the words of institution, y'all! How many times have I done this?

I did collect myself, finally, after about five really long seconds. Long enough that it was pretty obvious I had forgotten the words.

*sigh*

Well, here's hoping I don't have a similar brain fart next Sunday!

I'm Finally Dishing....

I have wanted to post so many times in the past couple of weeks, but have been prevented by traveling, a visit from family and, mostly, fatigue. Also, I am just overwhelmed (mostly in a good way) by all that has happened and all that is ahead of me and my family.

But, I did promise....

That Tuesday afternoon, October 14, I was to preparing myself to meet the committee for dinner and some conversation. It was the second "date" and I had an inkling that an offer was forthcoming because certain people had dropped some pretty big hints. In thinking about it all, my heart began to beat fast and my breathing became shallow. I guess this may be what a panic attack feels like? I don't know...

Anyway, old "tapes" began to play in my head. I particularly heard the voice of my Head of Staff in my first call who had said things like, "Iris, you present well, but you don't wear well," and "I really wanted a colleague, but Iris needed a boss." I hadn't thought of these comments in quite some time, but there they were. Right when I was on the cusp of perhaps being offered the call I had been hoping and praying for, I was racked by self-doubt. Thank God for my pastor girlfriend here in my area and my beloved former colleague (with whom I worked after I left my first call who told me I wore very well, thank you very much.) They each gave me the needed pep talk, prayed with me and I was able to calm down enough to prepare my mind and heart and my hair, make-up and clothing for the interview.

The site for the interview was changed at the last minute because the committee member whose home we were going to be was ill. So, it ended up being held at another church in town, which was fine with me, as it was only 5 minutes from my house. We ate pasta and the best cookies I have ever eaten in my life. Seriously.

Then, we got to business. They had some prepared questions, which I noticed were very nuts and bolts, nitty-gritty kinds of questions, such as "What would your office hours be?" and "What day would you like to have as your day off?" This part didn't really last very long at all, maybe 15 minutes, when the committee chair turned to me and said, "Would you mind leaving us for a few minutes?" I had to pee really bad, so I didn't mind. Although, I was a quite curious as to what was happening. Well, they didn't have much to talk about apparently because the chair was waiting for me in the hallway outside of the bathroom with a big smile on her face. She whispered to me, "I am so happy!" (This is the same woman who over a year ago asked me, "You're going to apply, right?")

We walked back into the room and the whole committee was all grins as the chair said, "It is unanimous, we would like to extend the call to you to be our pastor." I told them that I was happy to accept and they all cheered! Comments started flying: "Wow, this is quite a process," and "This is such a good match, I can feel it," and (from one of the youth members), "You were my favorite from the beginning." It was exhilarating and humbling, all at the same time. They went on to say that I had had a "higher hill to climb" than the other candidates they considered because they wanted to make very sure that this was truly God's call and that they weren't just taking the easy route by calling the hometown girl. I would say that they and I both had cast rather wide nets in the last year in considering God's call, and I feel very good about that.

After the gushing was over, another of the committee members handed me a piece of paper with their offer for terms of call, otherwise known as the salary package. Friends, it exceeded my expectations. Wow, just wow.

This is not a done deal yet. I preach for the congregation on November 9 and then they get the opportunity to vote on whether or not I will, indeed, be their pastor. I am struggling with what I will preach. The lectionary passages are full of the "end times" that week and I need more of a "new beginnings" kind of message, I think! Any suggestions?

Thanks all, for your kind words of encouragement through all of this. I'll try not to let 2 weeks pass between postings again!

They Offered...

I accepted...

Thanks be God.

I'm grateful for your prayers.

(More later, I promise. I'm tuckered.)

10/16/08: Sorry I haven't dished yet. I've had a sore froat and now I am trying to get us packed to go out of town for Fall Break. I feel happy, blessed and in need of some sleep and fun with the fam. I'll be back soon!

Quick Post on a Tuesday Morning

I have written the principal about these things and have been told that she has been counseled to change her behavior. I hope she does. Otherwise....

On a more positive note, I am having dinner with the Pastor Nominating Committee of the church who sent spies tonight! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. Please keep doing it! :)

It Gets Worse...

The teacher I wrote about earlier is not my son's primary teacher, but his class goes over to her classroom for math and science instruction. I have spoken to some others parents the past few days and we are piecing together some comments that our children have said to us lately about this teacher.

In addition to the "devil's birthday comment," I have also learned that this teacher:

• has shown an "Adam and Eve" video to both classes,
• took a child aside and asked her, "Do you love Jesus?"
• would not let my son write "boo" on a picture he was drawing of some pumpkins,
• AND asked her class (not my son's) to journal about where they will go when they die.

Houston, we have a BIG problem here.

Say, What?!?!?

So, my second grader comes home yesterday asking me if Halloween is "the devil's birthday?" I say, "No, who told you that?" - thinking that one of his friends said that to him on the playground.

Nope...one of his teachers in our very PUBLIC elementary school told her students that they shouldn't celebrate Halloween because, if they do, they are helping the devil celebrate his birthday.

I told my son that if she ever says anything like that again, he has my permission to tell her she is being inappropriate for school.

Now, I'm trying to decide if I want to throw one devil of a fit or not.

Sunday Musings

I have really been an uninspired blogger lately, but I am doing well and have lots on my plate right now. I'm basking in the afterglow of a truly wonderful World Communion service where we served six different kinds of bread, including banana bread- yum! If I had permission, I would post the lovely liturgy one of our elders wrote for the presentation of the breads. She told me I could stick it in my files and use it whenever I wanted, and I most definitely will!

Right now, I'm hanging out in my office as I wait for the church picnic to begin in a few hours. I live 45 minutes away, so it's silly to go home. I'll catch a nap, perhaps watch a movie on my computer from netflix, eat some of this bread that's sitting on my desk!

Things are moving along with the church that sent spies. I have a second interview with them a week from Tuesday, which will be a dinner at a pastor nominating committee member's home. They are checking my references and Committee on Ministry wants to meet with me to discuss whether this would be a good match or not. I don't have to truly be "examined" by COM because I'm already a member of this Presbytery. Also, they aren't making me do a neutral pulpit, for which I am grateful. Most of the members heard me preach a year ago when I did pulpit supply and those who didn't came as spies last July!

The COM moderator told me on Friday that I should know one way or another within two weeks. Whee! It'll be good to know- either to tie up loose ends here and prepare for this new ministry or to regroup and refocus.

How are you this fine World Communion Sunday?

ETA: Any of y'all going to the RevGal BE2? I haven't registered yet, but I'm planning on going...and I'll need a roomie! :)

I Got Tagged!

RevKim tagged me for this meme of six unspectacular things about me. Oh, how to choose?

1. I have ten fingers and ten toes.

2. My vote in the presidential election is not going to matter one iota because of where I live. But I'll vote anyway.

3. My favorite color is blue.

4. I would dearly love to live in a place where I didn't need to have a car.

5. I hate, I hate, I hate school fundraisers. Children selling cheap-assed crap because schools aren't funded adequately just plain sucks.

6. Autumn is my favorite season. I'll be glad when it hits here- it's still summer here at 86 degrees!

I'm going to break rule #4 below, I'm too tuckered to tag anyone right now. Play if you like!

Meme Terms and Conditions
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. List six unspectacular things about you.
4. Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.

A Super Self-Absorbed Post Below

No time to post in any substantive way...I just wanted to say "happy 2nd blogoversary" to myself.

Still can't believe I have a blog! I love all my blogging buddies!

Tonight's the Night

No, I'm not talking about the creepy Rod Stewart song.

Tonight, I finally have my interview with the Pastor Nominating Committee that sent spies. Please pray for this ever-unfolding process of discernment.

ETA: It is 8:29 pm and I'm home now. Boy, oh, boy, did the interview go well! The hour and a half flew! I love that their very first question was, "So, how do you take care of yourself?"

Oooooh....I believe that this could be a very good match. We'll see...

No matter what, I greatly enjoyed my time with them.

I've Been Singing This Song All Day...

I guess I needed to remember that.

Tuesday Bullets

• In the nearly two years I have been blogging, I've gained a new gauge for measuring how I'm feeling by the frequency of my postings. When I'm depressed and/or seriously stressed, I don't blog. It's just another way I have to withdraw and not receive the support and love I know is out there. Why do I do that?

• Yesterday I began year two of spiritual director training- the Ignatius (or "Iggy") year. I'm coming back to the program after a year off because last year at this time, I thought I was going to do hospice chaplaincy for awhile. Stupid hospice.... I am excited about the discipline of the Iggy year and meeting again with my spiritual director.

• Next Tuesday, I am finally going to have an actual interview with the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) that sent spies to hear me preach several weeks ago. I'll keep y'all posted.

• Knowing that that particular church may not be my call, I have also been in contact with some other PNC's across the country. Two weeks ago I had a fantastic phone interview with a PNC. I got off the phone feeling energized, yet I have dragged my feet on sending them the sermon tape they requested. I still haven't. Part of it, I know, is that I really, really want the call here. Part of it is that I've been depressed, and also because hubby and I have been stressed out and fighting- a lot. I'm not sure if moving futher east (where this church is), when the support of our families is out west, would be the right thing to do right now. So, I have a "please take me out of consideration" e-mail ready to send, but I haven't yet.

• Our Presbytery just received a favorable ruling on a case that has been on-going for 2 years concerning the property of a congregation that has left the denomination. I am grateful for the ruling, as I truly believe it to be the right and fair decision. My heart still breaks because there are no winners, only broken relationships and resources diverted from ministry. May God bring healing to both sides.

It Never Fails...

Why is that when I run into old boyfriends out of the blue, I always look like ass?

Just askin'...