LIFE CHANGING ENCOUNTERS 31.1.13

Liking today's challenge at  Friday Fives at RevGalBlogPals Self disclosure in sharing 'Encounters' as follows:
* In this week some of us are preaching about a woman who encounters Jesus at the well...
Name 5 encounters in your life  leading to unexpected results.
[They might include learning a new skill,  making a friend, falling in love, discerning a call  or anything around or far off from those ideas.] * The first one coming to mind began as online exploration. 1- Sharing my response to a fascinating website   Visions Alternative Worship in York UK became an invitation to meet the Spiritual curator,  Sue Wallace, and 'encounter' the Alternative Worship   in 'real life'.   *

* Two years later, 2- I was blessed with  [a result of another amazing 'encounter']  an overseas journey to the UK that enabled my real life 'encounter' at Visions York.  I experienced various worship services for a week and participated to the max.   Life-changing. . . This 'encounter' became the seed for a new life direction in ministry and ensuing 'encounters'. Studies and training at home in mission and pioneer ministry,  3- online with the Ridley Hall Cambridge pioneer ministry minister, Dave Male, 4- later to Scotland for the Mission Shaped Ministry C of E course with amazing instructors,   John and Olive Fleming Drane 5- On a weekend intensive in the Highlands I met the founders of the program the course is based on! All were a bonus outcome of one afternoon 'browsing'. Thanks be to God! * Thanks Rev Gals for the challenging post. I've had a great walk down a meaningful memory lane! Interestingly, it's re-lit a fire in my spirit ... *
*
Anyone willing to share your life changing encounters  with FHC ? We'd love to hear from You... *

Tweet

*
INSPIRED SUNDAY
*
Sharing with Katherine's Thursday Favourite Things 

Friday Fives: Travelling Edition from Rev Gals 23.8.13

Friday Five: Packing or Packrat?

Today's challenge from Deb at our Rev Gals and Pals:

We are 90% done with the pack-em-up-and-move-em-out week here at our hacienda. One daughter is moving to her first apartment, the other daughter to her dorm for her freshman year of college. Not gonna lie, it was an adventure these last few days!

As a part of the process, we let our daughters manage their own packing 
(with our input and support.) 
Part of that educational experience (for all of us) was letting them figure out how to create their own organization, make choices, and consolidate what they were packing. And also pack carefully enough so that they could still get everything in the car -- and in the dorm/apartment!

It made me realize that there are some elements to packing and moving that are learned,
and some that are innate. So ...

let's talk "packing or pack rat?" for this week's Friday5s.

*

1. Are you a sorter or a pack rat? 

What I mean by that is, 

do you select what you are taking with you 

(on a trip, a new assignment, a vacation), 

or do you pack with abandon ?

*

I begin by selecting. 

Taking great care planning in an effort to

cover whatever events are included in the

time away.  By the end of it, I've 

thrown in enough extras to cover every possibility
and weather option !

*

2. Who first helped you learn how to pack?
Or did you just come into it by osmosis 
or natural gifting  (and need)?

*

I'm sure there was a kind parent or grandparent who stepped in to help teach me, it's just not coming to mind!
But I think necessity has been the mother of invention in large part.

*

Later in life, I remember our women's club hosting a stewardess who taught us packing to travel - excellent and creative travel advice.

*

Other counsel has arrived when needed for packing to move.  Using enough 'stuffing' to prevent items from moving is what prevents breakage !

*

3. What's your favorite kind of suitcase? 

Duffle? Soft-side? Wheels? 

(Deb is personally a fan of her "expanding zipper" wheelie suitcases. 
"Saved my bacon on many a return trip home"!)

*

The magic zipper wheeled cases are a fave 

{and a necessity}
 Having weight taken off  hands/arms is essential for persons with RA

Using cross body luggage for carryon - 

laptop and my purse works well.

*

4. Do you have that "packing gene" -- 
or do you pack and cram what you need 
into every available space?

*

Pretty much organized, but definitely use each nook and cranny, webbed or zippered pocket, and interior dividers

{Part of the excellent training by that stewardess!}

*

5. What's one thing you've learned in 
traveling, packing or storing your belongings 
that you think everyone should know?

*

One recommendation I learned - roll your clothing items when packing to travel.  Saves space, you can get more into the available suitcase/baggage space, and less wrinkles !

AND?

*

*

Take an ereader!
No need to pay for book weight, it's at hand and at the ready with any number of books you've collected for surprise reading moments...

*
Bonus ps- Found a great travel website Been Seen

*

EnJoy your Travels !

*

Be sure to respond in the comments so we can visit and glean from your wisdom 

(or sympathize with your conundrums!)

* Have a Fab Friday !! * top photo credit to Mrs Amber Apple who created this little vintage beauty! *

Tweet

KEEP CALM and .... Friday 5s with REV GALS

Here's today's Rev Gals Friday Challenge from Rev Karla-

Friday Five: Keep Calm and Cowgirl Up!

...second Friday of August, and I don't know about you, but, REALLY?????  1/3 of the way through August? 

Seriously, though, the last month has been charged with so much professionally and personally, and my mantra has been, "Keep Calm and .......",  filling in the blank many ways.   Sometimes its "and breathe", sometimes it's "and pray",  and other times it's  "and call your friends", which seems to be the most used one, because my friends are the souls that remind me to breathe, pray, laugh--and even sometimes, to "cowgirl up!" 

So, in that spirit, here is your Friday Five:

1.  First, how are you doing? What's going on with you?
*

Currently, concerned and reflective - on a lot of fronts...

My mom's need for daily feeding assistance and roadblocks

to achieving that.  Care home management policies that stipulate

their adjoining housing is for the care home resident's partner, and as her daughter, I'm "not her husband", thus I don't qualify. 

[That she no longer has a husband is irrelevant]

A 20 km trip, I can't be there for every meal.  

Living in a unit next door it becomes possible.

That's the major issue going on with me at the moment .

*

2.  Is there anything you need to  Keep Calm and Cowgirl Up for? * Pretty much the former situation. Cowgirl up to see it through...

Finding the right person to hear the discrepancy, its validity, wisdom to deal with this, finding strength to persevere, persist or let go. 

*
3.  If you were going to make a "Keep Calm and   __________" logo for a t-shirt, what would it be? *
*
4.  What are you looking forward to in the next week or so? * Looking forward to time, whatever amount!, with son, dil and baby grandson [2 months old already?!] now that they're here visiting and introducing the wee man to family. Also,  a brief supper visit with friends I haven't seen in over a year,  {since their call to a Lutheran congregation}   on their way through to their summer cottage break. We'll be sharing a meal and a copy of the book I need for leading a new group that's to begin in a couple weeks. Looking forward to sharing, laughing, catchup, and hugs !! And.. Looking forward to leading, learning   and the potential  for that group...

*
5.  Use the following words in a sentence:      cape, river, dancing, paws, glory * Tossing Superwoman's cape into the river, I grabbed the pup's paws,  dancing in the glory of the moment!
*
Looking forward to the weekend and wishing you all the refreshment you need!

* Feel free to add your Friday 5s in comments... I always love hearing from you! *

For more Friday 5s ! *

Tweet

Friday Fives Frivolity

Here's today's FuN FRIDAY FIVE prompt  from Rev Karla at Rev Gals Blog Pals -
Because I am feeling silly, or perhaps, just out there, our FF is dedicated to creating silly sentences.  We all need a little meaningless creativity and humour, right?

Use these five words (in any tense) in a sentence:

1. pulpit, puppy, wrench, word, mouse.
2. weep, love, prayer, bassoon, chair
3. heart, shutter, wish, turtle, walk
4. howl, worry, window, story, trust
5. garden, hat, shepherd, laugh, sigh.

As always, let us know you played in the comments.  Ok, here's my share in the FuN ...  * 1- The craftsman carved another word into the pulpit, while his puppy chased the mouse hiding behind the wrench. * 2- Her love didst weep in prayer as he laid her bassoon across the chair. * 3- It's the wish of my heart that turtle would walk out from behind the shutter. * 4- The wind's howl increased her worry, watching at the window, while he told a story of trust. * 5- Standing in the garden, hat in hand, the shepherd let out a laugh at the gamboling lamb,  followed by an ominous sigh at the clean up he now faced.

* Thanks, Rev Karla!  I enjoyed your creative inspy =)) * If you need a bit of creative frivolity to relieve your daily decision making [like giving your brain a playtime recess!] be sure to share in comments.  We'll happily enjoy the laughs with you =)) *

Tweet

Friday Fives: 'BE'ing on Your Life Journey 17.5.13

From Friday Five at Rev Gals for today:

Be on Your Way...

RevGal Jan ... inspired me when 

she recently shared this poem by Rumi:

It's your road, and yours alone.

Others may walk it with you,

but no one can walk it for you.

I reflected on this poem for a while and thought  ...

 It's been a winding path to get this point!

So in thinking about our life's journey, and the rhythm of our lives,
here's five questions on this theme...

1. What "road" is in your immediate future? 

A new journey is about to begin with the imminent arrival

of my first grandbaby!  Expected the 1st week of June,

the doctor announced it could arrive anyday now!

I will need to travel a very long 'road' to be there with them

so we're talking today to work out the 'when' and 'how'.

2. Where have you been "traveling" a lot lately -- and are you going back there?

A lot of medical travelling for me.
 Trying to understand and work for healing the bell's palsy.

Definitely having to go back and regularly as much as I'd prefer

not having to!

3.  Who are your fellow travellers? 

Family that walks with me in this journey.

4.  Who are the unintentional companions (or hitchikers) 

that you find on the road with you? 

Doctors, techs, RA specialists, opthalmologist, nurses, 

hitchikers? mri, ultrasound, tests, meds. 

5.  As a family, we always recite "the traveller's prayer" -- 

a tongue-in-cheek petition as we pull out of the driveway 

("Lord, whatever we have forgotten, may it not be important!") 

What have you forgotten lately, and did it matter? 

Rest!  and it definitely matters!

I notice the improvements every time I'm 

intentional about REST!

BONUS: Share a photo of a road you've travelled. 

Or of travelling companions who have made the journey special. 

Or perhaps there's a song or another poem that suits your journey. 

If so, please share!

I'm having difficulty choosing!  I've travelled some amazing roads...

with amazing friends both new and old!

The road to a Shadow Lawn, a favourite tearoom in New Brunswick, Canada

I caught a different perspective from Deb's title today that 

impacted me.  'Be' on your way.

Be there. Be present where you are. and Be you...

Please let us know if you play by adding your link in the comments!
We'd love to journey with you! 

Tweet

Friday 5: Creative Play Time!

May Play !

Rev Gal Pat Raube has set our play for this Friday Five as follows: 

It's May! And it smells so good outside.
I can close my eyes and remember the golden hours after dinner
as the days grew later and later, and we got to play outside until called home.
It makes me want to go outside right now and play!

Of course, not all of us are in the northern hemisphere...
plenty of RevGals and Pals are experiencing a season that is turning cold and blustery.

So to all of you, wherever you may be,
how will you (or would you like to) play this month?

1. Tell about your favourite outdoor play

Playing outdoors for me it's either bbq with family
or with a great book on a balmy sun-filled beach

Books + Beauty!

2. Tell about your favourite indoor play
Ahhh - creating and books it is!

Latest creations looking like these and in colours of your choice

[contact me if interested]
and for book play?
Ignore the housework; get lost playing in another time and place.

If friends are available, then it's out to find some new nook

for a wee 'spot o' tae'...

3. Tell about a game you (or your friends) created

Finding a 'new to us' cozy corner for our next lunch out

is all that's coming to mind

[probably being up before I'm really up!]

4. Tell about a game that is new to you

Intentionally viewing my landscape for its spiritual import.

Then photographing to record what I've received.

Practicing a way of seeing with the eyes of my heart...

5. Tell how you would like to incorporate play into your workday

I would like to begin combining 

beautiful backgrounds with scripture for using online.

Which could be printed as well, I'm sure.

Thanks for the Friday FuN , Rev Pat!

That's it! Tell us if you've played this game in the comments. 

Tweet

Friday 5 : Spring 's Anticipation...

Today's Friday 5 from Rev Jan has us looking for Spring...

Jan writes
"Recently having driven from Corpus Christi to Houston to Austin and back to Corpus Christi, Texas, we saw the effects of rain and drought on the byways. South Texas is in a severe drought situation, but the route between Houston and Austin was graced with some recent rainfalls so that wildflowers were abundant. Otherwise, there were few to be seen."

With the old adage "April showers bring May flowers,"
let's look at the weather and vegetation in our home areas to see if any
May Flowers will be blooming.

1. What spring flowers and plants do you see?
Or will see sometime in the future?

Not seeing anything blooming here as yet, but I did notice

a sheltered section of some unknown lovely green tips
pushing their way up and into the sun!
Definitely keeping my eye on them ~

Thinking they will probably be tulips or irises...

2. What kinds of weather are you experiencing in April?

A mixed bag of lots of sun then flurries at the drop of a hat
{or temperature in this case!}

Winds are high and cold - helpful in drying up the melting snow

and muddy puddles! 

3. What are the stereotypical harbingers of spring in your area?
How about where you grew up?

Definitely, melting snow!
Same for where I grew up and crocuses..

Lily of the Valley

and wee Johnny Jump Ups 

VIA

4. What season do you like best in your home area?

Summer is fantastic.  Tons of sun.  Lovely warm temps.

Parklike trees arching over streets.  Lots of green and flowers.

But then autumn... AHhh Loveliness ~
All colourful and homey warmth! 

Dreaming of it now....

5. What is sprouting or blooming in your life? What do you wish for?

Ahhh...  Now that's the question of the hour.

Just when I think something is, it isn't.

I seem to be hidden in darkness - in a period of rest -
like the plants resting beneath the soil,

waiting for their wake up call...

I wish {and pray} for acceptance and agreement of being where God has me,

rather than straining at the confines.

Wanting my own way when I know God's plans are always best!

I haven't journeyed this long and far to have missed that memo :)

So... I choose to agree to the waiting with eyes and ears tuned.

Seeking the "treasures of darkness" only God provides...

~~~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of 
Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose 
from the dreams of its wintry rest."

~  Percy Bysshe Shelley 'The Sensitive Plant '

Thanks for the post and queries, Jan!

It's been a gift to spend time preparing my response.

Blessings on all the Revs and readers as we watch for Spring. 

Find more responses HERE

Leave your responses in the comments ~
I look forward to hearing what Spring looks like

in your life!

Tweet

Friday 5 'Goodness' Courtesy of Frodo and Sam

 

Frodo: I can't do this, Sam.

Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

===oOo===

From Deb at RevGalBlogPals:

In these last few weeks there's been all kinds of bad news. 

Tornadoes and a blizzard. Gun violence and a legislative body squabbling like toddlers 

over budgets, health care and who knows what else. 

For those in the US, it's tax season. Yuck.

We're only in the second week of Lent. Easter's a long way off.
And here in the Mid-Atlantic region, the weather can't seem to make up its mind.
Is it winter? Is it spring? Will it snow? Will it rain?
Are my daffodils doomed if they actually BLOOM next week like they are threatening to?

So this week's Friday Five is courtesy of my good friends Frodo and Sam. 

Tell me 5 things that are good in our world. Or your world. 

Photos are a bonus.

Extra time in the Word on this Lenten Journey = GOOD!

Spirit of the Lord is Freedom Here and that is definitely GOOD!

We are Known and we are BeLOVED!  That is beyond GOOD! 

GOD holds our right hand. The hand of our strength.
We are NOT alone.  We are NOT to fear.
We have GOD's Help!  Nothing but GOOD !!

Let's !!  

and remember ... 

Play along?  Leave a link to your blog or response in the comments.

 

Tweet

photo credits:
vineyard lifejournal, gateway freedom ministries, crosscards, studiojru, ian adams, world teahouse,