Coloring Pages

I love to color. New Crayons, new pencils, paints, markers, fresh clean paper are all so full of opportunity. Sometimes these blank slates bring forth creativity and endless expression in color and design. Sometimes they remain blank, or filled with useless doodles of no consequence. Like any given day we are inspired, or not and fill the blank pages of the day with the colors of living.

Liam has discovered coloring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Transformers coloring pages. It is a delight to witness his imagination come alive as he not only colors the pages, but imagines the actions depicted in the picture and shares his knowledge of the characters, their weapons of choice, and their abilities to defeat evil in the world of four year olds.

The other day we downloaded coloring pages from the internet and made a stash of pages to copy and color for other days. This saves Grann time as we don’t have to look up new pages, but make a copy of ones we have. What Liam discovered is that he can also make copies of the pages he has already colored and have a picture at Grann’s and also a picture at home. He is able to share his successes and continue his play and imagination of the characters.

As adult people in the world how do we share our successes, imaginations, and color in the world? How do we make copies for work, and home that bring forth the joy of discovery and inspire us into new thought and creativity?

We start with that original page outlined and stored for us to copy and fill in. We see what God has created and continues to create and draw new every day. We take his lead to color in the pages of our day with joyful experiences and mournful trust. Our colors can be vibrant marker or waxy crayon. The colors can be dark and leak through the page in our sadness staining the table beneath, or bright and eye shocking hues that vibrate and expand beyond the page. We copy these pages in our lives shared with others. Like masterpieces copied for every refrigerator we share our stories of overcoming despair and sustaining good through our faith. We share the colors of life and the lines that help others color their day in faithful trust and love.

Take time to color your day and celebrate the Sabbath,

Ann

What My Father Taught Me

As the morning dawns after a night of thundershowers with a cloudy sky and birds heralding the rise of the sun, I am thinking about my dad. This is the day that we are called to celebrate our fathers and all they mean to us, all they have encouraged us to accomplish, and to remember all they are and how their lives have changed us. My brothers and sister and I were blessed to have a great dad. My mind has been peeking at the Polaroid moments of time with my dad and thinking about all I learned about living with others through him.  My first picture is one where I stand with my brother George with toy tool boxes in hand looking at the house our parents were building in Milwaukee. I learned from my dad that girls can do all they set their minds on to accomplish. We are all given the right tools in our lives whether we are male or female. Be the best you, you can be.

The next memory I choose is traveling to California and being very sick. We were staying in a Travel Lodge and I remember opening the door to our room and there was dad with a huge Sleepy Bear teddy bear for me. I treasured that bear and now its memory. I learned that being kind and present to those who do not feel well is a gift that stays with them a life time. When we are vulnerable, kindness and love are the only gifts we desire to receive.

Our Dad liked to take us down the cliff to the tide pools. We would carefully travel the old goat path to the beach. A not so safe, but adventurous decent and climb. It was all the more magical because of the danger. We would walk through the tide pools gazing at the sea anemone, urchins, scallops, muscles. We would walk the beach and watch the waves. We would climb the cliff back home remove our shoe laces and dad would wash our shoes and laces and lay them out to dry in the sun. I learned that teaching our children is best done while we share the world together. Being together and exploring the world around us is a special gift parents can give their children. Time is the best gift and it is magnified when we share what we know, who we are, and an adventure together.

My dad used to tell me stories at bed time. We would climb into my twin bed my dad on his side with his back against the wall. He made up wonderful tales about Herman the mouse and his magic umbrella. Herman lived in our house under the wet bar and took us on wonderful adventures as we used our imaginations to travel all around Southern California. I learned that you should never let your imagination or creativity leave you as you grow up. That part of us allows us to always embrace the beauty of being a child.

My dad taught me that reading was great and I still cherish some of the books we read together. One of my favorites to this day is "Thidwick the Big Hearted Moose". 

I remember being part of building a retaining wall in our back yard in Canada. We helped carry the rocks to my dad, so he could build the wall. Our pay was any ice cream Sundae we wanted.  I learned that hard work is good and our true payment comes in our inner growth and self satisfaction. We should work hard to please ourselves. I also learned that our true rewards are not monetary, but experiential and helping to achieve something greater with others.

I learned from my dad that our pets bring joy and an added depth to our lives. They will spoil and ruin things we own. I remember the beautiful wool rugs my parents had in the living room. I also remember the discolored stains provided by our canine and feline family members. Stuff isn't important, those we love are. And true love lasts a life time whether we are easy to be with or pee on the rug. Love is true. 

Love you Dad,   Annie

The Unexpected

The Unexpected

As I walked the dogs today I saw two yellow finches flitting among the wild growth along the lane. Their color the brightest yellow with stark black wings caught my attention. It was so “unexpected” and beautiful. As I write this I am sitting with family members in the hospital. A sudden “unexpected” illness has called us here. Last night a storm came through with wild abandon. Lightening flashed, thunder boomed and crashed. Hail tapped and knocked loudly upon the windows and littered the grass with “unexpected” icy marbles.  Our lives are full of the “unexpected”. How are we called to live through these moments? It is easy when it is a bird, or sunset, seeing an old friend, or a card in the mail. It is different when it is scary and disconcerting. I believe we live through them the same. We step back and praise God through his compassion to provide beauty, and his mercy to provide peace and strength. As we wait for treatment I find blessing in this “unexpected” situation. I have been given time with my daughter and son-in-law that I haven’t had for some time. And that is as beautiful as a little finch among the weeds.           Pastor Ann

Sit a Spell

Northern Indiana has been blessed the past two days with beautiful weather. Cool in the morning and warm in the afternoons. Just when you think it will

be too hot, a breeze picks up and the temps fall into sweater weather. These few days without rain have allowed us to use our patio. Payton and Liam were playing

outside where the new concrete meets the dirt. I remember most of the patios we had when I was growing up. Our house in southern California had a fountain. I remember playing on that patio for hours with Barbie Dolls in the water, and with a skip-it or jump rope. For me patios are not just slabs of concrete, but a blank canvass that provides an outlet for expression in flowers, texture, nature, hospitality, and solitude. The right patios speak in Jed Clampet's voice "Come and sit a spell, ya hear".

Diane mows the grass here at the church and parsonage. It was her idea as other concrete projects were being undertaken to pour the patio. It sits between the garage and the house. Where there was once river rock and a clothes line, now there are flowers, furniture, pumpkins, and a fireplace. It is hidden from view and is a secret treasure now of the parsonage. Diane brought surprises for Liam and Payton this week. She hid butterflies in the flowers for the children to discover. They played with them for hours. A simple, gracious

gift. While we were outside watching Liam and Payton discover the hidden surprises Diane noticed a crack in the concrete. 

I have been thinking about that crack. I have been thinking about all the other patios in my life. I have been thinking about loads, weight, stress. The patio was poured 

in one piece about 16 by 20. A large span. Before the crack appeared I didn't think of this. Should the patio have been poured in smaller blocks to take the load more successfully? I am sure my engineer sons will help me on this. What I think of when I think of load and even distribution are stiletto heels vs. clogs. On the patio however the concrete has been asked to carry too much like a paper plate. Too much chicken on one side, will cause the stain causing baked beans to slide into your lap as the plate bends in the middle.  I know my illustrations are probably wrong, but what ever the cause there is a crack.

I heard once that we can only succeed with one thing at a time. We can do maybe an additional few things well. Then we encounter a rate of diminishing return. The more time we spend and more things we try to balance on our plate causes us to crack! Our laps are full of baked beans and potato salad and maybe a bratwurst rolls down our pants leaving a brown mustard stain. We tell ourselves we can work through it. We will get past this rough patch and have more time. Once I get this next project done, I can take more time. I can sit on the patio. That is until we take on more the next time. We take on that Sisyphus like focus and forget Christ and God and the power of the Holy Spirit. The crack should remind us not to spread ourselves too thin.

I think of that patio in California with all the time of a child to play. I think of all the patios that lay forgotten because life was too busy. I think of Jed Clampet. A simple man whether rich or poor calling us to "sit a spell". 

I pray this Sabbath that you embrace time for rest without excuse. Grab hold of the day God set aside to appreciate life and praise him and "sit a spell". Play in the fountain, the dirt, put your feet up and find balance. Hide some butterflies.  Remember to let Go and let God carry the load. Enjoy! Look for all the surprises God has hidden in your day and celebrate them. Make this a truly Happy Sabbath. Ann    

The Big Picture

I started playing this game that shows two pictures with a space for two words per picture and letter combinations.http://www.amazon.com/Maribou-Inc-Word-Rings/dp/B00X4KIKCI/ref=pd_sim_405_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0GF6BXRBZWRHXCRAW62B

The goal is to combine letters to form words that relate to the picture. Some of them are obvious and others are not. When one picture is completed the letters swirl in a circle and another picture is replaced, and letter combinations added. I find that in playing this game I have a hard time connecting into the thoughts of the creator and their vision of some of the pictures. 

I have been thinking big picture ideas lately. I have had several conversations about the lack of vision of healthcare companies and pharmacies looking to save money now at the expense of spending much more later. My conclusion is they must look at the long term and not short term returns. 

I encountered many juxtapositions of this thought in other areas lately. This past week particularly in regards to ministry. I realize we live in a time of now, and immediacy. We have created a culture that demands things are fixed yesterday. Patience is a lost virtue.

But some things take time. Some messes take a long time to be made and a longer time to clean up. Systems with delicate balances can fall into disarray quickly, and yet require a long investment of time and resources to re-synchronize. As we evaluate the state of things we need to remember that adjustments take time and we need to seek vision of the long term consequences. we must not be misled to confuse inactivity and avoidance with patience.

I was listening to Reverend George Howard of the General Board of Global Ministries http://www.umcmission.org/speak on missions. He said something that has put new words to the ministry pictures for me. He indicated there is a point when we must surpass relief and work towards empowerment and sufficiency. An article in the "Together" magazine about the changing ministries at Broadway UMC in Indianapolis that outlined their shift to a bigger picture. They moved from relief to a community that encourages mutual support and sufficiency. http://www.inumc.org/together

What is the big picture? I see in my community a generation of families that are disconnected from their neighbors.  I see parents that have not been mentored in the basics of child development and basic home economic skills.  The relief we provide does not seem to engage these families to move beyond where they are into sufficiency and empowerment, but allows them to remain in a position that needs continued relief.

I believe the big picture for community and the church is to reengage to empower all of God's children to be strong and vital. We need to work in patient diligence to achieve a stronger church that is encouraging communities to once again support and mentor each other. The big picture takes time and effort with goals and vision. The big picture is to support all people to know of God's love and grace, and live in response to it. This picture God has drawn for us in his Word, and yet we are all still trying to get the right letter combinations to spell it out and understand what the creator sees.

I pray for patience, and commitment as we worship God and live in loving response. I pray that as Christians we can see the picture that God desires us to see and understand as it relates to our section of his world. I pray we find ways to work within and toward God's intentions for our lives in achieving his big picture. I pray we can all contribute with passion and excitement to claim those combinations of letters that spell out for us our portion of God's picture. May we find blessings in our waiting for the final revelation as the letters swirl and a new picture is revealed. The picture of glory itself.

Blessings for an amazing Sabbath,

Ann