Oh...the best laid plans.
Had a tightly-scheduled and busy day when we started this morning...and it went from busy to crazy.
Rain slowed my drive home from the doctor (7lbs. lost this time!), my prescription wasn't ready when I got to the pharmacy, answering machine at the corps did not have the message I was waiting for, printer jammed, post office parking lot was so jammed that I just skipped it, called to the hospital for chaplain duties before I was ready to go up for my normal visitation, thrift store truck was ready at the mechanic, had to quickly figure out lunch for hubby because he's not used to the spikes/lows with his new insulin, hubby had a doctor appointment that was useless because they didn't have the test results they were waiting for (seriously, a $5 gift certificate to the hospital cafeteria doesn't make it better today), and several other snags in the road that just threw everything off-track. We didn't even get through dinner together without the phone ringing (couldn't turn it off today being on-call)
We were originally going to get all our stuff done and then mid-afternoon head into the mountains for an evening with friends and we'll be enjoying the Western Days in Timberon tomorrow (hubby's judging the pie baking contest!). Needless to say, once the avalanche hit, that wasn't going to happen. Though, we are going to head up there early in the morning to enjoy all the festivities of the day. Then Sunday evening our congregation has been invited to a praise meeting/fellowship at another small church and we'll sit on the lawn of the church that has a great view of the fireworks...looking forward to that.
In the midst of it all today, I was humbled by a reminder of why I do what I do, and what God has called me for. I had a chance today in my hospital chaplaincy to visit with an incredible woman of God. Even in the midst of her situation, she was claiming the victory that comes through Christ with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. I had an opportunity to read her favorite scripture to her as she was unable to hold and read her Bible that morning, and she spoke it along with me word for word--and had written in her Bible all of the pronouns to "her" and her name--making it personal and claiming the promises that this Psalm held. My prayers were able to provide her comfort, and her faith spurred me on today. I had to get to the hospital and visit quickly as she was about to be transferred to another hospital when I received the urgent call for a chaplain--I pray I get to the opportunity to pass over her path again soon. Such an example of everlasting faith!
Praying now for the weekend to slow down and to enjoy the holiday, fellowship with friends, worship with our congregation, and a 4th full of praise and fellowship!
BE SAFE--DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!! (But if you do, and happen to get assigned community service, please choose The Salvation Army of Alamogordo. We have plenty for you to do as we prepare for our summer extreme corps makeover!)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Life Lessons
When we first arrived in this appointment, we became hospital chaplains after hearing that there was a great need for them. So, for 2 days each month someone is "on duty" where you go to the hospital each of those days and visit those that have requested a pastoral visit, and then if there is an emergency, they can call you in at any time (I've had a few late night visits). Hospitals and nursing homes are not my cup of tea, so I figured this would be an excellent opportunity to challenge myself in an area that I'm going to have to minister in for the rest of my life.
Well, I'm on duty right now. I was going to head up this afternoon for my normal visitation, but I got a call about an hour before the corps closed for the day for an emergency, so my husband took care of the corps so I could get up there quickly. Let's just say when you get a call to "get here as soon as you can", it's not to rejoice with a family that just had a baby or likewise...
This is when my biggest doubts rear their ugly heads--afterwards. Did I say the right thing? Did I provide the family and patient with what they needed? Was I truly a mouthpiece of God's love and comfort?
And now I sit in a funk. I know that I am fully capable of proclaiming the message of the Gospel and speaking the truths of God's Word. I have the ability to be loving, caring, and compassionate. But doubts rule my mind. I know that emotions are a choice, but this is always one that's hard to shake for me for a time.
I wish I could just figure out how to flip the switch and snap out of this one! Urrggghhhh!!!!!
Well, I'm on duty right now. I was going to head up this afternoon for my normal visitation, but I got a call about an hour before the corps closed for the day for an emergency, so my husband took care of the corps so I could get up there quickly. Let's just say when you get a call to "get here as soon as you can", it's not to rejoice with a family that just had a baby or likewise...
This is when my biggest doubts rear their ugly heads--afterwards. Did I say the right thing? Did I provide the family and patient with what they needed? Was I truly a mouthpiece of God's love and comfort?
And now I sit in a funk. I know that I am fully capable of proclaiming the message of the Gospel and speaking the truths of God's Word. I have the ability to be loving, caring, and compassionate. But doubts rule my mind. I know that emotions are a choice, but this is always one that's hard to shake for me for a time.
I wish I could just figure out how to flip the switch and snap out of this one! Urrggghhhh!!!!!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Not Seeing the Big Picture...
Okay, so this Bible verse keeps popping up:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
My mom used it in an article she wrote that was recently published in the New Frontier (Our territorial publication), I used it in a letter I just sent to a friend, and now today I received a birthday card and personalized magnet from our divisional commander & wife with the same verse.
Apparently I'm supposed to be paying attention.
Hmmm....it's a mystery to me how this one's going to play out. Hang on, it's going to be a wild ride!
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
My mom used it in an article she wrote that was recently published in the New Frontier (Our territorial publication), I used it in a letter I just sent to a friend, and now today I received a birthday card and personalized magnet from our divisional commander & wife with the same verse.
Apparently I'm supposed to be paying attention.
Hmmm....it's a mystery to me how this one's going to play out. Hang on, it's going to be a wild ride!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
In the Unexpected
Have you ever had one of those days where people get under your skin?
I get very frustrated when people blatantly lie to my face when I ask them a question about previous assistances they have received. "I don't remember..." or "But I thought it was..." or my favorite "But when I called I was told..." (no you weren't--in case you didn't notice when you came upstairs, my office is a loft above our lobby--I hear every word, even when you think I don't)
Dude. Seriously.
My birthday's coming up, but it wasn't yesterday. If an assistance appears with my name next to it in our social services software, I pull your file to verify, and show you your signature verifying receipt of said service, there's really not any question that it happened. Don't pull that junk with me, because honestly, it's not going to fly--there was a time when I was naive and would cry when I had to tell someone no--and there was a phase when I was far too cynical for my own good--and now I think I've settled into a good level of discernment and compassion, but that doesn't mean my compassion will override your scam. And to my credit, I did make a few phone calls to see if exceptions could be made today--so I'm not totally heartless.
Being in the people business, these days happen where the frustrations just don't roll off your back. It's discouraging. I want to have faith in people, that they are truly seeking a hand up and not a hand out. I want to believe that what I do is truly improving someone's situation and not just helping them fall into a pattern of dependence on people, agencies, assistances, etc. I really don't want to be someone's enabler. But, I also realize that in the end--whether I've made the right or wrong choice, God's going to reward or judge me or the other party accordingly.
Now, all that said, I did have a surprise from someone who crossed my path today that made me realize my harshness. This person seems to have one crisis after another, some legitimate, some not, and they always find their way to sitting across my desk from me. I don't know what it was--had to be a God thing, because it sure wasn't me--but I ended up helping this person in a way that normally I wouldn't, and it really opened up the door to conversation. We had a really nice conversation about my role as an officer, female pastor, and the societal stigmas that come with that (living in a small conservative town with 70 churches and only one other female pastor, I am generally viewed as the frail pastor's wife instead of an equal partner in corps leadership). It was really refreshing--totally threw me back, and unfortunately but me behind in my scheduled appointments, but it was time well spent. In our conversation, I was able to encourage this person in their newest endeavor and even provide some information that they weren't aware of to make their new journey a bit easier. Definitely a God thing.
I'm so glad to know that I serve a God who loves me enough to teach me in spite of myself. May I never forget the fact that I don't know it all, and while God works in my life--he also works in the lives of others, changing them for the better too. No one is above the need for God's redemption. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God's love for us rises above our iniquities--AMEN!
I get very frustrated when people blatantly lie to my face when I ask them a question about previous assistances they have received. "I don't remember..." or "But I thought it was..." or my favorite "But when I called I was told..." (no you weren't--in case you didn't notice when you came upstairs, my office is a loft above our lobby--I hear every word, even when you think I don't)
Dude. Seriously.
My birthday's coming up, but it wasn't yesterday. If an assistance appears with my name next to it in our social services software, I pull your file to verify, and show you your signature verifying receipt of said service, there's really not any question that it happened. Don't pull that junk with me, because honestly, it's not going to fly--there was a time when I was naive and would cry when I had to tell someone no--and there was a phase when I was far too cynical for my own good--and now I think I've settled into a good level of discernment and compassion, but that doesn't mean my compassion will override your scam. And to my credit, I did make a few phone calls to see if exceptions could be made today--so I'm not totally heartless.
Being in the people business, these days happen where the frustrations just don't roll off your back. It's discouraging. I want to have faith in people, that they are truly seeking a hand up and not a hand out. I want to believe that what I do is truly improving someone's situation and not just helping them fall into a pattern of dependence on people, agencies, assistances, etc. I really don't want to be someone's enabler. But, I also realize that in the end--whether I've made the right or wrong choice, God's going to reward or judge me or the other party accordingly.
Now, all that said, I did have a surprise from someone who crossed my path today that made me realize my harshness. This person seems to have one crisis after another, some legitimate, some not, and they always find their way to sitting across my desk from me. I don't know what it was--had to be a God thing, because it sure wasn't me--but I ended up helping this person in a way that normally I wouldn't, and it really opened up the door to conversation. We had a really nice conversation about my role as an officer, female pastor, and the societal stigmas that come with that (living in a small conservative town with 70 churches and only one other female pastor, I am generally viewed as the frail pastor's wife instead of an equal partner in corps leadership). It was really refreshing--totally threw me back, and unfortunately but me behind in my scheduled appointments, but it was time well spent. In our conversation, I was able to encourage this person in their newest endeavor and even provide some information that they weren't aware of to make their new journey a bit easier. Definitely a God thing.
I'm so glad to know that I serve a God who loves me enough to teach me in spite of myself. May I never forget the fact that I don't know it all, and while God works in my life--he also works in the lives of others, changing them for the better too. No one is above the need for God's redemption. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God's love for us rises above our iniquities--AMEN!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Adventures in Grocery Shopping
I have found as I get older, I really don't enjoy shopping as I once did. I used to relish a shopping trip, even just a quick jaunt to pick up an item or two, and I would be in heaven to spend most of the day at the mall. Now, I find myself having to force myself to go to the store...and even then, we have to be pretty desperate (and I have learned that the best way to shop is just me, it tends to be the cheapest that way)
Our town's grocery shopping consists of an always busy Super Wal-Mart and small local grocery store that's part of a small chain. Typically, I only go to the grocery store for produce, and suffer out the rest at Wal-Mart in the crowds. Not to sound snobbish, but I would give anything for a Trader Joe's for groceries and a Target for all the rest!
This evening I went to do our grocery/toiletry shopping for the week. Unfortunately, due to our liking of fresh fruit and veggies, we have to go weekly in order to have what we like. It took me an hour and fourteen minutes from parking lot to loading the car. I hate crowds. Now, granted this trip took two phone calls and a picture message to my husband to decipher the items he put on the list, and I spent about five minutes paroozing the books, but the rest was spent in my methodical system of navigating the aisles (non-food items, non-perishable foods, produce, meat, cheese, and milk) with my categorically organized shopping list.
Many of my pet peeves roar their ugly head at the grocery store...people that won't stand to one side or the other, friends/families walk carts side-by-side blocking the whole aisle, and people that walk in front of you and stand there when you are just about to grab your desired item and move on with life.
Then there's the checkout...oh boy. As a savvy shopper, I always have my coupons, and if I have done any corps shopping, our tax exempt card ready--half the time the cashier will put these off to the side and forget to scan them before completing the transaction, meaning they have to void the sale and re-do it. Okay, so some stores it's not as much of a hassle as others...but sometimes that means re-scanning a whole cart full of food. Now, I know you may be thinking--just use the coupons next time, but that's the difference of $10-20 on any given shopping trip. That's an ice cream date or a movie with my husband! Heck no! I'm never rude about it, but I do nicely ask that my purchases are rung up correctly, and make it a point to thank them for the effort.
I try my very best to be polite to cashiers, I know their job is hard and they deal with a lot of poopy people throughout their day. Butttt....that doesn't give them the excuse in turn to hate the world. Granted, my line of work is vastly different--but I deal with a lot of poopy people too, and I find that the day goes faster and generally people respond better when you're not a jerk to them in return. Just a thought.
Ugh. Now that I've ranted...
Great day of worship with our congregation. Lots of prayer for our congregation and their families, fellow officers, service corps, and our world services campaign (ugh, I need some more ideas for "making it personal"--totally not getting through to people, the first few weeks of people's personal testimonies were cool, but I think the emphasis was totally lost). Husband preached a really good message on the 3rd Commandment (We're preaching through the 10 Commandments right now). Some interesting insights that totally expanded my view of what it means to misuse the name of the Lord.
Busy week ahead, looking forward to some fun on Saturday in the mountains. Friday is one week until the Third Day concert we have tickets for!!!
Our town's grocery shopping consists of an always busy Super Wal-Mart and small local grocery store that's part of a small chain. Typically, I only go to the grocery store for produce, and suffer out the rest at Wal-Mart in the crowds. Not to sound snobbish, but I would give anything for a Trader Joe's for groceries and a Target for all the rest!
This evening I went to do our grocery/toiletry shopping for the week. Unfortunately, due to our liking of fresh fruit and veggies, we have to go weekly in order to have what we like. It took me an hour and fourteen minutes from parking lot to loading the car. I hate crowds. Now, granted this trip took two phone calls and a picture message to my husband to decipher the items he put on the list, and I spent about five minutes paroozing the books, but the rest was spent in my methodical system of navigating the aisles (non-food items, non-perishable foods, produce, meat, cheese, and milk) with my categorically organized shopping list.
Many of my pet peeves roar their ugly head at the grocery store...people that won't stand to one side or the other, friends/families walk carts side-by-side blocking the whole aisle, and people that walk in front of you and stand there when you are just about to grab your desired item and move on with life.
Then there's the checkout...oh boy. As a savvy shopper, I always have my coupons, and if I have done any corps shopping, our tax exempt card ready--half the time the cashier will put these off to the side and forget to scan them before completing the transaction, meaning they have to void the sale and re-do it. Okay, so some stores it's not as much of a hassle as others...but sometimes that means re-scanning a whole cart full of food. Now, I know you may be thinking--just use the coupons next time, but that's the difference of $10-20 on any given shopping trip. That's an ice cream date or a movie with my husband! Heck no! I'm never rude about it, but I do nicely ask that my purchases are rung up correctly, and make it a point to thank them for the effort.
I try my very best to be polite to cashiers, I know their job is hard and they deal with a lot of poopy people throughout their day. Butttt....that doesn't give them the excuse in turn to hate the world. Granted, my line of work is vastly different--but I deal with a lot of poopy people too, and I find that the day goes faster and generally people respond better when you're not a jerk to them in return. Just a thought.
Ugh. Now that I've ranted...
Great day of worship with our congregation. Lots of prayer for our congregation and their families, fellow officers, service corps, and our world services campaign (ugh, I need some more ideas for "making it personal"--totally not getting through to people, the first few weeks of people's personal testimonies were cool, but I think the emphasis was totally lost). Husband preached a really good message on the 3rd Commandment (We're preaching through the 10 Commandments right now). Some interesting insights that totally expanded my view of what it means to misuse the name of the Lord.
Busy week ahead, looking forward to some fun on Saturday in the mountains. Friday is one week until the Third Day concert we have tickets for!!!
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