The Lady Pastor

A Life of Faith: Listen

2012-02-12T12:42:00.001-06:00

"The first duty of love is to listen."

-Paul Tillich

(I just discovered this quote by Paul Tillich, and I will be thinking about it all week.)

More Out and About

2012-02-11T22:27:00.002-06:00

A few more 'Out and Abouts' this weekend:

-a fabulous middle school production of Peter Pan
-food and fun at Zest in Rochester
-family time with extended relatives visiting for a conference

What have you been up to?

And here's a great local cause to support: Once Upon a Playhouse!

Out and About: SocialICE

2012-02-09T23:21:00.003-06:00

I am sharing this week's 'Out and About' post a day early
because you need to get there quick! Before it melts!

Actually, it's chilly enough here in Minnesota that the ice won't melt, but the awesome event (SocialICE) only goes through Saturday night. So if you are a local, get on over there. It is so fun. Downtown Rochester is filled with ice and heaters, music and friends.

And to my dear friend and co-worker, Anna: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
You are a gem of a lady, and I praise God each day that I get to know you and work with you.

Word of the Week: Lunch

2012-02-09T21:59:00.003-06:00

April

Dan

Karen

Pete

Todd

Jon

Andy

Barb

Emily

(Next week's word was inspired by a SUPER fun event going on in
Rochester, Minnesota right now! It's called SocialICE.
I went Thursday night, and I'll post all about it later today!)

Thankful Thursday

2012-02-09T07:30:00.002-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

-The Rochester Art Center

-Adventures and hikes

-Great phone chats and Google chats with my bro-bro

-Eating cereal at my desk

-Putting together the "Word of the Week" photo post each week and seeing everyone's photos
(I really do love this; so fun to see what you share! This week the word is LUNCH.)

-Friends

-Being challenged and convicted

-The time I tried to make carrot cake and it tasted like dry asphalt

-Texting

-Preaching on a great gospel text

-The interweb community

-Great coworkers and a great conversation about Children/Youth/Family Ministry

-Love in all its forms

-Helping 5-year-olds practice their numbers for one glorious hour at the local elementary school

Your turn!
What are you thankful for?
What made you smile?

Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista

2012-02-08T07:44:00.004-06:00

Food recipes are challenging for me to follow, but I do love the concept!

So I thought to myself a few days ago, "Why not create fashion recipes?"

I now have a daily fashion photo and recipe available over at: Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista, so check it out anytime. Or, if it's not your cup of tea, feel free to share the link with someone else in your life who might be interested.

My outfit recipes are meant to be guidelines but they don't need to be followed item-for-item. Throw in your own flare!

Here's today's recipe and photos:

Photo Extravaganza

2012-02-07T07:12:00.001-06:00

It's time for a Photo Extravaganza!

Happy Photo Extravaganza Day!
Also, happy 200th birthday to Charles Dickens!

These are all photos I've taken in the past few weeks.

And here's a quote for the day, too:

“We should come home from adventures, and perils,
and discoveries every day with new experience and character."
- Henry David Thoreau

(Amen to that!)

Music Monday

2012-02-06T06:23:00.001-06:00

Eyes Wide Open by Gotye

Riverside by Agnes Obel

Holocene by Bon Iver (great Saturday Night Live performance)

Fly by Ludovico Einaudi

Peace of Mind by Selah Sue

100 Other Lovers by Devotchka (pretty awesome video, eh?)

Simple Song by The Shins

We Own the Sky by M83

Also, please remember this week's Word of the Week!

It's "lunch"! So email me your lunch photos anytime in the next few days.

A Life of Faith: Listen

2012-02-05T06:01:00.002-06:00

I rethink and question my instincts and feelings on a pretty regular basis.

This might be why I am highly indecisive when it comes to large decisions.

I'm learning to listen more deeply for God's voice in the midst of my uncertainties. God is always speaking. I want to become a better listener.

I've been wondering lately if it's okay with God that the thing I feel MOST certain about in my faith life is God's love. I really feel very sure that God really, really, really loves us all.

I wrote a newspaper column last week that touched on this topic, and it was one of my most honest. But the moment after I clicked "send" and sent it to my editor, I worried that I was wrong to write it. I worried that I was sharing too much of my personal, vulnerable thoughts.

In the midst of my worries about the soundness of my faith and theology, I came across this paragraph at the library today. As I read it, I even cried a few little tears. I felt like God was speaking right to my heart.

For the first time in the 2 weeks since I wrote the column, I felt peace.

God loves you. Really, really loves you. And me. And everyone.
And that might just be a beautiful place to start.

Out and About: Tree of Life

2012-02-04T10:17:00.003-06:00

Have you seen the movie "Tree of Life"?
What did you think?
I watched it last night, and I'm certainly still pondering it today.

I don't want to share too many spoilers,
but I feel like I need to process that film!

It's about the start of the universe;
it's about faith;
it's about family and history.

The role of God in the universe seems to be an underlying theme.

I highly recommend it.
But be ready for a fairly long, complicated, slow moving, deep, beautiful film.

What did you think?

Word of the Week: Sunrise

2012-02-03T00:09:00.005-06:00

Hannah

Jen

Troy

Mike

Pete

Dan

Todd

Sue

Kristina

Katie

Laura

Pam

Carol

Kirsten

Dan

Emily

Thankful Thursday

2012-02-02T07:42:00.001-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

-Quarry Hill
-The best lobster ever
-Adventures
-Museums
-My terrific family
-Kind, loving notes from strangers
-Being interviewed by the Minneapolis StarTribune
-A great vocation
-Honest 9th graders
-Movies!
-Vintage clothes
-Laughing
-Excitement about "sunrise" photos for tomorrow's Word of the Week
(I have received some beautiful pics! Send yours today!)

What are you thankful for this week?
Share an item or two!

Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista

2012-02-01T16:31:00.001-06:00

It has been nearly 40 degrees here in southeastern Minnesota.

So you know what that means?
Time to temporarily get out clothes that are happy, spring colors!

I am fascinated by the trend of color blocking,
and this has been my bravest attempt so far.
(The color blocking video link is quite helpful!)

My favorite feature of this outfit is the necklace.
It's from a garage sale!
I love imagining the lady who may have worn it.
I wonder what she was like.

Cookin' It Up: Green Smoothies

2012-01-31T07:16:00.002-06:00

I have mentioned Green Smoothies many times.
A yummy spinach smoothie is one of my most beloved ways to start the day!
I know it sounds odd, but give it a whirl!

Here are the actual measurements to making your new favorite breakfast delight!

2 cups raw spinach

2 cups almond milk (or whatever liquid you prefer)

1 frozen banana

1 tablespoon hemp powder

Blend. And then slurp it up!

(Good news; I figured out how to code this page so that when you click on a link,
it will open in a new window, so you can still get back to this page!)

Music Monday

2012-01-30T07:40:00.003-06:00

It's time for this week's music recommendations!
I hope you'll share some of your favorites as a comment at the end of the post.
I love your suggestions.

This week, I discovered The Drums.
Are you familiar?
Here are my favorites so far:
I Don't Know How to Love

What You Were

Here are some other favorites from other bands....
Somebody that I Used to Know by Gotya
Apologies by Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
GO! by Common

My very favorite song right now:
Settle Down by Kimbra
(LOVE her style and crazy dance movies...the video is pretty interesting, too!)
Two Weeks/Head Over Heels (to covers) by Kimbra and her band
Side note: Kimbra, let's be friends! Call me!

PS: Over the weekend,
I was featured in the Minneapolis StarTribune.
A special welcome to new blog readers!
Glad to have you here!

A Life of Faith: Poetry

2012-01-29T06:24:00.001-06:00

I've saved most of my college literature books.
Last night I sat down with one of my gigantic British literature anthologies.
I was feeling bad about all the dust it had been collecting.

As I started flipping through the pages,
I remembered how spiritually meaningful it has been to me to read poetry.
Maybe that's why I ended up an English Literature major.
In the midst of a wonderful, busy college life,
I'd find time each day to curl up in my favorite spot on the 3rd floor of the Wartburg College library. It was there that I fell in love with words.

Here's one poem I love and re-encountered last night:

Loveliest of Trees
by A.E. Housman

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now,
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.

Now, of my threescore years and then,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.

And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.

What poems/authors inspire you?

Out & About: Quarry Hill

2012-01-28T12:12:00.008-06:00

For this week's Out and About, my mom and I went to Quarry Hill.
It's my favorite Rochester park. Great hiking. Great nature center.
In the future, I'm really hoping to rent some cross country skis there. I've never done that before, and it sounds so fun.

If you are new to the blog today and found your way here through the
Minneapolis StarTribune interview: Welcome! Glad to have you!
My daily fashion post can be found over at Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista.

It was lovely to soak in the sights and sounds at the park.
It was also nice to make a little time for one of my favorite past times: silly pictures.

There are all kinds of critters at Quarry Hill.
If you HAD to choose,
would you rather be a snake, a spider, a buffalo, or a fish?

Word of the Week: Mug

2012-01-27T00:01:00.002-06:00

Wonderful friends, thank you for taking time to read this blog! You inspire me each and every day. I was interviewed yesterday about the blog, and it really reminded me of how thankful I am for those of you who have been journeying with me these last 3 years. Thank you for sticking with me (to those who have been readers for awhile). And "welcome" to those who are newer to "The Lady Pastor"!

It was so fun to put together today's post. Thank you for contributing mug photos. It was a delight to see what you all drink out of each day.

Laura

Anna

Barb

Jen

Mike

April

Trudy

Pam

Pete

Kari

Dan

Heidi

Amy

Carol

Emily

And now for next Friday's word. The word is sunrise!

Maybe you already have a great sunrise photo you'd like to share; that's great.

If you don't yet have a sunrise picture, your assignment this week is: watch the sunrise and take a picture of it this week. You can use your cell phone or a regular camera. And as you watch the sunrise (either from the warmth of your house or from outside): soak in the wonder of it all!

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-26T00:05:00.001-06:00

I am thankful this week for....

-A Fit Bit from my beloved brother!

-Applebee's with Mom

-Cookbooks

-Technology

-Great, honest friends

-Words

-Apples

-Shoes
-Confirmation time
-Music
-A great Friday night concert at Mt. Olive
-Practicing piano
-Laughing at work
-Downton Abbey (such a great BBC show!)

What are you thankful for this week?
Share a few of your highlights!

Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista

2012-01-25T07:55:00.003-06:00

Time for some fashion-smashion.

But first....

And now, this week's outfit.

Necklace: Herbergers/Tights: QVC Fleecey Tights/Dress: Modcloth/Black Shirt: GAP/Shoes: O & B

What is your favorite accessory?
This question if for both boys and gals!

Cookin' It Up: Apples

2012-01-24T06:45:00.005-06:00

Get ready for some apple fun!
Apples are one of my favorite foods.

(This week's recipe is from Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200)

(The ingredients. I actually found all these gems in my cupboard! Yahoo!
The recipe calls for granola bars, but I just used packaged granola.)

Pre-cooked">

(Pre-microwave cookin')

(The finished product! With a little yogurt on top!)

This recipe turned out quite well!
I'd leave out the Splenda - or just use one pack.
If you are anti-artificial sweetener, you could also use maple syrup,
and that would be yummy.
This recipe was SO easy!
You just mix all the ingredients (except the granola) and microwave for 2 minutes!
Then you let it cool and stir in the granola.

What is your favorite kind of apple?
I love to try new varieties!

Music Monday

2012-01-23T07:34:00.001-06:00

Have you heard of Karmin? They are adorable.

I love their version of King of Wishful Thinking.

Did you know most libraries have a lovely CD collection?

This includes the always-fabulous Rochester Public Library!

I checked out this CD last week, and I like it.

So Good to Me by William Matthews (it starts out with one of my favorite Bible verses!)

Here are a few more recommendations for this week....

Blue Cassette by Friendly Fires (my current favorite new band)

Hawaiian Air by Friendly Fires

Pull My Heart Away by Jack Penate (also digging this guy's sound)

We Delight by Caedmon's Call

(There was a solid year in college when I listened to this song on repeat)

Mind, Drips by Neon Indian

New Beat by Toro y Moi

A Life of Faith: In Defense of Doubt

2012-01-22T06:21:00.002-06:00

A few months ago this book was recommended to me.

Initially, I was in no hurry to read it. I have lots of books on the ol' 'to read' list, so new recommendations often get pushed to the end of the list.

Thankfully, the friend who recommended the book asked if we could get together and discuss it. That was just the motivation I needed! The book got moved to the front of my reading list, and I'm so thankful it did.

This is one of my favorite faith-related books! It's "In Defense of Doubt" by Val Webb. It was published in 1995.

If you are a person who has a lot of questions about faith (and life, too), this book is for you! The author is a brilliant and inspiring woman. In the first chapter, she clearly articulates that faith and doubt are NOT opposites. Throughout the book she affirms the value of doubt in human life, and she uplifts many very famous theologians who often went through periods of questioning and had doubts.

She quotes Joseph Campbell in the first chapter,
and since I've read it, I've been thinking a lot about this passage:

People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on a purely physical plane will have resonances within our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.

And here's one author quote by Marjorie Suchocki that has remained with me....

Theology is like a garment we have produced, not a universal truth. The garment, like all garments, will fit some, and not others. Should garments be thrown out then, because they do not fit everyone? Ah, then we should freeze in the winters of our loneliness! Better we should simply adjust the fit and see to helping others as they, too, weave their mantles.

Isn't that fantastic?!?!

Out and About: Applebee's

2012-01-21T10:56:00.002-06:00

Have you been to Applebee's lately?

I had not been there for at least 3 years.

My how things have changed! In my past Applebee's experiences,

I would probably give it about a 7/10. It always good - but not my favorite.

I went to the Apache Mall Applebee's last night in Rochester. My mom and I agreed,

it was fantastic!!!!!

The menu is a lot different than it used to be.

Tons of options and great happy hour specials.

I especially loved the Chicken Wontons.

Everything was yumolicious.

I would give it a 9/10!

I will certainly going back soon.

Happy hour specials (including half-prize appetizers) are from 2-5pm and 9pm-close.

What do you think?

Do you like Applebee's?

What are your other favorite chain restaurants?

Word of the Week: Technology

2012-01-20T00:06:00.004-06:00

Welcome to a whole lot of technological fun!
Thanks for contributing photos, folks. Enjoy this week's terrific collection.

A quick reminder. To see my sometimes unique & generally inexpensive outfits,
be sure to check out my daily fashion blog: Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista.
There's a link to a Song of the Day posted each day, too.

Gretchen

Pam

Barb

Dan

Dan

Karen

Mike

Mike

Amy

Kirsten

Jen

Jen

Jen

These next 7 awesome collages were all created by Pete!

Emily

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-19T07:47:00.001-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

-A great week of confirmation
-Silly fashion bloopers in the winter winds
-Panera with Mumz
-Excitement to talk with my brother
-A fun new opportunity up ahead!
-Cookbooks
-Remembering all my favorite music from high school (thanks to Spotify)
-Learning and patience
-Lunches with friends
-Text messages
-Hope
-Tomorrow's 'technology' photos for Word of the Week
-Workout DVDs!

What are you thankful for this week?
Leave a comment with a few things
that brought you joy this week!

Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista

2012-01-18T07:41:00.001-06:00

It's time for the weekly fashion post!

For this outfit, I wore a yellow/grey/black jacket with a navy dress and navy shoes!
Sound weird? It was!

Getting dressed each day is a time to experiment and explore, right?

So get on out there and experiment and explore!

Cookin' It Up: Rice and Peas

2012-01-17T06:43:00.000-06:00

This week I was looking for an extremely easy recipe! And I found one!
A few days ago, I made some rice in the ol' rice cooker.
I was hoping it would last me throughout the week ahead.

Then I set out to find a recipe that included rice.
I found one!
Jasmine Rice with Sweet Peas in the "Clean Food" cookbook.

Ingredients:
Jasmine Rice
Frozen Peas
Lemon juice (I'd actually just leave this out if I were to make it again)
Parsley
Salt

Cook the peas and warm the rice.
Mix together!
Top with a little bit of fresh parsley and salt.

So easy and so delicious!

Music Monday

2012-01-16T07:24:00.000-06:00

Greetings!
I'm hoping today I can introduce you to a few artists that
you may not be too familiar with.
I'd love to hear your recommendations, too.
I am so thankful for music. So, so thankful.

Midnight City by M83

There is a Wind by The Album Leaf

The Pageant of the Bizarre by Zero 7

We Could Forever by Bonobo

This is the Thing by Fink

Your Only Doll by Laura Marling

What He Wrote by Laura Marling
(*this is my favorite song of the moment)

How Can You Swallow too Much Sleep by Bombay Bicycle Club

(Reminder: Be on the lookout for 'Technology' photo
opportunities this week for the Word of the Week!)

How would you describe your music style?
Country? Hip-hop? Eclectic?

A Life of Faith

2012-01-15T14:07:00.002-06:00

I am a firm believer that God speaks in lots of places and times, in all kinds of unexpected ways.

For me, part of exploring a life of faith has meant expanding
my understanding of "where" and "when" God speaks.

It isn't just through particular forms of music or in particular churches.
God speaks everywhere.

Last night I was reading from this great library book (whot, whot - I love the library!).
It's a book of the poems, letters, and notes of Marilyn Monroe.
Up until this past weekend, Marilyn wasn't much on my radar.
I didn't know much about her and wasn't particularly interested.

But then I saw that film My Week with Marilyn, and now I am fascinated.
She was certainly troubled, but also wise and thoughtful.

I read one of her notes yesterday and thought, "That's some real, beautiful wisdom about the complexity of feelings."

She wrote:

feel what i feel
within myself - that is trying to
become aware of it
also what I feel in others
not being ashamed of my
feeling, thoughts - or ideas
realize the thing that
they are

Always be on the lookout for inspiration.
Listen for the voice of God,
speaking questions and words of hope to you today.

Out and About: Paula McLain

2012-01-14T10:46:00.004-06:00

Last Sunday I got to hear a fantastic author speak at the Rochester Public Library!

Her name is Paula McLain.

She wrote: The Paris Wife. Have you read it?
I haven't read it, but now I really want to!

In that Amazon link pictured above, there's a video of Paula speaking about her book.

She was an excellent, articulate speaker!
And so inspiring. I can't wait to read the book.

Another mini-Out and About report:
I saw the film "My Week with Marilyn" last night.
Have you seen it? What did you think?
Any other movie theater recommendations?

Word of the Week: Red

2012-01-13T07:19:00.004-06:00

Barb

Kirsten

Jen

Ben

Karen

Kelly

Amy

Pam

Lindsey

April

Julia

Mike

Emily

In honor of our special word,
I have a red-related question for you today!

Which red food would you choose?
A red Skittle, a red strawberry,
a can of Diet Mountain Dew Code Red, or a red M&M?

Here's this week's column in the Post-Bulletin
(it's orchid-related).

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-12T07:38:00.004-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

-Saying GOODBYE to the stomach bug
-A great hike up a tall, tall tower
-Hearing a wonderful author speak at the Rochester Public Library
-Quarry Hill time
-Ideas and wherever they come from
-Excitement about your Word of the Week pics (the word is RED this week...)
-Getting back to a better novel-reading routine
-Saltine crackers
-Cookbooks
-Layers and scarves
-Possibility

I'd love for you to share next!
It's Thankful Thursday.
Share a few things (or one thing) you are thankful for this week.

Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista

2012-01-11T07:52:00.002-06:00

Have you heard what Beyonce and Jay Z named their little baby girl?
Blue!
So in honor of little baby Blue, I wore my favorite blue scarf yesterday.
It was also my return to society post-flu, and I had very little creative fashion energy.

Thanks for all the kind emails, texts, and calls the last 2 days.
I am feeling much, much better.
I have a really sore neck, but I made a Do-It-Yourself heated rice bag.
It's helping a lot.

So here's the blue outfit, in honor of Blue.
This scarf is my very favorite scarf because it is so soft and cozy.
It's from the TranquiliT line, which I adore!

Scarf: TranquiliT
Shirt: The Gap (super clearance; $5)
Pants: Sears
Earrings: Savers

And a silly collage in honor of my intestines and stomach.....

Have a healthy, happy day!!!

Also - don't forget our WORD OF THE WEEK!
It's Red; email me your pics soon.

Question of the Day:
If you were going to name your pet or child after a color,
which color would you choose?

Cookin' It Up: Pasta

2012-01-09T17:40:00.005-06:00

Here is an easy and delicious pasta recipe!
It's called Mediterranean Spinach and Pasta.
I highly recommend it.

Step 1: Find the recipe.

For larger print: click HERE for the full recipe

Step 2: Put on the perfect record (aka Lawrence Welk)

Step 3: Get out all the ingredients.

Step 4: Use the best invention ever to chop up the onion.

Step 5: Saute onions, olive oil, and garlic. Then add spinach and beans.

Step 6: Boil the noodles.

Step 7: Mix all the ingredients together!

Step 8: Try to take a pretty picture of our dinner!

PS: As a side note, I am now 36 hours into: Stomach Virus 2012, and I think it's over!
Thankfully, I had pre-written the blog posts for Monday and Tuesday - as they would otherwise have made no sense. Contracting SV2012 has been a highly unpleasant experience, and I'll be glad to to re-enter society in a few hours. No more fever and the toast and crackers have been staying put for a day. It will take a few days to feel "normal" again, but I'm sure thankful to be heading in that direction.

Music Monday

2012-01-09T05:59:00.000-06:00

Tennis is a great husband/wife duo...new album soon.

So far they have released this single: Origin

Here they are singing live: Cape Dory

The Roots: Make My (love this song....they play it quite a lot on The Current)

Very happy & catchy tune. It's Real by Real Estate.

Looking for some awesome background music for the soundtrack of your life? Try Paper Birds by Parachutes.

Ridiculous Hip-Hop Song that I wish I didn't like so much: Work Out by J. Cole

A Life of Faith: Theme Verse 2012

2012-01-07T17:54:00.003-06:00

This year I've decided that in addition to making a resolution for 2012,

I'd also choose a theme Bible verse for the year.

I'd encourage you to do the same, but it doesn't need to be a Bible verse.

It could also be a quote you love and find inspiring.

It could come from a book or other sacred text; it could even be a movie quote.

The goal is that whatever you pick for your theme verse will be....

#1: Easy to remember

#2: Meaningful & inspiring

Pre-New Year's, I thought I'd picked a verse,

but then last week I came across one that spoke deeply to my heart.

It's about love of all people.

My New Year's resolution is:

Move more, risk more, dream more; stress less, internalize less, regret less.

My 2012 theme verses is:

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

-John 13:35

How about you?

Do you have a quote or sacred verse that can inspire you in the year ahead? If so, what will it be?

Out and About: Quarry Hill

2012-01-07T09:12:00.003-06:00

This week I was out and about at Quarry Hill, my 2nd favorite place in Rochester, Minnesota.

(My first favorite place in Rochester is the YMCA).

I adore Quarry Hill. If you're ever in the area, check it out.

I love the fish tank in the nature center.

And it's wonderful to hike around, too.

It's been fun to read your recent comments and reflections on different posts!

Thank you for taking time to comment and share!

My favorite place to hike is Quarry Hill, but I'm always looking for recommendations.

Regardless of where you live,

what's your favorite park/place to hike?

Word of the Week: Book

2012-01-06T08:04:00.001-06:00

Welcome to this week's round of "Word of the Week"!

Thank you for joining us!

If by chance you ever contribute a photo, and you don't notice it posted,

please send me a quick email. It just means that when I was loading the pics on flickr, an error came up that I missed. Please let me know. I never want to leave anyone out.

It's so fun to see each and every photo!

Enjoy the books!

Joseph

Pam

Dan

Mike

Hannah

Barb

Eric

Becky

Melisa

Trudy

Trudy

Anna

Emily

In light of today's word (book),

I have a group participation question.

What is the best book you have read in recent months/years?

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-05T07:56:00.003-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

-Taking pictures of pictures
-Cooking while listening to my favorite Lawrence Welk records
(while imagining Grandma is still alive and listening with me....while giving me cooking advice)
-Eating lunch with friends and using silly phone apps to take
adorable pictures of their children (see pirate photo above)
-Spotify
-Getting tv series advice from facebook pals
-Tomorrow's "book" photos....email me a photo of what you're reading....stat
-The beginning of a new year
-Shoes that sparkle WHILE simultaneously adding 5 inches
-Movie nights!
-Mixing juice and wine (can you say "tacky but delicious"?)
-Setting new bloggy goals for theladypastor.com
-Creating a new tumblr site to explore fashion: Pastoral Fashionista

Your turn. What are you thankful for this week?

Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista

2012-01-04T07:39:00.003-06:00

Shirt: Kohls

Skirt: Second-hand shop

Vest: Gap

Belt: Charlotte Russe

Boots: Famous Footwear (I think)

As I have expressed on the blog before, I do love fashion.

As a special bonus: I especially love inexpensive clothes that look classy!

My favorite stores: Goodwill, Savers, and My Sister's Closet (in Minneapolis).

My goal with the fashion component of this blog is that

you (man or woman) will feel inspired to put on clothes that make you feel good!

The thinking is this: everyone gets dressed.

So why not wear clothes that inspire you to feel confident and creative?

The item pictured above is my very favorite skirt!

It's from the 1960s. I wish I could wear it every day.

Cookin' It Up: Almost

2012-01-03T07:27:00.000-06:00

This week I'd like to share my favorite salad dressing. AND an "almost recipe."

"Almost recipe" means I have all the ingredients and I'm very excited,

but I haven't made it yet.

First off, the salad dressing. It's called Goddess. It's strange and delicious.

Great on spinach or lettuce. A little goes a long way.

You can find it in many grocery stores including Hy-vee and Target.

And now the recipe.

It's called Coconut Banana Kale Smoothie.

Here's the link from Nouveau Raw: Green Smoothie

And here are some of my ingredients

(the bananas are waiting happily in the freezer).

I don't believe we've discussed smoothies or salad dressings for awhile!

Any recommendations?

PS: This week's word (coming up Friday) is Book!

I'm looking forward to your book-related photo!

TLP: 2012

2012-01-02T05:14:00.003-06:00

A new year has arrived!

I hope you'll join me here each day for more fun, exploration, and adventure.

Here is the daily overview.

Sunday: A Life of Faith

Incorporating faith into everyday life.

Monday: Music Monday

Introducing new music, old music, and quirky music.

Tuesday: Cookin' It Up

Once-a-week recipes. Kitchen adventures.

Wednesday: Diary of a Pastoral Fashionista

For fashion-related posts throughout the week,

check out my new Tumblr site.

Here on this blog, I'll post about fashion once a week.

Thursday: Thankful Thursday

A personal list of gratitude and thankfulness.

You can jump into the conversation, too!

Friday: Word of the Week or Photo Extravaganza

Some weeks we will continue with our

Word of the Week fun. But now and then,

we will take a break and I'll share photography.

Saturday: Out and About

Reviews and reflections on restaurants, parks, shops, events, and concerts.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T20:33:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!

2012 is going to be great!

(I was bound and determined to wear my outrageous "happy new years"

shoes....even if it meant wearing them to Barnes & Noble.)

Goodbye and Hello

2011-12-30T18:16:00.003-06:00

Word of the Week: Shoes

2011-12-30T10:23:00.002-06:00

Welcome to this week's word!

Thank you all for the terrific contributions!

It is so fun to see your footwear.

Amy

Mike

Jen

Pam

Dan

Laura

Hannah

Molly

Kimberly

Becky

Carol

Emily

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-29T07:20:00.003-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

-Family time
-The shepherds in the Christmas story
-Nights to organize my drawers and closets
-Dreams and goals
-Writing opportunities
-Sunsets

-Reconnecting with college friends in Austin, MN!
-Mail and packages
-Kindness

-Twitter
-Bad dates and good stories

-The Dollar Store

-Finding a GREAT soundtrack for $1 at The Dollar Store
-Finding an amazing pair of Harley Davidson leather boots at Goodwill for $5
-Spotify

-Rediscovering all my favorite Dave Matthews Band songs through Spotify

(Let You Down, #41, Lover Lay Down, Crush, Crash...)

-Receiving and preparing to share your "shoe" photos tomorrow

What's on your Thankful Thursday list?

Leave a comment below and share a few items of gratitude!

Cleaning Nights

2011-12-27T23:06:00.002-06:00

Sometimes when I have a free night, I love to clean.

And if that makes me a totally uncool goofball, I am fine with that.

I'm perfectly happy to serve as president of TUGLPC!

(Totally Uncool Goofball Lady Pastors Club)

Monday night: bathroom organizing.

Tuesday night: bedroom closet organizing.

Two great late nights of cleaning fun!

My goal for the bedroom closet organizing was to get it all tidy and compartmentalized. But I didn't want to spend more than $20.

Enter: The Dollar Tree!

They have tons of organizing tools for just $1 each! I got

polka dot containers and awesome black tubs.

I realize the tubs aren't super "classy" but they sure are helpful.

And I found a bunch of medium and large baskets for just $1.

So the lesson is: If you need to do some organizing,

don't feel like you need to spend big bucks.

You can find inexpensive organizing tools at dollar stores, Goodwill,

and garage sales!

Christmas 2011 Recap

2011-12-26T23:06:00.002-06:00

Christmas Eve was a joyful time in Stewartville.

We had 3 worship services at Zion on Christmas Eve.

Then Christmas Day began with a 9am worship service.

I was thankful for all the worship time and fellowship time.

And the story of Jesus' birth did take on a whole new dimension for me this year.

I love how that story never gets old;

there's always some new detail or bit of background to discover.

Then, after all the great church time,

I got to have FAMILY TIME throughout the afternoon on Christmas Day!

(And I got to have a great phone chat with my dad on Christmas Eve)

After leading worship on Sunday morning,

I immediately went home to put on my new KITTEN PAJAMAS!

Background information: #1: I have a very silly sense of humor. #2: I am allergic to cats. #3: The kittens on my pajamas are sitting inside of mittens!

For some reason, the fact that I am allergic to cats made me love the idea of cat pajamas more than anything! I love these new pajamas more than any other pajamas ever. I wore them for a few hours on Sunday (until our family nature walk). I fully intend to wear my kitten pajamas as often as possible throughout the winter months. I may even find some way to wear them at church.

Family time was great, and I savored every moment of it!

We ate delicious food prepared by my mom.

We laughed.

We shared.

We took a great hike.

I am so so so very thankful.

I hope you had a fabulous Christmas, too.

Post-holiday reminder: This week's Word of the Week is: "Shoes."

Email me your shoe pic right now while you're thinking of it!

I thought it would be amazing if I could have an epic photo of me jumping high into the air for the blog. It turns out, I am a TERRIBLE jumper. So here are some photos of me trying to jump. My brother and mother were great sports about this project. Thanks you two!

Music Monday and Christmas Recap....coming right up

2011-12-26T10:43:00.001-06:00

I will work on a longer Christmas recap later tonight. In the meantime, here's a photo from yesterday. Mom, Josh, and I went for a great hike at my favorite place in Rochester: Quarry Hill!

There is also a sunrise pic I snapped on the way into church, and a picture of Zion Lutheran on Christmas morning. It was a lovely day!

Christmas

2011-12-25T00:49:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas!

May the light of God's love shine brightly

into your life today and throughout the year ahead.

You are loved,

You are treasured.

Praise be to God,

for our ever-loving,

ever-humble,

ever-patient,

ever-forgiving,

Teacher,

Friend,

and Counselor.

Praise be to God for Jesus.

Amen.

to YOU

2011-12-24T14:51:00.001-06:00

To YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is the Messiah, the Lord.

-Luke 2:11

Word of the Week: Christmas

2011-12-23T07:06:00.003-06:00

Dan

Megan

Amy

Mike

Karen

Jen

Gretchen

Julia

Barb

Pam

Anna

Todd

Emily

Here's this week's newspaper column: Post-Bulletin.

Our next Word of the Week is random and fun! The word is: Shoes!

Ideas for what to send in:

*A picture of your favorite shoes,

*A photo of your family shoe closet

*Or maybe a photo of weird shoes you see at the mall

You can be creative, or silly, literal or fun!

Thanks for your contributions this week; I look forward to seeing your "shoes" pics next week!

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-22T00:00:00.004-06:00

So much to be thankful for this week....

-Baking buddies

-Choir concerts

-Quality coffee time

-Gift bags (I stink at wrapping)

-Dessert

-Receiving THE SINGLE BEST t-shirt ever in the mail from a wonderful friend

It says: "I'm not a player, I just blog a lot"

(Based on this rap song)

-Sand dollars

-Confirmation time

-Laughing

-Chesters (my favorite Rochester restaurant)

-Excitement about seeing MY BROTHER

-Anticipation about seeing your Christmas photos

(it's not too late; send them today!)

What are you thankful for today?

Random Holiday-Related Photos

2011-12-21T06:30:00.005-06:00

I am sure looking forward to singing all sorts of great Christmas

hymns in the coming days!

What are your favorites?

"He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love."

-Joy to the World (verse 4)

Here are some photos of random holiday goodness

taken in recent days.....

Friday is just a few days away,

and that will be our special holiday Word of the Week.

Email/text me your Christmas photos soon!

Christmas Treats

2011-12-20T07:02:00.000-06:00

Do you stink at baking?

Do you struggle to follow recipes because you are stubborn

and want to constantly add your own creative flair

(I would answer "yes" to that one)?

Are you behind on your Christmas shopping; do you need to figure out a

quick and easy do-it-yourself gift idea?

Then let me help!

My friends and I did a little holiday baking over the weekend,

and I contributed this idea which I found on the interweb.

Step 1: Buy Pretzel rods.

Step 2: Buy white chocolate chips and melt them in the microwave

(melting instructions on the bag).

Step 3: Buy fun sprinkles and other random toppings.

Step 4: Dip the end of the pretzel rod into the melted chocolate

chips and then add on adorable sprinkles.

These turn out super yum yum!

Try it!

Music Monday: Random Collection

2011-12-19T07:55:00.000-06:00

St. Vincent: Cruel

St. Vincent: Strange Mercy

Mount Mariah: The Letting Go

Mount Mariah: Lament

*I LOVE THIS SONG RIGHT NOW!

Ivan & Alyosha: Easy to Love

Good lyrics.

James Blake:

Lindisfarne

Limit to Your Love (spin-off of Feist's version).

A Case of You (a Joni Mitchell cover).

Randomly bought his newest album and I am hooked. It's weird. But awesome.

Joni Mitchell: A Case of You

I love this song.

I forgot how much I loved it until I heard the James Blake version.

Joni's is better. But his is good, too.

I wonder if it will always make me immediately teary-eyed.

Also....

Sand

2011-12-18T18:26:00.001-06:00

All love that has not friendship for its base,

is like a mansion built upon the sand.

-Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Happy

2011-12-17T12:54:00.002-06:00

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

-Abraham Lincoln

Word of the Week: Chilly

2011-12-16T00:03:00.001-06:00

Welcome back to Word of the Week!
Way to go, friends!
You really kicked it off right.
We had a plethora of wonderful submissions this week.
Enjoy!

Next week's word is meant to be an easy one,
so that everyone can jump onboard the Word of the Week train.
Be sure to check it out at the end of this post!

And now.....this week's word....

Pam

Hannah

Hannah

Kirsten

Laura

Laura

Todd

Todd

Todd

Mike

Mike

Amy

Julia

April

Barb

Lindsey

Sharon

Sharon

Anna

Emily

This is a pretty easy word, so it gives you LOTS of space to be creative! I am truly excited to see your Christmas photos. A few ideas: your favorite ornament, random yard decorations, cookie pictues, photo of your favorite Christmas movie playing the background.....let your imagination run wild! And have a wonderful weekend.

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-14T22:14:00.004-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

-Singing loud, silly songs in the car
-Reflecting
-Half birthdays
(Yahoo! It's my half birthday! 28.5 today!)
-Goal setting
-Exercise
-Nutrisystem
-Surprises on my desk
-Christmas cards and family letters in the mail (I LOVE MAIL!)
-Looking at photos from Thanksgiving
-The process of grief
-Feelings
-Encouraging friends
-Pilates
-Text messages
-Special, top secret Christmas projects

What are you thankful for this week?

2011-12-14T07:58:00.001-06:00

After all it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are
best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life

- Evelyn Underhill

“In photography, the smallest thing can
be a great subject."

-Henri Cartier-Bresson

Trees and Scripture

2011-12-13T07:37:00.001-06:00

By reading the scriptures I am so renewed that all nature seems renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, a cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God and I feel fire and music under my feet.

-Thomas Merton

And remember: Word of the Week is just a few days away.
I'd love to see your chilly pics....

Music Monday

2011-12-12T08:20:00.000-06:00

Some tunes to fancy your ears with this week....

Breakin' the Chains of Love by Fitz and the Tantrums

The Wilhelm Scream by James Blake

Little Bird by Lisa Hannigan

You Should Belong to Me by Ray Lamontagne

Celestica by Crystal Castles

Not Over You by Gavin DeGraw (My current favorite pop song...)

The Scientist by Coldplay (I know it's about a decade old, but I still love it)

Movie Recommendations!

2011-12-11T12:56:00.002-06:00

Here are two movies you need to watch.
I really enjoyed both of them! If you've seen them, I'd love to hear your thoughts. The Descendants is currently out in the theater, and Page One is available on DVD (and Netflix Instant).

#1: The Descendants (I believe this is now my favorite Clooney movie)

#2: Page One (a FABULOUS documentary about The New York Times)

Conscious Box: Product Review

2011-12-10T09:22:00.001-06:00

Last month I was DELIGHTED to receive a wonderful box of products to review from a company that has created an idea called: Conscious Box.

In the interest of full disclosure...A few pieces of info to share right off the bat:

1) I received one conscious box for free but am not being paid to review it.

2) I love getting mail, so the mere fact of getting a box filled with wonderful tiny treasures in the mail did make me screech with delight even before I had opened it.

The concept is this: If you sign up for Conscious Box, you spend $21/month.
Each month you receive a lovely box filled with trial-size eco-friendly products to try out.

I think it's a neat idea, especially if you like trying out new products without having to commit to buying the item in its full size. There are several other companies who send out trial-size cosmetics in a monthly box, and I've heard good reviews of those, too.

Here are some pictures of my Conscious Box....

I thought it would be fun to briefly review all the products inside, so here you go!
I rated them all from 1 to 10. 10 being AMAZING and 1 being TOTALLY STINKS.

Honest Tea: 7....A mostly-tasty option for those who want a CapriSun style drink that is organic and has no high fructose corn syrup.

Kind Bar: 9...So so so yummy. I wish I could afford to eat them every day, but I will definitely pick them up from the health food store now and then for a special treat. Really yummy.

Glee Gum: 3...Sorry Glee Gum! It's a good concept! And I think if I stuck with it over time, I'd really appreciate it. But the flavor of the gum only lasted for about 2 minutes.

Pharmacopia: 8....Loved these products! Used up the body wash and still using the lotion. No harsh smells and no weird chemicals.

100% Pure: 9....In my Conscious Box there were 2 great lotion packets from this company. One smelled like green apple and the other like vanilla. They were so creamy and rich on my skin. I wish the samples would have been much more gigantic because the products were great.

Mary's Gone Crackers: 5...A double chocolate cookie that was really crunchy. Great idea and good company; I just don't like crunchy cookies as much as soft cookies.

Funky Monkey: 8...I like freeze dried fruit (also, no sugar added).

Cocoa Well: n/a - This is a cocoa supplement pill and I haven't taken it yet. There is just one in the pack, so I'm not sure that will give me a good feel for the product.

Living Nutz: 10! This is was my favorite item in the box! So delicious. Nuts that tasted like banana bread. Here's a link to the Living Nutz company: YUM!

To summarize:

It's wonderful to be really intentional about the products we buy. And it's great to be able to do some research and really understand the way the companies whose products we buy support the environment and the world.

Subscribing to Conscious Box is a good tool to use in switching to a more eco-friendly, business-conscious-friendly approach to consumerism. I encourage you to check it out; especially if you are just starting to dip your toes into the eco-friendly world.

Word of the Week: It's back.....

2011-12-09T13:59:00.002-06:00

Hello!
It's Friday.
Time for our new Word of the Week (after our brief hiatus).
Are you ready to jump back onboard? I hope so!

I know a bunch of you have cell phones that take pics,
so you can always email or text me photos for this project, too.
The temperatures have taken quite a dip,
so that's the inspiration for this week's word.

Take a picture of ANYTHING that relates to the word....

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-08T07:26:00.001-06:00

This week I am thankful for:

Road trips
Candy during road trips
Travel pillows
Holy Spirit
Family
Hope in grief
Great friends

What are you thankful for this week?

Balance and Bikes

2011-12-07T08:50:00.001-06:00

Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving.

-Albert Einstein
In a letter to his son Eduard (February 5th, 1930)

Thank you, Holy Spirit

2011-12-06T07:37:00.002-06:00

Last night I didn't feel like going to the gym to work out.
But something inside said, "Go. You need to just get to that gym."

So I went. And worked out.

On the way out, I noticed my gym was having a used book sale.
Every book was $1. There were several tables full of old books.
I wanted to stop at Target and then get home,
so I didn't feel like looking at books very much.

And then I came across one book that looked a lot like a children's book.
It had a unique title.

"Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss"

I grabbed it and purchased it.
It was there at the gym, in perhaps the unlikeliest of places,
that I found the perfect book for me.
Thank you, Holy Spirit.

I came home and read it.

It is THE BEST BOOK on grief I have ever read.

Truly. It's so good. And it only takes about 15 minutes to read.
But I think I'll be digesting it for a long while.

It's a beautiful book about grief.
It is written in a way that would make sense to a child or an adult.
It isn't just about death. It's about any kind of loss....divorce, bankruptcy, family challenges; I think everyone would find meaning from this book.

I texted my mom last night to share with her that it is
definitely in my top 3 books of all time (right by Stargirl and The History of Love).

It is not a religious book at all, but there are two pages in which Grandy (the main character) goes to church. She is in the midst of her sadness and grief when she attends. These are some of the lines from those pages...

"Grandy kept going to church even though she was mad at God...Sometimes she yelled at God and asked why this happened."

"Still, Grandy trusted God, but she didn't understand God."

"Grandy kept reminding herself to be grateful for ALL the emotions that God had given her."

Amen, Grandy. Amen.

It's a neat book; "check it out." :)

Music Monday: *NSYNC

2011-12-05T07:16:00.001-06:00

It's time to get out all your favorite holiday music.

It's also time for a WHOLE post dedicated to my favorite holiday CD!
It's the *NSYNC Christmas CD (circa 1998).

I love the whole CD, and I definitely do not love it because of its musical superiority. I love it because it reminds me of being happy and 15 and living with my mom and brother in a great rental house. It was a pretty great life chapter, and I loved listening to the *NSYNC CD (and the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack) on constant repeat throughout the holidays!

Here are my favorites:

In Love on Christmas

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

I Never Knew the Meaning of Christmas

O Holy Night

Courage

2011-12-04T12:59:00.000-06:00

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.

- Mary Anne Radmacher

Jill

2011-12-03T13:23:00.004-06:00

My dear friend Jill passed away early this morning.
She received a double-lung transplant one month ago at Mayo, and although the transplant surgery went well, there have been continual complications since then with her other organs. She is now in a place of total peace, and we know that she is safe in the care of her Creator.

Thank you so much for your prayers. I feel immensely blessed to have first gotten to know Jill during my internship year. She was the church council president at the time even though she was just in her early 30s! She was such a special woman and child of God.

I will journey to southern Illinois in the coming days to be present for the funeral where we will all come together, reminding one another that Christ is King in life and in death. We will celebrate the promise that Jesus has prepared a place for Jill and she is eternally safe in God's care. In these moments so filled with grief, I keep reminding myself of this verse:

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Romans 8:38-39

I wish that Jill was alive, that all the procedures and medicines had worked.
I wish I understood why tragic things happen.
I wish I could wrap all of her family and friends in a huge protective bubble of love.
But even as a pastor, I'm at a loss. I don't understand a lot of things.
But I believe God is real. And I know that even if we don't understand a lot of things about this life - I trust that God is at work. We're never alone. Even with all the sadness and brokenness in this world, there is so much beauty. Jill was a beautiful messenger of God's love. She taught us all about perseverance, humor, love, and kindness.

My prayer today:

God, there are many unknowns but amidst it all,
I will praise you.
I praise you for Jill's years of life.
I praise you for the gift and light she was to the world -
I praise you for how that light will continue to shine in a multitude of ways.
I praise you for her beautiful daughter, Audrey,
and all the other members of her family and her loving friends.
I praise you for being our refuge and strength forever,
especially when we hurt the most.
Be near to all who grieve.
Give comfort in moments of indescribable sadness.
Remind us all to love and serve and forgive each day.
Thank you for your nearness to us,
thank you for your nearness to Jill,
thank you for the promises of Jesus that we cling to so tightly today.
In the midst of our sadness,
surround us all with the assurance of your never-failing love.
Amen.

Here's the facebook update that Jill's mother, Jean, posted this morning...

Dec 3, Sat. Rochester,MN

Jill was called home to be with our Lord and Savior at about 4:30 this morning. She was surrounded by family and friends and with all your prayers. Arrangements are pending and will be posted as soon as we can get home and can talk with Pastor Otte about services. Pastor Otte was with us and gave us so much comfort. Pastor Emily has also been with us through the month.... We love everyone of you that has texted, posted, called and prayed for our family. I would tell Jill every day that the whole wide world is praying for you, friends, family, and people that we did not even know. It is wonderful to know that the Word of God is alive and well. We send all our love to you this beautiful Sat. morning. Love Jean and Family

Prayer

2011-12-02T09:01:00.002-06:00

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

Also, here's a link to this week's newspaper column: Post-Bulletin

The Unknown

2011-11-30T19:56:00.003-06:00

“A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future.
You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.”

-Denis Waitley

Trees

2011-11-30T10:48:00.001-06:00

I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do. They go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far!
~John Muir

Prayers....

2011-11-29T20:52:00.004-06:00

Several weeks ago, I asked that you pray for my friend Jill.
Thank you for those prayers.
Jill received a lung transplant nearly one month ago.
Please continue to pray. And pray boldly.
Pray for her stomach, kidneys, intestines, and liver.
Pray for guidance for her doctors and nurses and perseverance for her family.

In the midst of all that is happening around her,
please pray that Jill feels the kind of peace that comes from God alone.

I am finding Isaiah 40 to be a helpful biblical text these days.

Maybe you'll find it helpful for something going on in your life, too.

The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Begin and End and Authenticity

2011-11-29T07:59:00.002-06:00

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning,
but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
- Maria Robinson

“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.”

- Howard Thurman

Hope

2011-11-28T15:38:00.003-06:00

“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul,
and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.”

-By Emily Dickinson

Prayer for Compassion

2011-11-27T19:23:00.003-06:00

Lord, open our eyes
that we may see you in our brothers and sisters.
Lord, open our ears
that we may hear the cries of the hungry,
the cold, the frightened, the oppressed.
Lord, open our hearts
that we may love each other as you love us.
Renew in us your spirit.
Lord, free us and make us one.

Amen .

-Prayer by Mother Teresa

This week....

2011-11-26T18:03:00.003-06:00

Hello and greetings and salutations!
This week the posts will be simple.
Photos and quotes and prayers.
Peace to you in the week ahead!

I love the following quote, especially because I adore control and the quote reminds me to have hope that someday I might shift out of that tendency....

"As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit."
-Emmanuel Teney

Word of the Week: Thankful

2011-11-25T03:34:00.003-06:00

Pam

Maggie

Maggie

April

Barb

Mike

Todd

Todd

Todd

Jen

Jen

Karen

Amy

Emily

Thankful Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T13:17:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T22:10:00.001-06:00

The last few years for the Thanksgiving Eve service at church,
I have shown a new video. These are all nature photos I have taken within the past year.

I'm not an expert photographer,
but I do love to look at life through the lens of a camera.

May your next few days be filled with thanks.

(Take a photo and email/text me! The word for Friday is "thankful"!)

A Prayer for Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T07:05:00.001-06:00

Have you listened to the most recent episode of On Being?
It's one of my very favorite episodes. I loved it.

Here's a prayer that is mentioned during the episode. Beautiful.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer
by Walter Rauschenbusch (1861–1918)

For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thornbush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

A Morning Blessing

2011-11-22T03:23:00.002-06:00

Oh Great Spirit,
Let your voice whisper righteousness in our ears through the East Wind at the break of day.
Let us be blessed with love for all our brothers & sisters on Earth so we may truly live in peace.
Let us have good health mentally & physically to solve our problems and accomplish something for future generations.
Let us be sincere to ourselves and make the world a better place to live .
Amen.

-Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

My friend, Lindsey, shared a link to this on her blog. Isn't it terrific (hint: it will melt your heart)?

Music Monday

2011-11-21T07:29:00.001-06:00

Hello! Welcome to Music Monday.

First, an announcement. Many of you have shared that you like to read the blog but you don't really like to/know how to leave comments. No problem! Now there's a new way to share! There are two feedback buttons at the bottom of every post. One says "fun" and the other says "post more like this." All you have to do is click the box! That's it! It's anonymous; but I'm hopeful it will be a neat way for people to participate without having to leave a comment.

"Check it out!"

And now, this week's music recommendations. These next few are all by Givers, a great band....

Up Up Up

In My Eyes

Saw You First

Now a few other goodies.....

Cough Syrup by Young the Giant

Wolf and I by Oh Land (this band is weird; but I dig them)

And the grand finale....

Yes, of course I still like the boy band 98 Degrees! Because of You
(I think this was the first cassette tape I got for my car stereo)

And a sidenote....

This week's Word of the Week for Thursday is (not surprisingly) "thankful"...
Text or email me a photo of ANYTHING you are thankful for.
I'd love for Thursday to be a new photo record!
Email me one right now while you're thinking of it.

Remember, it can be a photo of anything on earth (or Mars or Pluto) that you are thankful for....

Christ the King Sunday

2011-11-20T12:46:00.004-06:00

Hello! It's Christ the King Sunday!

Here's a link to today's gospel lesson (if you read the sermie, be sure to read the gospel lesson first): Matthew 25: 31-46

And below is the sermon I preached today.

At first, the gospel lesson freaked me out.
But then it really grew on me.
That seems to happen every week......

If you want to skip the sermon, I'll give you the summary:

Jesus is a very groovy kind of king.

Title: Our King
Date: 11/20/11

Today we celebrate a day called Christ the King Sunday. Once a year, we rejoice in this special day. But in order to really get excited and ready to celebrate, we have to understand what “Christ the King” Sunday is all about. It’s kind of like when you go to a birthday party, or some other kind of celebration. It’s a lot more fun if you know what the party is all about! So today, to really celebrate Christ the King Sunday, we need to unpack what it means that Jesus is our King!

It’s a little tricky to understand what Jesus’ kingship is all about, because most of us have never met or known any other king. Most of the contact any of us have had with royalty is in the movies, on tv, and on stage. And these kings are totally different from Jesus. King Triton from Little Mermaid and Simba from the Lion King. There’s also the king from The King and I, the play being performed right now in Stewartville..

The mental image most of us have of a king is a person with a lot of power. Kings - cartoon and otherwise - usually have people who serve them and do the more difficult work. Kings are wealthy and strong.

A part of what makes Christ the King Sunday so fantastic is that we get to celebrate how Jesus completely redefined the role of King. Jesus was different from any other king who has ever lived, and that’s what we celebrate today!

Think back to some of your favorite stories about Jesus from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. What are the qualities of Jesus you most love? I love how he reaches out to people who are hurting and gives them hope. Maybe you like how wise he is - and how he is a great teacher. Maybe you like how he sits with outcasts. Perhaps your favorites stories in the Bible are the miracle stories like when Jesus fed 5000 people or raised Lazarus from he dead. None of these qualities are necessarily what we ascribe to stereotypical kings. But Jesus is a new kind of king - a king who placed compassion, justice, and understanding as some of his most important priorities. Jesus was also a king who died an awful death - and then was raised again. He’s a king who promises forgiveness and eternal life. For all these reasons, we rejoice in celebrating Christ the King Sunday. And we have a special gospel lesson that helps us celebrate this day.

Our gospel lesson for Christ the King Sunday is from the end of the Gospel of Matthew - in chapter 25 of 28 chapters. In the lesson, Jesus is speaking directly to his disciples. In the next chapter, Jesus has the last supper with the disciples, Jesus is arrested, and Peter betrays him 3 times. So today’s lesson happens RIGHT before all that. In this lesson, Jesus is not speaking a scary message of judgment to a giant crowd. Jesus is, instead, speaking to his most devoted followers and trying to help them understand what is MOST important to him. He wants the disciples to have a deeper understanding of what kind of king he truly is; because he knows that THESE ARE THE VERY PEOPLE who would be responsible for carrying on the faith.

When we unpack this gospel lesson and take it all apart, one truth becomes clear: #1: Jesus really, really, really cares how we treat one another. He desires that we‘ll be like the sheep of the story - providing food, and clothing, and time and visits.

It’s an interesting portrait of the kingdom of God that is painted in this gospel lesson. The sheep are there, and as Jesus greets them, the first thing he does upon their arrival in heaven is not to quiz them. He doesn’t ask if they’ve correctly memorized the 10 commandments. He doesn’t check to see their worship attendance. In this gospel lesson, Jesus doesn’t ask the sheep if they believe all the right creeds or know all the right hymns. Instead, Jesus is concerned with how the sheep and the goats LIVED. And it’s not about doing all the right acts at every possible second. It isn’t about keeping a tally of all our good deeds so we can get to heaven and say “See Jesus: I’m a sheep! Put me on your right side.” No way!

The truth is, we’re all sometimes like sheep in the lesson, serving and helping and being loving. But also, we’re all sometimes like the goats, missing out on opportunities to care for others and the world God made. We’re sheep-goats. We are imperfect human sheep-goats. And that’s just reality.

Jesus doesn’t want us to spend our lives obsessively doing good IN ORDER THAT we go to heaven. Instead, Jesus wants us to share the joy of being part of his kingdom in our normal lives! The sheep in the story aren’t doing out of this world, gigantic service projects at every minute. They are just being intentional about being loving and grace-filled in their normal interactions.

Jesus is a king who wants us to value EVERYONE in the same way we value him. He reminds us in this gospel lesson that when we enter into a human interaction, we might as well just assume that person is Jesus. And we should choose our attitudes and actions accordingly. I’ll
be the first to admit. I have a LONG WAY to go in this department. I get super annoyed in long lines. I get annoyed in long meetings. And that’s the tip of the iceberg. I sometimes act like a real goat; and perhaps sometimes you do, too.

The thing is, Jesus isn’t a king who commands us to be perfect. Jesus already died and was raised; we don’t have to be perfect, our sins are forgiven. Instead, Jesus is a king who invites. He invites us to be active members of his kingdom! We are not called to be on the sidelines. We called to be participants. He invites us to look at human beings through fresh eyes. When we look at another human being, Jesus asks us to look at that person as if THEY WERE TRULY the risen Christ.

Christ - our eternal King - is here, as close to you as the person sitting beside you in the pew. On this Christ the King Sunday, we celebrate the joy and gift of being part of Jesus’ kingdom. We celebrate the amazing way Christ reaches out to everyone. And we celebrate the call Jesus gives us all to continue living our lives in a way that all people have the opportunity to experience the great love of our King!

Photos for Saturday

2011-11-19T08:07:00.001-06:00

Good weekend to you!

Have you seen the movie Moneyball?
It's fantastic! I saw it last night.
I am not particularly interested professional sports (*gasp*), but I loved this movie.

Rent it (I think it's almost out of theaters and headed to DVD).

I found this quote last night after the movie; I think it's interesting and true:

"Remember that everyone you meet is afraid ofsomething,
loves something and has lost something."
- by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"Check it out!"

2011-11-18T08:31:00.003-06:00

Check out all the lovely "food" pics below for our Word of the Week!

And then click on over here to read this week's newspaper column.
I ramble and share about how I cannot seem to escape Rochester, MN.

Word of the Week: Food

2011-11-18T00:04:00.001-06:00

Kim

Julia

Kirsten

Todd

Todd

Todd

Laura

Hannah

Hannah

Hannah

Emily

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-17T07:46:00.002-06:00

This week I am thankful for....

-special cheeses (who knew cheese could be so yummy????)
-my church family
-excitement about seeing my brother next week (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
-eating soup in the fall
-ideas and wherever they come from

Could you share an item or two you are
thankful for this week?
I hope so! Leave a comment if you'd like to share.

Also, send your "food" pic today! If you don't have any ideas yet, you could take a pick of your fridge....your pantry....or your lunch this afternoon!

Photos & Quotes

2011-11-16T07:55:00.003-06:00

The same day that my mom snapped this little photographic gem,

we also went for a walk. Here are some nature photos I took that day....

Here are some quotes about perseverance....

(in honor of my amazing pal, Jill, who woke up yesterday.
Way to go, Jill!!!! And way to go, God!!!!)

Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb but how well you bounce.
~Vivian Komori

Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.
~Earl Nightingale

Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.
~Jacob A. Riis

Blessing for Tuesday

2011-11-15T07:21:00.002-06:00

I am continuing to enjoy the blessings shared in the book:
To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue

Here's one titled: On Waking

I give thanks for arriving
Safely in a new dawn
For the gift of mind
To feel at home in my life.
The waves of possibility
Breaking on the shore of dawn,
The harvest of the pasts
That awaits my hunger,
And all the furtherings
This new day will bring.
Amen.

Music Monday

2011-11-14T07:55:00.003-06:00

Song to listen to when you need to rock out in your car and think positive thoughts on the drive back from hospital visits: 123 Forever by Apparet Organ Quartet

Song to listen to when you feel like being overly contemplative: Evelyn by Goldmund

Song to listen to when you feel like pretending your life is a movie and you need a background track: Your Hand in Mine by Explosions in the Sky

Song to listen to in order to help you realize how great the band Bibio is: Ambivalence Avenue by Bibio

I still love Bon Iver: Skinny Love by Bon Iver

I like Birdy's cover version, too: Skinny Love by Birdy

I also still love John Mayer, too. Here's an older Mayer song (circa 2004). Tracing

(This is such a brilliant lyric from the song; and so very true: "And if you want to know the moment I knew that I was still alone, I found I never learned number, I only stored it in my phone. You'd think by know I'd know the shape of calling home.")

Have I ever recommended "In Your Atmosphere"? It's great, too.
And so is Stop This Train!

Pretend Private message to my favorite singer, John Mayer:

Oh John. Could you please just find a way
to come visit Rochester for some kind of inconsequential medical appointment?
And then we'll meet in a hallway at the clinic. And you'll say: "Could I take you to the Canadian Honker restaurant?"

I'll say: "John, what a lovely idea."

And then you will say: "Emily, let's get married."

And I'll say: "Of course! I've been waiting for us to meet for 10 years!"

And we will live happily ever after. :)

Here's a real "Record of the Week" from my growing album collection....

A podcast and a turkey.....

2011-11-13T06:19:00.001-06:00

Do you ever listen to the podcast "To the Best of our Knowledge"?

You should listen to this episode: "Upcycling"! It's fascinating.

Have you heard of The Story of Stuff? I guess 15 million people have watched this video already and it has been out for a few years, but I'd never heard of it until I listened to Annie speak on the aforementioned podcast.

After listening to the podcast and then watching the video, I actually prefer the podcast. Her part of the show is at the beginning -maybe about 15 minutes or so. Very informative without being overly political.

Did you know a lot of our recycleable materials actually just get shipped to other 2/3rds world countries? And then they have to put the materials in landfills there? WEIRD! How did I not know that? Sometimes I am just so ignorant.

I am curious to read this book. I feel like I really need to be more responsible in my consumption!

Now - to a totally new topic, I have a strange obsession with blow-up yard art.

My mom and I discovered this amazing turkey outside the main office of her new condo complex....precious.

Mystery Time.....

2011-11-12T12:56:00.003-06:00

Today's post involves group participation.

I snapped this picture of a delicious Norwegian food. I got to eat it for the first time yesterday while on a wonderful home visit. Can you name the food?

It's called Rommegrot!

Butter + Flour + Milk + Vanilla + Friends = FUN!

Word of the Week: Office

2011-11-11T06:56:00.001-06:00

Sue

Mike

Julia

Kirsten

Pam

April

April

Dan

Todd

Emily

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-10T07:47:00.003-06:00

This week I am thankful for....

-My friend Jill
-Jean, Bob, Dale, Bev, Rufus, Audrey, Paul, and Katelynn
-Marion, IL & Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
-The people of southern Illinois
-An opportunity to witness the amazing power of prayer
-God
-Healing
-Friends
-Learning
-Growth
-A weekly writing opportunity
-Family
-Generic potato chips
-Mango orange juice
-A nature hike last Friday
-The confirmation kids
-Zumba
-Seeing my mom regularly
-Josh is about to get back from India
-Excitement for tomorrow's "office" pics for Word of the Week
-The opportunity to be in this adorable, fun, cheesy commercial for the Post-Bulletin
that has been running on the Rochester NBC station

Photo Extravaganza

2011-11-09T07:17:00.000-06:00

Behind the church where I work, there is a beautiful prairie area.
Below are some fall photos from recent weeks in the prairie....

Update:
Jill progresses each day. Thank you for your prayers.
Her family is beside her every step of the way.
Her church family and extended relatives and friends and community continue to lift her up in prayer 24/7. She is surrounded by wonderful nurses all the time.
Each day she grows stronger and her body heals.

I feel infinitely blessed to know Jill and be a part of her giant support network,
and all of you are a part of that network, too.

Thank you for your prayers these last few days. If you ever have a specific Bible passage you'd like me to read to her or a prayer or verse or quote to share, please email and let me know.

It's interesting how the last few days have shifted my whole emotional and psychological and spiritual DNA.

Everything good in life seems all the more beautiful,
and everything inconsequential seems more ridiculous than ever.
Life is so very precious and sacred and unpredictable.
There's too much good to do in the world,
and too many moments to savour to waste a single breath on
worries, anxieties, insecurities, and fears.

Carpe diem, Praise and thanks be to God.

We are all miracles;
may we have the courage to live each day like we really believe that.