Am I Missing Something?

Since when does a small church feel like they can dictate their demands to the Bishop and Cabinet?

Since when do they not get the "Connectional System" part?

Since when do they think they are the center of the universe and the apple of God's eye when they do not treat others as Jesus did?

I told the DS to let them die and save the new pastors a lot of heartache.

Eight more weeks.

Independent Women

I'm off again today ("Two weeks in a row, Pastor?").

D2 is moving into her apartment this weekend. Hubby's been busy with 'other things,' so it's been just me and her. Yesterday, we went to Wally World so she could purchase things that she needed. Then we stopped at home to exchange her little Sentra for my Soccer Mom van and loaded it up with boxes and the shopping bags.

Ever the task-oriented one, I suggested we do the kitchen first. Upon opening the first cupboard, we discovered that the previous tenants had not cleaned up very well. Good thing we bought cleaning supplies! We scrubbed, scoured and disinfected! Ran out of shelving paper. Decided to go out to eat to the local Applebees, where we consumed copious amount of hot Artichoke-Spinach dip. Run to Wally-ganza for more stuff. Washed glasses, cups, pots and pan, bowls, utensils ... are we through yet?

"Where are your dishes? And your silverware?"

"Aren't they in the box. I KNOW they're in the box!"

"Uh, uh." Crap. I was hoping to be done with it.

I put together shelves for the closet and the Wet-Jet.

We didn't finish the kitchen. We rolled into home just shy of midnight - two hours passed my bedtime.

This morning I am walking all bent over. Off to the Church-Just-Down-the-Driveway and then reload the van with more stuff.

Hubby has 'other things' to do today as well. Oh well, I got my toolbox and between D2 and I, we'll git 'er done.

All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the honeys who makin' money
Throw your hands up at me
All the mommas who profit dollas
Throw your hands up at me
All the ladies who truly feel me
Throw your hands up at me

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

The lease has been signed. She has the key. An empty nest once again.

She sat alone on a bus out of Beaumont
The courage of just 18 years
A penny and quarter were taped to a letter
And momma's goodbye in her ears
She watched as her high school faded behind her
And the house with the white picket fence
Then she read the note that her momma had wrote
Wrapped up with 26 cents

When you get lonely, call me
Anytime at all and I'll be there with you, always
Anywhere at all
There's nothing I've got that I wouldn't give
And money is never enough
Here's a penny for your thoughts
A quarter for the call
And all of your momma's love

A penny and a quarter buys a whole lot of nothing
Taped to an old wrinkled note
And when she didn't have much she had all momma's love
Inside that old envelope

When you get lonely, call me
Anytime at all and I'll be there with you, always
Anywhere at all
There's nothing I've got that I wouldn't give
And money is never enough
Here's a penny for your thoughts
A quarter for the call
And all of your momma's love

Oh its been years since momma's been gone
But when she holds the coins she feels her love just as strong

When you get lonely, call me
Anytime at all and I'll be there with you, always
Anywhere at all
There's nothing I've got that I wouldn't give
And money is never enough
Here's a penny for your thoughts
A quarter for the call
And all of your momma's love
Here's a penny for your thoughts
A quarter for the call
And all of your momma's love

"26 Cents" by The Wilkersons
1998

Do I Know These Folks or What?????

All hell broke loose while I was away.

The new pastors were announced last Sunday, whilst I was in State-Named-for-Jesus'-Mother (I know ... it was actually named for an English Queen!) There didn't seem to be a problem with the male clergy, but the female clergy - well, let's just say the DS didn't think this one out very well.

She is a member at the Big First Church in town. She is a paid member of their staff. And she plans to continue working there after July.

Up front, I know this person well. I've had occasion to work with her. I have no reservations about her spirituality and her abilities to pastor. But there is the LITTLE problem between CINS and BFC ... they dislike each other and will not work together. And anyone from BFC will be viewed with suspicion.

The male pastor is inexperienced. CINS will chew him up and spit him out.

There are too many things left undefined and knowing the DS, she will just say to the two of them, "You work it out."

I made up my mind I will try to help the transition be as smooth as possible, but I have some real serious doubts about this situation.

I'm Away

Blogging in from State Below the Mason-Dixon Line where Hubby, D2 and I are visiting Son and Daughter-in-Love.

This afternoon we are going where Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson and What-His-Name filmed A Few Good Men and where naval officers are trained.

I have a good friend (and you know her, too) who is going through some mind-blowing, unbloggable things. Pray for a hedge of protection for her and her family; her Bishop & DS. Pray that God's will will be done.

Hang in there, Sweetie!

Eleven More Weeks to Go

Eleven more weeks at CINS.

I wish I could say that I feel the smallest hint of regret at leaving them, but that would be a big NEGATORY!

I received a nasty e-mail from my Church Council Chair denying the truth of my leaving - of which she has been a major part. I decided not to return the favor, but she caught me yesterday after church. I didn't get mad or yell back or pop my cork. I just smiled sadly, thanked her for her "opinion" and left.

SWMNBN is up to her old tricks. Bring it, Grandma!

Last summer, we had an older couple attend CINS after moving to the area to live with their daughter (coincidentally a long-term friend of mine). He had multiple myeloma. He had been attending when he felt well enough and she has missed very few Sundays. Both were very active in their former UM church. He died yesterday, rather unexpectedly. After I announced his death, one of CINS's leaders said to me, "And that means what to us?"

Sigh. Maybe I can push Jesus out of the way at the cat dish. Oh wait! 11 more weeks!

PS ... DS just called. PPRC meeting Wednesday night. They're going on a Charge with three other churches, a FT Local Pastor and Certified Lay Preacher.
Let's see how this one flies!

The Bestest Way ...

... to wake up is hearing "BAY-bee ba-LU-ga, oh BAY-bee ba-LU-ga!" coming from your grandson's room first thing in the morning.

He also does a heart-stopping rendition of "Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee," IMHO.

It's Starting to Sink In

In another couple of weeks Hubby and I will be childless again. D2 has found an apartment in Nearby Small City less than two miles from her work and close to the shore of one of the Big Sinkholes.

She'll be taking her cat, our old sofa (which is older than she is), our old TV set, her Queen Size bed and the kitchen table we bought her when she was a senior in college.

We've really enjoyed having her live with us. She's been great company for Hubby when I've been busy (They watch PTI and college basketball together) and wonderful company for me when Hubby's been gone (We watch The Biggest Loser, America's Next Top Model, The Road Rules/Real World Challenges and ER).

I am going to really miss her. But that's what phones and computers are for!

Congrats, D2!