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| So, for all you General Assembly folk out there, how in the world did you party every night? Is anyone else sick? My longest run was three nights in a row, and then 8:30 am business sessions? (Well, honestly, I never got there before 9.) I hope that next time we can resolve to get there a day early and just party all day and get it out of our system. That way, I dont come home snotty and with a headache from my sinus infection. DONE COMPLAINING>>> GA was fantastic. Seeing so many and reconnecting was such a gift. I have not been since Cincinatti! And, there were those who I never got more than a "hey" to like Tallu, especially. (If you read this, sorry!) I was impressed with Bill Lee and excited to see our new moderator posse take on their charge. Liz's sermon (or her part of the sermon) on the Boston Women night was more than amazing. She delicatly wove together a story to express God's desire for us, God's children. Her repitition, cadence, body language and presence drew me in, and I suppose everyone else that was there. Well, except boy-Kelly, but I still have questions for him! My mom and I spent the week together; my grandmother came over for the day; Chris is as wacky as ever; my cousin, aunt and uncle, g-ma, mom and Chris and I celebrated my cousin's bday; my mom ate at Billy Miner's twice on her 58th birthday; and I felt the presence of God so oft. Two catching up conversations really made a difference for me: with George Latimer, with Randy Kuss. These two men nutured me and made a great difference in my life. I am so glad to continue the relationships. Well, I should get back to work, but there is more to come. I need to let everyone know about my new apartment, about "preaching camp" as Nick is calling it, that I may be 3 funerals away from a really sweet ministry opportunity, and how letting the past infiltrate your life can really make for some wierd conversations. | | |
| I had been thinking about getting active. I mean, more than the walking to and from work and walking Chaco and walking around the plaza...I do a lot of walking. Also, it became increasingly more apparant that even my extracurricular activities were becoming only church related. (This was a great concern of Nick's) Then, out of the blue...Nick gave me a wonderful present: Ballet Classes!!! Some of you may know I spent 14 years in ballet. It was clear I would never be a professional, but I kept with it because I loved it. And, this past Monday, I had my first class in almost 10 years. It was awesome. My favorite thing was always barre work. And, that hasnt changed. Practicing tondue, releve, etc... ( I said etc. because my french is horrible, but you get the point. Ha! get it, the pointe!) Ok, so maybe a few of you will get that ballet joke. My legs were not as nimble and I surely am not as thin and flexible as I once was, but I am excited none the less. I was so sore yesterday! The way my work schedule is, it looks like I will be in my class every other Monday! Did I mention it is an adult ONLY class? That is also exciting. Thank goodness for the Kansas City Ballet's forward thinking! Tuesday night was a Royals Game Bonanza!! Suz and the Kerrs were going and we were invited to come along since we had no plans. Our tickets were a ways from them, but then we got to move into "untaken" seats in front of them. It was lots of fun rooting for the Royals and laughing with the Kerrs. The Royals won; there must be something special about Suz, Nick and I at a game together. They win and by a lot! The fireworks were ridiculous and started out a great relaxing fourth where Nick and I just hungout, grilled some chicken and sang love songs to each other. (Just kidding about the love songs!) We rode his new bike and saw the firework shows in the surrounding suburbs (3 or 4 shows) from the plaza. Hope your fourth was fun!!!!! | | |
| Chris' visit was great. We relaxed and went to the Royals game and ate barbeque. And, we had one of our arguing for arguing's sake arguments that makes everyone else in the room uncomfortable. But, its what we do so well.  Chris got to meet Nick. They really hit it off and that made me very happy. Chi Rho camp was exhausting and fun. Suzanne, Jill and I laughed and laughed and Robert was an awesome co-counselor!!! The kids were overall well behaved and seemed to get a lot out of the week. I have noticed 2 things, though: first, there are those who think CYF conference is the end-all/be-all of camp. Sorry to burst some bubbles, but its not. Every camp experience is equally valuable and full of potential for formative life experiences. This may be difficult for some to see, but with some age, they will. Second, there does not have to be mass crying for camp to be great. The kids, who are already emotionally vulnerable as teenagers, and who are exhausted from camp, can easily be emotionally manipulated. It is important that adults at camp make sure the kids have an emotionally safe place where they can be themselves and nothing else. Fred Craddock preached 4 times in 3 days at my church!!!!!!!!!! Ryan mostly had the job of taking him around. But, I did a little. And, there was a Bethany Fellows lunch with him. Fred gave me 2 bits of advice while he was here, besides the amazing sermons. First, keep a journal. Second, make your take over slow so Bob doesnt notice! It was wonderful to have such access to an amazing man! Changes at church are exciting and fun. The Ch Ed committee has changed its name to Spiritual Formation Team. Ryan is working with youth. We hired an interim adult ed person and an interim children person. I am coordinating people and the team. Bob is being open to great change and it is so exciting.Ministry that matters done by people that care and work hard is so refreshing and wonderful. Nick is continuing to study for the bar and stressing about it. He will do fine and just needs to allow himself that room. After July 26th, it will be over! He bought a motorcycle...It is a small engine for maximum gas mileage and we will soon be scooting around town for dinner on a bright red motorcycle. So, that's my update. Hope all is well with you! | | |
| I spent this last week at camp. It was good and I had a fantastic time with Kelly, Gary, and Ryan inparticular. Everyone was fun and pretty well behaved, etc. I met a lot of great kids (um, teenagers) too. They made me excited about youth ministry again. And, then there was the bachelorette party. Keesal, Renee, Sue, Robin, Annaliese, Jenn and myself had a wonderful time. Nice, relaxed, drinks, dancing. FUN! There was a shower the next day too that was fun. I knew I missed my Keesal, but forgot how much! She, Renee, Sue and Robin and I got to have some pretty fantastic conversations and laughter as we were coming to and getting ready Saturday. The overwhelming thing about it was that we are each in places in our lives where we are truly happy. We have relationships with men who are stellar human beings, who love us and whom we love. We were rosy, and giddy talking about our loves, and had a great time getting ready for Christi's wedding. It will be a wonderful event and I cannot wait to go! Before that there is: Chris coming this week, Chi Rho Camp next week, some sort of 80's hair/metal rock fest in Tulsa named Rocklahoma, moving apartments, General Assembly, and then the wedding! Whoo Hoo! | | |
| Yes, I am moving again. But, only to another, cheaper apartment. And, due to my fantastic Nick, I think it will be ok. It was totally stressing me out and he is working on it for me. Why do money related things stress me out so much? Oh yeah, cause I owe my soul to education loan people. I would almost be ready to give them my soul if it meant I could not worry. (Is that crazy?) Or, what about debters prison. We should totally bring that back. I could just go spend several months in a cell, read, and have the people that love me bring me my meals like on Andy Griffith. ANYWAY, thanks for surviving that day-dream/mare with me. Life really is fantastic. This summer is looking to be quite the busy time. I am doing conference and chi rho (with Suz and Jill- we rock). There is the Keesal bachelorette party, kick butt! General Assembly, arent you ready for it? Chris is coming to visit and my mom will probably be here soon too! Ryan is our summer intern and that will be fun. Hopefully, we will find another resident. But, I will be ok if we do not. Nick will be attending bar prep class and take the bar, which I know he pass with flying colors. And then, start his work as an attorney. There is so much going on. Joyfully, there is so much. I am really looking forward to it all. Have a great day out there, you deserve it! | | |
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