Day Thirty One- 1/31/11 New Zumba Class

Day Thirty One: 1/31/11
New Thing: New Zumba Class 
Inspiration: Bonnie, Cassie, and Krista
Cost: $0 (Well, it is included in my gym membership, so it is not exactly free.)
Time: One hour
Bottom Line: This class was both a good physical exercise and a good exercise in humility. Because I cannot follow a dance routine.

You will notice that this is NOT a picture of me dancing.

 Reflection: Today I tied a new exercise class at my gym called Zumba. Zumba is a Latin fusion danced based class which is a lot of fun and burns a lot of calories. While it is true that I have actually tried Zumba a few times before, today was very different because there is a new instructor. This is important in a Zumba class because each instructor designs the routines. I had heard that she is a very high energy and leads a fun, fast class. What I was not prepared for was her bedazzled sweatpants, full "work-out" makeup and, belly shirt. I was beginning to worry that I may not be cool enough for this class. (Hard to believe, I know). My suspicions were confirmed by the second song when she said, "I took some of these moves form a Lady Gaga video."

And there went the the last drop of dignity I had left.

For those of who do not know, I do not have a lot of grace when it comes to dance routines.  I can manage the slow, semi-circle slow dancing when you simply shift from one foot to another, middle school dance style. And I can simply let lose and have a fun time on the dance floor. However, you could never call what I do graceful. My friend Bonnie who is a Zumba instructor has been a dancer her entire life. She is incredibly graceful and I have always been in awe of that, but never been able to emulate it.

For example, there was a time in college where a few of my floor mates and I decided to do an exercise video together. After getting only 5 minuets into the routine, we had to stop because they were literally  laughing so loudly that they could not breath. Krista said, "I never knew a step kick could look like that."

Yet, even though my moves always look as though I am Elaine from Seinfeld, I still enjoy a good class where I can have fun. Humbling as it is.

Day Thirty- 1/30/11 First Time at One of Those Really Big Kids' Birthday Parties

Day Thirty: 1/30/11
New Thing: First Time at One of Those Really Big Kids' Birthday Parties 
Inspiration: Delia and her little school friends 
Cost: $0
Time: About two hours
Bottom Line: I desperately needed a nap by the end of it, but we all had a very good time.

Delia like the huge slide the best. 

Reflection: Today Delia, Ken, and I attended her first ever school friend's birthday party. It was held at one of those really large play places with those huge, inflatable, jumping/bouncing things. (I realize that that was perhaps the most elegant sentence ever to grace the English language. You are most welcome for that spectacular word picture.)  The party was in honor of twins, one of whom has taken Delia under her wing at school as a kind of big sister and we were very excited to be invited. Delia even wore a cute little party dress.

The party was even larger then we had imagined boasting over 30 children and their accompanying parents. There was not one, but two themes: Princess and Star Wars. At first Delia was pretty overwhelmed but warmed up after a few trips with Ken and I down the huge slide. We left with a huge party bag, a sugar rush, a need for a nap, and a very satisfied little girl. I had definitely hit my extroverted quote for the day since this followed two church services. However, we made some great new friends and had a great time.

This party was certainly a first for me. I can remember exactly two birthday parties thrown in my honor by my parents growing up and they were certainly not the kind of "event" parties where you rent out a place. I was not really a "party person" as a child so, this was not traumatic for me. The first was a joint party with my best friend and childhood neighbor, Kelly, as we turned 3 and 4 respectively. (Our birthdays are only a year a few days apart.) It was at Kelly's house and we had cute little tables in her basement decorated in primary colors. I remember it being really sunny and bright and that the elastic on my hat broke and snapped my chin.

The second party was when I was in 4th grade. Since my birthday is in October, it was decided that it would be "fall/Halloween" themed extravaganza. By that I mean that Mom put up orange and black streamers and called it a "theme." Four friends were invited and it was to be my first and last sleep over party. Again, this was alright by me because I had insomnia growing up and it always seemed to make being awake in the middle of the night all the more lonely when there are others sleeping soundly all around you. (Note for a sermon- Perhaps this is a microcosm of what Jesus was feeling when his disciples kept falling asleep on him when he was in the garden praying before his crucifixion.)

Apparently, this kind planning was in keeping with the Dowling family tradition for birthday parties. My Dad loves to tell the tale of his seventh birthday party where he and his twin brother Darryl were allowed to invite 7 friends to drive 7 miles to the party site where they open 7 gifts. I believe the theme of that party was also "fall/Halloween."

But, no, Ali and I never had that kind of huge "event" party as children. To be fair, there were very few options in rural Pennsylvania. There were a few at the local McDonald's and one at a not-so-local roller-rink, but that was it. Yet, my birthdays were always filled with love, my favorite foods (spaghetti with Prego sauce and ice cream cake), and my family. Those memories and the ones that I continue to make on my birthdays now are better then a whole warehouse of big bouncy things. Although, they are really, really cool. Maybe that is what I will do for this year's birthday.

Day Twenty Nine- 1/29/11 Silpada Party!

Day Twenty Nine: 1/29/11
New Thing: Co-Hosting a Silpada Party! 
Inspiration: Ali and Anne
Cost: $??? (Not sure about party supplies)
Time: About 5 hours + cleaning time
Bottom Line: I had such a blast hanging out with great people and wearing/trying on awesome jewelry.

My little sister, the Magpie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Party Planning Crew and Baby D.

 Reflection: Today was a definite first for me--I co-hosted a Silpada party with Anne K.! A Silpada party brings great sterling silver jewelery into your home so that people can try on pieces and order any that they like. The beauty is that there is never any sales pitch or presentation, just a wonderful representative to answer all your questions (Carole is our rep. and she is really great!). This really sold me on the idea because I do not like to go to those parties where you feel obligated to buy something. At the end of the party, the host gets a percentage of the sales to put towards their own jewelery purchase. The hardest part it narrowing down what you want!

The first time I ever heard of Silpada was when my sister Ali--ever the trendsetter--had one at her house and invited me. I went and was so impressed with the product and with Carole that I decided to have one myself. I will also admit that I always really liked the pieces that Ali got at her party and was just ever so slightly envious when she would wear them.

So a few months later I was talking to the wonderful Anne K. who said that she had had a few of these parties a few years back and was thinking of doing another one. "We should do it together!," I said and was very happy that she agreed which brought us to today. The party was great and I really appreciate everyone who came. Thanks everyone!! You all made my day, and I hope you had as much fun as I did!

(ps- It's not to late to order something;)

Day Twenty Eight- 1/28/11 Praying Through Play

Day Twenty Eight: 1/28/11
New Thing: Praying Through Play with Delia
Inspiration: Ellyn and Delia
Cost: $0
Time: About 3 hours
Bottom Line: Delia and I had a really fun and deep time.

OK- This picture was actually taken at the Vocare Retreat, but it was the same story that I told today. 

 Reflection: Today Delia played hookie from pre-school and we went to our Garden Gate Parent/Child group at church. While we were there Delia played with her best friend, Katherine as well as the other delightful children. My friend Ellyn (who is also our church's Director of Religious Education) lead the parents in a great workshop about the different philosophies of the importance of play for the spiritual life of the child paying particular attention to Waldorf and Montessori Methods. It was really interesting to hear her thoughts on how those styles emphasize the importance of play as the "work" of childhood and how we can incorporate some of those ideas into our homes such as using toys which can ignite the imagination and are made of natural materials like wood.

The Story of The Good Shepard and World Communion

As a Godly Play teacher (which is the style of curriculum that we use at Trinity for our younger members), I have really come to appreciate the importance of play as the language of childhood. During a Godly Play Class, the story teller uses special objects and materials to tell the sacred stories of the Bible as well as important liturgical lessons. Then the children answer open ended questions about how they experience God in the stories. They are then invited to pick a "work" (such as painting, working with clay, reading, or working with plants) that helps them respond to the story as we close with a "Feast" of a small snack. All of this is done to mirror the church service. When we tap into the wonderment mystery of children's spirituality we allow them to speak the truths about God that they in fact already know, but may not always have the language to articulate. Being a GP teacher has really enriched my own spiritual life.

I was so inspired after the Garden Gate, (which included a lovely prayer/play circle) that Delia, Katherine and I went into one of the Godly Play classroom and I told them the story of The Good Shepard and World Communion. I have never told Delia this story and it was really beautiful to hear her wondering at the end. We finished up the lovely morning with a little ladies lunch together where we played with our food.

Day Twenty Seven- 1/27/11 Tasting Inca Kola

Day Twenty Seven: 1/27/11
New Thing: Tasting Inca Kola
Inspiration: Randall
Cost: $0
Time: The time it takes to have one swig
Bottom Line: I have not acquired this acquired taste.

Not my new favorite drink.

When we visited my in laws for Christmas, Randall handed us two Inca Kolas to take home and try. He is truly a world traveler and always has something really cool in his fridge or in his office from all over the globe, so we happily took the cans of exotic soda. They have been sitting in our fridge ever since, and today I thought I would give it a shot. I had never even heard of this drink before, so I honestly had no idea what to expect. I was hoping for ginger beer--I got liquid bubble gum crossed with cream soda. It was kind of gross.

After my first taste, I went online to learn more about this weird drink (which by the way was bright neon yellow--even odder than Mt. Dew).

According to Wikipedia, Inca Kola "is a soft drink created in Peru in 1935...the soda has an unusual sweet fruity flavor sometimes compared to liquid bubblegum. It has been described as "an acquired taste" whose "intense color alone is enough to drive away the uninitiated. " But my favorite were some of their slogans. Here are a few of the best:

• 2001-2003: Hay una sola y el Perú sabe por qué (There is only one, and Peru knows why). It's like they are being punished for some unspeakable crime.
• 2006: Qué buena idea (What a good idea). Is it?
• 2007: El sabor de la creatividad (The taste of creativity).
• 2008-2009: Con creatividad todo es posible (With creativity anything is possible).
• 2010: Inca Kola Eso 75 años (Inca Kola is 75 years old).

I just love that they celebrated their creativity from 2006-2009 and then came up with what is perhaps the least creative slogan for their 75th anniversary. I don't know what you did, Peru, but you know why there is only one Inca Kola.

Day Twenty Six- 1/26/11 Personal Training with Amy

Day Twenty Six: 1/26/11
New Thing: Personal Training with Amy
Inspiration: Hitting an Exercise Plateau
Cost: $50
Time: One very long hour
Bottom Line: I just know that I am going to be sore in the morning.

Don't let the picture fool you; Amy never let me touch the 5lbs weights.

 Reflection: As a Christmas gift, I received a few personal training session and today was the day of reckoning when I put them to use. I have had professional training sessions before, but this was the first time that I worked with Amy who is a fitness trainer and athletic model. Yeah, she is in good shape. She is also the first female trainer that I have ever worked with, and it was great to get her approach to lifting as a woman. I leaned alot of good exercises that I will use when I start hitting workout plateaus. I have a few more session with her and I am looking forward to them even though I am sure to be sore afterward.

One of the reasons that I like taking exercises classes or working with a trainer has to do with the discipline of following. As someone who is in a leadership position, I find that it is important to have opportunities to be lead. It serves as a reminder to not take myself to seriously. It also lets me really get into an exercise if I know that someone else is taking care of all the little details like timing and repetitions and that they will help me with form. I have learned a lot about leadership styles and techniques by being lead and it leads to being a more effective leader. And truly great leaders can tell when I need to be pushed or when I need to be told to cut back.  Ultimately, this discipline helps me remember that as a Christian, my first goal is to be a follower of Jesus and everything else will follow His lead. If I try to lead myself, I fall off the path--or pull a muscle.

Day Twenty Five- 1/25/11 Do Nothing For Two Minuets

Day Twenty Five: 1/25/11
New Thing: Do Nothing For Two Minuets
Inspiration: A never ending quest for a peaceful spirit and mind.
Cost: $0
Time: Two Minuets
Bottom Line: It is really nice to sit and do nothing for a little bit of time.

Reflection: Today, I saw this link on a friend's Facebook status: http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/.

It takes you to a two minute countdown in which you are instructed to do nothing for the entirety of that time. It even has a nice ocean picture and wave sound effects. The catch is that if you touch the computer, it starts the countdown all over again.

At first I though, "Surly, I have done this before." Yet, when I really thought about it, I am not sure that I have done that in a really long time. Sure, there are plenty of moments when I waste time surfing the web or watching a show. But that could not technically be considered "nothing." And "doing nothing" is not even the same thing as engaging in something like yoga or Centering Prayer which is a style of meditation that helps to clear the mind of all distraction to open a path way to the Holy. I do not think that anyone could call that "nothing." (In fact, I find Centering Prayer to be a very difficult practice.) I still think that there are plenty of times when I do nothing, but not in such an intentional way or during work. Often, when I feel stressed at work, I normally pray, or take a walk, or switch tasks. But sitting and doing nothing for two minutes sounded like a simplistic and non-taxing way to hit the "reset button" so-to-speak. So, I clicked on the link and enjoyed the two free minutes.

It was great. It was not so long as to be disruptive to my workload, but it was long enough that I was able to breath and let out go of some of the anxiety of the moment. I did it again 15 minuets later and enjoyed it all over again. I have now bookmarked it so I can keep this little exercise up.

Go a head and try it. It will only take two minuets.

Day Twenty Four- 1/24/11 Start a "Bucket List"

Day Twenty Four: 1/24/11
New Thing: Create a "Bucket List"
Inspiration: The human condition and being a finite creature
Cost: $0
Time: About an hour
Bottom Line: I have a whole lot to do before I kick the bucket.

 

Reflection: For today's new thing I decided to make a list of things that I would like to do before I die or a "bucket list." Now, I am really not a fan of this term because of the awful movie of the same title. However, I do think that the practice of setting goals and dreaming large is a fruitful one. The problem for me is that once I started, I couldn't stop. There are just so many things about this world that I would love to experience. In fact, I have almost 60 things on the list so far, and I do not consider it finished. But, I also began to think about the wonderful things in my life that have already happened to me and how very thankful I am for already living a full life. I can honestly say that if I passed on to my eternal rest and reward tomorrow, it could be said that I had lead a blessed life filled with loved ones, health, and rich experiences.  For all this I am truly grateful. So, I also started a "things that I have already done that would have been on my 'bucket list' list." For the purposes of this reflection, I will list the top five things on both lists. 

Top 5 Things That Would Have Been on my Bucket List

1. Feel God's presence, know Jesus as my Savior, try to follow the Holy Spirit and share God's love with others.
2. Have a loving and strong marriage with my best friend, Ken.
3. Be lucky enough to be the mother of a healthy and sweet little girl, Delia
4. Being an ordained priest in God's Holy Catholic Church
5. Getting to marry my little Sister, Ali to her wonderful husband, my bother-in-law, Doug

Top 5 Things That I Would Like to do Before I Kick the Bucket 

1. See the Aurora Borealis
2. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro 
3. Hike the Appalachian Trail
4. Earn a ThD
5. Visit all 58 National Parks

Day Twenty Three- 1/23/11 True Grit/First Westen on the Big Screen

Day Twenty Three: 1/23/11
New Thing: True Grit/First Western on the Big Screen
Inspiration: My Dad, The Duke
Cost: $20 ($10 per ticket)
Time: About Two Hours
Bottom Line: This was a great movie--two thumbs up!

Reflection: Thanks to my mother-in-law, Connie, who graciously offered to babysit the wee one (thanks, Nana!), Ken and I were able to go out on a date tonight! We decided to see the latest Coen Brother's movie, True Grit. I am a big fan of both the Coens and Westerns, so this was a movie that I was really looking forward to this. It did not disappoint. 

The Duke would be pleased

True Grit is an adaptation of the book by the same name by Charles Portis. It was also a famous John Wayne film, so the Coen Brothers had a long history to contend with then they decided to take on this re-vamping of the story. They wisely decided to make this a straight Western and even kept much of the dialogue from the novel. The story involves a teenage girl who hires a gruff, drunken marshal who is a man of "true grit" to help her track her father's killer and bring him to bloody justice.  The plot, which is not a story about redemption so much as a story about retribution, is riveting as are the actors who deliver fantastic performances.

It was great to finally get to see a Western on the big screen. My father, Dana, and I used to watch a lot of classic movies together (we actually went on a several month Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock marathon kick at one point) and Westerns were defiantly some of our favorites. But, they seem to have fallen out of fashion and I never got the chance to see on in theaters until now. In particular, Dad and I loved The Searchers, another film staring "The Duke." So, Dad, go out and see this one, you will love it. And think of me when you do.

Heads up- you will be grossed out by the snakes.

Day Twenty Two- 1/22/11 Celebrating Common Commnion Through Prayer

Day Twenty Two: 1/22/11
New Thing: Celebrating Common Communion Through Prayer
Inspiration: The Episcopal Church, The ELCA, The Moravian Church, and John 17:21
Cost: $0
Time: About half an hour
Bottom Line: Really enriching prayer time dedicated to the Unity of Christ's Church.

Reflection:  NOTE: Since this is a little "churchy" I have added a ton of links to this reflection if you are interested in some of these larger topics.

The Episcopal Shield (It Welcomes You)

For today's new prayer meditation, I focused on the joy of the Episcopal Church's Ecumenical Full Communion partners--specifically the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Northern and Southern Proviencs of the Moravian Church. Here is a nice little paragraph from the Episcopal Church's website (link above) describing what theology and philosophy of Full Communion is:

We understand full communion to be a relation between distinct churches in which each recognizes the other as a catholic and apostolic church holding the essentials of the Christian faith.  Within this new relation, churches become interdependent while remaining autonomous...Diversity is preserved, but this diversity is not static.  Neither church seeks to remake the other in its own image, but each is open t the gifts of the other as it seeks to be faithful to Christ and his mission.  They are together committed to a visible unity in the church's mission to proclaim the Word and administer the Sacraments.

In other words, when two churches enter into a Full Communion with each other, we are saying that we agree on the most important matters of theology and we express these beliefs in such a way as to consider each other family. Like brothers and sisters rather than just distant cousins who use that incense you don't really care for, or that uncle you never talk to because you are pretty sure he is a heretic, or 4th cousins twice removed who caused that schism years ago but swear you did, or frienemies who just never seem to be able to talk to each other with out making things worse and who wear those weird hats. In practice, it means that our clergy can celebrate communion almost interchangeably (as long as permission from superiors has been granted) and there are greater partnerships which are formed between them. This is a very big deal because in John 17:21 Jesus prays that his followers "may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." He is calling for a unity of spirit and love that will witness to the world the same unity and love that is found in the Trinity. Full Communion relationships are a step closer to the fullness that Jesus longed for his Church and which makes the kingdom of God a reality in the here and now.

The Moravian Seal

The Episcopal Church is in the Full Communion relationship with several Churches, but the two which are the closet to my heart are the Moravians and the Lutherans. As many of you know, I attend Moravian College right here in the heart of Moravian territory, Bethlehem, PA. The Christmas City was founded as a Moravian settlement on Christmas Eve 1741. Moravian College (which likes to say it is the 6th oldest college in the Nation) has a really cool history as well, including being one of the first founded on the principles of the "Father of Modern Education," John Amos Comenius, the 17th century Moravian bishop. In addition to the alma mater tie, I was also lucky enough to be vote "yes" to this relationship at our General Convention in 2003 & 2006 and was with the Presiding Bishop last year she celebrated at a Moravian service at the Moravian Seminary here in Bethlehem. Finally, I am also blessed to part of the planning committee for the up coming historical Celebration of the Full Communion service in February (more on that later).

Pretend it is a pretty piece of stained glass like the other two.

But what got me thinking about this as a prayer intention was actually the Lutherans. We entered into this relationship with them 10 years ago this month and this week, both National Offices have asked us to say special prayers of thanksgiving in honor of this. It is an especially appropriate time to do so since this is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Thus, I was more then happy to oblige.

I decided to chant the Night Prayer from the Lutheran Book of Worship, using Martin Luther's prayer as well as a Pray for Christian Unity (below). I watched to a video of my favorite Moravian Christmas Vesper Hymn (which is always lead by children and sang by candle light), "Morning Star" as a meditation during it and I lit a little beeswax candle (another Moravian tradition) that my friend Ellyn and her children made for us as an Epiphany gift. At the end I had a cup of coco like a Bethlehem Moravian Love Feast. It was really beautiful to remember the joy of being in this Christan family, and I felt warmed at the thought of the relationships that have been made in the name of the unity that Jesus prayed for.  Also, I love coco. And I am betting Jesus does to.

A Prayer for Christian Unity

God our Father, your Son Jesus prayed that his followers might be one. Make all Christians one with him as ht is one with you, so that in peace and concord we may carry to the world the message of your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. 

-From the ELCA Book of Worship

Day Twenty-one- 1/21/11 Setting up Delia's Dollhouse & Clearing Out Her Closet

Day Twenty-one: 1/21/11
New Thing: Setting up Delia’s Dollhouse & Clearing Out Her Closet
Inspiration: Delia, Ali
Cost: $0
Time: Half a day
Bottom Line: Walking down a very long memory lane.

 
Reflection: Today took an interesting turn for me. As I mentioned in previous posts, Fridays are my day off and so I am hoping to try out new styles of prayer those days. That was certainly my plan at the beginning of the day, but I never actually got there. (Don’t worry—for those who want to know what new style of prayer I will be using this week, it will be my new thing of the day tomorrow. For those who do not care for the prayer days—consider yourself forewarned:).
          
Initially, I was planning on shoveling the snow, tiding up a bit, and then have a nice chunk of time for prayers. I had gotten as far the tiding when I stumbled upon a long neglected box. Never underestimate the power of a long neglected box—especially when it is full of childhood wonder. It was like falling down a rabbit hole into my past…well actually my little sister’s past.
         

 This box contained all of the dollhouse paraphernalia from my sister Ali’s dollhouse. Now, Ali and I both had dollhouses growing up. But somehow, and I am really not sure why, Ali’s was always really, really better then mine. Better in both structure and décor. Ali’s house was made of solid, store bought wood with furniture that was specifically designed for it.  It had beds to sleep on, a complete 6-place china tea service including creamer and sugar dish, a china cabinet to keep them in, a refrigerator, sink, stove, fireplace, and, not one, but two miniature butter churns. It even had a miniature old-timey sowing machine.

Mine, on the other hand, was made out of painted particleboard, which had to be continually re-glued through its entire existence since it continued to fall apart. In place of chairs, it had wooden spools of thread. In place of a table, it had several of those little plastic things that looked like tables and came free in the Pizza-Hut boxes to keep the lid from touching the cheese. In place of a fireplace, it had a little picture that I had cut out of a magazine and taped to the wall of the living room. In place of plates, it had nothing. Clearly, this was the poor neighbors house. Actually, since it was a Victorian model, I liked to think that the family of toy trolls that lived there had actually came from old money and now had nothing but this old house to show for their once lavish lifestyle. (I just consulted an old photograph of my dollhouse to see if there was anything else, and it appears that I had at one point made a little flip book on a post-it pad, tacked it to one of the walls and pretended it was a television. I have all my toll-dolls sitting in front of this “moving picture show.”)

But now things are looking up for O’l Hill because when Ali was moving out of our childhood homestead she gave me a lot of our toys including the above mentioned magical box containing the wonderful dollhouse plethora. I was thrilled, but had to wait to let Delia play with it all until I was sure she wouldn’t try to eat any of the pieces.

So, today, when I re-discovered all this, I took the opportunity to set up the house so that she would be surprised to find this new little world when she came home from pre-school. She was indeed delighted and happily played with it for an hour. While she was busy making tea for her little people, I decided to go through all of her old baby clothes that we have had in her closet since we moved here to sort some out for donations. It was very surreal to watch my little girl play with the toys I used to play with (whenever Ali was out of the house) while going through the clothes that she is far to big for now. Sigh. Even though I did not have my planned formal prayer time, I certainly had lots of things to say to God. 

Day Twenty- 1/20/11 Start a New Habit: Walking to Work

Day Twenty: 1/20/11
New Thing:  Start a New Habit: Walking to Work
Inspiration: Delia, my workout schedule and the environment
Cost: $0
Time: 50 minutes
Bottom Line: I think that I will definitely love this until the summer.

Reflection: About three weeks ago, I decided that I would also like to do at least one small thing every month during this project to help reduce my carbon footprint and to practice good environmental stewardship. Today, I made my first environmentally friendly change of the year—I have decided to walk to work at least two-three times a week. I loved it and felt very energized by the time I got there—even if my i-pod froze after only one block. (Blerg!)

This new habit actually solves a problem for me as well (lest you think I was totally altruistic). Before Delia began pre-school, I was able to spend two hours at the gym at least twice a week before work started. I really looked forward to those workout days to help start the day out with a big surge of exercised-induced endorphins. Not to mention the extra hours to help add to the 10k training. But since we only have one car, I have had cut out that extra hour in order to be back at the house in time to shower and to get her out to Allentown. But if I walk to work those days and Ken graciously drives her to school, then I can take the time to walk into work and have a nice stretch-of-the-legs before Morning Prayer. Good for the body, mind, soul, and planet. That is like 4 birds with one stone. Nice. It will be even better if I ever save up enough money to get a bike (which I really do want in the very near future.) Maybe I need a paper-route.

Day Nineteen- 1/19/11 Play with G. I. Joe Action Figures

Day Nineteen: 1/19/11
New Thing:  Play with G .I. Joe Action Figures
Inspiration: Ken (of course!)
Cost: He swears it was not over $20
Time: 15 mins
Bottom Line: I am now a real American Hero

We now own this. Sigh.

Reflection: When I was growing up, my parents were pretty strict about playing with war toys. We were never allowed to watch things that were violent or play with toy guns or anything like that. This is a pretty great policy if you ask me, but it does mean that I do not have a lot of the same cultural references as my peers. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I saw movies like the Goonies, Ghost Busters, Die Hard, and Aliens. Ken, my husband, always likes to point these gaps in my cultural relevancy and today he is going to help me remedy one of those late 80’s early 90’s blind spots of mine—G. I. Joe.
           
I was in seminary when I saw my first episode of “classic” G. I. Joe at our friends Lindsay and James’ house. I was not prepared for how—for lack of a better word—goofy it was. I don’t really know what I expected from a cartoon that was created for the sole purpose of selling the toys of the same name. But seriously, there is a Pirate G. I. Joe who has a talking parrot!! Come on! On what mission are you ever going to send in the Pirate with the talking parrot?! Answer: None. You will never send that guy in.

Yet, Ken came home with a few clearanced items from the latest’s G. I. Joe wave, and I am going to see what this whole thing is like. I’m going in Sarg! Phew! Phew! (those were the sounds of my laser beams)


PS- I am sure that someone (Ken) will correct me and tell me that he is a sailor and not a pirate--but I think the parrot and eye-patch speak for themselves. (Literally, in the case of the parrot.) 

Day Eighteen- 1/18/11 Cook a new Recipe: Coconut Chicken and Vegetable Curry

Day Eighteen: 1/18/11
New Thing:  Cook a new Recipe: Coconut Chicken and Vegetable Curry
Inspiration: Six O’Clock Scramble
Cost: I would estimate about $5.50 per serving
Time: About 45 mins.
Bottom Line: Really Yummy!

ok- so this is not actually my final product, but I assure that it tasted as good as this looks.

Reflection: Thanks to one of the greatest people of all times, Sarah Tax, I have been a subscriber to the Six O’clock Scramble for a year now. They give you new menus plans every week with side dishes and nutritional information included. They also keep each meal to a minimum of a half hour prep. time as well as always sorting things by allergies and food restrictions. However, my favorite part is the customizable shopping lists. Love it!

            So, today I tried their Coconut Chicken and Vegetable Curry recipe which turned out very well, even if Delia refused to eat it. This has always been my favorite meal to get at a Thai restaurant, and though I would not say that this was quiet as good as dining out, I am still very full and content.

            Any suggestions for ways to use the left over coconut milk?

Day Seventeen- 1/17/11 Listen to a MLK Sermon

Day Seventeen: 1/17/11
New Thing:  Listen to a Martin Luther King, Jr. Sermon
Inspiration: MLK
Time: About 35 mins
Bottom Line: Amen. 

Reflection: In some ways, I am reluctant to write a reflection today because it feels a little like gilding the lily. I would rather just point you in the direction of this wonderful sermon preached by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The particular sermon I listen to is called “The Drum Major Instinct” and it was preached on February 4, 1968. The text and the recoding can be found here: http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/documentsentry/doc_the_drum_major_instinct/

           

It is actually one of my favorite sermons and I have read it several times. Yet, I have never taken the time to listen to it in King’s own voice. I am so glad that I have remedied that today. The description of the sermon is as follows:

King encouraged his congregation to seek greatness, but to do so through service and love. King concluded the sermon by imagining his own funeral, downplaying his famous achievements and emphasizing his heart to do right.

 

Of course, that description fails to capture the complexity of this theological work. In this sermon, King looks at Mark 10 beginning with the thirty-fifth verse in which James and John ask Jesus for a place of honor in heaven. Using this part of scripture, he calls the desire for glory that J&J seem to have the “Drum Major Instinct” and shows how we all have this same desire for recognition. The first part of the sermon shows the dangers of this quest for honor and he brings in some classic examples that still ring true today: Racism, pride, envy, gluttony, war, churches which exclude, violence—they all are manifestations of an un-harnessed ‘”Drum Major Instinct.”  

But the truly beautiful part comes when turns from this warning and shows us how Jesus responds to this instinct—both in J&J and in us. Jesus turns to them and as King puts it:

[Jesus] said in substance, "Oh, I see, you want to be first. You want to be great. You want to be important. You want to be significant. Well, you ought to be. If you're going to be my disciple, you must be." But he reordered priorities. And he said, "Yes, don't give up this instinct. It's a good instinct if you use it right. (Yes) It's a good instinct if you don't distort it and pervert it. Don't give it up. Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be first in love. I want you to be first in moral excellence. I want you to be first in generosity. That is what I want you to do.”…

And so Jesus gave us a new norm of greatness. If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness.

Amen.

Day Sixteen- 1/16/11 Attempt the New York Times Sunday Crossword

Day Sixteen: 1/16/11
New Thing:  Attempt the New York Times Sunday Crossword
Inspiration: Sophisticated NY Types
Cost: $6.00 (no wonder everyone get’s their news free on the internet!)
Time: About 45 mins
Bottom Line: What is a four letter word for, “I really hate this?”

Reflection: For one semester in college, I decided to take advantage of the college bookstore’s discounted rate on the NYTimes for the student body. Every day, I would pick up my copy of the Times and feel very sophisticated. It would have been obvious to anyone, so I thought, that I had become a woman of the world having grown far to cosmopolitan for the “Tunkhannock Weekly Shopper” (which once ran a story on the FRONT PAGE which had the headline “First Snowman of the Season!”) or even the “Wilkes-Bare Times Leader.” Secretly, however, I would always be more then a little disappointed that they never ran any Funnies. 

            Yet, I never bought one of the weekend additions of the Times because they were always full price. Even if I had, I would NEVER have attempted to do the legendary crossword puzzle and there is one very simple reason for that—I do not like games that involve spelling. Of any kind. Period. As I am sure you have noticed from this blog, (if you didn’t already know this about me) I am a very poor speller. This is not for lack of trying. I would spend countless hours of tear-inducing study trying to learn even the easiest spelling lists. I would have to make up little songs, puns, acrostics, limericks, anything that would help me remember how to spell a single word since phonetics have always failed me. For example, to this day, the only way I can remember to spell Pennsylvania is through an acrostic I made to help recall it (Peter Eats Nuts Near Scranton Yesterday Like Vampires Ate Nuts In Australia). And when you play a crossword puzzle, it does not matter how fine a vocabulary you may have. If you cannot spell the word, you are out of luck. But, I decided that I should at least give this a shot. After all, I am an adult now. How bad could it be? 

It was utterly macabre. I only solved about 37 clues and who knows if those are actually correct? Let that be a lesson to me: never spend $6.00 on a newspaper that does not even have comics.

Day Fifteen- 1/15/11 Finish Delia's Baby Scrap Book

Day Fifteen: 1/15/11
New Thing:  Finish Delia’s Baby Scrap Book
Inspiration: Delia, Mom
Cost: A few dollars for the printing of the pictures. 
Time: About an hour
Bottom Line: It is wonderful to have this pretty little book to remember the first three months of my daughter’s life—now I never have to do that again.

So very long ago. Someone should put that in a scrap-book.

 Reflection: As a baby-shower gift somebody gave me a little “do-it-yourself” scrapbook. I remember thinking to myself, “perfect—this is actually the gift of guilt disguised as a little picture book because I will never, ever finish this thing.” It’s not that I didn’t like the scrapbook—I actually loved it. I really liked the idea of having a little photo album to capture this new phase in our lives and suddenly wanted a keepsake that Delia might like to have years from now. But, I am not, nor have I ever been a very crafty person, so I was incredulous that I would be able to tackle this project. Yet, this book seemed made for someone like me—a non-crafty, seminarian student, new mother who had no time or patience. It had stickers that you could simply drop on the page and little sticky things to attach the pictures, and preprinted colorful sheets of paper to add the final “pop” (as the instructions described it) to any arrangement of memories. “All I needed to add,” read the back cover, “was my own magical touch.” And so I began adding the magic. 

Magic

            Flash forward to three years later and I am just finishing the sucker today. I really like, but more importantly, I am really surprised that it is finished. Truly, I think that I am genetically predisposed to not finishing little baby logs (and yes, I have started two of those as well, and they are not completed). In have inherited this “start-a-memory-log-but-never-finish-it” predilection from my mother who I am sure inherited from her mother. I have seen my baby book, and it is filled out in bits-and-pieces until about 9 months. My sister’s is even sparser—I think that hers only makes it to 6 months. This tendency of my mother’s has always been a source of amusement for the family, and we love to poke fun at this habit. For example, every year when it came time to hang up the ornaments of the tree, I would make a big deal of hanging up my baby ornament that had my DOB, weight, and time engraved on it. Ali, my sister, did not have one because my parents never got around to having one made and this little spectacle made her madder and madder ever year. Finally, my mother decided to put an end to it and had a “Baby’s 14^th Christmas” ornament engraved for her. Classic Debbie.

            

 However, I had to eat my words a few years ago when my mother handed me a “Baby’s First Year” calendar that was completely filled out! Each month from my first year (1982-83) had entries made. But if that wasn’t delightful enough, the entries that she made were pure comic gold. Sure, they contained some of the normal things that you might expect to find like “First Outing” (10/27/82) or “First Rice Cereal” (2/1/83). But there were many more truly inexplicable entries such as,

·      “Cousin Gary Called” (3/13/83)—why is that note worthy? 

·      “Squash”(3/7/83)—nothing else. Just the word.

·      “Fake Crying—really annoying” (4/8/83)—precious memories

·      “Hillary has really learned to express herself thru screaming and fake coughing & choking” (5/16/83)—again, why write this down?

·      “Went to Beekeepers Picnic” (6/12/83)—I swear it says this

·      “To hot to do anything but work on our tans” (6/17/83)—love it

·      And my personal favorite: “Daddy started back to school to earn his MBA; Kelly, Mom, and Hilly went shopping to the mall; Russians shot down Korean commercial place. President Reagan calls for world unity day against the Soviets. 264 KILLED” (8/31/83)—Seriously that was all in the same day. I just love the juxtaposition of all that in a baby book!

UPDATE: My sister tells me that I am mistaken on a few of my facts. It was my babybook that only went up to 6 months and Ali's simply consisted of her vitals filled out, a newspaper-clipping, a few cards, and her hospital bracelet shoved into the binding. My mistake.

Day Fourteen- 1/14/11 Intercessory Praining in Color

Day Fourteen: 1/14/11
New Thing:  Intercessory Praying in Color
Inspiration: The Book “Praying in Color”
Cost: $15.00 for the book and $0 for markers with gift card
Time: A little over an hour
Bottom Line: I feel calmer and peaceful after lifting up others in prayer in this new way. 

Reflection: As I mentioned way back in the first post, I am hoping to set aside one day a week during this experiment to trying new ways of prayer. Typically, that day will be Friday since that is my day off. I try to keep it as a Sabbath day that is spent quietly with family (notice I said that I TRY to do this—not that I always accomplish this.) I pray the Daily Office (at least Morning and Evening Prayer) which is always a source of solace for me. However, prayer is a lot like exercise—if you only do one kind of exercise, your body will get so use to it that you will plateau and will no longer be changed by that activity. So, this will be a nice way for me to talk and listen to the Holy in ways that I have not tried in order to stretch my Spirit.

Several months ago, I picked up a book called “Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God” after hearing really good things about it. However, I never really got around to using it or exploring how I could use it in group settings. So, I sat down today with this tool for the first time and was really happy with what it found.

There are many different exercise in this book, so you will probably hear me talk about it again. Yet, there was one section that really spoke to me. Lately, I have had many prayer requests from people who are in transition or trials. Along with the requests, I have felt called to really hold up certain loved ones in prayer for reasons that I am not fully aware of. And, it has also been my joy to hold up prayers of thanksgiving for others as well. All of these people have been laying on my heart, and this book suggested a beautiful way to offer them to God.

Here is an example from MacBeth's website

Simply put, you name each person on a piece of paper and draw a shape or design that helps you focus on them. Then, you fill in that design with more detail and color. As a final step, you might add intuitions or concerns for that person around their shape. All the while, you hold that person up into the presence of the Holy Spirit.

It sounds very easy, and actually like a kind of artistic meditation that I already do. But the simplicity of the exercise let me reach a dept of peace very quickly. The more detail I added, the more time I spent on each individual. The colors I chose took on new meaning. I was not quick to fall victim to distraction because the part of my mind that usually turns to “to do” lists was given something easy to do. And the best part is that now I have a visual to help me remember these folks all day long. I am very thankful for this time of prayer on behalf of others.

Day Thirteen- 1/13/11 Celebrate the Feast Day of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Day Thirteen: 1/13/11
New Thing:  Celebrate the Feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers
Inspiration: St. Hilary—Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, and Doctor of the Church
Cost: $0
Time: About a half an hour
Bottom Line: It was a delight to celebrate this most beautifully designated Saint who is a credit to the name! 

Reflection: Today I am celebrating my Patronal Feast Day! Even though I was not exactly named after St. Hilary (you will notice, I am sure that he spells his name with but one “L”), he has been one of my favorites for years, and not just because of his awesome name (although I think we can all agree, it is indeed magnificent). There was a point in my childhood when I kept asking my parish priest week after week if there was a St. Hill. Finally, out of what I assume was exasperation for this precocious little would-be-hagiographer, he loaned me his “Big Book of Saints” and advised me to “look it up!” What I found delighted me. 

            First of all, Hilary was a theologian and a scholar of the highest degree. However, he did not simply use his scholarly wisdom to write tomes. Instead his studies changed his life and the life of the Church Catholic. Celebrating the Saints has this to say about Hilary’s life (I have linked to topics of note that are very interesting but to lengthy for this post):

Hilary was born at Poitier in about the year 313; his family, though pagan, gave him an excellent education and he was proficient in Latin and Greek. After extensive personal study, he tells us that he was baptized at the age of thirty. He was elected bishop of the city in the year 350 and immediately became caught up in the Arian controversy, himself asserting that mortals of this world were created to practice moral virtues, thus reflecting the One in whose image they are made, the eternal and creative first cause, God; and that Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God is of one substance with the Father. His learning and oratory lead to his title of “Athanasius of the West”. He was known as a gentile, kind friend to all, even though his writings seemed sever at times. He dies in the year 367. 

So, not only did Hilary come to know and believe in God through his reason and study, he also helped to defend the church through his knowledge of the Trinity! His dedication to using his intellect to know and serve Christ has lead me to pursue possible Doctoral work in the future. Also, to honor his devotion to the Trinity, I wore several pieces of Trinitarian jewelry today including a bracelet given to me by my mother-in-law at my ordination, a pair of earrings that I bought in Ireland and a second pair of earrings that my farther gave me (I have two sets ear piercing) both bearing Celtic Trinity Knots. 

My new thing of the day has to do with the second reason that I love Hilary. He was not only a scholar, but also a gifted musician and poet. He wrote hundreds of hymns and we have two of them in our Episcopal Hymnal 1982. So, to honor Hilary, I learned one of those hymns (#224), which I had never sang before today. It is a lovely hymn about Pentecost, and I will be suggesting it to our worship committee at that season this year. I tried to paste it here to share it with you, but it wont upload. :( Here is his Collect as a consolation prize:

  O Lord our God, who didst raise up thy servant Hilary to be a champion of the catholic faith: Keep us steadfast in that true faith which we professed at our baptism, that we may rejoice in having thee for our Father, and may abide in thy Son, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; thou who livest and reignest for ever and ever. 

P.S.- One of my fellow Morning Prayers at Trinity, upon noting that we were celebrating Hilary with one “L” said, “Well, our Hillary may have two “L”s in her name, but she is one “L” of a Curate!” I was well pleased.

P.P.S. I also made chuck roast in the cock-pot tonight for the first time. It was really delicious, but have nothing to do with Hilary.

P.P.P.S  He was sometimes referred to as the "Hammer of the Arians" which is such a great nick-name. I went around all day trying to find things that I could be "The Hammer" of. Such as, "Hammer of the Chuck Roast."

P.P.P.P.S- Our name comes from the Greek word for happy or cheerful. My Chippewa name is "Laughing Child." It could also be "Hammer of the Chuck Roast."