Happy

Daughter sounds happy when she calls me.  She isn't trying to convince me to come rescue her with every call.  It's really nice to hear her happy.  She also doesn't object when I set limits and tell her that I am going to be in a meeting so she can't call at a specific time. 
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Tomorrow I'm going to a seminar.  Wednesday we have a meeting with the website coordinator about major upgrades to the church website.  We'll need to make some adjustments.  I did get some work done on the sermon today. It's going to be a challenge since I'm out of the office two days this week, but I want to have it done by Thursday evening. 
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I've been happy about Daughter's move for some time.  It's nice that she's happy about it now, too.  Or maybe I should say, it's nice that she's willing to admit to me that she's happy. 

My Retreat

This weekend I got to spend two nights alone in a Victorian house in an area known for fishing, hunting, hiking, and other outdoor activities.  It was north of here, so spring hasn't really arrived, which meant there weren't too many tourists.  It was a wonderful retreat for me.  I read, prayed, journaled, slept, hiked, and basically relaxed.  This house is made available to pastors free of charge for up to two nights by the church camp that owns it.  One of the board members knew of it and told me about it.  Daughter tried to lay a guilt trip on me, and I called her on it.  She did pretty well with the limits I set for her (she could call twice a day-- no more).

Last night when she called I told her how I'd gone on a hike and I hadn't heard any complaining.  I told her I was able to take my time to read all the information on the interpretive signs in the nature center.  She was able to laugh at herself, which was nice. 

It is such a wonderful gift, to have the freedom to go away for a couple of nights for a retreat.  For far too many years, Daughter's needs limited my freedom to do things like this.  I have to remind myself that I can do these things now-- I'd learned not even to consider the possibilities, and it's hard to learn a new way.  As I was driving back this afternoon, I realized that I could do this on a regular basis-- and if I did it from Thursday night-Saturday I wouldn't even have to take time off to do it.  Of course, Daughter would probably object if she didn't get to come home Thursday night, but I think she'd survive. 

I came back with some goals for myself, and a plan to follow through on them.  I have some insights into how I need to approach our fall focus.  I am refreshed and ready to jump back into things tomorrow-- actually, I may do a couple of things yet this evening. 

The Best Laid Plans

I had a long list of things I was going to get accomplished since I didn't have to write a sermon this week.  I got a few of them done, but most will have to wait.  Tomorrow I will be headed north for a private retreat.  I'll be staying at a house owned by a church camp.  They make it free to ministers for up to two nights.  I still need to pack, but first I need to figure out what I want to take. 

One of the women in the church will pick up Daughter and bring her to church on Sunday.  Daughter continues to do well, and I continue to be impressed with the new House Manager. 

Next week I'll be out of the office for conferences two days (two different conferences in two different directions).  I'll also have a meeting about the new website we're setting up for the church.  I'm looking forward to discovering the possibilities it will have for us.

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to take the computer with me.  If I do, I don't think I'll have access to the internet at the house.  It may be Sunday evening before I'm online again.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Daughter called yesterday to ask me what had happened at her appointment with Psychiatrist.  It confirmed and insight I had following the appointment, so today I sent this email to the team:

One of [Daughter’s] disabilities is Central Auditory Processing Disorder.  She covers it well, but her receptive language skills are very low.  She is quickly overwhelmed by verbal instructions/information.  I learned not to give her multiple instructions at one time.  If I asked her to do several things, “Take this to your room and then bring your dirty clothes and put them in the laundry room,” she’d feel overwhelmed.  She reached the point where she was comfortable reminding me, “Mom, you’re piling on me. I can’t do it.  Write it down.”  I could hand her a written list with 5 or 6 larger tasks on it, and she’d be fine, verbally telling her 2 or 3 small tasks would overwhelm her.  I also learned when explaining things to ask her if she understood, or have her repeat it back to me.   I also found that it was very helpful to her for me to post a schedule.  I’d put the weekly schedule on the refrigerator, including meetings, appointments, menu, and chores.  That was very helpful for her, and calmed her anxiety.  It was easier for her to handle surprises and changes when she knew what the schedule was several days in advance. 

 
She called me last night to ask what had happened in her appointment with [Psychiatrist] (thanks, [Therapist], for encouraging her to do that).  Among other things she thought she was getting a new pill and that she wasn’t allowed to go to camp or on vacation.  She was afraid major decisions had been made about her that she didn’t know or understand.  I explained what had happened, and she said, “Okay, now I can sleep tonight.  I was worrying.” 

I think it would be helpful for [Daughter] to have a written schedule, and to know what upcoming activities are several days in advance.  If you are telling her information or giving her instructions, speak slowly and give her the opportunity to ask questions.  Make sure she understands what you are telling her.  If you see her getting angry or her mood shifting rapidly, check to see if she understands what is going on.  Let’s work on teaching her to ask for clarification when she doesn’t understand.  She needs to reach the point where she can speak up for herself in all settings to ask that things be written down when she is feeling overwhelmed.  One of the things she complained about is that “No one listens to me.”  I don’t think anyone is intentionally not listening to her, but I find myself wondering if when she is seeking clarification because she doesn’t understand something, she is being brushed off.  It could be she’s coming across as argumentative when she’s really confused. 

 I’m thinking this issue might be behind some of her volatility, and if we can address it, her mood may even out.  I think it is part of the reason she hates her appointments with [Psychiatrist]; she’s having trouble processing everything that is being said. 

I hope this is helpful. 

I have had several responses, and so far everyone has thought this information was very helpful.  I think there will be written schedules provided at both the house and her program.  I have exchanged emails today with the new House Manager.  So far, I am very impressed.  Daughter went over 12 hours without calling me today.  That is a first.  When she called this morning, I was on the phone with someone so couldn't talk to her.  When she called this evening, she was happy and relaxed.  I think this is going to work. 

Fireworks

Daughter had an appointment with Psychiatrist today.  These appointments are team meetings, and so in addition to Daughter and me, Case Manager, Program Manager (and her student intern) and House Staff were all present.  Daughter didn't like it when Program Manager commented that the two of us communicate and check stories, and she went off.  She was screaming and using colorful language.  It was quite a show.  Staff was lined up outside the room, ready to come in and intervene, but she managed to calm down.  When I gave her a hug good bye, she was reluctant to let go. 
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We decided not to change her meds right now, but she will be going back in just a month.  She's doing very well at the house, struggling at her program.  Case Manager and I were talking following the appointment, and she thinks we need to work with her on her interactions with men.  I suggested that timing on that needed to be discussed with Therapist.  Therapist came out and told us we had to stop beating Daughter.  She was amused by her outburst.  As we were talking, I remembered that Daughter has Central Auditory Processing Disorder.  I began to wonder if she is being overwhelmed by verbal instructions at program.  We decided I should let both her program and the house know that they need to be careful about too many verbal directions, and that Daughter does better with a written schedule. 
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We'll see if that helps with her volatility. 

It's Good

It's good that I haven't been blogging as regularly-- I'm busy and spending less time on the computer.  After I took Daughter back to her house today (after fellowship meal at the church, a movie, and a trip to a discount store for a new pair of jeans and some underwear for her), I came home and went back to work in the garage.  I've made progress.  I still have some work to do on one side, but I've organized one side pretty well and made room to park the car in the garage for the first time since I started on the raised garden beds. 
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I just opened the computer.  I don't have to write a sermon this week, since I'm going to be on a private retreat next weekend.  I do have to write a newsletter, though, and I want to get ahead on bulletins. 
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Daughter was very cooperative today.  She acknowledged she's doing better.  One of the women will pick her up and take her to church next Sunday.  It will be interesting to see how she handles that.  When she did it in January, it was hard on her.  I think (hope) it will be easier this time. 

Productive

I was outside working when my walking partner arrived this morning, and continued to work when I got back.  I just came in after a long, productive day.  There is always more to do, but I'm delighted with what I accomplished in the yard and garden, and I have begun cleaning out and organizing the garage.  I hung some new shelves out there, which was an adventure since my stud finder was not being very helpful today. 
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I just came in the house and sat down, and now that I've stopped I am aware that my feet and legs hurt.  Daughter wanted to come home tonight, but I decided I'll take her to see Chimpanzee tomorrow afternoon instead of bringing her home tonight.  She wasn't thrilled with that idea.  She knows that next weekend I'll be out of town without her, and so she's already complaining about how much she'll miss me and how she needs extra time with me.  It's not working. 

A Good Day

I am enjoying my walks with my walking partner. Yesterday we went to an area with some rock formations along a river.  It was beautiful.  I'm amazed by the beauty she is showing me within 20 miles of here.  After our walk I went out and about a digital SLR camera.  I took a photography class a number of years ago, and used to love taking nature photos.  I've been using my cell phone to do that on our walks, but decided I wanted something nicer.  I used my income tax return to pay for it.  I'm looking forward to playing with it.  We're walking again this morning.  I need to look up a few more things, and I think I'll take it with me. 
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Rain kept me out of the yard yesterday, which was disappointing, but I had a wonderful treat yesterday evening.  I drove 70 plus miles yesterday evening to see Sister and help her babysit Baby Nephew.  He is walking now, and continues to be a very good natured baby.  I didn't get home until after 1:00 in the morning, but it was definitely worth it.  I am glad I live closer to my family now. 
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Loving Life

This morning I had breakfast with an ecumenical group of colleagues, then came to the church where I worked on worship planning. At 11:00 we met and planned music through the end of June. I also wrote my report and an agenda for Monday evening's board meeting. I went home and did some work in the garage before Daughter got home, and then we went out to dinner in celebration of Adoption Day.
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We've had men working on various projects around the church all week. We really are blessed by a group of talented, dedicated individuals. In the large meeting room downstairs we now have a large white board and cork strips for pinning newsprint. I'm ready for our next planning meeting! I told the guys they've given me a challenge-- to fill up all the cork strips. They think I'm up to the task.
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We're back at the church now, waiting for choir. I hope to get the sermon outlined, and Daughter is watching a new DVD she got with an amazon gift card. She was volatile earlier in the week, but is very content now. She has two invitations to upcoming dances. I offered the option of the two of us doing something fun instead, and she jumped all over it. I don't want a repeat of the drama at least year's dance.
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This week I asked a retired church educator to consider heading up a parents' night out ministry this fall. She's considering doing it, and making lots of plans while she's considering it. I think she'll end up doing it.
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I guess you could say this has been a busy day, or better, a busy week. I've loved it all. I love my life, and am excited about all the things going on around me.

Adoption Day

Yesterday was the 17th anniversary of Daughter's adoption. I had forgotten, but she didn't, she called in the morning, excited about it. I told her we'd celebrate Thursday when she's home. She wanted to celebrate last night. I told her it was my only evening home, and I needed to mow the lawn and do some other outside work. I asked if she wanted to come help, and she said we could celebrate Thursday.
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A little before 4:00 she sent me a text message, which I copy with all of her unique spellings: I HOPE YOU R HAVEING FUN ON OUR SPECAIL DAY BECAUSE IAM HAVING A HELL OF A TIME THANKS TO U OF CORSE. I STILL LOVE U BUT I WAS HOPING TO SEE U TONIGHT.
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She really is a pretty good speller considering her supposedly low IQ. I responded, "I'm sorry you are having a bad day. I love you and look forward to celebrating on Thursday."
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She had cooled down by the time she called me yesterday evening-- I let her pick out where she wants to go for supper Thursday to give her something to look forward to.
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Administrative Assistant walked in this morning and reminded me: "You have a committee meeting at 10:00, prayer service at noon, commission meeting at ___ church at 3:00, and then you're teaching adult ed here at 6:30. We had men here working (distracting me) all day. We did get some decisions made, so that's good. We are moving forward in exciting ways.
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It is so much easier to deal with Daughter's drama when she doesn't live with me....

Another Attempt

This afternoon Daughter called me, "I need you and the cops here now."
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"Why?"
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"I'm being harassed by B."
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This is an ongoing complaint. Daughter is quick to claim harassment, and B has poor self control. The combination can be volatile. They always have staff around to keep things from getting out of hand. Daughter also has a history of encouraging him. So my response was one I've given her many times, "Walk away from him. Put some distance between you."
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"I did, but he keeps calling me."
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"Don't answer your phone."
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"I don't, but he keeps calling."
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"Turn off your phone. He's trying to get to you. If you aren't reacting, he'll get bored and stop."
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"But then I can't call you!"
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"You can turn your phone back on this evening to call me."
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Once again, she did not succeed in hooking me. I'm sure she's very frustrated. I wonder how long she'll keep trying to find a hook.
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I spent the day working on my sermon and visiting with people who stopped by the office. I had a meeting this evening. It was a good day.

Blessings

The Sunday after Easter is always lower attendance, and a rainy gray day didn't help, but there were things to celebrate. Two of our newer young members were there without spouses. It's encouraging to see that level of commitment in newer members. A couple who visited last week were back today. He is really excited. He grew up in the church, but hasn't attended in years. His dad told him he needed to go to church last Sunday, and he came to visit us. His girl friend grew up in the church but hasn't attended in years. Her parents have been working on her for years. They were so excited to see them in worship again this morning.
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The couple who helped me install my first raised garden bed asked if the second one was ready. They came over this evening and helped me do the final assembly and put it in the ground. When they arrived, I had the four sides in the backyard and was ready to begin connecting them. It's in and ready to be filled. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I will be able to begin filling it on Tuesday.
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Daughter decided to stay this afternoon so she could go with me for the nursing home worship service. She is struggling with things right now. I think that being home for an extended period of time at Easter was confusing for her and made it harder to settle back in. She asked to stay for the nursing home service, then asked me to take her back early. Then when I took her back after the service, she wasn't happy about being there.
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I'm concerned about how she'll handle going back to her house after her time at camp and vacation this summer. I've decided that 2 weeks of my vacation this summer will be spent at home. I can play in my yard, go exploring area parks, and get the break I need without spending a lot of money. We'll go to our favorite state park for one week. I think I'm ready to look at the calendar and make reservations.

Not Hooked

I picked Daughter up after my meeting. She came out sobbing. She was upset because one of the staff told her it was time to take her keyboard back to her room. I don't think she got the reaction she was hoping for out of me. She tried.

A Walk in the Woods

Walking Partner took me to a new park this morning for our walk. We walked almost 4 miles, and the trail was wonderful. We went through hardwood and pine forests, on boardwalks over marsh lands, and through meadows as we walked. We saw a few runners, but for the most of the time we were alone. There were a couple of spots where we saw signs of civilization, but most of the time we were enjoying a walk in the woods. It was cold this morning, but I was comfortable with a sweatshirt, windbreaker, and gloves.
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I came home and went back out for more garden supplies. I transplanted a few houseplants into larger pots, started some more seeds, began constructing my second raised garden bed, and transplanted my strawberries into the completed garden bed. I need to do some cleaning, but I'd much rather play outside. I realized today that I don't have to take an extended vacation here. I can get my outdoors fix right here in town. We'll go camping for a while this summer, but the majority of my vacation will be spent here at home-- walking in the woods and playing in my yard. Tomorrow I have an all day meeting. I'd rather be outside in my yard, but I'll be a responsible adult and attend the meeting. I looked at the calendar, and I may not be able to get into the yard again until Tuesday evening. I have to lead worship at the nursing home Sunday afternoon. Soon choir and adult ed will be done for the summer, and I'll only be spending one evening a week at the church instead of three. I'm looking forward to that.

Daughter called several times today. She was not in a very good mood. Of course I refused to go get her, which didn't do much to improve her mood. Life is much easier when I only experience the drama through phone calls. Much easier.

A Night at Home

I was thinking yesterday that I would like to encourage Daughter to skip choir practice tonight. I was at the church Monday and Wednesday evening and was craving a night home. She knew I was in a meeting all day today, so she didn't call, though she did post something on FaceBook that led me to believe the drama was continuing.
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When she arrived home I was out back filling my first raised garden bed. She is in a bit of a mood, and announced she doesn't want to go to choir. I am relieved. I also just discovered that she is afraid if she is doing well, they will kick her out of her house. I assured her that's not the case, and we want her to do well.
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I will email the entire team and make sure they are aware of Daughter's fear. She needs to know that success will not get her kicked up to a higher level of independence before she is ready. I think a quiet evening at home will be good for both of us.
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Melting Down

Daughter is having a bad day. This morning she called, insisting I come get her because the driver was yelling and swearing at her in the van. Daughter insisted she hadn't done anything wrong. I suspect I was hearing just a fraction of the truth. I told her she needed to address the issues with House Manager, not me. Then she texted, demanding a doctor's appointment because she was having melt downs. I was on my way to a post-Easter celebratory lunch (we survived) with Administrative Assistant, and didn't respond. Then she called this evening, furious because program staff didn't call me to tell me she was almost out of snacks, and insisting it was my responsibility, not her house's responsibility. I suggested she calm down and not get so uptight about things. She didn't like that answer for some reason.
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I also had a message from the doctor's office. The house has called them about Daughter, and they wanted to talk to me before they responded. I called back and left a message with my cell phone number. I'm not sure I want to know what that's about.
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Success is very scary for Daughter, so I suspect that all of the drama is her reaction to her successful weekend. We'll have another conversation when she's with me tomorrow about how she can be happy and successful. It's much easier to handle her drama from 12 miles away. Much easier.

Daughter's Holy Week

Daughter informed me she wanted to go to all the Holy Week services, so I decided to just have her stay here from Thursday through Sunday. It was the best visit we've had. She was cooperative, and even anticipated needs. She did everything I asked of her without complaining. Of course, the promise of a movie if she cooperated may have helped with that....

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She helped with yard work and in the kitchen. We even came home after church Sunday and did some more work in the yard. She helped me with the raised garden bed. With her spatial and auditory issues, that became problematic. She has trouble with verbal instructions involving moving in a specific direction or picking something up a specific way. I had started to do the final assembly on the ground, but was having trouble with working down so low. When I woke up Sunday morning I realized the answer was to move the small tables I have in the garage out to where the garden bed was and put it on that while I finished assembly. Daughter had a terrible time trying to help me lift it. She ended up getting her finger pinched between the wood. She was screaming, and said she couldn't pull it out. I finally got her to stop screaming and listen to my directions. Her finger was flattened, but didn't seem to be broken. She demanded to go back to her home and stormed into the house. I gave her a minute, then followed and looked at the finger again. I gave her some ice to put on it and told her that though it would probably bruise, I thought she'd be fine.

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She came back outside and apologized and continued to work with me. When I took her back Sunday evening, she didn't want to go. She said she belonged with me. I told her I'd enjoyed her visit, but suspected that if she'd stayed another day, she'd have blown up. She grinned, "I'm not saying anything." When she called that evening, I asked if it was good to be home. I could hear her smiling again as she said, "I'm not saying anything."

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The home gave her an Easter basket full of regular candy. She told me about it when she called Sunday evening. I told her to give her basket to staff and promised to come exchange the candy for things she could have on Monday. She did and I did. She was pleased with the sugar free candy and gum I substituted.

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I think she's settling into the house. Is it perfect? No. There won't be a perfect place. But she's maturing and they seem to be doing a better job with the medication.

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It snowed today, but a couple came over and helped me finish and install the first of my raised garden beds this evening. I'm delighted to have it done, and think it will work well. They'll help with the second one once I get it assembled. I'm glad to have the first one situation. I have to finish filling it, but I think it will work well for me. I was cold this evening, so I built a fire in my fireplace. Hopefully it's the last of the season. Of course, I thought that about the last one, too.

Holy Week

I saw a cartoon today, posted by a colleague on facebook. The first panel, titled "Easter morning," has a minister standing in front of the congregation proclaiming, "The Lord is risen!" In the second panel, titled "Easter afternoon," the pastor is sitting in an easy chair looking dazed. The spouse proclaims, "The clergy is dead."
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This year didn't leave me that drained, though I am tired today. It was a very good week. Worship was intense, and very well received. Because I was organized and got things prepared early, I didn't have to do any preparation Saturday. I spent the day working in the yard and on my raised garden beds and even took Daughter to a movie Saturday evening.
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It feels like I've settled in and things are clicking at the church. A number of people have thanked me for our worship during Lent and Holy Week. A woman who asked to be removed from membership (she doesn't like women clergy) was in worship Maundy Thursday. Someone said that the skeptics who voted against my call should come see the church now. We had a number of visitors yesterday, and I anticipate some of them returning. We have one family who was there for their third Sunday in a row. I said, "You're becoming part of the family!" The response was, "I hope so!" The number of children in worship continues to grow. People are counting on more children.
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Several people referred to themes from yesterday's sermon today. We had a meeting tonight and were talking about plans for the April 29th worship service, when I will be on retreat. The focus will be on mission and promoting some of our mission work. I said they could leave out the prayer of confession for that week. Several people said they wanted it to stay in. When I arrived, there wasn't a prayer of confession in worship, and there was some reluctance about adding one. Now, they don't want to skip it for one Sunday.
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Someone said something semi-negative at a meeting tonight, and someone reminded them that I would call it "an opportunity." They stopped grumbling. There is an energy in the congregation now, and a willingness to take risks and try new things. When I arrived, the congregation was still recovering from a pastor who had not been a good match for their needs. They'd lost over half of their membership in less than 10 years.
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I feel so comfortable here, and truly consider myself blessed to be here. I have reached a point where I have to acknowledge I can't finished my raised garden beds alone. I have a number of willing volunteers coming to help me with the final install tomorrow afternoon. I feel like this is the ministry God has been preparing me for all my career. I know there will be challenges ahead, and I know that with God's guidance we will make it through them and continue to grow in ministry. God is good.
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Tomorrow I hope to find time to reflect on my weekend with Daughter.

It's Good

Worship went very well this weekend. Daughter did extremely well during her tie at home. I'm tired today, but that's too be expected. The week after Easter most clergy are exhausted, and many take time off.
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It feels like we turned some important corners this weekend. I will reflect on them here, but it will have to wait. I have two meetings this evening. This is a week of meetings, with at least one every day but Friday (including an all day meeting Saturday). At least I'm beginning to see the direction of this Sunday's sermon. I liked having everything done early last week, and am determined to do that on a weekly basis.
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I'll have lots more to post, hopefully this evening.

Holy Week and the Garden

We've been working ahead in the office, so even with extra worship services for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, we're fairly relaxed. The property guys got the blade installed on my saw today. They struggled with it, and it took two of them to do it, so I felt better about my inability to figure it out.
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I came home and did some more work on my raised garden beds. I cut the wood for the second bed, and then I painted. The wood I cut last night got a second coat, and the wood I cut today got a first coat. I also did some cleaning in the garage so I had a better set-up to work. It's pretty amazing to me that I have the time to do this stuff during Holy Week. It feels good to be so far ahead. Administrative Assistant was actually working on the bulletin for the 15th today, which is probably good. That week I have a day and a half out of the office and a bunch of meetings.
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Daughter claims she's depressed. She called sobbing tonight. She wanted me to come beat up the staff. They had asked her to use an alcohol swab to clean her skin before she injected her insulin. I finally got her calmed down and reminded her she'd be with me the next 3 nights. My hope is that she'll miss her friends while she's here and want to go back. Maybe that will help her settle in.

Adventures in Construction

Yesterday I decided to go to the home improvement store and buy supplies to make raised garden beds. I had set aside the Christmas money from the church for this and had begun planning them last summer. I had found instructions for building them complete with a supply list on line. One of the home improvement stores had the wood I needed on sale, so off I went. When I arrived at the lumber area, discovered the board I needed were up the steps in a loft area above the other wood. I went up and pulled out 12 8' 1" x 6" boards. I picked up 2 and headed for the steps. The steps were open metal grates. I don't do well on steps. I hate steps I can see through. I pondered the 2 boards in my hand. I went and put them back and went in search of an employee. I confessed to the two guys I found that I was a wimp and wasn't comfortable carrying the wood down the steps. They readily retrieved them for me. The one young man informed me, "I don't think you're a wimp, I think you're smart." I liked him.
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I had to put the back seats down, but I managed (with more help) to get everything into my car. By the time I got home I had numerous splinters in my hands, so I put on my leather garden gloves to take the wood out of the car.
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I had purchased a tool kit some time back that came with a cordless drill, work light, circular saw, and two rechargeable batteries. I had never had reason to use the saw, so I brought it and the blade for it into the house to figure out how to put the blade on. I looked in the manual and on-line. I discovered that I wasn't the only one who had trouble with the attached allen wrench moving the entire mechanism, not just the bolt. I also found that there isn't a lock on this saw. The manufacturer recommends putting the blade on scrap wood to hold it still when installing and removing it. They don't say what to do when you can't get the blade on.
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Tonight on the way home I stopped at the super store. I bought an old fashioned saw. I came home and cut one of the 3 4 x 4's into 5 pieces, and cut two of the boards in half. Then I painted the outside of everything I'd cut. I still have paint left from the privacy fence I painted last summer. Tomorrow the property guys are gathering at the church. I think I'll ask them to figure out my saw for me. They like a good challenge.
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Holy Week is going relatively well. Maundy Thursday is done, including the sermon. Bulletins are done for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I have an outline for Sunday's sermon. Good Friday still needs a bit of work, but it should be relatively easy. Today Administrative Assistant and I worked on the brochure for the day camp we're hosting this summer. The coordinator wants to put the brochure in the Easter bulletin. We rewrote most of what she'd given us, and I think she'll like what we've done with it. I hope so, anyway.
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I continue to hear positive comments about Sunday. One woman pointed out yesterday how subdued everyone was after worship. I saw a number of people in tears. One man commented to a woman that he'd always known the story of the Passion, but never in that way. I thought the same thing. We always look at the Passion story from the perspective of the resurrection. Looking at it from the perspective of that time without the confidence of the resurrection made the whole thing much more powerful. I've written lots of drama for worship-- but always from the perspective of today. This really did help me experience it in an entirely new way.
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Daughter informed me last night she was depressed and needed to come home. I told her she was home. She didn't appreciate that answer. This evening she's happier, an is in a better mood. I told her about what I did tonight, and she wanted to know if I still had all my fingers. We had the usual discussion about men's work vs. women's work. Sometimes I think living in the time warp of Tiny Village for 14 years did permanent damage to her.
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Now I'm off to figure out the noon prayer service for tomorrow. AA and I were congratulating ourselves for being in good shape, and then I realized I hadn't done the prayer service yet. Oops.

Palm Sunday

Today was Palm Sunday, and in worship we did the You Are There program that so many people have invested so many hours in. Attendance was good-- up 15% from last week, and up 30% from last year's average attendance. The congregation expressed great appreciation for the program, and a number were in tears from the power of the story. We are very blessed to have such talented and dedicated people in the congregation.
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Sister and Short Niece came for worship. We went out to eat after the service, and they took Daughter home while I went back to the church for a meeting. Short Niece went down for Sunday School, and she came up and told her mom she wants to come here every Sunday. Sister pointed out it is a long drive for every Sunday.
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The service went very smoothly this morning. I am relieved that it is over. One of the members came up to me following the service, "Someone told me you wrote that."
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I acknowledged I had. He said, "I was sitting there thinking this is pretty good for canned program, but if you wrote it, wow, it's really good!" I thanked him. I love doing this kind of thing. I loved telling the story from the perspective of the moment. I have done lots of first person things, but it has always been from the perspective of today. To write about what the disciples and the women were thinking and feeling at the time it was happening, prior to the resurrection, was different. It seems that some of the power I was experiencing as I wrote the story was received by those who attended. I'm glad. Very glad.
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I also realized that some of our newer members don't come from a church background. It is very possible that this was the first time they heard the whole Passion story at once. I find new meaning in it every year. I hope they experienced some of that meaning. I'm exhausted, so excuse misspelled and misused words. I've caught several mistakes as I've been writing, but I'm sure I missed some, too.