Last night we left our one and a half year old with the grandparents so we could go to Seattle for an overnight trip. It was the first time he was without either of us overnight.
The trip was my husband's idea. Have I ever mentioned how smart my husband is? If not, let me mention right now...he's wicked smart!
This was our way of celebrating Valentines Day and it was really wonderful! We piggybacked a business opportunity Patrick had in Seattle and decided to stay in our favorite hotel. My husband made reservations at the fabulous restaurant in the hotel but we stayed in, ordered room service and watched a movie. If you know us, this is our idea of a GREAT time.
This morning we slept until we wanted to wake up (this is probably the second coolest things about a trip without the baby) walked to The Market and ate at our favorite French bakery then we walked up to Westlake Center and did a little shopping and alot of looking.
I've always affirmed the need for parents to have date nights and things of that sort. I am now a firm believer of the importance of parents having overnight trips to reconnect with their spouse and have some child free fun. So, if you are a parent and you haven't done this for a while, make some effort to make it happen. You'll thank me for it!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Thursday and Friday
My perspective changed dramatically on Thursday and Friday of this first week of Lent. After a horrible annual meeting I met with our pastor on Thursday to talk over a job description for a volunteer staff position I'll be doing. It was my opportunity to get our Pastor's take on the meeting that had me all confused earlier in the week. After voicing my concerns he shared his perspective - which in short goes something like this - "For me it's a bit of a releif. Now everything is on the table and we can deal with it." These were definately comforting thoughts. Of course, for those of you who know ICC, if you are talking about a leadership position with the pastor you will probably have plent to do in a very short amount of time.
I didn't sleep well Thursday night.
Most of Friday was spent setting up interviews for a new administrative person for the church (our current admin resigned about two weeks ago)..for interviews that pastor wanted to happen on Monday, write a job description for myself, and try to think through and rally some help for a 5 week "prayer initiative" that the pastor is starting...today.
And my Friday was FABULOUS! It was so great to start using some of the gifts that I hadn't used much since I quit working to have a baby. The kicker is I get to use those gifts directly for the benefit of a church body in order to help us accomplish the work of the Kingdom. How awesome is THAT! On Fridays my son and his cousin hang out with my folks so it gave me the perfect opportunity to be on the phone and email alot of the day. (thank you, Lord)
In general, Friday ended up being a great day of feasting. Feasting on the grace that God had provided for me.
I didn't sleep well Thursday night.
Most of Friday was spent setting up interviews for a new administrative person for the church (our current admin resigned about two weeks ago)..for interviews that pastor wanted to happen on Monday, write a job description for myself, and try to think through and rally some help for a 5 week "prayer initiative" that the pastor is starting...today.
And my Friday was FABULOUS! It was so great to start using some of the gifts that I hadn't used much since I quit working to have a baby. The kicker is I get to use those gifts directly for the benefit of a church body in order to help us accomplish the work of the Kingdom. How awesome is THAT! On Fridays my son and his cousin hang out with my folks so it gave me the perfect opportunity to be on the phone and email alot of the day. (thank you, Lord)
In general, Friday ended up being a great day of feasting. Feasting on the grace that God had provided for me.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Ash Wednesday
Last night we acknowledged our sinfulness at our Ash Wednesday service.
It was a very different type of service than most at ICC. It was quiet and simple and mostly organized and facilitated by women.
Certainly, ICC is in a different and more difficult place than ever before. Starting in January our pastor became a half-time employee of the church. It was not his desire to go to half time but a decision made in light of the reality of our current income.
Our Ash Wednesday service was the first service to follow our annual meeting. This year's annual meeting (and I will qualify this statement by saying I've only been to a handfull of annual meetings) was very ugly. I'm still confused by some of the disrespect and outright meanness that I witnessed my church family inflict on one another.
In one respect it seems totally appropriate to have these struggles during this time in the church calendar. God has provided us an opportunity to be clear about our brokenness as individuals and as a church body.
As I continue to talk with folks about our current state of affairs I'm hearing some scary things. And most of these things involve and contribute to divisions among our congregation.
My question is how do we (as a congregation) get back to Jesus as our focal point? How do we get back to the truth of that scarificial love that frees us to love one another in the way we ought to?
Honestly, I don't know. But I'm going to keep asking until He answers me.
It was a very different type of service than most at ICC. It was quiet and simple and mostly organized and facilitated by women.
Certainly, ICC is in a different and more difficult place than ever before. Starting in January our pastor became a half-time employee of the church. It was not his desire to go to half time but a decision made in light of the reality of our current income.
Our Ash Wednesday service was the first service to follow our annual meeting. This year's annual meeting (and I will qualify this statement by saying I've only been to a handfull of annual meetings) was very ugly. I'm still confused by some of the disrespect and outright meanness that I witnessed my church family inflict on one another.
In one respect it seems totally appropriate to have these struggles during this time in the church calendar. God has provided us an opportunity to be clear about our brokenness as individuals and as a church body.
As I continue to talk with folks about our current state of affairs I'm hearing some scary things. And most of these things involve and contribute to divisions among our congregation.
My question is how do we (as a congregation) get back to Jesus as our focal point? How do we get back to the truth of that scarificial love that frees us to love one another in the way we ought to?
Honestly, I don't know. But I'm going to keep asking until He answers me.
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