The Bridge...

Tonight a dream of a caring community in Milton, PA became named.
The Bridge.
A bridge from loneliness to belonging, from outside to inside, from struggle to sharing, from the place of uncertainty to a place of belonging, and so much more. That is our dream for this community. A bridge to love; God's love.

Last night's meeting was full of fun, food, fellowship and lots of decisions. We will host our first Bridge gathering on June 7th...unfortunately I won't be here, which I am sad about.

We had great discussion, and the decision for a name was quick and decisive. No long discussions, a consensus (truly a God thing) and spirit of peace and excitement prevailed.

What lies ahead is a year of hard work, prayer, excitement and a spirit of expectancy to be involved in God's work in Milton. Cool.

Smiles...and friendship. God's love. That's what we are all about.

But we are also a working group and work in progress.

Closing prayer on the Bridge.

We are excited to be the hands, feet and body of Christ.

Peace.

Pat Rack Junior...

OK, here are the after photos. I have taught my daughter too well. She is a pack rat extraordinaire...She is much worse than I am. Purge is not a word in her vocabulary. I, on the other hand have little difficulty with it. Why I buy in the first place (bargains?) is another question. But today, while the girls were at school I tackled Nicole's room. Her satellite orphanage is now set up and won't be shut down by children and youth. I have purged three large garbage bags and three bins from her room. Some of her dear possessions will relocate to the storage room, some will go to Hand Up, some to a yard sale, and some to a family whose girls are the perfect size. Now, sit down before you look at the before photo...

This is what it was. Never mind finding clothes that were clean. Don't even think about coordinating matching anything. It was a nightmare, partly because it become one of the last depositories for all things Nicole that were all over the house. The Saturday Box is going to make its 2009 debut. If it is out and doesn't get put away, it goes in a Saturday box, to be reclaimed on Saturday, but only if it goes back where it belongs, otherwise it will end up at HUF, never to be re-purchased again.

I had my mom take my picture and I swear the flash did go off, but you could never tell.

I have been thinking about renaming my blog. My friend Theresa thinks it should simply be,
"Welcome to Kathy's World." I am somewhat partial to, "Living Life on the Edge Trying Not to Fall Off" and also under consideration is, "Flying Through Life by the Seat of Your Pants."

So, here are the things that could have caused me stress today, but did not:

• Nicole's room.
• My mother brought yogurt with her from NY and put it in my pantry instead of the fridge.
• A phone call from a friend giving some sage advice about financial matters that my dad needs to take care of ASAP. Only problem is, he is in London, and no one could give us the correct city code for London. I had to pay $7.95 for International Directory Assistance.
• I have been working on arranging for a visiting speaker for our church this weekend and now we are getting a foot of snow; prudently he cancelled, but I am bummed because I wanted to hear him speak (Sherman Bradley, City Gospel Mission, Cincinnati) and was having a dinner party tomorrow night. I get psyched up for these things, so it not happening is bumming me out.
• Howie is not happy that somehow the fish tank that was in what is now our shared office is taking up 25% of the surface space of his desk, and my mom is not happy that the filter is not plugged in. One frog and one sucker fish have been managing without bubbles and gold fish food for sometime now.
• My mom is a pack rat also, (what can I say, it is a family trait) and is preparing for Armageddon now in her new bedroom, storing cans of Progresso Soup under her bed instead of putting them in the kitchen.

Sigh.

So what's your vote for new blog title?

PS In trying to figure out what is the best way to go about re-booking the airline tickets (why pay a change fee when more than likely the flight will end up cancelled anyway?) I spoke with a lovely Travelocity agent in India named Balwant, and I even pronounced it correctly! Score two points for me!

Peace. And stay warm and safe, and if the snow is flying in your neck of the woods tomorrow, hunker down, bake some cookies, and pull out a game.

Thoughts on Advent...

I was thinking about the season of advent earlier today, and sat down to write some thoughts down for the next Missions Musings, an informal newsletter I put out at our church throughout the year updating folks on what's going on in outreach.

I wrote from a somewhat different slant this time. Instead of sharing updates, news and opportunities, I wanted to reflect on the season of advent and the connections that I perceived from a familiar verse of Scripture and how it may be an encouragement and challenge to us as we seek to share Christ's love with others.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom his favor rests.’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them about this child.”
-Luke: 2:7-18

Advent: A Season of Expectant Waiting
Most of us are familiar with the above passage from Luke. So much so, that perhaps in our familiarity and rush through this contemplative time of year, we even skim it because of its familiarity.

I would love to encourage you to reread it and meditate on it for a moment with this thought in mind:
In today’s world, the only exposure that many people have to this Scripture is through the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, when Linus shares the message of expectant hope with Charlie Brown, who blew it again by getting a dorky little Christmas tree, one that could even be compared to “the least of these.” Who on earth would pick such a pathetic tree?

Yet Christ came for all of us, yet an alarming number of people in our world don’t have any idea of who He is. You don’t need to travel to Mozambique to meet them, either, they live right in your community. As representatives of Christ it is our calling and responsibility (known as the Great Commission) to share him with those who don’t yet know him.

When we love Christ with a passion, it is then a sobering thought to think about how many people there are who don’t (yet) know Christ. Of course, part of the reason for this may be precisely because of Christians they DID know. Were they hypocritical? Did they live any differently than the rest of the world? Were they judgmental? A great book to read about perceptions that non-Christians have of Christians is UnChristian. It is precisely how I felt for years.

If you are a Christian, how many non-Christians do you interact with, and even more so, have relationships with on an ongoing basis? Dan Kimball refers to this as living in the Christian Bubble, when we no longer have any friends outside of the church.

Recently a group from CMF met with Doug Diven, Director of Hand Up Foundation, (HUF), who spoke about his call to start the HUF Ministry. He described a “Holy Discontent” when he realized he didn’t have any non-Christian friends. And that really bugged him.

As I contemplate sharing Christ with others and developing friendships and relationships with others who don’t know Jesus and think about the above Scripture, I am both encouraged and challenged.

The Scriptures say that the shepherds lived nearby where the baby Jesus was to be born, and that they were busy tending their flocks. It reminds me of our place in our community and how we also live nearby to a place where great things may happen. Not the birth of the Messiah, but having the privilege of being the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors; while still tending our flocks (families, responsibilities, church events, etc.)

It also clearly says that the shepherds were terrified. Yup, it’s scary to do something new and different especially when the directive comes from unseen messengers…it’s more comfortable to stay home.

But the shepherds obeyed, and went to Bethlehem and were blessed. I believe we may also be blessed if we leave our routines and comfort zones and respond when God calls us.

There’s a catch, though, and that’s the obedience part. Ya gotta get up and do it. Hard? Sometimes. Scary? Sure. Rewarding? Beyond belief!

And finally, when the shepherds returned to their normal lives, they spoke about what they had seen, and the fact that “all who heard it were amazed.”

In a situation where we go out and serve, while we may certainly go back and share our experiences with others and be amazed (at how God uses us), I think the real amazement will be from those whom we serve. The question, "Why on earth would someone who doesn't even know me give two hoots about what happens to me?" It begs an answer.

And through that sharing others will hear about our Jesus.

This advent season (and beyond) won’t you join me in waiting expectantly for Christ and the opportunity to share him with others outside the four walls of church?

May peace abide in you and radiate from you as you pause to reflect upon the season of advent.

What' On My Mind...

There are several things on my mind and deep in a comment the other day I left a dangling carrot about promising to post about how "Sex in the City" could possibly be related to hospitality and being a decent representative of Christ. OK, so I have a knack for getting ears ringing or pushing people out of their comfort zones from time to time. But I have to admit I was just too tired last night to post. I had to go to HUF to see the new store, and it is Awesome! I also found out that they are now involved in recycling for the Milton School District, so that is something else on my mind. The list (which may cause some aches and pains from stretching) follows below the next photo... No, this isn't sawdust, although it might as well be. It is ground flax seed that I heard and read is healthy for you so I added some to my oatmeal yesterday. Yuck. It was awful. It had the consistency of sawdust and some of the seeds which didn't get totally ground got caught in my teeth. I may hold on to it, though, because it might make good cat litter. All in the name of recycling. Which will bring me to the first of the other things on my mind...

RECYCLING:
I heard a really nasty rumor at Nicole's elementary school that the paper that is collected in recycling bins in all the classrooms is just dumped in the regular trash at the end of the day. Talk about lousy example and misleading and lack of integrity. So this morning I went in to ask the Principal if it was so. He didn't know for sure, but supported me 100% when I said I would like to cause some trouble and look into it. Apparently there are all kinds of restrictions about what can and can't be recycled. OK. They obviously need to take a lesson from HUF, where they take everything except Glass and it doesn't even need to be separated. So I have a call in to the appropriate powers that be. I know there are like minded people who will get on the band wagon. Yes, it takes time and effort. But our world is not a replaceable commodity.

COFFEE CONVERSATION:
That was a safer heading than politics...I just want to say I believe we all want the same end result for our country: hope, a better economy, peace...and a bright future for the next generation. But we disagree on who we feel is best positioned to get us there. I invite my friends and readers to not get too nervous about out of the box posts. My goal is not to offend anyone or compromise any friendships. So no nervousness, just love allowed.

DIRECT TV:
We switched to Direct TV and bundled it with Verizon phone and Internet a few weeks ago and my mother hates it and can't figure out how to use the remote. So every day I hear about how much she hates it and how stupid it was to switch. Of course never mind that my mom is the one who taught me all about frugality and she will go ten blocks out of her way in NYC to save a dime on a gallon of milk.

CHURCHED:
Matthew Paul Turner's book Churched released yesterday and with the help and support of several friends and fans it made it to #687 on Amazon.com. I finished reading it and have decided to muse and reflect on topics and stories from the book starting today and going through next week.

WIN THE BOOK:
Remember if you want an opportunity to win the book, you get entered in a drawing every time you leave a comment.

FUTURE POLITICALLY ORIENTED POSTS:
Will be posted separately, so if readers prefer to skip politics they can do so and still keep reading the parts they enjoy. I aim to please!

NATIONAL OUTREACH CONVENTION:
The first week of November I am flying to San Diego to attend the National Outreach Convention and can't wait. I will also have the chance to visit my elementary school friend who is courageously fighting breast cancer again. You may recall I spent her birthday with her in June.

That's it for now. On to Churched!
Peace.

Hand Up Foundation...

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth" (Psalm 108:5)


I believe we need to take care of the glory of creation. The people at HUF (Hand Up Foundation) also believe this and are doing an amazing job at their recycling center. In the first five months of this year over 70,000 pounds of computer components have been recycled. It is more than some counties in PA have recycled in the past three years.
They own a baler, and bail everything from clothing that doesn't meet the quality standard to be sold in their discount center, to cardboard (I got downright giddy with excitement to discover that I no longer have to tear apart my cardboard boxes, the baler will do it...) to plastic bottles. And they take every imaginable kind of paper too, from newspaper to cellophane windowed envelopes...more giddiness ensued.

More mind boggling recycling efforts include the complete dismantling of major appliances; even the freon in refrigerators is recycled. Can't you just grasp the impact this has on our environment? My personal goal is to get my household down to one trash can of household trash per week...more giddiness! Below are appliance components which will all be broken down and hand separated.

The new building will house the recycling center downstairs and the new discount center upstairs. They hope to have the remodeling completed in time to transition the store by the end of September. The amount of space is phenomenal, and for a bargain happy used clothes junkie like me that is cause for more celebration (and giddiness!).

The outside of the discount center has a completely handicapped accessible entrance as well as a ramp that cars will be able to back right up to to deliver donations. And because of the recycling center, no donation is junk. Some will be sold, some will be recycled.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10)

This place is the ticket. There are so many opportunities to do those good works which I believe God has prepared for us to do right here, right now, in this community. It is a place for relationship building. It is a place for service. It is the new home of the Milton food bank. It helps transition hurting individuals into job ready positions with training and skill development. There are dreams for all kinds of community programs and the space is just waiting to be occupied by willing teachers and eager students.

I am excited, because our church, Community Mennonite Fellowship will be partnering with HUF the last weekend in September when we are engaging in the Faith in Action campaign, serving as Jesus' hands and feet in our community. We will be partnering with them in delivering food baskets, helping with extra volunteer power at the discount and recycling centers. And in the process we will be building more relationships.

And Doug and I banged our heads together and the visions were just exploding. Let the fireworks begin!

My Friend, the Phone...

Admittedly I must not remember being 11 going on 17, but it must have been sometime around then that I became somewhat connected to the phone. Here is Tianna, connected to two phones. Inevitably half the calls are for her, and I have to admit that I end up feeling like a social secretary. Now she is even asking me to ask who is calling when I holler, "Tianna, phone!"One of her friends is in Egypt for the summer and even calls from there to stay in touch.
She is still begging me for a cell phone, but I refuse to cave, at least for the foreseeable future. I spent some time this evening in the opponent's camp (Danville vs. Milton, 9/10's softball game, too much of a nail biter, but ultimately Danville prevailed after two, or was it three lightening delays?) and sat with friends from church. I asked if their daughter had a cell phone, and unfortunately the answer was yes...I have a feeling I am fighting an uphill battle. I was, however, encouraged to prevail.
On another note, I did my favorite kind of shopping today, at a thrift store, where I did purchase several brand of choice shirts for Tianna at a fraction of the cost. Aeropostle, AE, and Abercrombrie were all acquired for what I consider a reasonable cost, no more than $4 each. Now that's my kind of shopping! Not to mention the purchase was made at a great discount center (NOT thrift store, they are pretty adamant about the distinction...) Hand Up Foundation in Milton in the Ben Franklin Plaza (www.handupfoundation.org) where they support lots of great programs in the Milton area. It is also a great resource as a recycling center, everything from paper to washing machines, so be sure to check it out.
Got to rest up for more softball tomorrow. Since it is too late for Tianna to be on the phone, she is on the computer instead...Peace.