Went to the dentist yesterday cause of a sensitive tooth. They xrayed it, checked it over and then put ice on it to identify the "sensitive" part. YIKES. Doc said he couldn't see anything visually wrong with the tooth, then asked, "Have you been under a lot of stress lately?"
I laughed and told him about the milk carton in cupboard.
Last night, I drank a second glass of red wine and this morning, I slept in. Maybe this will help my "stress level" that I'm not aware of!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Five years ago today
Five years ago today, "a black-skinned baby girl was found in box, with a blanket and a cartoon of dry milk." She was found outside a warehouse, in the city of Tongling, in the providence of Anhui, China. The people at the local orphanage ran an advertisement in the paper, announcing this child was found, but no one stepped forward to claim her. Not at all a surprise, since it is illegal to abandon children.
The caring women at the Tongling Welfare Institute gave this child her identify. They gave her the birthday of September 20 - perhaps they thought the little baby was 9 days old or perhaps 9/20 was a lucky day. They gave her the last name Tong, for the city and orphanage she came from, and they named her Min-Min, which meant "agile."
September seems to be a reflective time for me. Lots of natural changes as we move into fall, but mostly because I think so much about Allie’s China mom and family.
I find the story of baby Moses found in the basket, watched from a distance by his older sister so familiar and real. I wonder if this is not Allie’s story. Was there an older sibling, an aunt or perhaps her mom or dad that hid at a distance, watching over the cardboard box to ensure nothing happened to this child? What time was she left, what time did someone happen to find the box? What must it be like to feel like you have no options but to abandon your daughter?
I am thankful for this China woman who had the courage to give life to our daughter. I hope that somehow through God's grace, Allie's "China Momma" knows that her precious daughter is safe and loved.
I can’t imagine my life without Allie. She is so incredible and becoming quite a fisherman.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
I got the kids their morning cereal and was ready to pour some milk into my bowl, but I couldn’t find the milk? Where’s the milk? I knew that I still had some in the container otherwise I would have rinsed it out and put it in the recycle bin. I looked in the on the counters, in the frig, on the kitchen table, asked the kids if they had taken it. Then I got a little worried. I knew the milk wasn’t gone, but where was it? Was I losing my mind? I found my milk carton in the cupboard next to the coffee. . . . .I know that I’m getting older (mature) but I’ve NEVER done anything like that before.
I don’t feel consciously stressed.
I try to eat healthy and exercise at least 3x a week. I have good sleep habits – kinda – I usually sleep from 10:30p -4:30a. I don’t feel stressed out or overwhelmed at work. I’m in a good place with lots of opportunity for personal and ministry growth. If my stress is not at work, is it at home?
Well. . . . let’s see. In the last 3 years, we have adopted a little girl from China. We’ve lived in 4 different houses in less than 24 months. We lost our Ohio house to foreclosure. My daughter has been in 3 different early childhood education centers; my son has been in 2 different schools systems. I took a pay cut and started a new job in a church; I’ve been taking classes for the last 3 years; my husband commutes to Toledo 3 days a week and is gone for 14 hours a day; my elderly parents are getting more elderly and they are my nearest family support. I think I’m pre-menopausal and my daughter hasn’t even started elementary school yet. . . . . . . soooooo if all I do is misplace a carton of milk, I say I’m doing good!
Ohha, I was just kidding! That’s not my life at all!
Seriously, life is challenging. You probably don’t have the exact same life circumstances as me, but I’m sure you have some tough challenges of your own.
Amazingly I am learning to be more gentle with other people, perhaps they found an old stinky milk carton in their cupboard this morning! Most likely, there are things in their life that struggle with. Amazingly, I am learning to be “content” and even kind of comfortable in the somewhat chaotic thing I call “my life.” Content in that every little thing does not pull me off center. . . . I do believe that “everything has the potential to draw me closer to God.” So to the best of my ability at any given moment, I try to embrace “my life” and let God do his work of transforming my heart, mind and soul.
All is gift. . . even a misplaced carton of milk.
Thank God I found it before it went bad and stunk up the whole house!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Invitation to be fully present
A sense of all is well
God is at work – all over the place –
He doesn’t need me to fix things or to worry
He simply invites me to be present and
witness the Spirit’s movement around me and in others.
Mother Teresa was fully present with Jesus and therefore was fully present to those she cared for. Caring for their physical needs was secondary to being fully present with them. So often I am distracted by stupid, silly things that have little significance. Spirit, help me be fully present.
God is at work – all over the place –
He doesn’t need me to fix things or to worry
He simply invites me to be present and
witness the Spirit’s movement around me and in others.
Mother Teresa was fully present with Jesus and therefore was fully present to those she cared for. Caring for their physical needs was secondary to being fully present with them. So often I am distracted by stupid, silly things that have little significance. Spirit, help me be fully present.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I thing I know
For everything has the potential of calling forth in us (me) a more loving response to our (my) life forever with God. Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me.
"God who loves us creates us and wants to share life with us forever. Our love response takes shape in our praise and honor and service of the God of our life.
All the things in this world are also created because of God’s love and they become a context of gifts, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily.
As a result, we show reverence for all the gifts of creation and collaborate with God in using them so that by being good stewards we develop as loving persons in our care for God’s world and its development. But if we abuse any of these gifts of creation or, on the contrary, take them as the center of our lives, we break our relationship with God and hinder our growth as loving persons.
In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some responsibility. We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in me a more loving response to my life forever with God.
My only desire and my one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me."
Ignatius from his Spiritual Exercises
Draw me into Your Friendship: The Spiritual Exercises, page 27)
I am often challenged by this statement that . . . everything has the potential of calling forth in me a more loving response to God.
I don’t always feel like some of my life circumstances call me forward. On the surface I see little of what I would call God, however, God is teaching me to be patient. Circumstances are not always what they appear to be on the surface. I am learning what faith is – faith in a loving, personal Creator, who made me – yes, Lori Ann Mero Tate - in his image to reflect who he is. A loving God who calls me and invites me to walk along side him and be part of his Kingdom work and in the process be changed myself.
There are lots of things I don’t know – why my friends have cancer; how to be a good mom; how God created the world; how to be a supportive wife or a good spiritual director; to be a great kids ministry leader; how to handle elderly parents and young children, but the ONE thing I do KNOW is I want choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me. . . .
So I try to keep things simple by looking at each of day through those lenses – what leads me to a deeper life in Christ? What draws me away from Him?
"God who loves us creates us and wants to share life with us forever. Our love response takes shape in our praise and honor and service of the God of our life.
All the things in this world are also created because of God’s love and they become a context of gifts, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily.
As a result, we show reverence for all the gifts of creation and collaborate with God in using them so that by being good stewards we develop as loving persons in our care for God’s world and its development. But if we abuse any of these gifts of creation or, on the contrary, take them as the center of our lives, we break our relationship with God and hinder our growth as loving persons.
In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some responsibility. We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in me a more loving response to my life forever with God.
My only desire and my one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me."
Ignatius from his Spiritual Exercises
Draw me into Your Friendship: The Spiritual Exercises, page 27)
I am often challenged by this statement that . . . everything has the potential of calling forth in me a more loving response to God.
I don’t always feel like some of my life circumstances call me forward. On the surface I see little of what I would call God, however, God is teaching me to be patient. Circumstances are not always what they appear to be on the surface. I am learning what faith is – faith in a loving, personal Creator, who made me – yes, Lori Ann Mero Tate - in his image to reflect who he is. A loving God who calls me and invites me to walk along side him and be part of his Kingdom work and in the process be changed myself.
There are lots of things I don’t know – why my friends have cancer; how to be a good mom; how God created the world; how to be a supportive wife or a good spiritual director; to be a great kids ministry leader; how to handle elderly parents and young children, but the ONE thing I do KNOW is I want choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me. . . .
So I try to keep things simple by looking at each of day through those lenses – what leads me to a deeper life in Christ? What draws me away from Him?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
learning to pray
Prayer is nothing but oneness with Christ. “abide in me”
“I live no longer, but Christ lives in me.”
Christ prays in me,
Christ works in me,
Christ thinks in me,
Christ looks through my eyes,
Christ speaks through my words,
Christ works with my hands,
Christ walks with my feet,
Christ loves with my heart.
If we really want to pray we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart God speaks. And to be able to hear that silence, to be able to hear God we need a clean heart, for a clean heart can see God, can hear God, can listen to God; and then only from the fullness of our heart can we speak to God. But we cannot speak unless we have listened, unless we have made that connection with God in the silence of our heart. (Mother Teresa: Essential Writings, page 54-55)
My silent time with God looks very different.
-Sometimes it is imagining myself being held in the arms of Jesus – kinda like me cuddling with Allie the other morning, but this time, it’s Jesus holding me. I sit quietly, imagining the comfort, the love, the tenderness, the peace, the joy I would experience. Sometimes, I imagine Jesus speaking soothing words to me, “it’s OK Lori, I’m here with you,”
-Sometimes my time with God is in the woods, walking alone. Being very quiet to not make a noise and just try to hear every noise possible in the woods – the crunch beneath my feet, the leaves in the trees, the birds, the breeze, a distance dog barking or the movement in the weeds.
-Sometimes I wish I knew yoga, but I just fake it and make up something for myself. I sit straight, with my shoulders back, I close my eyes and breathe in deeply and very slowly release. Sometimes, I breathe in “God’s peace” and release whatever may be on my mind. Or from Psalm 23 the first verse (paraphrased by me ) is “I lack for nothing”, so I breathe in accepting the truth of those words and again release whatever I think I may be needing.
At the end of this all, I am just experimenting and trying to discover what works for me. If I focus too much on the “how” and forget the “why” I am trying to be silent before God, I’m left frustrated. By when I remember Merton’s words, “my desire to please God, pleases God,” I am at peace.
“I live no longer, but Christ lives in me.”
Christ prays in me,
Christ works in me,
Christ thinks in me,
Christ looks through my eyes,
Christ speaks through my words,
Christ works with my hands,
Christ walks with my feet,
Christ loves with my heart.
If we really want to pray we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart God speaks. And to be able to hear that silence, to be able to hear God we need a clean heart, for a clean heart can see God, can hear God, can listen to God; and then only from the fullness of our heart can we speak to God. But we cannot speak unless we have listened, unless we have made that connection with God in the silence of our heart. (Mother Teresa: Essential Writings, page 54-55)
My silent time with God looks very different.
-Sometimes it is imagining myself being held in the arms of Jesus – kinda like me cuddling with Allie the other morning, but this time, it’s Jesus holding me. I sit quietly, imagining the comfort, the love, the tenderness, the peace, the joy I would experience. Sometimes, I imagine Jesus speaking soothing words to me, “it’s OK Lori, I’m here with you,”
-Sometimes my time with God is in the woods, walking alone. Being very quiet to not make a noise and just try to hear every noise possible in the woods – the crunch beneath my feet, the leaves in the trees, the birds, the breeze, a distance dog barking or the movement in the weeds.
-Sometimes I wish I knew yoga, but I just fake it and make up something for myself. I sit straight, with my shoulders back, I close my eyes and breathe in deeply and very slowly release. Sometimes, I breathe in “God’s peace” and release whatever may be on my mind. Or from Psalm 23 the first verse (paraphrased by me ) is “I lack for nothing”, so I breathe in accepting the truth of those words and again release whatever I think I may be needing.
At the end of this all, I am just experimenting and trying to discover what works for me. If I focus too much on the “how” and forget the “why” I am trying to be silent before God, I’m left frustrated. By when I remember Merton’s words, “my desire to please God, pleases God,” I am at peace.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Found in a Box
September 20 is the day we celebrate Allison Min-Joy Tate’s birthday. Her birth certificate technically states that day as her birthday, so it will always be our celebration day.
However, I don’t know when Allison Min-Joy Tate, aka Tong Min-Min, aka “A black-skinned baby girl found in box, with a blanket and a carton of dry milk” on September 29, 2003 was born. She was found outside a warehouse, in the city of Tongling, in the providence of Anhui, China. The people at the orphanage ran an advertisement in the paper, announcing this child was found, but no one stepped forward to claim her. Not at all a surprise, since it is illegal to abandon children.
The caring women at the Tongling Welfare Institute (www.adopttongling.com) gave this child her identify. They gave her the birthday of September 20 - perhaps they thought the little baby was 9 days old or perhaps 9/20 was a lucky day. They gave her the last name Tong, for the city and orphanage she came from, and they named her Min-Min, which meant “agile.”
September seems to be a reflective time for me. Lots of natural changes as we move into fall, but mostly because I think so much about Allie’s China mom and family.
I find the story of baby Moses found in the basket, watched from a distance by his older sister so familiar and real. I wonder if this is not Allie’s story. Was there an older sibling, an aunt or perhaps her mom or dad that hide at a distance, watching over the cardboard box to ensure nothing happened to this child? What time was she left, what time did someone happen to find the box? What must it be like to feel like you have no options but to abandon your daughter?
I am thankful for this China woman who had the courage to give life to our daughter. I can’t imagine my life without Allie. She is so incredible.
Nobody can hug you like Allie.
She squeezes your guts out!
She makes you laugh, she drives me crazy!
She tells these great stories.
She sings her songs with melody that is uniquely hers!
She makes great pancakes.
She has a smile and giggle that will take your breathe away!
Our family was not complete, until Allie come along on May 23, 2005.
However, I don’t know when Allison Min-Joy Tate, aka Tong Min-Min, aka “A black-skinned baby girl found in box, with a blanket and a carton of dry milk” on September 29, 2003 was born. She was found outside a warehouse, in the city of Tongling, in the providence of Anhui, China. The people at the orphanage ran an advertisement in the paper, announcing this child was found, but no one stepped forward to claim her. Not at all a surprise, since it is illegal to abandon children.
The caring women at the Tongling Welfare Institute (www.adopttongling.com) gave this child her identify. They gave her the birthday of September 20 - perhaps they thought the little baby was 9 days old or perhaps 9/20 was a lucky day. They gave her the last name Tong, for the city and orphanage she came from, and they named her Min-Min, which meant “agile.”
September seems to be a reflective time for me. Lots of natural changes as we move into fall, but mostly because I think so much about Allie’s China mom and family.
I find the story of baby Moses found in the basket, watched from a distance by his older sister so familiar and real. I wonder if this is not Allie’s story. Was there an older sibling, an aunt or perhaps her mom or dad that hide at a distance, watching over the cardboard box to ensure nothing happened to this child? What time was she left, what time did someone happen to find the box? What must it be like to feel like you have no options but to abandon your daughter?
I am thankful for this China woman who had the courage to give life to our daughter. I can’t imagine my life without Allie. She is so incredible.
Nobody can hug you like Allie.
She squeezes your guts out!
She makes you laugh, she drives me crazy!
She tells these great stories.
She sings her songs with melody that is uniquely hers!
She makes great pancakes.
She has a smile and giggle that will take your breathe away!
Our family was not complete, until Allie come along on May 23, 2005.
Monday, September 15, 2008
All is good
Friday and Saturday I spent in Toledo. It is hard to be away from my family, but I feel and hopefully they notice that my time away is valuable for my spiritual well-being.
It was great to be with my cohorts again, and spend time with Sister Joanne. She is replacing Sue my previous leader, who moved out of state.
Several years ago I applied for to an EdD Leadership program at Bowling Green, but was not accepted. That was a very difficult time for me. There have been very few times that I haven't "gotten" the things I was working towards. Looking back I realize that closed door at Bowling Green, lead me to two life-changing experiences - the adoption of Allie and this spiritual formation program.
An EdD would have challenged me intelluctually, but this spiritual formation program has changed my life and more importantly my heart! Not to mention what Allie has brought to our lives.
It was great to be with my cohorts again, and spend time with Sister Joanne. She is replacing Sue my previous leader, who moved out of state.
Several years ago I applied for to an EdD Leadership program at Bowling Green, but was not accepted. That was a very difficult time for me. There have been very few times that I haven't "gotten" the things I was working towards. Looking back I realize that closed door at Bowling Green, lead me to two life-changing experiences - the adoption of Allie and this spiritual formation program.
An EdD would have challenged me intelluctually, but this spiritual formation program has changed my life and more importantly my heart! Not to mention what Allie has brought to our lives.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
All is Gift
Other morning at 5:30 Allie scared the daylights out of me, by quietly appearing next to my chair. Typically I hear the kids’ footsteps, but not this morning.
She had tears in her eyes and said she had had a bad dream. I drew her onto my lap and wrapped her in my special little blanket. (The blanket was a baby gift for Jeff and I never used it for him; however, it has become my shoulder blanket, like a prayer shawl I use in the mornings. I PROMISE, you will NEVER see me at Panera with my prayer blanket!) I asked about her bad dream. She shared little except she was lost, there were monsters and someone trying to kill her. As we snuggled together in my favorite chair and I encouraged and coaxed her to let me take her upstairs so she could cuddle in bed with daddy. Nope, she wanted to stay with me.
Several years ago, I would have resented my quiet, prayer time being interrupted by my kids. (I was dumb then!) Now I have come to see my Allie interruption was a sacred moment, a blessing from my Father to have such a special, intimate time with my daughter. I have learned to welcome these times and not resent them. I have learned to recognize God’s presence through life’s ordinary moment.
“All is gift” – St. Francis.
She had tears in her eyes and said she had had a bad dream. I drew her onto my lap and wrapped her in my special little blanket. (The blanket was a baby gift for Jeff and I never used it for him; however, it has become my shoulder blanket, like a prayer shawl I use in the mornings. I PROMISE, you will NEVER see me at Panera with my prayer blanket!) I asked about her bad dream. She shared little except she was lost, there were monsters and someone trying to kill her. As we snuggled together in my favorite chair and I encouraged and coaxed her to let me take her upstairs so she could cuddle in bed with daddy. Nope, she wanted to stay with me.
Several years ago, I would have resented my quiet, prayer time being interrupted by my kids. (I was dumb then!) Now I have come to see my Allie interruption was a sacred moment, a blessing from my Father to have such a special, intimate time with my daughter. I have learned to welcome these times and not resent them. I have learned to recognize God’s presence through life’s ordinary moment.
“All is gift” – St. Francis.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Happy Birthday
Today's my mom's 82nd birthday.
Lord, help me to love and care for her, as she did for me when I was little. amen.
Start of a new year
This afternoon I travel to Toledo to meet with my cohorts. It's our first session for the second year praticum of Spiritual Director. Once a month we meet for 3 hours on a Friday evening and then 7 hours on Saturday. It is a great model, particularly when you have a family. The weekends are always a time of personal renewal and challenge, as well as community.
This year we have a new leader, Sister Joanne. She is replacing my dear friend Sue, who moved to Indiana to assume the leadership role at a retreat center.
It will be so good to see everyone again.
This year we have a new leader, Sister Joanne. She is replacing my dear friend Sue, who moved to Indiana to assume the leadership role at a retreat center.
It will be so good to see everyone again.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Picked up several books by Sofia Cavalletti, “The Religious Potential of the Child” and “Living Liturgy.”
She is the founder of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a method of religious formation based on the educational model of Maria Montessori. The Catechesis builds on the capacity for faith already in each child, using the scriptures and liturgy of the church.
I love to read, but I am a very visual learned. Often I need visual examples and conversations to supplement my reading. Fortunately, there is a woman who is doing her internship at my daughter’s Montessori school (www.Northstarmontessori.com), who has quite a bit of experience using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I need to set up some time to spend with Linda and hear her stories.
I would love to saturate wwKiD's ministry with this approach to our kids. I'm not sure how to do it. It is a MAJOR shift in thinking, but maybe I'm not giving our people enough credit. I think meeting Linda, may be another step in the journey.
She is the founder of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a method of religious formation based on the educational model of Maria Montessori. The Catechesis builds on the capacity for faith already in each child, using the scriptures and liturgy of the church.
I love to read, but I am a very visual learned. Often I need visual examples and conversations to supplement my reading. Fortunately, there is a woman who is doing her internship at my daughter’s Montessori school (www.Northstarmontessori.com), who has quite a bit of experience using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I need to set up some time to spend with Linda and hear her stories.
I would love to saturate wwKiD's ministry with this approach to our kids. I'm not sure how to do it. It is a MAJOR shift in thinking, but maybe I'm not giving our people enough credit. I think meeting Linda, may be another step in the journey.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Seeing God in the Ordinary
. . . it was the best of times; it was the worst of times
ordinary days
Getting hugs from Allie because she knew I was sad
Watching my silly dog chew another toy of Allie’s
Smearing peanut butter in Jeff's hair to get gum out
Seeing our caterpillars become butterflies
Playing “Pretty Pretty Princess” with Grandma Ursula and Jean at the Ganton Care Center
Making our homemade pizzas
Learning that my good friend from EDS just lost her job after 20+ years
Hearing my friend’s fight with cancer has quickly gotten worse
Watching another friend head south for her latest round of cancer treatment
Seeing my husband come home exhausted after a 15 hour work day
Realizing that my parents have gotten old – really old – and need me in a new way
Praying that I will respond to Spirit, as she leads me through these ordinary days of life. Praying that I will respond always with the gentleness and grace of Jesus both to myself and others.
Praying that I be totally present with each person who crosses my path
ordinary days
Getting hugs from Allie because she knew I was sad
Watching my silly dog chew another toy of Allie’s
Smearing peanut butter in Jeff's hair to get gum out
Seeing our caterpillars become butterflies
Playing “Pretty Pretty Princess” with Grandma Ursula and Jean at the Ganton Care Center
Making our homemade pizzas
Learning that my good friend from EDS just lost her job after 20+ years
Hearing my friend’s fight with cancer has quickly gotten worse
Watching another friend head south for her latest round of cancer treatment
Seeing my husband come home exhausted after a 15 hour work day
Realizing that my parents have gotten old – really old – and need me in a new way
Praying that I will respond to Spirit, as she leads me through these ordinary days of life. Praying that I will respond always with the gentleness and grace of Jesus both to myself and others.
Praying that I be totally present with each person who crosses my path
Monday, September 8, 2008
Road trip w/Jen
Friday I spent a great day in Detroit with Jen.
We checked out Gleaner’s Food Bank in Detroit off of Gratiot. It turned out our “tour guide” was a young woman who graduated from SAU with Jen and had been to Westwinds several times. In January we are inviting our WW parents and kids on this mission outreach, to learn about hunger and how they can make a difference. Gleaner’s is a great organization with some cool programs oriented to kids. Can’t wait to take our kids there!
I took Jen by the Heidelberg Project, (www.roadsideamerica.com tip 5329) just blocks away from the food bank. The art is forever evolving. So cool, so moving. There were a number of people shooting photos and filming. They now have a “booth” to register your visit.
For the first time since I moved from the Detroit area, I went back to Pizza Papoulis in Greek town and got their famous spinach pizza. I love that pizza. That grossed out Jen, but I ate the entire personal pan pizza. They have the best pizza sauce.
My final destination on this road trip was to try and visit the Missionaries of Charity. The religious order founded by Mother Teresa. I knew there had been a house established in Detroit, and found it on the southern part of the city around Fort St. We were fortunate that the nuns were at the house. (Sept. 5, marked the 11th anniversay of MT's leaving to be with her Jesus.)
None of the other sisters I know – Sisters Nancy, Joanne, Joy or Virginia wear traditional religious clothing so I was surprised to see their Indian saris. Four sisters live and serve in the south Detroit community. Sister Davis is from India, she lived at the same mother house as Mother Teresa. Wisdom from Sister Davis: “Mother always says, ‘that whoever is standing there in front of you deserves your full attention and respect. It doesn’t matter if they are the President or a beggar. Whatever we do to the least of these, we do to Jesus.”
What a neat opportunity to sit with Sister Davis and learn from her. She gave us a copy of a novena (9 days of consecutive prayer) to Blessed Teresa of Calutta, titled "Jesus is my All in All."
We checked out Gleaner’s Food Bank in Detroit off of Gratiot. It turned out our “tour guide” was a young woman who graduated from SAU with Jen and had been to Westwinds several times. In January we are inviting our WW parents and kids on this mission outreach, to learn about hunger and how they can make a difference. Gleaner’s is a great organization with some cool programs oriented to kids. Can’t wait to take our kids there!
I took Jen by the Heidelberg Project, (www.roadsideamerica.com tip 5329) just blocks away from the food bank. The art is forever evolving. So cool, so moving. There were a number of people shooting photos and filming. They now have a “booth” to register your visit.
For the first time since I moved from the Detroit area, I went back to Pizza Papoulis in Greek town and got their famous spinach pizza. I love that pizza. That grossed out Jen, but I ate the entire personal pan pizza. They have the best pizza sauce.
My final destination on this road trip was to try and visit the Missionaries of Charity. The religious order founded by Mother Teresa. I knew there had been a house established in Detroit, and found it on the southern part of the city around Fort St. We were fortunate that the nuns were at the house. (Sept. 5, marked the 11th anniversay of MT's leaving to be with her Jesus.)
None of the other sisters I know – Sisters Nancy, Joanne, Joy or Virginia wear traditional religious clothing so I was surprised to see their Indian saris. Four sisters live and serve in the south Detroit community. Sister Davis is from India, she lived at the same mother house as Mother Teresa. Wisdom from Sister Davis: “Mother always says, ‘that whoever is standing there in front of you deserves your full attention and respect. It doesn’t matter if they are the President or a beggar. Whatever we do to the least of these, we do to Jesus.”
What a neat opportunity to sit with Sister Davis and learn from her. She gave us a copy of a novena (9 days of consecutive prayer) to Blessed Teresa of Calutta, titled "Jesus is my All in All."
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Detroit Trip - this Friday
Excited this Friday, Jen Gienapp from WWKids ministry, and I are going to Detroit to checkout Gleaners. It is one of 3 kids mission adventures we have planned for the year. We'll be at Gleaners, an inner city food ministry, in late January.
Afterwards, I am going to try to connect to small group of sisters from the Missionaries of Charity. (This is Mother Teresa's religious order.) The nuns pray from 2-3 and I'm hoping to join them. Don't know what will happen, but I feel compelled to be in the presence of these women. I know I will be changed.
Afterwards, I am going to try to connect to small group of sisters from the Missionaries of Charity. (This is Mother Teresa's religious order.) The nuns pray from 2-3 and I'm hoping to join them. Don't know what will happen, but I feel compelled to be in the presence of these women. I know I will be changed.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Prayer for today
As our kids start school today, this is my prayer for them . . .
Be kind and merciful.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Be a living expression of God's kindness:
kindness in your face
kindness in your eyes,
kindness inyour smile,
kindness in your warm greeting.
To children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely,
always give a happy smile.
Give them not only your care, but also your heart.
- Mother Teresa
Be kind and merciful.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Be a living expression of God's kindness:
kindness in your face
kindness in your eyes,
kindness inyour smile,
kindness in your warm greeting.
To children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely,
always give a happy smile.
Give them not only your care, but also your heart.
- Mother Teresa
Eat, Pray & Love
Several months ago a couple of friends asked me to read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, "Eat, Pray & Love." They wondered what I thought of it.
As soon as I picked up the book, I began to see it everywhere. The lady at the YMCA waiting to pick up her son was reading it. The person at the coffee shop was reading it.
The "eat" portion was OK, but quite honestly I have food issues. I couldn't get over the fact that Liz was gaining so much weight (that she really needed). The "love" portion was good as well, but it was "pray" that resonated with me most deeply.
Liz's description of trying to sit silently and mediate totally connects with me. Her inner conversation is hilarious. How one thought leads to another and soon she is traveling around the world in her mind. She is distracted by anything that will prevent her from looking inward and upward. It is amazing what our minds will do to keep us from pursuing God.
Liz's comical challenge of sitting quietly eases my own struggle of being quiet. I'm not alone. I imagine most everyone who begins down the road of contemplative prayer, has similar stories to tell.
The desire for contemplative prayer has been growing inside me since I was a young girl. As a quiet, introverted kid I spent many afternoons back in the woods with my dog. I would take my journal and drawing pad, write poems, journal and talk to God. There was a special place about a mile from home. It was a small pond with a tiny cabin. Few people knew about this secret place.
My ability to be alone comfortably has always been a sign of personal health for me. Seriously, it’s like a test. If I avoid being alone that is usually a sign that something is off kilter or I’m avoiding something. I do have other means of avoidance – reading too much, eating, working non-spot: all of these are “red flags” indicating that I’m not at peace in my spirit.
Lately being still has been a challenge for me, yet I accept that it is just a part of my personal journey and not to fight it or beat myself up because I’m not as successful as I wish I were. I don’t know if what I do is “right or wrong” but I know that over the last several years, my life and my relationship with God has totally changed. Because of that, I’ll get up in the morning and try to sit quietly with my Father and enjoy His presence.
As soon as I picked up the book, I began to see it everywhere. The lady at the YMCA waiting to pick up her son was reading it. The person at the coffee shop was reading it.
The "eat" portion was OK, but quite honestly I have food issues. I couldn't get over the fact that Liz was gaining so much weight (that she really needed). The "love" portion was good as well, but it was "pray" that resonated with me most deeply.
Liz's description of trying to sit silently and mediate totally connects with me. Her inner conversation is hilarious. How one thought leads to another and soon she is traveling around the world in her mind. She is distracted by anything that will prevent her from looking inward and upward. It is amazing what our minds will do to keep us from pursuing God.
Liz's comical challenge of sitting quietly eases my own struggle of being quiet. I'm not alone. I imagine most everyone who begins down the road of contemplative prayer, has similar stories to tell.
The desire for contemplative prayer has been growing inside me since I was a young girl. As a quiet, introverted kid I spent many afternoons back in the woods with my dog. I would take my journal and drawing pad, write poems, journal and talk to God. There was a special place about a mile from home. It was a small pond with a tiny cabin. Few people knew about this secret place.
My ability to be alone comfortably has always been a sign of personal health for me. Seriously, it’s like a test. If I avoid being alone that is usually a sign that something is off kilter or I’m avoiding something. I do have other means of avoidance – reading too much, eating, working non-spot: all of these are “red flags” indicating that I’m not at peace in my spirit.
Lately being still has been a challenge for me, yet I accept that it is just a part of my personal journey and not to fight it or beat myself up because I’m not as successful as I wish I were. I don’t know if what I do is “right or wrong” but I know that over the last several years, my life and my relationship with God has totally changed. Because of that, I’ll get up in the morning and try to sit quietly with my Father and enjoy His presence.
First Day of School
Kids first day of school. Jeff's entering third grade and Allie will continue at the Montessori school in their kindergarten program.
Last night as I tucked them into bed, we prayed that they would have kind hearts, encouraging words and be a good friend to others. We prayed for our good friends, Mr. Randy and Miss Kris, who are walking through - their life journey struggling with cancer.
Often during our drive to school, we talk about different ways that the kids can see God throughout their day. Love our discussion time in the car.
Last night as I tucked them into bed, we prayed that they would have kind hearts, encouraging words and be a good friend to others. We prayed for our good friends, Mr. Randy and Miss Kris, who are walking through - their life journey struggling with cancer.
Often during our drive to school, we talk about different ways that the kids can see God throughout their day. Love our discussion time in the car.
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