A storm blew in over the weekend. It devastated Haiti with heavy flooding and, even as I write, threatens the Gulf Coast on the eve of the seventh anniversary of Hiurricane Katrina.
It was a personal "bad weather" weekend as my plans to fly to Haiti were disrupted and a much-anticipated trip put on hold. Fortunately, I will travel later this week, with a different job description and a changed perspective.
Here is what I am learning...slowly, and reluctantly.
1. Plans change.
2. "Bad weather" days are inevitable.
3. Flexibility is required.
4. Sensitivity is critical.
5. Faith in God helps face the challenge of change.
So I am traveling a week later, the victim of the hurricance season in the Carribean, If I am going to plan trips there this time of the year, I need to be flexible and sensitive to the challnges that are an onoging part of this venture. My faith in God, who miraculously opened this door of opportunity two years ago, remains constant and I'm excited to see what the "bad weather" creates for us in terms of expanded opportunity.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Stomach aches in the office
I hurried back from four days away camping near the Truckee River in Northern California. My usual routine is to unpack the trailer, read my mail, check my messages, take a quick post-travel shower, and then head for the office.
Which I did.
My trips home from the mountains are often marked by the same conversation with my wife--promises that I will pace myself, relax more, learn to say "no", and, generally, not fall back into the busy routine to which I am accustomed, and which she endures.
As I near semi-retirement, I have purposed to be more intentional about my transition from the soothing roar of the majestic ocean or the quiet murmuring of a mountain stream back into the unwelcome chaos of the office. It is orderly chaos--our staff and secretaries do an excellent job of keeping things together--but there always is some chaos to sort through, and so it was on Tuesday afternoon.
In the middle of trying to manage preparation for my Haiti trip, scheduling counseling appointments before I leave on Sunday, responding to a few urgent congregational needs, catching up on Hospice work and dealing with a time-consuming computer glitch, I realized I was sick to my stomach. Abdominal pains and accompanying side effects.
I stopped for a moment of quiet--my secretary was gone and the office was empty--and caught my breath just for a second.
I remembered my conversation with my wife on the way home about pacing myself and relaxing. And I stopped what i was doing, made a list of what I needed to do the rest of the week, and climbed into my car to drive home.
One of our staff pastors, a physician's assistant, suggested a virus was going around and I probably was one of its victims ( I had some tell-tale signs while camping).
I'm better today--no stomach ache--the mountain of work has diminished to a small manageable pile due to a few "no's:, and, "this is someone else's responsibility" and "maybe in a few weeks", etc. I realize that the office is not my source of pain. This week it was a virus. Tuesday afternoon, however, it was my mishandling of stress.
I can have a stomach ache anywhere...even in the mountains. My goal is not to volunteer for one by trying to do too much in too short a period of time, driven by unrealistic expectations.
It's a good lesson to think about the next time you're sitting by the ocean or near a river.
And then practice it when you get home.
Which I did.
My trips home from the mountains are often marked by the same conversation with my wife--promises that I will pace myself, relax more, learn to say "no", and, generally, not fall back into the busy routine to which I am accustomed, and which she endures.
As I near semi-retirement, I have purposed to be more intentional about my transition from the soothing roar of the majestic ocean or the quiet murmuring of a mountain stream back into the unwelcome chaos of the office. It is orderly chaos--our staff and secretaries do an excellent job of keeping things together--but there always is some chaos to sort through, and so it was on Tuesday afternoon.
In the middle of trying to manage preparation for my Haiti trip, scheduling counseling appointments before I leave on Sunday, responding to a few urgent congregational needs, catching up on Hospice work and dealing with a time-consuming computer glitch, I realized I was sick to my stomach. Abdominal pains and accompanying side effects.
I stopped for a moment of quiet--my secretary was gone and the office was empty--and caught my breath just for a second.
I remembered my conversation with my wife on the way home about pacing myself and relaxing. And I stopped what i was doing, made a list of what I needed to do the rest of the week, and climbed into my car to drive home.
One of our staff pastors, a physician's assistant, suggested a virus was going around and I probably was one of its victims ( I had some tell-tale signs while camping).
I'm better today--no stomach ache--the mountain of work has diminished to a small manageable pile due to a few "no's:, and, "this is someone else's responsibility" and "maybe in a few weeks", etc. I realize that the office is not my source of pain. This week it was a virus. Tuesday afternoon, however, it was my mishandling of stress.
I can have a stomach ache anywhere...even in the mountains. My goal is not to volunteer for one by trying to do too much in too short a period of time, driven by unrealistic expectations.
It's a good lesson to think about the next time you're sitting by the ocean or near a river.
And then practice it when you get home.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Mountain-biking with a friend
This summer I had my first mountain biking adventure on a single track course--on a regular hybrid bike. For the uninitiated, this is one without suspension to shield the rider from the array of potholes, root systems and other unexpected road hazards.
I am no longer one of the uninitiated. That grueling ride--exciting beyond words--left me wondering if I would ever be able to move my neck normally!
Still, I was determined to find a mountain bike, with a "death wish", I guess, for further adventure!
Long story short--I now have a mountain bike (suspension included) and here's the best part of the story. I have a friend who is willing to ride with me. Last Friday my friend joined me on a hospital call in Sacramento and several hours later, in 100 degree weather, agreed to ride with me for about an hour in the blazing heat. That is the sign of true friendship and adventure.
My bike-riding friend is my wife.
It's a wonderful thing in life when the person to whom you are married becomes your friend and is willing to share in your adventure even when it means she is doing something she would rather not do but choosing to do it because she loves you...does that make sense?
Maybe not.
But it is one of the current joys of my life. Interrupting my perfunctory course of work (I am working four jobs currently) and finding a friend flexible enough to "roll" with my unpredictable schedule is a true blessing. Recently we hiked eleven miles to a waterfall (we thought it was two miles) and she didn't falter for a moment. In fact, she is still with me and looking forward to our next adventure.
I hope you have a bike-riding friend like that!
I am no longer one of the uninitiated. That grueling ride--exciting beyond words--left me wondering if I would ever be able to move my neck normally!
Still, I was determined to find a mountain bike, with a "death wish", I guess, for further adventure!
Long story short--I now have a mountain bike (suspension included) and here's the best part of the story. I have a friend who is willing to ride with me. Last Friday my friend joined me on a hospital call in Sacramento and several hours later, in 100 degree weather, agreed to ride with me for about an hour in the blazing heat. That is the sign of true friendship and adventure.
My bike-riding friend is my wife.
It's a wonderful thing in life when the person to whom you are married becomes your friend and is willing to share in your adventure even when it means she is doing something she would rather not do but choosing to do it because she loves you...does that make sense?
Maybe not.
But it is one of the current joys of my life. Interrupting my perfunctory course of work (I am working four jobs currently) and finding a friend flexible enough to "roll" with my unpredictable schedule is a true blessing. Recently we hiked eleven miles to a waterfall (we thought it was two miles) and she didn't falter for a moment. In fact, she is still with me and looking forward to our next adventure.
I hope you have a bike-riding friend like that!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Back to School...Already?
I noticed that we have a "Back to School" service scheduled at church August 26th and I found myself thinking...already? Is the summer already over?
At various weeks during the month of August and September students head back to school and college across the State of California. In Amador County where I live some home school, some go to private school and others to public school. Still others will make the drive to nearby towns for Junior College and a number will enroll in colleges and vocational schools around the country.
Dads will reluctantly shed tears as they send their daughters off to college. Mothers will will quietly breathe a sigh of relief at he prospect of momentary peace and quiet. Children will loudly moan and groan at the prospect of getting up early in the morning and heading off to school. The sounds of summer will transition into the familiar reverberations of the school year.
Here's a few thoughts about this annual time of transition...
1. Take an intentional few moments with your children at home and review the guidelines for behavior and the goals you have for them in life...if you don't have these it is an appropriate time to think them through. It will help your children understand the "method in your madness" and your motivation for their ultimate good. And it will make you re-think what kind of a job you're doing.
2. If your children are headed out away from home, this is a great time to affirm your love for them, set up a regular time/mode of communication and to encourage them to remember the things that have always been important to them--finding a good church, making good choices, getting enough sleep, eating healthy...you know the drill.
3. As for your ever-changing role as parents, this may be the critical moment to acknowledge that you are partners together as parents and to rebuild your own communication network as you handle children, adolescents, college kids, and ultimately, the "empty nest" syndrome. If you haven;t learned to talk to each other, this could be scary!
The sounds of summer. The familiar drone of the school year. Be prepared. It's already here!
At various weeks during the month of August and September students head back to school and college across the State of California. In Amador County where I live some home school, some go to private school and others to public school. Still others will make the drive to nearby towns for Junior College and a number will enroll in colleges and vocational schools around the country.
Dads will reluctantly shed tears as they send their daughters off to college. Mothers will will quietly breathe a sigh of relief at he prospect of momentary peace and quiet. Children will loudly moan and groan at the prospect of getting up early in the morning and heading off to school. The sounds of summer will transition into the familiar reverberations of the school year.
Here's a few thoughts about this annual time of transition...
1. Take an intentional few moments with your children at home and review the guidelines for behavior and the goals you have for them in life...if you don't have these it is an appropriate time to think them through. It will help your children understand the "method in your madness" and your motivation for their ultimate good. And it will make you re-think what kind of a job you're doing.
2. If your children are headed out away from home, this is a great time to affirm your love for them, set up a regular time/mode of communication and to encourage them to remember the things that have always been important to them--finding a good church, making good choices, getting enough sleep, eating healthy...you know the drill.
3. As for your ever-changing role as parents, this may be the critical moment to acknowledge that you are partners together as parents and to rebuild your own communication network as you handle children, adolescents, college kids, and ultimately, the "empty nest" syndrome. If you haven;t learned to talk to each other, this could be scary!
The sounds of summer. The familiar drone of the school year. Be prepared. It's already here!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Healing Nature of Exercise
The idea of exercise can conjure up images of sweat and strain...and rightly so. But there are some other images that are clear in my mind when I am exercising--release and rest.
How is that possible? Having just read YOUNGER NEXT YEAR, I was challenged as a sixty-four year old to 45 minutes of exercise six days a week along with two days of weight training if I wanted to derail the natural decline of my physical body.
That's an easy subject for me to address. My father died when he was sixty-six and he was basically overweight and not given to exercise. Diet was a concern as well, but he did not take good care of himself. Several months away from the twenty-third anniversary of his premature death--and two years away from the dreaded "sixty-six", I am aware of the accelerate need of caring for myself.
And I love to exercise, except I am too busy...or, that's my excuse. For the last month I have exercised every day--hiking, swimming, biking, running, walking, lifting weights, doing sit-ups and push-ups, etc. It's cross-training because I do something a little different each day.
Here the whole point of all of this. I am not an exercise guru and I still could lose another 5-10 pounds, but I (a) feel better (b) have more energy (c) look more fit and (d) have fewer bouts with depression, a common malady I face.
When I am hiking in the Sierra Nevada's (I was Monday) surrounded by valleys of wildflowers, framed by snow-capped mountains and azure blue skies, I feel release from the cares of my job and the stress of my day. When I am exercising I am often smiling, and this provides a kind of rest that has been foreign to me, except for short spurts when I have recommitted to such discipline.
My work is taxing, people's problems are overwhelming and ministry is demanding. Still, I am celebrating today the healing nature of exercise and planning what it will be for me tonight when I get home from ten hours in the office.
Tonight it is a two mile run around the high school track, 300 push-ups and 50 push-ups.
Followed by a good night of rest!
How is that possible? Having just read YOUNGER NEXT YEAR, I was challenged as a sixty-four year old to 45 minutes of exercise six days a week along with two days of weight training if I wanted to derail the natural decline of my physical body.
That's an easy subject for me to address. My father died when he was sixty-six and he was basically overweight and not given to exercise. Diet was a concern as well, but he did not take good care of himself. Several months away from the twenty-third anniversary of his premature death--and two years away from the dreaded "sixty-six", I am aware of the accelerate need of caring for myself.
And I love to exercise, except I am too busy...or, that's my excuse. For the last month I have exercised every day--hiking, swimming, biking, running, walking, lifting weights, doing sit-ups and push-ups, etc. It's cross-training because I do something a little different each day.
Here the whole point of all of this. I am not an exercise guru and I still could lose another 5-10 pounds, but I (a) feel better (b) have more energy (c) look more fit and (d) have fewer bouts with depression, a common malady I face.
When I am hiking in the Sierra Nevada's (I was Monday) surrounded by valleys of wildflowers, framed by snow-capped mountains and azure blue skies, I feel release from the cares of my job and the stress of my day. When I am exercising I am often smiling, and this provides a kind of rest that has been foreign to me, except for short spurts when I have recommitted to such discipline.
My work is taxing, people's problems are overwhelming and ministry is demanding. Still, I am celebrating today the healing nature of exercise and planning what it will be for me tonight when I get home from ten hours in the office.
Tonight it is a two mile run around the high school track, 300 push-ups and 50 push-ups.
Followed by a good night of rest!
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