Small Surprises, Giant Blessings

These past three weeks have included so much, packed in tight and full, like fragrant sausages ready to burst out of their skin. It hasn't been a schedule that is out of hand or excessive mileage or meetings. Time management, communication, understanding and flexibility have attended to everything that has come along. Some days got a little hairy, and I love being able to rely upon my terrific husband when it all needed tamed. Whether it was a doctor's visit 4 counties away or a forgotten library book, a missing trumpet mouthpiece or "the exactly right sweater I wanted to wear with this outfit", an important Advisory Board meeting or community event, there was place and time for everything and things are running smoothly.

In reflection, this fullness comes from the small surprises, giant blessings and the gentle communion with the Spirit that has been present:

: a birthday party for my youngest son, N. - he's 9, my little man, and this was the year for his friend party. We alternate years - family party, friend party, sleep over, movie party - to rotate celebration styles and enjoy each other as best we can. (And face it, to equalize and regulate the amount of money that goes into it! Birthdays can get so expensive so quick! And in our household we have 2 birthdays in 8 days time. That is usually only one pay check, so there are no gala blow-outs, skating rink renting, catering-out-the-wazoo celebrations. Hey, time stands still for your birthday, you get to eat breakfast from the birthday bowl, have your favorite dinner with soda to drink, your choice of cake and fun and games at home - where birthdays are the most creative and involved, and affordable.) I do love celebrating birthdays, and enjoy making a cake (N. wanted racecars, and if I have to say so, mine turned out tasty, delicious and looked lightning fast!) Last September, when we lived in a different appointment (which we had been in for 2 years - plenty of friend making possibilities) N.'s party was family - and we didn't dream there would be any moving on the horizon. Yet as the horizon got closer, the moving reality was present and affected many things. N.s friend party now brought a level of mommy horror - do I warp our family celebration expectations and traditions and underline and accentuate a feeling that has been floating under the surface for all of my children? Do we not have a friend party because we just don't have many friends in this area? Do we travel 2 1/2 hours north to a city we don't live in anymore to host a party with his old friends, his best lifetime friends? So...the answer is...no...we invite the entire class at school! (Let me say, the feeling of "What have I done" was coming in waves after he left on the bus for school...what have I done?!. Is there a way I can take it back - univite 28 kids...oh good grief.) Neighborhood, corps and classroom added up to over 40 invitations...what if they all came? I wasn't breaking a sweat, I won't brag or gloat : I feel confident about engaging with and entertaining large groups of kids, so we were set for every single one to come. Birthday arrives with balloons and preparations, and there were 18 kids who came. I admit it willingly...it was on my prayer list for more than 10 days...and I don't feel shallow or trivial..."Lord, please let there be more that 10 kids who can come to N. party. PPLLEEAASSEE!" After the whole day was over and we were cleaning up from limbo, musical chairs, pinata, etc. the tears of relief were so close to the surface, I couldn't ignore the feeling of the heartfelt burden lifted, "Thank you Lord, for new friends for N....thank you...thank you...thank you!"

: I play orchestral french horn and try to play in as many orchestras as I can. I do not have the availability or opportunity to keep a full time gig and play the 75 concerts and rehearsals which an orchestra can prepare, I cannot be a fulltime musician. But I have found a very fulfilling playing opportunity subbing for different orchestras. You know, filling in for someone who is unable to be at that rehearsal or performance. Yet to do that, to get on that list of callers, you must audition, give a hearing, and have the appointed orchestral excerpts prepared and ready to display to perfection. September brought one of these auditions and I practiced for it for 6 weeks. So in the midst of different meetings, responsibilities, dinner and programs, a prevalent ribbon of horn 2 and horn 3 parts of Mozart, Mahler, Dvorak and Shoshtakovich was winding through my days. My office manager learned many of the excerpts and could tell the difference between Beethoven and Strauss...so I consider a huge accomplishment has happened - the music teacher in me is satisfied!. So audition day comes, and I play with about 40 other horns for horn 2 and horn 3, and I played well. I was stinking nervous!!!! I didn't get horn 2 or horn 3 - and I didn't want them. The rigorous preparation process helped underscore for me that I am not made of the cut-throat essence that an orchestral musician requires. I am so opposite on the spectrum - I want everyone to feel as encouraged and confident as possible. Some of that is the mommy in me, but most of it is just the rose-colored glasses wearing, spunky, cheerleader that sees the best in everything and everyone. I invited three other horn players to the audition, for their chance to win the position. I spent the afternoon talking with other horn players, not avoiding all contact with whoever might be positioned as "my competition". I played well, they listened to all my excerpts without calling out for the next horn player to come in (truly my deepest fear). Yet in the middle of the morning - horn 2 auditions- my oldest son T. had an insulin emergency at grandma's. Needing to slip out and rush back, I know that God is using me, exactly where I am with every talent and capability He has entrusted me.

: every single book for each of my M.Div classes this semester were available from the library and I can check them out for 25 weeks. I don't have to buy a single text! I am over 1/2 done with this degree, and having a textbook free September really made back to school, outgrowing hockey skates, 2 birthdays not such a dramatic hit to the wallet.

: Since I work with my husband, I can shut the door and get a kiss anytime I want.

: being a witness to a transformation of heart, body, soul and mind. Few things are as inspiring to me as the transformational process in a person.

:reaching a real person on the other end of the phone, not needing to leave a message.

: my mother's surgery has relieved the pain she has had for months, and her recuperation time is showing healing and strength. What did I make for her - soup and tea. Doctor's should prescribe it!

: sharing coffee with another officer, in the middle of a challenging day for the both of you. (Thanks for lunch Sue, I'll bring you coffee - cream and sugar- anytime!

: there were 25 people in church for worship in Holiness meeting, and 17 in Sunday School. Please don't read those numbers as being tiny, there were 3 people in church in July. Having 25 in church for you may seem like everyone is on vacation, sick or causing a riot, but 25 for us brings an extra wind of spiritual encouragement and validity within God's work. God's touch has brought out a caring spirit to this congregation, responding positively to encouragement and fellowship. I don't typically talk about corps details, the rebuilding process of a congregation following scandal can be painful, lonely and not terribly encouraging for the pastor and leadership involved. Two appointments in a row facing the repercussions of scandal is enough to drain the spirit. As I stepped into the pulpit this morning, there was someone sitting in every pew, children through seniors through elders, spread out but 25 hearts joining us in worshipping the amazing God who created us and keeps us.

"Little is much when God is in it,

labor not for wealth or fame,

there's a crown and you shall win it

when you go in Jesus's name."

My heart is full from little surprises and giant blessings. God is tremendously good.