I know, I know. It's been ages since I last updated you on my life but there is a reason.
The reason is that I fell in love with a dear friend and we will be married on October 22 in at Lafayette. Join us!
Who, you may ask, am I marrying after 27 years of singlehood? I am marrying the Rev'd Dr. W. Kenneth Williams of Rochester NY. Ken was the executive minister in Rochester when I moved there in 1995 and ten years ago went back into the local church. He is the pastor of First Baptist there.
Ken introduced to his wife Brenda who became one of my dearest friends. Scroll down and you can read about her passing last July. A four year battle with cancer took her much too soon. I went back to Rochester in September for her memorial service and delivered the prayer. Ken and I began talking and just never stopped. And now === ta-da!
We have seen the fingerprints of God all over this journey, from his daughter Erin's thought of us as a couple before we had even seen each other to other friends saying to Ken, "I picked her for you!" Then there were the three friends who asked me before the service if I thought I'd date Ken.
To each I said no, I didn't see that happening. Finally I said, "but if God has something in mind for us, I'm open to a change in my feelings."
Thud....it turns the change was in my heart. I have fallen in love with the most wonderful man in the world, and after all these years of living alone, he is taking on the challenge of living with me!
I will leave Lafayette First Baptist after worship on October 24 and become a NY resident again. I plan to take training to be an intentional interim minister in the early part of 2011 and seek a church as an interim.
In the meantime I am remodeling/redecorating the home we will live in. Ken and Brenda's home.
I know, I know. Sage advice says to get a place of our own and it makes perfect sense, but then there is reality. The economy. The love this family has for their home and with the loss of a wife/mother, mother/grandmother, brother-in-law/uncle in the last year, losing their home is just too much.
However, as much as I love Brenda (still) our tastes and hers differ. And the house needs updating so for a while you will watch and read about the wedding plans and the remodel.
Are you ready to join me?
22 days til a partridge in a pear tree
Criselda is a new member at church and she is counting the days to the wedding by singing "The 12 days of Christmas." For her the days are moving too fast so whenever I mention the partridge she says "NO!" (Yeah, we know there are more than 12 days left. :)
I fully understand.
I am so excited about marrying Ken, moving to Rochester and beginning our new life but ....let's be honest. I am not done packing, I have four more sermons to do, I have to say goodbye to my family and friends, and I need to make my dress. Yep, the dress has not been made.
In all honesty this is plan B. Sometimes circumstances interrupt life and this is one of them. So.....I found a jacket and now need to make the shell and skirt. I don't anticipate this being a life-shattering thing but it will take time.
So......I need the partridge not to fly in my direction until it is time. I need every moment to finish up all the details, then after I preach on Sunday, October 24, and celebrate a fulfilling ministry with the good folks there, I'll be ready to hand the car keys to Ken and get in the car.
Then I'll be singing with the partridge!
I fully understand.
I am so excited about marrying Ken, moving to Rochester and beginning our new life but ....let's be honest. I am not done packing, I have four more sermons to do, I have to say goodbye to my family and friends, and I need to make my dress. Yep, the dress has not been made.
In all honesty this is plan B. Sometimes circumstances interrupt life and this is one of them. So.....I found a jacket and now need to make the shell and skirt. I don't anticipate this being a life-shattering thing but it will take time.
So......I need the partridge not to fly in my direction until it is time. I need every moment to finish up all the details, then after I preach on Sunday, October 24, and celebrate a fulfilling ministry with the good folks there, I'll be ready to hand the car keys to Ken and get in the car.
Then I'll be singing with the partridge!
Phase One coming to an end
So Phase One of the Great Kitchen Remodel is coming to an end but not without drama. Ken called me this afternoon....from Urgent Care! Gregg was making a last cut and the saw slipped and he needed three stitches in his ring finger.
As dil Charity says though, "Don't feel guilty Ken. A job without blood shed isn't a job well done."
When I got off the phone, my granddaughter Shae said, "What did Dad cut now?"
Tonight, one handed, he is grouting the kitchen/dining room bar and will have to leave a few projects to be finished. We are up to the task. Jon has offered to help and I'll finish some stuff next week. Poor Ken is probably going to be cleaning up after all of us. A man who cleans! Be still my heart!!!!
I'll take pictures next week and post. Thanks for being on the adventure with me!
As dil Charity says though, "Don't feel guilty Ken. A job without blood shed isn't a job well done."
When I got off the phone, my granddaughter Shae said, "What did Dad cut now?"
Tonight, one handed, he is grouting the kitchen/dining room bar and will have to leave a few projects to be finished. We are up to the task. Jon has offered to help and I'll finish some stuff next week. Poor Ken is probably going to be cleaning up after all of us. A man who cleans! Be still my heart!!!!
I'll take pictures next week and post. Thanks for being on the adventure with me!
Remodel continues
Day Three:
Saturday, Day One: demo and putting in under-countertop
Sunday, Day Two: laying tile, backsplash
Monday, Day Three: grout, put in sink and cut wall out between dining room and kitchen.
It was a group decision that opening the kitchen to the dining room would add visual space to the feel of the house and Gregg was so ready to do it.
The Williams' family is now living in dust and I feel terrible that I'm not there to be cleaning it up. This happened to be the only week Gregg and Ken could be in Rochester at the same time.
Oh well. Maybe the pain won't last too long.
Saturday, Day One: demo and putting in under-countertop
Sunday, Day Two: laying tile, backsplash
Monday, Day Three: grout, put in sink and cut wall out between dining room and kitchen.
It was a group decision that opening the kitchen to the dining room would add visual space to the feel of the house and Gregg was so ready to do it.
The Williams' family is now living in dust and I feel terrible that I'm not there to be cleaning it up. This happened to be the only week Gregg and Ken could be in Rochester at the same time.
Oh well. Maybe the pain won't last too long.
Life Goes On
I know, I know. It's been ages since I've updated. I wanted to; I really did. But things were happening in my life that wasn't public info yet. But now everyone knows so you should too.
I'm getting married. Yep, after 27 years of singleness I am marrying the Rev'd Dr. W. Kenneth Williams, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rochester NY. Ken was the executive minister for Rochester-Genessee Region when I moved there in 1995. His late wife Brenda became one of my dearest friends who lost her four year battle to cancer last year. (Scroll down and read about Brenda's passing.)
When I went back to do the prayer at her memorial service in September Ken and I began talking and just never quit! So...on October 22 at First Baptist Lafayette at 7 p.m. we are being married. Come and join us!!!
I will end my ministry on October 24 and become a New York resident again. I plan to take training to be an intentional interim minister but who knows what God has in store for me.
We've seen the fingerprints of God all over this, from his daughter Erin's thought of us together long before we do to his friends saying "I had her picked for you!" to my friends who asked me if I would date him before I went to the service.
My answer was that I wasn't interested in Ken that way but finally I said that if God had other plans I'd be open to a change of heart. And boy, did my heart change! Big time!
Now we have begun remodeling his kitchen. I'm in Lafayette and he is stuck with the mess. My son Gregg is there doing the work with the help of Jon, Erin's fiance. They are doing a great job. You can follow the pictures along side here.
They start with a "before" picture of the kitchen and as they send me updates, I'll post them here.
I am a self-confessed addict of HGTV and this is my chance to use my addiction to a healthy end....or beginning.
We know that we really SHOULD move into something new but things are the way they are and staying there is the better solution.
Pray for Ken's peace of mind as he, Erin, Jon and boys live in the chaos for a few more days. Thanks to Gregg for the hard work and Jon for pitching in when he is already overworked.
I cannot wait to see it in a few weeks. Until then, I, like you, will have to be content to view it via the blog.
Let me know what you think of the kitchen and wait until you see what is going to happen to that wall! Film at 11.
ciao! peg
I'm getting married. Yep, after 27 years of singleness I am marrying the Rev'd Dr. W. Kenneth Williams, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rochester NY. Ken was the executive minister for Rochester-Genessee Region when I moved there in 1995. His late wife Brenda became one of my dearest friends who lost her four year battle to cancer last year. (Scroll down and read about Brenda's passing.)
When I went back to do the prayer at her memorial service in September Ken and I began talking and just never quit! So...on October 22 at First Baptist Lafayette at 7 p.m. we are being married. Come and join us!!!
I will end my ministry on October 24 and become a New York resident again. I plan to take training to be an intentional interim minister but who knows what God has in store for me.
We've seen the fingerprints of God all over this, from his daughter Erin's thought of us together long before we do to his friends saying "I had her picked for you!" to my friends who asked me if I would date him before I went to the service.
My answer was that I wasn't interested in Ken that way but finally I said that if God had other plans I'd be open to a change of heart. And boy, did my heart change! Big time!
Now we have begun remodeling his kitchen. I'm in Lafayette and he is stuck with the mess. My son Gregg is there doing the work with the help of Jon, Erin's fiance. They are doing a great job. You can follow the pictures along side here.
They start with a "before" picture of the kitchen and as they send me updates, I'll post them here.
I am a self-confessed addict of HGTV and this is my chance to use my addiction to a healthy end....or beginning.
We know that we really SHOULD move into something new but things are the way they are and staying there is the better solution.
Pray for Ken's peace of mind as he, Erin, Jon and boys live in the chaos for a few more days. Thanks to Gregg for the hard work and Jon for pitching in when he is already overworked.
I cannot wait to see it in a few weeks. Until then, I, like you, will have to be content to view it via the blog.
Let me know what you think of the kitchen and wait until you see what is going to happen to that wall! Film at 11.
ciao! peg
Life is amazing
Yesterday I took a group of folks from First Baptist to Fair Oaks Farm in northern Indiana, about 45 minutes from Lafayette on I65. Maybe it is better to say they took me. Some of them have been and raved about the experience. We took a tour of the visitors center, visited the barns where the cows, pregnant and otherwise, are housed, saw the foods they eat and visited the cheese factory. Unfortunately they were not making any cheese; fortunately they offered samples anyway and the restaurant makes the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had. Havarti pepper! Yum, yum. And they make their own ice cream. I heartily recommend the chocolate (of course).As we were finishing our sandwiches I looked up and saw that the light at the barn had turned to yellow. Red - nothing going onYellow - birth expected in 20-30 minutesGreen - move it now!Both cows were first time moms. Cow on the right was pushing and pushing and got only a hoof to show for it. Cow on the left had a baby trying desperately to get out and mom was not very interested in helping out. We had been told that only 5% of births needed assistance and both of these did. Cow on the left finally needed the midwife to pull when the front hoofs and head came out and labor stopped. Cow on the right needed her to put in the ropes and pull the babe out. But all is well and those babies are incredibly beautiful. Check them out for yourself though.
Goodbye Brenda
I am one of many who is dealing with the loss of a very dear friend this week. Brenda Williams passed away, quite abruptedly and unexpectedly, on Saturday morning. She will be laid to rest at the family farm in North Carolina, the home of her beloved Tar Heels.I met Brenda in 1995 when I moved to Rochester NY. Husband Ken is a colleague there but at the time he was our executive minister. They took pity on this transplanted Hoosier and our love for football brought us together often. They introduced me to Terry and Annie and Andy and Deborah and on Sunday afternoons, particularly during the play-offs, we rooted....sometimes for the same team. Brenda and Ken always rooted for Buffalo. Andy and Deborah rooted for Green Bay and I, of course, will die an Indianapolis Colts fan.Besides football we loved our families and we talked often of them. My children love her and I grew close to hers.When our mutual dear friend Kathyrn called on Saturday and said, "This is the call you never wanted," I thought she was going to say that Brenda's cancer was terminal. The words, "Brenda passed away this morning" robbed me of my ability to speak. In fact I sat in Pizza Hut's parking lot sobbing.The fact that so many people considered her a dear friend speaks volumes of Brenda's ability to love. She brought people together and, in fact, still is. I've "chatted" with Carol more in this past week than in years. I want to be with Kathryn and Ken and the children but that will have to wait until September when we gather for the service to celebrate her life.I'm grateful to have known her. Grateful for all she has brought into my world and the worlds of many. Grateful to have called her my friend.It really sucks to lose someone so special though. But if we leave this world without leaving a hole, we have lived in vain. My friends, when you go, leave a really big hole.
love, peg
love, peg
A New Roommate
I call him "Sweetie." Actually the name came with him. He is 15 years old and no, he isn't jail bait. In cat years he is a lot older. Sweetie came from a woma in my congregation who is now in a nursing home. Sweetie needed a new home so he moved in with me and he is adjusting quite well. He really is a sweet cat and puts up with me putting him on a diet. (He weighs over 20 pounds!)
He puts up with me not being home as much as his previous roommate. He puts up with well, me. And I put up with him. We are adjusting quite well. (Pictures soon!)
He puts up with me not being home as much as his previous roommate. He puts up with well, me. And I put up with him. We are adjusting quite well. (Pictures soon!)
Another friend gone
Since I have been back (August 3) I have done three funerals with another one coming next week. The one for last Thursday was very hard and wonderful all at the same time.
Ray Spencer, at the age of 82, changed many lives. He was a social worker and he and wife of 57 years Luann have three children. One of them is Mark, who was the pastor of my home church after I moved away. So I've know Mark and Jan since the 80s, before I knew I was going to seminary.
A week ago Saturday Ray and Luann went for a walk and upon returning home, Luann went to dish up supper while Ray went to the computer. When she called him for dinner he didn't answer. He had collapsed in the den and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Friends, there were 160 of us at his memorial service at FBC on Thursday evening, with maybe 100 more coming for the calling beforehand. Can you imagine that that many people will come to your funeral? I can't. But he made a difference in a lot of people's lives. Family, friends, foster children, Kiwanis, and on and on and on.
On Friday morning I went to the church to tell the folks who come to our Friday morning "Bread Giveaway" program. Food Finders brings baked goods to give away and Ray was one of the ones who talked to the folks in line. In telling them, I broke down.
You can't pastor a church without falling in love with the people and like everyone else, I loved (love) Ray Spencer. He really was one of the good guys.
Ray Spencer, at the age of 82, changed many lives. He was a social worker and he and wife of 57 years Luann have three children. One of them is Mark, who was the pastor of my home church after I moved away. So I've know Mark and Jan since the 80s, before I knew I was going to seminary.
A week ago Saturday Ray and Luann went for a walk and upon returning home, Luann went to dish up supper while Ray went to the computer. When she called him for dinner he didn't answer. He had collapsed in the den and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Friends, there were 160 of us at his memorial service at FBC on Thursday evening, with maybe 100 more coming for the calling beforehand. Can you imagine that that many people will come to your funeral? I can't. But he made a difference in a lot of people's lives. Family, friends, foster children, Kiwanis, and on and on and on.
On Friday morning I went to the church to tell the folks who come to our Friday morning "Bread Giveaway" program. Food Finders brings baked goods to give away and Ray was one of the ones who talked to the folks in line. In telling them, I broke down.
You can't pastor a church without falling in love with the people and like everyone else, I loved (love) Ray Spencer. He really was one of the good guys.
New paint, new day
I've been busy since I got back. Funerals, weddings, sermons to prepare, sidewalk chalk festival and I painted. I painted my office, the office outside my office and even a stripe down the hallway.
You see, my office has been a lovely shade of brown for the past seven years. Now if you know me you are probably very surprised to learn that I've lived with one color for seven years. I haven't rearranged the office even. Of course, there isn't any place to move anything.
So I took the half gallon of sage green paint I had at home and began painting my office. It is all done....except for the walls behind the book cases. I have to move all the books in order to move the bookcases so that will wait until I have more time. But in the meantime I realized that my eyes look mostly at the little room outside my office so, of course, I had to paint it too. Then I had leftover paint so I painted a stripe down the hallway to break up the white paint.
I am not nuts about white paint. You probably knew that too.
But the office looks great. I have material to make drapes to brighten things up even more. And I'm sure once it is all done and looking lovely, I'll keep my desk cleaned off.
Right. But you probably know that won't work either. But it is good to hope!
You see, my office has been a lovely shade of brown for the past seven years. Now if you know me you are probably very surprised to learn that I've lived with one color for seven years. I haven't rearranged the office even. Of course, there isn't any place to move anything.
So I took the half gallon of sage green paint I had at home and began painting my office. It is all done....except for the walls behind the book cases. I have to move all the books in order to move the bookcases so that will wait until I have more time. But in the meantime I realized that my eyes look mostly at the little room outside my office so, of course, I had to paint it too. Then I had leftover paint so I painted a stripe down the hallway to break up the white paint.
I am not nuts about white paint. You probably knew that too.
But the office looks great. I have material to make drapes to brighten things up even more. And I'm sure once it is all done and looking lovely, I'll keep my desk cleaned off.
Right. But you probably know that won't work either. But it is good to hope!
Life after Emily - September 19
My friend Ed asked me on Tuesday if there is life after Emily since I had not written since her passing.
Yes, there is, although there is still sadness. It has been over four weeks now and the pain has lessened. I still find myself looking for her, but not as much. I don't think very often about getting another cat, although I'm sure I will someday. I drove by the animal hospital this morning and it was another reminder. But then, doesn't that happen to all of us?
I drove by Creekside Animal Hospital on my way to a graveside service, my second funeral since my return on August 3. Tomorrow I'll officiate at my second wedding since that return. Yes, it has been a busy, busy time.
I have hosted four "Listening Gatherings" in my apartment for the congregation to come and tell me what they learned from the sabbatical. That has been enlightening. Now Jeff Woods, ABC Associate General Secretary, is coming over in October to help us process what we will do with this information and he will also help me process what I've learned.
In a nutshell, I have learned that every woman I interviewed has been through terribly hard times and SURVIVED. In fact, the women I admire the most, are survivors, not advoiders of conflict. They also are not whiners. Remember the Whiners from "Saturday Night Life?" "Want a little cheese with that whine???"
These women don't whine about the difficult times. They can tell you their stories, they can talk about the pain, but they have grown stronger because of it, instead of wallowing in the misery.
That hit me as I remembered time when I whined a lot about the difficult time I faced a few years ago. I really did. These women helped my backbone get stronger and realize that the difficult times are just simply part of life, not something extraordinary.
Now, it isn't that I didn't "know" this before. I know life isn't fair. I've survived a number of things but this was a great reminder that sometimes life sucks. Sometimes church people aren't nice. Sometimes we don't handle everything well. And still life goes on and if we are smart, we get smarter and stronger and we don't carry the "whine" around waiting for someone to offer us cheese.
thanks for reading! More later.
Yes, there is, although there is still sadness. It has been over four weeks now and the pain has lessened. I still find myself looking for her, but not as much. I don't think very often about getting another cat, although I'm sure I will someday. I drove by the animal hospital this morning and it was another reminder. But then, doesn't that happen to all of us?
I drove by Creekside Animal Hospital on my way to a graveside service, my second funeral since my return on August 3. Tomorrow I'll officiate at my second wedding since that return. Yes, it has been a busy, busy time.
I have hosted four "Listening Gatherings" in my apartment for the congregation to come and tell me what they learned from the sabbatical. That has been enlightening. Now Jeff Woods, ABC Associate General Secretary, is coming over in October to help us process what we will do with this information and he will also help me process what I've learned.
In a nutshell, I have learned that every woman I interviewed has been through terribly hard times and SURVIVED. In fact, the women I admire the most, are survivors, not advoiders of conflict. They also are not whiners. Remember the Whiners from "Saturday Night Life?" "Want a little cheese with that whine???"
These women don't whine about the difficult times. They can tell you their stories, they can talk about the pain, but they have grown stronger because of it, instead of wallowing in the misery.
That hit me as I remembered time when I whined a lot about the difficult time I faced a few years ago. I really did. These women helped my backbone get stronger and realize that the difficult times are just simply part of life, not something extraordinary.
Now, it isn't that I didn't "know" this before. I know life isn't fair. I've survived a number of things but this was a great reminder that sometimes life sucks. Sometimes church people aren't nice. Sometimes we don't handle everything well. And still life goes on and if we are smart, we get smarter and stronger and we don't carry the "whine" around waiting for someone to offer us cheese.
thanks for reading! More later.
Goodbye Emily Hartley
Thirteen years ago I graduated from seminary and moved to Rochester, NY to become pastor of South Avenue Baptist Church. I discovered that I was lonely so I looked for a roommate...at the Humane Society.
There were about 15 potential roommates looking me over as I looked them over. There was a big tom looking very frightened. His one and only owner had to go into a nursing home and he was understandably nervous about his future. And then this beautiful little black and white cat moved from the back of her cage and stepped forward as if to say, "I'm the one." She was taken from the cage and we went into a room to see if we would get along and we've been together ever since. From Rochester to Cleveland and then to Lafayette she's been there every step of the way.
Some time ago she started having some health problems and we tried different things but 15 year old cats have serious problems. So on August 15th my son Gregg and I sat in a room at the vet's clinic after the last patient was gone while she was given her last dose of medicine. She went very peacefully and didn't struggle at all, quite un-Emily if truth be told.
I think I'll miss her most when I walk in the door and she doesn't come running to see me. Or maybe it will be when I go to bed at night and try to read but she lays on top of the book. Or maybe I'll even miss her when I make my bed and have to put layers of plastic on it every day. (You can figure that out, I'm sure.) Or maybe it will be when I sit down to watch television at night and she doesn't curl up next to me.
If you are wondering about her name, she is named after the leading lady of my favorite comedy of all times -- The Bob Newhart Show. Bob was Bob Hartley and Suzanne Pleshette was Emily Hartley. And she even has/had (Suzanne died earlier this year) her hair coloring. I always intended to get Bob too but that never happened.
So when you read this, would you raise your glass to my roommate Emily and thank God for her lovely long life?
There were about 15 potential roommates looking me over as I looked them over. There was a big tom looking very frightened. His one and only owner had to go into a nursing home and he was understandably nervous about his future. And then this beautiful little black and white cat moved from the back of her cage and stepped forward as if to say, "I'm the one." She was taken from the cage and we went into a room to see if we would get along and we've been together ever since. From Rochester to Cleveland and then to Lafayette she's been there every step of the way.
Some time ago she started having some health problems and we tried different things but 15 year old cats have serious problems. So on August 15th my son Gregg and I sat in a room at the vet's clinic after the last patient was gone while she was given her last dose of medicine. She went very peacefully and didn't struggle at all, quite un-Emily if truth be told.
I think I'll miss her most when I walk in the door and she doesn't come running to see me. Or maybe it will be when I go to bed at night and try to read but she lays on top of the book. Or maybe I'll even miss her when I make my bed and have to put layers of plastic on it every day. (You can figure that out, I'm sure.) Or maybe it will be when I sit down to watch television at night and she doesn't curl up next to me.
If you are wondering about her name, she is named after the leading lady of my favorite comedy of all times -- The Bob Newhart Show. Bob was Bob Hartley and Suzanne Pleshette was Emily Hartley. And she even has/had (Suzanne died earlier this year) her hair coloring. I always intended to get Bob too but that never happened.
So when you read this, would you raise your glass to my roommate Emily and thank God for her lovely long life?
Scottsburg, Kansas City, Heather and Mama Mia
Let's start at the end of this blog. Yesterday I took myself out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel where I got to have a lovely chat with Marla, their star server. She wanted to know everything about my trip. Kevin, another great server, asked if I was home for good and with mixed emotions I said yes.
Does it sound like I spend a lot of time at Cracker Barrel? Well, I probably do but I'm also there a lot for our church's men's breakfast (Thursdays at 7 a.m. if you are interested).
Anyway.....I then took myself to see the movie "Mama Mia." What a hoot!!!! Only two other women were in the theater so I didn't feel at all bad about laughing and singing along. You see, Abba is one of my favorite singing groups of all time.
Okay, that is the winding down part.
After the train trip I spent a few days at home before going to my parents for a lovely weekend and spent a day with the grandchildren at the Indianapolis Zoo before flying off to Kansas City. I've really developed an affection for this lovely city. There I stayed with Bruce and Nancy Morgan. Bruce was the pastor of Lafayette FBC before Carl Malmgren and Tom Clifton. I also got to spend time with my good friends Wallace and Christy Smith and their daughters Hannah and Holland. Wallace served at Indy FBC before relocating to KC to plant a church.
But my main reason for the trip was to spend time with Heather Entrekin, the senior pastor of Prairie Baptist on the fringe of KC. I'd heard such good things about her and I wanted to learn from a woman who is pastoring a large healthy ABC church.
Nothing said about her was overstated. She is a lovely woman, gracious in spirit and generous with her time. I had wanted to interview her when I was in KC in May but she too received a Lilly Grant so she was elsewhere -- D.C., the Republic of Georgia and British Columbia. Check out her blog:(http://web.mac.com/heatherentrekin/Site/Welcome.html)
We were given a wonderful gift in this time. We hadn't anticipated that we would need time to "unpack" what we had gained from our sabbaticals. If you think about it, three months of experiences is a lot to "unpack." By talking about our experiences we made lists of goals for the future and pledged to help each other be accountable. Then she allowed me to interview her staff about her strengths and how she leads. We have so much in common!!!
I could not have chosen a better ending to the time away and when I write my report for Lilly I'll mention that this was more helpful than I could have imagined.
I'm heading back to church tomorrow, excited about seeing my church family and hearing their stories. I am looking forward to sharing a small portion of the pictures I took.
Who knows what God will be able to do through us because we have had these experiences?????
I'll keep the blog going so I can write about what is to follow. After all, all of life is a journey if you are honest.
love, peg
Does it sound like I spend a lot of time at Cracker Barrel? Well, I probably do but I'm also there a lot for our church's men's breakfast (Thursdays at 7 a.m. if you are interested).
Anyway.....I then took myself to see the movie "Mama Mia." What a hoot!!!! Only two other women were in the theater so I didn't feel at all bad about laughing and singing along. You see, Abba is one of my favorite singing groups of all time.
Okay, that is the winding down part.
After the train trip I spent a few days at home before going to my parents for a lovely weekend and spent a day with the grandchildren at the Indianapolis Zoo before flying off to Kansas City. I've really developed an affection for this lovely city. There I stayed with Bruce and Nancy Morgan. Bruce was the pastor of Lafayette FBC before Carl Malmgren and Tom Clifton. I also got to spend time with my good friends Wallace and Christy Smith and their daughters Hannah and Holland. Wallace served at Indy FBC before relocating to KC to plant a church.
But my main reason for the trip was to spend time with Heather Entrekin, the senior pastor of Prairie Baptist on the fringe of KC. I'd heard such good things about her and I wanted to learn from a woman who is pastoring a large healthy ABC church.
Nothing said about her was overstated. She is a lovely woman, gracious in spirit and generous with her time. I had wanted to interview her when I was in KC in May but she too received a Lilly Grant so she was elsewhere -- D.C., the Republic of Georgia and British Columbia. Check out her blog:(http://web.mac.com/heatherentrekin/Site/Welcome.html)
We were given a wonderful gift in this time. We hadn't anticipated that we would need time to "unpack" what we had gained from our sabbaticals. If you think about it, three months of experiences is a lot to "unpack." By talking about our experiences we made lists of goals for the future and pledged to help each other be accountable. Then she allowed me to interview her staff about her strengths and how she leads. We have so much in common!!!
I could not have chosen a better ending to the time away and when I write my report for Lilly I'll mention that this was more helpful than I could have imagined.
I'm heading back to church tomorrow, excited about seeing my church family and hearing their stories. I am looking forward to sharing a small portion of the pictures I took.
Who knows what God will be able to do through us because we have had these experiences?????
I'll keep the blog going so I can write about what is to follow. After all, all of life is a journey if you are honest.
love, peg
Leaving Again
The sabbatical is winding down. There is only one more Sunday before I return to First Baptist. I decided to spend it with my family in Scottsburg and go to church with them. I don't spend enough time with mom and dad so this will be a good time before I get back into the groove.
Then I will make a quick trip back to Kansas City to spend a few days with Heather Entrekin, pastor of Prairie Baptist Church. I've wanted to interview her for some time and since she got a Lilly grant as well, she wasn't there when I made a trip to KC earlier in May. I can't wait to learn from her and hear about her sabbatical. Bruce and Nancy Morgan (former pastor at FBC) live there so I hope to see them too.
I'm realizing that processing what I learned from the sabbatical and what I'll do with it won't be easy. I had so many experiences that it will take time to figure it all out.
The experiences are like the way I take pictures. Some of the pictures are taken simply to remember where I've been. Others are taken to catch the moment. I can tell you about the places I've been, like a travelogue. Telling you about how the experiences touched and changed me will take more time.
I think back to the waiter in Rome who didn't seem to care whether we were there or not and realize I don't want to inflict that on anyone else.
I think about the waiters in Florence and Rome, on the other hand, who welcomed us into their restaurants and made us want to come back. So we did. We came back the next night and were greeted like old friends. European kisses and free lemoncello!!! That keeps you coming back for more. They may not have known our names but they recognized our faces and opened wide their hearts.
I know that I want everyone who enters First Baptist to feel that way but I should not just stop there. What would happen if we all took the Royal Caribbean philosophy and greeted everyone who walked by them? Seriously, walk by a RC employee on the ship and they stop whatever they are doing to say hello. How would that change the lives of people we meet?
I still remember a time when I lived in Rochester, NY when I was walking into the grocery store. I must have been in a really good mood because I gave a big smile and hello to a gentleman leaving the store. I still remember him saying, "Wow, that was worth coming out for tonight!" And he kept going. I wasn't flirting and neither was he, we just recognized that he appreciated a big smile. This happened around 1997 and I still remember his appreciation.
How could you change a life by greeting the folks around you? The folks in church you don't know? A neighbor?
Seriously....think about it. You appreciate good hospitality. How about sharing it with someone else?
love, peg
Then I will make a quick trip back to Kansas City to spend a few days with Heather Entrekin, pastor of Prairie Baptist Church. I've wanted to interview her for some time and since she got a Lilly grant as well, she wasn't there when I made a trip to KC earlier in May. I can't wait to learn from her and hear about her sabbatical. Bruce and Nancy Morgan (former pastor at FBC) live there so I hope to see them too.
I'm realizing that processing what I learned from the sabbatical and what I'll do with it won't be easy. I had so many experiences that it will take time to figure it all out.
The experiences are like the way I take pictures. Some of the pictures are taken simply to remember where I've been. Others are taken to catch the moment. I can tell you about the places I've been, like a travelogue. Telling you about how the experiences touched and changed me will take more time.
I think back to the waiter in Rome who didn't seem to care whether we were there or not and realize I don't want to inflict that on anyone else.
I think about the waiters in Florence and Rome, on the other hand, who welcomed us into their restaurants and made us want to come back. So we did. We came back the next night and were greeted like old friends. European kisses and free lemoncello!!! That keeps you coming back for more. They may not have known our names but they recognized our faces and opened wide their hearts.
I know that I want everyone who enters First Baptist to feel that way but I should not just stop there. What would happen if we all took the Royal Caribbean philosophy and greeted everyone who walked by them? Seriously, walk by a RC employee on the ship and they stop whatever they are doing to say hello. How would that change the lives of people we meet?
I still remember a time when I lived in Rochester, NY when I was walking into the grocery store. I must have been in a really good mood because I gave a big smile and hello to a gentleman leaving the store. I still remember him saying, "Wow, that was worth coming out for tonight!" And he kept going. I wasn't flirting and neither was he, we just recognized that he appreciated a big smile. This happened around 1997 and I still remember his appreciation.
How could you change a life by greeting the folks around you? The folks in church you don't know? A neighbor?
Seriously....think about it. You appreciate good hospitality. How about sharing it with someone else?
love, peg
Back home again in Indiana
Well, for a while. I have plans to leave the state again before returning to church but in the meantime I'm home.
Last night Rod was gracious enough to pick me up at the Lafayette train station. What fun that was! I've written a lot about hospitality and the Amtrak folks do it well too.
Gary, the compartment attendant, magically made the couch turn into a bed and back into a couch everyday. In this space that was no small feat. I had a bedroom compartment that also had a bathroom. Of course you could shower and use the toilet at the same time as it is in the same space. And once the bed is down using the sink becomes a challenge since you have six inches between the two. So you can squish in or stand on the bed. Your choice! Cozy but loads of fun. I loved sleeping on the train, sort of like being rocked to sleep, not unlike the ship.
I met lovely people at meals which were very nice as well. I definitely want to travel by train again. It was relaxing and looking at the country via the train reminded me how big our country is and how blessed we are.
Last night Rod was gracious enough to pick me up at the Lafayette train station. What fun that was! I've written a lot about hospitality and the Amtrak folks do it well too.
Gary, the compartment attendant, magically made the couch turn into a bed and back into a couch everyday. In this space that was no small feat. I had a bedroom compartment that also had a bathroom. Of course you could shower and use the toilet at the same time as it is in the same space. And once the bed is down using the sink becomes a challenge since you have six inches between the two. So you can squish in or stand on the bed. Your choice! Cozy but loads of fun. I loved sleeping on the train, sort of like being rocked to sleep, not unlike the ship.
I met lovely people at meals which were very nice as well. I definitely want to travel by train again. It was relaxing and looking at the country via the train reminded me how big our country is and how blessed we are.
The next adventure -- a train ride!
I'm so excited that today I get to experience yet another long-held dream -- to travel across country on a train. About 5 p.m. our train leaves Seattle for Lafayette to arrive late on Thursday night. I have a sleeper compartment to make the trip even more wonderful so I'll sit in a comfortable chair watching the country. I have Janet Evanovich's latest book, a new crossword puzzle book and my laptop on which to write to keep me busy. But I think I will do a lot of looking.
But let me fill you in on the weekend. I spent the weekend with Meredith Wilkinson Browand and baby John. Husband Jeff is a pilot for Alaska Airlines and arrived just in time for Sunday lunch before I left them. On Saturday Meredith, John and I took the ferry from near their home in Port Orchard to Seattle where we wandered until we found the Amtrak station so I could pick up my ticket, then we went to Pike's Market, the Aquarium and lunch at Cutter's. This time I finally saw them throw fish.
On Sunday we attended the church Meredith has joined. Meredith asked me to help her find a church and this one was suggested to me. It has turned out to be a great place for them. It is a small congregation who loves them well. The pastor Cathy Kernan is a gracious and loving woman and the people are just wonderful. Meredith has to cross the bridge and pay tolls to go to church but she decided this church is well worth any effort she has to put forth. What an idea!
I've stayed near Sea-Tac since leaving her and yesterday had a great time with Marcia Patton, executive minister of the Evergreen Association, our newest ABC region. That is a fascinating story of how these churches came to become a new creation. And Marcia has great stories to tell on leadership for women and overcoming difficulties. We sat in this great Greek restaurant for over two hours talking and eating great food.
Now I am heading back home. I'm looking forward to it but I've so enjoyed my travels that I think I could be a professional tourist. Alas my budget doesn't permit that and I do miss the folks back home.
If you are part of First Baptist I'll see you soon. I'm anxious to hear how God has worked in your life this summer and I'm anxious to share what I've seen and learned. Won't we have fun getting to know each other again!!!!
love, peg
But let me fill you in on the weekend. I spent the weekend with Meredith Wilkinson Browand and baby John. Husband Jeff is a pilot for Alaska Airlines and arrived just in time for Sunday lunch before I left them. On Saturday Meredith, John and I took the ferry from near their home in Port Orchard to Seattle where we wandered until we found the Amtrak station so I could pick up my ticket, then we went to Pike's Market, the Aquarium and lunch at Cutter's. This time I finally saw them throw fish.
On Sunday we attended the church Meredith has joined. Meredith asked me to help her find a church and this one was suggested to me. It has turned out to be a great place for them. It is a small congregation who loves them well. The pastor Cathy Kernan is a gracious and loving woman and the people are just wonderful. Meredith has to cross the bridge and pay tolls to go to church but she decided this church is well worth any effort she has to put forth. What an idea!
I've stayed near Sea-Tac since leaving her and yesterday had a great time with Marcia Patton, executive minister of the Evergreen Association, our newest ABC region. That is a fascinating story of how these churches came to become a new creation. And Marcia has great stories to tell on leadership for women and overcoming difficulties. We sat in this great Greek restaurant for over two hours talking and eating great food.
Now I am heading back home. I'm looking forward to it but I've so enjoyed my travels that I think I could be a professional tourist. Alas my budget doesn't permit that and I do miss the folks back home.
If you are part of First Baptist I'll see you soon. I'm anxious to hear how God has worked in your life this summer and I'm anxious to share what I've seen and learned. Won't we have fun getting to know each other again!!!!
love, peg
Cruise Journal and Hospitality
Way up north to Alaska!
We got on the ship without any incident whatsoever. In fact, the line wasn’t long at all. I turned to Gregg and asked where “Julie” (from The Love Boat for those of you much too young to remember). Well, she was right there to greet us but her name is Joyce, like my mother’s.
Cruise lines know about hospitality. You do not pass by a Royal Caribbean (RC) employee without being spoken to. They always ask how you are doing. Seriously, every one of them.
Our table steward is David from China (I can’t pronounce his Chinese name) and his assistant Atilla from Hungary. Ask for two entrees and they don’t bat an eye. In fact we put the kitchen to the test on the first night. You see, I have a grandson who eats well on a lot of levels but must have chicken fingers as often as possible. And of course those weren’t on the menu but David asked and viola! they came. From then on every night David had fruit plates for Jax and Shae the moment they sat down. And then chicken fingers were available every night too! One night he and his wife (at the Purser’s desk) gave them origami swans. Sweet, sweet people.
Last night was formal night and people all over enjoyed dressing up and meeting the captain although he got off the ship in the night to go on vacation so we have another captain now.
Yesterday the waters were a little choppy. I didn’t think it looked bad but most of the Nowling clan (me included) felt light-headed and had a queasy tummy. Our first night and most of yesterday was in the Pacific Ocean but now we have land on both sides so the rocking has subsided immensely. I am using the seasick patches so maybe that helped. However when the captain announced he had had seasickness on Friday and his assistant on Saturday, I didn’t feel so badly.
This experience is amazing. This morning we saw a glimpse of a whale and soon we will go off to breakfast. Gregg and I have our helicopter ride this afternoon, then shopping in Juneau.
We changed time last night which means most of us are up early yet again. Alaska is four hours behind Indiana and my body isn’t sure what time zone it is in because a week ago I had just returned from Rome, which is six hours ahead of us.
More later!
Juneau, Skagway and Endicott Glacier
On Sunday we docked at Juneau and spent time walking around town before Gregg and I took our helicopter ride up to see several glaciers and walked on one. Maybe I use the word “amazing” too much but I don’t know any other way to describe it. The helicopter ride itself was so much fun and walking on the glacier was surreal. You know you just got off a machine that shouldn’t be flying and you are walking on something that is an exceptional piece of God’s work. “Fun” doesn’t even begin to describe what I experienced. For those of you who warned me that it would be slippery, it wasn’t. In fact, it was very easy to stay upright.
In Skagway we wandered in and out of the shops. Courtney likes the town so much she says she is moving here. I think she forgets that she doesn’t really like cold weather. It is a small town but charming and with as many jewelry stores as Mackinaw Island has fudge shops. Seriously. Every other store sells jewelry so Shae and I bought a ring that changes colors when you get out in the sun.
Our trips into Juneau, Skagway and Prince Rupert were fun but we really enjoyed being on the ship and playing every trivia game available. "Team Indiana" won the cartoon "name that tune" and accepted a lovely gift of Royal Caribbean visors. We unfortunately did not win the coveted water wallets. Shucks. Still we enjoyed playing. Courtney won a bronze medal playing shufflegolf (combination of shuffleboard and golf). Jax won a gold medal for something else???. And Courtney won in bingo. A productive trip for all. And a whole lot of fun. We really enjoyed being together.We really appreciated the hospitality (of course I'll write about that too!) of Royal Caribbean and David, our waiter, Attila, our assistant waiter and Ingrid, our talented stateroom attendant. See the picture of Towel Man watching television in my bed!!!!Now I'm in Colorado at the youth conference. More fun!!! later!
Today is Glacier Day! The Tracey Arn Fjord was too dangerous today so we went to Endicott instead. Check out these pictures! Fortunately the captain turned the ship so that we had a spectacular view from our own balconies but first we were all out on the deck to watch it. The kids and I sat on the deck in front of others’ feet so we had a great view.
When the captain announced we weren’t going to Tracey Arn I was very disappointed. We were approaching Endicott and it looked like the other glaciers we had seen that basically leveled off to sea level. I wanted to see those huge ones I see on the travel channel. Silly me. As we got closer they got bigger and bigger. At that point we were on deck 10 and the glacier was taller than we were. The closer we got, the bigger it was. I said to the kids, “This is why we came” and Shae said, “And I love you for it!”
Now I am sitting in my room, looking at the balcony and watching the mountains and the blue green water. I believe we will see more glaciers as the day go on. I had hoped to sit on the balcony and write but frozen fingers aren’t conducive to typing! Although it has not been freezing here. This is the first day I have worn my fleece jacket.
We have big plans for the rest of the day – family bean bag toss, learning magic, more “name that tune” and tonight is formal night again. Film at 11!
On our next to the last night in the dining room Courtney asked David why he chose that particular American name. “I found it in the Bible, King David. You see, I’m a Christian and the name has meaning for me.”
As he made his way around the table to take our orders I said, “David, I’m a pastor.”
The look on his face was one of awe, not one I see all that often! Then he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
I felt terrible. Why indeed? I hadn’t because I was on vacation and because I didn’t want to be anyone’s pastor this week, and David was forgiving but he then wanted to share part of his story with me and ask for my prayers as he and his wife seek to discover what they will do next. I’m pretty sure that is what he asked me pray about. The dining room was noisy and I didn’t understand every word of his English. But I’m praying for God’s wisdom anyway. I gave him my card on the last night and he gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Ingrid, our stateroom attendant, is from Nicaragua. Her five children live with her mother there as she goes off part of the year to earn a living for them. I don’t know what she makes but we suspect they make mainly their tips so tip well.
She learned out names quickly and every day when she saw me, she’d call out, “How are you today, Miss Peggy?” The kids hugged her daily and we loved coming back to our rooms each night after dinner to see what towel animals were there to greet us. Rabbit, dog, monkey and of course Towel Man. That was too much fun.
I think I’ll go home and check out old episodes of “Northern Exposure” to relive my trip, even if it was filmed in Oregon! Still, Skagway reminds me a bit of Cicilly, Alaska.
We got on the ship without any incident whatsoever. In fact, the line wasn’t long at all. I turned to Gregg and asked where “Julie” (from The Love Boat for those of you much too young to remember). Well, she was right there to greet us but her name is Joyce, like my mother’s.
Cruise lines know about hospitality. You do not pass by a Royal Caribbean (RC) employee without being spoken to. They always ask how you are doing. Seriously, every one of them.
Our table steward is David from China (I can’t pronounce his Chinese name) and his assistant Atilla from Hungary. Ask for two entrees and they don’t bat an eye. In fact we put the kitchen to the test on the first night. You see, I have a grandson who eats well on a lot of levels but must have chicken fingers as often as possible. And of course those weren’t on the menu but David asked and viola! they came. From then on every night David had fruit plates for Jax and Shae the moment they sat down. And then chicken fingers were available every night too! One night he and his wife (at the Purser’s desk) gave them origami swans. Sweet, sweet people.
Last night was formal night and people all over enjoyed dressing up and meeting the captain although he got off the ship in the night to go on vacation so we have another captain now.
Yesterday the waters were a little choppy. I didn’t think it looked bad but most of the Nowling clan (me included) felt light-headed and had a queasy tummy. Our first night and most of yesterday was in the Pacific Ocean but now we have land on both sides so the rocking has subsided immensely. I am using the seasick patches so maybe that helped. However when the captain announced he had had seasickness on Friday and his assistant on Saturday, I didn’t feel so badly.
This experience is amazing. This morning we saw a glimpse of a whale and soon we will go off to breakfast. Gregg and I have our helicopter ride this afternoon, then shopping in Juneau.
We changed time last night which means most of us are up early yet again. Alaska is four hours behind Indiana and my body isn’t sure what time zone it is in because a week ago I had just returned from Rome, which is six hours ahead of us.
More later!
Juneau, Skagway and Endicott Glacier
On Sunday we docked at Juneau and spent time walking around town before Gregg and I took our helicopter ride up to see several glaciers and walked on one. Maybe I use the word “amazing” too much but I don’t know any other way to describe it. The helicopter ride itself was so much fun and walking on the glacier was surreal. You know you just got off a machine that shouldn’t be flying and you are walking on something that is an exceptional piece of God’s work. “Fun” doesn’t even begin to describe what I experienced. For those of you who warned me that it would be slippery, it wasn’t. In fact, it was very easy to stay upright.
In Skagway we wandered in and out of the shops. Courtney likes the town so much she says she is moving here. I think she forgets that she doesn’t really like cold weather. It is a small town but charming and with as many jewelry stores as Mackinaw Island has fudge shops. Seriously. Every other store sells jewelry so Shae and I bought a ring that changes colors when you get out in the sun.
Our trips into Juneau, Skagway and Prince Rupert were fun but we really enjoyed being on the ship and playing every trivia game available. "Team Indiana" won the cartoon "name that tune" and accepted a lovely gift of Royal Caribbean visors. We unfortunately did not win the coveted water wallets. Shucks. Still we enjoyed playing. Courtney won a bronze medal playing shufflegolf (combination of shuffleboard and golf). Jax won a gold medal for something else???. And Courtney won in bingo. A productive trip for all. And a whole lot of fun. We really enjoyed being together.We really appreciated the hospitality (of course I'll write about that too!) of Royal Caribbean and David, our waiter, Attila, our assistant waiter and Ingrid, our talented stateroom attendant. See the picture of Towel Man watching television in my bed!!!!Now I'm in Colorado at the youth conference. More fun!!! later!
Today is Glacier Day! The Tracey Arn Fjord was too dangerous today so we went to Endicott instead. Check out these pictures! Fortunately the captain turned the ship so that we had a spectacular view from our own balconies but first we were all out on the deck to watch it. The kids and I sat on the deck in front of others’ feet so we had a great view.
When the captain announced we weren’t going to Tracey Arn I was very disappointed. We were approaching Endicott and it looked like the other glaciers we had seen that basically leveled off to sea level. I wanted to see those huge ones I see on the travel channel. Silly me. As we got closer they got bigger and bigger. At that point we were on deck 10 and the glacier was taller than we were. The closer we got, the bigger it was. I said to the kids, “This is why we came” and Shae said, “And I love you for it!”
Now I am sitting in my room, looking at the balcony and watching the mountains and the blue green water. I believe we will see more glaciers as the day go on. I had hoped to sit on the balcony and write but frozen fingers aren’t conducive to typing! Although it has not been freezing here. This is the first day I have worn my fleece jacket.
We have big plans for the rest of the day – family bean bag toss, learning magic, more “name that tune” and tonight is formal night again. Film at 11!
On our next to the last night in the dining room Courtney asked David why he chose that particular American name. “I found it in the Bible, King David. You see, I’m a Christian and the name has meaning for me.”
As he made his way around the table to take our orders I said, “David, I’m a pastor.”
The look on his face was one of awe, not one I see all that often! Then he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
I felt terrible. Why indeed? I hadn’t because I was on vacation and because I didn’t want to be anyone’s pastor this week, and David was forgiving but he then wanted to share part of his story with me and ask for my prayers as he and his wife seek to discover what they will do next. I’m pretty sure that is what he asked me pray about. The dining room was noisy and I didn’t understand every word of his English. But I’m praying for God’s wisdom anyway. I gave him my card on the last night and he gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Ingrid, our stateroom attendant, is from Nicaragua. Her five children live with her mother there as she goes off part of the year to earn a living for them. I don’t know what she makes but we suspect they make mainly their tips so tip well.
She learned out names quickly and every day when she saw me, she’d call out, “How are you today, Miss Peggy?” The kids hugged her daily and we loved coming back to our rooms each night after dinner to see what towel animals were there to greet us. Rabbit, dog, monkey and of course Towel Man. That was too much fun.
I think I’ll go home and check out old episodes of “Northern Exposure” to relive my trip, even if it was filmed in Oregon! Still, Skagway reminds me a bit of Cicilly, Alaska.
Today is the day!
It is 5:48 a.m. and I'm sitting in the breakfast lounge at the Comfort Suites in Seattle. Gregg is in the nearby computer room...both of us woke early. Of course it is six a.m. here but our bodies say it is almost nine. Then my body is totally confused because less than a week ago it would have been 3 p.m. since I am now nine hours behind of what it is in Italy. I think an afternoon nap is in order to try to compensate!
Yesterday we wandered around Seattle on foot. It is about 1.5 miles to the pier from here so we walked by the Space Needle and made our way to Pike's Market. We saw no fish being tossed, I'm sorry to say.
Our plane had to bypass the normal flight pattern because of bad weather in Illinois. There was a fair amount of turbulance and then once in Seattle we had to get in line to land. I think we saw Mt. Rainer about 5 times (no hardship there!) So instead of arriving at 10:30 it was 11:30, then checking in and hoofing it to the market, it was 2 before we ate lunch at Cutter's. Then a high school friend met us for dinner and we ate again at 6. We had a great time. Phil is an appraiser for the state and has lived out here about 11 years.
We all crashed early for Seattle time. I made it all the way to 9:30 and woke at 5, not a bad night's sleep. We will check out here at noon and our shuttle will deliver us right to the pier.
This is going to be fun!!!!! I'll probably write when I get to Colorado to update you on the trip.
Keep reading!
Yesterday we wandered around Seattle on foot. It is about 1.5 miles to the pier from here so we walked by the Space Needle and made our way to Pike's Market. We saw no fish being tossed, I'm sorry to say.
Our plane had to bypass the normal flight pattern because of bad weather in Illinois. There was a fair amount of turbulance and then once in Seattle we had to get in line to land. I think we saw Mt. Rainer about 5 times (no hardship there!) So instead of arriving at 10:30 it was 11:30, then checking in and hoofing it to the market, it was 2 before we ate lunch at Cutter's. Then a high school friend met us for dinner and we ate again at 6. We had a great time. Phil is an appraiser for the state and has lived out here about 11 years.
We all crashed early for Seattle time. I made it all the way to 9:30 and woke at 5, not a bad night's sleep. We will check out here at noon and our shuttle will deliver us right to the pier.
This is going to be fun!!!!! I'll probably write when I get to Colorado to update you on the trip.
Keep reading!
Now off to Alaska
I loved Italy but this upcoming cruise is really the trip I've dreamed of taking and getting to take the kids and grandkids is the icing on the cake.
Tomorrow morning a limo will pick us up and get all seven of us and luggage to the airport. We'll arrive in Seattle and spend the day at Pike's Market and seeing friends. On Friday we'll board the ship and begin another adventure.
Gregg and I will take a helicopter ride to the glaciers in Juneau and we'll also stop in Skagway and Prince Rupert, BC.
We return on July 4 when the kids will return to Indy and I'll head up to Estes Park, CO for "More Than a Week," our ABC National Youth Convention. I'll then return to Seattle for visits and interviews, then board Amtrak for a trip home across the country.
With internet costs at 55 cents a minute on the ship I won't blog but I'll keep notes and catch up when I get to Colorado.
Thanks for reading and for your comments. This has been so much fun and I'm so blessed to have this experience.
love, peg
Tomorrow morning a limo will pick us up and get all seven of us and luggage to the airport. We'll arrive in Seattle and spend the day at Pike's Market and seeing friends. On Friday we'll board the ship and begin another adventure.
Gregg and I will take a helicopter ride to the glaciers in Juneau and we'll also stop in Skagway and Prince Rupert, BC.
We return on July 4 when the kids will return to Indy and I'll head up to Estes Park, CO for "More Than a Week," our ABC National Youth Convention. I'll then return to Seattle for visits and interviews, then board Amtrak for a trip home across the country.
With internet costs at 55 cents a minute on the ship I won't blog but I'll keep notes and catch up when I get to Colorado.
Thanks for reading and for your comments. This has been so much fun and I'm so blessed to have this experience.
love, peg
Hospitality, Part 2
I'm convinced that Rome has a love/hate relationship with tourists. Maybe every city that makes its living off of tourists feels the same way. I felt that Vincennes, Indiana felt the same way about us college students. They make their living from the university and the students but they didn't really like having us there.
In Venice the water taxi ticket people wanted only correct change or they would refuse to sell you a ticket. The waiter wouldn't make change and ended up taking a slight loss because we couldn't come up with it.
In Rome we wandered around the Vatican museum and found a gelato shop. Upon ordering we were asked if we were going to sit down and then directed to go ahead and sit and the gelato would be brought to us. The waiter brought it, and when I asked for the bill, he said, "Pay later!" Well, the bill was 20 Euro!!!! That comes out to about $30. Yes, folks, we spent $30 on ice cream cones and two chairs. Needless to say I told everyone I could to stay away from that restaurant!
But then there was the little restaurant next to our hotel who made up for them. They give a 20% discount if you come in during "Happy Hours" as they called it. Lovely people who gave us the European cheek kisses both nights we left there. They made us feel welcome.
And so did the young woman who worked at the market on the other side of our hotel. We bought our water, sodas and munchies there and each time she remembered us.
Hospitality.
This trip gave me insight into how little it takes to make me feel welcomed and appreciated and the opposite is true as well. Make it hard for me to buy a ticket and I don't feel welcome. Make it hard for me to rest my weary and hot feet and I don't feel welcome. Give me a smile and ask me as one gentleman did in Florence, "How are you tomorrow?" and I feel welcomed.
Hospitality. It has given me a lot to think about for the many chances I have to extend it.
In Venice the water taxi ticket people wanted only correct change or they would refuse to sell you a ticket. The waiter wouldn't make change and ended up taking a slight loss because we couldn't come up with it.
In Rome we wandered around the Vatican museum and found a gelato shop. Upon ordering we were asked if we were going to sit down and then directed to go ahead and sit and the gelato would be brought to us. The waiter brought it, and when I asked for the bill, he said, "Pay later!" Well, the bill was 20 Euro!!!! That comes out to about $30. Yes, folks, we spent $30 on ice cream cones and two chairs. Needless to say I told everyone I could to stay away from that restaurant!
But then there was the little restaurant next to our hotel who made up for them. They give a 20% discount if you come in during "Happy Hours" as they called it. Lovely people who gave us the European cheek kisses both nights we left there. They made us feel welcome.
And so did the young woman who worked at the market on the other side of our hotel. We bought our water, sodas and munchies there and each time she remembered us.
Hospitality.
This trip gave me insight into how little it takes to make me feel welcomed and appreciated and the opposite is true as well. Make it hard for me to buy a ticket and I don't feel welcome. Make it hard for me to rest my weary and hot feet and I don't feel welcome. Give me a smile and ask me as one gentleman did in Florence, "How are you tomorrow?" and I feel welcomed.
Hospitality. It has given me a lot to think about for the many chances I have to extend it.
Ancient Rome, June 18-20
Wandering around the ancient Roman ruins was a moving experience. Knowing that those names we've heard in history books walked there, knowing that Jesus was alive during some of these days, knowing that much of what we know and do today began there...it was an incredible experience.
The Coliseum supposedly seated about the same number of people as the RCA Dome. The Panethon was the largest unsupported dome until the SuperDome was built in New Orleans in the 60s. The Sistine Chapel's ceiling is breathtaking and then there is the knowledge that Michelango painted it in four years and some change.
The Vatican is immense. The book I bought says there are over 1,400 rooms in the museum alone. St. Peter's Square is huge and from there you can see the balcony where the newly elected pope makes his first appearance and it is the only time that balcony is used. It is over the door at St. Peter's Basilicia.
You are shown where the pope's apartments are and which window he makes his weekly blessing. There are statutes of St. Peter and St. Paul that flank the entrance to the basilicia, along with many statutes of saints around the walls of the square.
Much of what I have seen have run together and when I look at the pictures I've taken I can hardly remember which church is which, but it hardly matters. I've been there and experienced much. And the memories will be with me for a long time to come.
The Coliseum supposedly seated about the same number of people as the RCA Dome. The Panethon was the largest unsupported dome until the SuperDome was built in New Orleans in the 60s. The Sistine Chapel's ceiling is breathtaking and then there is the knowledge that Michelango painted it in four years and some change.
The Vatican is immense. The book I bought says there are over 1,400 rooms in the museum alone. St. Peter's Square is huge and from there you can see the balcony where the newly elected pope makes his first appearance and it is the only time that balcony is used. It is over the door at St. Peter's Basilicia.
You are shown where the pope's apartments are and which window he makes his weekly blessing. There are statutes of St. Peter and St. Paul that flank the entrance to the basilicia, along with many statutes of saints around the walls of the square.
Much of what I have seen have run together and when I look at the pictures I've taken I can hardly remember which church is which, but it hardly matters. I've been there and experienced much. And the memories will be with me for a long time to come.
Off to Rome, June 17
Venice was fascinating. Florence incredible but Siena....ah, bliss.
Sure I've used that term several times by now but Siena, even with all the hordes of tourists (who exactly is still in the UK, Australia or US? I even heard a French woman say "Oo la-la" yesterday!)
Trust me, Siena is really remarkable. The cathedral of St. Catherine took my breath away and by now I've seen a whole bunch of churches! The battisteria brought tears to my eyes. The piazza is just plain fun!
We had lunch yesterday with the ladies we met on the train. Molly is from Massachusetts and Nancy from California. It was God moment to have met them.
Last night was dinner at a little place down the street, where the locals go. Little English but we are getting better at hand gestures. The prices go way down when you go where the locals go. And the ravoli was excellent.
Okay, friends, off again. We stayed up last night to follow Tiger's triumph via ESPN's website. Thanks to the web we've stayed in touch, I think.
ciao!
Sure I've used that term several times by now but Siena, even with all the hordes of tourists (who exactly is still in the UK, Australia or US? I even heard a French woman say "Oo la-la" yesterday!)
Trust me, Siena is really remarkable. The cathedral of St. Catherine took my breath away and by now I've seen a whole bunch of churches! The battisteria brought tears to my eyes. The piazza is just plain fun!
We had lunch yesterday with the ladies we met on the train. Molly is from Massachusetts and Nancy from California. It was God moment to have met them.
Last night was dinner at a little place down the street, where the locals go. Little English but we are getting better at hand gestures. The prices go way down when you go where the locals go. And the ravoli was excellent.
Okay, friends, off again. We stayed up last night to follow Tiger's triumph via ESPN's website. Thanks to the web we've stayed in touch, I think.
ciao!
Hospitality
I've been thinking about the hospitality we've experienced here in Europe and my experiences on the first leg in Missouri and Kansas.
I wrote about no one introducing themselves to me at my friend's church until after the service. The folks were friendly enough, they just didn't try to find out anything about me. It was like they didn't want to intrude or they weren't comfortable in getting to know a perfect stranger.
Then I went to stay with the Sisters of St. Benedict in Columbia and they gave me the keys to the place. I was free to use the kitchen when I was hungry and join them for meals when they ate. I was welcome to watch the news and say evening prayers with them and attend the service for peace. I was even invited to say a short homily about my thoughts about peace. That was a risk because Sister Barbara didn't know much about me, but I think she just let the Holy Spirit guide her and she welcomed me into the fold.
Hospitality.
In Amsterdam Lauran followed a Thai custom of waking your guests in their beds with cups of coffee. One morning she made me go back to bed because she wasn't ready yet.
Hospitality.
The Kelseys welcomed us with their time and even allowing us to stay with their boys one night while they attended a convention. Truly it was a privilege and we were happy to be able to thank them for allowing us to share their home.
Hospitality.
The people of Vicenza invited us into their church and their lives by sharing their thoughts about the military base and they shared their meal with us. Loving, loving people.
Hospitality.
Our hotels have been outstanding. Small places with lovely situations. Desk clerks who give us pots of hot water to take to our room to make tea before bed. Or when the desk clerk asked if we had taken anything from the minibar instead of checking up on us. Gracious people and so helpful to two wandering women who don't speak the language.
Hospitality.
The waiter at a restaurant we found in Florence while looking for another restaurant. It was right around the corner from our hotel and when we returned the second night he remembered our drink orders and even brought us limoncello as a goodbye gift before we left. Limoncello is a lemon liquer that you drink only a very small amount.
Hospitality.
Today while we were waiting for the train an older woman came up to us and starting asking us questions. I quickly said, "American!" She jokingly put her hands out to smack me but of course didn't. She wanted answers and we couldn't give them so we all laughed and she went away.
Interestingly enough she was at least the third older woman to ask us something...in Italian. I guess we have trusting faces. At least the college kids from Connecticut and the twin brothers from Utah thought so. We met them at the Venice train station and Debbie was able to help the twins get on the train with us.
Hospitality.
When I remember this trip I'll remember the places I've seen but the memories I'll treasure the most will be the ones like tonight when the desk clerk gave us a china teapot filled with hot water, two china cups and saucers on a lovely tray. Was it her job? Sure. But she did that small service for us with grace and I, for one, deeply appreciate the gesture.
I wrote about no one introducing themselves to me at my friend's church until after the service. The folks were friendly enough, they just didn't try to find out anything about me. It was like they didn't want to intrude or they weren't comfortable in getting to know a perfect stranger.
Then I went to stay with the Sisters of St. Benedict in Columbia and they gave me the keys to the place. I was free to use the kitchen when I was hungry and join them for meals when they ate. I was welcome to watch the news and say evening prayers with them and attend the service for peace. I was even invited to say a short homily about my thoughts about peace. That was a risk because Sister Barbara didn't know much about me, but I think she just let the Holy Spirit guide her and she welcomed me into the fold.
Hospitality.
In Amsterdam Lauran followed a Thai custom of waking your guests in their beds with cups of coffee. One morning she made me go back to bed because she wasn't ready yet.
Hospitality.
The Kelseys welcomed us with their time and even allowing us to stay with their boys one night while they attended a convention. Truly it was a privilege and we were happy to be able to thank them for allowing us to share their home.
Hospitality.
The people of Vicenza invited us into their church and their lives by sharing their thoughts about the military base and they shared their meal with us. Loving, loving people.
Hospitality.
Our hotels have been outstanding. Small places with lovely situations. Desk clerks who give us pots of hot water to take to our room to make tea before bed. Or when the desk clerk asked if we had taken anything from the minibar instead of checking up on us. Gracious people and so helpful to two wandering women who don't speak the language.
Hospitality.
The waiter at a restaurant we found in Florence while looking for another restaurant. It was right around the corner from our hotel and when we returned the second night he remembered our drink orders and even brought us limoncello as a goodbye gift before we left. Limoncello is a lemon liquer that you drink only a very small amount.
Hospitality.
Today while we were waiting for the train an older woman came up to us and starting asking us questions. I quickly said, "American!" She jokingly put her hands out to smack me but of course didn't. She wanted answers and we couldn't give them so we all laughed and she went away.
Interestingly enough she was at least the third older woman to ask us something...in Italian. I guess we have trusting faces. At least the college kids from Connecticut and the twin brothers from Utah thought so. We met them at the Venice train station and Debbie was able to help the twins get on the train with us.
Hospitality.
When I remember this trip I'll remember the places I've seen but the memories I'll treasure the most will be the ones like tonight when the desk clerk gave us a china teapot filled with hot water, two china cups and saucers on a lovely tray. Was it her job? Sure. But she did that small service for us with grace and I, for one, deeply appreciate the gesture.
Siena, Day One, June 15
Happy Father's Day to my dad and all you fathers out there!
Today we left our quaint little hotel in Florence (Hotel Goldoni) and boarded the train for Siena. We met more Americans on the train and will have lunch with two ladies tomorrow. We'll meet at the fountain of Piazza del Campo in the pictures --->.
I know I use the word "amazing" a lot but Italy is. But if you thought Florence was old, get this: Siena was begun in 30 AD. Jesus was alive when this city was born.
It feels medieval as you walk the streets and look at the incredibly old buildings. The streets look much too narrow to drive a car through, yet our bus driver took the road with great skill. The road from our hotel to the city is not a long one but it is on a busy road and uphill allllll the way. As we made our way to the city proper we thanked God and the people of Siena for the escalator that takes you to the top. I think there were seven levels of escalators. Yes, seven.
We wandered and found the piazza just as a parade was beginning. If you watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" you will remember that the young Polish man who falls in love with the young Italian girl learns to wave flags to impress her. The men in this parade were waving flags and tossing them in the air as the drummers belted out a cadence to keep the time. Apparently they do this every Sunday evening and we tourists loved it.
We could hear men singing across the piazza but couldn't figure out where they were so we asked our English speaking server who said, "They are drinking!" and shrugged her shoulders. Italians!!!!
Tomorrow we plan to move slowly around the city and see more churches and eat more gelato. Today's was melon and lemon. I still think the chocolate and pistachio have been the best yet!
blessings, peg
Today we left our quaint little hotel in Florence (Hotel Goldoni) and boarded the train for Siena. We met more Americans on the train and will have lunch with two ladies tomorrow. We'll meet at the fountain of Piazza del Campo in the pictures --->.
I know I use the word "amazing" a lot but Italy is. But if you thought Florence was old, get this: Siena was begun in 30 AD. Jesus was alive when this city was born.
It feels medieval as you walk the streets and look at the incredibly old buildings. The streets look much too narrow to drive a car through, yet our bus driver took the road with great skill. The road from our hotel to the city is not a long one but it is on a busy road and uphill allllll the way. As we made our way to the city proper we thanked God and the people of Siena for the escalator that takes you to the top. I think there were seven levels of escalators. Yes, seven.
We wandered and found the piazza just as a parade was beginning. If you watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" you will remember that the young Polish man who falls in love with the young Italian girl learns to wave flags to impress her. The men in this parade were waving flags and tossing them in the air as the drummers belted out a cadence to keep the time. Apparently they do this every Sunday evening and we tourists loved it.
We could hear men singing across the piazza but couldn't figure out where they were so we asked our English speaking server who said, "They are drinking!" and shrugged her shoulders. Italians!!!!
Tomorrow we plan to move slowly around the city and see more churches and eat more gelato. Today's was melon and lemon. I still think the chocolate and pistachio have been the best yet!
blessings, peg
Florence, Day Two, June 14
Today we went shopping in Florence's outlet mall or the open stalls in one of the piazzas. That is fun. Shoes, shoes, shoes!
Judy unintentionally booked a guided tour for us at the Uffizi Gallery and we are glad she did. For two hours we heard about the best paintings there and learned more than we could have on our own. We saw DaVinci, Rembrandt, and many others.
Today we are off to Siena so when possible I'll update when possible.
Judy unintentionally booked a guided tour for us at the Uffizi Gallery and we are glad she did. For two hours we heard about the best paintings there and learned more than we could have on our own. We saw DaVinci, Rembrandt, and many others.
Today we are off to Siena so when possible I'll update when possible.
Florence, June 13
I have to say that I didn't expect to fall in love with Florence but it is wonderful.
We went to the Accademia Gallery today and saw the statute of David. It isn't a big gallery so when we turned the corner and there it was, it was a shock. And so amazing it brought tears to our eyes. We found it hard to leave it in fact, it is so beautiful. But finally we did.
If you don't have a reservation made by phone you must wait in line. Today's line was about a three hour wait. With the reservation you walk up the side door and they let you right in. Yeah, that easy.
We had dinner tonight at a little restaurant around the corner from the hotel and met folks from San Francisco. Lovely couple and they gave me the name of their former priest (Episcopal) who is now the bishop of Seattle. I'm going to try to reach her to get an interview when I'm there.
Our room is in a lovely hotel on the third floor of an old building. Marble floors, nice surroundings, charming really.
So I'm off to bed for yet another day of this lovely city with a lot of Americans in it!
ciao!
We went to the Accademia Gallery today and saw the statute of David. It isn't a big gallery so when we turned the corner and there it was, it was a shock. And so amazing it brought tears to our eyes. We found it hard to leave it in fact, it is so beautiful. But finally we did.
If you don't have a reservation made by phone you must wait in line. Today's line was about a three hour wait. With the reservation you walk up the side door and they let you right in. Yeah, that easy.
We had dinner tonight at a little restaurant around the corner from the hotel and met folks from San Francisco. Lovely couple and they gave me the name of their former priest (Episcopal) who is now the bishop of Seattle. I'm going to try to reach her to get an interview when I'm there.
Our room is in a lovely hotel on the third floor of an old building. Marble floors, nice surroundings, charming really.
So I'm off to bed for yet another day of this lovely city with a lot of Americans in it!
ciao!
Padova on June 12
Padova is a lovely city. Not sure how big really but an average everyday town. That is where the Kelsey sons go to the international school and they do their shopping. Part of town looks just like your town, then you get into the heart and you move back in time. My Hyundai would have a hard time negogiating those tiny streets, let alone find a place to park. Most of the streets are only big enough for bicycles and people. The shops really do close for siesta and plan accordingly.
We took the bus right outside their home for a 20 ride into town. Our first visit was to the frescoes at the Scrovegni chapel and Musei Civici Palazzo. Look these up on the internet because I have no pictures to offer, of course. They take your breath away they are so beautiful. They tell the story of Jesus' life and many other things as well. Then we entered the museum and I'm not sure I've seen that many paintings in one museum.
The docents there are very proud of this collection and everytime you enter a new section there is a docent to guide you to the next section, lest you miss anything! I joked that it was like the Hotel California -- "you can check out but you can never leave."
But we finally did and worked our way toward the Duomo which was closed for siesta by the time we found it.
Lunch was eaten sitting on the bench of another piazza. We bought sandwiches, drinks and fresh apricots and cherries and watched the people as we ate.
Our afternoon snack was at another piazza, the largest in Europe outside Red Square. Gelato, pastry, and Judy discovered that latte in Italian is warm milk, not cofee with warm milk!!!
We walked back in a bit of rain, got back on the bus and had dinner with Jim and the boys.
Tomorrow it is off to Florence where we enter the world of pure tourism and incredible beauty. We aren't expecting wi-fi access so this may be the last of the pictures until we return. We'll blog when we can and let you know that we are having an absolutely amazing time.
Florence until Sunday, then Siena in Tuscany, then Tuesday to Rome. Ah bliss!
ciao!
We took the bus right outside their home for a 20 ride into town. Our first visit was to the frescoes at the Scrovegni chapel and Musei Civici Palazzo. Look these up on the internet because I have no pictures to offer, of course. They take your breath away they are so beautiful. They tell the story of Jesus' life and many other things as well. Then we entered the museum and I'm not sure I've seen that many paintings in one museum.
The docents there are very proud of this collection and everytime you enter a new section there is a docent to guide you to the next section, lest you miss anything! I joked that it was like the Hotel California -- "you can check out but you can never leave."
But we finally did and worked our way toward the Duomo which was closed for siesta by the time we found it.
Lunch was eaten sitting on the bench of another piazza. We bought sandwiches, drinks and fresh apricots and cherries and watched the people as we ate.
Our afternoon snack was at another piazza, the largest in Europe outside Red Square. Gelato, pastry, and Judy discovered that latte in Italian is warm milk, not cofee with warm milk!!!
We walked back in a bit of rain, got back on the bus and had dinner with Jim and the boys.
Tomorrow it is off to Florence where we enter the world of pure tourism and incredible beauty. We aren't expecting wi-fi access so this may be the last of the pictures until we return. We'll blog when we can and let you know that we are having an absolutely amazing time.
Florence until Sunday, then Siena in Tuscany, then Tuesday to Rome. Ah bliss!
ciao!
Ah Venice, June 11
First let me tell you about last night. As I said, Debbie spoke to a small group of people interested in the Caravan of Women for Peace movement. One of the women involved was Beatriz from Uruguay. Others were interested in social justice issues. Most were Italian but one family is from Ghana, having left there two years ago. The little church there is a combination of the Italians and Ghanians.
Dinner was made by Don, a man who came to Italy many years ago and found a wife! We were served pasta and just when we thought the meal was over, the peas were brought to us,....then meat....then banana pudding made from Don's homemade vanilla wafers. It was just excellent. And being good Italians, Merlot was offered with the meal.
Debbie had been told she would speak at 8 p.m. and so when she was ask to speak at 6 we thought we'd go home early, but no. The real meeting started a bit after 8 and the purpose of that was to discuss the US's desire to double the size of their military base in Vicenza.
Vicenza is a small town and the base is already very large. I don't know the particulars of the issue but I'll admit I don't think I would want a bigger military base in my backyard!
They are very concerned about our political situation. Alex, from Ghana, asked how Bush is (with a smirk) and many in the meeting are praying for the election of Barak Obama as president. We have heard this from others as well. Our political parties and their issues are important to the people of Vicenza. Does that surprise you?
They don't trust our military, it seems, to have their best interests in mind. Yet the meeting was about how to find a voice peacefully. It was not a meeting to incite a riot, althought protests have been going on. It was a meeting led by Katrina, the pastor, to seek peace.
What a concept -- peace.
Today we went back to Venice without Debbie. She has been a wonderful host, getting us train tickets and writing out which trains we need. And once you are on the train, folks will answer your questions like, "Venice, right?" "Si, si, si."
First thing we took a water taxi to Piazzo San Marco and toured the church of Saint Mark. Breath-taking. I love the four copper horses taken from Constantinople (but apparently part of the treasure found in National Treasure #1). You should look them up on wikipedia. They really are beautiful.
Our adventure today was lunch. We looked around and finally found a menu in English. Unfortunately/fortunately it didn't come with an English-speaking waiter. We tried to ask about the cheese platter and ended up with ham and cheese paninis. Excellent though. Thinly sliced ham with brie, on lovely toasted bread. It was yummy. And then we "chased" that with yes....gelato. This time I tried the hazelnut and Judy had chocolate chip. Next I want want to try the lemon. Judy liked the banana the best so far, although let me say that the chocolate was outstanding!
We are home tonight, hanging with Luke and Ben Kelsey, sons of our hosts. Debbie and Jim have gone to the Italian Baptist Convention and left us with the keys. Tonight's dinner is....pizza! Tomorrow night we will have Italian tacos, meaning tacos made in Italy.
Tomorrow we are taking the bus to Padova (Padua if you are looking this up on the map). The frescoes are supposed to be wonderful and the city is nice. The boys go to International School there so we have been to the outskirts several times.
We go to Florence via the Eurostar on Friday. Another excellent adventure, I'm sure!
ciao!
Dinner was made by Don, a man who came to Italy many years ago and found a wife! We were served pasta and just when we thought the meal was over, the peas were brought to us,....then meat....then banana pudding made from Don's homemade vanilla wafers. It was just excellent. And being good Italians, Merlot was offered with the meal.
Debbie had been told she would speak at 8 p.m. and so when she was ask to speak at 6 we thought we'd go home early, but no. The real meeting started a bit after 8 and the purpose of that was to discuss the US's desire to double the size of their military base in Vicenza.
Vicenza is a small town and the base is already very large. I don't know the particulars of the issue but I'll admit I don't think I would want a bigger military base in my backyard!
They are very concerned about our political situation. Alex, from Ghana, asked how Bush is (with a smirk) and many in the meeting are praying for the election of Barak Obama as president. We have heard this from others as well. Our political parties and their issues are important to the people of Vicenza. Does that surprise you?
They don't trust our military, it seems, to have their best interests in mind. Yet the meeting was about how to find a voice peacefully. It was not a meeting to incite a riot, althought protests have been going on. It was a meeting led by Katrina, the pastor, to seek peace.
What a concept -- peace.
Today we went back to Venice without Debbie. She has been a wonderful host, getting us train tickets and writing out which trains we need. And once you are on the train, folks will answer your questions like, "Venice, right?" "Si, si, si."
First thing we took a water taxi to Piazzo San Marco and toured the church of Saint Mark. Breath-taking. I love the four copper horses taken from Constantinople (but apparently part of the treasure found in National Treasure #1). You should look them up on wikipedia. They really are beautiful.
Our adventure today was lunch. We looked around and finally found a menu in English. Unfortunately/fortunately it didn't come with an English-speaking waiter. We tried to ask about the cheese platter and ended up with ham and cheese paninis. Excellent though. Thinly sliced ham with brie, on lovely toasted bread. It was yummy. And then we "chased" that with yes....gelato. This time I tried the hazelnut and Judy had chocolate chip. Next I want want to try the lemon. Judy liked the banana the best so far, although let me say that the chocolate was outstanding!
We are home tonight, hanging with Luke and Ben Kelsey, sons of our hosts. Debbie and Jim have gone to the Italian Baptist Convention and left us with the keys. Tonight's dinner is....pizza! Tomorrow night we will have Italian tacos, meaning tacos made in Italy.
Tomorrow we are taking the bus to Padova (Padua if you are looking this up on the map). The frescoes are supposed to be wonderful and the city is nice. The boys go to International School there so we have been to the outskirts several times.
We go to Florence via the Eurostar on Friday. Another excellent adventure, I'm sure!
ciao!
Italy, Day Two: June 10
It's late and I'm tired so you'll have to wait until tomorrow night for the incredible story of tonight's "meeting."
Monday night we went to Venice, ate pizza and gelato, walked to San Marco Piazzo and took a water bus.
Tuesday we wandered around the little town the Kelseys live in, visited an open market, visited the local hardware store and a cemetery.
Tonight we went with Debbie as she spoke to a group about her work with prostitutes in Belgium and here as she builds a ministry in Padova.
Then we listened as the people of Vicenza as they sort through their feelings about our military's desire to double the size of the military base here. Let me just say that they care deeply about our presidential election.
But now off to bed. We rise early to go back to Venice to go into San Marco Cathedral. Amazing place!
Ciao!!!!!
Monday night we went to Venice, ate pizza and gelato, walked to San Marco Piazzo and took a water bus.
Tuesday we wandered around the little town the Kelseys live in, visited an open market, visited the local hardware store and a cemetery.
Tonight we went with Debbie as she spoke to a group about her work with prostitutes in Belgium and here as she builds a ministry in Padova.
Then we listened as the people of Vicenza as they sort through their feelings about our military's desire to double the size of the military base here. Let me just say that they care deeply about our presidential election.
But now off to bed. We rise early to go back to Venice to go into San Marco Cathedral. Amazing place!
Ciao!!!!!
Wake up in Holland, Go to bed in Italy
We're leaving on Transavia Airline (Dutch no-frills) at 1 for a little airport outside of Venice where the Kelsey clan will pick us up.
Then Jim will drop Debbie and the Wandering Women (as Debbie has taken to calling us) at a waterbus to go to Venice. So tonight we will walk around the beautiful city of Venice.
Can you believe it? In less than two hours of flying time we will be in another country!
By the way, Holland is the name of the state where Amsterdam is. The Netherlands is the country name. Just your geography lesson for the day in case you didn't know that.
Then Jim will drop Debbie and the Wandering Women (as Debbie has taken to calling us) at a waterbus to go to Venice. So tonight we will walk around the beautiful city of Venice.
Can you believe it? In less than two hours of flying time we will be in another country!
By the way, Holland is the name of the state where Amsterdam is. The Netherlands is the country name. Just your geography lesson for the day in case you didn't know that.
I Amsterdam
Canal outside the Anne Frank Haus
Amsterdam - June 8 - updated
Amsterdam is an amazing place.
Our trip here had a couple of challenges (late plane coming in from Philadelphia) but we arrived on time and tired. I didn't sleep on the plane much and then Lauran kept us going all day on Friday (except for a 30 minute nap later in the day).
Friday: Went into Haarlem to see the Corrie Ten Boom house. Every other hour (or as the Dutch say "uur") there is an English speaking tour in the house. The front of the building contines to be the jewelry shop, the family business. You see where the Ten Boom family hid six people in a closet during the war and learn that when the family was arrested, they stayed in there for a few more days.
We wandered around Haarlem and sat in the market square and had the most delicious little pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries. And a Coca-Cola Light!!! Ah, bliss.
Dinner was at Lauran's lovely apartment, on her patio that overlooks a little pond, home to two swans. You know they mate for life, right?
Then it was off to the Red Light District. Not nearly as ominous as one is told. In fact, if it weren't for the windows that are home to young ladies, scantily dressed and looking for "johns", it would be just another Dutch neighborhood.
Lauran's words to us were: "Smile at the women when you see them." So we did. I think the face of the first one is burned in my mind. You might see her at Purdue. She might serve you coffee at Panera's. She looks like every other lovely young lady you know. Prostitution is legal but you have to have a license and be over 18.
She, like the others, was dressed in something like a bikini. She was doing nothing lewd or suggestive, nor was anyone else. Only looking. And when we smiled, she lit up with a big smile. And we continued to walk past the other windows.
The mayor of Amsterdam has reduced the number of "windows" allowed in the district. The coffeeshops where one can smoke pot are there, but people stoned are not falling out the doors. At least not when we were there.
We saw no homeless people wandering the street. Lauran says that isn't a problem here.
Bicycles are everywhere and they have the right away, even over people.
On Saturday we went to the Anne Frank house and the Van Gogh museum, a ride on the canal to tour the city and then to dinner at a restaurant on the beach of the North Sea, some miles away. Ah bliss.
Then my camera quit working. Yep. I can't get the camera to turn on. Batteries have been recharged. It was working then I turned it off and now it won't turn back on.
ANY SUGGESTIONS? I've checked Canon's website but it seems to be having some problems. Sheesh.
We are now getting ready for breakfast and then off to Lauran's Dutch church. She is a wonderfully gracious host. Coffee in bed (really). Meals on the balcony. Taking us to the train station and picking us up. So wonderful.
More later! Tomorrow afternoon we head for the airport and Padua and Venice (where the Coppoc's are but won't see each other).
daakh! (good-bye)
P.S. My concerns about money and language? The Euro bills and coins are much like dollars/cents only look different. Note the 1 and 2 Euro coins though and don't spend them as cents. Language? Most Dutch speak English as a second language. In fact, they begin teaching it in 5th grade. The only people we met that didn't speak English were....Italians!
Our trip here had a couple of challenges (late plane coming in from Philadelphia) but we arrived on time and tired. I didn't sleep on the plane much and then Lauran kept us going all day on Friday (except for a 30 minute nap later in the day).
Friday: Went into Haarlem to see the Corrie Ten Boom house. Every other hour (or as the Dutch say "uur") there is an English speaking tour in the house. The front of the building contines to be the jewelry shop, the family business. You see where the Ten Boom family hid six people in a closet during the war and learn that when the family was arrested, they stayed in there for a few more days.
We wandered around Haarlem and sat in the market square and had the most delicious little pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries. And a Coca-Cola Light!!! Ah, bliss.
Dinner was at Lauran's lovely apartment, on her patio that overlooks a little pond, home to two swans. You know they mate for life, right?
Then it was off to the Red Light District. Not nearly as ominous as one is told. In fact, if it weren't for the windows that are home to young ladies, scantily dressed and looking for "johns", it would be just another Dutch neighborhood.
Lauran's words to us were: "Smile at the women when you see them." So we did. I think the face of the first one is burned in my mind. You might see her at Purdue. She might serve you coffee at Panera's. She looks like every other lovely young lady you know. Prostitution is legal but you have to have a license and be over 18.
She, like the others, was dressed in something like a bikini. She was doing nothing lewd or suggestive, nor was anyone else. Only looking. And when we smiled, she lit up with a big smile. And we continued to walk past the other windows.
The mayor of Amsterdam has reduced the number of "windows" allowed in the district. The coffeeshops where one can smoke pot are there, but people stoned are not falling out the doors. At least not when we were there.
We saw no homeless people wandering the street. Lauran says that isn't a problem here.
Bicycles are everywhere and they have the right away, even over people.
On Saturday we went to the Anne Frank house and the Van Gogh museum, a ride on the canal to tour the city and then to dinner at a restaurant on the beach of the North Sea, some miles away. Ah bliss.
Then my camera quit working. Yep. I can't get the camera to turn on. Batteries have been recharged. It was working then I turned it off and now it won't turn back on.
ANY SUGGESTIONS? I've checked Canon's website but it seems to be having some problems. Sheesh.
We are now getting ready for breakfast and then off to Lauran's Dutch church. She is a wonderfully gracious host. Coffee in bed (really). Meals on the balcony. Taking us to the train station and picking us up. So wonderful.
More later! Tomorrow afternoon we head for the airport and Padua and Venice (where the Coppoc's are but won't see each other).
daakh! (good-bye)
P.S. My concerns about money and language? The Euro bills and coins are much like dollars/cents only look different. Note the 1 and 2 Euro coins though and don't spend them as cents. Language? Most Dutch speak English as a second language. In fact, they begin teaching it in 5th grade. The only people we met that didn't speak English were....Italians!
Europe, here I come! - June 3
We leave in less than 3 days. At 1 p.m. on Thursday Judy and I board a USAirway plane to Philadelphia, then onto Amsterdam. We board that plane at 6:30 p.m. and arrive in Amsterdam at 8:30 a.m. Lauran will pick us up at the airport and do her best to keep us awake all day so we can sleep that night.
Debbie Kelsey has written with a list of plans for us once we get to Italy. Believe me, this is going to be fun!
Yesterday I went to Garfield Park Baptist Church for Judy's send off. It was a wonderful service and luncheon at the pagoda at Garfield Park. My son and granddaughter went with me and I really enjoyed being in church with them.
So, look here for updates and pictures. It is going to be amazing! Here is our schedule:
June 4 – to Indy for the night
June 5 – off to Philadephia, then Amsterdam on US Air
June 6 – arrive at 8:30 a.m. having lost six hours
June 7 – tourist stuff: Anne Frank home, Van Gogh museum
June 8 – Dutch Reform Church with Lauran Bethell
June 9 – fly to a little airport outside Venice. Debbie and Jim will pick us up and then Debbie will take us to Venice for the evening.
June 10 – 13 – putter around Venice, Verona, Padua, etc.
June 13 – train to Florence! Afternoon at the Uffizi Gallery
June 14 – Florence; Academy Galleria to see the statue of David.
June 15 – train to Siena, in Tuscany
June 16 – Siena
June 17 – train back to Florence, then onto Rome
June 18 – tour the Vatican
June 19 – Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and lots of gelato
June 20 – Angels and Demons tour
June 21 – fly home from Rome!
Debbie Kelsey has written with a list of plans for us once we get to Italy. Believe me, this is going to be fun!
Yesterday I went to Garfield Park Baptist Church for Judy's send off. It was a wonderful service and luncheon at the pagoda at Garfield Park. My son and granddaughter went with me and I really enjoyed being in church with them.
So, look here for updates and pictures. It is going to be amazing! Here is our schedule:
June 4 – to Indy for the night
June 5 – off to Philadephia, then Amsterdam on US Air
June 6 – arrive at 8:30 a.m. having lost six hours
June 7 – tourist stuff: Anne Frank home, Van Gogh museum
June 8 – Dutch Reform Church with Lauran Bethell
June 9 – fly to a little airport outside Venice. Debbie and Jim will pick us up and then Debbie will take us to Venice for the evening.
June 10 – 13 – putter around Venice, Verona, Padua, etc.
June 13 – train to Florence! Afternoon at the Uffizi Gallery
June 14 – Florence; Academy Galleria to see the statue of David.
June 15 – train to Siena, in Tuscany
June 16 – Siena
June 17 – train back to Florence, then onto Rome
June 18 – tour the Vatican
June 19 – Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and lots of gelato
June 20 – Angels and Demons tour
June 21 – fly home from Rome!
I'd make a lousy movie critic
I've been catching up on movies this week. Last Saturday I rented five -- National Treasure 2, The Devil Wears Prada, Nancy Drew, Lady in the Water, and Ratatouille. I loved them all! Some more than others, of course, but all were satisfying.
Now I have three more -- We Are Marshall, Juno and Last Holiday. Just finished the Marshall one and I've seldom cried from the beginning of the movie to the end. That is until this one. It didn't win any awards but it is a well-told story and inspiring true story. This makes "Hoosiers" look like a basketball movie and we true Hoosiers know it was so much more!!! In other words, GET THIS MOVIE!
Why would I make a lousy critic? Because I respond to movies for the way they make me feel. And I have to say that all of these movies have so far made me feel good.
Now I have three more -- We Are Marshall, Juno and Last Holiday. Just finished the Marshall one and I've seldom cried from the beginning of the movie to the end. That is until this one. It didn't win any awards but it is a well-told story and inspiring true story. This makes "Hoosiers" look like a basketball movie and we true Hoosiers know it was so much more!!! In other words, GET THIS MOVIE!
Why would I make a lousy critic? Because I respond to movies for the way they make me feel. And I have to say that all of these movies have so far made me feel good.
Home for a while - May 24
I'm back home in time for two graduation parties and to listen to the Indy 500. I think I should have stayed in Missouri where the gas was cheaper and the race will be live on ABC instead of waiting until tomorrow night to watch the rerun. Sheesh!
Emily, the cat, ignored me a bit when I came home but came out from under the bed to talk eventually. If the cat hair all over me is any indication, I'd say we are friends again.
I'm still processing all that I learned and experienced while I was away. It was good to see all my buddies and meet new friends. I am deeply grateful to Molly and Judy for their time and friendship. Check out judybakerforcongress.com and learn more about her.
Keep checking in. Who knows what I'll be up to next!
ciao!!! Only 12 more days!!!
Emily, the cat, ignored me a bit when I came home but came out from under the bed to talk eventually. If the cat hair all over me is any indication, I'd say we are friends again.
I'm still processing all that I learned and experienced while I was away. It was good to see all my buddies and meet new friends. I am deeply grateful to Molly and Judy for their time and friendship. Check out judybakerforcongress.com and learn more about her.
Keep checking in. Who knows what I'll be up to next!
ciao!!! Only 12 more days!!!
Our Lady of Peace Monastery, May 22
I took another nap today after finishing Hillary Clinton's "Living History." Now I'm on to Margaret Thatcher's "Path to Power." But first I decided to take a walk and sit out by the little waterfall. When I opened the door I discovered that Sister Rose (I'm assuming) left an afternoon snack just outside my door -- a banana, orange, apple and a small dish of peanuts. I'm still smiling.
May 21: This monastery is wonderful. I've slept more here than any other place. It is quiet and restful. I've walked the grounds, sat by the tiny waterfall and breathed in and out. There is peace in this place.
Food for thought: I went to my friend's church on Sunday. Small town, 8,000. Actually my hometown of 5,000 appears to be much more active than this is. Anyway, I got to church early and folks said hello but only one person introduced himself and his family to me...at the end of the service. I told my friend they should have Pat lead classes in welcoming visitors. So here is my thought: there is a difference between being friendly and being welcoming.
These nuns are welcoming. Hospitable. Generous. Yet you have all the space you require. They have 11 acres here with a lovely home, individual bedrooms for the sisters as well as guest rooms for folks like me. There is a chapel and living/dining room, as well as a conference room. The Benedictine cross in the chapel is actually a window that looks out onto the grounds. When I return to Lafayette and can download pictures you will see it.
From the moment Sister Maggie greeted me I felt at home. She gave me the tour of their home, explaining this and that, invited me to check books out of their little library (which I promptly did), and invited to meals with them and to use the kitchen as my own.
This morning I didn't wake for their 6:45 prayers but when I went to the kitchen at 8ish, my breakfast dishes were set out, bread was ready to be toasted, a bowl ready for cereal and one egg was sitting next to a small iron skillet. And the coffee was brewed and waiting for me. That is hospitality.
Yesterday at lunch they shared with their stories of how they came to be Benedictine sisters. At 5:30 each evening they gather in the living room to watch the national news and then go into the chapel for evening prayers. That gives watching the news a whole new perspective. We weren't watching for information for ourselves, but we were watching to know how to pray. Hmmmm. We could all do that at home too!
Today a group of women are coming to use the conference room for a birthday party and have invited us for lunch. Otherwise I'll be working on my workshop for the national youth conference and the region's biennial in September. It's called "Here I am to Worship." This should be a good place to be inspired.
blessings to each of you!
CURRENTLY READING:
"Living History," Hillary Rodham Clinton
"Light from Heaven," Jan Karon
"Sacred Journeys: a Woman's Book of Daily Prayer," Jan Richardson (I found this in the library here and just ordered it from Amazon for 97 cents, plus shipping.)
May 21: This monastery is wonderful. I've slept more here than any other place. It is quiet and restful. I've walked the grounds, sat by the tiny waterfall and breathed in and out. There is peace in this place.
Food for thought: I went to my friend's church on Sunday. Small town, 8,000. Actually my hometown of 5,000 appears to be much more active than this is. Anyway, I got to church early and folks said hello but only one person introduced himself and his family to me...at the end of the service. I told my friend they should have Pat lead classes in welcoming visitors. So here is my thought: there is a difference between being friendly and being welcoming.
These nuns are welcoming. Hospitable. Generous. Yet you have all the space you require. They have 11 acres here with a lovely home, individual bedrooms for the sisters as well as guest rooms for folks like me. There is a chapel and living/dining room, as well as a conference room. The Benedictine cross in the chapel is actually a window that looks out onto the grounds. When I return to Lafayette and can download pictures you will see it.
From the moment Sister Maggie greeted me I felt at home. She gave me the tour of their home, explaining this and that, invited me to check books out of their little library (which I promptly did), and invited to meals with them and to use the kitchen as my own.
This morning I didn't wake for their 6:45 prayers but when I went to the kitchen at 8ish, my breakfast dishes were set out, bread was ready to be toasted, a bowl ready for cereal and one egg was sitting next to a small iron skillet. And the coffee was brewed and waiting for me. That is hospitality.
Yesterday at lunch they shared with their stories of how they came to be Benedictine sisters. At 5:30 each evening they gather in the living room to watch the national news and then go into the chapel for evening prayers. That gives watching the news a whole new perspective. We weren't watching for information for ourselves, but we were watching to know how to pray. Hmmmm. We could all do that at home too!
Today a group of women are coming to use the conference room for a birthday party and have invited us for lunch. Otherwise I'll be working on my workshop for the national youth conference and the region's biennial in September. It's called "Here I am to Worship." This should be a good place to be inspired.
blessings to each of you!
CURRENTLY READING:
"Living History," Hillary Rodham Clinton
"Light from Heaven," Jan Karon
"Sacred Journeys: a Woman's Book of Daily Prayer," Jan Richardson (I found this in the library here and just ordered it from Amazon for 97 cents, plus shipping.)
Off to the monastery
May 19
Today I'll begin my time at Our Lady of Peace Monastery. I don't know if I'll have internet access so if you email me and I don't answer you'll know why!
I'm really looking forward to this time of quiet. Yes, me! I plan to read and write and just walk around the beautiful gardens. And then in 17 days the rest of the sabbatical time is pretty busy as Judy and I leave for Amsterdam and Italy on June 5.
Can you believe it??????
By the way, I've changed the settings so that you don't need to have a Google account to leave a message. Thanks Rod for that suggestion!
ciao!
Today I'll begin my time at Our Lady of Peace Monastery. I don't know if I'll have internet access so if you email me and I don't answer you'll know why!
I'm really looking forward to this time of quiet. Yes, me! I plan to read and write and just walk around the beautiful gardens. And then in 17 days the rest of the sabbatical time is pretty busy as Judy and I leave for Amsterdam and Italy on June 5.
Can you believe it??????
By the way, I've changed the settings so that you don't need to have a Google account to leave a message. Thanks Rod for that suggestion!
ciao!
in Kansas, no Missouri, no Kansas, now in Missouri!
I chose a Comfort Inn in Merriam, Kansas as my KC base. This meant that when I went to Jack Stack's to meet seminary buddies Wade and Kelly or to see Cindy at the Nelson-Atkins Museum I traveled downtown....to Missouri.
On the way you pass State Line Road and it really is the state line. When Wallace, Christy and girls took me to the Legends Mall (near the racetrack) I had to ask, "Are we in Kansas or Missouri?"
It can be confusing to figure out where you are sometimes.
Now I'm in Platte City, MISSOURI visiting Wade, Theta, and children. They will soon be moving to Fargo, Theta's hometown, so I'm catching them on the run, so to speak.
But at least today I know where I am.
Do you? Think about it. Do you always know where you are? I don't mean physically but emotionally or spiritually? This time of rest and renewal has given me time to think and to just be. And believe I fully appreciate this gift! Next week I head to Columbia, Missouri to a monastery where there will be even fewer distractions and more time to read and write.
Stay tuned and thanks for your prayers!
love, peg
On the way you pass State Line Road and it really is the state line. When Wallace, Christy and girls took me to the Legends Mall (near the racetrack) I had to ask, "Are we in Kansas or Missouri?"
It can be confusing to figure out where you are sometimes.
Now I'm in Platte City, MISSOURI visiting Wade, Theta, and children. They will soon be moving to Fargo, Theta's hometown, so I'm catching them on the run, so to speak.
But at least today I know where I am.
Do you? Think about it. Do you always know where you are? I don't mean physically but emotionally or spiritually? This time of rest and renewal has given me time to think and to just be. And believe I fully appreciate this gift! Next week I head to Columbia, Missouri to a monastery where there will be even fewer distractions and more time to read and write.
Stay tuned and thanks for your prayers!
love, peg
Toto, we are in Kansas!
Yep, it's 8:16 a.m. and I'm sitting on the bed of my hotel room in Merriam, Kansas. At 1 p.m. I have an interview with Dr. Molly Marshall, the only woman president of a Baptist seminary (Central Baptist Seminary). And I'm excited. I can't wait to hear her story and what she's learned.
I had a wonderful time with my folks over the weekend and we celebrated Mother's Day by going to church and then to Huber's Restaurant & Winery. No wine though, they moved us in and out fairly quickly! It was a wonderful, if rainy, day.
Now I'll spend this week interviewing some women, reading Hillary Clinton's "Living History," and seeing some friends. I'll visit a former member as she is the curator of the Nelson-Atkins museum and I dearly love art museums!
Judy and I leave for Amsterdam in 23 days!!!! I am so excited.
stay tuned!
I had a wonderful time with my folks over the weekend and we celebrated Mother's Day by going to church and then to Huber's Restaurant & Winery. No wine though, they moved us in and out fairly quickly! It was a wonderful, if rainy, day.
Now I'll spend this week interviewing some women, reading Hillary Clinton's "Living History," and seeing some friends. I'll visit a former member as she is the curator of the Nelson-Atkins museum and I dearly love art museums!
Judy and I leave for Amsterdam in 23 days!!!! I am so excited.
stay tuned!
Back Home Again in Indiana (for a while)
Arrived home safe and sound, and tired. Mackinaw Island is lovely. Just lovely. Many of the shops had only opened that day (Saturday) and a good number weren't open at all. The Grand Island Hotel is amazing. Check out a picture of us on the porch and the picture of the lobby. Let me just say that I've stayed in some nice places but NOTHING LIKE THIS. And no, we didn't stay there. At over $200 a night per person (meals included) we opted to stay on the mainland. However we had a lovely room at the Comfort Suites so I recommend it.
Stay tuned as the adventure continues! Thanks for reading.
Where in the world are Peg and Melva?
I'm a "Good Morning America" junkie but on Monday morning Judy (see picture to the right) called to say "wake up and watch Matt Lauer in Amsterdam." And being a good friend I did. And since then I've had to get up and try to figure out where Matt is going each day.
Today Melva and I are in Muskegon, MI and we both reached for the remote about the same time to find out where Matt is! Well, he is in the Seychelles. That is off the coast of Africa.
But back to us.....we got up yesterday in Lafayette and saw that Mackinac Island's weather for today was going to be thunderstorms. We decided to go there on Saturday and play around today. Yesterday we went to Holland, MI and saw the tulips. The festival begins tomorrow and they are absolutely glorious. Today we will make our way up the coast and stop in little lake towns.
Stay tuned to find out where I go next!
AH, BLISS
Today I'm in Chagrin Falls, Ohio at the home of my friend Meredeth. I've been sitting on her balcony overlooking her garden and listening to the birds sing to me. And I'm reading my first devotional of the sabbatical, "The Genessee Diary" by Henri Nouwen.
He quoted Brother John Eudes: "Even the price of our products and the use of our money should be determined by the praise of God's mysterious presence in our lives." (p. 29)
Ouch. Do I spend my money in praise of God? Every dime? No, can't say that I do. I hope I do better at attempting to make "the product" honor God (i.e., my ministry, my sermons, my CTS experience, etc.) But I am sure I fail at that too.
God, help me to put you first in my life -- in every part, not just the "clergy" part. Amen.
P.S. Seeing old friends here in Shaker Heights has been wonderful. H.M.S. Pinafore, done by the good people at FBC of Greater Cleveland, was wonderful and I laughed so hard. Good job!
Today is a day of visiting more friends and chilling. I am cherishing each day and more and more grateful for this as time goes by. I cannot believe that I have been given this experience. Thanks God and my sisters and brothers at FBC Lafayette.
more later.......
THE COUNTDOWN IS OVER
It's here!!!! Today's worship was great. Ben, our choir director, brought in three friends from IU School of Music and they sang some of my favorites and ended worship singing "The Holy City." We had to give them a standing O. Just amazing.
Then there was a great lunch and my favorite red velvet cake. The decorator made it with a plane, a ship and my black car on it, plus me and three other people waving goodbye to me. So cute.
So what have I done since then? I took a nap. Boy that was nice.
So watch here as the journey begins. On Thursday I head for Ohio and will see friends and HMS Pinafore at FBC of Greater Cleveland. Then to Rochester for an overnight with friends.
Hang on! It should be fun.
THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES
Wow, it is actually going to happen. Four days until the big sabbatical begins. Today I made the reservations for my son and me to take our helicopter ride over the glaciers in Juneau and booked the limo to take us all to the airport. Hush though and don't tell the grandkids that a limo will arrive to take us. It's a surprise.
Tomorrow I go to AAA to book our reserved seats on the train in Europe and Judy has made reservations for our tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, to see David in Florence and the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. We will also see the Van Gogh museum (I cannot wait to see his work!!!).
Amazing, isn't it? Stay tuned and see what turns up. Next weekend I'll be in Cleveland and then Rochester visiting friends. This is going to be fun!
Stay tuned as the adventure continues! Thanks for reading.
Where in the world are Peg and Melva?
I'm a "Good Morning America" junkie but on Monday morning Judy (see picture to the right) called to say "wake up and watch Matt Lauer in Amsterdam." And being a good friend I did. And since then I've had to get up and try to figure out where Matt is going each day.
Today Melva and I are in Muskegon, MI and we both reached for the remote about the same time to find out where Matt is! Well, he is in the Seychelles. That is off the coast of Africa.
But back to us.....we got up yesterday in Lafayette and saw that Mackinac Island's weather for today was going to be thunderstorms. We decided to go there on Saturday and play around today. Yesterday we went to Holland, MI and saw the tulips. The festival begins tomorrow and they are absolutely glorious. Today we will make our way up the coast and stop in little lake towns.
Stay tuned to find out where I go next!
AH, BLISS
Today I'm in Chagrin Falls, Ohio at the home of my friend Meredeth. I've been sitting on her balcony overlooking her garden and listening to the birds sing to me. And I'm reading my first devotional of the sabbatical, "The Genessee Diary" by Henri Nouwen.
He quoted Brother John Eudes: "Even the price of our products and the use of our money should be determined by the praise of God's mysterious presence in our lives." (p. 29)
Ouch. Do I spend my money in praise of God? Every dime? No, can't say that I do. I hope I do better at attempting to make "the product" honor God (i.e., my ministry, my sermons, my CTS experience, etc.) But I am sure I fail at that too.
God, help me to put you first in my life -- in every part, not just the "clergy" part. Amen.
P.S. Seeing old friends here in Shaker Heights has been wonderful. H.M.S. Pinafore, done by the good people at FBC of Greater Cleveland, was wonderful and I laughed so hard. Good job!
Today is a day of visiting more friends and chilling. I am cherishing each day and more and more grateful for this as time goes by. I cannot believe that I have been given this experience. Thanks God and my sisters and brothers at FBC Lafayette.
more later.......
THE COUNTDOWN IS OVER
It's here!!!! Today's worship was great. Ben, our choir director, brought in three friends from IU School of Music and they sang some of my favorites and ended worship singing "The Holy City." We had to give them a standing O. Just amazing.
Then there was a great lunch and my favorite red velvet cake. The decorator made it with a plane, a ship and my black car on it, plus me and three other people waving goodbye to me. So cute.
So what have I done since then? I took a nap. Boy that was nice.
So watch here as the journey begins. On Thursday I head for Ohio and will see friends and HMS Pinafore at FBC of Greater Cleveland. Then to Rochester for an overnight with friends.
Hang on! It should be fun.
THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES
Wow, it is actually going to happen. Four days until the big sabbatical begins. Today I made the reservations for my son and me to take our helicopter ride over the glaciers in Juneau and booked the limo to take us all to the airport. Hush though and don't tell the grandkids that a limo will arrive to take us. It's a surprise.
Tomorrow I go to AAA to book our reserved seats on the train in Europe and Judy has made reservations for our tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, to see David in Florence and the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. We will also see the Van Gogh museum (I cannot wait to see his work!!!).
Amazing, isn't it? Stay tuned and see what turns up. Next weekend I'll be in Cleveland and then Rochester visiting friends. This is going to be fun!
Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick road. Follow, follow, follow!
Last weekend I spoke at American Baptist East Church in Evansville on the theme: "Conquering the Oz Syndrome." You know, if I only had a brain, a heart, courage or to return to Kansas. Or if I only lost weight, if I only got a better job, got married, got divorced, got a new house, had kids, didn't have kids. You know what I mean. We all have "if I only..." in our lives.
This sabbatical is, for me, a chance of a lifetime. "If I only had the time and money to travel...." I'm going to have the freedom to travel as I wish and spend time with family and friends without worrying about Sunday's sermon. I'm going to listen to women's stories about what the difficult times of life taught them. I'm going to sit quietly at a Benedictine monastery and just be with God.
If you are from First Baptist Church of Lafayette and reading this, thank you, thank you, thank you for this opportunity. If you are one of those with whom I'm going to spend time, I cannot wait to see you.
But on the other hand I go into this slowly, wanting to cherish each moment and not wanting it to rush by too quickly.
Please check back here from time to time to see pictures of my travels and reflections of my visits. And pray for me, please, and I'll be praying for you.
This sabbatical is, for me, a chance of a lifetime. "If I only had the time and money to travel...." I'm going to have the freedom to travel as I wish and spend time with family and friends without worrying about Sunday's sermon. I'm going to listen to women's stories about what the difficult times of life taught them. I'm going to sit quietly at a Benedictine monastery and just be with God.
If you are from First Baptist Church of Lafayette and reading this, thank you, thank you, thank you for this opportunity. If you are one of those with whom I'm going to spend time, I cannot wait to see you.
But on the other hand I go into this slowly, wanting to cherish each moment and not wanting it to rush by too quickly.
Please check back here from time to time to see pictures of my travels and reflections of my visits. And pray for me, please, and I'll be praying for you.
Details, details, details
Here are the highlights of the upcoming sabbatical:
To Kansas City to interview Dr. Molly Marshall at Central Baptist Seminary and Rebecca Bunton, formerly of Christian Theological Seminary. Then time with seminary friends.
Five days at a Benedictine Monastery in Columbia, MO and an interview with Rep. Judy Baker of MO.
Off to Amsterdam, Salzburg, Padua, Venice, Florence, Siena and Rome. We'll see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, David, Anne Frank's house and the Van Gogh museum, in addition to seeing the Tuscan sun.
The kids and I head for Seattle where we'll board a ship to Alaska. Then I'm off to work at the national youth gathering in Estes Park, CO. Back to Seattle to spend the weekend with Meredith Wilkinson Browand. More interviews and then I'll take the train back across country.
I'll end with a weekend on a houseboat at Dale Hollow and a trip back to KC for one more interview and hopefully a visit with the Morgans.
If you don't like to travel I'm sure this sounds exhausting but to me it is Nirvana!
Back to church on August 3 for worship!
To Kansas City to interview Dr. Molly Marshall at Central Baptist Seminary and Rebecca Bunton, formerly of Christian Theological Seminary. Then time with seminary friends.
Five days at a Benedictine Monastery in Columbia, MO and an interview with Rep. Judy Baker of MO.
Off to Amsterdam, Salzburg, Padua, Venice, Florence, Siena and Rome. We'll see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, David, Anne Frank's house and the Van Gogh museum, in addition to seeing the Tuscan sun.
The kids and I head for Seattle where we'll board a ship to Alaska. Then I'm off to work at the national youth gathering in Estes Park, CO. Back to Seattle to spend the weekend with Meredith Wilkinson Browand. More interviews and then I'll take the train back across country.
I'll end with a weekend on a houseboat at Dale Hollow and a trip back to KC for one more interview and hopefully a visit with the Morgans.
If you don't like to travel I'm sure this sounds exhausting but to me it is Nirvana!
Back to church on August 3 for worship!
Thoughts about the New Baptist Covenant in Atlanta
It was a great experience. Baptists from all over gathered in Atlanta at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter. Not to complain about the Southern Baptists but to worship and see what we could be doing together, instead of worrying about what divides us. I know...what a concept.
And a lot of us came. Black and white. Asian and Indian. Palestinian Christian. They came from Canada and Mexico. They came from other faiths too. The point is: they came.
Rather than give you a play-by-play, I'll share some highlights and quotes. If you would like to watch speeches, go to http://www.abc-usa.org/ and click on New Baptist Covenant. They are worth the time!
I was working registration during Marian Wright Edleman's speech but I understand it is a watcher.
Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell is the pastor of First Baptist in Decatur, Georgia and her topic was "The Bible Speaks about Respecting Diversity." But her question to us was this: "Is this the gift we came to give each other? Respect? Or is the real gift we came to bring ...love?" Think about it. Zacheus wasn't changed by respect. The woman at the well wasn't changed by respect. They were changed by love, the love of Jesus. "We don't really see the face of Jesus until we see Jesus in every face."
Did you know that author John Grisham is a Baptist? He is also a very funny guy! He too spoke of respecting diversity and said that we "Baptists have worked hard to exclude so many." Ouch!
He gave us three things we should do: 1. Truly respect diversity. 2. Stay out of politics. 3. Spend as much time on the streets as in church. Jesus spent more time talking about the poor than he did about heaven and hell. We should follow him.
Al Gore, another good Baptist, gave a version of "An Inconvenient Truth" using scripture at a luncheon on Thursday. He has a powerful message and if you haven't seen the movie, I recommend it. It really makes you think.
David Satcher was the 16th Surgeon General and tells a powerful story of growing up Black and getting a scholarship to attend Morehouse College. His quote: "nonviolence is not only refusal to hit but a refusal to hate."
On Friday President Bill Clinton took time off the campaign trail to join other Baptists. He was the first to name the elephant in the room -- the Southern Baptists. The major rule of the gathering was "NO BASHING!" And he held to the rule. He did however push us to remember that we all believe we are right. But that we could all be wrong too.
Clinton said, "The reason we have to love each other is that all of us might be wrong," he said. "We must approach those who disagree with an outstretched hand not a clenched fist. ... You must respond in a spirit of love."
It was a powerful message and I urge you to go to the website and listen. I cannot possibly do it justice.
The final speaker was President Carter. He gave a testimony about a crisis of faith in his past and how his sister pushed him to give of himself to the kingdom of God. Teaching Sunday school just wasn't enough, Ruth said. He soon volunteered to go on trips to places in the U.S. to tell people about Jesus and toss out the seeds for a new church in the area. For him that was life-changing and it moved him in the direction to be a hands-on Christian, not just one who attends church on Sunday.
"I feel that this New Baptist Covenant assembly is based on ... love God and love the person standing in front of you at any time," Carter said.
Conversations are continuing as to what we should do now. If you would like to stay up-to-date I recommend you subscribe to the daily mailings of ethicsdaily.com. It is the Associated Baptist Press and full of Baptist news.
Thanks for reading. Any comments or questions?
Check out:
http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2008/02_04_2008/ne04022008baptists.shtml
Update: More is being written all the time about the gathering. Check this out for more:
http://www.newbaptistcelebration.org/
And a lot of us came. Black and white. Asian and Indian. Palestinian Christian. They came from Canada and Mexico. They came from other faiths too. The point is: they came.
Rather than give you a play-by-play, I'll share some highlights and quotes. If you would like to watch speeches, go to http://www.abc-usa.org/ and click on New Baptist Covenant. They are worth the time!
I was working registration during Marian Wright Edleman's speech but I understand it is a watcher.
Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell is the pastor of First Baptist in Decatur, Georgia and her topic was "The Bible Speaks about Respecting Diversity." But her question to us was this: "Is this the gift we came to give each other? Respect? Or is the real gift we came to bring ...love?" Think about it. Zacheus wasn't changed by respect. The woman at the well wasn't changed by respect. They were changed by love, the love of Jesus. "We don't really see the face of Jesus until we see Jesus in every face."
Did you know that author John Grisham is a Baptist? He is also a very funny guy! He too spoke of respecting diversity and said that we "Baptists have worked hard to exclude so many." Ouch!
He gave us three things we should do: 1. Truly respect diversity. 2. Stay out of politics. 3. Spend as much time on the streets as in church. Jesus spent more time talking about the poor than he did about heaven and hell. We should follow him.
Al Gore, another good Baptist, gave a version of "An Inconvenient Truth" using scripture at a luncheon on Thursday. He has a powerful message and if you haven't seen the movie, I recommend it. It really makes you think.
David Satcher was the 16th Surgeon General and tells a powerful story of growing up Black and getting a scholarship to attend Morehouse College. His quote: "nonviolence is not only refusal to hit but a refusal to hate."
On Friday President Bill Clinton took time off the campaign trail to join other Baptists. He was the first to name the elephant in the room -- the Southern Baptists. The major rule of the gathering was "NO BASHING!" And he held to the rule. He did however push us to remember that we all believe we are right. But that we could all be wrong too.
Clinton said, "The reason we have to love each other is that all of us might be wrong," he said. "We must approach those who disagree with an outstretched hand not a clenched fist. ... You must respond in a spirit of love."
It was a powerful message and I urge you to go to the website and listen. I cannot possibly do it justice.
The final speaker was President Carter. He gave a testimony about a crisis of faith in his past and how his sister pushed him to give of himself to the kingdom of God. Teaching Sunday school just wasn't enough, Ruth said. He soon volunteered to go on trips to places in the U.S. to tell people about Jesus and toss out the seeds for a new church in the area. For him that was life-changing and it moved him in the direction to be a hands-on Christian, not just one who attends church on Sunday.
"I feel that this New Baptist Covenant assembly is based on ... love God and love the person standing in front of you at any time," Carter said.
Conversations are continuing as to what we should do now. If you would like to stay up-to-date I recommend you subscribe to the daily mailings of ethicsdaily.com. It is the Associated Baptist Press and full of Baptist news.
Thanks for reading. Any comments or questions?
Check out:
http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2008/02_04_2008/ne04022008baptists.shtml
Update: More is being written all the time about the gathering. Check this out for more:
http://www.newbaptistcelebration.org/
Books I Am Going to Read ..... Someday
- Life in the Balance (story of how a doctor is living with Parkinson disease and dementia)
- Love Jesus, Hate Church or How to Survive in Church or Die Trying by Steve McCranie
- everything I haven't read by David Baldacci
- more Diana Butler Bass
- Kathleen Norris
- The Golden Compass
- Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell
Books I Love and You Might Too!
- Living History by Hillary Clinton
- Audition by Barbara Walters
- Grace (Eventually) and all other Anne Lamott books
- The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
- Praying Like Jesus by Jim Mulholland
- Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren
- Strength for the Journey by Diana Butler Bass
- Phil Gulley's Harmony Series
- The Mitford Series by Jan Karon
- The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Life is amazing
Yesterday I took a group of folks from First Baptist to Fair Oaks Farm in northern Indiana, about 45 minutes from Lafayette on I65. Maybe it is better to say they took me. Some of them have been and raved about the experience.
We took a tour of the visitors center, visited the barns where the cows, pregnant and otherwise, are housed, saw the foods they eat and visited the cheese factory. Unfortunately they were not making any cheese; fortunately they offered samples anyway and the restaurant makes the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had. Havarti pepper! Yum, yum. And they make their own ice cream. I heartily recommend the chocolate (of course).
As we were finishing our sandwiches I looked up and saw that the light at the barn had turned to yellow.
Red - nothing going on
Yellow - birth expected in 20-30 minutes
Green - move it now!
Both cows were first time moms. Cow on the right was pushing and pushing and got only a hoof to show for it. Cow on the left had a baby trying desperately to get out and mom was not very interested in helping out.
We had been told that only 5% of births needed assistance and both of these did. Cow on the left finally needed the midwife to pull when the front hoofs and head came out and labor stopped. Cow on the right needed her to put in the ropes and pull the babe out.
But all is well and those babies are incredibly beautiful. Check them out for yourself though.
We took a tour of the visitors center, visited the barns where the cows, pregnant and otherwise, are housed, saw the foods they eat and visited the cheese factory. Unfortunately they were not making any cheese; fortunately they offered samples anyway and the restaurant makes the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had. Havarti pepper! Yum, yum. And they make their own ice cream. I heartily recommend the chocolate (of course).
As we were finishing our sandwiches I looked up and saw that the light at the barn had turned to yellow.
Red - nothing going on
Yellow - birth expected in 20-30 minutes
Green - move it now!
Both cows were first time moms. Cow on the right was pushing and pushing and got only a hoof to show for it. Cow on the left had a baby trying desperately to get out and mom was not very interested in helping out.
We had been told that only 5% of births needed assistance and both of these did. Cow on the left finally needed the midwife to pull when the front hoofs and head came out and labor stopped. Cow on the right needed her to put in the ropes and pull the babe out.
But all is well and those babies are incredibly beautiful. Check them out for yourself though.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Goodbye Brenda
I am one of many who is dealing with the loss of a very dear friend this week. Brenda Williams passed away, quite abruptedly and unexpectedly, on Saturday morning. She will be laid to rest at the family farm in North Carolina, the home of her beloved Tar Heels.
I met Brenda in 1995 when I moved to Rochester NY. Husband Ken is a colleague there but at the time he was our executive minister. They took pity on this transplanted Hoosier and our love for football brought us together often. They introduced me to Terry and Annie and Andy and Deborah and on Sunday afternoons, particularly during the play-offs, we rooted....sometimes for the same team. Brenda and Ken always rooted for Buffalo. Andy and Deborah rooted for Green Bay and I, of course, will die an Indianapolis Colts fan.
Besides football we loved our families and we talked often of them. My children love her and I grew close to hers.
When our mutual dear friend Kathyrn called on Saturday and said, "This is the call you never wanted," I thought she was going to say that Brenda's cancer was terminal. The words, "Brenda passed away this morning" robbed me of my ability to speak. In fact I sat in Pizza Hut's parking lot sobbing.
The fact that so many people considered her a dear friend speaks volumes of Brenda's ability to love. She brought people together and, in fact, still is. I've "chatted" with Carol more in this past week than in years. I want to be with Kathryn and Ken and the children but that will have to wait until September when we gather for the service to celebrate her life.
I'm grateful to have known her. Grateful for all she has brought into my world and the worlds of many. Grateful to have called her my friend.
It really sucks to lose someone so special though. But if we leave this world without leaving a hole, we have lived in vain.
My friends, when you go, leave a really big hole.
love, peg
I met Brenda in 1995 when I moved to Rochester NY. Husband Ken is a colleague there but at the time he was our executive minister. They took pity on this transplanted Hoosier and our love for football brought us together often. They introduced me to Terry and Annie and Andy and Deborah and on Sunday afternoons, particularly during the play-offs, we rooted....sometimes for the same team. Brenda and Ken always rooted for Buffalo. Andy and Deborah rooted for Green Bay and I, of course, will die an Indianapolis Colts fan.
Besides football we loved our families and we talked often of them. My children love her and I grew close to hers.
When our mutual dear friend Kathyrn called on Saturday and said, "This is the call you never wanted," I thought she was going to say that Brenda's cancer was terminal. The words, "Brenda passed away this morning" robbed me of my ability to speak. In fact I sat in Pizza Hut's parking lot sobbing.
The fact that so many people considered her a dear friend speaks volumes of Brenda's ability to love. She brought people together and, in fact, still is. I've "chatted" with Carol more in this past week than in years. I want to be with Kathryn and Ken and the children but that will have to wait until September when we gather for the service to celebrate her life.
I'm grateful to have known her. Grateful for all she has brought into my world and the worlds of many. Grateful to have called her my friend.
It really sucks to lose someone so special though. But if we leave this world without leaving a hole, we have lived in vain.
My friends, when you go, leave a really big hole.
love, peg
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Please leave me a message
Click on "new post" and follow the bouncing ball (not really)! You can leave messages here for me. I'd love to hear from you.
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