Guess who?! That nervous look on my face? That's the way I felt seeing Santa... and going to Sunday School. I was so shy!! If you have shy kids, please know I get it...

Considering the events of last week in Connecticut I know we have been bound together in prayer, lifting up the children, families and community. Let's continue to pray for them and for our country as we discern the direction God asks us to take for our children. Please hug your kids for me, ok?

I hope you are maintaining your sanity. I love you dearly, my sisters.

Check out the photos of the pageant on Facebook!

Meredith

Why You're Never Failing as a Mother, Amy Morrrison

Spotted this article on FB this morning (when yes, I was creeping on my kids' FB pages...aka "spying" or as they say, "stalking.") (The morality of this habit is worth discussing in the future, but I feel no guilt!). Anyway I couldn't resist sharing this piece... Forgive the colorful language in the cartoon.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-morrison/motherhood_b_2271349.html

Also, after the holidays let's meet for 5 minutes during coffee hour. I'm still hearing that some moms cannot login and I want to figure out what's going on.

Hug your kids for me!!
Rev. Mer

Today we welcome baby Amelia Grace Hainsey, born at 11:21 pm on 12/12/12! Heidi and Amelia are doing well, and will be home tomorrow. Congratulations Heidi, Mark, and Jake!

Heavenly Father, you sent your own Son into this world. We thank you for the life of this child, entrusted to our care. Help us to remember that we are all your children, and so to love and nurture her, that she may attain to that full stature intended for her in your eternal kingdom; for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(BCP p. 841)

Not Quite What I Expected... thoughts

I decided to take a break from the book this week because I am not in the mood to talk about fear which is the title of our next reading... Forgive me! But I've been working hard on the Christmas pageant this week, thinking a lot about the chaos and joy that pageants somehow always bring! I hope you'll be there. As is our tradition, everyone gets a part in the play... Come, bring the kids, and let's have some fun celebrating Jesus' birth.

Anyway, what really struck me was the overall title of the section we're reading, "Not Quite What I Expected...." I imagine Mary felt that way every single day of her pregnancy, and every single day of Jesus' life - for the same reasons we do. Who knew what pregnancy and motherhood would really be like? I certainly didn't know, and based on some of the comments posted recently, many of you were/are in the same boat. I remember at my baby shower my mother and another "older woman" exchanged one of those "looks," suggesting we young moms had no idea what was coming. They were right, of course, and thinking back, I believe their look was meant in a "we can't wait for you to join this club" sort of way. They knew that we would figure it out, just as they had.

And Mary figured it out, too - the joy of a new baby, the excitement of a toddler, the challenges of a student, the anxiety of an adolescent. You get the picture. Isn't it nice to know that Jesus, God incarnate, was parented by a woman? That he was probably a typical little kid, and she did everything she could so that he would become who he was meant to be. She must have been amazing. (and we won't talk about what she goes through at the cross)

Sarah came home from college yesterday, chatty and enthusiastic. I had these great expectations that she would start putting the decorations up, and beginning tomorrow, help out with some shopping. But when she texted me at 11, she was still in bed!! Not what I'd expected! But I've missed her and love her and don't blame her one bit for sleeping the day away! She's worked hard and needs the rest. It's all part of the journey of growing into who God's created us to be. I'm so glad we are blessed with the chance to be part of that creating and growing.

See you Sunday I hope!
Blessings-
Rev. Meredith

Thoughts... and a favor?

Dear friends,
First - Reyann, thanks for sharing your thoughts. The lack of response from the group makes me wonder if everyone is receiving these posts. Friends, if you are, can you please let me know at mheffner3@gmail.com? I'm thinking I could have screwed up the settings at some point which could explain the lack of response... (that's the favor part)

That, and yes, the book is a bit dry. Doesn't mean it can't inspire discussion. I'd be happy to even hear, "I hate it..." I'm also happy to find something else. Join in!

Meanwhile - interesting article in The Post which also might inspire discussion. Did anyone see Petula Dvorak's column on Tuesday, "Keeping mum on momhood is no help?" If not, here's the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-parenting/post/petula-dvorak-on-marissa-mayer-talking-about-motherhood-is-important/2012/12/04/7de11a0e-3e1f-11e2-a2d9-822f58ac9fd5_blog.html
(or just go to washingtonpost.com and search on Petula Dvorak and the article will come up on a list of her blogs.) Thoughts?

Pray for the youth group - we're having a lock in on Saturday and will be working on the Pageant (10:00 on 12/16 - COME!!) and learning about Nets for Life. I love them, but they're always up to something! (2nd favor...)

Peace-
Meredith

I'm just wondering if I am on the same page as the idea~concept 

when it comes to blogging.  I feel like I'm over participating but I didn't think blogging was like going to lecture - isn't it supposed to be like a virtual conversation? I thought we all read and “blogged" what our thoughts were, raw or edited.  Not everyone posts every time but we also comment on each others.

I will be the first to admit that I’m not organized, the material doesn’t have enough sparkle to keep me going, and I get busy.  For me, I am not organized is most of it.

I think the solution to have a blogging forum is worth a try; worth a challenge to myself to at least comment or answer one of the questions posed.  I don’t know about Meredith or anyone else but I’m all for bringing up topics, inspirations, God moments I’ve wanted to share but don’t have an audience for…..

As for busy, well, I can only speak for myself.  I think busy is what has contributed to my lack of connection with other growing Christians.  I’m busy on Sundays, and work, and have a kid, and a husband, and a cat… It’s the kind of droning in my ears that having Christian fellowship eradicates.  I hope virtual fellowship will help.

 I pray that I develop a more healthy appitite to be involved. Amen.

Reyann “Mamamama” Bowden