So many changes in our lives this last year and we are about to enter another year with some uncertainties as is common to all of us. We have had job changes, a location change, and friendship adjustments and additions.
As most of you know, we left St.Marys, PA around mid year. Tom was a census crew leader after finishing up at with his pastoral position there. We had a few months before he started his chaplaincy residency position here. It was a rough move for me, even though I looked forward to being nearer to our son and family and friends.
I knew I would need to make new friends, and thankfully, as this year comes to a close, I know I have made several.
It's nice to be back in Wisconsin and we had a better than average summer and fall, butwith winter upon us again, we are sorely tempted to move south and west when Tom completes his residency. But I cannot bear to think of starting afresh again, so I will table that thought for now.
After some time, we have found a couple of small groups to be in, some volunteer opportunities and of course, I have found a part time job with Weight Watchers, and am beginning to develop some fun friendships there. Tom has been enjoying his work as a chaplain and there seems to be a good spirit among his team. We also had some outgoing next door neighbors, who welcomed us enthusiastically. They have bought a home not far from here but we miss seeing them regularly. And then there's our sometimes calm/sometimes feisty Shih-tzu Sasha, who I teasingly say was my only friend besides Tom in the immediate area when we moved here. We have also been able to stay in touch with friends throughout Wisconsin, family not too far away, and keep communication going through facebook and some phone calls to and from PA.
So we have just about made it through another year. I have said before that even though we have made a number of moves and we don't understand the how's and why's of some of them, I have always sensed that we have been and are where we are supposed to be - and I am thankful for the friends whe have made at each place we have lived. Now, as the year 2010 ends, I can truthfully say that is true for us here in the La Crosse area too.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Flipping Over: Black Ice
As I skid to a stop or around the corner because of our recent snowstorm, I am reminded of what started out as a peaceful ride to work several years ago.
I was commuting from Chilton to Plymouth, Wisconsin to teach at St. John's Lutheran School there. We had a staff meeting that day so I was headed in a little earlier than usual. When I came to the stop in Kiel, about half way, in my "93 blue gray Taurus, I remember being thankful that it had been a fairly calm winter. Little did I know...
Ten or fifteen minutes later, I was turning the last little curve on my way to school. A car or two passed facing me. Within a few seconds, my car slipped over the yellow line. As I did what I could to maneuver it back to my side of the road, I saw a post and hoped I wouldn't hit it.
The next thing I knew I was upside down in my car off the road to the side. I later found out that I hit that pole but it wasn't a very sturdy one. Cell phones were more scarce then but I had one because of this very thing. However, our daughter Katie was home from college and I had left it with her that day. (I know. It figures:). I realized the radio was still on so I quickly thought that the horn must work too so I pressed it.
A very nice lady, also a teacher at a nearby public school, came to my aid. She called my school to tell them what happened and the ambulance/police.
The seat belt felt tight on my stomach so I asked if I should release it. Definitely not!
Help came before long. I was able to push back my seat, release my belt and crawl out somehow. The passenger side of the car was caved in and the Taurus was totalled.
Guess what I thought of? Where were those loose dollars that had been on the top of my purse? Where was my other mitten?
The paramedics took my vitals - my blood pressure was high - and asked me where I wanted to be taken. Since I was just a couple of blocks from school, I suggested going there. I calmly called my husband who didn't think it was exactly a calm situation
My principal was a character - great sense of humor. When he saw me walk by with my book bag, now filled with a few remnants of glass from my windshield, he said he thought he was seeing an angel.
I taught that day. I teased my principal, saying he walked by once in awhile just to see if I was still standing. I mainly worked mornings so it wasn't a long day.
Tom picked me up later and we went to the junk yard to clear out my things - and to take a picture of me in front of the car. I doubt anyone would have survived in the passenger seat.
Since that time, I have been driving my '99 tan Escort which I hope to trade in for a blue gray Focus - probably when it dies.
I was commuting from Chilton to Plymouth, Wisconsin to teach at St. John's Lutheran School there. We had a staff meeting that day so I was headed in a little earlier than usual. When I came to the stop in Kiel, about half way, in my "93 blue gray Taurus, I remember being thankful that it had been a fairly calm winter. Little did I know...
Ten or fifteen minutes later, I was turning the last little curve on my way to school. A car or two passed facing me. Within a few seconds, my car slipped over the yellow line. As I did what I could to maneuver it back to my side of the road, I saw a post and hoped I wouldn't hit it.
The next thing I knew I was upside down in my car off the road to the side. I later found out that I hit that pole but it wasn't a very sturdy one. Cell phones were more scarce then but I had one because of this very thing. However, our daughter Katie was home from college and I had left it with her that day. (I know. It figures:). I realized the radio was still on so I quickly thought that the horn must work too so I pressed it.
A very nice lady, also a teacher at a nearby public school, came to my aid. She called my school to tell them what happened and the ambulance/police.
The seat belt felt tight on my stomach so I asked if I should release it. Definitely not!
Help came before long. I was able to push back my seat, release my belt and crawl out somehow. The passenger side of the car was caved in and the Taurus was totalled.
Guess what I thought of? Where were those loose dollars that had been on the top of my purse? Where was my other mitten?
The paramedics took my vitals - my blood pressure was high - and asked me where I wanted to be taken. Since I was just a couple of blocks from school, I suggested going there. I calmly called my husband who didn't think it was exactly a calm situation
My principal was a character - great sense of humor. When he saw me walk by with my book bag, now filled with a few remnants of glass from my windshield, he said he thought he was seeing an angel.
I taught that day. I teased my principal, saying he walked by once in awhile just to see if I was still standing. I mainly worked mornings so it wasn't a long day.
Tom picked me up later and we went to the junk yard to clear out my things - and to take a picture of me in front of the car. I doubt anyone would have survived in the passenger seat.
Since that time, I have been driving my '99 tan Escort which I hope to trade in for a blue gray Focus - probably when it dies.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Christmas: WHY?!!!
A friend (thanks Ruth) gave me a nudge last night to blog again. I have been busy, which is good and healthy for me, but have not had time or inspiration to blog. Here goes:
Why would Jesus come down to earth as a baby? I heard the illustration again recently of a boy who would have to be an ant to understand his beloved ant colony. Small in comparison but a thought. Why would he choose a humble birth - a homeless kind of setting? Why be born of a virgin and cause embarrassment to her betrothed?
Why grow up like us with temptations, human obstacles, betrayal, rejection and loneliness?
There were some good things about being here. He had some not so always faithful fishermen friends and a following of caring women who believed He was extraordinary.
He did some awesome miracles. By the way I like to reserve the word AWESOME for Him alone.) Why be so misunderstood to the point of death and crucifixion?
BECAUSE HE VALUED US!! He was willing and eager to do this all because a perfect sacrifice had to be given to satisfy His innate Holiness. No other animal or human could qualify. Only His blood sacrifice could pay for my sins and yours. Only His unconditional love could give us a glimpse of how much He cared! Mysterious (way beyond figuring out)! Incomprehensible! Somewhat Unbelievable (yet He allows us to choose to believe it and begin an intimate relationship with Him)!
The ultimate Creative act, but isn't that what we can and should expect from our awesome Creator!
Am I a spiritual giant who has figured this all out or who lives in the victory everyday as I realize the ramifications of this great love and this defining Life in history? Certainly not.
But I praise and glorify Him for doing it in spite of my normal human frailty. After all, He really does understand what it is like to be one of us.
Why would Jesus come down to earth as a baby? I heard the illustration again recently of a boy who would have to be an ant to understand his beloved ant colony. Small in comparison but a thought. Why would he choose a humble birth - a homeless kind of setting? Why be born of a virgin and cause embarrassment to her betrothed?
Why grow up like us with temptations, human obstacles, betrayal, rejection and loneliness?
There were some good things about being here. He had some not so always faithful fishermen friends and a following of caring women who believed He was extraordinary.
He did some awesome miracles. By the way I like to reserve the word AWESOME for Him alone.) Why be so misunderstood to the point of death and crucifixion?
BECAUSE HE VALUED US!! He was willing and eager to do this all because a perfect sacrifice had to be given to satisfy His innate Holiness. No other animal or human could qualify. Only His blood sacrifice could pay for my sins and yours. Only His unconditional love could give us a glimpse of how much He cared! Mysterious (way beyond figuring out)! Incomprehensible! Somewhat Unbelievable (yet He allows us to choose to believe it and begin an intimate relationship with Him)!
The ultimate Creative act, but isn't that what we can and should expect from our awesome Creator!
Am I a spiritual giant who has figured this all out or who lives in the victory everyday as I realize the ramifications of this great love and this defining Life in history? Certainly not.
But I praise and glorify Him for doing it in spite of my normal human frailty. After all, He really does understand what it is like to be one of us.
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