Please Follow Another Blog

Just wanted to post that I have been using another blog service. Please use educatemoore.wordpress.com as the blog that you can follow.

Thanks,

Linda

What's Been Going On? Lessons Learned

So, since I have been back from Richmond, it has been a roller coaster. Seems I have been on a lot of those lately. I got back and slept for four days, but during those four days, I had to take care of a few things. I needed to get a new computer and because of some Christmas gifts, I was able to convert to the other side. I purchased a Macbook. It has been fun to learn and play. I am working on all my photos to get them organized on the new Mac and transfer everything from the slower and broken down computer to the new one.

Then on the next day, my cell phone of three years died. So I had to get a new one of those. Oh my. The kids are happy because I have text capabilities now, so I get to communicate with them another way.

I started back to work on Monday the 4th by heading in full-force, with a 6:00 am appt at the local hospital for one of my parishioners. I was with them for four and 1/2 hours. BUT I wasn't the only minister out at 6:00. My colleague was at another hospital with another family for a major surgery. AND he was scheduled to leave in the afternoon for his conference/vacation for a week. So I had two families in hospitals, a sermon, and getting back into the swing of things.

By Friday, I had already worked 60 hours for the week, and remember - my week didn't start until Monday. My week normally starts on Sunday. AND by Friday, I hadn't even looked at the sermon materials or written one note.

I woke up Friday with my head just completely congested, with a sore throat and coughing - so there was no way I could go to the hospital or visit recovering patients. By Sunday, I was exhausted and I had to preach. Guess what??? I did something I had never done before - I preached with NO NOTES and NO PULPIT. I preached from the steps and it was one of my best sermons. Go figure. I let God speak through the Holy Spirit and oddly enough, the subject was on the Holy Spirit. If I work the link right, someone took about 1 1/2 minutes of the sermon and it's on youtube. But I post here for your "enjoyment".

I was so excited about what I did but crashed by that night. I couldn't talk and when I got up the next day, my throat was in pain and tonsils were quickly growing. I didn't even consider Strep because I had the cold, cough and congestion. You don't get those with Strep. By Wednesday though, I was hurting hard. So I went to the doc on Thursday. Not only did I have that congested cold, but I DID in fact have Strep AND Tonsillitis. Look at that folks - the multitasker at it again. I was confined to my home for the next two days. I slept most of that time away and it felt great. It is now Monday and I am still quite tired. I worked on Sunday and we had today off.

I am learning some lessons with all of this. I pushed myself way too much over the past three months and even though I had a vacation at Christmas, it still took a toll with the traveling and such. I was trying to answer everyone else and make everyone else happy and live up to everyone else's expectations. And where did it get me? Wow. I've got some decisions to make over the next several months but first and foremost - the decision that matters most is taking care of myself, so I can continue to do what God has called me to do.

So, that's what's been going on and lessons learned. Take care.

Hey Everyone

Yes, it is Linda. I have no real good excuse for not posting lately, just know that I am still alive. I thought the insanity from my last posting would calm down, but no it hasn't. I should have remembered this from my previous church, but for whatever reason, I forgot. Maybe I blocked it out. When a church is in transition, unknown about the leadership in the future, and having to face some self-reflection...it causes anxiety. In this case, a lot of anxiety and being the one that has been here the longest and in front of the parishioners, well...makes it a bit more challenging.
I do know there are challenges in leading a church and a church in New England for that matter. My skin is thicker then ever, but there are still a few cracks in it. I have been busier than ever and trying to hold my own. I am definitely learning a lot about myself in the process. I am hanging in there.

With that in mind, the little time that I've had off - i treasured greatly and was intentional about what I did. If I didn't spend the day sleeping, I went out. I went apple picking and walked around Harvard Square (where the poo book comes from). I went to see the ever wonderful Jim Brickman and watched a Duke and Boston College soccer game. Then on many days - I just enjoyed the stillness and quiet of being home with Jelly Bean. I really enjoy the quiet reflection now.

A couple of day trips included a day trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and a day on Block Island, Rhode Island. I rented a moped scooter for that one. Oddly enough I found lighthouses to take photos of. Can you imagine ME finding some lighthouses? Both days were extremely windy, cold, and cloudy but nonetheless, the beauty of the lighthouses out shined them all.

I think what meant the most to me though happened on October 15th. I officiated my first marriage ceremony. One of my former youth from Virginia asked if I would marry her and her partner. I was honored and humbled that they asked and happy to do so. It was a wonderful wonderful experience for me to take part in. I witnessed a love and compassion between two people and I was so proud of Jennifer for growing as much as she has. I have known her since she was 8. They have been chastised by so many others, including by people who I used to look up to, yet they still keep true to who they are. In fact, their gift to me was a necklace that says, "Be true to yourself" and God bless them, they have been.

So that is what's been going on. I can't get into too much of the church "stuff" for confidential reasons, but I ask that you continue to pray for me as many questions are being asked (some by me) and wondering how God is going to take care of everything that is going on; what the next steps are; and how we will get there. I have no doubt God will help us through it all, but I just wish it were a little easier. But in the midst, I get to remember the Beacons of Light and the love of those who stand up against all odds and remain true to who God has made them to be.
Take care, Linda

Hello - My name is Linda and I am a sporadic blogger

Hey Everyone, thought I would finally check in after some time away. My Floridian aunt will be very pleased. I am getting a bit sporadic in my posting I know. Life the past several months has been insane. Well, I am finally settling down after some crazy months.
I told you two posts ago that our Sr. Minister left the church. I was on my own trying to lead the church since April/early May doing both jobs. I am proud to say that I made it through and dare I say, I think I did a pretty decent job under the circumstances. My experience ran the gamut of emotions, praise, criticism, insanity, hope, doubt, laughter and tears during this time. I definitely learned a lot about myself through this process and will cherish every bit of it - even the bad stuff.
I have to say though - thank the Good LORD that I got that camera. I was able to continue some daily escapes during that time on my days off to enjoy the wonderful beauty of Boston. Here is a link to some of those moments, including the weekend when the Tall Ships were in town.
http://picasaweb.google.com/educatemoore/BoatsBirdsSunshineAndJustAllAround?authkey=Gv1sRgCMLi8-HIpNnaMQ&feat=directlink

And, there came a light at the end of the tunnel. The church finally found an interim minister, which meant there was hope that I would get a break. I won't lie to you..I got extremely tired, frustrated, and just exhausted towards the end with all that was going on and I was definitely ready for a break. Well, he started on July 15 and told me to take two weeks off. Guess what? I DID!! hee hee
First, I went to see my family and friends in Richmond and had a wonderful worship experience at First Baptist Richmond. Second, when I got back from that visit, I went on a much needed break and found a wonderful wonderful place to find rest and peace and DECOMPRESS - Cape Ann. Dare I say, it almost felt like I was in the Outer Banks! Almost!! As many of you know, that is the place of my most wonderful solitude and I think I found a place up here to make up for not having the OBX close by. The photos you see on this post (except the guy) are from my trip.

And of course, there are more photos from where they came from. Here is a link to the Cape Ann photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/educatemoore/CapeAnnTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCP6KoZiykOXvnAE&feat=directlink

The guy? Well, he is the famously wonderful soccer player, David Beckham! He and the LA Galaxy played against the New England Revolution last weekend and at the last minute, I went to see! Pretty cool. I also picked my very first batch of blueberries too and they are scrumptious! I might go back to pick some more!

Well that is the past 4 months in a nutshell. Continue to keep the church in your prayers (and me) Lots going on and change will be going on. If you have ever been in a church, change is not a bad thing, but sure does make for some anxious people. Pray that the leadership continues to follow the guidance that God provides and that I don't take things personally and keep my integrity in tact. Also keep my family in your prayers too.

Hope all is well with you.

Leading With My Heart Again

So, I finally got back to doing something that I love to do....taking photos. Yes, on this blog, you can see lots of photographs. But a long time ago, I use to do photography as a hobby in sports, landscape, etc. My "old" canon rebel (the film version) broke down a while back and I could not afford a new one.

Well, recently, after a lot of saving and building up my reserve, I got the new SLR Canon Rebel EOS Xs - yippee! Digital and back behind the camera. And what a wonderful escape as well. In the midst of all the "stuff" going on around here, I have been extremely busy and staying at work a lot. This hobby has taken me back to some creative juices that have allowed me to escape from the day to day gring and go out to see the world, well Boston.

Here are a couple of links to photos that I have taken:

Harvard Arboretum
http://picasaweb.google.com/educatemoore/Arboretum?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSBkMWryMGKlgE&feat=directlink

Around Boston: Memorial Day 2009 Newton Cemetery and Downtown Boston
http://picasaweb.google.com/educatemoore/MemorialDay2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCMCk2_jfk7G3Uw&feat=directlink

So, if you have not been able to do something that you truly enjoy doing, maybe it's time to look at why. Because it sure does feel good inside and out when you go back to leading with your heart.....and filling your soul.

Finally - An Update and the Reason Why

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Hey Friends and Family,
Yes, I am still alive but have been extremely busy. I apologize for not checking in, minus the photos. I have been working very hard (harder than normal).
Remember before March, there was a lot going on that I was not allowed to talk about? Well, I can talk about it now. Our Senior Minister, my friend and colleague, announced his resignation from the church and will be going to another one. His last day is this coming Sunday. I have known about it for some time, but could not say anything. The church found out in March.
Since then, I have been working in various capacities, most importantly, helping the church through the grieving process and incoming transition. For a long time, I wondered, what in the world is God calling me to this church for? now I know. To help them through the transition. Many of you will remember that while I was at my previous church, they too went through an interim process and i was a part of it. Now, here I am again. I wonder if it's me that's making the pastor's leave?? haha
I have been having a funny conversation with God. God is determined to shake my limbs just when I am feeling comfortable with my life. God says, "yeah Linda. Don't get too comfortable. I am not done with you yet." I am going to be filling in as Sr. Minister and my "normal" Associate Minister position for a couple of months, until an interim is in place. I am working with the church to begin the process of understanding this change, getting an interim in place, and going through the tough questions of "who we are...what type of church we are supposed to be...what is good...what do we need to work on?" I wonder if us humans, families, friends, etc... should go through those same questions and shake up our lives to see what new things we can do?
So, I ask for prayers please. I am out of my comfort zone, being challenged to do things that I have not done. I am going to be leading this church for the next few months. I am going to have to step up my skills and face conflict, confrontation, and some hard questions, while at the same time comforting those who are grieving and extremely anxious about change and looking deep within themselves to find something even better. Who isn't afraid to do that?
Personally, I am losing a dear friend who I won't be able to see on a regular basis. This colleague and I have become close friends and I will be missing him and his family terribly. I have had my own grieving to go through as well.
I also ask for forgiveness. If I don't call as much, or write as much...it's just because I am so tired by the time I get home, I crash. It has been an emotionally draining, yet fulfilling time for me to try and do both jobs, do new things, and reach new levels. I am pleased with how things are going for me professionally, but tired. So forgive me. Selfishly, I will say that I LOVE to get mail that does not have a computer attached to it, nor a statement, nor a bill, etc...Feel free to send cards, notes, etc.. haha.
Take care. The photos are from a beautiful day I spent in Scituate, Mass at the lighthouse. A rare day that I was able to go away.

My First Baptism on Easter Sunday

So, I did my first baptism on Easter Sunday! I was so excited and humbled at the same time. one of our youth asked that I do her baptism. So here are a couple of photos from the day.