i changed my blog settings

I finally changed my blog settings so that anyone can leave a comment. you don't have to be a registered user in order to do that. sorry about that.

Jim Brickman - Never Alone

Jim Brickman is the one playing the piano. This song is on his latest cd and I thought the words said it all.

I went to the Zoo today. It was AWESOME. I have made a photo album of all the pictures. Click on "Linda's Photo Album" that is over to the left so you can see the pictures. Until then, here is one for you to enjoy.
Yes, I know I know...you can't tell which one is the gorilla can you????

Things to Think About

I took this picture today while I was at the zoo. It sums up how my life has been since being here. I call it God's Light. (should it shock you, the reference to light???) Maybe it should be called new beginnings - with the light through the clouds. I don't know. But read on to understand.

It was a year ago this weekend that I graduated from seminary. This past week, I have been able to reflect and really think about what life has been for me in the past year. The first thing I have to say is, I am happy. I am so happy. It has been such a long time. There are so many good things happening to me. Man o man has God been there in the process. I can't even begin to tell you all that God has done for me. I don't even know how to explain it. I am left speechless.

I am in such a good place. Many of you know what "church" was like for me back in Richmond. Pretty ugly in some places. I use the word in quotes because I don't think I was really in a church. It wasn't church to me. I am in a different world here. Now I know what church is all about. FBC Newton has been a real church to me. They take care of me. They take care of me and allow me to take care of them. Before, I wasn't sure what church was supposed to be. I was just going to work. Now, it's different. I am coming to a place of worship that I get to be a part of and minister to. I know a lot of that has to do with who I work with.

I work with a Senior Minister who allows me to be the person that God wants me to be. Charley is great. We work so well together. He has this gift of knowing who God wants me to be, even before I do. The great part is he makes me want to be a better minister...and a better person. My dear friend Steve approves of him. So you know he must be ok. ;-)

My health is improving too. I am walking almost every day and I am taking care of my life. I have lost almost 60 pounds and it has been such a wonderful feeling and a wonderful release. I am learning so much about myself and about how God has been molding me. No matter how many times I fell off the potters wheel - God got me back up and started again. This time I think, something is beginning to form.

Now, I say all of this with two disclaimers in mind: 1. For my support group back in Richmond, Midlothian and Kilmarnock, I miss you terribly. I sure could use you. But know that I am doing ok. 2. My post sounds like my world is perfect. It is not. There are definite challenges and issues that I am facing but God is with me, along with other people. I am dealing with those challenges in ways I have not before and it's good.

I said that Charley knows who I am capable of being. Here is the big difference.... I am starting to see that too. I am starting to realize and feel the person that God wants me to be too. And that has made all the difference. Thank you Charley.

God picks me up when I fall and carries me when I can't.
God walks behind me and allows me to lead. God pushes me when I am hesitant.
God walks in front of me when I need a leader and beside me when I need a friend.
God loves me. And God gives me what I need to love myself. Thank you God.

The Weather in Boston

OK - I know I have not posted lately. Sorry about that. I have actually been enjoying the outside world. I am blown away with the weather up here. We have 7 months of winter weather and then all of a sudden we get spring. For the past two weeks, we have had WONDERFUL sunny weather. It got warm last week at a whoppin 85 degrees. Here is the difference from Virginia - it does not get HUMID. It is a nice 85 degrees. Blue skies, sun shine, pretty white cotton balls of clouds, green grass, blooms on the trees, it is pretty. So because of the weather, I have been trying to get outside as much as possible.
One great thing is I thought about the Virginia State Fair this weekend. I thought about it because my little town of Newton had it's own Kids fest carnival this weekend. It was pretty and cool and looked like a lot of fun.
A lot has been happening at the church. We are trying to wind things down with the end of the first year of Sunday school. Next Sunday, we are having Youth Sunday, when the youth lead the worship service. We have been working hard on that. Lots of talented youth who can speak, sing, and play musical instruments. They are so mature.
I also got to do something else. I went to the ballet again. This time, to see the modern ballet by the late Balanchine. Several of my parents play in the Boston Ballet Orchestra. There is a picture of me at the Wang Theatre, right before the performance. It was a WOW time. Very modern type movements and angles. The music was phenomenal (and very hard I heard). I went with one of our members whose husband is leaving tomorrow for Afghanistan for a year and a half. Their family is also in Richmond. Keep them in your prayers.
Guess what next weekend is? It was a year ago that I came to visit the church that I am currently serving. I came to interview with several groups, meet with many many people, and meet with Charley. A whirlwind of 48 hours but it was exciting. That happened a year ago. THEN, the weekend of Memorial Day will be a year since I graduated from seminary!! Man o man, this year has gone by fast.
Other things are happening and I am thankful every day that I am here. I will share those at another time but know that good things are happening. Thank you for your prayers, emails, and encouragement. You are awesome!!

Candle Pin Bowling - kinda weird but fun

Ok, I went candle pin bowling for the very first time last Sunday. The youth group went. What is candle pin? A very big thing up here. Instead of "regular" bowling pins, the pins are tall and thin. The ball is a small ball that fits in the palm of your hand, with no holes. It goes VERY FAST. Two games in an hour, wirh five people playing.
I scored a 56 and a 57. With the size of the ball, it is easy to shoot straight down and hit only ONE pin. AND it is EASIER to throw the ball down and hit NOTHING. The latter was easier!
You would think that growing up in a bowling alley for 20 years, I would have some skill in this game. Not really but it was fun.