I Preached Today - This Is Your Time

Hey, I got to preach for my second time today. It felt really good to preach today. Charley is giving me some good opportunties to grow and develop in my ministry. You have no worries. This is a different place for me here. The people are good to me and Charley has been a great person to work with and work for. It is not like before. He trusts me, he has confidence in me and he accepts me for who I am. And he has been a good friend. How awesome is that? Imagine a church and a minister who can do that?!! He also has the cutest little girl (and one on the way) and the greatest wife - Mireille.
The sermon - I did it based on the book of Revelation 1:4-8 and Columbine High School, specifically April 20, 1999. Yeah I know that sounds a little strange but it was on my heart as I studied and read the scripture. I also got to put my favorite song into the sermon as well - "This Is Your Time" by Michael W Smith. It was not hard to put it in the sermon because the song was about the tragedy and Cassie Barnell.

The words to the chorus are below. What's the question? Do you believe in God?
This is your time;
This is your dance,
live every moment
leave nothing to chance
Swim in the sea
Drink of the deep
Embrace the mystery of
All that you can be
What if tomorrow?
What if today?
Face with the question
oh what would you say?

Thanksgiving was good

I had a good Thanksgiving. Yes, I missed not being home but the day was still good. I did get one thing wrong. I did not go to maine. We went west about 2 hours away. I went with the O'Donnell family (a retired minister) and his wife picked me up and we headed out to their daughter's home. Their son-in-law is vet in the country and their home is the hospital. It was wonderful to see. Their daughter in law is a professional photographer so it was good to see her at work with the family portraits. The twins had fun because they got to be "models" for the day.
Kathy was there with her family, including her twins and son Kevin. Emily, the daughter of the family that owns the home plays the fiddle with the celtic twist that I like. It was great to hear.
I enjoyed myself very much. It was a wonderful day. It poured down rain the entire time but we had fun nonetheless. They treated me so kindly.
I came home and called the family while they were eating dinner. hee hee

Happy Thanksgiving

Sorry I have not written in a while. Things have been pretty busy up here in New England. Things are a bit odd though. Last week it was so warm that my windows were up and I was wearing shorts. Last night, it got cold enough that I pulled out a winter coat. I know. I can't stand coats. Today I made up for it and wore my Chowan College sweatshirt to work.
Well, as many of you know, I am not coming home for Thanksgiving. I have to wait until Christmas but that is ok. Several families in the church have invited me over to celebrate Thanksgiving with them and I will be headed to Maine in the morning to do just that with one family in particular. Thanksgiving in Maine. I am looking forward to it.
Guess what I am doing on Sunday? I am preaching for my second time at the church. I am excited about it and at the same time, a bit overwhelmed. Lots of stuff going on in the middle of everything. I am preaching from Revelation and am a bit nervous but I know it will come out fine. (pray pray pray)
I was a part of my first funeral up here last week and we have another one next week. Things went well I think. Not much different from here to the south in regards to this particular funeral. We will see what happens next week. Charley is really good about giving me opportunities to grow in my ministry and work on new pieces.
I hope you all (that is my trademark up here - they all laugh at me) have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Please send me pictures so I can see what you all did. I miss everyone so much, especially right now. So send those pix!!!

BC and Duke Football Game

Well. I went to my first Boston College football game and also my first Duke Blue Devil football game. I have GREAT news! Duke SCORED! But BC scored too - 28 points. The final score was 28 - 7. I had a good time, except the walk up to the game. We had to park a long way away.
I wore my Duke Tshirt and the fans were pretty nice to me. A couple of guys were in front of us and razing me a bit, but all in good nature. I do suspect that they had a few before the time they got to their seats. :-) I think the joke of the night was, "we didn't know Duke had a football team." Well. They are now 0 and 10. You decide.
I was hoping to have some pictures to show you but it was not meant to be. I purchased film for my camera and the battery was dead. So I took the digital camera from the church and got some great shots. Then something happened. Not sure what, but the camera ate all my pictures and I was not able to take anymore. Sorry about that.
On Sunday, Duke volleyball plays at BC. I may go to that. AND GUESS WHAT!!!! Duke Basketball starts Sunday night!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait.
It is late and I need some sleep. Good night.

A New Governor in Massachusetts

Ok. We have elected a new Governor in Massachusetts. Hey, wait a minute. I thought I just had a governor election. I did. I did. So I got to vote for Governor two years in a row. Anyway, we elected Deval Patrick. WU HOOOO!! And here is the funny part - at least in my case. Deval Patrick is only the SECOND African American man to become Governor. Guess who the first one was??? That is right - good ol' Doug Wilder in Virginia - and I voted for him too.
Did you know that Mass is also a commonwealth? haha.

The voting process here is interesting. Virginia is not as far behind as you thought. First, they did not check my ID when I came in to vote. They just asked for my street address and that was it. I had the chance to work the election during the Bush-Clinton race and so I notice this stuff. Anyway, no ID needed. Then I was given my ballot to vote - a large legal size sheet of paper. You fill in the holes next to the person or item that you are voting. You fill in the hole with a pen or pencil. A bit primitive I think. And I did not get my sticker that says "I Voted". :-(
Despite the differences, I was thankful to be able to vote. I almost forgot though - until I rode by a place that had red/white/blue balloons outside. "What are those fo...OOOO - I gotta go vote!!" My precinct is an elementary school. I have not been in one for quite some time - since I left teaching I think. It was a little surreal and memories came back - good and bad ones.

Anyway - it was a GREAT day for the Government!!! Congratulations to Virginia for voting for Jim Webb. I am so very proud of you.

Three - Almost Four Month Report

Hey There.
It is almost four months since I have been working here in Boston. Can you believe it? I am sitting around wondering and thinking about things. I enjoy being where I am at the church. I am still working on finding my groove but Charley is good enough to remind me that I have only been here for a couple of months.
The important thing is my confidence is up. I am in a church where I can use my passion of education and pastoral care. I am receiving compliments for the spiritual gifts that have been given to me. When I make a mistake while I am serving Communion, I am told don't worry about it. It happens and the important part is what matters. How awesome is that???? I have been able to preach, pray, instruct, write, and counsel. I do not feel trapped. I get to do what God wants me to do and not get yelled at, reprimanded, and made to feel like an outsider. People have included me in their day. I am welcomed and invited over to parishioner's homes for dinner.
It is a whole new world up here that I am not used to. I am doing a weekly bible study with the Senior Minister. The ministerial staff is doing "story telling" and practicing telling the bible story. I am sitting at the adult table now.
On the other side of that. I miss family and friends. I won't be home until Christmas morning. A SIX OCLOCK AM flight - AFTER an 11:00 pm service. How goofy is that?
Last week, a student from BTSR and his wife came to town for a visit with one of the theological schools. I got to play hospitality for the first time, when I picked them up from the airport, went out to dinner and showed them the church. It felt good to see a fellow Richmonder and seminary face. It was a good piece of homecoming. They left me a message thanking me for all that I had done but they did the most for me.
Is everyting perfect? Absolutely not. I have things to work on. The confidence is up but I still have a long way to go. Keep praying that I can work on that and allow myself to feel free to grow and develop in the way that God wants me to be.
This posting is a reflection on how things are going. Hope all is well with you. Thank you for watching and have a good night.
"It takes courage not only to make decisions, but to live with those decisions afterward." Coach Krzyzewski

pictures of the JFK Library

Here are the pictures of the JFK Library. We were not allowed to take flash photos so I do not have that many. However, you can see the flag within the pavilion, Jackie on a camel with heels and a dress, lots of steps, RFK's degree from UVA, and JFK's sail boat called the "Victura".
You can scroll down a little bit to see more about my day at JFK. :-)

And even more foliage pictures

Ponies

A few more pictures of two ponies that were making smiles on the faces of little children

More Foliage Pictures

Maybe I wasn't so smart on Thursday

Ok - I was going to keep this to myself, but now I have to tell. It only adds to the Harvard posting from earlier.
I went to have dinner with a couple the other night, in Harvard Square. No problem in getting there I said. I was just there earlier this week. I forgot the fact that I was there on a federal holiday and there was little traffic. Oh and let's not forget that it was DAY time.
IF there was no traffic at all, I could have gotten there in 15-20 minutes. I left church at 5:10 and got to the restaurant at 6:30!! Let me tell you that we were supposed to meet at 6:00.
It was dark. It was rush hour and it was crazy. I have included a map of the area I was in. Maybe that will help my case. First, I got lost while driving the car. I missed the original turn and that just got me all around messed up.
THEN, once I finally parked the car (four blocks away) I got lost getting to the place. What I saw on the map and what was in front of me were not the same things!! I swear. They looked completely different.
Anyway, I was frazzled and mad that I was late and putting the couple out. I finally saw the gentleman standing at the door of the restaurant and his wife came out right behind them. She hugged me and I just kept apologizing for the adventurous evening.
They were very understanding and were just happy I was ok.
Anyway, we had a GREAT Indian dinner and conversation. It was time to go and I was much more calm. For those of you that know, I can't stand to be lost and be late when I know someone else is waiting on me. But they were gracious.
He walked me back to my car and showed me the correct way out of the square. HOWEVER, can I just tell you to top off the evening, there was a lovely little parking ticket on my car? I looked and looked and even came back the next day to see where it said "restricted parking". I could not find anything.
Oh well. I thought you all would get a kick out of this. Maybe I was not the smart person on Harvard campus.

JFK Library

ooo....wait for it....here it is....I am soooo glad to be in a state that likes the Democratic Party.
I went to my first Presidential Library today. I went to the John F Kennedy Library in Boston. I was amazed at the beauty and the structure, right on the bay. I took pictures and they have been turned in for development. I will have them on Wednesday.
I was a bit surprised. It is not a "library" in the sense of a building with lots of books. I don't know why I was expecting all of that but it was a library with media, interactive, and visuals of the life of JFK. It is a museum. You go on a journey around the exhibits starting with a movie that takes you from his beginning to the democratic national convention where he was nominated as the democratic candidate.
I got to see his desk used in the oval office, fabulous artifacts presented to him by other countries and dignitaries and pieces of art made by “common” people who were fascinated by his leadership. There is an exhibit for the supportive and forgiving spouse Jackie Kennedy. There are photos of her on their wedding day and she was beautiful. I took a picture of a photo of her on a camel in a dress and high heels.
There was the office of the Attorney General Bobby Kennedy (I can't wait for his movie to come out). Two items of interests for the folks back home include his law degree from some university in Charlottesville and a plaque presented to him by the US Junior Chamber of Commerce for being an Outstanding Citizen. Go Jaycees!!
Two exhibits that really struck me were the documentary presentation covering the development of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was the 1960's version of weapons of mass destruction BUT in this case, the nuclear weapons actually existed. 13 days of push and pull against the Russians and Communist Castro. There was an angered exchange in the United Nations Security Council between the Russian Ambassador Zorin and US Ambassador Stevenson. And the other exhibit was the obvious darkness of November 22, 1963. They took you into this dark tunnel and in that area they played Walter Cronkite's emotional announcement of the shooting and assassination Kennedy. Then it follows with a view of the casket, along with Jackie Kennedy walking hand in hand with Bobby Kennedy.
I also got to listen to Kennedy's Inauguration speech and see him deliver it. That was exciting.
OOOO - I forgot to add something. There is an exhibit of countries around the world who have a JFK memorial of some sort. I counted at least 10 countries who have a standing memorial. The world loved JFK. I wonder if current administration would have a memorial in other countries?????

Ok , that is enough for now. It was a good visit. Have a good day!

Apple Pickin and Leaf Peeping!!!

I cannot imagine a more beautiful day than today. I got up early Saturday morning, yes I did get up early!! I took a day trip out to central Massachusetts to a place called Berlin Orchards. It was another beautiful, blue and bright day. I went apple pickin' for the very first time by way of a hayride. I felt like a little kid anticipating an bumpy time in the hay. We were dropped off at the bottom of the orchard and marched up the path to rows of apple trees. I picked a bag full while taking pictures of the area trees and fruit. I enjoyed the sweetest, crunchiest, and juiciest apple I have ever had. I had to wipe the juice from my chin. I was done and made my way back down to the pumpkin patch.
After watching children ride their ponies, i took my pumpkin and my bag o apples and went on my way. I decided to take a ride NORTH and headed to New Hampshire to go Leaf-peeping!! It was peak time for the Mass/New Hampshire area so I took advantage of the time.
Well, I went to Manchester and came back to a small town called Londonderry. I can not explain the deep vibrant beauty of the trees. I found the most brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges. I found small towns and churches to accent the foliage. I took pictures, but I know they won't do it justice. At the same time, they will provide you a small window of what I witnessed. So when they get developed, I will post the pictures.
I sit here and think about the day: the juicy apples, the eager children, the ocean blue skies, the brush stroked leaves and I wonder how in the world anybody can deny God and the art that was created by this gracious being. I was watching a canvas develop into the most vibrant living painting, right in front of me.
I hope to have the pictures soon but until then, go out and enjoy the Autumn of God.

I was one of the smart people

Hey Everyone,
Yesterday was Monday and it was my day off. It was a beautiful day, blue skies, 70 degree weather - so I went to Harvard. It was about 15 minutes away. Traffic was good because it was Columbus Day. Unfortunately for me, it is my normal day off. oh well.
I walked around for a while, shopped in their bookstore and took pictures on campus. I touched the foot of Thomas Harvard. It is supposed to bring you good luck. Let's see.
The campus is beautiful and busy. I remember visiting it five years ago when I visited my friend for thanksgiving.
The movie Love Story was filmed on campus too. I saw the place at the end of the movie where they are on the steps of the hall in the quad.

I am at church now, getting ready for a Board of Education meeting. I got a chance to Instant message with my nephew Brandon. That was pretty cool. He is in high school now and Braxton is in middle school. Man o man are they getting big.

I went around Newton Centre tonight. I went walking before the start of the meeting just to get a break from the office. It is a cute little town (rich in many ways) These neat little shoppes and restuarants. Guess what I am listening to right now? Eddie from Ohio singing their song "Old Dominion" talking about Sweet Sweet Virginia. "A turkey on its belly, a chicken on its back, anyway you look at it, you'll find 'er on the map" Aren't they the coolest lyrics????

Well, I need to get ready for the meeting. I have to report what I have been doing for the past month. Blessings and Peace, Linda

getting to know people

Well, I just got back from having dinner with one of the professors at Andover Newton Theological School. www.ants.edu. They are a liberal seminary up the road from the church and several professors attend FBC Newton. The Christian Education professor, Bob Pazmino and his wife invited me over for dinner tonight and I was excited about going. I had already been on campus to have dinner with Theology professor Mark Heim and his wife. Now I got to meet with my Dr. Galindo's counterpart in ANTS. Dr. Galindo is my Christian Education professor at BTSR.

It was a great evening. Not only did I have dinner with them, but much to my surprise, they invited the new Dean of Faculty, Bill Hertzog and his wife. He just started a month of so ago. We had a great time and Dr. Pazmino is a GREAT cook. He is on sabbatical this year just like Dr. Galindo.

Today was the youth presentation at church about our trip to the farm. They did a great job. Lizzie even brought the rabbit that she adopted from the farm we stayed at. I was surprised by a visit from two people who attend Glen Allen Baptist. Bob stays in Concord while he works and his wife Peggy came to visit. It was a pleasant surprise to see and talk to them today.

Guess what? The weather is getting colder. I woke up to 37 degree temps this morning (all my windows were open) but the temp got as high as 70 by the afternoon. It is cooler now at 10:00 pm. I can smell something burning outside. The leaves are starting to turn pretty colors. I am hoping next weekend I can ride up the coast and take pictures to show everyone.

Tomorrow the cable guy is coming. no, not jim carrey but hopefully close. I got a laptop computer from church and i get to use it at home. so I am getting wireless network and cable. I can't wait. I will have it just in time for basketball season. you are probably wondering how am I able to use the web now. well, somebody near me has wireless unsecure network. :-)

Have a good day!

Playing Basketball and a bunch of stuff

So. Yes, it has been a while since i have posted. I got a new chair for my office. It looks like an executive chair and it feels sooo good. The senior minister was so jealous, he got one too. haha. We have fun. The cats have taken over so i am posting their pictures for you to see. Gracie keeps getting between me and the computer so I am trying to type around her.
It has gotten cooler here. I went shoes shopping and for the first time in a long time, bought dress shoes that were over $30 and they are comfortable. Go figure.

I am getting some good comments from people in the church. Things seem to be going ok. I still cant seem to get a grove going so please continue to pray for me.
I miss family and friends. I am getting ready for Duke Basketball. I just ordered to have cable for the TV. So I should be able to see some of the games on ESPN.

Speaking of Duke, I went to the park on Saturday and played basketball against myself. I did not do so hot, but I did great. I pretended I was Christian Laittner when he and Grant HIll did that shot heard around the world and Kentucky!

A close friend of mine called me Saturday night after not hearing from anyone in over a month and a half. I am so glad she remembered my phone number. I wonder if other friends can remember it too!! ;-) Sorry. That was a bad comment. Forgive me.

I have not been downtown lately. Just going around the area a bit and working to get everything going. I have been to the library, park, lots of stores, new little corner stores that are really neat, and a catholic store. kinda cool.

Tomorrow, I am having lunch with a bunch of Newton town clergy, including rabbis and priests. Its pretty cool. I assisted Charley with communion this past sunday. i messed up a few times and did not get yelled out. How great is that? He was telling me not to worry about it.

I should have a bio on the church website soon. Be sure to check it out.