We had a field trip yesterday. The whole school went to Blast Off, a local Laser Tag/Arcade/Playground/Pizza/Miniature Golf/Rock climbing place. Fun stuff really. I ran around like a maniac with my students, shooting them all and "defending" our red base. Quite fun.
It did take me back though. Three years ago, when our youth/singles were here on the missions trip that changed our lives, we went to Blast Off for Laser Tag... We shot Pastor Rice and giggled and had a great time. I went home and waited for two hours for the adrenaline to wear off.
I talked to Sister Snyder (my pastor's wife's mother) that night about wanting to come back here, feeling God's call on my life. We giggled about some other stuff (left in my head and heart for now) and I went to bed, knowing that THIS was where I belonged. And I knew that Pastor Rice would be my pastor at some point.
Fast forward to 2007, I have lived here over a year. And all the work of being involved in a home missions church, furthered by all the transitions of late. And amazingly enough, a church election last night.
Yes, Pastor Craig was voted in. Much to my relief as this church cannot handle the stress of doing this multiple times. And the last three days had been stressful enough to make me scream.
So I have come full circle, playing laser tag with my students and wondering about where life is going once more. But God has control of my life and that makes everything perfect.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand...
"My hope is built on nothing less
Then Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand..."
The song that has been going through my head for two weeks. I was singing it in the back a week or so back and was rewarded by hearing Pastor Rice humming behind me. He's the only one I know that will come back when I am playing Keith Green or 2nd Chapter of Acts and come and sing with it. (I was doing lesson plans this summer and he came back and started singing Mansion Builder with my CD LOL)
It's been interesting at Mountainview Christian Center recently. Pastor Craig has put enough miles on his car between here and Lewiston that I'm surprised that gas isn't eating him alive. Pastor Rice and Sister Rice are in Salt Lake over half the week, leaving me with two students in class. Then Sister Lisa got sick and messed up her back.
Her students have been in my class for a week. It's been interesting.
Our pastoral election is on Tuesday. Sooner than I would want. If I think about it for too long, I want to cry. Pastor and Sister Rice mean so much to me here. But I have to accept God's will in this situation. I will be voting for Pastor Craig. No, I don't want them to leave, but keeping this transition long term is going to be so much worse for the church and the school.
The other song going through my head is one by Wayne Watson "For Such A Time as This"
"You, do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
RIGHT HERE RIGHT HERE
For this time and place,
We can live a mirror of his mercy
A forgiven image of grace
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do his will whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days he gives
I am here, I am here and I am his
For such a time as this..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmYOQ8h4wsM
Right now, the world around me doesn't seem as important as what is happening here at Mountainview Christian Center. I don't see the differences that national politics makes to my life anymore. And Obama is not my president. He's not my ruler. He's not the one I look to.
God is. We would all do well to remember that. If I don't stand on that truth then I will not stand at all....
As the song says "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand..."
Then Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand..."
The song that has been going through my head for two weeks. I was singing it in the back a week or so back and was rewarded by hearing Pastor Rice humming behind me. He's the only one I know that will come back when I am playing Keith Green or 2nd Chapter of Acts and come and sing with it. (I was doing lesson plans this summer and he came back and started singing Mansion Builder with my CD LOL)
It's been interesting at Mountainview Christian Center recently. Pastor Craig has put enough miles on his car between here and Lewiston that I'm surprised that gas isn't eating him alive. Pastor Rice and Sister Rice are in Salt Lake over half the week, leaving me with two students in class. Then Sister Lisa got sick and messed up her back.
Her students have been in my class for a week. It's been interesting.
Our pastoral election is on Tuesday. Sooner than I would want. If I think about it for too long, I want to cry. Pastor and Sister Rice mean so much to me here. But I have to accept God's will in this situation. I will be voting for Pastor Craig. No, I don't want them to leave, but keeping this transition long term is going to be so much worse for the church and the school.
The other song going through my head is one by Wayne Watson "For Such A Time as This"
"You, do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
RIGHT HERE RIGHT HERE
For this time and place,
We can live a mirror of his mercy
A forgiven image of grace
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do his will whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days he gives
I am here, I am here and I am his
For such a time as this..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmYOQ8h4wsM
Right now, the world around me doesn't seem as important as what is happening here at Mountainview Christian Center. I don't see the differences that national politics makes to my life anymore. And Obama is not my president. He's not my ruler. He's not the one I look to.
God is. We would all do well to remember that. If I don't stand on that truth then I will not stand at all....
As the song says "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand..."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
From the Front of the Church to the Back...
Transitions are not something that I've ever been good at. Ever. I'm surprised I moved out here sometimes and braved that transition but here I am.
And now I'm in the middle of another...
Pastor Craig is working out well IMHO. He's busting his tail to learn the ropes at the church and at the school. He comes to say hi to my students rather frequently which is nice and plays ping pong with them. (A sure way to get a TON of love in our school) I make the coffee in the mornings still and life is somewhat going to be routine soon.
But there is a bit of tension under it all. We lost three families last year and one of them is still having an influence in the fact that we lost a student last week. She didn't want to leave but Mom made her.
The other tension is that it's a difficult spot when you are changing pastors and this church has had more than its share of wounds in this regard. So I'm working my tail off to make this transition as easy as possible. I'm aware though, that I am just one woman.
The side effect of the Rice's being in Salt Lake at least part time? A lot of other shake-ups. Devin, the pastor's son is the church drummer -- luckily, Brother David has replaced him as drummer. Unfortunately, this left another hole in the leadership.
So I too, have gotten moved. I'm not playing clarinet for awhile. Brother David was the sound guy and as Ashley is in Salt Lake at least half the time and David is on drums, I have been moved to the sound booth. *wrinkles nose daintily*
It's not that I think the sound booth is unimportant. To the contrary, I know it's a VERY important job. Services can hinge on a good sound person. But I'm not feeling comfortable in the role yet and if you goof up back there it's worse than letting a clarinet squeak that you can cover up.
Example?
Pastor Craig wanted scriptures on the wall on Sunday Morning. Brother David was not at church so I was still in the back during the sermon and spent a goodly chunk trying to figure out HOW to get the scriptures on the wall. (I called Pastor Rice after church Sunday afternoon so now I know) In the middle of this, the computer froze, so I had to reboot. The projector was still on so all the "Windows is shutting down" stuff is still going on the front screen and then when it restarted the sound was ALL OVER the sanctuary. (Bro. Sanders has shown me how to turn that sound off now)
I now think that everyone should be sentenced to several services in the sound booth. Then you don't get stares when you miss a cue on the projector (Which I'm not bad at because A. I'm good with computers and B. I pick up the music cues easily). Someone kept turning around to me EVERY TIME that I messed up this week. ANNOYING!!!!
Pastor Rice has promised me that this is temporary but I don't know who else can do it which means my clarinet and I are going through a temporary separation. I will serve in any needful way, but this is not my favorite church position. It should get better that I know SOME of what I should know though.
In the meantime, Baronial Birthday is next week. HOORAY! And it's getting pretty out here -- not quite as pretty as southern Indiana but nice enough with a crisp fall scent to the air.
God is good, all the time. Even when I don't understand where he's taking me.
And now I'm in the middle of another...
Pastor Craig is working out well IMHO. He's busting his tail to learn the ropes at the church and at the school. He comes to say hi to my students rather frequently which is nice and plays ping pong with them. (A sure way to get a TON of love in our school) I make the coffee in the mornings still and life is somewhat going to be routine soon.
But there is a bit of tension under it all. We lost three families last year and one of them is still having an influence in the fact that we lost a student last week. She didn't want to leave but Mom made her.
The other tension is that it's a difficult spot when you are changing pastors and this church has had more than its share of wounds in this regard. So I'm working my tail off to make this transition as easy as possible. I'm aware though, that I am just one woman.
The side effect of the Rice's being in Salt Lake at least part time? A lot of other shake-ups. Devin, the pastor's son is the church drummer -- luckily, Brother David has replaced him as drummer. Unfortunately, this left another hole in the leadership.
So I too, have gotten moved. I'm not playing clarinet for awhile. Brother David was the sound guy and as Ashley is in Salt Lake at least half the time and David is on drums, I have been moved to the sound booth. *wrinkles nose daintily*
It's not that I think the sound booth is unimportant. To the contrary, I know it's a VERY important job. Services can hinge on a good sound person. But I'm not feeling comfortable in the role yet and if you goof up back there it's worse than letting a clarinet squeak that you can cover up.
Example?
Pastor Craig wanted scriptures on the wall on Sunday Morning. Brother David was not at church so I was still in the back during the sermon and spent a goodly chunk trying to figure out HOW to get the scriptures on the wall. (I called Pastor Rice after church Sunday afternoon so now I know) In the middle of this, the computer froze, so I had to reboot. The projector was still on so all the "Windows is shutting down" stuff is still going on the front screen and then when it restarted the sound was ALL OVER the sanctuary. (Bro. Sanders has shown me how to turn that sound off now)
I now think that everyone should be sentenced to several services in the sound booth. Then you don't get stares when you miss a cue on the projector (Which I'm not bad at because A. I'm good with computers and B. I pick up the music cues easily). Someone kept turning around to me EVERY TIME that I messed up this week. ANNOYING!!!!
Pastor Rice has promised me that this is temporary but I don't know who else can do it which means my clarinet and I are going through a temporary separation. I will serve in any needful way, but this is not my favorite church position. It should get better that I know SOME of what I should know though.
In the meantime, Baronial Birthday is next week. HOORAY! And it's getting pretty out here -- not quite as pretty as southern Indiana but nice enough with a crisp fall scent to the air.
God is good, all the time. Even when I don't understand where he's taking me.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Transitions...
So it begins...
Pastor Craig arrived two weeks ago -- though he is now at General Conference in North Carolina (the lucky duck gets to hear Sarah Palin speak tonight! I'm so jealous). Pastor Rice is spending half his weeks here in Idaho Falls and half in Salt Lake City.
I'm opening up to Pastor Craig a bit. Or at least am working with how I feel for what is the good of the church. I'm trying to encourage those that have never had another pastor to give it a chance. I'm trying to encourage the kids to bond a bit with Pastor Craig even though the non church kids don't know he's going to be the new principal.
One of my students today told me how much she hates change. Devin and Ashley are with Pastor and Sister Rice in Salt Lake City this week and she's all by herself in the high school. It's driving her nuts. I told her change was coming. We are close because we both have ADD. Neither of us do well with change particularly.
All the while, as I learn to love and trust a new pastor (and that is a CHOICE I make) I find myself loving Pastor and Sister Rice more and more with every day and it's tearing my heart apart.
No, they are not leaving yet. The arrangement is still going to be that any of us can go to them if we need them (and there are some issues I want to talk to an elder about!) and not step on anyone's toes. Which is a blessing.
But I'm going to miss going into the pastor's office and spilling my guts. Teasing both the Rice's. I'm going to miss praying with Ashley at the altar and hearing her say "I love you Sister Naomi". Sitting on the floor of the pastor's office and listening to him and Sister Rice advise me on my life.
I have been posting new stuff on my EA (Everyone's Apostolic) site in the last few days and I sat looking at the picture slide show as I listened to "Seasons of Love" from Rent. Half of the pictures are from church and school and a few others that are there are from Indiana.
So how do you measure a year? How do you measure love?
And how do you measure a life transition?
Pastor Craig arrived two weeks ago -- though he is now at General Conference in North Carolina (the lucky duck gets to hear Sarah Palin speak tonight! I'm so jealous). Pastor Rice is spending half his weeks here in Idaho Falls and half in Salt Lake City.
I'm opening up to Pastor Craig a bit. Or at least am working with how I feel for what is the good of the church. I'm trying to encourage those that have never had another pastor to give it a chance. I'm trying to encourage the kids to bond a bit with Pastor Craig even though the non church kids don't know he's going to be the new principal.
One of my students today told me how much she hates change. Devin and Ashley are with Pastor and Sister Rice in Salt Lake City this week and she's all by herself in the high school. It's driving her nuts. I told her change was coming. We are close because we both have ADD. Neither of us do well with change particularly.
All the while, as I learn to love and trust a new pastor (and that is a CHOICE I make) I find myself loving Pastor and Sister Rice more and more with every day and it's tearing my heart apart.
No, they are not leaving yet. The arrangement is still going to be that any of us can go to them if we need them (and there are some issues I want to talk to an elder about!) and not step on anyone's toes. Which is a blessing.
But I'm going to miss going into the pastor's office and spilling my guts. Teasing both the Rice's. I'm going to miss praying with Ashley at the altar and hearing her say "I love you Sister Naomi". Sitting on the floor of the pastor's office and listening to him and Sister Rice advise me on my life.
I have been posting new stuff on my EA (Everyone's Apostolic) site in the last few days and I sat looking at the picture slide show as I listened to "Seasons of Love" from Rent. Half of the pictures are from church and school and a few others that are there are from Indiana.
So how do you measure a year? How do you measure love?
And how do you measure a life transition?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Topsy Turvey...
So what can I say these days?
A week in Indiana was a long one due to the circumstances. Funeral, etc and it was rough. It was nice to finally meet the beautiful Kaylee though -- and seeing the nephews and my siblings was awesome.
So I came back to my structure here. My community, my city, my home. I was dying to see my pastor and his wife and to feel the love and support of my church.
I still have that love but by the next week, things had gotten topsy turvey here too.
Two weeks ago Pastor Rice announced that the church in Salt Lake City was voting on a new pastor and that his name was the only one on the ballot.
The church sat in stunned silence as he explained the circumstances behind this occurrance. I sat with tears in my eyes waiting to leave. The Rice's are my family here.
Pastor Rice spoke with me separately after church -- he is still pastoring the church -- pastoring both as a matter of fact (The vote in Salt Lake was unanimous). The pastor for now will be Pastor Craig Rice (Pastor Rice's son) and we will vote after a few months.
After a lot of prayer I have accepted what is going on. The only thing I heard in my head when I was praying was "Do you serve me or do you serve a man?" Then Sister Rice talked to me about how the church depends on me here.
Aaron and Shayla Sanders will eventually be going to Salt Lake as well. Leaving one Rocky Mountain Hoosier in Idaho Falls, but I can't leave. Until God tells me to I stay in Idaho. I can't believe how firmly I am holding that idea but what else can I do? I see the temple several times a week.
The LDS culture here, the temple, the wards on every corner -- they all remind me WHY I am here. This is my home -- I will not leave. This town needs truth. Maybe I am not the one to reach them all, but I can try. And I can make my pastor's life easier in the meantime.
More later.
A week in Indiana was a long one due to the circumstances. Funeral, etc and it was rough. It was nice to finally meet the beautiful Kaylee though -- and seeing the nephews and my siblings was awesome.
So I came back to my structure here. My community, my city, my home. I was dying to see my pastor and his wife and to feel the love and support of my church.
I still have that love but by the next week, things had gotten topsy turvey here too.
Two weeks ago Pastor Rice announced that the church in Salt Lake City was voting on a new pastor and that his name was the only one on the ballot.
The church sat in stunned silence as he explained the circumstances behind this occurrance. I sat with tears in my eyes waiting to leave. The Rice's are my family here.
Pastor Rice spoke with me separately after church -- he is still pastoring the church -- pastoring both as a matter of fact (The vote in Salt Lake was unanimous). The pastor for now will be Pastor Craig Rice (Pastor Rice's son) and we will vote after a few months.
After a lot of prayer I have accepted what is going on. The only thing I heard in my head when I was praying was "Do you serve me or do you serve a man?" Then Sister Rice talked to me about how the church depends on me here.
Aaron and Shayla Sanders will eventually be going to Salt Lake as well. Leaving one Rocky Mountain Hoosier in Idaho Falls, but I can't leave. Until God tells me to I stay in Idaho. I can't believe how firmly I am holding that idea but what else can I do? I see the temple several times a week.
The LDS culture here, the temple, the wards on every corner -- they all remind me WHY I am here. This is my home -- I will not leave. This town needs truth. Maybe I am not the one to reach them all, but I can try. And I can make my pastor's life easier in the meantime.
More later.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Praise You In the Storm...
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9fad456d209b6f5ee932
"As your mercy falls, I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away..."
The dreading has become reality. That's all I can say right now.
I got a phone call from my Dad this morning... Grandpa passed away.
It seems like there are so many storms in my life right now that I am feeling adrift, lost. Going without an anchor I could say...
My grandfather did not know the truth. That's killing me beyond anything. That and I was so lost in grief over one of my best friends when I was home that I barely saw him, barely spoke to him.
The support here is amazing. Pastor Rice put out the word and everyone is rallying. Dad is trying to fly me home on Monday.
Things have to start living up...
"Though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm."
"As your mercy falls, I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away..."
The dreading has become reality. That's all I can say right now.
I got a phone call from my Dad this morning... Grandpa passed away.
It seems like there are so many storms in my life right now that I am feeling adrift, lost. Going without an anchor I could say...
My grandfather did not know the truth. That's killing me beyond anything. That and I was so lost in grief over one of my best friends when I was home that I barely saw him, barely spoke to him.
The support here is amazing. Pastor Rice put out the word and everyone is rallying. Dad is trying to fly me home on Monday.
Things have to start living up...
"Though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm."
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Two Stepping With Grandpa...
There's a line in the movie Smoke Signals about all the different kinds of couples in a "Ladies' choice" dance at a Gathering of the Nations.
I danced ladies' choice at the Metis pow-wow last summer.
Ladies' choice at a pow-wow is not necessarily about lovers or boyfriends or spouses (though all of the above can apply) but many of the ladies choose other men that are significant in their lives.
Theoretically, you could choose some grass dancer that you think is the hottest thing at pow-wow, but I haven't seen it happen.
As I dress in Cherokee garb, we are asked for ladies' choice. And there is only one man there that I want to dance with. Dad was somewhere else and so was my Uncle Eric.
Grandpa was there though. No regalia, but watching and urging me to go out in the grand circle. To choose some guy from the ones waiting at the pow wow. (You cannot say no at a ladies' choice) It took me forever but I finally got him out in the circle and we two stepped for a bit -- the other girl out there danced with her father.
In the Indian culture we speak of a sacred circle. The sacred hoop as it is. Where we all are connected. My hoop includes two families, native and white. And the church family where I am. My church family is now in that hoop, connected to the American Indian part.
Now, as Grandpa is fading away, I feel that connectedness still more. When Pastor Rice tells me that everything will be all right. When my students are praying with me.
I wish I could go back and relive the moments of dancing with my grandpa at a metis pow-wow and not let go. But it cannot be the case.
But it's a memory forever in my heart.
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