Changes

I guess it would not be the unveiling of any great secret to reveal that I am rather resistant change. I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse sometimes. My pal Nathan has often expressed bemusement at my sentimental tendencies. I don't necessarily let people "in" very easily, but once they are there, they are part of the fabric of my life. Letting go is hard. Saying good-bye is excruciating. It's met with a fair amount of drama, I'm afraid. Sometimes I wish I were different in that way. Dare I confess that I've even cried at the tributes given in the recent death of distinguished newsman, Tim Russert?

I've said before that this blog is my piece of living history. This post in particular may be of no interest to any of you, and that's okay. I'm doing it more for the record. Ironically, I don't often share much at all about one of the biggest "chunks" of our lives. Namely, our church life. I rarely share pics or stories of any church-related events. I think that's primarily because my current life is in so many ways separate from my "past life" when my blogging friend relationships were formed. There are no connectors. No one at church knows any of my friends and vice-versa. Though, we did introduce Brent (and Sonja came too!) to our congregation last year, and that was such a treat.

We've been serving this congregation for 6 years now. And I'm continually reminded of how much I don't know regarding so many of the more formal Methodist traditions. One of those traditions is the practice of Pastor appointment. What a different experience for a girl from the CHM. I remember I was 14 yrs old when Bro. French resigned as Senior Pastor of Hobe Sound. This was around the same time that my Grandma died, and I just remember crying my heart out and grieving both losses. Then Pastor Pierpoint came, and obviously was still there till just last year. He and Bro. French married Derek and me. All the way into adulthood with primarily two pastors. After that point, we went on to work with Bro. Greg in Alabama. That was a deeply formed Pastor/Friend relationship. Another reason why his death was so traumatic. These men were all significant chapters in our life's history book.

In the Methodist tradition, when a pastor is ready to move on, or when the congregation is ready for that pastor to move on, they are simply moved on to a new appointment and the DS brings in somebody new for the local church. Derek and I have worked closely for the last six years with our Senior Pastor. It's been a really good working relationship from which a friendship was born. I think subconsciously I always thought we would move on before he did. But that was not to be. They have accepted a new appointment in Alabama (funny how that reversal works) in order to be closer to their adult daughter who has serious health concerns. Last Sunday was their last Sunday with us. We had them over for a late supper on Sunday night, and as they drove away a little after 11:00, I stood in tears. It's hard to fully express the feelings that have filled me. This experience of worshipping with, working with, learning with an entirely different group than the CHM has really been something. And I foolishly never expected the emotions to be quite the same. But then that brings me back to my opening paragraph. Sentimental old me.

One thing is certain. Six years is a pretty good stretch of time. And as I told Pastor Bill on Sunday, when we look back on our lives from now till the end of time, he will always be an important person on the pages of our story. He's been a friend, an encourager, a spiritual father, a mentor, and a teacher. He dedicated two of our children. And we are better for having known him.

In two weeks, we will gather in the sanctuary with the new pastor. One we have yet to meet. One we have yet to hear utter a sermon. One who has yet to hear us play or sing note. We only know his name. All this for a gal resistant to change.....what a journey we're on!

Pastor Bill beaming after his ordination as an Elder in the UMC, last fall.
Lifting up Reagan for Dedication.

Considering Blackmail

So this is supposed to be our vacation week. We had intended and planned to be in Pigeon Forge this week, but events have conspired against us to make this impossible at the moment. However, since Derek already had the time coming to him from his job, we decided to just leave it that way. We've been hanging around home, doing all sorts of productive things that don't get the necessary attention during busy times. We've played games with the kiddos. We've sung around the piano. We've watched old home movies that we haven't pulled out in eons. And we've just been together. It's been a treat to have Daddy home every day, as he will continue to be till next Wednesday!!! It' s not the traditional kind, but we're still calling it VACATION and being thankful for what we've got. We're heading to Indy over the weekend to be with Derek's family and share music in their Morning Worship Service.



But speaking of watching those old home movies.....where do I begin? Let's just say that Derek and I were up until 2:00 IN THE MORNING last night laughing our fool heads off and plotting ways that we could easily blackmail and humiliate certain long-time friends if we so chose. Yes, that's right, we uncovered that cherished old classic "Homecoming" style music performed by our old gang of cohorts in Hobe Sound. It is starring Brent Vernon who portrays several characters such as Michael W. Smith, Jake Hess, Jonathan Martin, etc. There's Jani Beardslee who does quite a number on Sherri Easter and the blonde Martin girl, and of course Julia who successfully completes the Martin Trio. Yes, even Becca makes her appearance resembling the likes of Lillie Knall complete w/hat and pearls. Derek pulls off a Michael English. I do a scary Gloria Gaither. But let's face it, the star of the show was Sonja portraying Vestal in all glory, bedsheet wrapped 'round and all. Oh, I'm sure it was a "guess you had to be there" kinda moment, but it was the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. I was gasping for breath, and trying to keep from waking the kids up while we meandered down that Memory Lane. Good times....slightly embarrassing and humiliating times.....but GOOD times all the same.

That same video had parts that Julia recorded one Sunday night when we all hung at the
Vernons singing around the piano. There was some good stuff on that one, too! (Juwah, I have two videotapes of yours that I plan to mail out to you. There's stuff from Visions' tours to Grand Canyon, etc. )

So, what do you think? Should I try to devise a way to upload some of that charming material for your viewing pleasure?!? heh,heh....that ought to show 'em, huh, Kimberly?! (yes, I have damaging evidence of Kayla too!)

On that note of ponderance I will bid you all adieu. Blessings on you and yours.