Let Go Let God

     Once again I was at the end of my rope; I let go and God held me up. I was so discouraged because I had planned on getting into this Certified Peer Specialist training program, but I was turned down because I don't have a year's worth of consecutive employment history recently. That was a blow, because I was so sure I'd be accepted into the training and that the challenge would be getting a job after completing the training. God had other plans for me (knowing how much I need to learn patience); I am the kind of person who wants everything yesterday! So I had to put the brakes on my peer counseling plans until next year.
     In the meantime, I figured out a solution for a problem that has been weighing heavily on me at my job with children at the church nursery. I know I didn't figure this out be myself! Then the last thing I felt like doing was starting a class today all about job and career choices. I don't feel well (have been trying to kick some sort of virus), but I dragged myself to school anyhow. Was I ever rewarded by hearing one encouraging testimony after another about how much this particular class helped people change their lives for the better! More to follow about the class; right now I just need to go space out...:-)

Chocies , Ideas and Spring Even!

     I'm not Irish, but green is my second favorite color so I got into wearing my green today to my new class orientation. I'm taking a career choices class in order to explore what direction I most want to move in. At the moment I work part time as an infant/toddler teacher and I'm seriously working on my book, but I know there's more ahead for what God has planned for me. In late May I hope to do a training to become a Certified Peer Specialist; after that I'll explore what job choices there are in that field. It's been many years since I have felt well enough to commit to full time work; it's very exciting and just short of miraculous that my time is finally here. I may even get my college degree(s) finally; they say it's never too late. I do need some guidance organizing what to do first so I eagerly await the beginning of class on March 28. While I'm already on campus I may do some sort of computer class as well; there's always so much to learn in that field even if just for my own personal use. Besides all these great ideas buzzing around in my head something even better happened today; there blooming in a corner of the campus court were a small group of white, yellow and purple crocuses. That scene made me estatic because the sun was out full fledged, it was 60-something (warmish for March here) and Spring has become a reality, not just a prayer!

     I was also relieved today to have my birthday be over. I had a good day yesterday, but it's always a challenge for me to be long distance from family on that special day. Yesterday I was really missing family and California seemed even farther away than usual! I'm grateful to feel the beginnings of a church family, but like most of us, I want it all! Why can't I have everybody I love in one state at one time where there is also the best job, climate and economy available?! Seems this world is just not meant to be so easy.

    

I Quit 30 Days of Truth List!

I'm not particularly inspired to write about anything at the moment. Just wanted to make it official that I'm done with this list of topics. I did watch a great basketball game tonight. UCONN Huskies beat Syracuse in overtime and have a great chance at becoming Big East Champs tomorrow night versus Notre Dame. If they win, then both the men and women would be reigning Big East Champs. I get excited about it all since I grew up there and went to UCONN for awhile.

Ways God's Love Has Touched Me through the Earth

     I'm taking a GREEN CLASS at church, offered to help facilitate the building of a new GREEN CHURCH for Drexel Hill Baptist Church. Part of the homework for this week has been to think about God and my relationships to the earth. I am to make a list of the ways God's love has touched me through the earth; here's what I've come up with:

*  Great and joy and exhilaration of giving BIRTH

*  Healing and joy I feel at all OCEANS and especially in N CA coast

*  The energy of breathing while walking through TREES, esp. Redwoods

*  The FUN of playing in the woods growing up in Ashford, CT

*  LOVE from my pets especially Teddy Bear; all cats from Angel to Kee-Kee

*  Joy of growing, smelling and seeing FLOWERS and SPRING

*  SUNSHINE every day it's out replenishing my body and spirit

Next I was to list choices I've made regarding above list.

*  To spend as much time as possible at the beach getting the supercharge of air, ocean, sunshine and sea critters.

*  Want/need to spend more time walking through trees.

*  Taking the time to notice, grow and photograph flowers.

* Keeping/affording pets

*  Starting recycling (better late than never)

*  Member of Sierra Club and Green Church

Now choose 2 places that "grab" you and write a paragraph about each.

      The most extraordinary experience I've ever had in relation to feeling connected to the earth is when I chose to have a natural birth back in 1977. I felt really connected to the earth that we all come from during the process of being pregnant, eating healthily, finding a midwife and planning a home birth. The day itself was nothing short of miraculous. I got to spend transition in one of my favorite places, the bathtub! All my friends were there to support me. We had a special bath for the baby ready as soon as his chord was cut. The whole idea was that he have a peaceful and healthy entry into the world. I had not one pain reliever and I was fine with that. We even buried the placenta later in the garden. 

      Second is a hard choice, but I'd have to say my time at Big Sur coastline in Mendocino County, CA. My sister, my then six year old son and I made the journey. I was so excited I could hardly stand it; I didn't stop taking photographs until I was out of film. We stayed all day everyday and until after the sun set. We never wanted to leave! We camped out nearby and didn't mind the tent and uncomfortable ground; the fire was just right for toasting marshmallows.

Does your conclusion through your own experiences lead you agree with Psalm 24:1: "The EARTH is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it"? Simply answered, YES. I like the second verse too:  "For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the currents and the rivers".

Have you experienced any natural disasters which made you wonder about God's goodness as Job did? No, but I sure wonder about all the floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, etc. that other people in the world have experienced and been devastated or dead as a result.

What feelings do you have about how the expansion of our cities, highways, and industries are affecting the land? When I recently read a Forbes list picking Philadelphia for the top of the most polluted cities list, even though I don't give Forbes much credence in their research, I felt all kinds of emotions ranging from sadness, powerlessness, anger and fear. I'm angry when I see litter on highways, side roads and even behind my own apartment building. I'm angry when oil spills occur causing animals to get sick and die and disturbing the whole echo-balance of the food chain; I'm even more angry when major oil companies take no responsibility for their actions and if they do it's too little, too late.I never liked the taste of the drinking water here so I'm annoyed that I have to buy and cart water in jugs home. Lastly I feel guilt like the Catholics taught me to--guilt about how long it has taken me to get back on this train since I fell off sometime in my 20's!

     To end on a positive note, I'm so excited about everything I am learning in this class and the blessing of being a part of the building of the first Green Church (that I know of). I enjoyed sharing about it here. ;-)

Something I Wish I Hadn't Done in My Life~Truth Day 22

      I wish I didn't miss going to my Dad's funeral. I was not well between severe depression and the flu, plus I would've had a long plane ride, but somehow/someway I will always wish I was there to say goodbye, to pay my respects, to see everyone that turned out for him and to support Mom and my brothers and sister. It makes me so sad that I couldn't be there.