Friday, August 15, 2008

Friday Five (RevGalBlogPals)

For this Friday's Five, share with us five transformations that the coming fall will bring your way.

Bonus: Give us your favorite activity that is made possible by the arrival of fall.


Transformation 1: Back to a "normal" life whatever that is. I have a CT scan scheduled for next Friday and I hope it will be "clear" of cancer. I'm feeling good, the best I've felt in months, so I'm hopeful that there are no bad things growing in me.

Transformation 2: The congregation here needs to come to terms with death. They are in denial. I am familiar with denial, but while denial is often a postive, when one holds onto denial for too long, it is destructive. The congregation does not want to change and will not face the facts that if they do not change they will die. I need to come to terms that if they do not change, this is not a call that gives me life and I will have to make changes in my call. I am willing to stay with them if they actively choose to die, but I don't think if they continue in denial, I can stay with them.

Transformation 3. Weeding my yard. I have avoided gardening. (As I was beating myself up over lagging in making plane reservations for our vacation, my son reminded me that I was caught up in something else this spring.) I also want to figure out something to do with the two narrow beds along the drive. One the landscaper planted, to no avail and the other the landscaper ignored (despite my directions to do something with it).

Transformation 4. I am dieting. I decided I did not want to live the rest of my life as large as I am. I would like to lose 20 pounds (the same 20 I have been wanting to lose for about five years). I walked an hour yesterday! I want to get back to running and resistence work and yoga.

Transformation 5. Giving up my computer addiction. I spent way too much time with my laptop.

In Memphis, fall when it finally arrives brings evening walks, being able to get out later in the morning to exercise, long hikes in the park on Fridays. Being able to be outside more during the day.

8 comments:

RevAnne said...

Praying for your #1. All the rest, too, of course.
I had a weekend computer sabbath a couple of weeks ago. It was surprising to me how much I missed the computer to start, and how much more comfortable I am now leaving it be. Grace and peace to you!

RevAnne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ROBERTA said...

your #2 transformation struck a chord within - the idea that you are willing to stay with your congregation if they actively choose to die vs. staying in their denial. what does that look like? I'm intrigued! and in awe.....thank you....you gave me something good to chew on.

Mary Beth said...

Glad you are home and SO GLAD you are feeling well. Praying for that CAT scan to demonstrate it!

Joan Calvin said...

Roberta, I think a choice to actively die means making plans about what happens, how it happens, how do we make sure folks are cared for, how do we continue to be the body of Christ even as we are dying, how can we continue to be faithful as we face the fact that God is no longer calling us to be a congregation. To continue in denial to me means to just let death happen.

LutheranChik said...

Prayers ascending for your continued good health.

If you check out my blog, we're on the same wavelength about healthy transformations. But I do like your idea about unplugging from excessive computer usage. FT and I have decided that our front sitting room in The Big House -- a very lovely little room filled with antique furniture and collectibles -- is going to be an "unplugged" room, and that we're going to spend at least one evening a week in there.

LutheranChik said...

Prayers ascending for your continued good health.

If you check out my blog, we're on the same wavelength about healthy transformations. But I do like your idea about unplugging from excessive computer usage. FT and I have decided that our front sitting room in The Big House -- a very lovely little room filled with antique furniture and collectibles -- is going to be an "unplugged" room, and that we're going to spend at least one evening a week in there.

Your comments about your congregation "changing or dying" resonate with me as well. We are a growing congregation, but we don't retain members well, and part of it has to do with some of our "core" members.

Auntie Knickers said...

Wow, you have a lot on your plate! I'm sure your positive attitude will be helpful to you (and maybe, just maybe, to the church folks too?) Prayers for that and a good report from the CT scan.