Advent Time is Upon Us

Gift of Wonder - Rev. Alfred McBride, O. Praem.,THE PRIEST, Oct. ‘87, p.26

"Each year, God asks us to shed one more coat of awareness, one more dream state and come alive to the vision of God’s plan for each of us and the world-at-large.

"The older we get, the harder this is to do. As children we had a sense of wonder. Our eyes were wide open and drinking in the fascinating gifts we beheld…Our thirsty souls could not have enough of the wonders of creation.

"Then, somehow, we grew too old to dream. We tired of the abundance of the world, or at least grew weary of keeping up with the feast of life, and stepped away from the banquet of life.

"The natural gift of wonder God gave us as children was meant to be kept alive.…Instead we let wonder go to sleep. We entered the typical dream state of most humans.

"Why else does Jesus tell us today, ‘Stay awake!’…Advent says, ‘Wake up and realize the gifts of love you have received.’

"…Psychology says, ‘Let go.’ Spirituality says, ‘Wake up.’ In both cases there is a withdrawal from the busyness of daily life (our dream state) and a waking up to the subconscious and spiritual depths of ourselves."

More Halloween Pix

Here are a couple more Halloween Pictures from this year! The kids looking so cute. Happy Halloween!!!

Sam and the Steelers

Sam played Defensive End, Offensive Tackle, long snapper, and on the punt team on the Steelers Pop Warner team. They didn't win many games this year, but Sam had 19 tackles, 6 sacks, and three fumbles. He did a great job - such a great job, the coaches gave him MVP - Most Valuable Player for defense! Thanks to his coaches and his team!

Visiting the Grandparents

We got to visit with nana and grandpa this weekend and Lou was so excited. It was a great time just hanging out and walking and trick or treating and visiting "fright night" on State Street. It was such a wonderful Sabbath for me, and some good "grandparent" time for the kids.

Historic Day

This is a historic day in the USA. Go out and vote...whether you vote for the same guy I do, whether you vote for the guy I don't (though I'd rather have you vote LIKE me) it's important to get out of the house and vote. The infamous "they" say that this could be as great a turnout since 1960...let's do it. Go vote and get a free cup of coffee at Starbucks!

Halloween Haircuts

Both Lou and Sam got haircuts today. I am still debating whether I like them or not, but here they are.

Sam got his trimmed and he was nervous because his last haircut cut off inches. This time they just shaped his 'fro.

Posing for the camera...
Smiling

Lou chopped two inches off the back of her hair and has an A line cut. What do you think??

Loving it.

Ordination Exams

To become a minister, one must follow two paths: a path for education (UDTS for me) and a path of ordination (through the Utah CPM). For the education path, one must complete a masters program and get his/her M.Div (done in May), and to complete the ordination path, one must jump through many hoops. I have most recently jumped through the most difficult. In August I took three of four ordination exams and PASSED ALL THREE (theology, exegesis, and worship)! It is such a huge weight off my back. I will finish up in January, but the final exam - Polity - is open book. So yay for me!!