A New Home

I was really tired last night and could hardly keep my eyes open when I wrote my brief blog post. It was a long day at the end of a long week. This has been an amazingly busy time for me in my work with Habitat. We have been preparing for three closings. Yesterday was the first of the three. These are always cause for much celebration but also there is a lot of last minute stuff to do and this can be a real source of stress.
Right before I fell asleep last night, I thought about the couple that just closed on their house yesterday. They have six boys and they have been living in a two bedroom home with one bathroom. I cannot begin to imagine what that has been like for them. I tried to imagine what last night in their new home must have been like for this family. I'm sure there they were tired from moving all of their stuff. I'm sure the boys had a hard time settling down for the night as they adjusted to their new bedrooms. I'm sure there was laughter and excitment. However, I'm guessing that there was also a huge sense of peace that settled over this family as they slept in their new safe, decent, affordable home built with love.
Just before I lost consciousness for the night, I said a prayer of thanksgiving for this work to which God has called me. I can't begin to tell you how much it feeds my soul and helps give purpose and meaning to my life. It is really not a job. It is ministry in the best sense of the word. This doesn't mean that there are not difficult days. This does not mean that I don't struggle and feel stressed. However, what I do know with every fiber of my being is that this is where I am supposed to be at this point in my journey.
I don't know what God has in store for me in the future. I'm doing my best to live in this moment as I take big gulps of the grace that God provides for me every day. I feel joy like never before. I feel contentment and peace. I feel grateful for the honor of being able to serve the poor through the mission and ministry of Habitat for Humanity.
With this latest home now completed, I can't wait to move forward with the next application, the next construction project, and the next closing. The process begins again and again as new families seek to live out their dream and move from substandard housing and become home owners.
I hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks for being a part of my journey!

New Phone

Well, I finally did it. I got a new cell phone today. This is a major milestone in my life because this is only the second cell phone that I have ever owned. I got my first cell phone in 2006 in my home town of Mishawaka, Indiana right before I moved to Knoxville Tennessee. The reason that I decided to get a new cell phone was because my old cell phone was having a hard time keeping a charge. I think this might have been what caused my problem earlier this summer when I my phone shut off and I didn't know how to turn it back on.
When I went to the Verizon store today to get the new cell phone, the guy who helped me (who was probably still in elementary school when I got my first cell phone) said, "Your phone is really old." He then proceeded to try to sell me a smart phone with all kinds of bells and whistles. I told him "no." He then showed me their basic phones that were on display in the store. He suggested that I get one with a keyboard for texting and a camera. I told him "no". I then asked him if they had any other basic phone models in stock that were not on display. They had a catalogue and I pointed to some phones and he thought they did have a few of them in the back. I told him I had a $50 credit on my account and I wanted to use that to get a phone and that I hoped that they had phones that would not cost me anything if I used my credit. He went into the back stock room and emerged with my new phone. He told me that I would not have to pay anything for this if I used my $50 credit and that I could walk out of the store with a new phone. The salesman also warned me that this phone didn't take photos, connect to the Internet, or have a flip out keyboard for sending texts. He said it was just a "plain Jane phone." I told him that it sounded perfect.
So, I've spent the evening reading the manual for my new phone. I know. Most people just know how to use their phones and never even unwrap the manual but that's not how I'm wired. I like to read the manual and learn all of the little tricks to operating new phone. Of course, there are very few little tricks because by the rest of the world's standards, I am now the proud owner of the world's most boring phone.
In spite of the fact that I am really excited about my new phone, I also will miss my old phone. I may try to donate my old phone to the Smithsonian. Maybe they will display it next to Dorothy's ruby slippers.
That old phone has been my communication device with the world for the past five years. I think about all of the conversations I have had with friends and family using that phone. I have laughed deeply and shed many tears while using that old phone. I have heard good news and bad news while talking on that phone. I was talking on that old phone when I was offered the Family Services Coordinator position at TriState Habitat for Humanity. I have renewed relationships with old friends and talked for the first time when people who would become new friends. I have made plans and cancelled plans. I have offered and received words of encouragement on that old phone. That phone traveled with me from Indiana to Tennessee to Ohio. It went with me when I traveled. It has been the alarm that has awakened me every morning for the past five years. It has been a faithful companion and I will be sad to see it go.
I am grateful for both my new phone and my old phone. I am grateful for memories and new beginnings. I am thankful for new technology that will carry me into the next season of my life and journey.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!

Prayer Request

I have a prayer request. We are getting very close to closing on three Habitat homes. The houses are pretty much done with a few punch list items that need to be taken care of. We are waiting for final inspections on two of them. We also have to collect some additional paperwork hear back from a grant agency on one of them.
This is a time that is filled with so much anticipation for these three families. It is also filled with a lot of anxiety. They all want to be in their new homes tomorrow. They are ready to move. They want to get settled in. They want to get out of their current substandard living conditions. The hard part is they have to wait.
As much as I would love to hand the keys over to them today, we are just not quite there yet. We can see the finish line but we aren't there yet.
So, I ask for your prayers for these three Habitat Partner Families. Please pray that they will be patient. Please pray that they will experience God's peace as they wait. Please pray that we get everything done as quickly as possible so that they can realize their dream of home ownership.
Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

New Applications and Preparations for New Beginnings

God continues to bless us at TriState Habitat for Humanity. In the past, I've asked for your prayers for our family recruitment efforts and those prayers are definitely working. I was excited to discover this morning that we had received three more applications for our home ownership program over the weekend. Additionally, we received another application for home ownership today. Three of these four applications are from areas where we really need families. I am really excited about all of this.
To add to the excitement, I have been busy preparing to help three Partner Families close on their homes. In a few weeks, these three families will be moving from substandard conditions to safe, decent, affordable homes. I know the families are having a hard time being patient so I ask for your prayers for them during this time of transition and waiting.
Along with this, we will be starting three new homes in the coming weeks. On Saturday, we will have a wall raising service for a new house in Hamilton, Ohio. We also have plans to start new houses in Amelia, Ohio and Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
As you can see, it's both a busy and exciting time at TriState Habitat for Humanity. I continue to be grateful to God for the opportunities that I have to serve families in need. I am thankful that God has led me to this ministry at this time.
I continue to ask for your prayers as we move forward in ministry to give families a hand up out of poverty housing. Thanks for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

The Daily Grind

I have felt this week like I'm living a bit in a rut. I'm not sure why. I have done some different things. On Monday evening I went with my brother-in-law Rob to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I really enjoyed it. I have had some meetings in and out of the office that are different from my regular routine. Yesterday I got to have lunch with two of my co-workers. We approved a new Habitat Partner Family on Tuesday. I have received some new applications for Habitat home ownership. Yet, with all of this I have felt like I'm in a rut.
I think the rut is not so much my daily routine with work but more in my spiritual life. I am feeling a bit distant from God. I recognize that God hasn't moved so it must be me. I am working on getting involved in a small group at my church. I think this will help. However, I wonder if there isn't something else I need to doing to nurture my spirit and relationship with God. I wish I had an answer.
The good thing is that usually when I'm feeling like this, God has lessons for me to learn if I pay attention. It feels like something is just around the bend and I need to prepare myself for whatever might be coming. While I don't know what's going to happen, I trust that God does know. It's that sense of trust that will sustain me through this time of feeling like I'm caught in the daily grind in life.
I am ever grateful for God's presence and love in my life. I am also grateful for your willingness to be a part of my journey!

House Dedication

This evening I traveled to Batavia, Ohio in Clermont County for the house dedication for one of our Habitat Partner Families. It was a huge blessing for me to be there as it always is. This is a family of eight people that includes a mom, a dad, and six boys. I am always impressed whenever I am with this family. The boys are extremely well-mannered and a joy to be around.
What impresses me most about this family is the love and support shown by their church family. There were several of their church members in attendance at the dedication along with their pastor who led the devotion. One of their fellow church members gave a testimony about the kindness that our Habitat Partner Family had shown him when he was in need. Throughout the entire Partnership process, even when it didn't seem like it was ever going to happen, this family faced adversity with joy and great faith. They knew that God had wonderful plans for them and their new house is a living testimony to their faith and perseverance.
Everyone who participated in the house dedication did a great job and God used them to share God's love and give witness to the work of God that had been accomplished in the building of this house. It was a time to thank God for the all of the time and energy of the volunteers and gifts of the donors. It was also a time to offer prayers and praise to the God who calls us to kingdom work. I found myself tearing up several times during the service. As always, I felt honored to be a part of the miracle that is Habitat for Humanity.
I ask for your prayers for this family. We are so close to being done with their house but there are several hoops that we still need to jump through before we will be able to close. There are some construction things that still need to be done. There are also some grant applications that need to be completed. We will have to make sure all the bills are paid and the final sale cost is established. We also need to work with the attorneys so that they can prepare the closing documents.
In the meantime, this family is still living in substandard conditions in a house that too small for them. Also, the boys will be starting school in the coming weeks and in the midst of all of that transition, the family will have to think about packing and moving. So, this is certainly going to be a stressful time and one that will test their patience. Soon, though, they will be able to realize their dream.
Another family is about to move from horrible living conditions to a safe, decent, affordable home. They will sign their closing documents, receive the keys to their new home, and God will be honored. Then we will move on to give the next Partner Family a hand up out of poverty housing and the mission and ministry will continue.
Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

Getting Ready

I went up to Oxford, Ohio today to meet with one of our Habitat Partner Families. If you don't know, Oxford is the home of Miami University. It is a small college town that most likely would not exist without the college.
As we drove through the Miami campus, there was a real sense of anticipation. Very soon the campus will be bustling with students as the fall term begins. I realized as we drove through the small downtown business district that was practically a ghost town today will in less than two weeks be bustling with cars and people. Everywhere I looked there were signs that University employees and the city itself were preparing for a new year full of promise.
I invite you to join me in praying for all of our college students as they prepare to begin another year of school. Some are just beginning. Some are looking forward to a final year and then onto the world of employment (if they can find jobs in this stagnant economy). Wherever students find themselves, I hope and pray that God will help them to learn, to grow, and to be who God created them to be.
Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

Settling In

After living in my apartment for more than a year, I feel like I am finally settling in. I spent a big part of the day unpacking some boxes and consolidating some other boxes of things I should probably drop off at Goodwill. I also finally hung stuff up on my walls. I think it has taken me so long because in the back of my mind is the thought that I may have move again. I guess that's one of the remnants of being an itinerant United Methodist pastor. In addition, I have moved a lot in the past five years. As I was sorting through my boxes, I began to think about how many times I have moved my stuff. In case you haven't been following my crazy journey, here's a run down:

• In the fall of 2006 when I was still serving my church in Mishawaka, Indiana, the church bought a new parsonage. I was not ready to tell the congregation that I was leaving, so I went through the huge hassle of moving all of my stuff into the new parsonage in Osceola, Indiana.
• During December 2006 I moved all my worldly belongings into a storage unit in Knoxville, Tennessee. The day after Christmas I drove to Knoxville and moved in with my sister Shelly and her family. I lived in her computer room and slept on an air mattress. I didn't have a job at first and wondered what in the heck I was doing.
• In June of 2007 I moved into an apartment in Knoxville. By this time I had secured full-time employment at Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County Tennessee.
• In the summer of 2008 gas prices had skyrocketed and the Great Recession was in full force. I had a half-hour commute to work from Knoxville to Oak Ridge. So, when my lease was up in Knoxville, I moved to Oak Ridge to an apartment that was just a few blocks from the Habitat office. I even walked to work a few times until the unbearable Tennessee summer heat set in.
• In November of 2009, I accepted a new position with TriState Habitat for Humanity in Cincinnati. Because there was a brief time and I wanted to take my time to look for an apartment, I moved in with sister Stacey and her family in West Chester, Ohio.
• After a long and exhaustive search, in April 2010 I moved to my current apartment in Hamilton, Ohio.

So, for me to be in this apartment for this amount of time seems a little weird. It's a good feeling to think that I might settle in to a particular place for a while. I feel blessed to be here. I am in a place that really like. It's close to work, to my family, and there's a lot to do in the area. I'm grateful that God led me to this place at this time. I hope that that one day I might even consider this more than just a place to stay, but my home.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!

Turning Points

I have been watching today a History Channel series on the American Revolution through my Netflix subscription. I always enjoy learning more about the history of our country and this series is well done. I am learning new things about the events that led up to the start of the Revolution and the Revolution itself.
One of the things that has struck me so far is that how many times the cause of American Independence hung by a thread. If events had unfolded in a slightly different way, the United States might never have come into being.
For example, in the Battle of Long Island, New York, the Continental Army was able to resist capture and defeat because of heavy fog that allowed troops to escape from the British who were charging after them. But for the camouflage of the fog, all might have been lost early on for the Americans. Also, when Washington and his troops made their famous crossing of the Delaware River to attack in Trenton, New Jersey, they might have been overwhelmed by Hessian troops but for the fact that reinforcements had not yet arrived because the commander of these troops stopped in Mount Holly, New Jersey to be entertained by a widow whose affection he wanted to win. Along with this, many Continental soldiers' commissions were up at the end of 1776 and most planned to go back to their homes. However, Washington promised them a $10 raise (the equivalent of one month's pay) and many decided to stay. The interesting thing is that Washington never had Congressional approval for this raise. He made it up on the fly with the hope of enticing soldiers to continue fighting. What if Congress had not gone along with this or what if the majority of soldiers would have not thought $10 extra was enough? Again, history would have been very different.
What this helps me to see is that the decisions we make both small and large and the actions that we take both small and large impact the future in ways that we may never realize. While not all of us are going to be leaders like George Washington, we still have the power to influence people and make a difference in our world. For example, I once read that if every member of the United Methodist Church tithed (gave ten percent of their income to the church), all budgets would be met locally, nationally, and globally and there would be enough money left over to end hunger in the entire world. And that's only United Methodists. Think what could be possible if Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Catholics, and all other Christians would tithe. The entire world might be transformed in the name of Jesus Christ. Now that would really be something.
I invite you to join me in praying about how together we can make a difference in the world with the resources with which God has blessed us. It all starts with us. We have the power to change the world if only we will step out in faith.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!

A Day of Transition

Today was a day of transition at my office. Today was our Executive Director's last day on the job. Our new Executive Director has been with us for two weeks as a part of the transition. However, it was really hard to say "good-bye" for me. I was busy dealing with a lot of other stuff but we were able to have nice farewell lunch with several of the staff gathered together. We laughed together and shared stories.
I think the hardest part for me about the day was realizing that it was our out-going Executive Director who hired me. She took the risk to hire me and I am forever grateful for that. I also have been able to really flourish and grow under her leadership and that has been wonderful for me. Along with this, I have very much appreciated watching Jean as a leader. I have learned much from her.
However, I realize that life and ministry will go on. I realize that God will continue to guide and direct TriState Habitat for Humanity as we seek to serve the poor and eliminate substandard housing from the face of the earth. In fact, tomorrow morning we will be having a wall raising service for one of our Partner Families. Life and ministry moves forward even in the midst of transition.
I am glad that we took the time to say "good-bye" today. I am also glad that God has sent a new leader to TriState Habitat for Humanity. I know we will continue make an impact upon the TriState region. I look forward to what God has in store for us. I look forward to continuing to serve the poor and hopefully in some way make a difference in people's lives.
I would appreciate your prayers during this time of transition. Thanks for being a part of my journey!

Visit with Family

My parents are in town this week. They are staying over at my sister Stacey's house. I went over to visit with them today. It was good to see them. I realized I had not seen them since they went to Texas last fall. They are not liking the cold weather here in Cincinnati. We got snow last night.
I have the morning off tomorrow from work. I plan to take my car to the Volkswagen dealer. I have a light bulb out and you need a PhD to change the bulbs in a VW. That's the one thing I have not liked about my Beetle.
I am really looking forward to getting back to work. I was really inspired by what I learned and can't wait to begin implementing some of the new practices. I am still riding high on inspiration from the Habitat for Humanity Conference in Atlanta. We also will be getting ready for the arrival of our new Executive Director next week at TriState Habitat for Humanity. It is definitely going to be a time of transition and change. I would appreciate your prayers for our affiliate during this time.
Thanks for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

Fat Tuesday

One of our wonderful Habitat volunteers brought in Mardi Gras beads in for everyone in the Habitat office. She gave me a set of beads with a pig on them. She said this was in honor of my preparation for walking the Flying Pig half-marathon. I was glad she clarified that. I was hoping she wasn't trying to give me some other not-so-subtle message.
The beginning of Lent has kind of snuck up on me. This continues to happen the longer than I am out of leadership in the church. I see now how my parishioners must have felt. When you work outside the church, the liturgical year is not really on your radar screen. I try to keep up but sometimes I really feel out of it. The Christian seasons that so ordered my work and ministry in the church seem more difficult to relate to in my current work. Poverty does not know any season. Whether it's Lent or Advent or Epiphany, sub-standard housing is ever present in our world. On this evening before the beginning of Lent, children all over the TriState region and around the world will go to sleep in houses that are unsafe and unsanitary.
Don't misunderstand me. The Christian year helps me to mark time in a way that the secular calendar does not. It draws my attention to God and God's timing for my life and the world. I am grateful for the discipline that the Lenten season will bring to my life. I think it will help me focus in a new way on my relationship with Christ and the state of my soul. I know God will speak and move and call me to a holy life once again. I guess it's just harder for me to find that focus outside full-time service within the church.
However, that is good for me. I have to be intentional about it. I have to as that great hymn challenges me to "take time to be holy." If I don't take the time to be holy, I may miss out on what God is doing and saying. I may miss out on new ways that God is calling me to be in ministry. I may miss out on an opportunity to serve others or speak Truth to a world filled with lies.
So, on this Fat Tuesday, I'm pausing to prepare. While I'd really like to eat a whole bunch of sweets, I'm going to refrain from that and simply take the time to prepare my heart and mind and body for the journey that is Lent. I want to commit to a Holy Lent. I hope to spend more time in prayer and to do some self-examination. It will be both a time to ask for forgiveness and a time to experience anew God's amazing grace.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!

Prayer Request

I am asking for your prayers for TriState Habitat for Humanity where I work as the Family Services Coordinator. We found out a few weeks ago that our Executive Director was going to retire. We found out today that our Board of Directors has hired a new Executive Director.
While I am excited about the new directions that God might be leading us as an affiliate, I also will miss our departing Executive Director. She is the one who took the chance to hire me a little over a year ago. I have also really enjoyed working with her. It will be hard to say "good-bye" to her.
Also, our new Executive Director will be saying "good-bye" to her current Habitat affiliate and making the transition to a new place in which to serve and work. We as a staff will have to make adjustments to new leadership and new ideas for how to best serve our families. It will be both exciting and challenging as we move forward into the future.
So, I'm asking for your prayers for our affiliate in the coming weeks. It is going to be an interesting time. I know God will be present and move in some wonderful ways.

Thanks for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

Habitat for Humanity Egypt Update

I first of all I want to extend birthday greetings to my Mom. Happy birthday Mom! I love you!

We received the following update from Habitat for Humanity Egypt at the office this week and I thought I would share with you about what is happening on the ground in the midst of the changes that are sweeping throught the country:

Egypt Update: Message from Yousry Makar, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Egypt


During the past weeks, Egypt has gone through some very tough events, which have left a great impact on all Egyptians in all walks of life. We thank God, though, for the way we dealt with the situation, and for the safety of all of HFH Egypt's staff and the staff and volunteers of our implementing partners in the communities. We also managed to evacuate two of our volunteers and the Resource Development and Communications staff member and her husband safely back to their country.
In that regard, I would like to thank all those who joined in praying from the Habitat International family. Please keep praying until things settle and people are safe. In general, house construction has been considerably affected this month and in January by these major events. HFH Egypt has not been able to achieve the forecasted program results for many reasons.

• Many of the daily laborers (who form part of Habitat for Humanity applicants and homeowners) have lost their work.
• Banks have been closed for most of the time since the demonstrations began. This has affected loan distribution and repayment.
• It is still very difficult to travel to Upper Egypt due to the unstable train conditions and schedules up until now.


It is still too soon to have a clear picture of the situation and events happening going forward as we are facing new events/conditions not just every day but even on an hourly basis. This makes it hard for HFH Egypt to develop a long-term plan in the current period. We are keeping a very close eye on the situation in our communities on a daily basis, though.
Very slowly, life is returning to normal. Curfew hours were reduced and are now from 12 midnight until 6 in the morning. I believe a long time is still needed before we will overcome all the economic and social consequences of such major events.
As the gap between the poor and rich is expected to increase, there is no doubt the need for what HFH Egypt provides in partnership with the communities we work in will increase. We appreciate your continued prayers for Egypt.

Blessings!
Yousry

I invite you to join me in praying for Habitat for Humanity Egypt and for all the people of Egypt as they discover what it means to live in true freedom. I also invite you to join me in praying for all people in the Middle East as countries are transformed as oppression gives way to liberation.
Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

New Walking Shoes

I bought some new walking shoes for my training period for walking the half-marathon in May. I have needed some new tennis shoes for a while but have been putting it off. I was blessed to be able to find a pair of shoes that are very comfortable, were on sale, and are actually not too hideous.
As I went on my first walk in my new shoes this morning, I began thinking about what life lessons these new shoes might teach me. Here's what I came up with:

• It's important to have good support along your journey. My old shoes were really worn out. The souls were worn and cracked in places. I didn't realize how bad they were until I stopped to take a look at them. When I walked for the first time in my new shoes I felt the difference right away. I had support that I was missing before with my old shoes.
• The path to change begins with the first step. I have decided to prepare for walking in the half-marathon to improve my health. In order to be successful in this I have to start now to prepare for marathon day. It all began this morning with my first step.
• It's easy to get comfortable with things that really aren't good for you. I really liked my old walking shoes. I bought them right after I moved to Tennessee and they were comfortable. However, they were really not giving me the support I needed. In fact, I had a real problem with what I think were shin splints when I tried to walk for the past month. I did some reading on the Internet about it and I learned that shin splints can be caused by not wearing good shoes that give you proper support. What I realized is that my old comfortable shoes could really be doing my body harm and I needed to let them go.
• It's fun to get new shoes. When I was growing up, I had a lot of problems finding shoes that fit. I inherited some very funky feet. I've often said that they look like Fred Flintstone's feet or after I saw the Lord of the Rings movies: Hobbit feet. In addition to having two webbed toes on each foot, I have a very high instep and very wide feet. In fact, I had go to Syracuse, Indiana to shoe store that specialized in hard-to-find sizes. I always loved the special attention that the store employees would give to me when I was fitted for shoes. Even though most shoes stores don't give customers the attention they once did, I still like getting new shoes.

So, I feel like I'm off to a good start with my new shoes. I am hoping that they will help me to accomplish my goal of finishing the half-marathon.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!

New Year, New Start

I believe in a God Who offers us to the chance to begin again at any time in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We can repent and turn around from our current path and go in a new direction. So, while I don't think there is anything magical or necessarily special about changing the calendar from 2010 to 2011, for me it is another point along the journey of my life at which I can pause and think about where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.
So, I thought I would share with you some of the things I'm hoping that will take place in my heart and life in the new year.

• I want to take better care of myself physically. I need to lose weight and be a better steward of the body with which God has blessed me. One thing that is going to help me in this endeavor is that I have signed up to walk in a half marathon in Cincinnati in May. My sister Stacey walked in the half-marathon, called the Flying Pig, last year and invited me to join her this year. I have never walked 13.1 miles all at once. I have a training schedule that will help me achieve this goal. I'd ask for your prayers as I begin preparing for this event. I'm anxious about it but I know that I will feel a great sense of accomplishment if I finish the walk.
• I want to be a better steward of my money. I have been focusing on paying down debt over the past few years. 2011 is going to be key for my debt reduction plan. I will be able to pay off some of my debts and then hope to be completely debt free in another year. Of course, there's a lot of life to live in the next year. My car will turn 10 years old in 2011. It's held up so far but I worry about having to put a lot of money into it to keep it running. I also know that there will be other unexpected expenses. I pray that I will make wise use of the resources with which God has blessed me.
• I want to continue to develop my passion for writing. I will continue writing on this blog. I also want to take the next two creative writing courses as a follow-up to the class I took this fall. I also have an idea for a longer piece that I've started to work on. I don't know exactly where it's headed but I'm really enjoying it. Writing really feeds my soul.
• I want to reach out to more families living in need through my work with Habitat for Humanity. We are getting ready to launch some new programs. I am also going to attend some training regarding these programs. I also want to work harder at recruiting new families with whom to partner. I know that there are many families living in poverty housing who may not even realize that Habitat can help them achieve their dreams of home ownership.
• I want to become more involved in my church. I want to get to know more people and offer my gifts as a way of advancing the mission and ministry of the church. I am really looking forward to seeing where God leads as I move forward in ministry and faith.

There are a lot of other things in my life on which I should probably focus, but this is where I plan to start. I know there will be times when I fail. I am notorious for procrastinating and not following through on things. I don't know if this year will be any different. However, the one thing that I can always count on is that God will be with me no matter what. Even if I don't end up accomplishing any of these goals, God will continue to love me and call me and fill my life with grace.
I hope that you have a wonderful new year full of blessings. Thanks for being a part of my journey!

A Covenant Prayer

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, adapted the Covenant Service for use in among Methodist Societies. Central to the service we the Covenant Prayer that requires a person to commit oneself to God. In many Methodist churches today the Covenant Service is most commonly held on New Year's Eve or Day and is sometimes called a Watch Night Service.
I invite you to pray with me this Covenant Prayer as we prepare to ring in the New Year:

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

One Key Chain Found

I am very pleased to say after last night's odyssey that I found a key chain that was appropriate to use for our Habitat house dedication on Saturday morning. Thanks to my friend Mari who suggested I look at a Christian book store. I went to a Christian bookstore near my office today and found several very nice key chains from which to choose.
I ended up selecting a key chain with a passage of Scripture printed on it from Jeremiah 29:11 which reads: ^"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD." I thought this was an appropriate verse and wonderful words of assurance for new home owners to reflect upon. God does indeed know the plans for each family and reaches out to bless them in powerful ways as they move from living in poverty housing to a home of their own.
I invite you to join me in praying for our house dedication tomorrow and for the family who will close next week on their new home. It's always an exciting time for each family and is a wonderful blessing for me as a staff member of Habitat for Humanity. I also know there will be times of stress for the family in the coming days as they move and try to make their new house a home. Of course there is the added stress of preparing for Christmas for this family so soon after they close. I am praying that God's peace will fill this house and this family's hearts.
Thank you for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!

Introduction to a New Church Home

I am very excited as I sit down to write this blog entry. I returned a few hours ago from an orientation session for the church that I have been attending for the last few months. It was a wonderful experience for me. I was able to meet three of the pastors and two of the program staff members. There were about 20 people who were in attendance to learn more about the church and its ministries. This is a part of their membership class series. While I can't join the church (United Methodist pastors belong to Annual Conferences rather than local churches), they did allow me to attend this series of classes so that I could learn more about the church and discern how I might best use my gifts to serve in the life of the church.
As I listened to the pastors and staff speak, I was filled with a sense of confirmation from God that this is the right place at the right time for me in my journey. It's hard to put into words but I felt as if I had found a church in which I could participate and my gifts would be put to good use and I would find a community of Christians who would support and challenge me in my journey.
One of the things that I have been wrestling with about attending this church is that it's a bit of a drive for me. It's 25 miles one way and I was worried about how I would really be able to participate in ministry other than on Sunday mornings. Driving 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic) to church is something that I have never really done before. I know that sounds like an excuse, but I guess I was worried I would be seen by those living in the church's neighborhood as some outsider who simply commutes in for worship and then leaves never to be seen again until the next Sunday. However, as I began to meet the people who were attending the class, I found out that it is truly a regional church. People drive from all over the Cincinnati area to attend this church. I met people from Northern Kentucky, the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, and all parts of Hamilton County in which Cincinnati is located. I spoke with one of the pastors who told me that it takes her about 25 minutes to get to church from where she lives. When I heard this, I knew that I couldn't use travel distance as an excuse any more.
I am most impressed by the church's mission and context for ministry. They have a true heart for the city and are involved in a number of inner city missions throughout Cincinnati. About ten years ago, the church purchased a former Catholic monastery down the street and have developed it into a educational and retreat center. The church also has a global emphasis and have helped to launch new churches in different parts of the world. The church is located in a rather affluent neighborhood in Cincinnati, but they seem to attract people of all backgrounds and socio-economic groups.
The church seems to be in the midst of transition and God is moving in a powerful way in the life of the congregation. A new senior pastor arrived a little over a year ago who is helping them to put into place new systems that will help them to be more effective in all areas of ministry. We heard some about this today at the orientation session.
What surprises me most about my sense of God's leading me to this congregation is that it has very traditional worship services. The church looks like a Gothic cathedral from the outside and on the inside. It is a beautiful building complete with a gigantic pipe organ. They use the full liturgy from the United Methodist Hymnal whenever they celebrate the Sacraments. It's about as high church as you can get in the United Methodist Church. Why this is so ironic is that in my last church in Knoxville, they were far from traditional in worship style. They had a traditional worship but it was not what I would consider high church. I most often attended one of the contemporary services. When I helped to launch the new campus of the church, this service was totally contemporary. So, I find it strange that I am attracted to this very traditional worship service. However, I think the difference is that this is traditional worship done well. I enjoy all kinds of worship styles and the difference for me is the quality of worship. Most churches that I served and have attended in my opinion don't do worship well. This has nothing to do with the vocal range of the choir or how many electric guitars they have in the band. It has everything to do with a pursuit of excellence to honor God in all that they do. In too many churches the preachers, organists, song leaders, ushers, band members, liturgists, and people in the pews do not take worship seriously. They bring a half-hearted attempt at praise to a God Who give us everything. When I left parish ministry, I vowed that I would find a church home that knows what it means to sincerely honor and worship the living God of all creation. I will not settle for okay. I expect the best because God deserves the best.
Most of all, finding this new church home is an answer to prayer for me. I have been hoping that God would lead me to a community in which I can connect with Christians in order to serve the world. I feel like I have found that place. I need people who will pray for me and with me and hold me accountable to the teachings of my Christian faith. I am grateful for this opportunity to connect with this congregation in this way.
So, here I am at this point in my journey not at all where I thought I would be. I'm doing a job that I deeply love. I am living in a wonderful metropolitan region with much to do and enjoy. I have connected with friends from my past who help me to get out and have some fun. I'm about to start a new adventure through the creative writing course I'm taking beginning on Monday evening. I'm blessed to be a part of my nephew Cameron's life. Now, I'm on the verge of settling on a church home. It is truly an amazing crossroads moment for me. God continues to bless me and bring me healing and hope. God is leading me on an amazing journey that fills me with anticipation and expectation for what may be just around the corner. God is so good to me.
If you would like to learn more about my new church home, you can check them out on the church's website: http://www.hydeparkchurch.com/ It's a great church with a great mission.
Thanks for being a part of my journey!

Back to Work Tomorrow

After a really nice respite, it's back to work for me tomorrow. I am actually looking forward to getting back to the office and my work with applicants and Habitat Partner Families. I think this break came at a good time. I was feeling a little cranky before my time off and now I feel recharged and ready to do the work to which God has called me.
I also am feeling a sense of renewed peace in my soul. I've shared with you in previous posts that I have been feeling restless and I wasn't sure why. I've spent time listening and I feel like I am ready to take some action steps in response to this restlessness. First, I realize that I need to connect with a Christian community. I've spent nearly a year looking for a church home and I feel like I am ready to make a commitment to share my gifts with a church in Cincinnati. I have contacted the church leadership and will be attending orientation classes in the coming weeks. Also, I will be meeting with one of the pastors to talk about how I might get plugged into the life and ministry of the church. I'm looking forward to getting involved and connecting with others in ministry.
Secondly, I have enrolled in a seven-week creative writing course at a local adult education center. The class begins next week and will give me a chance to improve my writing skills. I also will be able to receive feedback on my writing. I must admit that I feel a bit anxious about receiving critique but I also know that this is the only way to improve my skills. So, while feeling anxious, I also know I need to step out in faith. I also am looking forward to meeting new people in this class. Again, this will be good for me to get off the couch and away from simply watching others live life in movies and on TV. I hope it will be another way for me to express myself and find community.
I ask for your prayers as I take these next steps in life. These times of transition and new beginnings are both exciting and anxiety producing for me. I need to trust that God has good things in store for me in all of this.
Thanks for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!