A Wonderful Person!

Recently my mother sent me an obituary, granted it is a rather strange thing to send someone, but in this case I was glad that my mother did so. The obituary is for Mary Landis, 84, of Lititz who passed away on June 27, 2009.

Mary Landis is not my grandmother nor is she an aunt, rather she was my Third Grade teacher. Mrs. Landis made quite an impact on me as a third grader as well as on my sister who had her the following year. And through my mother, Mrs. Landis was able to keep up with what my sister and I did in the years following our elementary school years. And because of that contact I received cards from Mrs. Landis as I made my way through college and then seminary and then through Kathy's Christmas Letters we also received updates from Mrs. Landis' life in the years that we served in Kentucky, Colorado and now Idaho.

Not only was Mrs. Landis a phenomenal school teacher, she was also very active in her local Mennonite church of which she was a charter member. Her faith was part of who she was and influenced how she taught in the classroom if not what. Mrs. Landis was a shining example of a Christian serving in the public schools. No, she never to my knowledge crossed the church/state divide in her lessons. More importantly than trying to "sneak" Christian content into her lessons, she treated students and parents alike as fellow siblings in Christ which meant more in the classroom and over the span of the last thirty years of my life.

I am grateful to have had Mrs. Landis as my third grade teacher and to have been given the privilege of knowing her as an adult even as I have moved far away from the small town in eastern Pennsylvania where I was raised and where Mary Landis served God faithfully as a teacher and child of God.

Glad to be Home

It has taken me about a week to realize that I'm home after two weeks on the road. North Carolina was great, probably the best insight I picked up from the conference for "young" (under age 40) Presbyterian Clergy was to be more open to God and strive to fear God more than the congregation. Pretty much what this means is seeking God's will more than listening to the competing egos that make up the congregation. Sounds simple, right? Well, it really isn't not after a generation or two have been taught that if they kick and scream enough their wants and felt needs will be met. I'm not saying that FPC, Twin Falls is too addicted to getting their way, but I do see such behavior (mine included) in the midst of all the wonderful things that have happened in our first three years together.

After a 12 hour "lay over" in Twin Falls it was off to the Oregon Coast to spend upwards of ten days in the South Beach neighborhood of Newport. We really had a phenominal time with uncharacteristically warm (60-65 degree) weather for seven of the full days we were there and it rained on the day we left! Like a lot of people we opted for a really simple holiday, eating most of our meals at the house and doing cost-free things like beachcombing and sand castle building. We did manage to go to Rogue Brewery's resturant on our Anniversary, no better way to celebrate our first 13 years of marriage than with Imperial Stout, Porter and India Pale Ale, is there?

Since I've been home we've planted two aspens in the yard, removed a 26 foot by 4 foot section of sod in the back yard. I've been to Ketchum for an Investigating Committee meeting and have attended several church social functions along with a few meetings and worship this past Sunday. And now I'm getting ready to put together the bulletin for Sunday's worship. So I'm back in the swing of things and glad to be doing it with and among the people I've been called to serve in Twin Falls, Idaho!

Mom Chroncles - Last day

Well, Phil is on his way home, Eric enjoyed his last day of VBS, and I got my haircut, but the bags are not packed, things are not gathered, bathrooms not cleaned. I have lost my motivation and would rather watch some silly movie on tv! There are not even commercials to do a quick thing or two. I guess I could press pause on the DVR! Whatever Eric is doing downstairs, he is quiet, so laying on the bed and resting for our big day in the car tomorrow doesn't feel so bad.

One part of me hopes the rain comes on and Eric's tball game is cancelled, another is ready to watch him have a great time. Think I will dress warmer today!

For those who haven't heard, please say a prayer for Betty Olmstead's family. She passed away yesterday afternoon. Looks like the service will be on Monday.

Blessings to you all!
Kathy

Mom Chronicles Part 3

It is the end of Wednesday and the end of day 3. Another pretty good day at the Price house. Eric went off to VBS and had a great day. We brought home his best friend and had lunch in the park and then an afternoon playdate. The two boys had a grand time playing Lego's while I got some work done. Then we went and saw the summer movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks". It wasn't any better the second time around, but the boys enjoyed it. A quiet dinner at home, got the ironing done, read some stories and now off to bed.

Phil called again today and is having a good time. He is making some new friends from all over the country (even Canada)! Tomorrow is his long day of traveling. I think he gets into Salt Lake City around 3 so he should be home late evening. My day will consist of packing, haircut, doing last minute errands, and making sure we don't forget anything! (oh, and a t-ball game!)

A big shout out to Doug and Judy Pollow for dinner last night! We had been out at Eric's tball game in the cold, wind, and rain sprinkles and stopped by to pick up something for the trip and they invited us to stay for dinner. Meatloaf, potatoes,& fruit never tasted better! Thanks so much!

Thanks also for the daily support from DeAun and Shastina with their comments! You make me smile!

See you tomorrow for my final post! Hope Phil lets me do this again!

Mom Chronicles Part 2

Hello again! Day two has gone well. VBS - lunch in the park - car serviced. Now a few moments before t-ball game. Oh! And I survived my first mamogram! Isn't that something to be sharing on the pastor's blog? :-) They had no balloons, card, or special gift to celebrate my first time(not even a sticker that says I'm a responsible woman taking care of my body), but I will survive. Eric is happy and having a great day. He's looking forward to a playdate with his friend Kristopher tomorrow and going to the summer movie.

Phil called and is having a good time...resting, reading, going to workshops, and catching up with a few seminary friends. Exactly what he needed. I'm sure he misses us and Twin Falls, but time away is good for him.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Mom Chronicles - Part 1

Well, Phil is off to Montreat, NC for his pastor's under 40 conference. I have confiscated his laptop (of course I need 3 computers - one to listen to Pandora, one to leave open to Facebook and Twitter, and one to get some work done), and figured I would add to his blog with my own "musings" while he is gone!

Phil arrived safely this morning and gave me a wake-up call at 6:30 am. Which was good because the sitter was coming at 7 for me to take the dogs for a walk and get my own exercise this week. His trip went well with a brief hiccup and 5 hour stay in the Salt Lake Airport. He says it is beautiful in NC with all the blooming bushes. He says "It smells here!" Which means that coming from an arid climate where smells are free to travel and move, he notices the humid climate and broadleaf trees that trap the rhodi and azaela bushes blooms and their scents in one place. I'm not sure if he thinks it is a bad thing or not. He is looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Several of my friends on Twitter and FB are there, so I have asked them to lookout and place nice with Phil this week. We'll see if they follow through.

Eric and I have had a good day so far (just 3 pm, so a lot could still happen!). Eric went to VBS at the Baptist church this morning and had a great time. He wasn't too sure at first, but when I picked him up he was very excited. We had lunch in the park with the free lunch program from the school. It was full of kids and Eric enjoyed it all, but not quite the pb&j. Then I got the lawn mowed, Eric played with Lego's and all is well with the world.

For the last hour I have been listening to The God Complex Rado (2 leaders in the PCUSA have a weekly web-show). Today's topic is abstinence and purity pledges. Some interesting tips for when we have those conversations with Eric. The show airs on Mondays at 10 am MST. Check it out at www.godcomplexradio.com

Well, we are off to Candy Cane park for the Christian Nurture meeting & ice cream. Hope you are all having a great day and maybe I won't take up so much space next time!

So Excited I Can't Sleep!

For the past few days I have been able to get to sleep alright, but after four or five hours I wake up thinking about where I will be in either 48 hours or next week at this time. In other words, where I will be while I am on Continuing Education in Montreat, North Carolina or Vacation/Holiday in Newport, Oregon.

It really has been effecting me over the last few days as I can think about little else as butterflies inhabit my stomach while I think about the next two weeks. Granted, I will miss Eric and Kathy over the next few days in North Carolina and that congregation from June 12th through the 22nd, but I really feel as though I NEED these next few weeks.

While I say that I know that it will probably rain every day we are at the Oregon Coast and although the conference for clergy under 40 in western North Carolina sounds interesting, I'm sure that it won't live up to expectations, but it really doesn't matter as the time away will give me the opportunity to read, journal and turn my brain off for a little while.

And so I am grateful to the congregation in Twin Falls as well as Kathy and Eric for encouraging me to travel a long way away from the Magic Valley.

Hopefully tonight, after several nights of little sleep, I will be able to get more than just four or five hours of sleep.