Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

In Memoriam for Nelson Mandela,  A man of change, a man who led a nation to change, and example of what forgiveness and hope can accomplish.

"Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end."   A quote of Mr. Mandela.

Wordless Wednesday

Time For New Christmas Traditions.

This  is the year for me to begin a few new traditions.  Nothing really wrong with the old ones, good memories, but I feel the need to add some new ones. Make them mine, there is one tradition I want to continue.  On Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, my family always lights candles, fire in the fireplace and has goodies.  I don't have a fire place but I do light candles, its a way of being connected with  family across the miles.  

The new possible traditions are attending a concert at one of the local Opera houses, attending the Botanical Garden light show, attend Christmas Town in Williamsburg.  I want to continue a tradition I once had, of walking Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg decorated for Christmas.  just a few possibilities to consider.  Not sure what if any new tradition will take hold. 

I don't think I will be placing lights outside this year.  It will be the first time in a long time, but don't think is worth it where I am now.

Stay tuned! 

Monday Medley: On Tuesday. Jason Derulo "Marry Me" (Official HD Music Video)

Pardon the tardiness...better late than never.  I had a busy weekend, mostly on call but also working on a term paper.  Which is now finished and sent YAHHHH!   Next week is the final exam, but tonight its time to relax.  Next week will start the Advent music. I'm a week late oh well.

Its Black Friday!!!

THE MAD DASH

So what its Black Friday?  Are you shopping til you drop?  NOT ME.  I used to work Retail and that was enough, and I have never gone shopping on Black Friday.  Too many people, too much hype, potential for problems. nothing I need that bad, that I have to camp out for a week to buy. I'd rather stay away and eat leftovers!  What about you?  If its your thing, more power to you!  Oh and I am sad a family holiday is increasingly being encroached upon by stores opening on Thanksgiving.  Again nothing I need that bad!

THE MAD GRAB

THE DAY AFTER TURKEY DINNER! LOL

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

1 Thessalonians 5:18A  "In everything give thanks" 

This Thanksgiving I have so much I am thankful for. I thank God everyday, but particularly on Thanksgiving day. Let me count my blessings

1 My health, that I am able to get up and go, have my mind.

2. My job and money coming in to pay bills.

3. A roof over my head.

4. Clothes on my back.

5. Food on my table

6. Medication in my cabinet.

7. A car to drive and gas to put in it.

These are tangible things there are intangibles like...

Family, friends, good memories, gifting, a calling, spiritual blessing.  Too many things to mention here!

Give THANKS!

Thanksgiving Day Dinner \\\The turkey from yesterday lol

Wordless Wednesday: Day Before Thanksgiving (USA)

Waiting

Monday Medley: Thanksgiving Edition, "Thankful Heart" Petra

This song always reminds me how thankful I am, and where my thanksgiving belongs.  Not much to say today, I am very busy working, and working on my paper, as well as preparing for my exam.  I decided I have to turn off the TV, usually background noise is helpful, not right now its a distraction.  If you pray please pray for me in my completion for this class.
Blessings to you

Monday Medley Double feature Part I; Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball

A double Feature part one, the second part is a spoof by Betty White.
 

Monday Medley Part II: Betty White spoofs Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball video in new promo

Part Two. I love Betty White, she gets away with such good stuff, and is so funny! 

Monday Medley: Veterans Day Edition

THANK YOU TO ALL OUT VETERANS!!

http://youtu.be/NcTj7uM-dJA

http://youtu.be/v_eTLTOhdcA

Wordless Wednesday Post Election Fireworks!

Monday Medley, Song of Faith: White Heart - Desert Rose

Today being the Monday after Communion Sunday, I share a song of faith.  This song is one I used to listen to quite often, during what I would call the "Dark night of the Soul" time in my life.  Its an old song by a group named White Heart. Faith is something we must wrestle with, I find at times I "wrestle" with God over things, circumstances, doctrine, and life situations.  That makes faith real to me.  Its one thing to sit and listen to a preacher, or teacher  or simply read the Bible and say yep I believe that.  However, its when we question our faith, our theology, and doctrine. Its when we examine for our selves the Scripture, relating to our experience, and what the Spirit of God is whispering to our soul that we learn its reality in our heart, mind, and life.  My faith is NOT a doctrine, or a denomination, any organized religion.  My faith is a relationship. Are you struggling with an issue of faith today?

 Hope you enjoy this song and that it speaks to your spirit and feeds a need.

Look at the hair style in this video!!! LOL
http://youtu.be/O7OGieXHM5g

A Healthier Me

For several years I have been on a quest to lose weight, and I have.  I have gone from about 230 to as of today 167.5.  Recently, I have embarked on a regimen of exercise and better eating.  I eat five smaller meals a day. I have been walking a mile a day most days for awhile.  Recently, I increased that to  two miles during the week, and three on the weekend.  In the morning I doing stretching exercises and push ups.  In the colder and rainy days, I will go to the fitness center at my apartment and walk the treadmill, and elliptical machine and at least two times a week  lift weights.  I am not trying to become Mr. Muscle but be healthier, physically able to perform my work and enjoy my life.

Two encouragers I have are my employer, through an extensive wellness program. Including a website where I log my walks, and other exercise and earn badges for things like 7 day work out, getting a physical, and things like that.  If I do the primary things they say I should, I can earn $900 in healthcare expense money. The second encourager, is my friend who is on a journey of losing weight and being healthier himself.  In fact he has a blog about it, you can view it here, http://www.madfatmandiary.blogspot.com/  Give him encouragement if you like.  He is making great progress.  He uses my fitness pal.

So as part of my journey, I will keep on moving forward in my health quest, education quest, my vocation, and my life!  I hope you do too.





 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Its Halloween day celebrated in many ways by many people. Some see it as a harmless day for children to get dressed up and Trick or Treat.  Others see it as a day to be ignored, not recognized in any way because it is the "devils day".  As for me its a harmless observance, I don't give out candy anymore, I don't like the idea of opening my door to strangers or giving candy out in this day and age.  I have not given candy out in about 10 years.  In honor of the day here are a few pictures and a Youtube video of the Headless Horseman from the movie Sleepy Hallow.  Unfortunately, I could not embed it, so there is a link to it below.

Happy Halloween!!

http://youtu.be/D-sX7fyWyf0

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween Edition

Halloween Week

October 29, 1897

I was reminded this morning when I looked at the calendar, that today would have been my father's 116th birthday.  He died in 1976, for many reasons, this is the first time I have paused to remember this day in sometime.  Usually busy and it dawns on me after the fact.

Sometime in the future, I want to have a garden bed or corner of a patio for a memorial garden of plants that remind me of and can honor my grandparents and parents, perhaps something to honor those patients I remember who have died.  Roses, Iris, azalea, other plants, anchored by a dogwood would be nice.

Today I pause to honor my father.

Monday Medley Hallween Edition Part 2: Monster Mash

Have a great Halloween 2013

Monday Medley Halloween Edition part 1:Timbaland - Morning After Dark ft. Nelly Furtado, Soshy

Sharing this song has become something of a Halloween tradition.

A nice but quiet weekend, hope yours was great.  Welcome to Halloween Week!

Church Today

Once a month now, I am visiting a church of a different denomination.  Mostly I am looking for different Worship experiences, but also looking at the possibility of finding a denomination where it my sexuality and being a minister/chaplain would not be an issue.

Today, I visited an Episcopal church close to home.  This particular Parish has been on my list since it  is listed on the website www.gaychurch.org, as being an open and affirming congregation. Also, the Episcopal Church, ordains gay Priests, Deacons, and Bishops.  I enjoyed the service, it was very different from what I am used to.  I did not stay for the Eucharist, or Communion since I am not Episcopalian.  The Sermon was brief, (nothing wrong with that) and spoke to me in that the Rector talked about singing the song that is in your heart, and singing it loudly.  He made the point our individual song are the gifts, and talents we have within us.  Let them out of us and use them to the glory of God. I left after the offering was taken and they were singing the offering Hymn. 

I may visit here again sometime. Next month I am thinking of visiting a Disciples Church.

Tomorrow's Monday Medley will be the annual Halloween edition.   

Wordless Wednesday

Pastoral Care Week

This week is National Pastoral Care Week.  This means there are programs set forth by the Association of Professional Chaplains, National Catholic and Jewish Chaplain Associations, encouraging Health and other organizations which have Chaplains to highlight their role in the organization and thank them for the service they provide. 

The theme this year is "Prophetic Voice"  This week already at one facility we had a service of appreciation and our Director gave us mugs, with Journey theme.  Being that we are all on a journey together, and as Chaplains we journey with patients, their families and staff through their situations.

I like that theme, as I am on a journey, you can tell by the fact the name of this blog has journey in it. 

Today I have opportunity to serve one of my other facilities by staffing a table with information highlighting the work we do in that place. 

If you work where their is a Chaplain, take a moment this week to thank him/her for the work he/she does.  It is often stressful, physically, emotionally an spiritually draining. 

I am thankful to be able to do the work I do, and enjoy it!

Monday Medley: Kesha - Your Love Is My Drug (Lyrics)

 

The First Exam

Well this week, I experienced the first exam of the course I am taking.  It was not terribly difficult, just the preparation was tedious.  The professor gave us ten study questions and selected three to be on the exam, out of the three, we selected two to write.  I spent the weekend reading and more reading, writing the answers out.  I completed the test in the allotted time and was so relieved! So on to the next assignment, plus I need to select a topic for my paper. It feels good to be working toward this goal and looking forward its completion. So its onward and upward!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Medley: Big Sean feat Jhene Aiko & Lil Wayne - Be Aware (Lyric)

Happy Columbus day!  Another Monday has arrived, a new week.  This week I have my first exam in this class I am taking, and I am nervous.  I have studied, I will be as prepared as I can, and praying all the way through. The material is pretty deep and some of it is abstract, I will get through it!

Today I am sharing a song I have enjoyed on the radio, in fact this is the radio version.  I love the beat all through the song. Hope you enjoy it and that you have a great week!

My Mother

In Remembrance on  her Birthday 

October 13, 1915-January 25, 2012

Orlando Cruz Update

Well unfortunately our man Orlando Cruz lost his boxing match last night.  Cruz lost his bid at the Feather weight championship in a 7th round TKO. Well he gave it his all, and is a winner in my book.  Next time sir, next time.