The Search for a Community

There are all kinds of community. A person might even be a part of a number of communities at one time. This particular activity of searching for a church community has never been my favorite. I'm not a good "shopper" in this regard. It takes so much time, but some group gatherings fit better than others so the effort can be worth it.
We've tried four different groups, two more extensively. We have decided on the church we went to first. I was going to write "we have settled on..." but I want to write about this process in a more positive light! Going back to church has not been high on my priority list. I've been rather disappointed by the last two communities I've gone to. One of those churches I attended for three and a half years. That length of time and other factors made my disappointment quite profound.
Nevertheless, intellectually I have always been convinced of the need and potential blessing of community life. But my emotional response has been clouded by the hurt and subsequent disillusionment which occurred within the confines of this structure. People are people, which includes the possibility of hurt. The blessing and disappointment comes from the same source.
I love God and that has never changed. I also realize the church will never change. The potential for good and bad will always be there.

Today I shall…

…try to remember to be considerate of anyone who has any time been of help to me, even though his later actions might have been hostile.

-Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski
“Growing Each Day, Adar 10" Aish.com

"Then I encountered Rabbi Twerski’s commentary for yesterday and it occurred to me that many of us have been 'throwing stones in the well from which we drank.'"

(The above quote and comment came from a blog I read - Morning Meditations. This particular post is "Throwing Stones.")

I had to realize I'd been throwing stones as well. A lot of good in me came out of attending the church or churches I once did. This is what I need to focus on regarding the past and the future. It's still a struggle as I head off to church each week but it's easier than it once was. Plus, as mentioned, I am convinced of the need for community life for everyone, including me! We need people in our lives because we are made for relationship. I know that life is not full when I delve into my isolationist tendencies. I choose to move forward rather than retreat.

On the Lighter Side? Not so much but...

I had wanted my next post be a little lighter in nature. I even looked on youtube for something that might be funny and light. Either it was my mood or my sense of humor, but nothing really struck me as all that great. After that attempt, in my regular reading, I came across the following and found it quite applicable. Sorry, I wouldn't say it's light but hopefully uplifting. In the end, I found it hopeful and comforting.

“Some people like to regard themselves as 'realists.' You may have heard someone say, 'I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist.' Maybe you have said that yourself. I have. The inference is that an optimistic person is not realistic. Accordingly, the only honest and correct way to view the world is to point out the deficiencies, difficulties and inevitable failures.”

This quote took me up short a bit as I have often described myself as a realist rather than an optimist. I've never thought of myself as a pessimist. Either way, I ended up saying, “Uh oh!” The document goes on to say the person with this realist attitude is a naysayer, one who ignores the positive, emphasizes the negative to such a degree that even words of encouragement are irritating; and they're cynical people. It continues with:

“The optimist says the cup is half full. The pessimist says the cup is half empty. The man of faith gives thanks that the cup is half full, and he marvels that God will either make the half cup sufficient to meet his need or miraculously refill the cup.”

I do want to be a “faith full” person. My current financial situation is what it is. There is nothing I can do to change it. Even though I was surprised by this turn of events, God wasn't surprised. The matter will be settled and I will move on into the future. God is there too! I trust him. I'm sad at times over the loss, and there are significant changes due to it. However, it's not the end of the world and I've learned valuable lessons! 


Document quote out of a reading from one of First Fruits of Zion publications.

Perhaps a Different Kind of Drink!

Coffee in many forms is at the top of my list especially as a comfort drink. I don't suppose I can really call it comfort food but it certainly fits somehow in that category. It is that cup of Ahhh and a transcendent experience. This quote also puts it well:

Coffee is the common man's gold, and like gold, it brings to every person the feeling of luxury and nobility. - Sheik Abd-al-Kadir

However, even I realize that other drinks are more appropriate for certain occasions, moods, or times of day. My friend (mentioned in the last post) also gave me a recipe for Limoncello! How exciting!! I've heard of others making it, but I must confess that I bought the bottle I have now at Trader Joe's. Nonetheless, this could be a fun winter activity and thought I'd share it with you.

© 2011 ABC Television / the chew

easy

skill level

over 120min

time

more than 12

servings

$

cost

Mario Batali's Limoncello

Contributed by: Mario Batali

This thick sweet cordial dessert will hit the spot after a long and filling meal. Make a batch

today and enjoy it for weeks to come. Note: Mario Batali prepared this recipe differently on air

but for best results follow the procedures below.

4 Cup vodka zest of 10 lemons

2 1/2 Cup sugar 3 1/2 Cup water

ingredients

4 Cup vodka

zest of 10 lemons

Place vodka and zest in a sealable jar, like a mason jar and allow

to sit in a cool place for 4 days.

2 1/2 Cup sugar

3 1/2 Cup water

On the fifth day place 2 1/2 cups sugar and 3 1/2 cups water in a

saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow to cook 5 minutes, remove from

heat and allow to cool.

Add sugar solution to the vodka solution and allow to stand

overnight.

Strain through a layer of cheesecloth in a conical sieve, pressing

the solids firmly. Strain again through a second layer in the same

manner.

Chill and allow to stand 1 week. Serve very cold.

Coffee - It is an Event!

Coffee is real good when you drink it it gives you time to think. It's a lot more than just a drink; it's something happening. Not as in hip, but like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but like somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup. - Gertrude Stein

We all like it a bit differently - coffee that is! part 1

Jetlag is receding. I'm thankful for that! Naturally coffee has played a part in this transition time, helping me stay up as late as I can to adjust as quickly as possible. I ran across an assessment of some Europeans, plus a few other groups as to how they enjoy their coffee. Having only been in Poland, Switzerland, Italy and Spain this trip, I can only evaluate from my perspective on those four countries. But first, the info I found on another site:

The Italians drink their espresso with sugar, the Germans and Swiss - with equal parts of hot chocolate, the Mexicans - with cinnamon, the Belgians - with chocolate. Moroccans drink their coffee with peppercorns, the Ethiopians - with a pinch of salt. Coffee drinkers in the Middle East usually add cardamom and spices. Whipped cream is the favourite amongst Austrians. The Egyptians are extremely fond of pure and strong coffee. They seldom add sugar to it, nor milk nor cream. They serve unsweetened coffee to mourners and sweetened coffee at weddings. The Italians are the unrivaled World Masters of Espresso. 

For this post I'll write only about Italy. I enjoyed both espresso and cappuccino while there. I will never challenge the concept of the Italians as World Master of Espresso! I did have mine with sugar but did not enjoy it as much as some others. That does not speak to the quality of espresso but rather the fact that I prefer my coffee with a bit of milk or cream. The cappuccino was delightful but as usual for me it was a bit weak - too much milk! Oh, the trials of a coffee snob! (That's me!) They do win hands down on the cold coffee treat!! OMG! The scoopable frozen coffee (but not ice cream) with whipped cream was absolutely awesome!! They called it a 'granita' but it isn't very similar to what we call granitas. Ours are more liquid, sweeter and come out of a special machine. Not these and I'll take these any day! Rome won the gelato contest and Rome again wins for cold coffee treat. Both of those places were around the Pantheon square. If you want specifics, let me know.

More next time on the other countries. :)

Different Kinds of Signs

I'm back in Poland - the first leg of our trip. Polish is returning to me fairly easily when it comes to every day little things but deeper conversations are a bit out of my league now. I'm doing a bit of translation for Brian in various situations. This brought back to mind some hilarious signs that people have made note of from their travels.

Direct translations don't always work!! One I saw here in Poland (my favorite one) is posted on a door that you pass while in line for a gondola ride up a mountain. It reads: "Exit 10 minutes before departure. Please wait." Not sure what I'm suppose to do! :-/

Others signs I've heard about - on a menu in Switzerland: "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for." So, here's to a depressing night out!! Another one, not sure of the country, also on a menu: "The manager has personally passed all of the water served here." In that case, I'll pass!! :)

Languages can be a tricky thing! I also remember one of my faux pas when talking to a guy who was about 15 to 20 years younger than I. At one point in the conversation, I told him that I thought he had great potential. (All in Polish, of course.) Well I find out later that I used the word for sexual potency rather than communicating he has a promising future!! Boy, was I embarrassed after the fact!! :-o  Ooops! I do remember he was all smiles after my comment!

OK, Let's Talk about It...

Let's face it, we all have impressions or stereotypes of certain vocations. Sometimes I don't even realize I have them until I'm face with an apparent contradiction.

Now...the missionary stereotype, I have been a missionary and I've heard the spontaneous gasp followed by the hand covering mouth because I said something "unmissionary" like. (Unfortunately, I can't remember the specifics anymore.) Or, there was the surprised, raised eyebrow look when I accepted a glass of wine. Of course, if they thought I shouldn't have any wine then why offer it!? Even though I'm no longer in that field, if someone learns of my background it seems (at times) that there are still certain expectations. Nothing is said but... Honestly, I hope that I do not conform to the stereotype in any way, shape or form. In the past, when a missionary I secretly enjoyed it if I shot holes in someone's picture of a REAL missionary.

So what do I think is the picture of missionary? Well, a little crazy, if the truth be told! (Missionaries are all about telling the truth, you know!!)  Or, at least weird like a geek but in a "spiritual" way, holier than thou, maybe even snooty in that regard. Lastly, they're not very real - no one you could easily relate to. Perhaps that's a little on the mean side, but at least someone who is a bit odd. After all, who does that kind of thing? And you can't talk to them about real life stuff!

If my impressions are wrong, I'm very open to hearing about it!

I think I'm quite real. My language isn't perfect, in fact, some words seem very appropriate at times! I'm not that into churches - not that I think they are bad either, but they aren't always the best answer. I want a sense of community or family in my life, people who will support and challenge me regarding my thoughts and actions. Unfortunately, many churches don't really have that kind of everyday community life. Thankfully, I don't have an "aura" of spirituality about me, but hopefully people think I'm nice! It's the little things in life. I love what Alejandro said in the Mask of Zorro, "I'm in search of the miraculous in everyday life." So I get out and live life!  I love it, but wish my knees were more inclined to the adventure of it!!

Great Movie Quote

Well, last night I added another new movie line to my memory banks. The quote isn't new because the movie isn't but it struck me last night as I was watching "The Two Towers" for the second time. The situation - Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, the dwarf, are literally running (for days) to catch up with the Orcs, who have taken Merry and Pippen as captives. Gimli, with shorter legs, is having to work the hardest to keep up and keep going. At one point he is repeating to himself, "Just keep breathing. Breathing is the key! Keep breathing."
There are times in life when that's the best advice. The situation isn't necessarily going to change any time soon. I/we are doing what we can so - just keep breathing. Back to the basics! For me, I have to remember that God still, really is in control and I just have to keep breathing; it's the key to moving forward.

Interesting Read

"It is time for faith that fears inaction, not failure." Organic Church by Neil Cole

Spring is Coming!

The world seems brighter, lighter because the promise of spring is in my heart. As I mentioned in the last post, it’s been a difficult season but finally I feel movement out of it. I wanted to share this quote from CS Lewis’ essay The Grand Miracle because it fits so well with my situation at the moment:

"To be sure, it feels wintry enough still: but often in the very early spring it feels like that….. the spring comes down slowly down this way; but the great thing is that the corner has been turned. There is, of course, this difference, that in the natural spring the crocus cannot choose whether it will respond or not. We can. We have the power either of withstanding the spring, and sinking back into the cosmic winter, or of going on into these “high mid-summer pomps” in which our leader, the Son of Man, already dwells, and to which he is calling us. It remains with us to follow or not, to die in this winter, or to go on into that spring and that summer."

We all make choices along our way. For me now, I'm so glad to feel spring coming and so I choose spring!

Laughter is always necessary!

I want to write more soon so you know a bit more about what's happening. In brief it's been a tough end to the week as God is bringing out somethings he wants to clear away in me. So there have been some tears as I see things in me I don't want. I look forward to God's good work.

At the same time, I have been reading some in the 'Prairie Home Companion's Pretty Good Joke Book', because it's important to laugh. I thought I'd share a few.

Ham and eggs: a day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig!
(So remember your view of something just depends on your perspective!)

If you are what you eat, I'm dead meat.

How many real men does it take to change a lightbulb?
None. Real men aren't afraid of the dark.

How many women with PMS does it take to change a lightbulb?
Six.
Why?
It just does, OK?

How many surrealists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Two. One to hold the giraffe and one to put the clocks in the bathtub.

I hope you enjoyed at least one or two. They're kind of silly but all in good fun.