Stuff That Matters in Life

I enjoy our staff meetings because we discuss ideas. Today we spent an inordinate amount of time discussing visitors and elderly parking spaces! While it may not sound very spiritual, and perhaps pastors should have other issues to talk about, I think this kind of discussion opens our minds to the state of our church in general. Are we presenting an easy way for new people to come to church to hear the gospel or is our lack of a seemingly simple thing as signage driving people away? Are we putting effort to care for people in this way? While we are not trying to create a perfect “user experience”, we don’t want to be discouraging to those who may be genuinely seeking God. In the perfect world, it wouldn’t matter if people have to park farther because they’d be so driven by spiritual hunger that they would walk 5 miles in the snow to attend church. Unfortunately that’s not suburban American Christianity.

Thankful for hubby, finished the painting of the family room and cleaned up. Now our couch looks bad…And this is why home improvement is never ending and always goes over budget.

Our rain barrel is full. Myth busted that it never rains in southern California.

[posted on 1/16/2019]

I felt like I didn’t “accomplish” anything today, but DW reminded me of the meaningful conversations I had, and those are ministry.

PC gave me an update on her daughter whom I’ve been praying for. PTL He is at work though prayer is not completely answered, yet.

HB shared about her situation and now I know how to pray and encourage her more. Her struggles are similar to mine and I can relate.

I asked JG to help me with a project.

DW and I talked about how we can better support the young married couples.

Enjoyed starting Amy on her Konmarie. I don’t have the guts to do drastic decluttering, yet, but I promise I will. I want to start with my books and papers, but Konmarie says to start with clothes and I don’t need to declutter clothes, at least I don’t think I do…I think I’m pretty good at not accumulating clothes and only keeping what sparks joy. But then again, my closet is busting at the seams.

Didn’t keep my appointment to read today. I want to finish a book by next week.

Renewing my drivers license means a trip to the dreaded DMV.

I arrived at 10am for my 10:20am appointment. I left at 11:18am. At least I found a parking space without circling around.

Words of advice: make an appointment, get there early, make sure you read the instructions on the website and follow everything to a T, bring all your documents, they don’t take credit card, have your confirmation number ready, wait patiently, be nice to the workers because I can tell they are trying their best, but it’s a tedious job. It’s not their fault, it’s our law-makers who built this bureaucracy. Everyone there looks unhappy except for the lady taking the picture. She said hi to me with a big smile. Maybe that’s the only station where customers are happy because it means they are almost done and outa there.

Met David and Helen, missionaries in Nairobi, Kenya for the last 6 years. They are second career missionaries, David was an aerospace engineer, Helen was a med tech. They went when their daughters were 14 and 9. I am inspired by people who are willing to take a risk and go in obedience to God.

January 8, 2019 Tuesday

Mike had small group, so Amy and I took advantage of my birthday free meal at Ikea. One meatball entree and almond cake. And a free cup of tea as an Ikea member. Amy paid for her own meatball meal. Also had $15 off our purchase, of which we only spent about $9. Still made out, no complaints.

Stimulating discussion at staff meeting about planning out the future of the church. Our senior pastor uses words like strategic planning and envisioning, but really it means the same as making a plan to make mature believers to reach the world.  I’m on board with that. I’m working on a plan to make disciples in the children ministry.

[posted 1/9/2019]

I am very thankful for VW, a faithful and loving children ministry servant who comes at 8:30am to pray with me to start off the day. She’s been leading the preschool ministry for at least 20 years, before she was married and had kids herself! I wasn’t even interested in children ministry until I had my own kids!

Serendipitous conversations with F who said she wants to help in Awana! I don’t usually talk to her nor did I ask if she wants to help. God provides people to do His work, I have no doubt. Then I ran into MW whose mother just passed away. She remembered that I was praying for her parents and we had a nice chat. I didn’t go to the funeral because I don’t like funerals. I can’t handle the sadness of lost. Her son B used to be in my department as a 5th grader, now in 11th grade. Time flies as they say, and it’s true.

Had a good time with the children in Children Worship. I do love to preach the Sunday message, because there is so much in God’s Word that I want to share with them. I now know why pastors love to preach to their own congregation and is protective of their pulpit. I will miss the 5th graders when they move up to Youth. I think I say that about every 5th grade class.

(posted on Monday 1/7/2019)