Guns 'n' Roses (well, hibiscus)

It is Friday, and I've been at Ellerbe Road UMC for about 10 days now. I'm happy to be taking a day off, and am enjoying my son playing with guns and "spy stuff" and creating his own little adventure, here in our backyard. Here's the picture: Poni loves anything that clips on or attaches to his being. So, he has 3 pistols (2 western-style cap guns in side pockets, and 1 bright orange pistol in a gun holster), his ID wallet, complete w/his sheriff's badge, a HUGE utility pocket knife in yet another pocket, flashlight, a spy watch (that carries mini-bombs, has a motion detecter alarm, and laser beam), a gameboy bag that has been modified into a spy gear bag (with a motion detecter/alarm inside, and TONS of invisible ammo... invisible, mind you) binoculars clipped on his belt, and, let's see... is that all? Oh... and a light saber that morphs into a rifle (which is actually just a rolled up poster). Gotta love all that!

I, on the other hand, am tending to our garden, and enjoying the fact that the wrens have returned, and my double bloom hibiscus are extremely happy in our revamped front flower bed. For anyone who knows me well, you know that I love being outside, and love to "nest". For a couple of years now, I've not felt that I had the time to do either on a regular basis, and the balance of my soul was severely compromized. There are a few things in life that always help me return to balance: travel, nesting, and spending time in relationship with little kids are possibly the top three. I've done all three in the last month.

In the last month, I've spent time with all of my nieces and nephews. I went to the Houston area for a week or so, and saw my sister's kids, Alex & Garrett. Baby Garrett was 5 mos. old at the time, and this was my first opportunity to spend time with him. He is SUCH a delight! And Alex learned to read while I was there! My sis and I bought her a couple of beginners books, and she read her very first book to her baby brother, Garrett! Now, that's good stuff! I also visited my brother and his family: Alli & Jake were in the home stretch of the schoolyear and I had a great evening with the two of them. Alli is 15, and Jake is 13. I just love 'em all! Last weekend, we went over to Ruston to celebrate nephew Carter's 2nd birthday, and just cuddled 9 mo. old Ella Claire all day! Is life any better than toddlers and balloons and bubbles and cake? At Ellerbe, I get to do children's sermons again (something we did not do at my last church), and those just give me that extra little relationship time with the children of the church. I do love that. Little kids bring balance back, don't they?

Being at Ellerbe is already showing it's blessings. There is much time for relationships and dreaming and loving life. I am excited about focusing my gifts and graces on evangelism and helping the church embrace its next level of ministry.

If you're looking for a church home, and want a place where the fellowship is real, might I suggest you give us a chance? When there's a spirit of "change" in the air, anything can happen! Come be a part of our family!

And now... back to Poni's guns and my roses... er... hibiscus.

Beth's Brain Today

So, I'm thinking about a couple of my friends today, who died over the weekend, and just wanted to write a little something about them.

Janet Madden was a member of my church over at Morningside, was my lay leader, worship assistant, and filled the pulpit whenever I needed her to. She was incredibly faithful in her church participation and leadership... never said "no" or "I can't right now" or "I'm too busy". She always said "SURE!" and did an amazing job. What a positive attitude. She also wasn't afraid to speak up or take a stand for what was right... or against what was wrong. Folks loved her, and accepted her leadership. She helped me chill out when I became an instant mom of a 4 yr old who didn't speak English. She provided my son with his first "hero"... her son, Josh. She was so obviously proud of her daughter, Jennifer, even when she wasn't quite sure about Jennifer's choices. She taught me a lot about unconditional love. Janet died from a stroke brought on by epileptic seizures. As I prepare to help with her funeral today... I keep thinking I'm going to see her, today. I get little bursts of happiness when I think about being with her family in her church at Fellowship... but then I remember she won't be there... except in spirit, of course. She always did me proud when she filled my pulpit.... I hope I do her proud today.

Kathy Rubottom was a friend who needed a pastor during her last couple of months in Shreveport... thinking they were her last couple of months alive. She chose me. That was nearly 2 years ago. The doctors had given her 2 months to live... inoperable brain cancer. They said she'd be in a nursing home pretty quickly. She packed up and sold her house here, so she could move up to Missouri with her mom, to be near her sister, too. She only just went in the nursing home last month. Got a call a little bit ago... Kathy Ru died. She had a beautiful spirit. She was real about facing death. She didn't "put on a brave face"... she was brave. She was sad, too. But she accepted her fate with grace and peace, and made sure her salvation was intact. She took care of things, and faced each day... not with reckless abandon that one might expect of a dying young person... but with deep, abiding love of life and friends and family. We shared a bond... we just clicked. It was good. She was awesome.

That's where I am today.

Welcome!

Thanks for visiting my blog! I have NO idea what I'm doing, but am enjoying playing around and trying to figure out how to create this blog-thing. So... what brings you here?