I. AM. FULL.

First of all… I am full of carrot cupcakes. (Thank you Kathy Powers and staff and Preston for my birthday cupcakes!)

But what I really mean is…. My heart is full.

From driving up and seeing the big “Welcome” sign out in front of my new church, to the hundreds of hours being put in to renovate the parsonage, to the smiles of the staff and the “Hey, I know you!” hollered at me from one of the children in the daycare... these first few weeks at Aurora United Methodist Church have been totally amazing… waaaaay beyond any hopes or expectations.  The church has been so gracious and welcoming.  I already see them making some changes that will promote spiritual and emotional growth in our church family… primarily by including the children and youth more.  I appreciate how they are being open to change and creativity and “NEW”.  All of this gives me hope.  It gives me hope for our time together, and it gives me hope for Aurora UMC, and it gives me hope for Algiers.  I want nothing more from my time at Aurora UMC than to use my gifts and talents to help the church turn a corner toward health and wholeness (spiritually, physically and emotionally) in our lives as individuals and as a church.  So, the welcome, hospitality and openness to me are so encouraging, and fill me up.

I am also full of gratefulness to God. … because it is almost like God is putting on an Epcot Fireworks display in my life… you know the one… that last 15 minutes of absolutely everything they’ve got in the warehouse and every SINGLE laser and Disney character and music perfectly timed to the choreographed explosions.  I’ve got this great new church, with all KINDS of promise… a lovely, committed, hard-working staff... my son is pursuing his dreams in a school that could not be more perfect for him… I am raising the little girl that I’ve always dreamt of (SOOOO COOL… still wondering about the timing, as I turn 54, but God’s timing is perfect!)… I live in New Orleans… God is helping me improve my health day by day (so, no more cupcakes for a while!)… my relationships with my family are all great… I am finally discovering my biological family and meeting them and feeling soooooo grounded and complete and, well, full.  Full of love… full of gratefulness… full of humble disbelief… full of laughter and joy… full of hope.  It is good.  God is good!  So I say: 

I.  am.  full.                I hope you and yours are too!  If not… let’s work on that!