The Swandive

yea Saddleback!

So - right off the bat I will tip my hat (HT) to emergingwomen for this great thought provoker. Tomorrow is World AIDS day, and there has been some very wonderful things to read, get involved in around this day. But I tip my hat to EW today because of their pointing me to this article from AOL news about some hub-bub at Saddleback Church.

Saddleback Church are the ones that are responsible for the purpose driven craze. I have read The PD Church, and tried to read the PD Life (but wow how that was not the book for me). Anyway, in many ways I think that church is really doing amazing things for the kingdom and for the little c church. So today, I read that Sen. Barack Obama is one of the speakers they have invited to come and speak at their global summit on AIDS and the church. They invited him because of his knowlege and passion for this topic.

Then - a conservative guy - Rob Schenck came out and called for people not to go to the whole thing - because of Sen. Obama's stance on abortion. What does abortion have to do with fighting AIDS?

Why must we live in a world where one part of your belief system or part of who you are means that in some places your voice, you, don't count? Throwing the baby out with the bathwater is just not something I understand.

OK People - really. Can we not all get along, learn from eachother, and set aside divisive issues? Oh - we can? Way to go Saddleback for saying what you believe (that you aren't down with abortion, but that is not the topic), being true to your word, and making fighting AIDS, poverty and injustice, just that. Not into some right wing left wing conservative liberal politicing game. Just justice. Amen.

Back at it

Well, I have been back at work for two days now. Everything feels lighter. I think I needed the time away to get reconnected to love: loving my partner, my job, people in general.

The mundane tasks of the office coordinator/chick at the front desk can be rather dull. Today, I opened my email to find what I am sure has been there before. Notes from people that I have done some task for, thanking me and emails from people that I have emailed - and I just await their reply. Today so far two amazing things have happened. One, my eyes have a fresh gloss of love coating them and two, I have been reminded of God's amazing, radical, wonderous love and grace.

I got an email from someone who had a quote from Mike Yaconelli on their signature. He did not attribute it to him, but reading it, I immeadiately knew who's words it was. It was slightly misquoted, so the original quote was this:

If I were to have a heart attack right at this moment, I hope I would have just enough air in my lungs and just enough strength in me to utter one last sentence as I fell to the floor: "What a ride!" My life has been up and down, careening left then right, full of mistakes and bad decisions, and if I died right now, even though I would love to live longer, I could say from the depths of my soul, "What a ride!"

Back in my youth ministry days, I read Mike almost every day. Not so much like sit down and read, but in small pieces, like meditation. This man was living breathing crazy on fire wacko for Jesus, and to hear his love for Jesus, was to know, was to have proof, that the love of God (and Gods very existance) IS transformative and real. I know I have mentioned this before, but there are days that I forget. Heck there are even months, that I forget how much I love Jesus. When I was working in youth ministry, I was never too far.

My life has changed, and not for the positive or negative, just changed. I love the journey that I have been walking, God's love and care for me is nothing short of miraculous. I think though it is time to do some more reading, and listening to the Spirit, and listen to what lessons I may have forgotten of my journey along the way. And for the second story, my friend Carol. She has been a youth worker for some where in the neighborhood of 30 years. A quote from Mike that reminds me of her would be:

I'm in awe of youth workers, and I think Jesus is, too. I just wish the Church felt the same.
- Mike Yaconelli

In trying to catch back up in blog land, I went to visit my friend tierra y cielo. From there I learned that my friend Carol has started a blog. I worked with Carol for 2+ years on the Young Adult National Coordinating Committee. Just a bit before our big meeting in Denver we learned that Carol had cancer. She is the first person I have known & loved that has had this diagnosis. Carol was (I say this in past tense because I am no longer on the committee) my teammate, working on relationships together. Now, I consider myself to be a highly relational person, but in comparison to Carol, I am but a wee lass. A grasshopper with an opportunity to learn from my mentor and master, Miss Carol. And she is now fighting cancer, with the same smile and sense of hopefulness that she always brings to everything she does. I hope you will stop by her blog, say hello, and pray for her as I do.

I opened up my email this morning with a note from her, updating me, and sending me love and well wishes for my union with my sweetie.  An email full of love. And my post - sharing it with you.

God of love and mercy, thank you. For the web of inter-connectedness that you weave. Help me to stay present, and to share share share this amazing thing I feel today. Thanks for being so good, and in the words of Mike, "There are a whole lot of people who are so freakin' busy—they've so cluttered up their lives—they're at their wits' end. And if they'd only just stop for a minute, they could hear the God of the universe whisper to them, "I love you."" Amen.

a break from regularily scheduled programming

So, Monday's have now become my most favorite night of the week. I am NOT a TV junkie. I think the last time that I glued myself to the TV set for a regularly scheduled program was back in the George Clooney / Anthony Edwards days of ER. I have for sure had programs that have kept me captivated since then, but those I watched on DVD - like The L Word and Six Feet Under (the greatest show ever). I don't have cable, just what will come in with a good ol' antenna. But, all of this has changed with this years sleeper hit, Monday night show Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

It's so strange, NBC doesn't seem to be pumping it (there have even been rumors of cancelling it) like they do the Thursday night line up or more reality crap like Deal or No Deal. I don't get it, because the show is seriously so wonderful. In looking around for others like me (oh the joys of the blogosphere) I found this. A place for other dorks and 60 lovers like myself. Now I am no art critic or educated in the finer points of what makes a show great - so I can't comment on why I like it, other than to say it captivates me, I can't wait for Monday to roll around, I had my step-mom tape it on VHS while my sweetie and I were in Ireland, and the show always, ALWAYS makes me laugh. And I love to laugh.

Thanks for letting me get this out. Have a wonderful Tuesday. BTW - if you are in the twin cities tonight - please come to TAAP - Theology and a Pint. Tonight the topic is "Spirituality and Food." This event always promises a good time. Cheers!

I am back

*breathe*
Back from Ireland, back from the land of the hectic. Life is gooooood.

Pictures are coming. I hope you had the opportunity to download the wedding bulletin if you are a liturgy geek like me and want to use it or borrow from it, or just look at it. If not, check out this post to get your copy.

I got an email from Mariann+, our priest from the blessing and got the homily (sermon). Here it is. Download homily_for_rachel_swan_and_karen_mattison.doc

I am printing it and am going to read it later tonight. I have memories of it, but am looking forward to "hearing" it again.

It feels weird to get back in the saddle again. I have been so pre-occupied with wedding whatnot for so long, and looking over my last few months of posts, I am in such a different place right now. I can breathe. I know that life will fill up again, the calendar will start to fill to be sure. But for right now, I am basking in the delight and glory of being completely free.
I feel lighter, my heart is full. In short - I am happy. Really really happy. I think I will rest here for a while and see what emerges.

feeling little in the Giant(s) Causeway

'Allo from the hostel on night two in (London)Derry. We ventured out in the rain to drink whiskey and look at one of the most awesome sights ever.

So today, I am humbled by this georgeous place. Here is a few photos of one of the places we went today, the Giant's Causeway. Grand.

Here is part of the Causeway legend as told by The Northern Ireland Guide.

Since the 18th century The Giants Causeway has often been described as ‘The Eighth Wonder Of The World’ and once you have visited the site you will quickly see why.

The area consists of an estimated 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, which were formed during a volcano eruption 60 million years ago.

Strangely the Causeway is thought to have lain undiscovered by the outside world until a visit in 1692 from the Bishop Of Derry (Londonderry). The Bishop alerted authorities in Dublin, who then notified learned circles in London. Many papers were produced and many theories on how it had been formed were put forward.

Many of these theories were deeply rooted in science and although very valid, they make a very boring read. My favourite explanation of how the Giant’s Causeway came to be lies in the legend of Finn McCool.

Finn McCool

Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhail) an Irish Giant lived on an Antrim headland and one day when going about his daily business a Scottish Giant named Fingal began to shout insults and hurl abuse from across the channel. In anger Finn lifted a clod of earth and threw it at the giant as a challenge, the earth landed in the sea.

Fingal retaliated with a rock thrown back at Finn and shouted that Finn was lucky that he wasn’t a strong swimmer or he would have made sure he could never fight again.

Finn was enraged and began lifting huge clumps of earth from the shore, throwing them so as to make a pathway for the Scottish giant to come and face him. However by the time he finished making the crossing he had not slept for a week and so instead devised a cunning plan to fool the Scot.

Finn diguised himself as a baby in a cot and when his adversary came to face him Finn’s wife told the Giant that Finn was away but showed him his son sleeping in the cradle. The Scottish giant became apprehensive, for if the son was so huge, what size would the father be?

In his haste to escape Fingal sped back along the causeway Finn had built, tearing it up as he went. He is said to have fled to a cave on Staffa which is to this day named ‘Fingal’s Cave’.

Other versions of the legend include Finn throwing a huge piece of earth which then became the Isle Of Man and the hole which it left behind became Lough Neagh.

Cheers everyone.

p.s. - If you want to read a great post that I happen to be able to check today, check out Mindy. Pantypalooza. Tre' cool.

Sorry, no photos yet..

but life is lovely from Co. Derry in Ireland.
So far  we have driven alot, had many bowls of seafood chowder, many plates of fish & chips, had plenty of pint and half pints of the Guinness.
I can't wait to get home, and put these photos up. I wish I could put you all into my head, and show you what I see. It's amazing here.
The locals says it's the worst weather they have had all year. Yeah, it is raining, but the rainbows - ah! And yes, gale force winds are something to recon with, but it sure isn't 12" of snow. Just need to layer up, buy some sweaters, and get my smile on.
Oh it's good to be here, in the land I love so much. Wish you were here.

Cheers from Donegal Ireland

Well, not much time to write - I think the internet cafe costs something like a euro every fifteen minutes. Ok - it's not much. But it's a huge chunk of time, considering all there is to do and see here. SO - just a quick note to say hello from Ireland, we had great craic in Sligo and are now here in Donegal for a few days. Staying at the Island View B&B. Nice. Warm. Overslept the breakfast this morning.

I thought I would attach the final wedding worship aide here - some of you have shown interest in seeing it. Download bles5D.pdf  - please feel free to share, use, and ask any questions. It was a beautiful day, a wonderful liturgy, and we could not be any happier if we tried.

Blessings abound. Much love. From the newlyweds. Photos when we get home.

p.s. - family - save us some leftovers from the turkey and all the fixins'. :)

all prayer hands on deck please

T minus 4 hours.

Oh it's good stuff. If last nights "no groom - no dinner" after rehearsal party was any indication, I think we are in good shape for today.

I am the most blessed gal in the whole wide world today. Well, if I remember and remind myself, I am most days, but today is really really super duper on the whole blessed deal.

God, thanks. Calm my sweeties heart, she and I both want to show Your love in the world, so just do your thing, and we will follow. Amen.

*breathe*

Oh today was sweet. I mean sah-weeeeet.
Rise and shine at 8 - sun pouring in on me, snuggled into the most cozy floofy blankies. My sweetie put on the best cup of tea, yourkshire gold (try it - you'll love it). Crawled into my flannel house moo-moo and puttered around for a bit. Checked email, got to read some wonderful comments from yesterday. Then, a friend who said she would not make it to the blessing, for very good reasons, said she moved around her schedule to be there with us Saturday. I don't know how exactly to put words on how this was the biggest most wonderful surprise I have received in a long time.

So - on to shower and get ready (good hair day?!?!) and off to the chiropractor. Ok - I am seeing a new one today. I have been through 4 in Minnesota, all trying to find or even attempt to live up to my guy in Kansas City, MO. If you live in KCMO - and you need a chiropractor - LISTEN. See this guy, his name is Dr. Page Crow. He is magical. Really. He is one of the most amazing, gifted whole body healers I have ever met, ever. I think I have been through 4 up here, because everyone pales in comparison to him.

So today (sounds of angels and horns and trumpets) I met the one. Dr. Susan Dickey. She does not have a website - othrwise I would totally direct you there. She is an amazing healer, and Chiropractor. I nearly cried to know that just a few minutes into the consulation, she and I were totally in communication - really listening - and really hearing. The appointment was wonderful, my back and hips are groovy, and I am ready to take on the world.

But then there was more! Went for manicure and pedicure at the Aveda school. My fingers and toes are super happy - rubbed, massaged and they look and smell pretty. My sweetie and I had 4 students working on us, all from various places and backgrounds. They were very sweet, young, and sweet. After Aveda, we had a nice time over at Kieran's - finishing up the reception details, ate some fish and chip and mosey'd on to a few errands, and now I am back home, jiggity jig.

Oh today has been so good. God how do you do it? You have given me sight, where it seems everything around me I take in as an expression of your radical love in the world. You make your people into healers, beauty revealers and holy ones. Thank you, for today, and for all those other days that I forgot to acknowlege You, or I could not see. Amen.

the ball is rolling

Today is my last day at work until November 27th when I come back. The bulletins for the service are printed (I will post the worship aide / liturgy on the wedding blog for those of you who would like a copy sometime between today and Monday), the bread for the Eucharist is ordered (we use some wicked good bread at our church), the receptions are set, food ordered and all. My to-do list is dwindling, the house is clean, the yard is looking pretty darn good.
Yes - 3 days and a wakeup. I find myself on the verge of tears many moments.

I stayed up - instead of getting to bed early like I should right now - last night to watch the returns come in. We had a some huge wins in MN. The independent party did not do as well as I had hope for, but I feel good about the votes that I cast. One of the races I did not get to vote for was Patty Wetterling and Michele Bachmann.

In her victory speech, Michele talked about fighting for marriage and families, and in case you are not familiar with Michelle, she is NOT talking about me. This seems to be one of two of the most significant losses I am feeling. The other is in Wisconsin, my neighbor state and where my sweeties family spends a lot of time, they voted to go ahead with banning same sex marriage.

So - right now, NOW, I will make a choice. I will not dwell on these less than hopeful results. I will lay them down, and take up the hope and promise of a new tomorrow. I will pray for a government who can work together, and one who will listen. I will believe the hope and promise that tomorrow holds. I will let go of the elections and cling to the love that transforms me and has the power to transform our world.

Thank you God. Really.