RevGal Friday Five - Boo boos

1) Are you a baby about small injuries?
No, I'm really not. I tend to deal with it and move on. Cuts and bumps are part of living, and I've always got a bruise somewhere-- half the time I don't even notice when I got it. I'm a bigger baby about illness than I am about injury; it's when I'm not feeling well that I like to be coddled.

2) What's the silliest way you have ever hurt yourself?
This is a well-worn tale in my household. When I was 4, we got a new color TV console. This was back in the Dark Ages before remotes, mind you. The dial for changing channels had a slot that only allowed the number of the selected channel to show, back lit. I wanted to know what the numbers looked like upside down, but I was too small to simply bend over and look; so I crawled up on top of the TV. I slipped and fell off, and broke both arms.

3) Who took care of your boo-boos when you were a child? Usually my father. He would apply the disinfectant (merthiolate-- nasty orange stuff that hurt like crazy), and then draw pictures with the little applicator stick on arms, legs or tummy to try to distract from the fact that it stung so badly.

4) Are you a good nurse when others have boo-boos?
I am a very good nurse. Blood and other bodily fluids do not bother me, and I'm pretty steady in an emergency.

5) What's the worst accidental injury you've suffered? Did it require a trip to the Emergency Room?
I've had broken bones and stitches more than once over the years, but I guess the worst injury would have to be to my back. Years of heavy lifting and other cumulative abuse led to the final, silly moment. One day I was bent over cleaning out the bathtub, and stood up wrong. Serious agony ensued, and I couldn't strighten up. It did not require a trip to the ER, but it did eventually result in surgery to correct three herniated discs (yes, that's what I said) that were pressing on my sciatic nerve. In the months between injury and surgery I was not a fun date.

Our tax dollars at work

Rant Warning: Proceed at your own risk.

Of all the ridiculous, nonsensical, protectionist, paranoid efforts and institutions that currently influence our daily lives, the Transportation and Safety Administration has got to be on the short list for Best of Show.

Have you had a chance to look over the TSA regulations governing what may be taken as carry-on luggage on an airplane? I'm planning to head back to the midwest in October, so I checked.

• Even the smallest of self-defense toys - a 5" rod on a keychain, called a kubaton-- is understandably banned; but canes and walking sticks are permitted.

• Shampoo, lotion, toothpaste and mouthwash are security risks, and strictly forbidden in any quantity; but "Personal Lubricants" are allowed up to 4 ounces. (Note to commenters: I don't want to know).

• I have to leave my tiny (2 inch) keychain pocket knife at home, lest it be confiscated as a dangerous weapon; but my footlong knitting needles are welcome without question.

And now, after learning these details, consider the agency motto at the top of the page:

TSA ... VIGILANT, EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT.

Right about now I'm wondering how long it will be before breathing on the plane becomes illegal.

Lord, have mercy.

Weekly roundup

Once again, I am catching up on this poor neglected blog. I'd like to promise it will get better, but God only knows if that will be true.

And it's not like I haven't had plenty to blog about. I've started posts any number of times, only to get sidetracked by the more corporeal needs of the Here and Now.

The nice thing about blogs, however, is that one can save drafts, and then go back and post them later. So that's what I've done. If you're interested in the goings on of the week, or whatever random thoughts have occurred to me in the meantime, simpy scroll down. And thank you for your patience.

Celebration indeed!

It was indeed a lovely, wonderful evening. Parishioners from around the region gathered; Rev. Ref. and his Lovely Wife made the trek, joining a small caravan coming up behind the bishop; and even a couple of friendly Lutherans came to worship with us. (Ref. gives a report of their adventures here-- thanks, bro, for coming!).

My thoughtful husband took a few photos during the service. He had the flash turned off, so as not to disturb the worship (note to parish photographers: this is a Rule To Live By). This left some shots a bit blurred; but several were clear, and captured the evening. I've uploaded a few of the better ones.

This photo is not only a decent shot of my bishop, but gives a good look at the sanctuary at Calvary. It is a lovely little church-- on the National Register of Historic Places, I will note-- made sacred by generations of prayer and worship.

Celebration of a New Ministry

That's the formal name for this evening's service, which includes my formal installation as vicar for this region. We've been scurrying around, getting it all together-- things "left undone" have been rearing their ugly heads, as we've scrambled to catch up after last week's adventures. Lots of busy little details finally coming together, that will undoubtedly contibute to a lovely, festive evening.

At the same time, I keep coming back the scriptures appointed for the day (this being the feast of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage); and to the following prayer, which I will offer after various symbols of my ministry in this place (Bible and prayer book, water and oil, bread and wine, stole, keys and canons) are placed in my hands. . .

O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

RevGals in print!

There are several things in my life that delight my soul. My family-- a loving husband and our two children... caring relatonships with friends... the good and godly work I have been given.

Another one of those things is the RevGal webring. In an article in this month's Christian Century, Susan Olson talks about the ring, and what a gift it has become for her, as so many others.

Like a child, it has progressed beyond its parents' first imaginings, beyond the initial discoveries that formed it. It has outgrown its beginning and become a thing apart from any of us. I am amazed at what it has become, and very proud to have contributed to its upbringing, and to be a member of the cyber-family I find there. I am only a very minor matriarch; but I am inordinately proud to have my small share in the title.

Thanks, Susan-- and all of you!

September 11

Any week that contains September 11 holds plenty of opportunity for reflection and commentary, as posting rates in the blogiverse clearly show.

Looking through hymnody this morning in preparation for this coming Sunday's liturgy, I found this, which speaks to the day more profoundly than any words I could manage.

O God of every nation,
of every race and land,
redeem the whole creation
with your almighty hand;
where hate and fear divide us
and bitter threats are hurled,
in love and mercy guide us
and heal our strife-torn world.

From search for wealth and power
and scorn of truth and right,
from trust in bombs that shower
destruction through the night,
from pride of race and nation
and blindness to your way,
deliver every nation,
eternal God, we pray!

Lord, strengthen all who labor
that we may find release
from fear of rattling saber,
from dread of war's increase;
when hope and courage falter,
your still small voice be heard;
with faith that none can alter,
your servants undergird.

Keep bright in us the vision
of days when war shall cease,
when hatred and division
give way to love and peace,
till dawns the morning glorious
when truth and justice reign
and Christ shall rule victorious
o'er all the world's domain.

Beginning the aftermath

The fires continue here, though not in our area. The best updates are actually found on the county's emergency services site, here.

Those who sill have homes in the south-- the vast majority of the more than 800 evacuees, thank God-- have returned to them. The rest of the evacuees over north and northwest (another 200-plus) should be able to return this afternoon. Barring any hot spot flare ups (a real possibility in these dry conditions, but not an immediate threat), the worst seems to be over, and life can begin to resume its usual rhythms.

With a few exceptions. Our organist will be rebuilding, from a distance. She and her husband have shifted their base of operations to their "winter home" back east-- leaving about a month earlier than they usually do (infinitely preferable to hanging out in a local hotel room with Liam. He's a therapy dog, and very well-behaved, and roughly the size of New Jersey). Their daughter is a home designer, and has already been given her marching orders for new house plans. Thanks be to God, they have that option; they were not left totally homeless.

Other local residents, of course, were not so lucky. About 26 homes were lost, and roughly the same number of outbuildings-- barns, sheds, garages, etc. And of course, land. The nearly 200,000 acres that have burned included a whole lot of pasture, as well as public lands upon which ranchers had grazing rights. This is going to be an expensive winter for a number of people, as they sell off stock and have to buy hay for the remaining herd. Again, some ranchers will weather that better than others. There is concern about the possibility of some folks having their homes survive the fire, only to lose them to the bank if money gets too tight.

We were discussing this earlier in the week. I do not know people in the area well enough yet to be aware of specific economic issues, and who's finances are tight or not; so a couple of parishioners are going to do some checking around, to see who needs help, and how best we can offer it.

Again, thank you-- for your prayers, for your support, for your emails and offers of tangible assistance as well. People here have been amazed; they aren't used to being noticed much outside our state borders (Montana is rather off the radar for national news media-- most of the time, I think they forget we're even a state). The outpouring has been wonderful for their spirits.

It's the little things

This is my first day off in quite a stretch. I've had a bit of sleep, and a chance to consider the events of the last few days, and some of the details beyond the immediate demands of Fire, Land, and World Peace. The following thoughts may not seem momentous in the overall scheme of things, but they would certainly go a ways toward Making the World a Better Place.

So, if I were Queen of the Universe...

• Clothing dimensions would be consistent. One would shop in the same size range at Gi-normous Discount Barn, Swanky Department Store or Chic Boutique. (Do not start with me about the virtues of men's clothing using body measurements; they are just as prone to "Retail Creativity." A 36 waist in one place is not the same as the next.)

• Attractive underpinnings would be readily available in every size. Just in case this is not clear: "attractive" means pretty options beyond white tricot and cotton; "readily available" means in stock without significant upcharges or need for special orders; and "every size" means recognition that there is a world beyond the B cup.
  

• In a related issue: button-down blouses would never, ever gap.

• Comb-overs-- that odious hairstyle some balding men effect by parting their hair above one ear and flopping overlong tresses over the top in a futile attempt to cover-- would be forever banned. Learn to love your scalp, gentlemen-- or, if your vanity will not suffer the follicular abandonment, invest in a quality toupee.
  

That's not all we need, certainly; but it's a start. Feel free to add your own declarations below.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

The sermon I finally gave today was not the one I had started putting together at the beginning of the week. Imagine that!

You will also not be surprised to learn that I didn't get it entirely written out. However, if you care to read this, you'll have the gist of the message.

Thanks be to God.

Silver lining

Pastoral comfort from Mark:

"Well, at least you won't need to worry about where to get ashes for next Ash Wednesday..."

I love my friends.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

Thank you, one and all, for your prayers and concern. We are grateful beyond words.

The fires are starting to ease. Weather conditions have slacked off from the "Perfect Storm" combination that had caused such record explosive conditions, and the massive reinforcements-- more than 500 firefighters from all over the country-- are beginning to gain ground. The area only (only!) grew by 3,000 acres last night, a vast improvement over the incredible speed of the previous couple of days. That brings the total to 159,000 acres. The experts estimate it to be 15-20% contained, which doesn't mean security by any means; but it's better than the estimated 2% containment only 24 hours ago. Progress.

There is another community meeting scheduled for this afternoon, to update the public. Stillwater County is reporting that "brief, limited access" will likely be permitted into the evacuated areas today, to allow people to quickly check on their property and any pets and livestock that could not be rounded up (critters can be stubborn things, hiding in canyons and crevices when they should be moving to safety. This is how Noah lost the unicorns, remember?). There are still hot spots, however; so the emphasis will be on "limited" and "brief."

I was able to track down all of my parishioners, finally. The last evacuee called this morning, to let me know where she was: safe in a hotel, complete with husband and all five cats. The organist's house is the only one confirmed lost thus far. There are two others with homes in high risk areas, and we hope to hear more about them at the meeting today. The rest have every hope of going back to intact houses, once the evacuation orders are lifted.

Sweet Jesus, this has been a time. More updates later, as I have them.

Further adventures

And so it continues...

All but a very few of my regular parishioners have had to evacuate, scattered to the four winds: to family and friends in Red Lodge and Billings. Those remaining are on "pre-evacuation alert." They have trucks packed, and belongings sorted, and they wait: for winds to shift, for air temperature and humidity to rise and fall.

One parish family, so far-- our organist-- has lost their home. A beautiful place, rustic and elegant, nestled along the Stillwater River... gone. Others are still waiting news. The National Guard is supplementing the county sheriff's department, setting up blockades to keep civilians out of the fire perimeter and evacuated areas. It continues to expand-- over 156,000 acres, and still growing.

The parish records-- decades of baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials-- are now riding around in the trunk of my car.

In the middle of all of this, we (several of the local pastors in the area) held a community prayer service. We prayed, and read scripture, and sang... and we allowed time for sharing, for prayer concerns.

Here is a remarkable thing: of all the people who spoke during that time (and there were several), every single one of them-- without exception-- did so to give thanks.

• For lives preserved-- none have been lost, to date.
• For the work of the firefighters and search and rescue crews, long on coffee and short on sleep, who have given their very best, and continue to try in the face of unprecedented weather and ground conditions.
• For the support and care of neighbors, known and unknown... who came from miles around with cars and trucks and trailers, to help move possessions and pets and livestock out of harm's way, and who are providing beds for sleeping and lands for grazing without a second thought.

Our organist's one comment, having just lost a lifetime's worth of accumulated possessions? She was thankful that her neighbors had been spared.

Me? I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for all of your prayers.. and how I am blessed to be in the midst of these people.

And now, back to work.