Anniversary Waltz

Fortunately, the weather did clear later Wednesday afternoon, and as you can see, by evening was quite pleasant for our night out (the lei were gifts from Mark for the occasion).

The wait staff was very good, and the food.... was beyond phenomenal. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the souffle I had for dessert:





Afterwards, we strolled about the town of Manitou Springs. It's a nice little town-- a little touristy, but still lovely and quaint.

Oh, and Tripp-- they're evidently waiting for you to visit!

USAFA Commencement 2008

The weather forecasters predicted sunny and 75°F. I packed accordingly. A nice spring dress and little white sandals (it being after Memorial Day, you know).

Even the night before, they maintained their story. Sunny and in the 70's.

Please look at the picture to your right. Doesn't look sunny, does it? That's because it wasn't. It was foggy, and cold (40°), and drizzling, with a brisk wind.

I wore a bulky fleece jacket over that cute little spring dress; not a stunning ensemble, to say the least, but I didn't care. But it didn't do diddly squat for my feet.

We stood in line for almost an hour in order to get into the stadium-- that being how long it took the Secret Service to do their thing with the 20,000 or so guests. Then the festivities, and the speechifying.... and there was not enough hot chocolate in the stadium to warm me up.

The ceremony (what we could see of it) was fine; and for all that I find some of the President's policies... questionable, I had to give him props for standing out there in that weather, and taking the time to personally greet each and every one of the nearly 800 graduates as they came across the stage.

But I was never so glad to get back to the car, and jam my frozen toes up against the heater.

USAFA Student Chapel(s)

This is the student chapel at the Air Force Academy. Actually, "chapels" would be more accurate, as it is quite the multi-use facility.

This is the main level, and the Protestant Chapel.

Immediately below is the Roman Catholic Chapel. The most notable difference in appointments, from a random worshipper's standpoint, is that Catholics get kneelers.

Next, we came to the Jewish chapel (I know this sounds odd, but that's what they call it). Just outside of the door is a framed case with a Torah scroll hidden and saved during the Holocaust.

Next door is the Buddhist chapel. A small, intimate space, and perfect for meditation. I liked the feel of it.

(no, I'm not jumping ship.)




I am told that they also have Orthodox and Muslim chapels, as well as undesignated space, but we did not see those.

Tuesday in Vacation Week

This was the view from our hotel room when I woke up this morning. A bit overcast, but I'm SO grateful it's not raining. It did yesterday-- The Entire Way Here. Ten hours on the road. In the rain. Whee.

We picked up Mark on the way through Denver, which was (a) an easy stop, and (b) expensive. The tolls in and out of the airport, as we were directed, amounted to nearly $10. Outrageous! I will be picking up a map this week. There's got to be a better way.

But we made it in without other mishap, had a nice dinner, and visited a bit before we collapsed.

Today's agenda: a tour of the Cadet Chapel, and then perhaps a trek out to Seven Falls. more pictures to come, if my dying camera cooperates.

Consider the lilies...

That was the Gospel reading for yesterday, and also our plans for the week! We're taking off this morning ("we" meaning Husband and I), to spend several days playing down south. Okay, so not that far south-- but still south of us by several hours. Colorado Springs, to be precise.

Included on the agenda is a bunch of tourist stuff, and some good visiting time with Mark, who will be in town for his cousin's graduation from the Air Force Academy.

Our chaplain buddy seems to have managed to secure a couple of tickets for us to attend the ceremony, which is purported to be an impressive thing. Thunderbirds flying over and all that-- exciting stuff!

The big stir this year is that President Bush is the Commencement speaker. You know, generally I keep my politics off this blog; but it will probably not surprise you to learn that I've thought a whole lot of our Fearless Leader's actions and policies in recent years have been... problematic. However, I will behave. Not only is he is still the president, which means the nice men and women of the Secret Service will be swarming everywhere, but my baptismal mandate to "respect the dignity of every human being" still applies to Leaders of the Free World who don't seem to feel so obligated.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the day.

And there will also be some unstructured down time, as Wednesday marks 25 years since we started wandering about together. That still kind of amazes me. (did I mention the kids are not along on this trip?)

Beginning, again

I'm back from Evanston, and so grateful for these few days-- oh my yes!

I was grateful for "bonds of affection" renewed and made stronger and more real. Seabury may not be the same as it was, nor will it ever be again. The weaknesses and challenges of the place are no less clear to me than they were when I was in the crucible that is The Process Toward Ordination; but there were and are strengths and virtues there too, and they were very present in this time.

I was grateful for good food (and free range tea!), and friends with whom to share it.

I was grateful for the joy of voices lifted in song, harmonizing "the old, old story."


I was grateful for the gift of godly preaching. Sweet goodness, was it ever! Bp. Lee from the Diocese of Chicago was our preacher at the closing Eucharist of the year in the chapel, Thursday evening. At the Commencement Bp. Steven Charleston, retiring dean at EDS, sent us to "cast out demons in Jesus' name," in an evangelical proclamation that was both inspiration and challenge. Do yourself a real favor and listen, here.

I was grateful to visit the midwest! All the green, and blooming trees...

But for all that, I am grateful to be home. This is still where I belong.

Back in the Midwest

I am back in the Midwest for my seminary's Commencement exercises. This is a bittersweet thing; given realities at my alma mater, this may well be the last one-- certainly it is the last "the way we've always done it.

Class of '05
Originally uploaded by Jane Ellen.

At the same time, some of my favorite people will be among the graduates, and I'm just delighted to rejoice with these, the last of the "Seabury family" from my time there to finish up.

Sitting at Brother Tripp's table this morning, drinking free-range chamomile tea, I'm happy to focus on the latter, and to remember...

Collect and trade 'em with your friends!

In preparation for the bishop's next visit, I am teaching a confirmation class at one of my churches. This is the first class they've had in this congregation in several years-- a very good sign!

Six weeks of classes, and the first couple of them have included a very broad overview of The Church, as well as our Episcopal place in it. As a fun frill for the students, I've printed some of AKMA's Theology Trading Cards for them to take home. Based on the template, I've also added one or two of my own that weren't on the original list.


They seem to have been a great hit. The cards go into more detail than we cover, and some of it is beyond them; but my students are still enthralled with the whole concept. Almost as much as I was, when we got them in seminary. (^_^)

Hello? Anybody home?

*Listens for dusty echo...*

Yes, it's been well over a week since I posted here. It's not for lack of anything to say; quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. Too much going on, and not enough time or energy left to blog it. In fact, I've been starting early and finishing late, trying to keep up with everything. However, a couple of folks have expressed concern at the "radio silence," so I wanted to at least post something-- just so's you'd know I'm still alive.


And this one is short, too, because I am headed back into it. On the list today:

• Laundry - neglected yesterday for a trip west, to visit Fr. John and his wife while Bruce did his technogeek thing over there.

• Lunch at a parish couple's concession stand. They're going to be working the festival circuit this summer, and this is the "shakedown cruise."
  

• Picking up Pentecost appointments for worship tomorrow, and then

• Putting them up at the various churches. After all, it's the birthday of the church-- and what's a birthday celebration without balloons?

Then a much-needed nap, as my esteemed colleague kept us up way too late last night. Not that we didn't enjoy every minute of it, mind you...