Another Round

I was sent a "choose you candidate" based on issues quiz. As was the case four years ago, Dennis Kucinich would be my president. Except, it's gotten to be less and less about issues for me - and more and more about how the future president will run the country.

I scored lowest on John McCain, but I would trust him more than many of the other candidates with whom I scored higher. No, I'm not going to be voting for McCain.

I have been reminded again that there really is no one person, organization or place with whom I will agree about everything. This includes the particular congregation that I lead. It includes the denomination in which I have promised to teach and preach. It includes my family, my friends. I definitely includes presidential candidates.

I scored very similarly for the three Democratic contenders. And, I do think each of them would make a fine president...even if I don't agree with them about each and every thing. But, when it comes to trust and integrity, and who I think will best lead the country, I feel hope with Obama. I appreciate his vision and his attitude.

If Clinton or Edwards is the Democratic candidate, they have my vote. But, I do heartily believe that Obama will lead the country better than anyone else running.

A Confession

Usually when I drive through WI between Milwaukee and the Twin Cities, I tend to either scan the NPR and Classic Rock radio stations or have my I-Pod plugged in. That is what I did today on my way back home from Christmas in MN.

However, as I plowed through Western Wisconsin on Christmas Day, global politics just wasn't going to satisfy my Christmasy mood. I scanned through all the NPR and Classic Rock stations and landed on - *gasp* - the Christian stations....and even worse....the Country Music stations.

At any other time of year I move on as soon as I recognize their Christian/Country-ness. But, for one (relatively) short drive on Christmas Day, their sappiness fulfilled my musical needs.

Please don't judge me poorly for it.

How Can A Picture Tell This Story??

On Sunday we blessed boilers. Well, actually, we blessed the people who have made the boilers possible and those who will benefit from them. (Strictly speaking, we dedicated the boilers). Such an oddity, and fun in its strangeness.

There was an article in the local community free paper about homelessness, telling the story of three people who I know well. I had met the reporter while dressed as a gypsy (at the Halloween party I attended...I don't generally dress like a gypsy) and he knew about my church's Soup Kitchen. He called about a month later saying that the paper was wanting to write an article about homelessness in our neighborhood. He asked if he could come and talk to some people at the Soup Kitchen. I said I would ask some specific people - and they were willing and happy to talk about their situation with him. The article was well done, really long, and told an honest story.

Yesterday, God knocked on the church door a few times...but most strikingly in the form of two individuals who entered within 1/2 an hour of each other. One who wasn't intending to ask for a handout, but who was invited in and was in need of a specific thing that we had plenty of, and another who stopped in to share some wealth...in the form of cash.

Today, I am brokering a snow removal deal between a member of the congregation and a homeless man.

When my mom's side of the family gathers together we are supposed to bring a picture of something that tells a story about our year. I'm not sure where to start...if this less than a week, what does a year look like?

I might just see if I can get a picture of myself in front of one of the new boilers. I'd love other suggestions.

Yet Another Way My Secretary Rocks!

The Senior Center is closed this morning due to an ice storm. The director called me at 6:45 to let me know.

We have a brand new phone system at work. While I have learned how to check my messages, I guess I wasn't really listening when they were telling us how to change messages. So, after receiving the news of the closing I called and got into one of the menus of the phone system but could not figure out a thing.

I hung up, resolved to get ready and go over to church right away in order to change the message so little old ladies weren't breaking hips in an effort to get to the center. Not 1/2 a minute after I hung up, my secretary called to say that she was changing the message.

I really wish we paid her well. Regardless, I am so thankful for her.

Change of Plans

Well, Andrew and Moe, thank you for the information about cameras. It is now unlikely that I will be purchasing one anytime soon. Instead, I have purchased a new hard drive and a new windshield.

Separate issues.

Both costly.

The biggest pain is that I have been deficient in saving things from my computer anywhere else but the hard drive. So, I unfortunately lost quite a bit.

Such is life. And, I'll be smarter the next time.

Bleh.