Kathy's Blog

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2011-11-27T04:17:08Z

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2010-11-24T15:08:43Z

Giving Thanks Is Such a Great Idea

Thanksgiving, 2010

Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. Though it too has
become the victim of our insatiable appetite to turn all traditions into
mass marketing events, it still remains more focused on feasting with family
and friends.

I love the story behind Thanksgiving. A small band of desperate
people from one continent made their way to another in search of a better
life. They were met with a mix of curiosity, fear, distrust, resentment,
scorn, and, amazingly enough, hospitality. This story has been unfolding for
a decade short of four hundred years now.

The cultural barriers back then were immense. Different nearly
everything: languages, theologies about a Creator-God, customs, living
accommodations, food preferences, recreation, and on and on. The miracle of
Thanksgiving is that in spite of these profound differences, two very
different cultures came together to celebrate the fall harvest and give
thanks that they had survived a very difficult year together.

Today we struggle with the same challenges. We are a nation
divided over many differences in language, theologies about a divine being,
customs and traditions, living accommodations, food preferences, recreation,
and on and on.

We focus too much on how we are different from one another. We
focus too little on how we are all in this country together. All of us have
arrived here from somewhere else. Even those we know as Native Americans
descend from ancient people who first discovered this continent. Every one
of us descends from people who risked their lives to settle in this land we
call America. We are heirs of the choices made by these ancestors. Some of
our ancestors chose to come here very recently. Some a generation or two
ago. Some several hundred years ago. And some too far back to know. We,
their descendents, will either move forward together or go down together.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to hit the "pause" button of our
lives together in the grand land. We need to stop hurling insults and
accusations at one another and look around at the opportunities and
blessings we have today because of what our ancestors risked in their day.

Though we are challenged with problems large and small, we are
blessed with people who quietly go out to do what they can to make a
positive impact. Thousands of our citizens volunteer every day in a rich
variety of ways. Let's give thanks for them and follow their lead.

Bill goes out to pick up trash and paint fences. He's in his
late 70's. He could just stay home and watch football all day, but he
doesn't. Rochelle joins a small team of volunteers to provide a warm meal
and a safe haven for homeless teenagers.

Ron tutors high school students, encouraging them to stay in
school until they graduate. Beverly takes her dog to a rehab center where
the dog cajoles physically handicapped people into learning how to adjust to
life minus one or more limbs. Norm and his family spend part of Thanksgiving
Day distributing warm clothing to the homeless of our city.

Let's stop the criticizing and attacking. Let's focus on what we
have in common. Let's talk about all the reasons we have to give thanks and
all the opportunities before us. Let's do what our ancestors did years
ago-take time off from our worries and fears to feast and celebrate.

Happy Thanksgiving

* Email entry *

2010-09-29T17:23:36Z

Niche-less in Texas

In an effort to be relevant in the current century I'm trying to
learn the ins and outs of internet life. It's not going well. I'm trying to
put my negativity aside and remember that once upon a time reading in any
format was a new skill. I'd like to think my ancestors were on the cutting
edge of this new wave of communicating via funny little squiggles on cave or
tablets of clay. More likely I descend from the less enthusiastic members of
society. I picture a frustrated great to the hundredth plus degree
grandmother standing there with her hands on her hips talking to
herself--because her mate who loved all the new squiggles-- left to go do an
errand-proud that he'd left a message saying so. "Why can't we just talk!
like other people do? I don't want to learn what all those squiggles and
dots mean. Talk to me!" And so began the great miscommunication cycle that
continues to the present high-tech age.

So, another century, another new skill to master. I know more
than I used to know. I know far less than I need to know. If I can't beat
the system, I guess I'll have to learn more about it. That led to a phone
class on how to use social networking to my best writing advantage. That led
to the suggestion that I need a niche. Really? I do?

I've been trying to figure out what my niche might be. I haven't
figured it out yet. I think my niche is to remain niche-less in a world
that wants us to live on ten second sound-bites and headlines flashing
before us all day long on computer screens. I'm not going to throw away the
computer-yet. And I'll keep learning new tricks-slowly. But for right now, I
think my niche is that I don't have one.

I realize this may put me at a disadvantage. But surely I can't
be the only person on the planet who doesn't have a niche. Maybe we could
start a twelve step program for the niche-less. I can hear it now. "Hello.
My name is Kathy and I don't have a niche."

* Email entry *

2010-08-02T17:08:42Z

August 2, 2010

Random thoughts on the possible meaning of life.

Two years ago this very day I and John were married in a fun-filled day
filled with family and friends. Four days ago that marriage ended in what is
charitably known as an amicable divorce. It was my idea and I'm not going
explain any of it in such a public forum.

What I am going to write about is how we took time yesterday to try to bring
closure to this amazing whirlwind two year adventure. The first challenge
was waiting until we were both calm and rested. We'd tried a day earlier and
let's just leave it at, it wasn't my proudest hour. The next challenge was
finding a quiet neutral place to have the conversation. It took four tries.
Why do restaurants think we want music blaring at us when we're trying to
talk to someone? But on the fourth try we lucked out and found a quiet
corner in the lounge of a Hilton overlooking a beautiful view of the Clear
Lake. The waitress who kept us supplied with wine and water (it was after
all near 100 degrees outside) referred to the corner in which we parked
ourselves "the cave."

In retrospect, that seemed fitting enough. We're both trying to come out of
a cave of confusion and transitions. We had a long philosophical
conversation about how come it is that something can seem like such a good
idea at the time and then end up not being such a great idea later. And,
what does all this mean?

Well for the moment it means John is returning to his beloved Australia and
I am staying here in Houston for a while to honor work commitments I've
made. I also have the time now to figure out which of the many paths before
me might be the best one to take. My track record for making good decisions
about options hasn't been all that great so far this millennium. No
complaints. I have been blessed with some terrific experiences and
opportunities. If it's true that practice makes perfect, I'm about due for a
string of "A plus" decisions. I've certainly practiced enough in the "make
up your mind" department since the global odometer turned 2000 years a while
back. I DO make up my mind. It's just that other people and circumstances
show up that weren't part of the original equation. That results in making
some different decision. As one author I'm reading sums it up, "Life is just
one thing after another."

For what it's worth (warning: probably not much), here are conclusions from
this chapter of life:

* It's possible to be both very clear and totally confused about the same
situation at the same time.

* It's possible to both really care about someone and really not be able to
live happily ever after with that person.

*I'm not so sure it's true that God helps those who help themselves.
However, I am quite confident that God does help those in need-and usually
in the most amazing and unpredictable ways.

*Sometimes we hear just exactly what it was we needed to hear from the lips
of total strangers who have no idea they're saying anything significant or
timely.

*The Girl Scouts got it right. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is
silver, the other gold.

*This too shall pass.

*Life is short. Enjoy the sweet parts and try not to take out the sour parts
on other people. They no doubt have their own challenges to manage.

*As a retired bishop friend of mine put it at his retirement party, "For all
that has been, 'thank God.' For what is yet to come, 'Yes.'"

* Email entry *

2010-06-10T23:38:49Z

Reading and Writing in the 21st Century

Any credible writing coach who attempts to teach others how to write will
sooner or later insist the best way to learn how to write is to. . . drum
roll please . .. .write. Writers write.

It sounds simple. Sometimes it is. The words just fly through the finger
tips onto the blank page or screen.

Other days, not so much. No fresh ideas are forthcoming. Or the ideas that
do appear seem truly stupid and worthless. Or they make the author of them
way too vulnerable and so never see the light of print. On days like that
writing is lonely and challenging work.

Plus, the print publishing world is undergoing a gigantic shift right now.
Few and far between are those who really know what the future holds. Some
predict the worlds of printed magazines, newspaper, and books are coming to
a close. These may go the way of the clay tablets or parchment scrolls. They
will become rare items housed in private collections and public museums. Oh
how I fervently hope those who predict such things are wrong.

We can't deny the advent of the internet has certainly impacted the way we
get our information and amuse ourselves. With such dire predictions about
the future of the printed word it's tempting to give up writing all
together. Or switch from writing that slowly develops a plot and characters
to the fast-moving world of headline texting with made up shorthand words.

I recently read about a teacher who makes students rewrite any papers handed
in using less than standard approved English words that appear in
dictionaries. I read this in a print newspaper. I suppose some will take
this teacher to task for being so old-fashioned. I for one hope the teacher
is able to hold students to that standard.

The development of human language fascinates me. I like researching the
origin of words and phrases. I realize language is fluid and does change
from generation to generation. Shakespeare is still read and his plays are
still produced in theatres around the world. The classics last and last.
However, it's a tad difficult to read them without some help translating the
meaning of those ancient words.

It is such a privilege to have the skill to both read and write. It is a
privilege denied many. It seems to me those of us who have had the good
fortune to be born into families and communities where teaching such skills
was important have an obligation. I believe we have an obligation to use the
words carefully. We ought to use this incredible ability to encourage,
inspire, educate and help them others.

We ought to refrain from using the written word to abuse, deceive, mislead,
or assault others.

Words are powerful. May those of us who have the ability to write and read
them use them wisely.

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2010-06-10T23:38:49Z

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2010-05-03T15:58:06Z

Writer's Blog and Other Challenges of Communications in the 21st Century

Apparently the world keeps sub-dividing into two camps: those
who eagerly and easily embrace changes and those who don't. There may be a
third camp consisting of those who hang around more or less in the middle
waiting to see if it's a fad or a permanent change. Once it seems that the
change is permanent they eventually wander over to the embrace change camp
side.

For example, I read somewhere (I have no idea where or I'd
gladly give credit to the source) that when the automobile was first
introduced someone said, "Interesting invention. But it'll never catch on.
The noise will frighten the horses too much."

I also heard that when the concept of electric lighting was
first introduced some feared having wires in the walls of a home would be a
fire hazard. It turns out they were right, but it's a very small hazard if
the wiring is properly installed and periodically inspected. I guess some
insurance company would know the risk of fire from electrical wiring
compared to using candlelight everywhere or smoking in bed.

So here we are now in the second decade of the 21st century and
a new millennium. The internet has taken over as the most convenient means
of mass communication. On the up side, it's brought together millions of
people who would otherwise never cross paths with one another. It's fueled
revolutions and election campaigns. It has re-connected college and
childhood friends and long-long cousins. It's generated a whole new field of
IT specialists who actually seem to comprehend how this all works and can
make computers behave.

I think it's too early to know if this communications revolution
has a down side or not. However, it does seem we're spending more time
looking at digital screens of various sizes and less time looking into faces
of other humans. The internet revolution is going change the world of print
media more than the printing press did. In fact, quite a few knowledgeable
people believe it will be the death knoll for printed media.

I for one earnestly pray this is not so. I would really miss the
simple pleasure of sitting curled up on the coach or stretched out on a
beach chair with a great book or magazine in hand. Or snuggled up with a
small child reading a bedtime story. But then those who thought the
new-fangled cars would frighten the horses probably didn't want to give up
the relationship they had with their favorite horses. Those who feared the
destructive potential of electrical wiring in homes probably didn't want to
give up the soft glow of candlelight evenings.

Maybe there's room for some old-fashioned compromise here. Many
people still have horses. They just don't use them to pull the carriage into
town to shop any more. Many couples still dine in person in the soft glow of
candlelight. Maybe we can still figure out to have our books, magazines and
papers along with blogs, e-mails and webinars.

One of the few things we can count on in life is change. Whether
we love it or hate it; embrace it or resist it, change is a force that
cannot be stopped.

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2010-03-25T00:36:15Z

Thoughts on an historic day for the United States

We seem to be nation that is dividing. Red States vs. Blue States.
Republicans vs. Democrats. Insured vs. Uninsured or Underinsured. Perhaps
this isn't as negative a thing as some are predicting. Don't organisms grow
through the process of their cells dividing?

Yesterday President Barack Obama signed into law a health care reform bill.
Getting something done about health care had been on the agenda of
presidents back a hundred years. Depending on which news source one listened
to or read, this was either a great day in U.S. history or the beginning of
the end of life as we've known it in the States. Some states are already
threatening to bring a law suit against the Federal Government. Texas, the
state in which I reside, is one of them.

This grieves me greatly. Whether we agree or disagree with the details of
the bill, it saddens me that we've become a nation of sore losers. What
happened to our sense of sportsmanship? What happened to the idea of free
speech for all? How can we ever justify throwing bricks and barbs at those
who hold an opinion differing from our own? How can any one be so absolutely
sure that they, and they alone, hold the self-evident truth?

Yet, I do not dispair. I realize no good deed goes unpunished. Trying to
insure the rest of us have health insurance coverage seems to me a good
deed. I know no social change worth making was accomplished without great
effort--too often up to and including the loss of life. I pray no lives will
be lost by senseless violence by those who didn't get their way. I rejoice
that perhaps fewer lives will be lost needlessly now that more health
insurance is available to more people.

Change is a funny concept. Even the very word "change" is a controversial
one these days thanks to the campaign slogan of the current President.
Sometimes we long for some changes. When we're children we want to be
teenagers. When we've arrived at adolescence we want to be adults. When
we're young adults we want to be older adults. Somewhere around the 40 to
50 year time frame we want to stop the advance of years and revert back to
the ages we couldn't wait to grow through.

When we're bored with--pick an item--any item--our job, or car, our home,
our family--we want change. We want to trade in the old one for a more
exciting new one. But let someone else impose a change that wasn't our idea,
and we're all about stopping the changes. "Don't they dare build that in my
neighborhood!" "You can't tell me what to do" becomes the battle cry of
those who object to social changes ranging from wearing seat belts and
helmits to restricting where smokers may smoke.

We seem to like change when the change was our idea and we benefit from it.
We dread and block changes that were someone else's idea and won't directly
benefit us. Or at least, we don't see how the change will ultimately benefit
us.

Well , it was indeed an historic day. The signing of the bill was
accomplished with much fanfare and high fiving among those got it done. And
much derision and protesting--and me thinks not a small amount of sour
graping--on the part of those who had tried to block it. And are still
trying to do so.

The future remains an unknown mystery. But for this moment in time, here's
to your good health--all of you who will now have coverage or who can extend
your coverage under your parents' plans, and to you small business owners
who can more readily afford to include some level of health insurance
coverage for your employees.

America, here's to our collective health. May we keep focused on the
principles on which we founded this great nation--equal justice for all of
us--the pursuit of happiness for all of us--equal opportunities for all of
us. We don't have to agree. We can't possibly agree on every issue. Perhaps
we could agree to disagree with a bit more civility and charity towards
those with whom we disagree. That might improve everyone's overall health.

This too shall pass. And when it does, may our children and grandchildren be
proud of how we participated in the process.

Cheers.

Start wherever you are. Use whatever you have. Do whatever you can.

Kathy Haueisen

March 24, 2010

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2010-02-23T02:32:32Z

Life Down Under

Folks in the States ask me a lot of questions about what it's like in
Australia, aka "Down Under," aka "Oz." The short answer is, "wonderful."
This is a terrific country. Here's a short description.

Land size: About the same as the 48 lower United States.

Population: About the same as either Texas or Southern California-i.e.,
around 20 million and growing.

Government: Based on the British system, modified over the years; it is a
parliamentary government headed by a Prime Minister. The current one is
Kevin Rudd. Last night he was a guest on a local news-based combination
quiz/comedy show. The questions were rigged in his favor, so he had to win.
But it was very informative and entertaining none-the-less. Australia has a
much smaller number of states, all large in size, each with a major city and
a state Prime Minister. They are:

Queensland (Brisbane)

New South Wales (Sydney)

Victoria (Melbourne)

South Australia (Adelaide)

Western Australia (Perth)

And Northern Territory (Darwin) ---it's not a state. It's a
territory.

The Capital of Australia is Canberra, located in the A.C.T
(Australian Capital Territory), much as Washington is in DC, the District of
Columbia.

There are some other islands officially connected to Australia
too, but this is enough for one posting.

Living in Australia is much like living in the States. When
Australians say "America," they generally mean the United States. I prefer
to refer to the States as the States since "America" includes many other
countries.

It's hard to find an edition of the daily Australian news that
doesn't include a story about President Obama and often some other key US
figure as well.

Most US movies play in Australia within a few days after opening
in the States.

The majority of the population lives in one of the urban centers
listed above, but there are many, many smaller communities. Most of these
are located within a few miles of the coast. By the second half of the 19th
century a higher percentage of Australians lived in towns of 2,500 or more
than the people living in England or the States.

The time difference between Brisbane and Houston is 16 hours. So
to figure out when to call folks back in Texas, I've learned to count
forward eight hours and skip back a day. If they want to call me they have
to count back eight hours and fast forward a day. Mid-morning Tuesday in
Australia is dinner time on Monday in Texas.

My personal greatest challenge is driving. They use the left
side of the road. On multiple lane highways I'm driving in what feels like
it should be the passing lane. Nearly all exits are to the left. The
steering wheel is on the right side of the car. This works out OK for an
automatic. It is definitely weird driving a stick shift. On a good day I get
the turn signal on the first try. Usually I turn on the windshield wipers
first. These are located on opposite sides of the steering column from cars
driven in the States.

Australians love round-a-bouts. They have them in every little
village and in many intersections in major cities. And they go around them
clockwise instead of counter clock wise as folks to in the States do in the
rare places that have them.

Seasons are reversed. Christmas is always hot, occurring in the
middle of summer as it does. Lent and Easter are in the fall, so all the
imagery of spring and new life doesn't really match the reality of what
folks are experiencing. However, this does not preclude an abundance of
Easter candy available everywhere.

Enough for one day. If you've read all this, "good on you" as
they'd say Down Under.

G'day for now.

Start wherever you are. Use whatever you have. Do whatever good you can. In
spite of all the constant stream of bad news, it's still a wonderful world
filled with terrific people and fascinating places to go and things to see.

Kathy

* Email entry *

2010-02-08T00:34:09Z

February 2010

Kangaroo Island, off the southern coast of Australia, is one of those rare
places left on the planet where the animals outnumber the people. Paved
roads are few and wildlife is abundant. In a period of only a few days we
saw a couple of koalas hanging out in the eucalyptus trees; an echidna
just strolling along the side of the road; hundreds of seals; a few
penguins; more birds than we could count; and two wallabies in the wild.
There were a lot more, but they hide out in the shade during the day and we
weren't allowed to drive after sunset. There is also a farm managed by a man
who takes in whatever wildlife survives too close encounters with cars,
people, or other injury inducing events. There we spent several hours with
an alpaca (definitely not my favorite animals as they spit often and
randomly); many, many kangaroos in various sizes, several emus, including a
couple of very young ones, and other critters.

I think the highlight was watching Farmer Paul sheer one of the sheep for us
in such a way that it came off in one large piece. The poor de-fleeced sheep
didn't much appreciate the experience, but the humans all found it
fascinating. We also all got a turn to hold a koala as long as it took for
the appropriate photo ops. They snuggle into the arms of whoever wants to
hold them, but they have very sharp claws. It's a two-person operation to
remove them when that time comes.

This is the month we celebrate Valentine's Day. It is ironic that we've
turned the life of a Valentine, a priest in the early church, into another
major spending spree for candy and cards and flowers and dinners out. Though
I'm sure it's good for the economy, it totally misses the point. The
original point was that men were being drafted to fight wars for the Romans.
Many died in the process. The only escape route from involuntary military
service was to be married. That would get the newlywed soldier a one-year
deferment. Those clever Roman rulers figured out men were getting married to
avoid the draft and closed that loop hole. Fighting age men were forbidden
to marry when that would get in the way of their military obligations.
Priest Valentine, at great risk to his personal safety, married couples
anyway. For his efforts he landed in jail.

The connection between the wildlife on Kangaroo Island and Valentine of
ancient Rome is this: the world works best when we respect one another's
environments and grant each other respect sufficient to let each person
define for themselves who and what they wish to be. If we could really ever
actually grasp this concept I think we wouldn't need a military force and we
could do away with endangered species lists.

It's a thought. Meanwhile, I guess the economy could use the boost of a few
more cards, chocolates, and flowers sold. I suppose I'll do my fair share
to contribute to the sales.

* Email entry *

2010-01-15T00:53:50Z

Prayers for Haitians and those who go to help them

Disasters the size of the one that hit Haiti bring us face to face with our
own vulnerability. Such events also draw out our compassion and often make
us feel compelled to do something. Most of us cannot go in person to offer
aid and comfort. Indeed, volunteers who come rushing in with inadequate
training, and without connecting with an officially recognized disaster
response organization, can unintentionally do more harm than good.

The news and images in all the media are tough enough to absorb. Actually
seeing the mountains of debris and the hundreds of wounded and stunned
people, accompanied by the smells and sounds of disaster, can traumatize
those not prepared for such situations.

However, we can respond through our prayers and pocketbooks. There are many
avenues available to send financial support. Any of them would be grateful
for the help and put it to good use.

Recovery from a disaster of this magnitude in a country this short on
resources will take a very long time. It will unfold in three phases. After
a few weeks the media will move on to other news; but the needs of the
desperate will continue for years.

Right now disaster response efforts are in the first phase: rescue. Hundreds
of men and women trained in search and rescue are arriving in Haiti to do
the gruesome work of sorting through rubble, hoping to find more people
still alive. This will no doubt continue for several days. Their work is
handicapped by lack of communication and adequate facilities to receive
planes and ships.

The second phase will be the relief phase. First responders are arriving to
set up temporary shelters with safe drinking water, food, clothing,
medicine, and other basics. These temporary shelters will become home for
thousands of Haitians for months-maybe years. Some of the people displaced
from their homes by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 were still living in
trailers more than a year after the storms. Many still haven't been able to
return home.

Eventually humanitarian aid workers will start to set in place plans for the
third and final phase: long term recovery. Most likely thousands of
volunteers working through any number of governmental and non-profit relief
organizations will to work clearing out the rubble and rebuilding the homes,
schools, offices, hospitals, worship centers, and other structures.

If there is any silver lining in this tragedy, it is this: The story is
global news. The response is already well underway and catching the
attention of millions of compassionate people around the world. Haiti has
suffered tremendously in the past. May this latest burden usher in new
sources of hope and help that makes a long-lasting difference.

I made my contribution to the recovery effort on line via our Evangelical
Lutheran in America Haiti Relief fund before I posted this blog. I urge you
to contribute whatever you can via whatever organization you choose. Every
dollar makes a difference.

I also invite you to offer you prayers for those who are suffering and those
who do the work of rescue, relief, and long-term recovery. I do not
understand why such tragedies befall those who already suffer from extreme
poverty. However, I believe Micah 6:8 tell us what to do in response: act
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Let us pray:

"Dear God, there is so much we do not understand about how the world works.
Why must those who had so little now experience even more pain and
overwhelming loss? We do not understand, but we ask that you be with those
who suffer. Bless and provide the strength and resources to those who offer
aid and assistance. May our prayers and our gifts be a sign of hope and a
path to healing for these your beloved people."

* Email entry *

2010-01-05T02:26:59Z

It's Still the Christmas Season:

One of my goals for this web site was to provide a place for others to offer
an encouraging word. The blog below was sent to me by a new acquaintance I
met on the Stewardship Key Leader trail when I was doing a capital campaign
for a congregation in Arkansas. I thought his thoughts about Christmas worth
sharing with others. In Church time, it's still Christmas for a few more
days. Writing to encourage you. . . .

Kathy Haueisen Cashen.

The Supply Pastor's Christmas Letter

By The Rev. Carlos Summers, Rogers, Arkansas

Greetings in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ,

I'm feeling the need to confess: I find it harder to get into the Christmas
spirit than I used to. Naturally speaking, I'm a person who doesn't always
run with the crowd and sometimes I even run against the crowd. This is not
new for me, and has always been my nature. I have been psychologically
tested like all ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and
these issues of mine are within normal range and do not pose a danger. Even
so, perhaps they help provide a reason why I don't go with the season so
well but there are other reasons too. The hustle-bustle, the traffic, and
the traffic, and also the traffic, with its anxious people driving too fast
and too afraid not to because of all that has to get done.

So, for me, especially in recent years, Christmas season is almost over
before it sinks in that I really love those Carols and most the time even
hearing them on elevators (usually the chewing-gum version of them.) And, I
love the lights and decorations of city streets and malls and houses and I
love that chill that helps to deal with my allergy problems. And mostly, I
also can't help but love the expectations in the eyes of most the children I
see. As I've aged it seems like more and more the children all look like
grandchildren to me and are therefore even more precious in my sight even
when they're acting out in the store and their mom or dad seems ready to
pop. Even then, I realize that Christmas is for kids and at heart I am one
of them. it's then I realize that the Christmas season is for me too.

However, the "season of Christmas" which is our cultural experience is not
the same as Advent. I am a part of the Church that is always ready for
Advent and find every Advent bigger and better than any before. Advent is
the beginning of the Church's year and the celebration of our birth as
Christians even as we celebrate the birth of Christ. I know sometimes it
seems that the season of Christmas drains all the energy we have so that
when it ends we are ready to rest during that cultural new year of football
and party time. However, like it or not, the Christian New Year is well
under way already and during this time the energy of Advent is brand new and
it is now we realize that the church is undergoing a birth process of
struggle and labor and finally incarnation. Again, we are just getting
started. As for me, I'm really turned on by the new and renewed people who
come to church during Christmas even if it's to bring the children and/or
out of some feeling of guilt. Who said that Lutheran guilt is a bad thing?
And the bigger the crowd, the more I love to preach, teach, and sing.

Behold, the Church is awake and alive and God is present in our worship and
we, the people of God in Christ, are in the business of transforming the
Christmas season into an experience of Advent. So, if you'd like to
experience the Holy Spirit of Advent that is living in God's people and most
appropriately felt whenever we get together, or if your Lutheran guilt is
getting too burdensome for you, I invite you to Church. The Bells are
ringing, the Choirs are singing, and God's People are streaming in so they
may hear and know afresh that God's love for the world is made manifest in
Jesus Christ our Lord.

I pray this posting finds you hoping and waiting for the revealing of Christ
both in you and working through you for the sake of all that God has given
you to do, believe, and to feel. May the Lord, the Prince of Peace, who's
name is Wonderful, Counselor, Living God, be with you.

* Email entry *

2009-12-17T02:05:13Z

Christmas, 2009

Maybe it's my age. Maybe it's the fact I'm writing from the southern
hemisphere so everything seems backwards to me. Maybe it's the current state
of world affairs - wars, global climate change debates, multiple natural
disasters, politicians posturing on health care reform ideas, too much news
coming in from many sources about too many truly tragic situations.

I don't know. But it seems the Christmas season has lost a lot of its luster
in recent years. I got a note from one woman who admitted this is a tough
season for her. It triggers many sad memories. There have been two deaths in
her family around this time of year. Plus other memories she'd like to
forget, but can't because they're so tied to the holidays. This is a tough
time of year for many people. For some, it's an emotional mine field through
which they tiptoe until January arrives and a new calendar year begins.

It seems to me we've gone overboard on the holidays. I'm not a Scrooge who
wants to forget the whole thing. I love the music, the opportunity to send
and receive annual greetings to friends and families, the special events,
and even the gift getting and giving when it's kept to a sane level. I love
the many plays, books, and movies inspired by the story. I love the impact
it sometimes has on people who offer more help, humor, and hope to strangers
than usual.

Nor am I writing about how consumerism has become the main focal point.
Retailers have to make a living somehow. We're free to drop out of that race
anytime we've had enough of it.

All of us seem to be going overboard--even churches, which try hard to get
us refocused on the "Jesus is the reason for the season" theme. Church staff
and dedicated volunteers alike work themselves into a frenzy at this time of
year, trying to make the season Christ-focused, profound, meaningful, and
beautiful. Noble goals-but exhausting for many.

I wonder if we've somehow missed the child in the manger. If so, this
wouldn't be the only baby we've overlooked in our race to . . .where? Where
exactly are we trying to go as citizens of the global village in the 21
century? Is anything sacred in this millennium? Governments and churches
alike render opinions on when and how many children women should have. Some
babies get to be born into unprecedented levels of luxury and future
opportunities. Others are born to mothers in cultures that cannot possibly
provide them even the basics of food, clean water, adequate shelter, and
opportunities to grow up to become self-sufficient contributing member of
society.

Does this bother anyone? It does me. So, it's Christmas. Years ago I had a
song on a record (so that will tell you it was a loooong time ago) with the
phrase, "every time a baby's born, God tells mankind, 'Take it one more
time.'"

We're about to celebrate the birth of a baby. We've been given another
chance to do something good, kind, helpful and useful.

Maybe the reason for the season is to remind us to reflect on what that
something could be in the New Year. Merry Christmas.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can,

Kathy

* Email entry *

2009-12-08T02:36:41Z

December 8, 2009

The Shed.

No, this blog isn't a takeoff on the hugely popular book, "The
Shack."

It's a tradition in Australia that every man have his own shed.
Husband John has hired a local jack-of-all-trades to help him redo his shed.
They are creating a room in part of the shed John will use to re-establish
his amateur radio operation. The rest of the shed will store all the things
one usually stores in a garage.

It seems to me we all need some sacred place where we can just
be-free of all expectations, assigned roles, and tasks demanding attention.
Our "shed" might be a corner of the house. It might be a garden. It might be
a special place we go when we've had enough of what life is offering up at
the moment.

Having moved many times in my life-too many to bother to count
any more-I've learned to create these personal "sheds" wherever I land. At
the moment I am fortunate to be living in the country with many trails
nearby leading to places few others go. It is relatively easy to find
solitude and resting places to observe the world without the many
human-designed improvements.

It's not always so easy. Libraries help. Having been raised by a
librarian, I feel very much at home in libraries. I love the stacks of
neatly arranged books, the imposed "Shhhh" code of stillness, and the rows
and rows of magazines to read.

Parks also make great get-a-ways. It's wonderful when they're
located along water. The lapping water against the shore is soothing indeed.
I once heard the leader of a workshop on dreams suggest beaches are where
the spiritual and the physical worlds connect. I have no idea if that is
true, or how anyone else would know-but it's a pleasant thought and makes
sense.

The point is-we all need a shed of some sort. A place to review
the many memories we tuck away. A place to ponder without any particular
agenda or deadline. A place to mentally meander for a while. Such a place
affords us the privacy to perhaps shed some misconceptions we've clung to
for too long. Such a place allows us to process and dream of what the future
might bring.

There are many advantages to living in the age in which we do.
We enjoy modern conveniences that boggle the mind. We benefit from
innovations ranging from indoor plumbing to controlled temperature to
instant communication around the world. All these make us much more aware of
happenings in distant places than any previous generations could be.

However, there is a downside to all these improvements. One of
them is that it is increasingly difficult to ever really experience
solitude. Cell phones, e-mail, instant messaging, social networks-noise
everywhere-these all make it difficult to be still and know God. They make
it difficult to be still and know ourselves.

Sheds. We need them perhaps now more than ever.

* Email entry *

2009-12-02T11:43:42Z

Cooking in a foreign land

I didn't want to skip Thanksgiving just because I'm in a
country that doesn't have this tradition. So I boldly invited my husband,
John, and myself to a friend's home to prepare our family's version of the
traditional feast for her family and a few others. The offer was eagerly
accepted. "Easy!" I thought. I've been on the Thanksgiving cooking and
cleanup crew for over a half century now.

However, it occurred to me after it was too late to back
out-I've never done this cooking in metric and centigrade. Hm. This might be
a bit more of a challenge than I anticipated. Well, no worries, as they are
fond of saying here. I can do this. After all, they speak my native English
language. Although they call things by different names, John translates that
for me.

I solved the metric vs. non-metric challenge by purchasing a
bi-lingual cookbook I found at a new book exchange and tea shop. This little
gem gives measurements and temperatures in metric and centigrade as well as
pounds, ounces, etc. and Fahrenheit.

I really don't really need recipes for this meal anyway.
It's the same menu every year. I've got most of it memorized. The only time
I refer to a recipe is when making my mother's pumpkin chiffon pie.

Apparently, I am her only descendent who actually likes this
pie. This reality does not deter me from making the pie every late November.
It is one of my favorite comfort foods. I make it every year to honor the
memories of the many Thanksgiving meals Mom and I prepared together. Also,
because it was my mother who did the extensive genealogy research to make
the connection between our family and those at that first Thanksgiving
feast.

Helpful husband John warned me Australian grocery stores
might not stock some of the ingredients for the pie. No problem. I packed a
can of pumpkin and the basic spices in my luggage. Then, standing in line to
go through customs, it occurred to me the inspectors might think the white
powder in a zip lock bag in my checked luggage was not really "cream of
tartar." Apparently I didn't appear very threatening, as custom officers
quickly waved me through.

So, the day of preparation arrived. Oops. I forgot the
ingredients for the crust. No problem. The little IGA just up the road will
surely carry gingersnap cookies. They did. But I also forgot to import the
Knox gelatin. I really need Knox gelatin to make the whole thing set
properly. What to do; what to do. How badly could it go wrong to use the
gelatin mixes they did have available. What flavor Jello goes with pumpkin
for heaven's sake? And how much should I use to substitute for one
Tablespoon of Knox? Hm. Time for another adventure in cooking. I decided on
"Aeroplane - Original Port Wine Flavour - Australia's Favourite Jelly."

The crust turned out beautifully. One of the best I've ever
made. Mom would have been so proud. The filling tasted great too and did
indeed set up properly. The imported spices totally hid any taste of
Australia's favorite gelatin. Too bad. I'll have to give that another go
some day. I think I've successfully pulled off another of Mom's pumpkin
chiffon pie. I do hope so. I want to offer these Aussie friends a right and
proper U.S. Thanksgiving dinner. It is a US tradition I'm proud to export.

This year, I am very thankful to be an American with our
long history of celebrating Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful for that
original cross-cultural dining event back in 1621 that inspired the current
Thanksgiving Day tradition.

I love Thanksgiving. What a great idea. It's a "can't blow
it" kind of holiday. If it comes out right, folks enjoy the day, the food
and the company. If it comes out all wrong, well, we just add those stories
to family memory chest.

Until we meet again, start where you are, use what you have, and do what
you can.

Kathy

Diary from Down Under

2009-11-24T23:38:55Z

I arrived in Australia for my third, and longest stay, on what would have been my father's 96^th birthday. This is significant to me because 40 some years ago I was freshly graduated from college with a new degree in Journalism and a plan to come to Australia. Back then the Aussies were offering to pay airfare to get here. I wanted to try it out. Two things got in the way. One was a father who pointed out, "You'll notice they aren't offering to pay your way back. "No, you can't move to Australia." When I was growing if fathers said "no," their offspring actually took "no" for an answer. The other thing that happened was I got engaged; then married and then moved into to motherhood. The going to Australia dream wasn't even on the stove of my life any more.

Two children, six grandchildren, and a second marriage later—to a man with dual citizenship in Australia and the States, the Australia plan moved back to the stove. After two visits, the loving in Australia idea made it to the front burner. So it has come to pass that I now have a home in Australia in addition to Texas.

On the way here I got homesick for Houston. This is really ironic since once upon a time I moved out of Houston, never intending to return. Just as sometimes love is better the second time around, so, it turned out, has been living in Houston a second time. I've come to really enjoy this sprawling hot humid city of 4 million.

So here I am down under meeting the neighbors, setting up housekeeping next to a rain forest, and launching a web presence in the 21 century world of internet communities.

Stay tuned. For the moment it's off to get the car registered so I can practice driving on the other side of the road.

Who needs a web site?

2009-11-12T01:24:00Z

Until not very long ago I thought a web was what spiders wove at night. I figured a site was the land on which people put up buildings or made parks. Eventually though I ventured forth into this virtual frontier called the World Wide Web and web sites.

At first I was a closet user, secretly learning obscure facts about places and people I'd never heard of before. After I learned how to electronically retrieve data, book flights, buy and sell things and look up addresses and directions I had a sort of conversion experience. The web is definitely quick, doesn't require sacrificing trees, is portable and truly worldwide. That impressed me.

However, browsing web sites is a far cry from actually personally having one.

The biggest hurdle in creating my own web site wasn't the technology. I'm surrounded by techies eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm. Indeed, they are more eager to give tech support than I am to receive it.

The real hurdle to having a web site was the "why?" of it all. Why a web page? Who needs that?! Especially why would this maturing wife, mother, grandmother, pastor, writer, gardener, and seamstress person need a web site? I've lived six rather productive and content decades without one.

I remained unconvinced, even when people kept asking for my web address, assuming I had one. However, when editors started asking for my web address I decided it was time to get one. Apparently the internet craze isn't a fad. Rats. I had so hoped it would be. I realized that if I want to write and publish in the current century, which I do, I have to add internet communication to my life. Do we ever get to quit learning new things? Apparently not.

Along the way I met—and ultimately married—a retired fellow who loves to travel—anywhere and everywhere you can get to by plane, train, ship, boat, car, or on foot. Given he's one of the computer enthusiasts in my life and given he takes his computer everywhere he goes, it occurred to me that with a web site I can go anywhere in the world and still be tuned in to life back home. I liked that idea. So I took the plunge and set up this web site.

Now I can boot up, hook up, and connect with people and places from anywhere at any time. This appeals to me.

I still prefer a leisurely face to face chat over coffee or tea, but here we are. At the dawn of another century. Connecting via computers.

The need to connect to others remains the same. How we connect is changing. I can't recall the last time my family came over the river and through woods in a horse drawn sleigh for a visit. As long as we stay in touch, I see hope for this high tech World Wide Web era in which we live.

Thanks for stopping by. Add your thoughts and come back often.

Until we meet again, start where you are; use what you have, do what you can.

Kathy

Discussion Question: What impact has internet communication had on your life?

Kathy's Blog

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Diary from Down Under

Who needs a web site?

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