Whirlwind Windup!

  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

Hi All!

Technically I am back stateside.....my inner clock is still a bit askew!  I love getting back an hour before I left Guam!   

Along with the Seminary counseling class, the final few weeks were jam-packed!    There were two trainings on meeting facilitation -- one we held at Lisa's house and one for the Administrative counsel.  There was a staff training on 'multiple relationships, burn-out and self-care'.  Another basic counseling seminar which the Graduate program sponsored and which was open to the public -- offered to Pastors, lay ministers, direct-care workers as well as our staff.  It was  well attended and went well!  There were various meetings about the counseling center and a variety of other chances to support and encourage folks in both formal and informal ways. 

There were also numerous ways to serve at LCG my on island church home.  I had a great opportunity to solo Steve Weibley's music --- a blessing to bring our east coast church to Guam!  I also was asked to give a testimony on music and  faith.  It was a very moving experience for me to be able to share how God has used that gift in my life; it is so much a part of my relationship with God; and it rests so deep in my heart. Oh was it challenging to talk about in front of the church!  Stop laughing now!  Yea, I can get up and blab in front of a class or seminar or yak, yak, yak with my friends  but  sharing this level of heart stuff ....tongue tied!!!  Thank God, He is on the throne.....or I'd still be standing there staring at the congregation.    Finally, the night before I left I got to really stretch musically,  and "Cantor" from the Holden Evening Prayer.  Never "chanted" before -- at least not publicly.

Lots of fun mixed in these last weeks too.  Times of getting together with friends.....bar-b-cues, snorkeling, spending my last days  with Lisa and the kids, amusing ourselves (although I don't know how "amused" Lisa really was at the roller coaster!), goodbye suppers and unanticipated events!    I love that God gives us laughter!  

I'm still teaching g (SKYPE now from 9:30 to Midnight) and then I start work on courses for the fall (I hope to SKYPE in) and then God willing go back next Spring.  Chuck hopes to join me for a little bit.  Meanwhile, my practice is waning a bit more each time I go.  I covet your prayers as God moves me in different ways to utilize my clinical skills in a gainful way.  God bless and enjoy this last video montage!

Yes, it is good to be home.