Advent 2 2019 photos and reflections

Here are the photos and reflections for week 2 of the Advent photo-a-day challenge.  As with week 1, I'll post the word of the day and the accompanying questions along with my photo and reflections.  Advent is a paradoxical time.  It is a time to slow down and reflect, yet everything is still going on quickly around us, at least in my world.  It takes being intentional for me to slow down, to focus, to reflect, to center.  That's why I choose to focus on a word a day.  This week's words were: peace, justice, gift, reflection, freedom, faithfulness, and wonder.


Week 2:

Today's word is #peace. (If you're following my preaching series, then you know I forgot to switch "hope" and "peace" for the first two Sundays, but that's okay.) What is "peace" to/for you? As you reflect on the word "peace" during this Advent season, where do you need peace most? How can you be peace for others? What depicts peace to you? #peace #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #peace. I always enjoyed seeing this wreath yearly in my 1st appointment at Simpson UMC in Rossville. Quiet time brings me peace. Time with Cliff brings me peace. As peace is needed in this Advent season, may it be available. #peace #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #justice. How does this word fit into the Advent season for you? Where is justice needed? As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #justice #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #justice. This is one of many local murals that captures justice for me. It reminds me that we are a diverse people, that we are on land that belonged to others first, and that we are still fighting for justice for so many. Amos is my go-to for justice--- Amos 5:24--"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" #justice #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #gift. Gifts can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be tangible or intangible. What gifts are you giving this Advent season to others? What gifts are you receiving? When you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #gift #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #gift. This gift is Charlie. Through Charlie's life, I have received gifts of love, grace, forgiveness, compassion, among others. Charlie's giftedness in music and art have been gifts shared with others over the years. I am grateful for this gift of life that I am privileged to share. #gift #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

 Today's word is #reflection. The Advent season is a time for reflection. As you move through this pilgrimage journey of Advent, what are your reflections? What things have been stirring in your heart, mind, and soul? What comes to mind when you ponder the word "reflection"? #reflection #adventphot #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #reflection. The photo is from Cumberland State Park. Notice how still the water is and because of that, the reflection is clearly visible. When I slow down, I can reflect more clearly. This Advent season I need time to be still, to reflect, and to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me beside the calm waters. May it be so. #reflection #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #freedom. How/Where are you experiencing freedom this Advent season? How/Where do you need to experience freedom? As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? #freedom #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #freedom. I was trying to pair this picture with another one, but I may make two posts. I felt freedom as I glided through the air. It was one of my top life experiences. I chose the Isaiah verse to go with the photo.#freedom #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

My second #freedom post. Now it is evident why I wanted these two photos to go together. This depicts freedom. Fly like an eagle. #freedom #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #faithfulness. What comes to mind as your reflect on this word? How do you depict this word? #faithfulness #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #faithfulness. Cliff is a faithful companion to us. His love is faithful and unconditional. His faithfulness spurs me on to be a better person. #faithfulness #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #wonder. What fills you with wonder this Advent season? Have you made room for wonder this year? If not, how can you make some room in the remaining days of Advent for wonder? What comes to mind as you reflect on the word "wonder"? #wonder #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

Today's word is #wonder. Christmas trees cause me to wonder. As we decorated the other night, certain ornaments made me wonder how certain people were doing. I wondered about family as we put my Nana's bobby pin ribbons on the limbs. Her handwriting was in the box top for the ribbons. She had written a Hawaii address and a Colorado one. I recognized both and wondered about family. Thinking of Nana and family reminded me of Christmas times in Colorado when stringed popcorn was the garland. I can sit and stare at the lights for time on end, in wonder and awe. Advent season is a time of waiting, mystery, wonder, awe, all mixed together. We know, but we don't fully know. The here, but the not yet. I wonder as I wander. I wander as I wonder. I follow the light of the One who came and is coming. #wonder #adventphoto #advent2019 #saintelmoumc

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Thanks for being part of my journey this Advent season, 

Debra

Anticipation.... is making me wait.

Anticipation.

The Advent season.

Yes, as I reflected on the word "anticipation", the first thing that came to mind were the ketchup commercials from my childhood.

Do you know the ones?  The glass bottle is held over the food and the red condiment is ever so slowly making its way onto the food.  The song "Anticipation" by Carly Simon is being sung in the background.  Here is one such commercial from the 1970s:

Carly Simon 1971 album "Anticipation":

Anticipation.

Yes, the Advent season is full of anticipation. 

You may not be a ketchup eater.  You may not be able to relate to the anticipation brought to my mind from the past of the ketchup slowly making its way out of the glass bottle to the food while those wanting to eat waited and waited. 

You may not have experienced this waiting with ketchup.  You may not even like ketchup.

It was worth the wait.  Not just because the commercial said so, but because it was good.

But, what does ketchup have to do with Advent you ask?  It's all about the waiting.  Advent is the season of waiting, of preparation, of anticipation.... for the coming of the Christ child.   It's a time to slow down, to reflect, to not hurry through. 

If ketchup is worth waiting for, then imagine waiting during Advent and what that is worth.

Anticipation.

Blessings on your journey through this Advent season,

Debra

 

"Gracious God, I put myself before you in this moment with waiting heart, expectant desire.  Open my eyes that I may see your promise fulfilled; open my ears that I may hear your word whispered to my deepest being.  Amen." (A Guide to Prayer For All God's People, First Sunday in Advent, page 23)

Reflections from day #2 at session #8 of Academy #32-- alligator and assessment

 

This morning was a beautiful morning, though the clouds were out some.  When the sun came out, it was breezy and still cloudy somewhat.  Cool, yet not cold.  The water on the lake (Lake Griffin) was choppy before the morning prayer service and during the first reflection time.  It didn't really calm down until after the rain storm during the afternoon lecture.  The page where I'm at in my Advice from a River Guided Journal?!?! "Rough waters become smooth."   The waters did become smooth today.  So smooth in fact that I hoped I might see an alligator during the afternoon reflection time.

I was on the main dock and had been looking over the smoother waters.  Nothing.  But then I heard a "snort" behind me.  I turned and saw an alligator head sticking out barely above the water near the reeds, very close to the dock.  I was amazed and happy.  I watched it for a while, until it submerged.  It came back up later and swam off into the distance.  A little while later, I saw an alligator swimming back toward the dock, bobbing its head with the tiny waves.  Whether it was the same one or a different one, I do not know.  I watched it swim toward the reeds and go into them.

Seeing an alligator is a highlight for me on these Academy weeks at the Life Enrichment Center.  That may sound odd, but it is true.  In fact, it has become a part of my creation time and actually is a sacramental moment (per Leonard Boff's work on sacraments that I read several sessions back).  Watching the graceful creation of the Creator glide through the water somehow brings a peace and a calm into my spirit and is a beautiful thing to behold. 

Was seeing an alligator the highlight of my day?  No, though it was pretty good. ☺

Both sessions today were thought-provoking and helpful.  The faculty presenters this week are: Kathryn Damiano (morning) from Wichita, KS and Bishop Rafael Moreno-Rivas (afternoon) from Puerto Rico.   The focus of the morning session this week is "Sustaining our Life in Christ: A Rule of Life".  For the afternoon session the focus is: "Bearing Witness to the Reign of God in the World".

Though I'm not going to be able to reflect upon everything I'm thinking about and writing about in my journal, I will share some thoughts that have been on my mind today.

This morning's session got me started in thinking about what I have experienced these past two years and how I have grown / changed through the process.

I have begun to live into a rhythm of silence and solitude because of the Academy that has blessed me tremendously.  I have begun to live into my contemplative self.  I have learned to live into the questions, to not be so afraid of the unknown, and to continue living into the waiting times without needing or having to press for answers.  I am learning to listen more attentively to God.  I am learning to "be" instead of "do" and to balance more my "being" and "doing".  I have slowed down my pace of life significantly in the past two years, attempting to be more intentional and attentive to what I choose to do. I recognize that I am becoming who God created me to be and that the unfolding will continue, long after this last session of the Academy is over.

A tremendous blessing for me has been the bilingual nature of this Academy, plus some French thrown in (merci beaucoup, Stephane!).  Being able to speak Spanish and worship in Spanish has been a balm to my soul.  I have been part of a bilingual covenant group too.  In addition to the covenant part, the bilingual part has blessed me.

The English-speaking participants have been a blessing too.  There have been many conversations that have encouraged me over these past two years.  I have made connections within the body of Christ with brothers and sisters from all over that have significantly ministered to me.  And, like those episodes of "Survivor" when they go through the names at the end of the game and talk about the ones that are no longer there.... there are some people near and dear in my heart, mind, and soul that have needed to drop out for one reason or another... but they are still here in hearts and minds and memories.... and I am blessed by them as well. 

The team and the Academy staff have been incredible in supporting this bilingual Academy and working hard to make it happen.  The faculty over the two years have been incredible too.  I have been blessed by their presentations and table fellowship moments. 

I have been encouraged by what I have read and what I've heard as some of it has resonated deep within.  I have also been stretched by what I've read and what I've heard. I have grown in my spiritual journey.

I have been encouraged and supported in my personal journey as I have made decisions and lived through life things.

The reflections of the past to the present and preparing for the future have started.... they will continue.  There is a deep peace in my spirit and I am super grateful for this opportunity.

It is amazing to look back to that Fall 2010 5-day Academy in TN at Camp Garner Creek when I first learned of a 2 year bilingual Academy and had my breath literally sucked out of me...... and to fast forward to now to being at my final session of this 2 year journey. 

This week has only just begun.... I desire to remain open to God for whatever God has for me this week.  I have been blessed so much already simply by being here and re-connecting with community.

My journey of growth and change is not over.... it will not be over until it is truly "over".  I look forward to continued learning, growing, and changing. 

My goal is to love God and love others; to be more attentive and more intentional in the ordinary aspects of the daily life.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

Re-adjusting my daily rhythm... pace and trust

The rhythm of an Academy is such that there is time for silence, solitude, reflection, worship, and community daily.  When I come back from a week of this, it takes me a little time to re-adjust to my normal routine.  I'd better write, "normal".  The only normalcy about it is the hours around the school bus.  The rest can be unpredictable, though I do keep a calendar and schedule as much as possible.  Why?  Because of all the spinning plates. ☺  At the same time, I attempt to maintain ample time for silence and solitude.  Without it, I have learned, I become detached from my source, antsy, and can be a "grumpy bear".  

An older gentleman whom I admire greatly, referred to me as a grumpy bear (he was kind about it) yesterday in reference to a note I had sent out.  I had not intended the words to come across grumpy at all, but rather I was asking for more head-up time in advance in the future for things.  When I checked my box at work, there was a little bear with honey in it.... I wonder if someone else thought I was being a grumpy bear too????

My tendency is to set a fairly quick pace for myself and run it.  Look back at that sentence at my possessive adjective "my" and then "myself".  That's not necessarily a bad thing, yet if I am allowing God to control my days, that means my pace and my scheduling too.  I do try.  I just tend to run ahead of God at times.

The reason this is on my mind so much is that THE DAY AFTER I get back from the Academy, my devotion was about this.  It has taken me some days to reflect on it, to soak it in.  On January 9 in Jesus Calling, Sarah Young's devotion reads (in parts): "I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU.  When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you.  You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don't be discouraged--never give up! [...] Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.  Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come. [...] Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace.  Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence." (10)

OUCH!  And, AMEN!  Thankfully, I've been learning over the past, uh, MANY years to slow down and allow God to set the pace and allow myself to ENJOY the journey.  However, there are still days and times when I get anxious and struggle with allowing God to keep setting the pace.  This is a tremendous reminder for me. 

The bottom line is about trust.  Trusting that God has really heard me and that God cares and has a plan for me.  The first line for January 11 Jesus Calling reads: "TRUST ME by relinquishing control into My hands." (12) You see?  Trust.  It's not as fun and as simple as dropping a coin into a jar and thinking 'yep, I trust God.'  I actually have to follow through and relinquish control into God's hands.  Whew!  That's a tad more difficult. ☺

In the second paragraph, there is something that will help me though.  It will help me both allow God to set the pace and allow God to keep control.  After I have brought my prayer requests before God, my response is to be this: "...thank Me for the answers that I set into motion long before you can discern results.  When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way." (12)

So, on this journey, I'm attempting to allow God to set the pace, to remember to thank God for the answers to prayers that are already set in motion, and hopefully I won't be a grumpy bear. ☺

How is your trust and your pace setting?  Who is in control of those things on your journey? 

May we continue to learn and grow as we travel, and may we slow down sufficiently to enjoy the journey!

~Debra