Advent Week 2-- Peace through Wilderness

Even though I had the space to put together a "word a day" challenge this year, I question myself daily as I reflect on the words, seek to find something that resonates with me, etc. I ask myself if this is REALLY a helpful spiritual practice for me. Though it takes some discipline and time to set up the daily posts with the daily words and discipline and time to reflect daily and post about the word, I think it is a helpful spiritual practice for me. And that's the reason I do it. It's something I can do that allows me to reflect on the Holy, the Divine, the Mystery, the Christ Child, etc. during the Advent Season. And, it is something that allows me to use outlets of writing and photography, both of which are spiritual practices for me.

With that, here is Advent Week 2 all in one place, taken from my daily posts and put here:

December 8--Peace

Today's word is #peace.

Being in nature gives me peace. When I feel the stress of life, trees, woods, water, and/or rocks can calm my soul and restore peace.

If I am not able to get into the woods, stepping outside and being in the fresh air can at times be enough.

What brings you peace? What do you do or where do you go to maintain peace?

Like the deep pool of water in the photo, peace runs deep. May the peace that passes understanding run deeply in your being.

Shalom.
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord

December 9--Nature

Today's word is #nature.

Once a month we gather outdoors in nature for outdoor worship. We share Scripture, readings, silence, our reflections, and we share bread and fruit of the vine during a time of Communion.

The communion elements are covered monthly in this cloth reminding us "and heaven and nature sing".

How can I notice nature more this Advent? What are my daily surroundings of nature? The sky? A certain tree? A bird? A bush?

As I reflect on the first coming of the Christ child, I wonder what aspects of nature Mary and Joseph encountered on their journey? Werr they able to exclaim "and heaven and nature sing"?

#nature #AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

December 10--Gift

Today's word is #gift.

I read a post by a friend and colleague who now works in donor services. He used the hashtag #BeAGift.

I have witnessed the powerful life-giving gift of organ donations as I walked with a family.

This heart is on my Driver's license. I am registered to donate.

Whether I can offer the gift of listening, presence, or life, my hope is that my being, my life is poured out as a gift. It was gifted to me. I want to give back.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #SeeAHeartShareAHeart

Donor information: (for any state)
https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA6t-6BhA3EiwAltRFGLTfLXvXzYGOzt3Ckj52l3_MwHMSa-X0WjILETvyCRyYYZuNncmLQxoCVpsQAvD_BwE

December 11--Wonder

Today's word is #wonder.

One definition of the word "wonder": "rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience"

After taking out the trash at Welcome Home of Chattanooga today, the clouds captured my attention. I first saw a small heart space, upside down, in the sky. It quickly dissipated, causing me to look beyond the space.

What I saw was this: big and puffy clouds. Their shape reminded me of a jolly fellow with his hat and beard. ;)

May I continue to be filled with wonder this Advent.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord

December 12--Alert

Today's word is #alert.

Alert:

"fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: Synonyms: observant, wary, awake."

This sweet puppy is currently NOT alert. However, deliver a package to our front door and the barking begins. This sweet furry family member reminds me what it means to be alert, fully aware, attentive, wide-awake, observant, wary.

Being alert during this Advent season means that I am watchful, looking and listening for the presence of the Holy.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

December 13--Stars

Today's word is #stars.

Here are stars from different places I visited today.

As I reflect on stars, a camp song comes to mind:

"He's everything to me" by Ralph Carmichael.

Some of the lyrics:

In the stars His handiwork I see,
"On the wind He speaks with majesty,
Though He ruleth over land and sea,
What is that to me?
I will celebrate Nativity,
For it has a place in history,
Sure, He came to set His people free,
What is that to me?"

As the Advent Season continues, today's word brings nature into focus and connects me with camp, a huge part of my spiritual formation and outdoor life.

I do see Creator's handiwork in the stars.

Peace.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

December 14--Wilderness

Today's word is #wilderness.

Though wilderness can be a place of unknown for me, most often it is a place that refreshes me, centers me, draws me closer to Creator. When I am not able to get out into other, I can look at it and remember.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord #BambooEncounter

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This concludes Advent Week 2, a week of peace through wilderness.

Deb

[ALL PHOTOS ARE MINE.]

A Letter to Santa

When you think about a letter to Santa, what thoughts or memories come to mind? Do you remember your letters you wrote to Santa? Or maybe you remember your kids or grandkids writing letters to Santa.

If you wrote letters to Santa, at what age did you stop writing them?

I don't remember when I stopped writing them.

I did just write one in my 60th year. Yes, that's correct. I wrote a letter to Santa. Today. And mailed it.

Last week I saw a red mailbox at the Post Office and it caught my attention. For whatever reason, the idea came into my mind to write a letter to Santa.

I thought about it through the week and weekend. I kept going back and forth on whether or not to follow through with the "nudge". I mean, it really isn't "normal" for a 60 year old to write Santa a letter, right?!

As I thought through my 60th year list of things I wanted to do in Reflections on the Cusp of 60, "writing a letter to Santa" wasn't on my list. Yet, as I considered the "ADVENTure" of the Advent Season and my commitment to live into my authentic self and reclaim "play" as a spiritual practice, THAT did fit into things.

Besides, I saw a Santa look-alike in the Cancun airport in September-- all dressed in red and another one a couple weeks ago entering a store in Dalton, GA. He wore a Santa hat, had a great real white beard and was with a woman who easily could have been Mrs. Claus. I didn't get pictures of them, but I and several other people took pictures of the airport Santa. My picture wasn't the greatest. It's the back of him. But, you can tell it is him. 

Santa-look-a-like at the Cancun airport in September 2024

What does one write to Santa when they are 60 years old? Great question.

I didn't think asking for anything would be appropriate. I don't believe Santa will bring me a gift. However, I do believe in the actions of kindness and compassion that have been done over the years because of a Saint who started a tradition of doing things for others. Saint Nicholas' biography is one to not only read, but one to ponder. There are various resources to check out. Here are two of them: The Story of St. Nicholas and All About St. Nicholas.

I also believe that Santa look-alikes can bring cheer and joy to people out in public, whether it's this season of the year or any time. There's something, might I say, dare I say "jolly" about seeing a Santa look-alike that causes one to smile and think on good memories. Or, at least it does for me.

I suppose all of the above caused me to write my letter to Santa and to verify how to actually get it there. I thought I could simply write "Santa Claus North Pole", but that's not true. You have to put in the entire address: Santa Claus, 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888. You also must include your last name and your return address, plus use a 1st class stamp.

Here is my letter. I hand wrote it on older notebook paper because that's what I found quickest. I wrote in all caps, in hopes my handwriting would be more legible. 

                                                                                                                12/9/24

Dear Santa, 

     It's been a while since I've written you a letter. I saw the mailbox in the Dalton, GA Post Office last week & decided "why not?".

     I'm 60 years old. This is my 1st Christmas without my Dad. It will be different.

     I don't have a list of toys or items to as for, though it could be fun to think of such things. :)

     I guess I mainly wanted to write to say "thank you". Thank you to you & your many helpers who bring smiles each year to people all around the globe. I see people off (of) [dang typos in hand-written letters] all ages smile when they see a Santa-look-a-like in an airport, in a store, etc. It's incredible how much joy that offers.

     Keep bringing the joy & smiles.

     Keep sharing the goodwill.

                                                      Merry Christmas--

                                                      Debra

 

After writing my letter to Santa, I addressed it per instructions (see above), put a stamp on it, and went to the Post Office.

Here is the very cool red mail box they have for Santa letters:

Here's to more ADVENTures!

Deb

Advent Week 1 2024-- thoughts, reflections, photos

It has been a few years since I have done a "word a day" for Advent. I haven't had it in me, truth be known. But this year, something inside me felt right, there was space for it. So, I created a "word a day" that included some nature in it and am using it with Bamboo Encounter, the outdoor worship that I facilitate monthly since 2015.

It has been a good practice for me this Advent Season to reflect on the words daily, to photograph something, to post something. 

Here is the post I made for the overall "challenge" and below that you will find the words and posts for Advent 1.

Advent is coming. (December 1-25)

I haven't done one of these in several years, but the space was there for me to put one together this year. It's an Advent Photo-A-Day challenge. I used typical Advent words plus some from Advent hymns that had a nature theme.

This year, I will be focusing on God's creation as I journey through Advent. Each day of Advent has a word. You are invited to take a photo of what comes to mind from the word... or draw something.

From the challenge: Advent is a time to reflect on the coming of the Christ child. As part of your preparation this season, consider joining in this semi nature-focused photo-a-day challenge with words from nature themed Advent songs by drawing or taking a picture that represents the day’s word and posting it to social media sites of your choice (FaceBook, Instagram, etc). You are also invited to share your post on the Bamboo Encounter FaceBook page, using the hashtags: #AdventPhoto, #(word of the day), #BambooEncounter when you post.

WORDS:
December 1— Hope
December 2— Wait
December 3— Darkness
December 4— Prepare
December 5— Light
December 6— Creator
December 7— Promise
December 8— Peace
December 9— Nature
December 10—Gift
December 11— Wonder
December 12—Alert
December 13— Stars
December 14— Wilderness
December 15— Joy
December 16— Dawn
December 17— Earth
December 18— Longing
December 19—Clouds
December 20— Journey
December 21—Heaven
December 22— Love
December 23—Anticipation/Expectation
Christmas Eve, December 24—Rest
Christmas Day, December 25— Birth/Born

If you would like a PDF version, email bambooencounter@gmail.com and request one.

I am looking forward to this journey.
Debra, Bamboo Encounter

December 1--

Today's Advent word is #hope. Here is my Advent wreath. What brings me hope? Experiencing Creator in creation and noticing how creation makes a way when there seems to be no way. #AdventPhoto #AdventWord2024 #BambooEncounter

December 2--

Today's word is #wait.

I wouldn't have needed to wait if I had attempted to outrun the arms, like the guy behind me wanted me to do. I am okay with waiting. He wasn't happy. I got out of my car and in Spanish (because that was at least one of his languages), I asked if there was a problem. I stayed near my car, but I was a tad frustrated. I wasn't going to risk my neck so he could get on through. So we waited. And waited. It was a slow train. I blew bubbles with my bubble stash. I asked forgiveness for the name in Spanish that arose so quickly in my frustration toward someone I didn't know.

Waiting can be unexpected at times. It reveals our character. Today it revealed to me that even when I am okay to wait, someone else can push my buttons. Keeping a calm, non-anxious presence while waiting takes practice. And bubbles. Bubbles offer me the chance to breathe and recieve peace.

By waiting, I lost nothing. I gained insight. Plus I didn't endanger myself or others.

#AdventWord #AdventPhoto

December 3--

Today's word is #darkness.

I went outside in the chilly air to check out the night sky. In the darkness, the lights from the stars shone brightly in the dark. The stars were visible because of the clear night and it was easy to see their light contrast the dark surroundings. I wonder how visible the light in each of us shines in the dark? Does our light contrast the dark surroundings? As I learned at camp, "it only takes a spark". May the light within each of us shine and glow brightly.
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord2024

December 4--

Today's word is #prepare.

On Wednesdays I go to Welcome Home of Chattanooga as a volunteer chaplain. My role varies, depending on what people need. Today I had some good conversations with several people. I also made a scrambled egg sandwich for a resident. Since that isn't my typical act of service, I needed to search for the needed items to make it. We may not always know where to find things, but we can look. We may not think our act of service is going to include making a sandwich, but we can be open to the opportunity. How can I prepare for the unexpected? By being open to the present moment and willing to offer all that I have and am. As I prepare during this Advent season for the coming of the Christ child, somehow I think I was already in his presence today.
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord2024

December 5--

Today's word is #light.

I think about light often. You might say it's a favorite reflection. ;)

Light shows up best in the dark.

These lights on the trees here don't show up in the light. Their brightness is only revealed in the dark.

Maybe that's what causes me to enter into darkness more willingly for myself or to walk it with others.

I know that light will shine. It will be seen in the darkness.

Will it be my light? Your light? Our lights together? I don't know.

What I do know is there is beauty in light, especially light that shines in the dark.

#AdventPhoto #AdventWord

December 6-- 

Today's word is #Creator.

Do you ever feel compelled to get out into creation? I do. Today, in fact, I felt the urge to get in some woods and water time with the Creator. Time with Creator always calms my soul, clears my mind, and restores peace. Being in creation allows me to see, hear, and smell things differently. The different perspective helps me listen more closely to the One who knows me best, the One who created me. I am grateful for some Creator time today in the woods and by the water. It was an ADVENTure. :)
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord

December 7--

Today's word is #promise.

As I mulched part of the backyard today, I made a path with the mower. It wasn't a complete labyrinth. It was more a simple path. Yet, in creating it, I realized I was being true to the playful and fun parts of me. That offered me joy. What struck me is that I realized I am committed to living into my true self-- the play, the fun. There have been many times over the years that I buried that part of me. To honor all that God created in me, I am committed to being open to what God is teaching me in this area and to living it out. A commitment is a promise. It's one for me to remember not only during this Advent season, but through the year. #AdventPhoto #AdventWord

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If you're interested in joining in for the rest of the Advent season, it's not too late. Start now. With the word of the day for today (whatever day you are reading this). 

Happy Advent!

Rev. Deb

Woods and Water

I spent some time outdoors today at Big Soddy Creek Gulf. It's one of my go-to places to get outdoors, to be in the woods, near water, in nature. I took my hammock and a blanket with me because I had full intentions to "hike and hang". I ended up exploring off trail to find the perfect hammock spot and found instead a beautiful creek spot with rocks, deep water, and some flowing water over rocks. There was  even one big rock with a crack in it that had two thin trees growing up out of it. I didn't end up in the hammock. That's okay. I was prepared. I hiked by the ridge overhangs and back down to the creek, creating my own path. When I was ready to go, I decided to cross the rocks to get to the other side of the creek and make my way to the trail on the other side. I could see the bridge from where I was, so I knew I didn't have far to go. The spot I was at today would be perfect in the warm weather to cool off and swim around. The water was clear and deep. 

I noticed birds chirping as I walked the path, leaves crunching underfoot-- especially in the off trail section. I unintentionally knocked down a very tall, but dead tree (TIMBER!) as I pulled on it to steady myself. I noticed the gurgling water in the creek and the stillness of the deeper areas of the pooled water. It was sunny with clear blue skies and 36 degrees Fahrenheit.

My "water and woods" time reminded my of the days I would take off into the mountain woods at my Dad's campground, Trails Inns of Dalton. I would go up into the woods by the creek and wander along the mossy creek bed. The water is comforting to me, as is the tree canopy. It's home.

I guess my soul needed to connect today. It felt good.

I wrote this for the Advent Word of the day, Creator:

"Today's word is #Creator.

Do you ever feel compelled to get out into creation? I do. Today, in fact, I felt the urge to get in some woods and water time with the Creator. Time with Creator always calms my soul, clears my mind, and restores peace. Being in creation allows me to see, hear, and smell things differently. The different perspective helps me listen more closely to the One who knows me best, the One who created me. I am grateful for some Creator time today in the woods and by the water. It was an ADVENTure. :)
#AdventPhoto #AdventWord?

I recently saw the word "adventure" written "ADVENTure" . I thought I had seen it in a book by Michael Roberts: Wanting More: Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. But as I went back to look for it, I couldn't find it. Hmmm..... Where did I see that? I know I read it somewhere. It caught my attention because it's the season of Advent for one. And two, I love a good adventure. Life is full of them.

As I explored the woods today, I considered my Advent ADVENTure and it felt good to get off the path, to go into the unknown willingly and intentionally (contrasted to, well, you know, kicking and screaming and simply having to). There is much unknown in life and we traverse it often (or at least that's my experience.)  But there is something different about setting out on an adventure with no exact plan other than to enjoy, to take in every moment, to make the most of the situation.

And though I didn't "hike and hang", I still had fun. It was definitely an adventure. Even the tree falling was adventurous. I wondered: 'could I have heard that tree fall if I hadn't been right next to it?' I'm kidding. Well, in truth, I DID think that. :) 

It was good to play in the woods. Yes, play. That's what it was. I did hike. But I played. I even blew bubbles on the way back to the car. All of those are spiritual practices for me and part of my ongoing spiritual formation.

Here are some of my photos from today's adventure at Big Soddy Creek Gulf.

Enjoy.

May you find ways to enjoy creation and have an ADVENTure this Advent Season.

Rev. Deb

Truck Tent Camping-- a new experience

Have you ever wanted to try something new, something different? Whether that was a new food or new hobby, a new author to read, etc., how did the new and different turn out? What did you learn? How did it expand your world?

I've been wanting to get back into tent camping for a while now. During the pandemic I set up my Kelty backpack tent in the backyard and enjoyed a night under the stars. We have "glamped" in a friend's tent in their backyard, enjoying the amenities of decorative lights, fans, and places to plug in our phones. 

The "itch" to camp wouldn't go away, but I was told that three quarters of a century bones weren't going to get on the ground again to camp. So my solution? A tent that went in the back of a truck. I researched and researched. Then one came available from a place I do some shopping locally. I got it. Then I researched truck mattresses, because of the "bone" thing and I knew comfort was important. I got some RV sized queen sheets that are a tad smaller. They don't have the side cut-outs like the mattress for the truck, but they work.

My Coleman camper stove from 40 years ago couldn't be found for this trip, so we invested in a camper stove. Prior to that I had already researched and found a Stanley camp French press for coffee and two coffee mugs that will keep the coffee warmer longer. 

We decided to do a trial run locally at Chester Frost Park for a night. I made our reservations about two weeks in advance, choosing a camp site on the water. It's one that we walk by often and it's near the new bath house. 

We had firewood to take with us to keep us warm and to cook our dinner (hotdogs). I made a small charcuterie board for an appetizer.

Knowing it was going to get cold, very cold, over night I brought 3 blankets for us and some hand warmers. The hand warmers weren't the new ones I had just gotten. I couldn't find those. They still worked, but only for about 30 minutes. The 3 blankets weren't enough for the mid to low 30 degrees Fahrenheit that we experienced. An electric blanket could have worked, as we were next to an electric outlet.

I am not sure that the retired guy will camp again until it warms up. I would be willing to give it another try. 

But the night was long and cold. I had taken two pairs of socks, but not wool ones. The semi-working hand warmers helped a bit, but not for long. My feet were the coldest part of me. 

Our adventure did teach us about the tent-- it is different from my Kelty backpacking tent and a tad more difficult to put up. But we did it. We learned about the mattress. I had watched a video about it and knew that the blower had a short cord to the cigarette lighter. "Short" meaning you couldn't blow it up inside the tent. We blew it up outside the tent and stuffed it inside. We will look for a better way to navigate that in the future.

The sunset was a highlight of our adventure, as was the morning fog on the water. 

In the morning, the tent was covered in dew. It wasn't going to dry out quickly enough and there was a possibility I might need to preach for my colleague who had contacted me the evening before. So instead of making coffee at the camp site and eating the banana bread we brought for breakfast, we packed up the things that were still outside (the camp chairs and wood) and made sure the tent was secure. We drove home with the tent in the back of the truck. That was a good lesson too! We now know that if we have to go somewhere once the tent is set up, we can. 

We let the tent dry out while we went to church. I didn't have to preach. I learned that the pastor was feeling better as soon as we got home. 

After church and after everything dried off and was washed and dried, we packed it all away..... until next time.

Besides lessons learned about our camping equipment, it struck me that others spend nights in tents because that is their home. They may or may not have wool socks or hand warmers to keep them warm through the cold night. I reflected on the fact that one night of cold and interrupted sleep was enough for me. What about those who experience night after night of that condition? It made me think of my friends I have met over the years who lived outside. It is a community of people I have served and worked with over many years. I got a glimpse of what living in the cold is like. Now I know to not only buy tube socks (that can be used for many things), but also some wools socks for warmth. I have given out hand warmers in the past. I will continue that.

Sometimes our life experiences are simply experiences. Sometimes they teach us things about ourselves. In addition to learning about the camping equipment and reflecting on those who sleep outdoors consistently, I guess you might say that I learned something about me.

When something gets into my mind seriously enough, there's no stopping it. It will grow and grow until it comes to life. I guess that's called "tenacious". Or, it could be "stubborn". Maybe it's "resilience". I don't know. What I do know is that through all the semi-difficult lessons of the experience, it was a great first experience for me.

I will do it again. I will do some things differently. But isn't that what learning is about? We learn to do things differently when they don't work or no longer work.

Ah, life lessons from a truck tent camping experience.

Peace, 

Deb

More photos: