Testing Testing 1 2 3

Nothing like taking a year and 1/2 break from the blog. I have dear friends who are phenomenal at keeping theirs up to date. I believe mine is more an electronic scribble pad where I have left a smattering of memories. I seem to be the only one reading them, as far as I know, and will continue to randomly post the goings-on. Occasionally I will stumble upon them and reflect on what was so important at that time.

It's the beginning of June 2012. I graduated from Marylhurst a year ago. I have started two small businesses to as venues for 2 of my passions... coaching and consulting, and making custom cakes. C4 Creative & Combustive Coaching has not had much official business, but I'm doing all sorts of work here and there. Custom Cakeworks is currently in a busy stretch. I brought on Abby H as an independent contractor. She's on commission only. She is a true God send!!

Wil is 15 and about to finish his freshman year of high school. Tonight we had the end of season BBQ for the lacrosse program at his school. He is a hair shy of 6' and wears a size 12 shoe (if not bigger at this point). His future plans at this moment are to attend OSU and study engineering. Perhaps civil.

Ben is 9 and wrapping up 3rd grade. This uber curious question asker is also thinking he wants to be an engineer. He decided that he and his best friend, Austin I, will both attend OSU, be room mates and both become engineers. We'll see how that one goes. Ben tested in to the TAG program as intellectually gifted. As a result, he will be attending TAG camp this summer at Reed College. (with Austin I, and Noah W).

Two years ago during a church planters coaching training event God put it on my heart to plant a new faith community starting with the graduated youth. That has NOT officially begun, but conversations are happening. I have been asked by the cabinet to take a lay person assigned position at Metzger UMC. Starting July 1 I will be leading worship, taking care of pastoral needs, and facilitating their journey into becoming a legacy church. It will be fascinating to read this in one year and see if I have actually birthed and buried churches in the same year. Anything is possible! I could even end up serving and planting at Pioneer UMC in St Johns (fell in love with them this spring. We had a 6 week mutual "romance" as I did a 6 week pulpit supply including Easter)

My faith is still strong, and my calling to help people on this part of their spiritual journey.. just showing up where they are and loving them through it is my vocation.

I've had some wonderful, deep, amazing friends - old and new- influence my past year. And since we are informed by our experiences, I can only add that my life is richer, my heart is fuller, and my faith in God to see me through anything is obnoxiously solid.

Oh ya... I noticed the 3 months of being "homeless with a home" and "unemployed with work" last year was not blogged. We'll see if i add that.

For now... sleep.

the Sea of Uncertainty

Wow! I think with the consistent use of email and Facebook I forgot about this blog.
I'm thinking not many people have been hankering for the blog to be updated, but here I am anyway.

It's a Monday morning, kids are off to school and I'm battling a mild case of the "I-don't-want-to's." Besides getting one more text book for school and laundry soap, I have no reason to leave the house. My friend, Kim, is expecting me at Zumba in an hour. But I'm just not feeling it.

I'd rather stay home and finish my paper that's due tonight. I'd also rather take a nap.

I am in a season of uncertainty and acute responsibility. Doing my best to be gentle with myself and not let too much go by unattended.

If you read this, please pray for me and the boys as we navigate this season.

Nov 1st

WOW! Is it really the beginning of November???

Must be. The clocks are changed and there are piles of sorted Halloween candy on my table.

While the kids spent the weekend w/ Dad, I attended one my classes this term... Rhythm-based communication. AMAZING!!! I had the honor of participating in a drum circle for the very first time! Can't wait to do it, again! and to get the boys involved.

I finished and delivered a Dodger's b'day cake today. Turned out great! and was my first vegan one, as well. It was yummy!!

Time to work on math homework and prepare for the coming week.

The crud

"You are sick, but you are not sick enough for meds. You might be later this week. Come back in then" said the nurse practitioner on Monday. It's Wednesday night. My ears are worse, cough is now "textured" and there is the occasional rattle when I breathe. Oh, and best of all... the fever.

I was commiserating with a friend on FB. We both have been "sweating it out."

Today I had an unusual nap experience. I woke up drenched with sweat. I rolled over and went back to sleep. This pattern continued until I had no more dry spots on the bed. Cracking myself up, actually.

Now the sheets are clean, dry, and ready to be put back on the bed. I wonder if I'll have the same experience during the night? hm.

A throwback to my days growing up, "Time to doctor up and get to bed."

A Day to Celebrate

I got a phone call around 8:30am October 7, 2002.

The nurse said "Dr. Robinson wants you to come in for a stress test. Can you be here by 10am?"

Having had an ultrasound the week prior, I assumed they found something they wanted to check out. I wasn't due until the 17th, so I didn't think much of it. I did not call Dennis at work. I just went to their office.

I had experienced Braxton-Hicks contractions for several months and didn't think this was any different. They strapped me in and hooked me to the monitor. I was told to push the button on the device in my hand whenever I felt a contraction. I pushed it rather often.

The Dr came in and explained that they called me in because of a concern about the amount of amniotic fluid. The results were read wrong and there was no problem. She then said, "I cannot send you home in good faith. You are in labor."

OH my.

I was a few days shy of the hospital's safe-to-deliver date in regards to the lung development. So they moved me to a "holding area" and monitored my contractions until they could officially admit me.

Priceless phone call was made at this point...

"Hey Dennis! How are you? What are you doing around 2pm today?"

"Um, I'll be at work, why?"

"Any chance you could swing by the house and pick up a few things then meet me at the hospital? Looks like we're having a baby today."

silence.

stuttered sounds in an attempt to find the words

"uh, sure."

After being moved to the holding area, I called my best friend, Lisa, who was the Occupational Therapy supervisor at that hospital.

"Hi Lisa! What are you doing during lunch? Will you have time to swing by the OB floor and visit me?"

"WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?"

more stuttered sounds trying to find the words

Just after 8pm that night, Benjamin Lucas Dirren arrived!!

For several reasons he was delivered C-section. One of which was him being breach. He made a unique and surprising arrival...as being pulled out my his feet, he peed as soon as it hit the cold air. =)

At age 7, I can attest that experience was a foreshadow of his life. He does not pee anytime it hits the cold air, but he certainly is unique and surprises us.

thank you, God, for this amazing being and the opportunity to be his mom!

bio/psycho/spiritual integration

that is the title of the course I am taking this weekend.

wow! WOW!

I believe everything is connected.

I believe every experience affects us on each level, to some degree.

I believe I shall finish my lunch break and get back to class.

Ben 1 sink 0

The sink in my bathroom had a clog. Ben leaned under the sink the other day to "listen" to the water and try to figure it all out. He said, "Mom, let me know when we have time to fix this. It's just dripping here" (pointing to the P trap).

Tonight I handed him a plastic bin, towels, and a long screwdriver.

We set the towel and tub under the pipes. I loosened the nuts and he

removed the P trap. "eWW! this is stinky!" he complained.

I had him release the stopper assembly and take out the stopper.

He refused to use the screwdriver and push the clog out.

But once it was out, he put everything back together.

woo hoo!

He knows he can clean a clog (prep it for mom to push out) but does not want to be a plumber. He informed me he wants to be a police officer.

When I told him he'd be dealing with a lot of other yucky stuff he said, "it won't be this bad."

I'll let his Dad explain that one later.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Fall term 2009 started today! woo hoo!

count down to June 2011 has officially began! (as a full time student, that is)

I will be stretching my mind, creativity, and body.

Math, communication classes, drawing, and yoga.

Yep, yoga. No, it's not for credit.

The transition from the end of ICYM to being a full time student is complete.

I am looking forward to this "routine" for the next few years.

It's official! I am the parent of a teenager!!

Today, Sept 25th is Wil's 13th birthday!!

Although he has been acting like a teenager for several years, it is now for real.

He just went to bed (yes, midnight on a school night) after having gone to The Killers concert w/ his Dad. Tomorrow night I will host a co-ed party (the girls will go home after the movie and guys spend the night).

Our culture does not have many rites of passages.

The best we can do is love them though it.

He's a great kid! I am having so much fun being his mom!

He seems to be having a great year, so far, too. The other day he says to me, "I don't know about you, but my social life is rockin'!"

more blogging AFTER the party

End of summer term

paper is done & in!

talked w/ a few good friends

had a lovely dinner w/ more good friends

and to top it off, Wil and I had the chance to see Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol!

One way to view the past few days

				F
	L			R	E	F	L	E	C	T
	A			I
	M			E
S	E	R	E	N	D	I	P	I	T	Y
A	N			D			E
I	T		I	S			A		C
N		H					C		A
T	O	E	S			H	E	A	L
		A							L
	P	R	A	Y	E	R

A creative reflection of my life the past few days…

ACROSS:

To review and respond, mirroring back

Making fortunate discoveries by accident

Before a noun beginning with a vowel

___ is what it ___ (two clues)

These still looked good after the foot got burned

What the burn is doing rather well

What gets me by

DOWN:

Priceless; what I cannot live without

Crying out in sorrow and grief

How some of my #1 down have been this week

Goal and state of mind

Instrument of connection, joy, and serendipity

What one MUST do before all else

Where am I?

Driving in an unfamiliar area, walking downtown, riding the MAX or METRO...all situations where I have stopped and asked (either out loud or to myself) "Where am I?"

I've been teaching, facilitating a group, or giving a message, and gone off on a tangent, or stopped to field a question, then looked at my notes (mental or written) and asked, "Where am I?"

Recently my home has been going through a major reorganization. On more than one occasion I have gone upstairs to put something away, stopped to do some laundry, which led to putting it away, then finding a note that needs attention. Without fail, my attention is drawn in another direction with the ringing of the phone or being beckoned by the boys. Eventually I stop and ask, "Where am I?"

Regardless of the setting, I realize the value in stopping and asking that simple question. To be reoriented is a good thing. It gets you back on track. It allows for you to become face to face with the "map" and ask for guidance.

This summer has been one of sailing through the neutral zone, "no man's land" as one has said. I've asked "Where am I?" on many occasions, only to be tossed about in a different direction. What I thought were buoys, lighthouses, significant sailing partners joining me ON the journey, I have realized were markers and rather temporary.

This has gotten me down.

I've been known to get seasick. On the ferry between Maine and Nova Scotia and on Dennis' dad's 47' sailboat in the ocean near San Diego. There was not much I could have done on the ferry to make the nausea subside, but there was on the sailboat. I found that the seasickness came when I was just sitting there, not participating in helping the boat on it's journey. If I had a job and was part of the team, I felt fine.

This summer has been more of a solo-trip, with frequent newbie deckhands with the names Wil and Ben. We are sailing towards the land of September. This is where school starts for them, and then me. Not an unfamiliar journey through summer; however, this is the first time in my life that I can recall being truly out there in the open waters like never before.

Familiar ports were closed. As one who loves adventure you might think I'd sail on happily. Yes and no. I am thrilled about where I am going in regards to the scholarship and going to school full time. What I struggle with is the feeling of being rejected from ports that have been integral parts of my life, where I once belonged.

This is the neutral zone.

Set sail from one side and not yet received on the other.

How you navigate the neutral zone determines your arrival on the other side. ya ya ya

I teach it, I preach it, and now I'm living it like never before.

I know I will get through this. I also know it will be a significant mark on my spiritual journey. For I know this to be true... while some call this "No man's land" I call it "no man's land - just 'God and me' land."

So where am I? I am bobbing about the rest of the summer's journey. And will be for some time.

Am I lost? not so much, just not in familiar territory.

And trying to keep my foot dry. (it is healing well, I understand as Paige said, "it's a healthy pink and scarring really well)

Rites of Passage

Wil is 12. 1 month away from 13.

This evening I have the honor of watching a classic movie with him. One of the best movies of all time..."Wayne's World".

Priceless mother and son moments =)

"Excuse me, I'd like to get by now"

memories and souveniers

The Reynolds Family is certainly a fun and well-connected group.

We just returned from the 2009 Family Reunion. The majority of

us get together a few times each year, holidays and such. The whole

gang tries to gather every three years or so, whether we want to or not -

hahaha

This year we celebrated mom's 80th birthday and welcomed friends,

old and new. Lots of superb memories and thanks to my cousin, Steve,

I have the souvenier of burn on my foot.

Oh well.

He scarred me at age 5 on my left ankle... what's another scar at 41?

Until another gathering at Alpine Chalets on the beautiful Oregon coast...

the Reynolds' clan will gather when and where possible, in whatever grouping

is available.

Compassion, conviction, compulsion

which is it?

July 31, 2009

nothing spectaluar about today so far...

just the awareness of it's placement in the calendar and my life.

2009 is more than 1/2 way over. huh? I can certainly say it has been full of opportunities, rich experiences, and vision and hope for the future.

I turned in one paper today and have 2 due next week.

My house re-oranization experience is more than 1/2 way done.

Our Reynolds family reunion starts this week.

The fall course schedule is now available.

more opportunities and vision and hope for the future!

My calendar for the rest of the year has 2 catagories of entries, so far...

birthdays and the start and end of the term.

There are activities and such waiting to be scheduled, but no rush.

I like that.

The Great Slide Puzzle

Remember those thinker toys called slide puzzles?

There are usuallly 16 spaces for 15 tiles.

or some other matrix with one less tile than spaces.

I have often referred to life as a slide puzzle.

This week I am living it!

Since my job has ended and I only have 6 credits

of school this term, I have time (and no excuses)

to organize!

Yes, the garage, the main living area, and eventually

each of the bedrooms and the laundry room.

It's not as easy as put this here and that there.

NooOOOOoooo.

This stuff is gone through and sorted.

That stuff is moved over here so I can move the shelves over there, THEN, it can be put on them.

For those who have been in my home, the pew is now in the garage and the wooden shelving moved one turn to the left and is on that wall. I was given an old entertainment center and will be receiving a work bench tomorrow. I am creating my "Christy Space". If I were male, it might be referred to as a 'man cave'.

Nonetheless, it's quite a chore! And each time a box or bin is touched, it is gone through.

My goal...to have a place for everything (that is kept) and everything in it's place.

I cannot promise it will stay that way. In fact, I can guarentee it won't.

But at least this huge sliding of the puzzle pieces will be significant and make a big difference.

(YAY! Freecycle! and Good Will)

It is what it is.

A common phrase used in many areas of life these days.

According to the Urban Dictionary, it's along the lines of "whatever, screw it, forget about it".

It's use in my world is somewhat "self-leveling". The situation may not be what we want, it may not be what we'd hoped or worked for, it may not even make sense, but "it is what it is".

(You know... you don't get what you want, you get what you get.)

So what is "it"?

"It" is the reality of the situation.

"It" is the realization of the limits or boundaries of something.

"It" is the acknowledgment of one's concluded thoughts after serious contemplation.

"It" is something we cannot control, and we have the power to not let it control us.

"It" exists and our responsibility is to figure out what to do with "it".

What are your thoughts?

Would you respond, "They are what they are?"

Sparkler moment

July 4th, 1979

Camp Highroads, Middleburg, Virginia

It was my first week of summer camp. I did NOT want to be there. Mom and Dad made me go.

The final night of camp was the 4th of July. We stood in a circle, each of us holding a sparkler (the old fashioned metal ones that lasted a long time). Someone started singing and lit the sparkers on either side of them. The song was "Pass It On".

I was not familiar with the song and had not had experienced anything like that.

Next thing I knew I was bawling. I do not recall any lyrics past "It only takes a spark" until "I'll shout it from the mountain tops, PRAISE GOD!"

It was at that moment that my relationship with God became significant.