Do you have Snow-fu?

We are the proud new owners of snow shovels. A big one for Karl and I and two small ones for the boys. So far I have been assured that a snow blower may only be necessary once or twice a year. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on that, if you have snow-fu. Snow-fu is like Kung Fu only you kick butt with your knowledge of winter.

One day I will too have Snow-Fu. First I must ice on and ice off. Second I must survive one Wisconsin winter. Third I will learn when to plant bulbs before the freeze. There are probably steps I am missing.

I love Eau Claire. Yes, I am a South Carolina girl wondering where you put your shoes when you walk around in snow boots. Do you carry them in a bag?

Ordination

Standing before the world
Standing before the precipice
It is the moment of recognition
The moment of waiting has ended
Ministry is here and now
The hands have touched your forehead
The hands have reached from one to the other
From young to old, large to small - we are reaching
reaching to ordain a person
reaching to the world with another clear call
that there is work to do
that there is brokenness
there is healing in one more hand
one more light
one more voice

This call is a moment in time
but the call echoes onward
to be answered and heeded
and ever remembered.

The Holidays don't wait.

My kids don't get the gimmes from commercials, they grab the circulars from Toys R Us from the Sunday paper apparently. They are circling toys they want right now. There is no escape!

Ordination and Installation

Sunday at 4PM I will start a service as Julianne and end it as Rev. Julianne Lepp - the installed minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Eau Claire.

Congregational bathrooms have been remodelled, my diploma is being hung and I have new shelves for my office. There is a new sign front with the chalice designed for my ordination theme. There are so many changes and yet there are services beyond this one that need planning and meetings, of course. There are children that need to go to bed on time and homework that needs checking. So many checks and balances in this rich life.

The planning for this has been much like a wedding. We will have flowers and music. We have guest lists and people descending from many places. It will be holy. It will be lovely.

This is everything I have prepared for these years of seminary, internship, and chaplaincy. I am prepared, yet I will not know fully that path until I stand there. I will not know that charge until I hear it. I will not know that mantle until it is given.