The Forgotten Room

It's been almost 6 weeks since I moved from Small Town to City by the Sea. In those almost 6 weeks, I've had an image make an appearance in 3 separate dreams: the image of the forgotten room. Since it made its 3rd appearance last night, I thought maybe it was time to pay it a little attention.

In all 3 dreams I am living in a new house. I am mostly unpacked and settled in. In all 3 dreams I stumble on a large room at the front of the house, one I knew existed but had shut off and forgotten it was there. In the 1st dream, I walked into the room and knew I would make it a library. In the 2nd dream, it had a huge table in the middle of the room where I could spread out to sew (apparently I can sew in my dreams) and draw (apparently I can draw in them, too) and make all kinds of beautiful things. Last night when I opened the door to the forgotten room, I found that it had 3 walls of windows. One side looked out on the ocean, one on the bay, and one on the marsh. (I think my long, long walk on the beach to the tip of the island yesterday made an impact!) I knew it was meant to be my room to write. The water was my inspiration. Regardless of its specific purpose in each dream, each time I found it I was so surprised that I ever could have forgotten it. And I was so excited because I knew it was my room - a place that made me very happy

I've been told that in our dreams the house is a reflection of our self. If there's any truth to that, then what part of my self have I have closed off and forgotten? What is that place of peacefulness (bookstores and libraries are where I go to get away from it all), and creativity, and self-expression? Where is that place in me that is surrounded by inspiration? Why did I shut it off and forget it? How can I find it again? And what will it mean to me when I do find it?

Now I'm no great interpreter of dreams. I might even discount it as just an interesting dream - if it hadn't reappeared 3 times in such a short period of time. I believe that recurring dreams are trying to tell us something if we just pay close enough attention to hear what they are saying. Maybe you're better at reading dreams than I am. Any suggestions?

More Stars

* The kids seem to be settling into the school routine. The only hitch I'm aware of is that Emily misses her mama every day during lunch. Not sure why that's her hard time, but it is. I introduced her to the kissing hand today. That's what got Rosemary through the early years of school.
* The wheels are in motion for Rosemary to go on a mission trip to Honduras with her granddad in January. Exciting stuff!
* I took my first walk/run ever in the new neighborhood. It's been so hot! I enjoyed it. Had the opportunity to talk with some neighbors. It was my first run in 6 or 8 weeks. Distance not great, but it was enough to blow out some stress.
* Spent half the morning cleaning out my email inbox and acting on emails that have been on hold. Made much progress, but still have some weeding/tending left to do.
* Actually enjoyed cooking tonight. I make note of that, as it is not an everyday occurrence - neither the cooking nor the enjoyment! Lol!
* I just finished Pat Conroy's new novel. Loved it! No surprises there - I'm a Conroy fanatic. The setting is here in my new hometown. Can't wait to find some time to wander downtown to spot some of the places in the book. I'm a nerd like that!
* Have I mentioned how much I'm loving my new home, my new town, and my new church? Yes? Well I just can't say it enough!
* Eyes are getting heavy. Morning comes earlier during the school year.

The Difference Between Male and Female Pastors

Male pastors tackle administration, teach Bible studies, offer pastoral care, and moderate meetings.

Female pastors tackle administration, teach Bible studies, offer pastoral care, and moderate meetings with cramps.

That's all I have to say about that for now.

Four Weeks - Star Reports

I moved to a new house, a new city, a new church, a new world 4 weeks ago. I cannot begin to describe how much life has changed in just 4 weeks. So much has happened - so many stories that I haven't taken the time to write down. Many of them will be lost because no matter how much I think at the moment that I'll never forget, I usually do. Here are a few snapshots:

* I LOVE the house! Sure, there are little things that aren't perfect. For example, I haven't been able to get all the internet connections/wireless router stuff ironed out yet. It will come. In the meantime, just one computer at a time (which means Rosemary and I have to alternate) and we have to be wired to the modem. Stupid little first world problem, right?! Still, I LOVE the house!!

* I LOVE the church! I haven't felt this welcomed or this respected professionally in a long time. I know it's the honeymoon and I know it can't last forever. But dang! It feels so good after the blah of the last few years!

* I LOVE this city! I wasn't sure I could survive leaving the mountains. Just looking at the mountains or driving through them - something that was a part of Small Town life - always soothed my soul. I miss the mountains, true. But I've found that water soothes the soul as well, and goodness knows that there is water everywhere around here. The beach is less than 30 minutes away. Rivers and marshes are all around. There is a beautiful park along the riverfront less than 2 miles from the church. This is a rich, diverse, beautiful, and interesting place to live.

* For 4 weeks my little family has lived 24/7 as a unit. No babysitters. No childcare. I had become accustomed to dropping the kids off at the sitter's. Not having those breaks was tough at times, but I think it has grounded us as a family in our new environment. The first 2 weeks we spent unpacking our boxes and exploring our community. The last 2 weeks they've all gone to work with me. It would have been easier on me (but harder on them) to take them to daycare these past 2 weeks. I'm so glad I didn't. They now know where Mama is and what Mama does when she is at work. They feel secure in our home, in our church, and in our city. The first week of school I'll pick them up every day when school lets out. Next week they'll start in the after school program for 2-4 days of the week, depending on each week's schedule.

* My little ones start first grade tomorrow. Amazing. I took the last day of summer off of work and we spent the afternoon enjoying the SC Aquarium. I will miss my little rascals when school starts, but I think we're all ready for routine. Emily will celebrate her 6th birthday on the 2nd day of school. (Note to self: don't forget to make and deliver cupcakes to her class!!)

* My oldest child is a senior. A senior, for goodness sake!! How did that happen? After much research and consideration, I decided to grant her request to do her senior year online at one of our state's virtual high schools. Her school supplies arrived last week - a brand new Dell laptop, a computer tablet, a printer, a memory stick, headphones, and laptop case. School for her doesn't start until the 31st. She is excited over the flexibility. I am excited to see my 17-year-old this happy and relaxed after making such a move at this stage of her life.

*Rosemary's best friend from Small Town spent the week with us last week. She was the lowest maintenance teenage girl I've ever met! Except for eating. She eats nothing but chicken. Or very plain pizza. Occasionally a hotdog. Thank God, she was easy with breakfast food! Even with that, I hated to see her go. The whole family enjoyed her company.

* Last week my new church participated in a presbytery sponsored mission project. School clothes and supplies were distributed to almost 700 children in need over 2 nights at the church. I got more sticky, sweaty, sweet child hugs in those 2 nights than I've gotten in a lifetime. LOVED IT! :) Presbytery-wide, about 4000 children received supplies. Wow!

*Two of my big scheduling goals in my new work are (1) sermon draft finished on Thursday, and (2) Friday off. Really off, as in spend the day at the beach, or exploring, or reading, or resting. For 2 consecutive weeks I've succeeded. It feels really, really good.

* We've moved, we're settling, and now it's time to do something about the hole in the family that was left when Scratch died. Rosemary and Emily want a little prissy dog. Coach and Ian want a 'real' dog. I am seeing a 2 dog addition to the family, I think. (Heaven help us!) Big dog breeds we're researching include German shepherd and Weimaraner. (The only thing those 2 breeds have in common is that they aren't small!) The girls are pretty set on a Yorkie mix - a Morkie, perhaps. (Yorkie/Maltese). As for me, I'm pretty easy to please as long as they can be trained to live happily with kids and cats. I'm open to suggestions/warnings/words of advice!

* Last, but definitely not least, this move is good for my relationship with Coach. Lots of smiles over here. :) I haven't shared anything about this now yearlong relationship in awhile. I was so afraid for so long that it was too good to be true, but we're passing the tests of time and challenges. Life is good! More to come . . .

Look Out . . .

When I finally get a little time and some reliable internet coverage, I will have a LOT to tell you! So many changes in the last month since I posted. Life is good!