Long Ago and Far Away

Zooming by at a thousand miles per hour is my life. I feel as though I am on a merry-go-round that has a broken power switch. Everything is a blur, and I can't catch my breath most of the time. It's all my fault.

I have my hand in so many different things lately. I've volunteered for each and every one of those things, too. I find myself wishing I could do more, but I can't breathe now as it is.

I've started a ministry at church. I started making teddy bears holding quilts for those in need of prayer and comfort. I will, starting next month, have other members of the congregation helping out. For now, I'm trying to make as many as I can during the week. I don't want the supply to run out -- just in case someone needs a lift in spirits. I truly love making these bears. I have such a wonderful time doing it. It can be time consuming, but it is worth every second spent on it.

There is a woman at church that has been sick. She's been sick for quite awhile. I walked her into the church and told her to choose a bear. We keep them on a table at the front of the church near the altar. She was emotional as she chose her bear. This is why I do it and why I am hoping that this will become an activity that will continue in the church for a very long time.

I volunteered to be an assistant cub scout leader. I figured that the "assistant" would mean that I would not have to bust a hump doing things for meetings. I was wrong. My husband is the leader of a den, and I am his assistant. Because he works from 5 am to almost 7pm, it is up to me to schedule the meetings, pull the meeting together and come up with activities so the boys can earn their badge. It's a lot of work, but thankfully, there isn't another meeting for another month. It will give me some breathing space.

I was asked quite a few times to be in charge of fundraising for the cub scouts. I didn't really want to do it. I don't like doing things that have to do with someone else's money. It's a responsibility that I didn't want. Also with everything else going on, I don't really have time.

I caved. I gave in. I told the Cubmaster that I would do it. It's a hectic life, I tell you. I just want to breathe.

I'm trying to pull together a Thanksgiving dinner at church. I want the church to host a dinner for those in need or for those who are going to be alone on Thanksgiving. I spoke with the Pastor and his wife about it. Both agree that it would be a wonderful idea. I thought the women's group would be the perfect place to get this in order, but I'm not so sure. The women's group, which I am a member of, seems to be focused on other things and when I broached the subject with the President of the group, I didn't get the enthusiasm that I got from the Pastor. I may have to bypass the group with this and see if I can get it sorted without them.

I just really would like the church to open their arms even further to the community. We need to embrace our community and do whatever we can. It's our way. It's supposed to be our way. It's a matter of putting things in motion and taking an initiative.

I have, hopefully, gotten the church involved in mentoring young children. I was introduced to a wonderful program which seeks mentors to spend time with children of incarcerated parents. It is a wonderful idea, and I am praying that the congregation accepts this. It will be introduced to the entire congregation on Sunday. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I also have a plan in motion, in my head, for the Christmas holidays. I am hoping to convince the church to "adopt" several families for the holidays. I thought we could collect gifts for them, wrap them and present the gifts to them at a special holiday dinner we would put together. The more I think about this idea, the more that I like it. We shall see if it has wings and will soar.

My baking business has taken off in a surprising way. I've been busier than a beaver at a log convention! I never expected business to boom like this, especially when our economy is so bad. But it seems that people want to celebrate things and forget. I will gladly help them celebrate!

November is a month that I just cannot wait for! Not only will I be celebrating my gloriously wonderful 41st birthday, but I will also be going on a spiritual retreat. I am looking forward to being at a convent for almost 4 days, and doing nothing but praying. Peace and serenity will be mine! Well, at least I hope it will be :)

Boy, did it feel good to write. I haven't had time to do it lately and I miss it so much.