tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57068435693606929692024-02-06T18:03:42.399-08:00Robyn's NestRev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-20004753580957270172013-12-06T05:08:00.000-08:002013-12-06T05:08:18.167-08:00Are You Observing a "Blue" Christmas This Year? <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">JOY
to the world. Really? When a loved one has died and you are facing
your first Christmas without them (or even second), it is easy to wonder if there will be any
joy in your home this year. It is normal
to wonder, “What’s so happy about the holidays this year?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
his book, Don’t Take My Grief Away from Me, Doug Manning compares the pain of
grief to a cut finger:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"It is numb
before it bleeds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
bleeds before it hurts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
hurts until it begins to heal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
forms a scab and itches until finally the scab falls off and a small scar is
left where once there was a wound."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Manning
continues, saying “Grief is the deepest
wound you have ever had. Like a cut
finger, it goes through stages and leaves a scar.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Wherever
you are in your grief journey right now, the holiday season has a way of
affecting the wound of grief. You may
experience new pain and discomfort. You
may find that the wound of grief is at risk for infection and needs extra
attention and care. The tender scab may
get ripped off prematurely. If your
wound is scarred now, you may find that scar “rubbed the wrong way” by the
season, left feeling irritated and tender. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It
may be tempting to think that skipping Christmas all together is the best way
to avoid this pain and discomfort. Of
course, that’s not really an option and it would not be sound advice in any
case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Coping
with the holidays after loss is not about deciding how to eliminate pain from
our lives, but rather learning to live with grief instead of being consumed by
it. Folks who have walked this journey
before – and my own personal experiences- have taught me some ways to cope with
the challenges of the holiday season following loss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Anticipation
is often worse than reality. Be
realistic. This holiday season will be
different from any other because your loved one is no longer with you. There will be pain but don’t try to block the
bad moments. Be ready for them. Lay in a supply of tissues. Let those moments come and be what they
are. Express the pain. Don’t hold it
in. Cry.
Do what you have to do. Then let it go.
Remember that grief is the price we pay for love. Grief is an expression of our love and our
longing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Plan
ahead. People who are grieving often
have trouble concentrating and making decisions. Don’t wait til the last minute to try to
decide what you need and want to do.
Make lists of those things. What
I need to do. What I want to do. Then
prioritize everything. Decide early what
is really important. You don’t have to
do it all. It is okay, even necessary,
to redefine your expectations of yourself and others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Be
kind and gentle, with yourself. Be
patient with yourself and with others.
When you have figured out what you <i>need</i>
to do, stop and consider whether you <i>can</i>
do it. Your physical, emotional and
spiritual energy is not at optimum levels when you are bereaved. Balance what you think you should do against
what you are able to do and then make compromises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Communicate! People do care, but they cannot read your
mind. Be intentional about keeping the
lines of communication open between yourself, your family and your
friends. If you can, tell others what
you need. Tell them what you need, what
you can do and what you cannot do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Tradition
can be defined in a very fluid way this year.
Some people find comfort in the traditions of the past and will want to
maintain those traditions as much as possible.
Others will need to change traditions this year in order to take care of
themselves and acknowledge how very different this Christmas is because of the
death of their loved one. There is no
right or wrong here. Different people
simply have different needs. Don’t
necessarily toss out all traditions, but communicate with one another and do
what feels best for you and your family.
Know that any changes you make this year do not necessarily have to be
carried over to another year.
(Example: hotel, pizza etc.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Take
care of yourself physically. Eat right
and exercise. Get your flu shot. The stress of grief has a tremendous impact
on your physical well-being. Grief,
especially grief that is suppressed, will suppress the immune system and makes
us more vulnerable to illness. Avoid
excesses of alcohol and caffeine. Taking
a mult-vitamin may be a good idea, but always consult with your doctor before
taking any new medications or supplements…and make sure your doctor knows you
have suffered a loss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Remember
the children in your family. Teenagers
should be included in family discussions and decisions. Even the youngest children can be included in
remembrance rituals, such as lighting a candle each evening in memory of your
loved one or hanging a special ornament on the tree. Let children help with the baking of
grandma’s special pecan pie or let an older child take over the tradition of
Grandpa’s reading of the Christmas story on Christmas eve. Right now the children in your life are
watching and learning how to cope with stress and loss and change. You are their role model and teacher. This is an awesome responsibility. Please ask for help if you need it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hold
on to your purse, wallet and credit cards.
You can’t spend your grief away, though you may be tempted to try. Similarly, expensive toys and gadgets will
not do as much for the children in your family as an honest sharing of grief
and of the precious memories of their loved one. When you do choose to shop, shop on your
“good” days. Avoid crowds and additional
stress by shopping on-line or asking others to help you with these chores. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Honor
you loved one’s memory by reaching out to others. Involve the entire family in taking gifts to
a nursing home, making a donation in your loved one’s name to a charity, such
as hospice or another mission. Buy
mittens for a mitten tree or visit the elderly.
Not only do you honor your loved one’s memory, but you get a fresh
perspective on your own situation when you reach out to help others in
need. You also foster an attitude of
gratitude for the blessings you still have in your life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Finally,
keep the faith. Christmas is first, last
and always the celebration of God’s great love for us born in a manger in
Bethlehem. God’s love for you is truth. It is a fact.
In the harsh reality of the pain of your grief you may not FEEL that
love right now. You know what? That’s okay.
It’s okay because the TRUTH of God’s LOVE for us has never depended upon
our ability to FEEL it at any given moment in time. Let me say that again: The TRUTH of God’s
LOVE for us has never depended upon our ability to FEEL it at any given moment
in time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We
go through our days. One moment we are
up. The next we are down. Today we are
healthy. Tomorrow we may have the flu or
upper respiratory crud that has been going around. A baby is born. A loved one dies. Our emotions are all over the place, up down
and all around , changing with the ever-changing circumstances of our
lives. Happiness is here today, gone
tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But
God’s love never changes. God’s love
never fails. God’s love for you is
TRUTH. It is a FACT that God loves you, even if you can’t FEEL it tonight. Even if you don’t FEEL it on Christmas
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Do
not despair. Whatever else you may be
feeling- it will will pass. That is the
nature of emotion. Just say a brief
prayer – something like “God, I can’t feel your love right now. I’m too sad/angry/scared…But I am choosing to
believe that you are here and you love me even now. Thank you.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
Lord says Turn toward me and I will turn toward you. Take one step toward home and your Heavenly
Father throws his arms wide open ready to receive you. All of this, because of the life, death and
resurrection of the baby boy born in Bethlehem.
God’s love in flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is why we sing… or perhaps we can only listen
or hum along. But the music of Christmas
will not be stilled. We are going to
hear it in the grocery store. We will
hear it on the radio. And we will even
hear it within our own hearts and lives And it will be okay. For every song of Christmas is a love song
from God, for you. Keep the faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-26314056329122410592013-02-18T13:11:00.000-08:002013-02-18T13:11:04.715-08:00What brings you down? Up?Friends,<br />
As most of you have realized by now I have't done a very good job keeping my blog updated. I can only tell you that life seems to keep me very busy, which has always been true. Beyond that there are things happening in my life that tend to pull me down and rob me of the creative energy I need to do the writing I want to do.<br />
<br />
To begin with, every year about January I get hit by the mid-winter funk -- I suppose this is my own version of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Being hit by storm after storm in January and home alone to deal with the weather did not help my situation any. Neither did falling and injuring myself- a painful injury that I am still struggling to recover from. <br />
<br />
Caregiving for parents is another responsibility - accepted with love and gratitude - but still very draining. If you have been a caregiver I know you know how difficult and draining this can be.<br />
<br />
So it is a challenging time. <br />
<br />
However, there are those things that help to lift my spirits. I try to remain positive even though it may be a challenge some days. Here are a few things that help: <br />
<br />
My daughter, Amber, has quit her job to return to school and Noah (grandson) is in all day kindergarten, so we are now free of our 3-4 nights per week babysitting responsibility. It is such a joy to be able to do things with Noah just because we want to hang out with him. He brings a contagious kind of energy with him wherever he does that never fails to lift the spirits. Whether he is turning cartwheels or flipping hand stands, practicing his karate kicks or playing the drums, ENERGY is what he is all about. His hugs and kisses are great, too. We are so proud of Amber and her decision to return to school to pursue her life long dream of becoming a Veterinary Assistant. She is doing well and seems motivated by her desire to provide a better life for herself and Noah Michael.<br />
<br />
As always, music feeds me spirit. Songs never cease to move me. Some move me to praise and thanksgiving. Some move me to confession and repentance. Some move me to empathy with those who mourn and some move me to remember times in the past, times when God's grace sustained me - though I couldn't see it at the time.<br />
<br />
Focusing on gratitude keeps me focused on the light when I struggle to believe that things will be better one day in the future. To that end, I am intentionally keeping a gratitude journal where I record 5 things for which I am grateful each day. When I am tempted to turn my back on this daily discipline I am encouraged by the song <i>10,000 Reasons</i> by Matt Redman and imagine that in 5+ years I might actually have a list of 10,000 reasons "for my heart to sing." <br />
<br />
Finally, I seek to find that balance between being vulnerable enough to receive the support and loving care others have to offer without becoming that person others don't want to be around. My deepest prayer is that through all the seasons of my life God's grace will keep alive in me the assurance that I am His precious child, loved beyond measure and that this assurance will be enough...Enough to keep me a person of hope and light who walks in the peace that passes all understanding. <br />
<br />
I invite you to share those things that bring you down? And the things that lift you up? I think this could be a very valuable sharing. Please leave your comments and suggestions. Pray for me, as I pray for you.<br />
<br />
God bless.<br />
<br />
RobynRev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-10052044563470792012-10-11T06:09:00.001-07:002012-10-11T06:09:23.424-07:00Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is October 15th <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pregnancy
and Infant Loss Remembrance Day</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Supporting
Families in Pain </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCib3E6_x4OGYzfBK5u3jr9gcUatgSkWz51OwGQp-CfyYbL9klARxjT6nGRCFswN1efRSyMe1PZ_-66ikg8VdW69HpU-_VIywQZO-TsadvYdTGiWD9b5e9EQYX2w6-VkxKcJ6YWCsOaGdu/s1600/2011-12-06+08.29.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCib3E6_x4OGYzfBK5u3jr9gcUatgSkWz51OwGQp-CfyYbL9klARxjT6nGRCFswN1efRSyMe1PZ_-66ikg8VdW69HpU-_VIywQZO-TsadvYdTGiWD9b5e9EQYX2w6-VkxKcJ6YWCsOaGdu/s400/2011-12-06+08.29.31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Forever Loved" candle created by Ronda Sternhagen of Grundy Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> When you lose your parents you are called an
orphan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you lose a spouse you are
called a widow or widower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a parent
loses a child there is no word to describe them or the loss they’ve suffered. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">October 15<sup>th</sup> is Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Remembrance Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In October 1988
President Ronald Regan proclaimed October as Infant Loss Awareness Month. “This
month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States
and around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is meant also
to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to
miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, still birth, birth defects,
SIDS and other causes.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> According to a 2004 National Vital Statistics Report
issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the year 2000
15.6% of all pregnancies in the U. S. ended in miscarriage or stillbirth. The
CDC also reports that in 2003 the number of live births in the U.S. was
4,093,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of these, 27,500 ended in the
death of the infant before the age of one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Robyn Bear, founder of </span><a href="http://www.october15th.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.october15th.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">,
recognized the need grieving families have to honor their loss and remember
their child in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing October is
Infant Loss Awareness month, she chose a date in the middle of the month to
establish as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robyn envisions a day when all grieving
families can come together and be surrounded by the love and support of family
and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hopes this day can be a
time for communities to seek greater understanding of the pain of these losses
and learn how to reach out to those who are grieving the death of an
infant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a day to reflect on the
loss, but also a day to embrace the love of children whose lives were very
short, yet very meaningful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Everyone is invited to participate in the October 15<sup>th</sup>
Wave of Light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All persons in every time
zone are encouraged to light a candle at 7 p.m. that evening and leave it lit
for at least one hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will create
a continuous wave of light around the entire world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If you, or someone you know, has suffered this kind of loss, please honor the memory of their precious child/children by lighting a candle on Monday evening. Better still, send them a card or short note just letting them know you are thinking of them on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> To learn more, visit </span><a href="http://www.october15th.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.october15th.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-87400403582737531322012-09-12T12:28:00.000-07:002012-09-12T12:28:52.556-07:00National Suicide Prevention Week: September 9-15 September 9-15 is <b>National Suicide Prevention Week</b>. Suicide is one of the most difficult losses imaginable. I remember sitting with a family at the funeral home after a young father of two had died by suicide. I'll call him Jim. Years earlier Jim's father had died by suicide, also. What I remember most about that difficult time of being with the family as they planned Jim's funeral service is how his mother kept pleading for understanding and expressing disbelief. "How could he do this to his wife and children?! He <i>knew </i>how hard it was for us after his dad died. He <i>knew</i>. How could he do this? "<br />
Like all soul-full questions surrounding the time of the death of a loved one, there are no easy answers to why someone would take their own life. Personally, I've come to believe that such persons are in deep, deep pain and have lost the ability to believe that their pain will never end. All they can think about is making the pain stop. I think, as far as it goes, that is true. However, I am learning that the urge to take one's own life can be much more complicated.<br />
<br />
For example:<br />
<br />
9<b>0% of people who kill themselves are suffering from one or more mental illnesses*,</b> such as major depression- especially when combined with drug or alcohol abuse; bipolar disorder; post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or eating disorders. Most of these disorders that can lead to suicide are recognizable and treatable.<br />
<br />
<b>Signs of depression include: </b><br />
change in sleep patterns<br />
change in appetite or weight<br />
intense anxiety, agitation and irritability, or a feelings of "winding down"<br />
fatigue and loss of energy<br />
hopelessness<br />
excessive or inappropriate guilt<br />
trouble concentrating or forgetfullness<br />
<br />
<b>Signs of imminent risk for suicide include:</b><br />
verbal threat to hurt of kill oneself (It is a myth that if someone talks about suicide they won't do it)<br />
seeking ways to kill oneself (gun, pill or other means)<br />
having a plan or preparations made to harm oneself <br />
Engaging in reckless or risky behaviors<br />
Increase in violent or self-destructive behaviors<br />
Increasing alcohol or drug use<br />
withdrawal from family, friends and activities once enjoyed <br />
<br />
<b>50-75% of all persons who complete suicide give some warning of their intentions</b> to a friend or family member. ALWAYS take the warning signs of suicide seriously. Let the person you are concerned about know you are concerned and give specific reasons as to why you have become concerned. You must ask if they have considered hurting or killing themselves. This is hard. But how much harder will it be if they hurt themselves and you know you didn't ask? Find out if they are seeing a therapist or are on any medication. You cannot argue a person out of suicide. You can let them know that they are not alone. You can reassure them that help is available. You can make sure they seek professional help immediately by taking them or going with them or calling for assistance, if needed. If you believe the risk is so high they cannot wait to be seen in a mental health facility you may need to take them to an emergency room for immediate intervention. (This is a huge issue for our small, rural communities. The wait to see a psychiatrist - the doctor's who actually prescribe the meds that treat depression- can easily be 6 months long.) <br />
Never leave a loved one who is actively suicidal alone. Remove all firearms, weapons, drugs, sharp objects etc. from the area. Take them to an emergency room and or call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) <br />
<br />
Friends and family members of those who suffer from mental illness or are suicidal carry a significant burden. If your loved one is struggling with depression or another major mental illness, you need information and understanding just as much as they need treatment. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is a wonderful organization that offers classes and support groups for the loved ones of persons suffering from mental illnesses. Visit their site at <a href="http://www.nami.org/">www.nami.org</a><br />
<br />
<br />
If you are grieving the death of a loved one by suicide or if you would like to learn more about suicide prevention, I commend to you the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at <a href="http://www.afsp.org/">www.afsp.org</a>. There is much information here as well as on-line support groups. <br />
<br />
<br />
* Mental illnesses are <b><i>medical </i></b>conditions that disrupt a person's
thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily
functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental
illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished
capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. (from www.NAMI.org) Mental Illnesses, as the name implies, are disorders of the brain. <i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="interiorMaincol">
<span class="aboutsuicide"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-16097187531191153232012-08-16T18:16:00.000-07:002012-08-16T18:16:20.840-07:00A Meager Offering<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For weeks I have thought, “I <i>need</i> to write on my blog again,” and “I <i>ough</i>t to write on my blog again.”
The express purpose for my blog is “to assist me in being an encourager
to others. I have dedicated my life to
bringing hope and comfort to others, particularly those who are grieving and
traumatized.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I am faced with the dilemma, where does the helper go
for help? Where does the encourager go
when in need of encouragement? This is certainly
not the first time I have encountered this dilemma, but in the midst of it I find
what little I have to offer seems meager indeed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My particular journey in this season involves being on the
front lines of care for an elderly parent while still providing much emotional
and physical support to daughter and grandson and working as a professional
caregiver. I joke that I am the poster child of the “sandwich
generation.” At the same time my
father-in-law wages his own battle with bone cancer, so Terry walks a similar journey. I suspect many of you have walked this path
before us…and many are still to follow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the particulars of this journey are too personal to
share here. And without sharing the
private particulars of the situation it is quite impossible to express in the confines
of this space and time the level of stress, frustration and sorrow experienced by
myself and other members of my family.
What I can share with you is a bit of the toll of stress I have
experienced. I suspect it will be
similar to things you may have experienced.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trouble sleeping : Not a new problem. In fact, I found it very interesting in a
Sunday School class several months ago to hear one woman comment “I
never knew women slept through the night.
My grandmother never slept through the night. My mom never slept all
night, and I’ve never slept through the night.”
For myself, I rarely have trouble falling asleep. It is sleeping past 3 or 4 in the morning
that is the challenge. Even so I had
developed strategies for coping with this, which were working well until
recently. Recently, I have had nights
that I struggled to fall asleep; Mornings that I wake up by 4 a.m. unable to
get back to sleep; but lately the most pervasive sleep disturbance is sleep
walking. I did a lot of sleep walking as
a young person. It does seem to get
worse during times of stress. Terry,
bless him, is usually still up when I walk or charge out of the bedroom. He has learned not to wake me or interfere. He just takes it in stride “as long as I’m
not trying to get in the car and leave”, he says. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Appetite changes: For
the first time in my life I can honestly say my appetite is decreased by
stress. I come from a long line of stress
over-eaters. But recently my appetite
has been “off” at times and I have lost some weight, without even really
trying. The good news is losing a little
weight is not going to hurt me. I’m
trying to get some exercise, walking primarily, so that I stay healthy and fit
physically even though I may be emotionally and spiritually stressed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not sure what to call the last manifestation of stress. The root of it is being less tolerant of
small stressors in my day. The kind of
things that just come up in the course of daily living, like a grandchild
having a meltdown or a co-worker annoying you, are things that I have a hard
time tolerating right now. Worse, I too
quickly react to these things without thinking them through or just letting
them roll off my back as I would have in the past. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a professional caregiver I know the kinds of things I should
be doing to care for myself in this season.
I have a physiological relaxation CD “prescribed” by my physical therapist
which I should listen to every night. I
know to eat healthy when I feel like it and talk to my doctor about any
physical issues I am truly concerned about.
I know to walk away from little stressors that I can walk away from, and
nurture a network of supportive people who care for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would be less than honest to say that I am doing all of
this well. This week, I have been
especially mindful of and sad that, with the exception of my immediate family
(Terry and kids) all the people I share a history with…the people who have
loved me unconditionally through other challenging seasons of my life…all live
hours or even ½ a continent away. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here and now I pledge that I will keep on keeping
on. My faith may falter at times, but my
Heavenly Father is ever-faithful, so I know I will get through this just as I
have come through difficulties in the past.
I am a survivor. I ask for your
prayers. I thank you for your love and
support. I am especially grateful to
Terry, Amber and Richie, to my awesome sisters, my caring cousins (You guys
rock! No wonder our family motto is “Ever
Forward!”) and my patient co-workers.
Thank you all. <o:p></o:p></div>
Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-65473413722607446142012-05-14T10:46:00.002-07:002012-05-14T10:46:44.993-07:00Prayers for MichaelDear Reader,<br />
<br />
I commend to you the blog of contemporary Christian musician Aaron Shust. His wife has written a precious post there as their 4 month old son, Michael, is in heart surgery today. <br />
<br />
Please remember Michael, his parents and his medical team in your prayers.<br />
<br />
Simply Google "Aaron Shust blog" and you will find a link.<br />
<br />
Thank you.Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-57905340149468081922012-04-30T14:53:00.000-07:002012-04-30T14:53:57.629-07:00When Grief Comes Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LYWRVu24M_U_Q5DpB95K1RnJKv6X4shvFsQR7HVkm11CURoS1GNonkzXjW2VNJ6eypT0xTcq6aLwlAPFDplEJvmbpngf3m6hS-q9uXqZDYBJwu9WtMNxP0Fzvf_l14zPmAE7lVNgJ7Lt/s1600/00440294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LYWRVu24M_U_Q5DpB95K1RnJKv6X4shvFsQR7HVkm11CURoS1GNonkzXjW2VNJ6eypT0xTcq6aLwlAPFDplEJvmbpngf3m6hS-q9uXqZDYBJwu9WtMNxP0Fzvf_l14zPmAE7lVNgJ7Lt/s320/00440294.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal;">
<b><span id="goog_515882322"></span><span id="goog_515882323"></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The hardest thing I have ever done was to help somebody let
go when I really wanted her to stay.”</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> These simple, yet profound, words
were shared by my cousin, Annette the day after her mother died following a
long illness. Last week death became personal in
the Plocher household, where Terry and I both deal with death and grief
professionally on a regular, if not daily, basis. Terry’s 47 year old cousin, Jamie, died
suddenly and unexpectedly in Colorado.
My cousin, Mary Lou, died after a long and courageous battle with
illness in Southern California. Now I
revisit issues and questions that are often discussed in my visits with
families in our AfterCare program. Only
now, these questions are personal:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Which is easier, losing someone
suddenly or having time to prepare for the death?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> My personal and professional experience
teaches me that death hurts regardless of the circumstances. Some people find comfort in knowing that
their loved one went quickly and did not suffer. However, this scenario can leave family and
friends reeling in great shock or traumatized by being so suddenly torn from
their loved one by death. Those who
walk the journey of chronic or terminal illness with a loved one may similarly
be traumatized by the suffering their loved one endures until the release of
death comes. Yet, they have the
advantage of time to put affairs in order, speak the words of love they long to share and complete or
resolve any unfinished business in the relationship. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> I am inclined to think that comparing sudden
death and lingering death is rather like comparing apples and oranges. They are
both fruit, but very different. Sudden
death and lingering death – they are both excruciating experiences of loss and
grief, yet each very unique. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How important is validation of the
loss? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
beginning of healing from the pain of grief is validation of the loss you have
experienced. It begins with opening to
the reality of my own loss. I honor the
pain this loss has caused me by finding ways to express what my loved one meant
to me and expressing the pain it causes me when I sit with the knowledge that I
will never see her again. I express my
pain outside myself, both privately and publicly, which is what it means to
mourn. In doing so, I open myself to
receive the comfort, care and empathy of others. My loss is now validated by others. “I heal, in part, by allowing others to
express their love for me. By choosing
to invite others into my journey, I move toward health and healing. If I hide from others, I hide from healing.” (from <i>Understanding
Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart</i>
by Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.) Moving from
shock and denial to opening to the pain of my loss and to the care of others is
the beginning of the journey of grief. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Terry never met Mary Lou and had not fully
appreciated how much this loss meant to me.
I had to take some initiative to share that with him and to open to the
care he then could show me. Opening to
the pain of our loss is never easy, but it is important.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How do I help someone who is
mourning? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> The last time I spoke to my cousin I
promised her I would embrace her family, especially her daughters to whom I am
closest) with care and comfort after her death. Typically, I would encourage people to simply
be there with a hug, a shoulder, a hot dish, a special remembrance. Now I am frustrated by my desire to hug, to
hold, to cry with –because so many miles separate us. I trust the Lord to receive all the love I
hold in my heart for my cousins and touch them with the assurance that they are
not alone in this time. I know I will
find ways to give my love and prayers hands and feet in the weeks and months to
come. This is the question I would
encourage you to consider when you want to help someone who is grieving: How can you take the love and concern you
have for that person and make it real?
Give it hands and feet? Meet them
where they are. Accept them as they
are. Don’t try to fix them. Listen.
Learn. Love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Does the pain ever go away? Will I ever get over it? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> When a loved one dies our lives are forever
changed. In that sense, no, we never “get
over it.” However, it is possible to choose
to live even though our loved one has died.
With some help from our friends and a willingness to engage what arguably
will be the hardest work we will ever
face – the work of grief- we can integrate this painful experience into our
life. The intense feelings of grief can
soften with time. The waves of grief
that once knocked us right off our feet come less frequently and hit us with
less impact. “Mourning never really
ends. Only as time goes on, it erupts
less frequently.” (Anonymous) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> As you are able, allow yourself to embrace
hope. The best expression of hope I have
read is by Jean Kerr who writes, “Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling
you have is not permanent.” Embrace the
hope that it won’t hurt this bad forever.
Embrace the hope that God still has good things planned for you. Embrace the hope that there is still beauty
in the world, even if the depression you feel today is coloring your world in
shades of gray. And above all, embrace the
hope that we will one day be reunited with our loved ones in eternity, by
grace, through faith. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Mary Lou’s daddy died in a hunting accident when
she was just 7 years old. She “grew up”
in my grandparent’s home, playing with my mom as they were nearly the same
age. So many long years she missed her
Daddy. While our hearts ache to lose her
we believe there is a joyous reunion in heaven taking place. Mary Lou, now free from pain and the
constraints of this life is once again
with her mom and her daddy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Grace and
Peace, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Robyn</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To learn more about grief and mourning,
visit <a href="http://www.centerforloss.com/">www.centerforloss.com</a> or <a href="http://www.griefinc.com/">www.griefinc.com</a></span></b></div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-74824120709368833002012-03-27T14:13:00.000-07:002012-03-27T14:13:37.735-07:00<i>“All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us. <br />
We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction.” <br />
Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. </i><br />
<i> My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the LORD looks down <br />
from heaven and sees. (Lamentations 3:46-50)</i><br />
<br />
<b>GRIEF IS NORMAL </b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the “old days”, when some of us were starting school, they still talked about the <br />
“Three Rs” of “reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic”. Similarly, I have often spoken of the three N’s of Grief, that grief is <u>N</u>ormal, <u>N</u>atural and even <u>N</u>ecessary. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is normal to experience the pain of grief. Grief is the name for all those intense feelings we experience at a time of loss, whether that is the loss by death of a loved one, the loss of security after becoming the victim of a crime, or the loss of independence that may accompany the aging process or serious illness. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> All experiences of grief are unique. There are many factors that influence how one experiences the pain of their loss. The nature of your relationship with the person who died, the circumstances under which they died, unfinished business between you, your unique personality and many other factors will color the experience of grief and mourning. What we do know for sure is that there is no right or wrong way to experience grief, there is only your unique experience of loss and grief. Your feelings are all okay. We should never be ashamed of our feelings of grief. They are a reflection of the image of God in us and of our capacity to love. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is natural to grieve. Stoicism is not natural. We are made in the image of God and as emotional beings. Our Creator is capable of anger, disappointment, sorrow and regret as well as compassion, joy, hope and delight. The word “bereaved” literally means “to be torn”. Death tears our loved ones from us. It is natural, even for persons of faith, to mourn the reality that they will never again see, hear or hold their loved one again in this life. The Psalms are filled with heart wrenching cries of God’s people who mourned for their nation, mourned the infirmity of their own bodies, and mourned the deaths of both body and soul. The Old Testament book of Lamentations (perhaps one of the most overlooked books of scripture for Christians) is literally a book of laments in what I imagine to be the wails and moans of a people in agony over the death of their loved ones and destruction of the life they once knew. Even Jesus, at the tomb of Lazarus, was moved to tears – not some dignified dabbing of tears at the corner of his eye, but deep and wrenching sobs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But is grief necessary? Those intense feelings of grief are natural and come unbidden, often in waves that wash over us months or even years after a loss. What is necessary is mourning, the outward and sometimes public expression of those feelings. Sorrow is a feeling associated with grief. Shared tears are our way of mourning. Anger is an emotion of grief. Writing about our anger in a journal is a way of mourning. Depression is one emotion associated with grief. Honoring our loved one's memory by lighting a candle, participating in a memory walk, or making a donation to an organization they supported or benefited from are all ways of turning grief into healthy mourning. It has been said that we must mourn well so that we can live well. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When the intense feelings of grief get “stuffed” and pushed down over and over again within us, never to be outwardly expressed, they can cause us real harm. Persons with unresolved loss experiences can become ill, sometimes seriously so. Others may turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain they can no longer deny. Some experience relationship problems or become irritable and bitter. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You are loved with an eternal love. Your Heavenly Father understands (truly) your need to grieve and mourn. But hope is also real. New life is not a pipe dream, it is a real possibility. Seek the support you need for your time of bereavement. Join a support group. Lean on the people you know you can really trust to be there with unconditional acceptance. Lean on your faith. The journey is long, far longer than most people realize, and it is not easy. But you can discover that new life – a new normal of hope and even happiness that no longer includes the physical presence of your loved one. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In our grief support group we begin each meeting by lighting three candles: one is in gratitude for the relationship we shared with our loved one in the past; one is for the relationship of memory we share with our loved one now; and one is for the hope of being reunited with our loved one again in the future. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> May such gratitude and hope be part of your unique journey of grief, today and always. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-90923780872930296932012-02-08T19:09:00.000-08:002012-02-08T19:09:16.864-08:00Concerning Children and Grief- Did You Know?<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Did You Know? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to the US Social Security Administration, 1.9 million youth under the age of 18 have lost one or both parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A parent’s death usually makes a severe impact on the child, research shows. After losing a parent, 85% of children exhibit such symptoms as difficulty sleeping, angry outbursts, worry, depression, bed-wetting, and thumb-sucking. After a year, more regressive behaviors may fade, but other problems, such as lack of confidence and preoccupation with illness, are likely to continue. (Barr-Harris Children’s Grief Center of Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis as reported in Chicago Tribune Magazine.) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one out of every 20 children age 15 and younger will suffer the loss of one or both parents. These statistics do not account for the number of children who lose a “parental figure,” such as a grandparent or other relative that provide care.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The number of single parent homes has skyrocketed, displacing many children in this country. Approximately 30% of U.S. families are now being headed by a single parent, and in 80% of those families, the mother is the sole parent. The United States is the world’s leader in fatherless families. Father absence contributes to crime and delinquency. Violent criminals are overwhelmingly males who grew up without fathers. (U.S. Census Bureau report)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lastly, children of divorced parents are seven times more likely to suffer from depression in adult life than people of similar age and background whose parents have not divorced. (Study by Bernard Lerer and Ofer Agid of the Biological Psychiatric Unit at Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, as reported in Molecular Psychiatry, 1999) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These facts are discouraging. However, we should not despair. As a society we have made great strides in understanding the impact of loss on grief on children’s lives. Places like Rick’s House of Hope, local hospice organizations and others provide services for grieving children, including support groups and camp experiences. It now falls to you – the parent, the grandparent, the aunt or uncle to reach out for the help that is there for the child you love. It’s okay to ask for help. You can’t do this alone. You are hurting, too. Good luck and God bless. Keep reading to learn more about Rick’s House of Hope!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-46368332854180349062012-02-08T19:06:00.000-08:002012-02-08T19:06:06.941-08:00Celebrating Rick's House of Hope<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> On Saturday, February 4<sup>th</sup>, nine members of the Reinbeck United Methodist Church travelled to Davenport, Iowa for a Mission/Work Day at Rick’s House of Hope-Center for Grieving and Traumatized Children. The mission of RHOH is to make sure the needs of grieving and traumatized youth are not overlooked. This mission is very dear to my heart. You see, in 1999 when RHOH was founded it was the culmination of a dream and vision I had carried in my heart for over a decade. Rick’s House of Hope was my creation and I served as Founding Director for seven years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFKAk2QVGEhnpTrBtSPZ7lL-yXwQn0scSLyidfYPGzNrRBk_ExF8cW8s8r6st2IkDcDR2OKSJ0C7Z5KwKEXBY1SQ8uPmL7fTQ8MhNBiyhIo2PmFoFdVj12pTf3CfaE2MRyEyteOhcrnCr/s1600/P2040155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFKAk2QVGEhnpTrBtSPZ7lL-yXwQn0scSLyidfYPGzNrRBk_ExF8cW8s8r6st2IkDcDR2OKSJ0C7Z5KwKEXBY1SQ8uPmL7fTQ8MhNBiyhIo2PmFoFdVj12pTf3CfaE2MRyEyteOhcrnCr/s320/P2040155.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Rick’s House of Hope began as a seed of an idea when our son was born with a serious, congenital heart defect. As we struggled through the earliest days of Richie’s life wondering just what the future would really hold I was keenly aware of how devastated I would be if my baby did not survive. I could not imagine how I would ever help our daughter, then just three years old, with that kind of loss. I began to think “there out to be a place” where children suffering the loss of a parent or sibling could go to find the support their grieving parents likely could not give. I started pursuing continuing education courses on grief and bereavement, and whenever possible, courses about children and grief.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Years passed. We had many scares and many trips to the emergency room with Richie. Eventually and over the course of time he has received three cardiac ablations through the University of Iowa Hospital. Overall, however, God has been good and Richie has been a blessing to our family every day. He has made us laugh more than we could imagine. He has shown grace and strength when we would have crumbled. Yes, God has been good.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Had I tried to force the vision of a children’s grief center on my timeline, I’m quite sure RHOH would not have been the success that it has been. God unfolded the dream in His time. I kept learning; kept dreaming; kept gaining professional experience. One day in the Bettendorf Public Library I sat down to play around with this new thing everyone was talking about –The Internet. On the desk was a large book, like a Yellow Pages Directory. You could literally look up websites by subject. I looked up “children and grief” and discovered there were a few places around the country doing just what I had been dreaming of. Erin’s House in Indiana and Dougy Center in Oregon were especially exciting to read about. I moved out of the dream phase and into concrete planning. </span></div><a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> So it was that in 1999 I was hired by Genesis Medical Center’s Spiritual Care Department to create a Pediatric Grief Recovery Program. We named the ministry Rick’s House of Hope in honor and tribute to Rev. Rick Johnson, Manager of Spiritual Care and a mentor to me who died suddenly in 1997. Since 1999 the years many children and many volunteers have passed through the doors of RHOH. I really believe every life has been touched in a positive way. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Today RHOH is an independent non-profit organization. They gain support from individuals, churches and organizations who have learned of the success of RHOH’s service, those who want to invest themselves in the fulfillment of the dream. Genesis Health System, the original supporting agency, continues in a strong relationship with RHOH, offering staff support service, technology support and other resources. Grant funding also provides needed materials, renovations, training and programming pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RHOH comes alongside kids and families to help them along the grief journey. All services are overseen by a master’s level counselor. Both professional and volunteer staff have opportunity to utilize play therapy and art therapy training from national experts on childhood trauma. However, since many of the services offered by RHOH are offered in a large group setting, the families and kids do much of the work by helping, supporting and talking with one another. Staff simply helps them along that path, offering information and guidance where they can. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It is such a joy to me that RHOH continues to fulfill the mission of serving grieving and traumatized youth in the Quad Cities Region. Director Emily Gordon, along with the Board of Directors, interns and volunteers, is doing a fantastic job of creating new service opportunities, reaching youth that RHOH has not reached before, providing expanded services for parents of grieving youth yet remaining extraordinarily faithful to the original vision. As I cleaned children’s meeting rooms at RHOH on Saturday I was deeply moved to see on the book shelves curriculum I had written. On the walls were art projects the children created during my tenure at RHOH. Past, present and future hope are marvelously woven together in this new Rick’s House of Hope, housed now in a large farmhouse on Northwest Blvd. in Davenport. I could go on and on because words seem so inadequate to express my gratitude for RHOH. The chapter in my life story that would be entitled “Rick’s House of Hope” would tell of tears and heart break ; laughter and the deepest sense of fulfillment I have ever experienced. It would tell of great friends and great challenges; of shared grief and shock for the Columbine High school shootings and the attacks of September 11. It would tell of massive quantities of pizza consumed, giant banana splits, singing, dancing, drumming, praying, plunging (toilets), scrubbing (sinks), shoveling (snow), hugs and high-fives, flying kites, kicking balls, Tibetan prayer flags, Native American dance, erupting volcanoes, emotional meltdowns…but always running through it all like the strong undercurrent of a mighty river the story would be about HOPE. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> Today I celebrate Rick’s House of Hope. If you would like to learn more about Rick’s House of Hope please visit </span><a href="http://www.rhoh.org/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">www.rhoh.org</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfEhNmi8C5zcIlc9CcCp6yu2F3m8p9GNZHqV0VWgzE_lqAARJsnW8Exo8lUI8DtaBQChmbkk3ThkzeNZ5X6l_Oe9rFQxURL7aD3CrOKw7sz4ZZzPmlokgHq7PoR5L3k9zgumG5LIqjU2R/s1600/P2040157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfEhNmi8C5zcIlc9CcCp6yu2F3m8p9GNZHqV0VWgzE_lqAARJsnW8Exo8lUI8DtaBQChmbkk3ThkzeNZ5X6l_Oe9rFQxURL7aD3CrOKw7sz4ZZzPmlokgHq7PoR5L3k9zgumG5LIqjU2R/s320/P2040157.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick's House of Hope, Davenport, Iowa<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEkululsdpHo4DL0f76m_a4VjVTKR4orp-D24pPUCUznpouYJNmvRsBapM7ihyphenhyphenrEa7QyV49zxTg0Yq33ixau4u2j0h65EpaMHGAijVcSPj81BbaVd-CFVhCB3YXfFFPpZq4gAhC-KX-6x/s1600/P2040168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEkululsdpHo4DL0f76m_a4VjVTKR4orp-D24pPUCUznpouYJNmvRsBapM7ihyphenhyphenrEa7QyV49zxTg0Yq33ixau4u2j0h65EpaMHGAijVcSPj81BbaVd-CFVhCB3YXfFFPpZq4gAhC-KX-6x/s320/P2040168.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our summer arts projects - A Feeling Face Quilt<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJPKrS3UJZ-lT3Ehn_nWAi9MK67LB4AxU18Fg0buIeeeLZtBYUQJ6aOCr1C7HZZkZKJt_xaXZdLClo2nbpkbUNllPj7vGD16gF005y9CPmqvlq-Q9Ln6QbAVh9Mln7cgxGLjz2k7UUxkY/s1600/P2040171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJPKrS3UJZ-lT3Ehn_nWAi9MK67LB4AxU18Fg0buIeeeLZtBYUQJ6aOCr1C7HZZkZKJt_xaXZdLClo2nbpkbUNllPj7vGD16gF005y9CPmqvlq-Q9Ln6QbAVh9Mln7cgxGLjz2k7UUxkY/s320/P2040171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry and Jared hang the Journey of Grief Mosaic<br />
made by RHOH participants in 2000.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs82Gk8B8kM4UBHn7ro0Yf6ZAlc-uPJq7Fnx5_yzAAnQGS4MB_w0NalJ9us_p5wPB0FytsKda0NA8xzRBbQLremIIMUJkoXpasjDJZruhsP_7OQVFEGjJuhJXrj935EtJw_zb6WrO4vPTC/s1600/P2040198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs82Gk8B8kM4UBHn7ro0Yf6ZAlc-uPJq7Fnx5_yzAAnQGS4MB_w0NalJ9us_p5wPB0FytsKda0NA8xzRBbQLremIIMUJkoXpasjDJZruhsP_7OQVFEGjJuhJXrj935EtJw_zb6WrO4vPTC/s320/P2040198.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie Klatt and Steve Klinghammer take a break<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzjCiii8ibut2l7sjn6YTWf6pgbdOoSCh60x1W5dWCGLiLSzOBW_44HWMzGEMSG-dmbkK59_6wQcgRiNxVKPv17ib9OzfhSfvpfNbLwCLsSlXKr5A3RbAihfbkfB5tURx4Akbcf1awF7h/s1600/P2040195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzjCiii8ibut2l7sjn6YTWf6pgbdOoSCh60x1W5dWCGLiLSzOBW_44HWMzGEMSG-dmbkK59_6wQcgRiNxVKPv17ib9OzfhSfvpfNbLwCLsSlXKr5A3RbAihfbkfB5tURx4Akbcf1awF7h/s320/P2040195.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parents Meeting Room, Rick's House of Hope</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlL9nxXeEafzIF-cSIzx5oJoJTi3Db96a50CBwTo16WFgrbLWkV3qS50Vy4exkdMdvF1xDjqWUJ4C_WVdKB5KeS3yCM8W0mFlPAJv8hOzgAv_CgG0ljxZD2kFZjsuSNm_6UA3sZYVTJbm/s1600/P2040179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlL9nxXeEafzIF-cSIzx5oJoJTi3Db96a50CBwTo16WFgrbLWkV3qS50Vy4exkdMdvF1xDjqWUJ4C_WVdKB5KeS3yCM8W0mFlPAJv8hOzgAv_CgG0ljxZD2kFZjsuSNm_6UA3sZYVTJbm/s320/P2040179.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teen Meeting Room, Rick's House of Hope<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-22674972622647722942012-01-26T14:09:00.000-08:002012-01-26T14:09:11.598-08:00Some Thoughts on Self-Care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla56z6I2-kHgoMhTOLhx4gArwf5HCwupDyb7NG2V4vgkYUVra-DuZO1HjBVTx_XzXHtmNGgQrv1x7o8VEfqkNJSJKr3hUWfapfRRebhgec-zM7WHx4LGf-jvVasMW3mJAUV_ObqnakQgd/s1600/101_3410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla56z6I2-kHgoMhTOLhx4gArwf5HCwupDyb7NG2V4vgkYUVra-DuZO1HjBVTx_XzXHtmNGgQrv1x7o8VEfqkNJSJKr3hUWfapfRRebhgec-zM7WHx4LGf-jvVasMW3mJAUV_ObqnakQgd/s320/101_3410.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grief can be lonely, but you are loved. <br />
You are NOT alone. Please take care of yourself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We all live very stressful lives. I bet you could name five major stressors in your life right now, off the top of your head without even thinking. Grief and mourning are very special kinds of stressors, and like all stress grief can impact our bodies, our thoughts, our feelings and our behavior. Most people expect grief to affect their emotional and spiritual well-being. However, many do not appreciate the physical impact of grief and loss.<br />
<br />
The website of Mayo Clinic describes the following<b> physical effects of stress:</b><br />
headache<br />
muscle ache<br />
generalized tension or pain<br />
chest pain<br />
fatigue<br />
changes in sexual drive<br />
stomach pain or nausea<br />
<br />
Emotional and behavioral symptoms of stress have a direct impact on our physical well-being. Consider the following:<br />
<br />
<b>Stress's impact on mood</b><br />
anxiety<br />
restlessness<br />
lack of motivation<br />
trouble concentrating<br />
irritability & anger<br />
sadness & depression<br />
<br />
<b>Stress's impact on behavior</b><br />
Over-eating or under-eating<br />
Outbursts of anger<br />
Drug or alcohol abuse<br />
Tobacco use<br />
Social withdrawal<br />
<br />
You may not even realize that stress is a factor in the difficulties you are experiencing. And if you have any concerns about physical symptoms you are experiencing you should always check with your physician. <br />
<br />
In recent months I have grown increasingly concerned about the physical illnesses, some quite serious, that grieving persons I care for have experienced. Then one of my friends shared with me her recent recurrence of cancer. This friend has endured the sudden death of her mother and the extended illness and death of her father in less than two years time. These losses left her reeling and caused her to make some major changes in her commitments and daily activities. In the midst of her pain and exhaustion she neglected to keep important doctor's appointments. Just a couple months after her father's death her husband was diagnosed with cancer. This prompted her to go in for her own routine check up, only to discover that she was experiencing a recurrence of her own cancer, diagnosed now as a Stage 3 cancer.<br />
<br />
My friend attributes this cancer recurrence to the stress of care-giving and grief. The combination of the physical impact of the stress of grief along with neglecting vital doctor's appointments put her in a very precarious situation. I am pleased to report that after surgery (two large incisions) and many diagnostic tests and procedures my friend has been told she is again cancer-free.<br />
<br />
Her outcome was ultimately a positive one. Her message and experience is too important not to share. <br />
<br />
While grief can leave you reeling in uncertainty and confusion, you are loved. Your life is so meaningful to others and you are a person of worth with a mission to accomplish. Please take care of yourself. It is an investment that only you can make. <br />
<br />
<b>Watch for more information about Self-Care during times of Grief and Mourning coming soon! </b>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-63249928338105622682011-12-21T13:20:00.000-08:002011-12-21T13:20:29.406-08:00The Reason for the Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAxnEga4_TgRLjlLe0uMmXblVcABM3FELZbBhXyACdfNnEtbQSDKE20tsmzeLg27EO_m-76ViM7Bd1ONpD3FupOnHH7-TVSAlqkRwlCM3Q9N1MtdEx5fvxP2iaNzFp44HXBrHnYLwO0u6/s1600/Nativity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAxnEga4_TgRLjlLe0uMmXblVcABM3FELZbBhXyACdfNnEtbQSDKE20tsmzeLg27EO_m-76ViM7Bd1ONpD3FupOnHH7-TVSAlqkRwlCM3Q9N1MtdEx5fvxP2iaNzFp44HXBrHnYLwO0u6/s320/Nativity.JPG" width="288" /></a></div> Christmas is just three days away! It's an exciting time for children of all ages and a sacred time for Christians around the world. Yet in the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas - costumes for the Sunday School program, shopping, baking, planning meals, traveling - I am reminded that life keeps right on moving. The terrible tsunami of a few years ago was a remarkable reminder that life goes on even as we pause to celebrate the birth of the Savior. Sadly, natural disasters hit on or around Christmas. Soldiers on the battlefield do not necessarily lay down their weapons on December 24th. Loved ones receive frightening diagnosis and even die on or about December 25th. I know. A friend died this week. I will go to his funeral visitation tomorrow. Another friend just told me she has been diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. She awaits the next appointment with the oncologist to see what the future holds for her.<br />
Life doesn't stop because the calendar says December 25th. I am reminded of the funeral liturgy used in our church. The opening words say this: "In the midst of life, we are in death." (UM Book of Worship) And so it is true.<br />
What does that mean for us at Christmas? Acknowledging the truth that in the midst of life we are in death holds an invitation to go deeper with our Christmas celebration. I most assuredly enjoy the lights and decorating the tree. I love the music of the season, from the sacred and sublime (think "O, Holy Night') to the silly (think The Chipmunks), I love it all. I stress a bit over making beds up and preparing meals, but I love having family together. I even love giving and receiving gifts (and I'm not ashamed to admit it). <br />
But the reason for the season goes so much deeper than music and lights and family togetherness. The reason for the season is Jesus. It is his birthday, not mine. Not yours. Why do we celebrate his birth now, over 2000 years later? Because the reason for the season is the <i>difference </i>he makes in our lives.<br />
Miraculously conceived by a virgin? Okay. Angels told of his birth? Magi came to worship him? Granted. However, as Christians we always remember and retell the story of his birth looking back through the lens of his death and resurrection. That he was God's greatest gift to humanity and that we shunned the gift and destroyed it--this is what gives his life - and Christmas - it's meaning. That after we shunned and destroyed the gift of God, God still loved us enough to transform his death into our chance for eternal life--this is what gives Christmas it's meaning. <br />
And when cancer, death, natural disasters and the like invade our lives even in this sacred season of Christmas time, it is in remembering the true reason for the season that we find our strength, our comfort and our hope. <br />
<br />
Blessings to you and all those you cherish at Christmas! <br />
<br />
RobynRev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-85960040028139986312011-11-03T14:23:00.000-07:002011-11-03T14:23:28.278-07:00Help for the Holidays<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"> Today is November 3rd. Last night the on-air directory of our local cable station was playing all Christmas music. I love music, and I love Christmas music. Hearing <i>Silver Bells </i>made me smile- even if it is ridiculously early! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> For many, however, the holiday season is overshadowed by painful memories of the last days and hours of a loved one's life and sweet memories of loved ones who are no longer present. We may be greeted with holiday music in every store we enter and with a "Happy Holidays" from every cashier who waits on us. But if you are grieving the death of a loved one you may be wondering "What's so happy about the holidays now?" </div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">In his book, <i>Don’t Take My Grief Away From Me</i>, Doug Manning compares the pain of grief to a cut finger:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“It is numb before it bleeds</div><div class="MsoNormal">It bleeds before it hurts</div><div class="MsoNormal">It hurts until it begins to heal</div><div class="MsoNormal">It forms a scab and itches until finally the scab falls off and a small scar is left where once there was a wound.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Manning continues, saying, “Grief is the deepest wound you have ever had.<span> </span>Like a cut finger, it goes through stages and leaves a scar.”<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No matter where you are in your grief journey, the holiday season has a way of infecting the wound of grief, causing new pain or ripping away the scab or rubbing and irritating the scar.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It may be tempting to think that skipping the holidays all together is the best way to avoid this pain.<span> </span>Of course, that isn’t really an option and it would not be sound advice in any case.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Coping with the holidays after loss is not about deciding how to eliminate pain from our lives, but rather learning to live with grief instead of being consumed by it.<span> </span>Folks who have walked this journey before have taught me some of the ways they coped with the holiday season, and I would like to share some of those with you this evening:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Anticipation is often worse than reality.<span> </span>Be realistic.<span> </span>This holiday season <i>will</i> be different from any other because you loved one is no with you.<span> </span>There will be pain but don’t try to block the bad moments.<span> </span>Be ready for them.<span> </span>Lay in a supply of tissues.<span> </span>Let those moments come, be what they are and then let them go.<span> </span>Remember, grief is the price we pay for love.<span> </span>Grief is an expression of our love and longing.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Plan ahead.<span> </span>Many grieving people have difficulty concentrating and making decisions.<span> </span>So make lists of the things you <i>need</i> to do and the things you <i>want</i> to do.<span> </span>Prioritize everything.<span> </span>Decide what is really most important.<span> </span>You don’t have to do it all.<span> </span>It is okay, and even necessary, to redefine your expectations of yourself and others.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Be kind and gentle with yourself.<span> </span>Be patient with yourself and others.<span> </span>Figure out what you think you <i>should</i> do.<span> </span>Next, recognize that your physical, emotional and spiritual energy is not at optimum levels.<span> </span>Balance what you think you <i>should</i> do against what you are <i>able </i>to do and then <i>compromise. </i> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Communicate!<span> </span>Remember that others cannot read your mind.<span> </span>Keep the lines of communication open between yourself, your family and your friends.<span> </span>Tell others what you need, what you want and can do, and what you cannot do.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>“Tradition” can be defined in a very fluid way this year.<span> </span>Some people find comfort in the traditions of the past and will want to maintain those traditions as much as possible.<span> </span>Others will need to change traditions this year as a way of taking care of themselves and acknowledging how very different this holiday season is because of the death of their loved one.<span> </span>Don’t toss out all tradition, but communicate with one another and do what feels best for your family. <span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Take care of yourself physically.<span> </span>Eat right and exercise.<span> </span>Get your flu shot.<span> </span>The stress of grief <span> </span>impacts your physical well-being and your immune system.<span> </span>Avoid excesses of alcohol and caffeine. <span> </span>Taking a multi-vitamin probably wouldn’t hurt either. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Remember the children in your family.<span> </span>Include them in family discussions and remembrance rituals, such as lighting a candle each evening in memory of your loved one or hanging a special ornament on the tree.<span> </span>Let them help with the baking of grandma’s special pecan pie or let an older child take over the tradition of Grandpa’s reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Children learn from you modeling how to cope with loss and change.<span> </span>Ask for help if you need it.* </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Hold on to your purse and charge cards.<span> </span>You can’t spend your grief away, though you might be tempted to try.<span> </span>Similarly, expensive toys and gadgets will not do as much for the children in the family as an honest sharing of grief and of the precious memories of their loved one.<span> </span>When you do choose to shop, shop on “good days.” <span> </span>Avoid crowds and additional stress by shopping on-line or asking others for help. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>v<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Honor your loved one's memory by reaching out to others.<span> </span>Involve the entire family in taking gifts to a nursing home, making a donation in your loved one’s name to a charity, such as a hospice program or other mission name. <span> </span>Buy mittens for a mitten tree or visit the elderly.<span> </span>Not only do you honor your loved one’s memory, but you get some perspective on your own situation and foster an attitude of gratitude for the blessings you still have in your life.<span> </span><span> </span><span style="color: red;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Equal portions of intentionality and careful planning, a cup of communication, some tradition –measured to taste, a gracious dollop of gratitude, a spoonful of service to others and a fine garnish of flexibility are my recipe for what may not be a “happy” holiday season, but a season of peace and gratitude and love. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*For more help for grieving children at the holidays, you may purchase my activity book for kids <span> </span><i>Handling the Holidays When A Loved One Has Died,</i> available as a PDF download from the TLC Bookstore at <a href="http://www.tlcinst.org/">www.tlcinst.org</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span> </span><span style="color: red;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-42365273322057282272011-10-03T07:06:00.000-07:002011-10-03T07:06:05.556-07:00The Cycle of Guilt: Insights for Grief and Life<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have been reading an excellent book entitled, <i>Lose-Love-Live:<span> </span>The Spiritual Gifts of Loss and Change </i>by Dan Moseley (Upper Room Books, 2010).<span> </span>This book offers so much more than euphemistic “pat” answers to the struggles faced by those who have experienced a significant loss in their life.<span> </span>Whether the loss is job related, the death of a relationship, the loss of health or the death of a loved one, Moseley offers an in-depth and personal perspective on the experience of <i>growing through grief.</i><span> </span>This is not, in my opinion, a book for the recently bereaved.<span> </span>This is a book for one who is beginning to emerge from the darkest days of the wilderness of grief and is open to the continuing journey of living through love and loss into a new life.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>Wayne Bell, President Emeritus of Lexington Theological Seminary states that <i>Lose-Love-Live</i> is a “much needed resource for pastors, church libraries and required reading for Stephen Ministers.”<span> </span>One of the most helpful features of this book is the “Good Companions” summary at the end of each chapter.<span> </span>The summaries articulate the qualities, characteristics and practices of true companion for the particular aspect of the grief journey discussed in the preceding chapter.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px;">I was especially interested in Moseley’s discussion of the cycle of guilt in grief.<span> </span>What follows is a discussion that is a blending of Moseley’s thoughts and my reflections:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> As infants we believe the world revolves around us, but very soon we learn that we cannot control our environment or the people in it.<span> </span>This is a primal experience that leads to feelings of inadequacy.<span> </span>Inadequacy may lead to shame.<span> </span>Certainly this becomes a larger issue when some loss or trauma is introduced into the cycle, such as the death of a friend or family member or the trauma and chaos of living in a home with an alcoholic.<span> </span>When we do not have the power to make things happen in a way that we think is good for us we protest (picture the 2-year old’s tantrum) and can grow to feel that we ourselves are unworthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Some of us expend a great deal of energy trying to get back to that time when everything was about us.<span> </span>Most of us like control very much.<span> </span><span> </span>We try to hold on to the fantasy that we have this power still.<span> </span>We don’t, but we cannot tolerate things spinning out of control.<span> </span>And let’s face it; life can be a pretty chaotic ride at times.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the end, this desire to be in control is really a desire to be divine, for God alone sees what is truly good for us.<span> </span>God alone has this power we seek for ourselves. When we are consumed with worry that we are not doing “enough” to make things come out “right” I believe we fall into a form of idolatry.<span> </span>In thinking we have this power we elevate ourselves to God-like status.<span> </span>This becomes a vicious cycle because everything –in our minds – is about us and it becomes our responsibility to make sure everything always comes out “right”.<span> </span>What an incredible burden we have placed on ourselves!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> This cycle of grasping for control, protesting our inadequacy and inability to control our circumstances, then feeling guilt and shame is repeated and exacerbated each time we endure a season of loss and grief.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> One is fired from his job.<span> </span>This blow leaves him reeling.<span> </span>Unable to pay the mortgage, dependent on the kindness of others to provide the basic necessities for his family he feels inadequate.<span> </span>His self-worth plummets.<span> </span>He is consumed with worry for the future and guilt for making such a mess of his life.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A husband dies.<span> </span>For two years the doctor misdiagnosed his cancer.<span> </span>The mantra repeats over and over again in his widow’s head “I should have known.<span> </span>I should have known.<span> </span>I should have known it was more serious.<span> </span>What if we had gone to another doctor sooner?<span> </span>Would he still be alive?” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Guilt rides the vehicles of ‘what if’ and ‘if only’, driving us to near insanity.”<span> </span>(Moseley, p. 71)<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The alternative (and road to the healing of guilt) involves admitting that there are some things that are beyond our control and over which we have limited influence. The experience of inadequacy and guilt is a common aspect of the grief journey.<span> </span>It is desirable, however, that in time we will be able to accept our humanity and acknowledge that we all make mistakes.<span> </span>We miscalculate.<span> </span>We make errors in our judgment.<span> </span>If we knew then what we know now, of course we would choose differently, pursue a different course.<span> </span>But <i>we</i> are not omniscient.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Accepting our humanity and limitations leads to forgiving ourselves (just as accepting the humanity and limitations of others, such as doctors, can lead to forgiving them). <span> </span>Forgiveness and grace lead to healing of some of the most painful aspects of our loss.<span> </span>This grace in turn becomes a bridge that leads us slowly to the discovery of a new normal, freeing us to come alive to the future that no longer includes the presence of that person or thing that has been lost.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the time of your loss, what do you wish you had done differently?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What did you say/do that you now wish you hadn’t?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What things did you leave unspoken that you wish you had said?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How would you complete the statement:<span> </span>“I should have…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you could change one thing about what happened, what would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Can you accept <i>in this situation</i> that you did the best you knew to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Can you accept that you are human and could not control the things that happened in this situation?<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>What are possible consequences of the inability to accept our humanity and limits? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is your reaction to the statement that our desire to be in control is a form of self-idolatry?<span> </span>Is this too harsh? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span><span style="background: white;">Romans 8:28</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">New International Version (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b><sup>28</sup></b> “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%208:28&version=NIV#fen-NIV-28145a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: #651300;">a</span></a>]</sup></b> have been called according to his purpose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What does this promise mean to you today? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God bless your day.<span> </span>I would love to hear your thoughts if you would like to share them.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-87141270195164626122011-09-08T08:37:00.000-07:002011-09-08T08:37:06.219-07:00Remembering September 11, 2001<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Is there anything I could write about September 11, 2001 that would be new? Fresh?<span> </span>Never written or said before?<span> </span>I don’t know.<span> </span>However, I cannot allow the tenth anniversary of this historic and tragic day to pass without offering up some thoughts.<span> </span>Think of this less as an essay and more as an invitation to dialogue…to share…to remember together.<span> </span>For I am convinced that we must remember.<span> </span>It is not only natural but necessary to try to make some kind of sense of these sense-less events.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> This Sunday there will be a lot of flag waving and patriotism expressed.<span> </span>I have no problem with that.<span> </span>But we must do more.<span> </span>True healing comes to individuals and nations when traumatic realities are faced, lessons are learned and resolve is set. <span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> No one wants to go there.<span> </span>No one wants to confront those memories again.<span> </span>But the reality is that those images are already forever impressed upon us.<span> </span>The pain <i>will</i> come.<span> </span>The memories will come.<span> </span>This is the great paradox of all grief.<span> </span>No matter how hard we work to hide from or deny the hurt of our grief, the hurt is still there.<span> </span>It will be better for us if we move toward the pain, by our own intention, than if it rises up and overwhelms us when we are unprepared for it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> You can’t just get over the pain.<span> </span>You can’t go around it. You can’t go under it. You have to go <i>through</i> it – the hurt, the anger, the helplessness; the fear….This is true for the person mourning the death of a spouse…or for a nation mourning the death of thousands.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition, speaks of the importance of “dosing” ourselves.<span> </span>We choose to set our intention to move toward the pain of our loss when we are strong and able to do so.<span> </span>We engage the process of remembering and mourning, and we begin the process of letting go.<span> </span>Then we step back away from the pain again.<span> </span>In this way we allow ourselves the freedom to grieve in small doses.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> September 11, 2011, the tenth anniversary of terrorist attacks on our nation, is an opportunity to dose ourselves in this way.<span> </span>In this week prior to the anniversary I have watched some of the special programming on television, including one very touching show on “The Children of 9-11”.<span> </span>I have intentionally set aside this time to remember.<span> </span>In remembering I have felt again the horror of that day.<span> </span>I have wept.<span> </span>I believe I have also honored those who lost their lives in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.<span> </span>I have honored those who survived the attacks.<span> </span>I have grown in compassion and respect for those who have gone on living even though their father, mother, beloved spouse, brother or sister or child died.<span> </span>I have renewed respect for our national leaders at that time, sharing their horror and barely comprehending the weight of responsibility they carried on our behalf.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Yes, it is good to remember.<span> </span>If you are like me, you don’t remember Pearl Harbor.<span> </span>You have only a vague impression of what it was like when JFK was shot.<span> </span>But 9-11 is the day that changed our world and our lives forever.<span> </span>9-11 is the day we learned how vulnerable we really are. It’s also the day that we learned how strong we really are.<span> </span>If you are a person of faith, like I am, you remember also the promise--<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? <sup><span> </span></sup>As it is written: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “For your sake we face death all day long; <br />
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <sup> </sup><span> </span><span> </span>No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. <span> </span>For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, <sup><span> </span></sup><span> </span><span> </span>neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. <span>" </span>(Romans 8:35-39)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing can separate us from the love of God!<span> </span><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I remember 9-11.<span> </span>I always will.<span> </span>Yet, in the shadow of this dark day I affirm that Good is more powerful evil. Love overcomes hatred. <span> </span>Life conquers death.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> What is your 9-11 memory?<span> </span>What is your affirmation of life post – 9-11? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-57802769870922544942011-07-19T08:21:00.000-07:002011-07-19T11:50:41.721-07:00Dreams Many people experience dreams after the loss of a loved one. Sometimes these dreams are disturbing in nature. If the loss was traumatic or visually disturbing, dreams may bring those images and sensations experienced at the time of the trauma back with startling reality. Other dreams can be comforting, confusing or cause us to wake with a sense of sadness and longing for our loved one.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oOsIMAmUCZixEK9ndW9us5owDUWtSvbLSLcUoJdKibqj4OnLXHqCpIO6SMxSdjY8_b_ALaOD-1mcHiy3smEzo47Wr6uDi390oWfV5dLWAW8r8INmrQJfm-scn1C5wLA4ykif33aJS3TU/s1600/Waterfalls+%2526+Rivers+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oOsIMAmUCZixEK9ndW9us5owDUWtSvbLSLcUoJdKibqj4OnLXHqCpIO6SMxSdjY8_b_ALaOD-1mcHiy3smEzo47Wr6uDi390oWfV5dLWAW8r8INmrQJfm-scn1C5wLA4ykif33aJS3TU/s200/Waterfalls+%2526+Rivers+%25288%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JOY, like a spring in the desert</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Over this past weekend I had the joyful experience of returning to LeMars, Iowa for a college class reunion. I use the word "joy" quite intentionally because, while it was a delightful to visit with old friends, there was a sadness associated with this event as well. I have always felt that joy transcends mere happiness and sustains us, like a spring in the desert, through the sorrow-filled, wilderness seasons of our lives. Returning to LeMars and to the campus of what once was Westmar College is sad, for Westmar closed a few years after I graduated. The community has done a lovely job making use of many of the buildings, but many are gone and more are slated for demolition in the near future. Driving home Sunday afternoon, I felt my senses and memory somewhat overloaded. In the course of just two days I had walked paths I once walked to go to class and meals. I had visited at length with former professors. I had told and listened to countless stories and memories, both sweet and sad. In my mind I went back to the time when I got a phone call on the pay phone in the dorm telling me my parents were likely going to divorce. I recalled the football game when all the players had put stars on their helmets in honor of a fellow-player who was battling cancer, which subsequently took his life. And I traced again the drive through a city park where a dear friend was hit and killed by a motorcycle. His name was Bill.<br />
I know Bill cared for me. He may have even loved me. I cared for him. But I was young and not nearly as serious as he seemed to be about our relationship. He went to the park that night to attend a party-one that had become controversial on our small, church-related campus. My remembrance is that Bill went to be a witness - in deed, not words - that one could attend a party, hang with friends, have a great time and choose not to drink. It seemed a cruel injustice when walking home from the party he was hit by a motorcycle and suffered injuries that claimed his life.<br />
With all those memories stirred up, it is not surprising to me that I have been dreaming that last few nights. While the dreams do leave me with a sad feeling when I awake, I try always to receive my dreams as gifts. For example, I dreamed I took a walk with Bill. I don't remember what we talked about. But I remember the feelings of warmth and companionship we shared. And, I know my husband was waiting for me at the end of our walk. So, it is like I had a visit from Bill, a chance to catch up with him, much like I caught up with my other college friends over the weekend. And I am grateful for this dream.<br />
If you are dreaming dreams about your loved one, try to accept them as a gift. Ask yourself, what part of the dream stands out most in my mind? What was I feeling in the dream? Was I sad or scared? Or did those feelings come upon waking? Is there something I can learn from this dream? Is there a memory here for me to recall and cherish? Is there wisdom in my dreaming, something God or my loved one would like me to learn or know? <br />
You may wish to keep a notebook or journal beside your bed where you can journal your dreams. This can be helpful as many dreams slip away quickly upon waking. It will also give you an opportunity to see if there is a common theme that recurs in your dreams. A common theme in my dreams is going into or moving through various parts of a house. In Jungian Psychology and dream symbolism a house may represent the inner self or the soul. Paying attention to what rooms or levels of the house I am in can bring me new insights about soul work I am doing or, more likely, need to be attending too.<br />
If you are suffering from nightmares, night terrors or having flashbacks, you have likely experienced a traumatic loss. Don't try to get through this alone. You need the help and support of a professional trained in trauma intervention. Your dreams are trying to help you by bringing these disturbing memories up where they can be faced and dealt with. No one wants to have to face them, but this is the truest path to healing. If you need assistance in locating a professional with the training and expertise to help you with your traumatic loss, please contact me or contact The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children at www.starrtraining.org/tlc. This organization maintains a database of trained and certified professionals in many fields who work with both traumatized children and adults.<br />
Until next time, I wish you blessings and meaningful dreams.<br />
RobynRev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-2481705119030598532011-07-06T14:46:00.000-07:002011-07-06T14:46:27.003-07:00Grief and The Workplace<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dear Friends,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I have a growing concern about how grieving and mourning people are treated in the workplace. Our society becomes more and more dismissive of the role of ritual in grief (note the latest trend of “drive-through” funeral visitations on the east and west coasts) and more confused about the importance of mourning well our losses so we can move forward to live well. These attitudes are naturally reflected in the workplace. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I would very much like to hear your experiences related to this subject.<span> </span>I may write an article for our Hope Newsletter based on your responses. <span> </span>However, I will word things in such a way that no single individual's confidentiality is jeopardized.<span> </span>I would be very appreciative of your responses.<span> </span>Please email them to me at the address below or send them by snail mail, whichever suits you best.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The kinds of things I am most curious about are—</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What type of <span> </span>loss did you experience? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Did you feel supported in your workplace following your loss? For how long? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">How did co-workers and employers respond to your loss– both positive and negative examples, please.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What helped you the most?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What hurt you the most?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What do you wish you could have said to the people you work with?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Did your co-workers seem to understand the depth of your grief and how long it would take for you to find healing?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Perhaps you are a helping professional and someone others look to for support. How did this impact your ability to freely mourn your loss? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What else would you like to share? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I don’t know exactly what this newsletter feature will look like. Much will depend upon the responses I get. I can imagine that some specific responses may be shared, but again I assure you the source of those responses will be kept confidential. Your identity will be protected. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I am confident I can put something together that will prove helpful to businesses and employers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sincerely, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Robyn J. Plocher</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:deaconrumc@yahoomail.com">deaconrumc@yahoomail.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">or</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">509 4<sup>th</sup> Street</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grundy Center, IA<span> </span>50638</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-37972788794813285152011-06-17T09:25:00.001-07:002011-06-17T10:32:18.305-07:00Riding the Wave of Grief at Father's Day They say that grief comes at us in waves, usually when we least expect it. I have found this to be true. Earlier this year my uncle, dad's only brother, died. I was not particularly close to this uncle. However, one day driving to work I was bowled over by one of those waves of grief. It was as if another chapter in my dad's life had irrevocably closed. The living members of his family of origin are now just my 101 year old grandmother and my aunt.<br />
I had the same experience a week ago. I was attending our church's Annual Conference. This is a gathering of over 1000 people from across our state to do the work of the church in a very specific place and time. This year I was asked to have a leadership role in the Memorial Service. The service honors the memory of clergy and clergy spouses who have died in the past year. We also honor the churches that have decided to close. Sadly, this year six congregations made that difficult decision. One of them is Calvary United Methodist in Blairstown, Iowa. My dad served that church when I was just a pre-school aged child.<br />
I do have quite a number of memories of that home and church. I remember the big water tower that seemed like it was right behind our house and the siren that would blow to call the volunteer firemen to respond to an emergency. I remember dropping my pretzel - a favorite teething toy - down the laundry chute that ran from the second floor to the basement of the house. I remember the cowboy boots I was wearing the day I fell down the church steps -probably saving me from a badly twisted ankle or worse. I remember that Dad drove a school bus and sometimes I got to go to the Bus Barn with him -something that always made me feel special. I remember that dad's office was in the house. I remember a glow of blue light and the smell of ink on the days he would cut stencils and print the church bulletins.<br />
The parsonage and church in Blairstown are part of my life story. They are also part of my dad's story and our family story. I am very sad about the church closing, but I have had a hard time articulating why it affected me so much the day of the Memorial Service. I felt weepy, tearful and a bit irritable most of the day. I believe now I was swimming against a wave of grief.<br />
When I was little I adored my daddy, as most little girls do. As sometimes happens, time took a toll on our relationship which became strained in adulthood. The unfinished business between us was not all resolved prior to his death. The closing of the church was, for me, like "another nail in his coffin"-a reminder that the past and it's cares irrevocably slip away. A reminder that life is a series of "hello"s and "good-bye"s, and the "good-bye"s cause us to feel the pain of grief.<br />
As Father's Day approaches I will think of my dad with a mix of joy and tears. I will honor my husband for his special way of being "dad" and "papa" to our children and grandson. I am also choosing to remember those who have been like fathers and brothers to me: Dwight Vogel, "Cousin" Jim Grupp, Jim Russel., Jeff Dadisman, Orrin Plocher, Richard Plocher and Jon Starek. These are the men in my life I honor for their enduring support, love and integrity. <br />
If you feel a wave of grief coming at you this Father's Day, I encourage you to get out your surfboard and ride the wave wherever it takes you. Feel your feelings. Cry if you need to. However, when the wave loses it's power and fades away, take some time to practice an attitude of gratitude. Let those special guys still in your life know just how much they really mean to you. <br />
<br />
Blessings on the Journey,<br />
<br />
Robyn <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj3P5kL73Agm2rnZxod6tTp0y-ODESK7eItu24eFM-ZehbC41GVYbJZlciHQm45idrswyf4iZvIa3g_3jbSQhYD4Yv8pQdjFGzwF9zXiArmtgdRhBgjtLJ-98CJAryWQTIe5sSJStdwmR/s1600/new+folder+2+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj3P5kL73Agm2rnZxod6tTp0y-ODESK7eItu24eFM-ZehbC41GVYbJZlciHQm45idrswyf4iZvIa3g_3jbSQhYD4Yv8pQdjFGzwF9zXiArmtgdRhBgjtLJ-98CJAryWQTIe5sSJStdwmR/s320/new+folder+2+038.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author with her children (background) and her grandson (foreground) </td></tr>
</tbody></table> Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-40562076799786148912011-05-22T18:05:00.001-07:002011-05-22T18:31:34.952-07:00A Fresh Look at the Good Shepherd<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>Because we don't live in the countryside outside Jerusalem 2000 years ago we aren't always able to understand and appreciate the parables that Jesus told. Psalm 23 and John 10 both talk about how the Lord is like a Good Shepherd who risks sacrificing everything for his sheep. I recently wrote the story below and shared it as narrator for the morning message in worship. The pastor portrayed the Good Shepherd, a lay member of the church portrayed the young and foolish shepherd. The children in attendance portrayed the sheep. A teen portrayed the wolf. In acting out the story, the entire congregation was enabled to visualize and appreciate in a new way what Jesus really meant when he talked about the shepherd laying down his life for his sheep and so faithfully caring for them. </i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Once there was a Good Shepherd who faithfully cared for his flock of sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">By day the shepherd led his sheep to green pastures and streams of water so that they might be well nourished and grow up healthy and strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">As evening fell the shepherd took his flock to a sheep pen where they could take their rest in peace, unmolested by wild animals or thieves. Then the shepherd himself lay down to guard the entrance to the sheep pen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">One night the sheep became restless and agitated. A wolf had caught their scent and was lurking and skulking about the sheep pen looking for a way in, but the wolf could not get over or through the wall. Frustrated and hungry, the wolf was not about to give up. He found his way to the sheep gate where the shepherd was asleep on the ground. The wolf sneaked toward the sheep thinking he had found his way into the pen. As the wolf drew near the shepherd –who hadn’t been sleeping at all- suddenly sat up. Taking aim with his sling shot he fired at the wolf. He intended to stun the wolf, but this wolf was very hungry. After being shot with the sling shot he was just plain mad. The wolf leapt at the shepherd. When the struggle was over both the wolf and the shepherd were wounded and bloodied, but the wolf ran away, abandoning his hoped for meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">The shepherd knew if he didn’t move his flock the wolf would only return again and again. So he called to his flock and led them out to a new pasture and sheep pen several days travel away. Along the way he met another shepherd by the name of Simon. Simon was not a bad shepherd. He cared for his sheep. But he was young and not especially wise. As the sheep were settled in the pen for the night and the two shepherds sat down together under the stars, Simon told his story to the Good Shepherd. </span></div><a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">It seems that a caravan had passed his way, and a man from the caravan sought Simon out offering to watch over his flock so Simon could go into a nearby village and have a night of pleasure for himself. Simon, like most shepherds, was tired, dirty and smelly. The idea of a night in the village to get a proper bath and have a little fun was just what he needed. So Simon paid the man in advance (as I said, he wasn’t very wise) and headed into town. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Of course, when Simon returned the next day the man and his flock were both gone, Simon chased after the hired watchman. After three hard days of travel he caught up with the man. A fist fight broke out. Simon had a black eye and a twisted ankle, was generally sore and bruised, but he had his sheep back. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Hearing his tale and seeing the condition he was in, the Good Shepherd invited Simon to travel with him and his flock. Simon agreed that working together to care for their flocks would give him time to heal and joining forces would keep both flocks safe. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Every day they took their sheep out to the meadows and streams to feed and drink and play in the sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Every night they lay at the sheep gate, guarding the sheep with their own bodies and lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">A week later Simon was feeling fully recovered and the two shepherds decided to part company again. Each man called for his sheep, and because the sheep knew the voice of the shepherd who so faithfully cared for them they separated themselves and followed, moving on to new and unknown places with confidence and perfect trust. And the Good Shepherd, though his life was hard, was filled with love and joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Let those who have eyes see. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Let those who have ears hear. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"> There is a good shepherd. His name is Jesus. He willingly and joyfully lays down his life for you because he loves you. Because his greatest delight is to share the joy of life with His Father with those whom he loves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Listen. Hear him calling. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Learn to recognize his voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Follow him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">And he will care for you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>The message concluded with the playing of the song "He Will Carry You" by the Gaither Vocal Band:</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 17px;"><b><i>There is no problem too big</i></b></span></div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">God cannot solve </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">There is no mountain too tall</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">He cannot move</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">There is not storm too dark</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">God cannot calm</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">There is no sorrow too deep</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">He cannot soothe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">I know, my brother that He will carry you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">I know, my sister that He will carry you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">He said come on to me all who are weary</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;">And I will give you rest</span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Whatever storms or problems you may be encountering at this time in your life, you are not alone. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for and carries you.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Grace and Peace, </i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Robyn</i></b></span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.biblical-art.com/VZ/weistling/weist0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.biblical-art.com/VZ/weistling/weist0009.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-family: verdana; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-56223586009866061372011-04-24T15:40:00.000-07:002011-04-24T15:40:56.182-07:00Every Morning is Easter Morning!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t remember her name, but I do remember her testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was an elderly member of our church when I was a young teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been diagnosed with cancer and told she had very little time to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That had been years before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had outlived every doctor’s prognosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a day when cancer might have been referred to in quiet whispers and somehow associated with shame and embarrassment, she found the grace and courage to openly share her story. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people went to call on her because she was homebound and ill, the caller always came away with their faith renewed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They went to make her feel better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came away ministered to and feeling better themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One year late in Lent this woman recorded a message to be shared at our church’s United Methodist Women’s monthly meeting. It so happened that my mom had the tape at home. She was listening to it in her bedroom one day, and that was how I came to hear the woman share her testimony in her own words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It will soon be Easter,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But for me, every morning is Easter morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day is a reminder of God’s grace and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day is a resurrection day, a new day of life and an opportunity to serve Him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It seemed only fitting that a few days later, early on Easter Sunday morning, this remarkable saint left this life and went home to be with her Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Honestly, I suppose I might not have remembered her testimony so clearly if it were not for a song I learned several years later that called her to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lyrics are as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Good-bye guilt, good-bye fear, good riddance! Hello, Lord, Hello, sun!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">I am one of the Easter People! My new life has begun!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Daily news is so bad it seems the Good News seldom gets heard.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Get it straight from the Easter People! God's in charge spread the word!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Yesterday I was bored and lonely; But today look and see!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">I belong to the Easter People! Life's exciting to me!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">From now on!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(Words & Tune: <a href="http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sub=27&search=162" target="_blank">Richard K. Avery</a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sub=27&search=61" target="_blank">Donald S. Marsh</a>, in the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/book.asp?ppn=bkhp143&sid=698" target="_blank">Avery and Marsh Songbook</a></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, ©1967,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.hopepublishing.com/">Hope Publishing Co.</a></span>)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pain, despair and injustice are all around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cannot be denied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet as Christians we know that the greatest injustice ever done was the murder of God’s son on a cross at Calvary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever atonement theory one may embrace, it seems quite clear that it was never God’s intention to allow sin, darkness and injustice to have the final word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when humanity did its utmost worst, God did His utmost best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When humanity’s sin sent Christ to the cross, God’s grace overcame the power of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ rose from the tomb three days after his physical death. He walked, talked, prayed and broke bread with those he had known as his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who place their trust in Him this makes all the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The things that hold us in bondage – things like lack of forgiveness, abuse, addiction, disease and disability, fear and anxiety, grief and mourning – may be a very real burden to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we are not without hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ is our joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The empty tomb is our hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An instrument of cruelty and execution (the cross) has become our victory sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ is risen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alleluia!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light has conquered the darkness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is stronger than hate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death is vanquished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joy in this life and eternity with God are our destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May you have a blessed Easter Season!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Robyn<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-76908007438663090442011-04-22T06:14:00.000-07:002011-04-22T06:14:18.759-07:00Good Friday Reflections on Injustice<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good Friday, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Someone once told me that I have never “accepted” the basic injustice of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That statement made me very upset and even angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through personal experience or by companioning others on their grief journeys I have known a great deal of the injustice that seems to be inherent in life this side of eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have known, at a very young age, the injustice of war that leaves innocent children hungry, homeless and orphaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I have three siblings adopted from Korea, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and my mother travelled to Korea and Vietnam several times during my childhood working to bring aid and assistance to the orphans in those war torn countries.) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know the injustice of old age and illness – cancer and COPD, for example, that leaves good Christian men and women lying in their beds fighting with everyone ounce of strength in their bodies for just one more breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know the injustice of pain heaped upon an already broken heart when a mother learns her children are disabled or have serious medical problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>injustice of mental illness that strips away not only joy and peace, but at its worst strips away even anger and grief - not just feeling bad or sad - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but feeling nothing, a terrible, awful aloneness in the deepest, darkest of pits.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know injustice and I know it rather well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It angers me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><a name='more'></a> I grieve deeply over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then I move on and keep trying to make my little corner of the world a bit brighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rabbi Harold Kushner writes in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who Needs God? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>that we see injustice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see it all, but we see it through the eyes of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These eyes of faith allow me to put my head down on my pillow at night and sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eyes of faith make it possible for me to walk with hope beside one who is lost in despair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eyes of faith are grace to me and as essential a source of sustenance as food and water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is appropriate to reflect on injustice on Good Friday, I believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some years ago I had the opportunity to preview something called The Visual Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I saw was a video version of the Gospel of Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portrayed here, Jesus was relaxed, funny and playful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the blind man Jesus healed fell to the ground at Jesus feet in gratitude Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tackled</i> him, hugged him and playfully, joyfully tumbled on the ground with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> this Jesus .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This video showed the Jesus I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the Jesus I sing of when I sing “Every time I look into Your eyes I see a glimpse of what I’ve always wanted to be.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the story progressed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fell in love with Jesus all over again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself irrationally thinking, “They’re not going to kill him are they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn’t kill this Jesus – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely this time the story will have a different ending, won’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But of course they did kill him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It broke my heart and still does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried and cried for the injustice of it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why did he let them do it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why Gethsemane?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could have changed the ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so grief-stricken and shocked I could never get to resurrection joy with this video presentation of Matthew’s gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paradoxically, I was angry with Jesus for allowing them to do this to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can accept that kind of anger because someone very wise once told me there is a very fine line between great love and great anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On this Good Friday, we are deeply aware of injustice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A veteran from our community is having his disability check garnished by the Federal Government – the whole check, every month – until he has “paid back” the severance pay he was granted upon discharge from active duty.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We read this week that Iowa ranks 48<sup>th </sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or 47<sup>th</sup> out of 50 states for the number of psychiatrists available per capita<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and 46<sup>th</sup> for the number of counselors available. In practical terms this means that a person having a mental health crisis has to wait up to three months to see a psychiatrist in some Iowa counties.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The state of the economy and unemployment rate continues to stress families, resulting in continued incidences of child abuse and domestic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>violence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The list could go on, as any thinking, caring individual already knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a fine line between great love and great anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On that Good Friday so long ago, it seemed like injustice and oppression had won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The darkest day in history was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All was lost on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beaten, battered, bruised beyond description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You gave it all, what went wrong?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Phillips, Craig and Dean, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saved the Day</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let your heart sit with this truth and break a little today. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peace, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Robyn<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-57202386317152188032011-03-18T05:52:00.000-07:002011-03-18T05:52:40.836-07:00In the Chaos of Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">CHAOS. This is the word that best describes the last couple of weeks on both the world scene and in my own personal life. Car trouble, sewer line problems that resulted in water in our basement, challenges at work, earthquake and tsunami, concerns about family living near Crescent City, CA in the path of the tsunami and the hospitalization of a family member—these are just a few of the challenges that have tried my patience and strength recently. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The day of the earthquake in Japan I was driving to work, listening to my favorite Christian radio station. Already I was feeling exhausted by my concerns and worries when the DJ said, “Whatever the tsunamis you're dealing with in your life right now, remember that God is in control.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Really?” I asked out loud. “Is that true, God? You’re in control? What about free will? What about random bad luck or chaos? I know Christians say you’re in control all the time, but what does that really mean?! Do I even believe it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Later that day </span></div><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we went to see a movie, a sci-fi flick called “The Enforcement Bureau.” The premise of the movie is that we only live with the “appearance” of free will. The truth (as portrayed in the movie) is that our lives and destinies are controlled by men in business suits and hats whose job it is to enforce the “life plan” of each individual as it is set forth by “The Chairman.” It was a fanciful and intriguing concept for a science fiction movie, but not at all reflects what I believe to be reality.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After further reflection I was able to set forth these things I do believe:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><!--[endif]-->God is NOT the author of chaos. God speaks and brings order out of chaos. God speaks and darkness becomes light! (Genesis, chapter 1)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Humans do have free will! Scripture encourages us to make our own choices. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15); I<span class="apple-style-span"> call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you </span><span class="apple-converted-space">life </span><span class="apple-style-span">and death, blessing and cursing: therefore</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><b>choose</b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><b>life</b></span><span class="apple-style-span">, that both thou and thy seed may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19) and Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, had a choice to make. He struggled mightily with that choice, sweating drops of blood as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. His choice, “not my will, but Thine” has become our salvation. The point is, he apparently had a choice. Why else would his struggle have been this great? I find the reality of free will and the idea that God is “in control” are incongruent IF by this we mean that God ordains or causes every circumstance of our lives, including illness, earthquakes and the deaths of our loved ones.</span><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="apple-style-span">Some things happen because of the choices I have made. Some things happen because the choices of others impact my life –often in stressful or painful ways. </span><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="apple-style-span">Some things just happen, perhaps as part of the natural order (the shifting of tectonic plates comes to mind) and because we live in a fallen world. This is not the world or existence God intended for us at creation when God pronounced, “It is good.” </span><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i>Sometimes </i></b></span><span class="apple-style-span">there is divine intervention that changes our circumstances and set our lives in order again. Sometimes. That’s why we call these things “miracles.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">v<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i>Always</i></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b> </b></span><span class="apple-style-span">there is grace. Because this is true I can give thanks and sing praise in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6), for God is always with me. He is always faithful. His grace strengthens me and in His grace the greatest losses I face can be transformed to victories of new growth, new peace, new light and life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like the chaos, darkness and sorrow of Good Friday transformed to resurrection light and joy of Easter morning. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grace and peace be with you this day,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Robyn<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-42577753581586059802011-03-07T05:42:00.000-08:002011-03-07T05:43:34.875-08:00Crossroads Have you ever come to a crossroads and found you weren't sure which way to go? For those of us who are "directionally challenged" this used to be quite a concern. Of course, now I have my GPS in my car that helps me get from place to place, prompting me, "in one mile turn left", and even reminding me again when I'm just 300 feet from the indicated course change --just in case I've forgotten in the last few moments. <br />
Sometimes the crossroads in our lives are more metaphorical than literal. Sometimes we have to wait for discernment or other insight about what direction we should choose to go. These times of waiting can be difficult. Most of us don't like waiting for anything. Most of us don't like ambiguity. We like things that are neat and orderly and predictable. Are those words that describe your life? Neat? Orderly? Predictable? Probably not. And if you are going through any kind of challenges in your life (and who isn't?) I am quite confident you are not experiencing life as orderly or predictable. <br />
So I've been thinking a great deal about what it must have been like for Jesus when he came to a crossroads in his life and chose, as Luke tells us: "Now when the time was almost come for Jesus to be receive up [to heaven], He steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51 Amplified Bible) Jesus, in his divinity, must have known that going to Jerusalem was the only course that could fulfill the divine purpose for his life. Yet Jesus the man with free will - like all of us - must have longed to turn and run away from Jerusalem and the danger, cruelty and pain that awaited him there. <br />
Jesus chose the path of hardship. He chose the selfless path. He chose the will of God for his life, even as he struggled with that choice. The struggle was not fully resolved for him until the night before his death when he sweat blood and shed tears in the Garden of Gethsemane. Still, his trust in his Heavenly Father was so great that he could walk "determinedly" toward the very thing every fiber of his being wanted to run from.<br />
As Christians, God's will is our GPS system. Because of the nature of my work, I often set out for places I have never been before. I have to trust the technology of my GPS to get me safely there and back. This causes me some stress at times when I drive into areas outside my comfort zone, especially in remote rural areas. However, my GPS rarely lets me down.<br />
I am praying to let Christ's way be my way as I face my own crossroads in life. I am confident that with God as my GPS system my trust is well placed. Though my path may be unfamiliar, dark or even dangerous at times, I want to choose the self-less path. I want to choose the path of faith and trust. I want to choose the path that draws me closer to the all-sufficient grace of our awesome God. I want to choose that path that ultimately leads to light and life!<br />
Have a blessed and holy Lenten journey.Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-64182322866784446512011-02-14T19:25:00.000-08:002011-02-14T19:25:43.170-08:00Valentine's Eve Prayer Walk at Crossroads Mall<div class="MsoNormal">On Sunday afternoon, February 13, I travelled to Crossroads Mall to walk with the Holy Spirit in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was disappointed, but not surprised, that no one joined me on this adventure in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It proved to be a very interesting experience as well as time spent in prayerful communion with God.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I pulled into the parking lot I was a bit taken aback at how busy the mall was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never seen Crossroads this busy, except perhaps just before Christmas. This day before Valentine’s Day found the mall abuzz with activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit overwhelming as I wondered how I would ever be able to focus on anyone particular person or situation for prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I began my walk on the upper level of the mall overlooking the children’s play area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this point I had a bird’s eye view of much of the mall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I leaned against the protective rail my body tingled all over which I interpreted as a leading to stay put in that spot for some time.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Immediately below me was the children’s play area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the children were playing rough and tumble games, running etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, one little girl, perhaps eight or nine years old, stood apart from the others leaning against the wall.</div><a name='more'></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps she was merely too old for the playground, but she was the first person I prayed for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A toddler ran out of the playground to his mother sitting on a bench nearby, crying in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mother enfolded him in her arms and comforted him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prayed God would enfold her with the same comfort and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the toddler went happily back to the playground, the mother turned to his older brother who then sat down on the floor beside her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A time out, I supposed, for hitting or hurting his brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prayed God would provide guidance and discipline for this woman even as she did so for her children.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Near me was an open store front where a massage therapist has set up business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the activity and noise going on around us she sat alone in a dark corner of her space looking rather forlorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about what this business might mean to her:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her source of income? Self-worth? An opportunity to get out of debt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prayed for her in her need.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Walking around a bit I stopped and glanced down at the play area again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same little girl I had prayed for earlier now sat on a bench inside the playground, holding a younger, similarly dressed girl close to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both children looked sad and alone, lost in this land of play and noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could identify no adult with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not know what circumstances brought them there, but I knew I must continue to pray for them and certainly did.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Walking now I happened upon a physically disabled man walking with his walker and a slow unsteady gait toward the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another man was “with” him, perhaps a staff person, but walked at least five paces in front of him and did not speak to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of our focus on persons with disability in church this morning and prayed fervently for this man that he might be treated with dignity and genuine respect.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the other end of the mall I stopped and looked down again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This side of the mall did not seem as busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My attention came to rest upon a bald man, 60 ish, a husband waiting for his wife to finish shopping I supposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was led to pray for him and the scripture came to mind that God has numbered the very hairs upon our head, so great is his love for and knowledge of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was impossible for me to know anything about this man, except that God loves him, so I prayed he might come to know that love more fully in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prayed that his wife or others would esteem him and build him up and that through her love he might get a glimpse of the unconditional love of God for him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I prayed the man looked up and directly at me, as if he knew I was looking at and praying for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had set out with the intention of doing this discreetly and certainly didn’t want anyone to feel as if they were being stalked or anything, so I averted my gaze, but kept right on praying.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I stopped by my favorite clothing store and visited with the clerk. She introduced me to her husband who had come in to help her climb up and down the ladder to set displays this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I affirmed him for doing this and silently praised God for him and his love for his wife.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In a large department store I prayed for a group of teenage boys who appeared to be looking for something, possibly trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">The jewelry stores were very busy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prayed for couples obviously choosing engagement rings. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I just listened to the sounds of families and customers around me I touched the very soft fabric of some little pink bathrobes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I ran my hand over the second of these I was inexplicably moved to pray for the little girl who would one day wear this bathrobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will she be ill and in the hospital?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will she need safety and protection?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Spirit does.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My walk ended back where it began, on the upper level overlooking the play area below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two little girls I had prayed for were gone now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were even more kids running and playing below, but all seemed to happily occupied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I glanced around and – surprise – the bald gentleman was sitting on a bench right beside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This couldn’t be a coincidence, so I lifted him up to the Father again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I began to slowly walk around the corner to head back to the food court and the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman stopped me and asked if I could give her directions to the nail salon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did and offered to walk her there to make sure she found it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I noticed that the massage therapist had a customer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Things I learned:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love our shiny baubles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We definitely equate love with money and things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These certainly are not new revelations, but the point was really driven home by spending an hour at the mall yesterday afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I have a few shiny baubles of my own, and they mean a great deal to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be easy to be harshly critical of the emphasis on spending money and buying material goods to express our love on Valentine’s Day, but upon reflection I have a somewhat different take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">When a loved one has died people typically come to cherish things that belonged to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A husband’s shirt, still retaining his scent, is taken to bed by his widow each night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents collect in a memory box the foot prints, birth certificate and blanket of the newborn that died in their arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We call these things “linking objects”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They act much like the baptism shell, the chalice of wine or the loaf of bread that “link” us to the Holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are tangible reminders of intangibles:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>love, hope, faithfulness and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps one day the ring purchased by the newly engaged couple in Kay’s jewelers will be passed down to a grand-daughter, becoming the object that links her to all the cherished memories of her beloved grandmother and other family members. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are spiritual beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are also physical beings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a human-physical being I can appreciate the desire to show a loved one how much they mean to me by carefully selecting a tangible gift for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a spiritual being, I was touched – forever newly surprised by Our Great God – at how His Spirit led me through this adventure in prayer and even brought the same man to cross my path twice.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would love to have you join me on my next prayer walk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or take a prayer walk of your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5706843569360692969.post-50311343501598173362011-02-04T17:39:00.000-08:002011-02-04T18:43:30.271-08:00Practice an Attitude of Gratitude<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #545559;">“When I'm worried and I can't sleep</span></span><span style="color: #545559;"><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">I count my blessings instead of sheep</span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">and I fall asleep</span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">counting my blessings”</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><span style="color: black;">Bing Crosby immortalized these words in the classic film, “White Christmas.” You may think that this is a nice, but old fashioned, sentiment. However, new research in the growing field of Positive Psychology shows that counting one’s blessings has power to maintain both physical and emotional health. An attitude of gratitude may just be the key to greater health and happiness you have been looking for. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><span style="color: black;">It is generally accepted that stress makes us sick. Stress has been linked to several causes of death including heart disease and cancer. 90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress related symptoms or illnesses. However, research is now indicating that an attitude of gratitude and optimism significantly boost the immune system and have tremendous value in helping people cope with daily problems, especially stress. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><span style="color: black;">Even in times of great loss or tragedy it is possible to feel genuine gratitude. In fact, adversity can boost gratitude. You have likely heard someone say, or may have even said yourself, “I’m so glad he didn’t have to suffer.” “We had 57 wonderful years together.” “Everyone has been so kind. I don’t know what I would do without my family, faith and friends.” In one study following 9/11 persons who expressed gratitude for an increased sense of belonging and unity were found to be less likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><span style="color: black;">The reality, of course, is that you have suffered a great loss. Grief and pain are a normal part of how we respond to such losses. So what role can gratitude play in life in the season of grief? What can you do to foster an attitude of gratitude and reap the positive benefits of gratitude in your life?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Keep a gratitude journal. At least weekly sit down and make a list of the things for which you are grateful. Your list may include the simple or the sublime. From chocolate chip cookies to a display of Impressionists artwork, if you are thankful for it, it can go on your list. People who do this type of journaling have been shown to exercise more regularly, have fewer physical symptoms, feel more optimistic about life in general and more positive about the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Practice positive self-talk. Say to yourself, “I can do this.” “I’m stronger than I think.” “I can cope.” “I will benefit from this by ___________.” “God’s strength is made perfect even in my weakness.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Reframe the situation. Look at it through another lens. Instead of looking upon the child in your life as cranky, irritable and troublesome, consider that she might be tired and need rest. Or perhaps she is worried or scared and doesn’t know how to tell you what she is feeling. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Reach out and help someone. Finding some way to brighten another’s day makes you feel good. A simple act of kindness shown to another can give meaning and purpose to your day. Reaching out to others when we ourselves are going through a difficult time can give us perspective on our own challenges and turn our hearts again to the attitude of gratitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><span style="color: black;">So, what are you grateful for today? I would love to know. Please share your gratitude in a comment to this post so that in the words of the Apostle Paul, “You and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” <span class="apple-style-span"> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 1em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX83NfQEluyYl1vC857hv5ptbrNHvBZAU7PdUzKrzlLGr_NTqtwKRghikXcziVyPrjtnFNb9bN827VskoEloi3GaX7sfVCbofDyPbKeUslVoEpOhfBxDUHm8DSBoyGP5Q3n8acmgud58N/s1600/101_3074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfX83NfQEluyYl1vC857hv5ptbrNHvBZAU7PdUzKrzlLGr_NTqtwKRghikXcziVyPrjtnFNb9bN827VskoEloi3GaX7sfVCbofDyPbKeUslVoEpOhfBxDUHm8DSBoyGP5Q3n8acmgud58N/s320/101_3074.jpg" width="211" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I am so thankful for the beauty</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">God's creation!</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="line-height: 12pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"></div><span style="color: black;"><span class="apple-style-span">(Romans 1:12)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.25pt;"><br />
</div>Rev. Robyn J. Plocherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10230871168882040006noreply@blogger.com0