Fun at Grandma's

Here's a few photos from a recent trip to Gramps' and Grandma Jean's house - among other delights such as kicking back in her adirondack chair and taking her "smart car" for a spin, Emmy had the rare privilege to host a tea party for Uncle David, Aunt Renee and Uncle Joel. The end of the day found Aunt Renee sacked out on the couch and Grandma Jean snoozing peacefully with Mickey and Bear cradled tenderly in her arms.

Cloudy skies

The interesting weather we've experienced over the past couple of weeks has created some beautiful and unique cloud formations - just thought I'd share a couple we caught on camera . . .

Taking the plunge

Those of you who've known me for any length of time know that I've been struggling with my weight for many years. For the last 10 years I've been steadily gaining, and I've finally decided to take my health seriously and do something about it. Last night, I joined Weight Watchers and attended my first meeting.

I chose Weight Watchers not only because it's one of the less expensive options available (and money's very tight for us right now!), but because I have several friends who have been very successful in both losing (in many cases impressive amounts) and maintaining weight on this program.

In the interest of accountability, I intend to track my weekly progress on this blog. I hope that in addition to forcing me to be honest with myself, it will be an encouragement to those of you who have similar struggles.

So last night was my first meeting - and it was good, although I have to admit it didn't blow me away. I have a couple of friends at work who attend, so I hitched a ride with them. I was surprised at the number of people there (I'd guess there were at least 40 in attendance at this particular meeting) - and then at the lack of respect for the leader, as many people continued to chat with each other at full volume while she was speaking. However, despite being a bit on the rowdy side, the group was good-natured and friendly in a remote sort of way - most people (like me) sat in little clusters with people they knew.

The leader was enthusiastic and entertaining, sharing "true confessions" of her recent struggles after allowing butter, peanut butter, and Costco cheese danishes back into her diet. One of the best things about WW is that every one of the receptionists (who weigh you in each week) and the group leaders have lost weight on this program and kept it off - so they know firsthand what you're going through. The attractive, petite brunette who signed me up had rather dramatic before & after photos prominently displayed at her station, which made her far less intimidating.
When I signed up, I purchased the "starter kit" with a 3-month journal and food guides to assist me in tracking my points. When I got home, I was still sufficiently inspired to fix a little package of assorted baby veggies (carrots, zucchini and snow peas), a sweet potato, some cottage cheese, and a Fresca (diet soda) for dinner.

So today was my first day on program, and guess what I forgot to bring to work with me? That's right - I left the starter kit at home. Next, I hit Starbucks with a friend and without even thinking, ordered a Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte (yum!) AND a breakfast sandwich. I also purchased a fresh veggie tray for lunch, and promised myself I'd make up for the morning splurge with low-point meals for the rest of the day . . . which I think I did - the only food I had for the rest of the day (besides the veggie tray - and I didn't even touch the dip!) was a stick of string cheese, some cashews, and half a turkey and pepper jack sandwich. I'll have to add up the points tonight and see where I stand.

As I begin this journey to a happier, healthier me, I would truly appreciate your prayers for my success on this program - that God will grant me the strength I lack to make good decisions where food is concerned, and help me to keep trying, even on the occasions when I - as I inevitably will - give in to temptation.

Thanks to all of you for being such wonderful friends - it feels great to know I've got a terrific built-in support system in you guys. :)

Time to go and fill in my first journal entry, so as Tigger says "Ta ta for now!" I'll post again on this topic next week.

Building the Kingdom

I admire the heck out of Samir Selmanovic. Formerly a teaching pastor at CrossWalk, he has taken a huge leap of faith to start a big, hairy, audacious project called Faith House Manhattan. The idea is to create a space where Muslims, Jews, Christians and atheists can come together to build understanding and work together for social justice. Seems to me that something like this would be right down Jesus' alley.

As a lifelong Adventist who's attended mass nearly every Sunday for the past three years (after being taught that the Catholic church was the Beast of Revelation incarnate), I can testify that there are many admirable and beautiful things about the Catholic faith, and rather than weakening or testing my Christian experience, my contact with Catholicism has strengthened it. I've had similarly eye-opening encounters before, delightedly discovering that God can be found in a Sikh house of worship, in Shinto shrines, in Buddhist temples, Zen gardens and Muslim mosques.

Isn't what Samir is doing what we are all called to do as Christians? To step out of our comfortable, insulated lives and learn to see the face of God in everyone with whom we come in contact? Rather than beating them over the head with our version of "the truth," shouldn't we be taking them by the hand and seeking God together as equals - His beloved sons and daughters? By discovering and focusing on what we have in common with people of other faiths, we can deepen our understanding of how big our God really is - and how He can use any faith (or even a lack thereof!) as a means to draw us to Himself.

If you have a few minutes, take a look at Samir's web site and sign up to receive his bi-weekly newsletter - he always has interesting things to say, and includes insightful articles, beautiful poems, etc. that will challenge your mind and edify your spirit. And if you like what he's doing, send him an encouraging e-mail. I'll leave you with a lovely "Sabbath Poem" from his collection:

WITH THAT MOON LANGUAGE

by Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz (c. 1320-1389)

Admit something:

Everyone you see, you say to them, "Love me."

Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops.

Still, though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect.

Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye

that is always saying, with that sweet moon language,

what every other eye in this world

is dying to hear?

(from the Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, translation Daniel Ladinsky - Penguin Compass, 2002)

Peristyle promenade

A couple of weeks ago a group from Solomon's Porch packed lunch and carpooled to the Getty Villa in Malibu for a lovely Sabbath afternoon excursion. While most of the group explored the exhibits in the museum, Peter and Emmy and I remained out of doors - mainly in the outer peristyle, with its formal gardens punctuated by grape arbors, trees, hedges and numerous statues, dominated by an enormous reflecting pool running down the center. Emmy loved the gravel "paths" bordered by short ornamental hedges running down both sides of the peristyle - those areas seemed scaled just for her. She also loved splashing her hands and arms in the water and playing with the umbrellas freely available at the entrance doors (although it was a gorgeous day, there were thunderheads that drizzled half-heartedly during our drive - but thankfully they kept the rain to themselves the remainder of the afternoon!).

After taking in the museum, we sat in hideous traffic for well over an hour before arriving at The Grove, where we had a wonderful (if rather late) Italian dinner at Maggiano's. Here are a few more pictures of our outing - click on an image to see a larger version.