finally arrived

The magnificent Sierras!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - We are here!
      That's right we finally made it across the country and many of you have contacted me and asked, "Where are you?"  "Did you make it?"  Yes, we arrived in Murphys, California around 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4.  I wanted to write immediately and let you all know that we are safe and happy but there were so many things to do, so many people to see, I just didn't get to it.  So let me catch you up!


We spent Sunday night just south of Reno, Nevada and had spectacular views all the way from there to Murhpys.  Since we were south of Reno we took Route 88 across the mountains.  Over and again we were enthralled with the magnificent beauty of the mountains.  We went through snow covered trees and into lush greens hills.  The trip was true joy.  The best part was sharing it with Daryl.  We are great travelers together and we loved the adventure.  The photo to the right is the creek near our new home.  We are staying in a little "cabina" in Sonora.  This place of refugee and exquisite surroundings are becoming home to us already.  I have decided to name the cabina, La Casa de Canta, which means house of song.  This is appropriate as it the place where Daryl will write music, (he has already started composing one), I will write sermons, letters and journal entries (probably blogs too!)  and together we will sing praise to our God.  Songs of joy arise naturally in this tranquil setting,  It is just what we need after a long cross country trip!

Already the daffodils are blooming and the birds are singing.  We share the land with a wolf, some chickens, and a happy dog named Simon.  (the wolf and chickens are not in the same pen!)  I am in my glory with all this nature around me.

Daryl on the deck

Daryl is standing on the deck of La Casa de Canta.  For those of you who know him well, you can already imagine that this piece of heaven feeds his creative soul!  Sadly he has to go back east for a bit to finish his responsibilities there!

In addition to the beauty of the earth, we have been the recipients of generous and loving hospitality by both the people of the congregation, the local clergy and the community.

Already I met with two other local pastors as we made plans for joint worship services for Holy Week.  Chad and Doug were willing to change their plans a bit for our meeting so we could attend the "Bell Ringing for Peace" that is held once a month at First Congregational Church in Murphys.  The lower left photo shows the three of us taking our turns ringing the bell.                      


Joe Jackson, the moderator at Murphys, had my office all painted and the sign board ready to go.  It was an emotional time for me as he took me outside and let me put the sign up bearing my name as the pastor. It has been a long journey to get here and now I am blessed to serve this parish.  The blessings did not only begin here though.  As St. Peter's folks sent me off with a grand celebration and many tears, I knew I was cherished.  They are a wonderful flock, one I was proud to serve.  They enriched my life and taught me so many things.  In reality, they prepared me for this adventure.  Their love and support of me enabled me to have courage to go forward as I followed God's nudgings to a new place of ministry.

I am already finding my place in the town.  For those of you who know me well, you know how I like to meet people. Daryl and I were have lunch in the Aria cafe and of course I struck up a conversation with some folks at the table next to us.  "Are you from around here?" I asked.  "No," they said, "we went skiing."  Somehow I told them I was the new pastor at the UCC church and the man told us he is the organist at a Catholic church.  After quite a long discussion with Daryl, we exchanged emails and shook hands as friends when we left.  Dwight promised to stay in touch and he and Daryl might get their heads together for some concerts.

Tonight the Lenten supper and service where we discussed "Jesus as Healer" and the Taize service afterwards were just what I needed to round out the settling in here.  Hearing people's stories of healing, chewing on thoughts of Jesus and those he healed, singing quietly amid the candlelit sanctuary allowing the piano, cello and clarinet to whisk us to a holy place as the rhythms of the prayers echoed a quiet hum - these all nourished my soul and a great calm entered my being.

I am home now - this new place where God has led me to serve.  Yes, it was hard to leave.  Yes, I miss my friends, family and parish.  But yes, I know surely that the blessings will continue and God will guide us every step of the way!  Joy in the Journey, Pastor Bonnie

Pastor Doug, Pastor Bonnie & Pastor Chad

Standing Beside the Salt Lake

Day 5 - Traveling through Three States - Wyoming, Utah and Nevada

    We are fortunate to have the photo above because of a wonderful stranger who saw us trying to take our own photo and offered to help.  Not only did she take this great shot, but she suggested I might like to take a panoramic shot of the mountains.  "I don't have a panorama feature on my phone," I told her.  "But you do, she said and proceeded to show me how to use it.  Thus I was able to get the next shot which is one of my favorites of the day.

The Mountains behind Salt Lake

   Once again we were blessed by a stranger.  I am beginning to think there is no such thing as strangers - they are only friends we have yet to meet.  I heard that somewhere, but forgive me because I can't remember where!  

  

   At this same place where we stopped to take photos and enjoy the beauty all around us, I also saw a sign on the bathroom door.  It read, "Please wipe your feet on the rug if you have been walking in the salt."  Now I found this both amusing and pleasing.  I mean, really now, who wipes off their feet at a public rest stop these days???? We are lucky if we get our family members to wipe them off at home, much less a public restroom!  So I had to see if this was for real. Sure enough, as I stood washing my hands for a very long time, every woman or child who came in that restroom, stopped and wiped their shoes on the old piece of rug that was there!  Daryl said the men's room had the same sign there!

  Oh if we could only teach the whole world some common courtesies I believe we would have less violence and less stress.  Even as we were driving some people just had to pass in front of me and then slow down or flash their lights if I wasn't going fast enough.  Daryl reminded me of something he has started to do when he is tempted to get frustrated with drivers who think they own the road all to themselves.  he tries to remember they are God's child too.  So when I am tempted to yell, "IDIOT!"  I will try to remember they are a child of God too."  I will admit that it did help and I found myself laughing our loud as I was tempted to become impatient.  I mean after all, we had only driven some 2500 miles and still have a few more to go.  Why hurry?  Stop and smell the Lake Salts!  

    But getting back to the courtesy idea, it reminds me of Daryl and I walking in Chicago on Thursday as we went to see the play.  He always walked to the side of me so he was nearest the street. "I love how you protect me," I told him.  "You know," he said, "I learned these courtesies as a teenager and I have never forgotten them."  

   As for me, I know I'm from the South and some may say it is my naive upbringing, but I love when a gentleman opens the door for me or gives up his seat on a crowded bus.  We learned to always stand when someone enters the room and reach out to say hello and shake hands.  We remember to give great care to the elderly and let them go first, hold doors for them, offer to carry packages.  I remember as a child that someone always carried my mother's groceries to the car.  Today we are lucky if the cashier even looks at us.  I think the random act of kindness thing was trying to bring some of this back, but what if we were kind every day, all day?  

  On this trip, Daryl and I have been the recipients of many kindnesses.  From waitresses to toll booth collectors; from family to strangers, from hotel clerks to gas station attendants.  Everywhere we went people were kind to us.  Maybe our country is changing after all!

  On a final note, tomorrow we will be arriving in Murphys, California (if the Good Lord is willing and the creek don't rise - that's a saying from my childhood!)  The week has gone by quickly and we are enjoying all the sights and conversations along the way.  In many ways, it is just what I have needed to make the transition from one parish to another, from one state to another, from one home to another.  Daryl and I have reminisced together about the many joys of finding one another in PA, raising a family and now moving on.  There is some sadness in leaving it - not because we dread to go - but because we had so many blessings there.  But the trip has also prepared us for the joy ahead.  We are seeing a different part of the country, meeting new people and folks are laying the welcome mat for us in Murphys.  We try to guess what it will feel like to live there, for me to pastor there, for us to walk down main street and call this town home.  

    It has been good to have this time and space to make the transition.  Our prayer is that you will all know, both those in PA and those in CA that our lives are much the richer because we are sharing or have shared this walk with you.  Joy in the Journey, Pastor Bonnie

Rock Formations in Wyoming

Day 4- Our Longest Day on the Road - From Lincoln, Nebraska to Rock Springs, Wyoming

      Today was the longest day of our trip so far. We went 700 miles and the terrain really changed.  We went through flat lands and then through beautiful, huge bluffs. In Nebraska I was surprised to find out that in the town of Lincoln, before the Civil War, they had more slaves than any other place in all of America.  At that time, the town of Lincoln was called Lancaster and the next one was called York. This is exactly like the place Daryl and I just left in Pennsylvania.  Our church was in Lancaster and the next city over is York. It just goes to show that things can be very different but also the same.

    The other thing that struck us was how close we are to family and friends even though we might be far apart in distance. You don't really get a feel for the lay of the country when you hop on an airplane and fly from Pennsylvania to California. But you really get a sense of distance, people, and land when you drive it in a car.
 
    We had to visit Cheyenne, Wyoming and go into the town because our oldest granddaughter is named Cheyenne.  We were texting her back and forth while we were there. Also our youngest son is celebrating his birthday in Columbus, Ohio so we had a good chat with him.  My younger brother David called me from Richmond. Even though we are far apart, we are still close together.  So this day was filled with memories, chats and emails.  We had a conversation with Daryl's good friend Brian whom he has been mentoring for a couple of years. They are planning a Divinity Cafe event when Daryl returns and will be starting a music program for children of refugees. So they were working out details while we were on the road!  It's great to be so connected!

    One of the highlights was a monument to Lincoln along the side of the road. You can see it here.  It is the highest point on route 80- at an elevation of 8640 feet.  There was also a little museum and we read about the first transcontinental highway called the Lincoln Highway. This was part of the road that Daryl's mother took when her father and stepmother made a trip west on their honeymoon and took her along. We imagined how hard it would be to travel in the 1920's.  She likes telling us many of the stories of her events on that trip.  Now we could see exactly where she was talking about.

     It was a somewhat uneventful day because we had to drive so many miles, so we spent time listening to a wonderful story about a relationship between a father and daughter who both love music; so it struck a chord with us.  It was a great positive story in learning about life and death. We were able to engage in it while we traveled.  It is called The Last Song.

     I especially enjoyed listening to a CD produced by a professional choir in Lancaster.  It is all music composed by Daryl.  The group known as the Lancaster Chamber Singers loves his compositions and so they decided to do a whole CD of them.  My favorite song on the Cd is : It is Good to Give Thanks to God. How grateful we are for this time to be together, to chat with friends and family, to see this magnificent world.

    A theme that keeps arising with me is that people everywhere are looking for the same things - love and beauty, security and happiness. In some places, people find life to be a blessing and they honor each other's traditions and respect the good earth.  Other times, greed and love of money take over and the air is polluted, the streams are dirty, violence rears its ugly head and sorrow wins the day.  We were reminded again of how easy people can let money, greed and power sway their ability to make good decisions.  Rock Springs has a sordid history of police misconduct that still colors life there today.  I couldn't help but think of all my Native American brothers and sisters that lost their land, families and even their lives because of greed.
It sobers me and I pray for God's great mercy to surround us and nudge us to love one another.

Bonnie and the Monument of Lincoln

   So as we get ready to snuggle down for the night, our hearts are overflowing with good memories and great anticipation for another new day.  Many years ago on our wedding day, I promised Daryl in our wedding vows that he would never be bored.  Sometimes to tease him, especially when we are on one of our "Holy Adventures"; I ask him, "are you bored yet?"  He usually replies, "No, Bonnie, I have never been bored in my life with you!" Joy in the Journey!  Pastor Bonnie

Day 3- March 1, 2013.  It's hard to believe that we are already on Day 3 of our journey westward.  The morning began with a delightful breakfast at the Egg Harbor Cafe in Lake Forest with Ruth and Mark. (I might add that Ruth brought us coffee to our bedroom first thing this morning! What a gift that was!)   It was an amazing time as we shared dreams of ministry ahead and joys of the past.  Ruth bought me a beautiful mug from the cafe.  I love it and will think of her every time I have my coffee. Mark is a seminary professor so it was fun to discuss the many aspects of Ministry.  As we prepared to leave, he gathered us around in a circle and prayed for us amid the swirling snow.   It was hard to say goodbye after such a marvelous time! 

Iowa was fairly uneventful and we took turns driving. I played Candy Crush and crocheted most of the time (when I wasn't behind the wheel that is). Daryl was my tour guide and told me all about Dixon's history- the home of former president Ronald Reagan. Recently Dixon has been in the news because a comptroller embezzled about 50 million dollars.  I still cannot believe there were no checks and balances over this 23 year period in which she was employed to catch this!  

We drove through light snow showers but no problems.  The wind was wicked and I had to pull out my funky hat.  However, we loved watching the massive windmills at work along route 80. I'm glad the wind was great for something today!

The other exciting thing we saw were the sculptures at Council Bluffs. There are four of them right at the edges of the highway.  There is a lot of controversy about them as some folks do not see the beauty in them.  The artist, Albert Paley named them Odyssey.  Paley  used four different kinds of material for the construction.  They are to represent the dialogue between the land and air and sky and light, and the materials he used are tominimize future maintenance expenses. (information paraphrased from the Public Art and Practice article on the web) I rather liked them.

Of course, the journey is made most interesting by the people you meet.  Tonight after dinner I needed to stop at a drugstore to get some writing paper.  As I was in the check out line, the young male cashier asked me how I was. "Just great," I said.  "Where are you from?" he asked me.  "Pennsylvania," I replied.  "You sound like it." he said.  Not isn't that funny given I actually do not sound like a Pennsylvanian at all? Oh well, he was so kind and then he reached out his hand and said, "My name is Ramone, Ramone with an "e" and let me be the first to give you a warm welcome to Nebraska!"  "Why thank you," I replied.  "Do you know you are the first person to introduce yourself to a complete stranger since I have been driving across the country?"  "Well, Nebraska's the place to be," he said "and you are welcome back any time."

We continued to chat as I told him I was moving to California to pastor a congregation there.  He shared that he is working two full time jobs and is a R& B singer/composer trying to make it in the music world.  When I left, he said, "Now Miss Bonnie, you just have a great time, and don't you forget Ramone, Ramone with an "e."  "I won't" I said as I left the store smiling from ear to ear. As I relayed this marvelous experience to Daryl he said to me, "Don't you remember when you went into Walgreen's in Lima Ohio four weeks ago you had a similar experience?  The young cashier was so kind to you?"  "That's right," I answered.  It seems as if God is just sending angelic folks my way!

It's marvelous isn't it, what a little kindness will do.  We have blessing upon blessing every step of the way.  We are grateful for safety on the highway, for texts and emails from friends, warmth in our marvelous Scion XB and the magnificent beauty of the land as we drive through various states.  (the color is called 'hot lava' so I named her Hot Lava Mama!)

Daryl and I wake up each morning and we have a routine where one of us says, "This is the day God has made," and the other one says, "let us rejoice and be glad in it."  In the evening I often sing a song that was one I sang to the children when they were young. It's a variation on a familiar song.  "Close your eyes, go to sleep, I pray the whole your soul to keep, angels watch you all the night, till you see the morning light.  Close your eyes....."  It's a great way to end the day.  May tonight be peaceful, your dreams sweet and may you wake up with kindness in your hearts.  Joy in the journey, Pastor Bonnie

I love this sign at the Indiana border!

Day 2 of the Road Trip West - February 28, 2013
     Today we had the opportunity to sleep in a bit as we were only driving to Chicago where we are spending the night with Daryl's sister Ruth and her husband Mark.  It so happens that a tree fell on their house during a storm last August and so their house is under major construction.  This resulted in a pleasant stay for all of us at some close friends of theirs, Mary Pat and Tom.  It couldn't have worked out better if we would have planned it.  Daryl and I are staying in their adopted son's room who is African American.  We also adopted an African American.  We both share a common joy in that we took in foster children and have many miracle stories to tell.  Tom and I both used to sell insurance.  Their son, Tom Jr., is a musician and gave some wonderful gifts to Daryl!  We are blessed by these remarkable surprises.

     To top it off, we got to see the off Broadway show, "I Love Lucy."  Daryl's niece is playing the role of Ethel.  She is an incredible actress and singer.  If you get the chance to see it, don't miss it!  Mark and Ruth treated us to Daryl's all time favorite - Chicago deep dish pizza!  He has been talking about this for years from the good ole days when he lived here for a brief time.
   
     Even though most of the day was filled with gray skies and the occasional snow shower, our lives were enriched all along the way.  We had lunch at a Cantonese restaurant and it was fabulous. It must have been senior citizen day though, by the looks of the patrons - wheelchairs and walkers.  I loved all the laughter and chatter about hip replacements, trips to the doctor etc.  The best surprise of the day was when three burly looking guys entered and sat down near us.  Shortly after their drinks were delivered one of the fellas said, "Can I pray?"  "Sure," the other two said.  Now I know I was eavesdropping but it showered me with God's tender mercies right in the midst of that Cantonese diner.  "God, thank you for the food, for what we have and for these good friends. Amen."  "Amen" the other two said and I said amen.  But it didn't stop there.  The youngest fella turned to the others, "You know, I might not have much, I might be poor, but this is great - what we have right here."  "Yep," the others agreed and I heard them talking about having work and family and the money to eat lunch there.  Oh how they fed my soul!  To hear this goodness coming from young people in a public place.  Sure the Mongolian beef and chicken were great, but I left that place convinced that the "holy" is everywhere.

  Dr. Bruce Epperly has written a book entitled "Holy Adventure" and in it he speaks of the wonderful things that happen when we listen to God's nudges and decide to be part of creating love and goodness with God.  Daryl and I are calling this move to California our "holy Adventure" in part because of Bruce's book.  That book helps us find ways to see God in everything.  Today we were privileged to see the face of God in the seniors, burly young men, new friendships, family members, actors and actresses and in the beauty of Lake Michigan. Even on this cold winter day, the hand of God is displayed everywhere!  May you all see the face of God today.  Joy in the Journey, Pastor Bonnie

Lake Michigan near Ruth and Mark's home

A Day of Remembering!

Our yard in the spring

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - Day One of our Holy Adventure!
      Today was filled with many mixed emotions. Daryl and I began the day with final packing and preparing to move me to California.  It wasn't until I was finished mopping the stairs and doing a final walk through that I began to cry.  Our home was the place where we wailed through the death of our twenty-six year old son, the nest where we adopted our youngest son, the beautiful woods where we celebrated the thirtieth birthday of our next to oldest son, and decorated the massive deck for a grand luau with the St. Peter's choir.          
      We hosted book signing parties when Daryl's book, From a Mustard Seed was published.  We held church consistory retreats and neighbor get-togethers.  Our grandchildren joined Daryl in drum circles in the living room and my long lost family of origin had Thanksgiving dinners with us and shared stories of how much we are alike in spite of the fact that we grew up separately. Jordan and Daryl turned the woods into a lovely meditative trail.
      Our home was truly a place where joy and sorrow, celebration and death, sickness and healthy happiness grew side by side.  Daryl and I put quite a lot of effort into making it a great refuge.  Our master suite was all windows on one side and it was almost like we lived in a tree house.  Of course, being served my coffee in bed by Daryl every morning certainly added to the romance of the place.        

       So you see, it is hard to leave it, but at the same time, I am thrilled to be going to a new place.  On Sunday, St. Peter's folks celebrated and grieved with us at I leave this church family that has also been home.  It was a glorious event and I cannot remember a time when I felt more loved and appreciated.  Saying goodbye to everyone and then again on Monday and Tuesday to the refugees tears at my heart even now.  Yet what a magnificent journey it has been.  When I came to St. Peter's eight years ago, I said to them, "It's a new day." The blessings are too numerous to count.
      Here we are, starting that "new day" ourselves, supported by friends and family everywhere and surrounded by God's mercy and grace.  Far away a new parish awaits us and we are eager for this new venture!
      The trip today was uneventful, full of rain, massive fast trucks, and each of us trying to get comfortable.  We took turns driving and I began crocheting a baby's cap.  I've never done it before so I am working by experimenting.  Sadly, my cell phone crashed a few days ago and when they gave me a new one I lost my music, photos and who knows what else!  We were planning to use it to listen to music as we traveled.

heading into OHIO

       It feels good to finally be on the way.  Daryl keeps me laughing as every time I mention where we are, how far we are going, what I am seeing, he says, "Road Trip!"

Okay - we are now through Pennsylvania and into Ohio.  The only photo we could get is this one!    
    One last thought - before we head to bed.  On Monday night I visited with my 93 year old mother-in-law and she prayed for me.  "I will miss you deeply," she said, "but I know God is using you and Daryl to bless many other people, so I can let you go.  God will take care of the details, Bonnie."  May it be so!  Joy in the journey!
     
     

We are the Smile of God

Matthew 5:13-16

This past summer while I was traveling in Germany I attended a Mass at St. Klara in Nuremberg. The priest was one of the most hospitable people I have ever met. In his homily he said this, "We are the hands and feet of Jesus. We are the smile of God to one another." What a beautiful statement.

Sometimes it is hard to the smile of God to one another. Think about it - how many people did you encounter today who smiled at you? Just yesterday as I waited at a red light I looked at the car next to me. I often pray for that person. When I looked, the man was smiling. Just sitting there and smiling. It made me smile. How often we rush through life not really seeing the people or the beauty next to us. there we were, two strangers, not even looking at one another, but he made a difference in my day. For the next two hours I began to smile at everyone I met. You should have seen the reaction of folks. They often looked at me to see if they knew me, then most of them smiled back. Some even said hello.

We have the power to be the love of God in our world. We can continue to add to the anger, the vengencance, the gossip in our lives or we can be the smile of God to one another. Try it and see the miracles that begin to happen!

Reflection

Did you smile at someone today? How did it make you feel? Can you see yourself as the conduit for God's love to others? Write about a time when this happened.

Challenge

What are the things that hold you back from loving others? How can you begin to be a channel for the love of God to others? Today, smile and pray for one other person. Tell someone that God loves them.

Prayer

Smiling God, forgive me when I am grumpy and take it out on others. Stretch my face to smile more often and be a reflection of your great love and mercy. Lead me to people who need a friend this day and open my life to be ready to love them. In the name of Jesus who