Butterfly Dreams

  In November, my grandkids and I walked across the street from our church to First Presbyterian. We went just after the Children's Story, with other youth and our FBC Youth leader.  Sean's co-leader of our wonderful 4 church Youth Collective was offering the sermon, shortly before she left our community to serve a congregation in Arizona.   Oh, Kate will be missed!!  In her message, Kate shared a wonderful story from Brené Brown, on how the idea for using a Marble Jar came to her. Kate dropped marbles in a canning jar, as she spoke,  and after the service, we each chose a marble from baskets held by the Ushers.  Kate's message,  A Good Laugh , starts at 40 minutes (and It was so fun to hear their bell choir! I play with ours, and it's a challenge! But rewarding!) Marble jars ○ crocheted and felted marbles For our Moms group gift exchange in December, I used tissue paper on small jars to make little holders for my 6 friends. I included a small ba...

  " How does a person begin to deconstruct the way they look at the world? After all, worldviews are deeper than culture and language, although both play a part in shaping our worldviews.  "Hanging out with those who have a non-Western or Indigenous worldview seems necessary to make changes."  (P 128 / Becoming Rooted,  Randy Woodley) Several years ago at the suggestion of my friend Don Watson, several of us met throughout the summer to read and discuss professor Woodley's little gem of a book on reconnecting with Sacred Earth. Don volunteers at Eloheh , Edith and Randy Woodley 's nearby Center for Earth Justice and farm, and wanted to explore their ideas on living better in our troubled world.  Our Native Voices bookgroup was itself rooted in that summer read, and a small group of us meet in the Fireplace Room at our church monthly to discuss books by indigenous authors.  "The fires kept burning bright are merely emblematic of the greater fire, the great...

 In so happy to be at Family camp again this fall!! Growing up camping and then living at Breitenbush in the 90s, it feels like coming home. It's a rainy this weekend, so I'm doubly happy to share a cozy cabin! Hearth in the Lodge For the  several years , church members and friends have been invited to spend a fall weekend at Camp Arrah Wanna, on the beautiful Salmon River in the Cascades, near Y'East (Mount Hood). Some congregants grew up coming to camp when young, as have my grandkids.  Salmon - in the Salmon River   We have several workshops each morning -  One year  I led a couple of the craft projects. I'm planing on craft time with Sunshine and Sarah again this year, and tomorrow I'll lead Tai Chi.  I'm with my daughter Mary and her 8th graders, who are enjoying time with some of their friends. In '22, my middle granddaughters Emily and Kayleen came with us, which was a treat. We call out Forced Family Fun - the only forced bit is the obliga...