Saint James Blog

It would appear that all the pieces are finally coming together for Saint James Kingstowne, just in time for the Franconia Volunteer Fire Dept Open House Saturday and our private launch Sunday.  The contract and deposit are in the hands of the fire dept, the last piece of tech equipment is finally on its way, everyone is doing their share in the final shopping,  someone just volunteered to do flyers for the area, etc.  It’s amazing how many pieces are involved in launching a new site!

It’s also amazing that many of us have gotten to know each other more through this process.  I will only have been on staff here 5 months as of the day of our private launch (this Sunday).  Getting Kingstowne ready to launch has been quite the marathon, but I couldn’t have asked for better people to run it with–people who give what they can, share what they are going though along the way, give each other grace, speak truth in love–is there anything more one could ask for?

There have been some challenging times along this journey, but looking back now, all I can see is the blessings.  I think we can choose to focus on the positive or the negatives.  God used one of my youth to remind me of that this week (in the roundabout and perfect touch that our Lord has).  When things aren’t looking like they will come together, we are the only ones hindered if we let it get to us.  When we choose to drive on and stay focused, we can see the beauty in the bigger pictures and the doors that are opened along the way.

My theme verse of the week:  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. –Romans  8:28

Tags: Thoughts by Erika
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Periodically, my body says to me, “SLOW DOWN!!!” Usually it says that in the most inconvenient times. After all, we are building up for the launch of Saint James-Kingstowne, working with all the various contractors and architects about the renovation at Saint James-Alexandria, our annual meeting for Saint James is coming up soon, I am part of the home-schooling team for my son, and sundry other things. Today my body whether from lack of sleep or allergies which have never been confirmed or the  beginning of a cold said its slow-down-thing. Everything was in slow motion all day and finally I just had to take nap which lasted from roughly 4pm until 7:30-ish. Even now as I stare at this screen I think what are these keys for under my fingers and what am I saying?

I accomplished part of my “list” today- evidently that is one of those things that really organized people use to keep up with all the things in their lives. I have a list, too, but it isn’t because I am organized; that’s for another blog entry. Anyway, there were things on the list that I simply could not get to- editing and posting Sunday’s message (sorry all!), more charge conference (translation: annual local church United Methodist meeting) forms, check requests and bill sorting, and answering machine listening.

Maybe sometimes we just have to slow down and if we are unwilling to “will” it and hence, “do it”, then maybe our bodies kick in and do it for us. Mine sure did today. Tomorrow I am on a panel talking about preaching and more particularly, preaching that is specifically, topically designed so that people will want to come and hear it. Actually, that is the reason I am sitting here at my laptop in the living room is to go back over some of my notes and then I simply couldn’t resist the urge to blog a bit. So there it is… Now I am back to note looking…

Tags: Thoughts by James
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