Oops. I Forgot to Blog Again.

About a month ago I was determined to get back into a regular rhythm of blogging.  That lasted for about 2 posts.  So I will make my reappearance to the blogging world with a new random list of happenings.  Let's just pretend we're sitting down for coffee.  Peppermint Mocha Twists at Starbucks.  Here's what I would share...

• I'm going to Israel in June of 2009.  Very excited about it.  It's an all-expenses paid trip.  Very, very excited about that.  It is a 2-week Pastoral Pilgrimage where we will explore Biblical sites during the mornings and have a lot of time to rest and recharge during the afternoons and evenings.  I am a huge fan of all things historical.  And an even bigger fan of Jesus.  I think I may be out of my mind the entire time.
• Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark is amazing.  Go get some.  Now.
• My family is doing something different for Christmas.  We decided not to buy gifts for the adults and instead are going to have an "experiences together" Christmas.  I worked some of my cheap hotel room magic and we're going to spend an overnight in downtown Cleveland.  We're seeing a matinee of A Christmas Carol in Playhouse Square and then taking in a Cleveland Cavaliers game that evening.  On Christmas Day my parents and I are going to go serve at a homeless shelter.  Very cool Christmas plan.  And none of the stress of Christmas gift shopping.  Brilliant.
• My dear friend Monica is flying in from Tennessee this week for 48 hours of catching up and fun.  She's coming to see Wicked.  Which means I am going for the 4th and final time.  That is, unless one of you comes to town to see me and Wicked.  I probably could be talked into going again.
• I bought a Wii Fit a month or so ago and the biggest thing it's done for me so far is convinced me that I have no sense of balance or coordination.  It's a wonder I don't fall over more often.
• Lots of cool ministry stuff will be happening in 2009.  Can't wait to elaborate on that more in the months ahead.  OK, if we were really sitting down over coffee I'd tell you more.  But since we're not you'll have to wait.
• I get to baptize a very special friend of mine in January.  Love it.
• Been reading The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay.  Some very thought-provoking stuff in there about incarnational vs. attraction models of ministry.  I think it is a must read for church planters but anyone who is serious about helping people find their way back to God will benefit from this book.
• If they don't stop with the dead Denny bit, I am quitting Grey's Anatomy.
• Mostly, I am just feeling very grateful this holiday season.  Grateful for family and many dear friends.  Grateful for experiences.  Grateful for dreams.

  That's what I'd share if we were chatting over coffee.  And after you filled me in on your life, I'd panic realizing it is 9:30pm and I just drank a caffeinated drink.  Oh well, I'd say.  Guess I'll just stay up all night and blog.  But since we're not having coffee, I guess you'll probably hear from me again in about a month.

Comments

[Gretchen]

this post made me really want to chat with you over some coffee....and some Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark...and maybe make a rickrack lampshade.

[Betsy from Knoxville]

oh my gosh, i said the exact same thing about Denny on Grey's. What an annoying waste of time! and did it have to happen after she and alex were doing well?

[Tammy Melchien]

Gretchen...I would love to do 2 out of the above 3 things with you!

Betsy...isn't that the most ridiculous thing ever? It was bad enough they put it into one episode...but to make it a multi-episode storyline! Ugh.

[Liz]

I enjoyed our "chat" and virtual coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker, so virtual coffee is the only kind I take! I hope that one day I can meet you in person at a conference, because I'm beginning to feel like a stalker!

[pam h]

Hi Tammy! I'm so excited about your trip to Israel! I'd love to go someday! Biblical history is so inspiring, I imagine this will be a life-changing trip. Let me know if there's an opening on your trip! :)

[kt]

Tammy...

you Wii Fit note made me laugh out loud. I don't have it, i probably never will...even though I kind of want it...but I would TOTALLY be the same way. You should see me to DDR!!!

[Tammy Melchien]

Liz--hopefully our paths will cross at a conference some day!

Pam--do you think you could fit in my luggage? :)

kt--yes, DDR is a humiliating experience!

[betsy]

so I guess Izzie is having a brain anurism. that's the word on the street.

[Tammy Melchien]

ah, well, that may save the story line. they just need to get to that part before everyone quits watching the show!