Weekend Report

Ben has posted pictures from our weekend getaway to Mackinaw (or Mackinac), so I won't post any now. Go take a look--there's some neat stuff there. After signing the lease on the new apartment on Friday and moving a bunch of stuff in, we were pooped out on Saturday night. Ben preached on Sunday morning and then we headed north. Sunday morning I did something to my left knee, and it hurts to bend or twist it -- made walking lots of fun. Anyhow, we headed out and drove north. As we often do, we got off the freeway and hit some back roads. We re-visited some spots from Ben's past and then headed on the Cross in the Woods Shrine. It was actually much nicer than I expected. It was awe inspiring without being overdone, though I still thought it a bit much. Then we headed the rest of the way and found the campground. We got camp set up and headed out for dinner and wandering around Mackinaw City for a while. Then it was back to camp for a really good night's sleep in preparation for the big walk. We got to Mackinaw City about 7 and finally got off the shuttle bus at the north end of the bridge in St. Ignace about 9. After standing in the potty line for a while and taking care of business (no place to pee for the next five miles) we struck out along the bridge. It was beautiful and it was kind of awesome to see that large number of people paricipating. By the time we finished, I had two blisters and my knee was screaming. BUT I did have a really good time and I would love to do it again (maybe next year). Then we had lunch, headed back to the U.P. to visit the Mystery Spot (a real tourist trap I thought). Then it was time to head south -- with LOTS of other travelers. Once again, we got off the freeways and headed down backroads. I don't know if it was faster or not, but it was far less stressful. Ben was wonderful (always with a sense of adventure and always showing concern for my wimpy ailments). I just gotta tell you all -- I got very lucky when he came into my life! I wouldn't trade him for anything!

Some folks think that it was silly of us to take the time away from moving over the weekend, but I say it was exciting, fun, and therapeutic -- well worth any sacrifice of time and money. Today it was back to work -- ten hours -- much work to make up from being away yesterday. Our European clients don't celebrate Labor Day so the work went on. That's the way it is today -- enjoy one another and give someone a hug.

Wednesday Morning

I didn't know what else to call this post. Ben called this morning to tell me about some financial struggles and snafus he is encountering. He hasn't had to deal with living on the financial edge of things in a very long time. Seeing that there is less coming in than going out and that some bills are having to slide is very troubling for him and the problems are manifesting as feelings of worthlessness, badness, and so on. He has a tender heart which is one of the things I love about him, and this current mess is causing him such distress. I hope that he doesn't become cynical or hard hearted through this. His gentle yet adventurous spirit just seems so dampened right now. Because of my own situation, all I can do is be nearby to be a listening ear and a sympathetic and empathetic voice. I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel; I just hope that the long night of struggle isn't too long. I believe that something positive is going to happen very soon -- be that a call to a church for one of us, a job in his area for me, or something. One positive thing that I believe will come out of this is a new awareness on Ben's part of the plight of so many to whom he will be called to minister. The struggle of living from paycheck to two days before paycheck; the struggle of over extension; the struggle of seeking a job; the struggle of life when times are tough. I think that his heart, already full of compassion, will be touched more deeply as he moves through this stuff and that he will come out of it better prepared than ever to minister to the masses.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers -- he is in a struggle that goes beyond the financial stuff. His transition from the church he was in has raised up all those old feelings of low self esteem, as though he is somehow to blame in all this. I keep looking at the picture of him with the scarecrow and seeing the peaceful innocent vulnerability of the man I love. Then I think of the daily dilemmas and storms that come his way and I fear their impact on that image. Well, I guess I've rambled on enough to get my point out and to process some of this in my own mind.

A Wonderful Year

As I sat this morning drinking coffee and missing Ben, I remembered that this was the first anniversary of a very memorable occassion. It was on this day one year ago that Ben and I were together and he shyly yet boldly (Is that a possible combination?) asked if he could kiss me. Silly me -- I said YES, and in saying that I received and shared in perhaps the most passionate kiss of my life to that moment. Since that day there have beena lot more kisses, hugs, and more, and all of it has its magical side, but that moment one year ago today is forever burned into my brain as a moment of wonder, discovery, and excitement. Ben, on this first anniversary of that momentous occassion, I just want to tell you (in front of all blog-dom) that I love you more every day!! Consider yourself kissed!

What a Weekend

Hey readers -- I haven't had time to post anything since Friday. We had a super weekend at church with our guests from out of town. The translation of "super" for me is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. By the time the service was over on Sunday I was exhausted and a bit physically sick just from overdoing it to make sure that everything went right. Ben was a great help and support to me as always. I'm telling you, folks, if you are active in your church, it is a blessing to have a partner who not only supports your efforts but also is willing to share the load. The picture above right shows Ben chatting with one of our guests who is planning to enter seminary soon. After we got home from church and rested for a few minutes (or tried to) we loaded up our stuff and the dog and headed to Ben's for last night. He had an appointment in the Detroit area today and i invited myself to go with him (Aren't I the bold one?). A little before 10 last night, I gave out and went to sleep while he posted his blog update. The weekend had done me in. Anyhow, we got up and got moving this morning and headed toward Detroit. While Benwas taking care of business I was enjoying the weather (it was sunny and 70 today --can you believe it?). The other picture above is one I took while waiting for him. It shows a tree in fall color on what should be a wintry day but is a summery 70 -- welcome to Michigan! But isn't it a pretty tree? After he finished his business, we went hiking through a nearby park just enjoying the day and each other's company. Then we decided it was nearly lunch time so we headed back toward home looking for a lunch spot. We were riding merrily along enjoying the scenery when Ben mentioned that it seemed that the truck was out of alignment ==pulling to the right. Then we heard the noise -- thumpa thumpa thump. We pulled off on a side road to see what was up. The right front tire was flat as a pancake. When we discovered our dilemma, Ben remembered that he has road service, so let's call someone else to do the dirty work. God forbid we should get our hands dirty -- LOL. I walked a little ways and found Arbys and brought back lunch which we consumed while we waited. Several people stopped and offered assistance (including a state trooper and a sheriff's deputy). As we ate, we were bothered by an unlikely phenomonen for the last days of October -- the bees thought that the french fry grease smelled yummy and a couple of them buzzed around us like it was July. Finally, after the anticipated hour wait, the road service guy showed up and had the tire changed in a few minutes. Of course Ben and I stood there and watched him work -- nice view too LOL. He finished up and was on his way and so were we. We stopped for ice cream (again, OCTOBER??) and headed home. Then we sat snuggled on the sofa for an hour or so while Ben processed some feelings about his situation and I held him and listened. That, boys and girls, is what partners do --listen and support one another. Then, sadly, I had to head for home. The odd part is that I left the dog at Ben's this week as I will out of town from Wednesday through Sunday and he is babysitting --bet his cats will LOVE that. I said a prayer as I started the car to head out because yesterday when I was almost there, it began making funny noises, let out a backfire, gave off the aroma of burning rubber, and then moved ever forward. I made it to the house, parked in the driveway, and in my best Scarlett O'Hara voice told myself, "I'll worry aobut that tomorrow." Imagine my relief then this afternoon when it started and ran like a champ all the way home. It's old, it's tired, it's ventilation system has a mind of its own, the drivers' seat is supported by two plastic buckets, but it looks decent and usually gets me where I'm going AND it's paid for. (Gee, it sounds a lot like me.) So I'm home and gearing up for my trip and missing Ben and the poodle already. If you have a mate, cherish him or her. If you don't have one and are looking, seek one who is supportive and caring. Have a good rest of the week and tell someone you love them. It brightens the day for both of you.

The Scarecrow and the Stud

I took this picture of Ben and the scarecrow at the festival I mentioned in my previous post. Isn't it just sweet?