Redundant

It seems I've said the same things on my last two posts..kind of. I apologize for the redundancy....it seems to be on my mind.

It is what it is

It is almost August and I don't think I have started summer vacation.  I am still a bit on edge and I don't really know why except that I have had to come to the school at least 2x a week and we haven't 'escaped' to anything.  Not even a simple day trip away...not anybodies fault but it is what it is. When August roles around, usually tension begin to rise. When I saw the back to school adds on TV, I changed the channel. It really isn't a healthy way to start a new school year but like I said...it is what it is and I have to figure out how I can get ready for the business of the fall without the rest of the summer. 
When we were in Papua, we would escape to this beach as often as we could. An all day away which was exceptional in its beauty and restorative value.  I don't have anything like that here...I need to find something similar.
I have accomplished some of my goals...I finished a quilt and started another. I have read many books. I have begun a running program, I have cleaned and re-organized the home. We are building a woodshed this weekend and the garden we planted is growing and producing. I haven't rested though...or disconnected from the drum beat of school expectations.
I'll figure something out...but a trip to this beach, if possible, would be exactly what I need.

on a side ...strange songs we sing on Sunday.

Before I begin...or even if I do...begin to talk about acedia...I need to have an aside. BTW...acedia is a heavy subject and to delve into how this affects me and when it affects me may require a depth of thinking I am hesitant to begin.

This has been a weird summer in that I still am working at least 2 days a week. Going into the office to do paperwork and to follow up on students and their agents makes me  a bit disgruntled.  Not because I have this job which I enjoy, nor that students are coming which is necessary...it's just mid-July and don't feel like I have had summer yet. Whine, grumble....
I am still training for my 5K..which has been pretty amazing for me in my hatred for running. I am my own trainer..you should hear me on the treadmill.
 "Come on, Heidi, you can run this...it isn't that bad, just 2 more minutes....not even a song."
So for the body part...I am in training.
For the soul part...I am also reading every day. These two work in tandem for me like both wheels of a bike. The other Sunday we were singing the song..."One day in your house is better that thousands elsewhere...

One thing I ask,
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells
(One thing I ask)
One thing I ask
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells

What struck me ...# 1. it is strange that we sing a song about That temple...#2..that His Glory no longer dwells in That temple but in this temple...me!  I am His beauty and His glory...Think on that next time you sing this song. Changes everything doesn't it? It makes me more aware of how I treat this temple, how I feed this place where the Glory of God dwells. I guess church on Sunday is where His Glory dwells because we are all there...It is a strange song to sing anyway...catchy tune though. 

Acedia and me: Kathleen Norris

Late Latin, from Greek akēdeia, from a- + kēdos care, grief — more at hate

First Known Use: 1607

 

It is serious...

 

Acedia
Acedia, Characteristics of: Time Hardly Moves
Acedia, Characteristics of: Hate
Acedia, Characteristics of: Withdrawal
Acedia, Characteristics of: Resignation
Acedia, Etymology of: Care and Cry
Antidote 1: Daily Activity
Antidote 2: Help Others
Antidote 3: Friendship and Good Friend
Antidote 3: Friendship, Characteristics of
Antidote 3: Friendship and Not Befriending Ourself
Antidote 3: Friendship and Mental Discomfort
Antidote 3: Friendship, Nature of
Antidote 4: Pliancy
Antidote 4: Pliancy and Envy and Covet
Antidote 4: Pliancy and Hate and Wisdom
Antidote 4: Pliancy and Reality
Antidote 4: Pliancy and Pleasure
Antidote 4: Pliancy and Friendliness
Summary: Regain Your State of Mind

 

http://www.whiterobedmonks.org/macedia.html

 

I have been reading this book by Kathleen Norris in the past few days and I found me.  I will be working through some things via this medium...for it seems necessary. If you could walk with me in the next few posts, it would be most helpful. If you want a quick overview of this whole subject...the website is helpful.

 

decisive dedication

I went to a funeral yesterday and it was the first one I have ever been to that the Pastor blamed the enemy for stealing away what is precious. You know that verse that says the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy? Finally...finally we were able to not pretend that death is somehow a good thing. I did not know Colleen, but knew and respected her husband. He was instrumental in a round about way for my entrance into LC. What a great love story they had and what a HUGE loss for her family. I felt as I listened to her life story how much of who she was, was intentional and decisive on behalf of others. She poured her life out... What a grand life...what an awful death. Cancer reeks of satan. It is so like sin and it's consequences that it is uncanny. We think our sin is benign, it should not affect anyone we think but left alone and hidden all it does is become deadly. If we bring it to the light and undergo radical treatment of confession and decisive dedication is there a chance for life. I want a life well lived. I don't want to meander, hoping for something. I want to be vigilant in screening for hidden sin and bring it out. Amazing, but even in her death, this unknown woman to me still pours out an example.

Summer came...