Delight #30

April 30 was my 3,000th day in a row of running at least 1 mile per day. It has an amazing ride so far and I have no intentions of giving up now on the streak.

Small things really do matter. Do them long effort and with enough great effort, little things can make a HUGE impact on your life.

Delight #29

Part of the Chaplain Corps team has been activated to support the State's COVID-19 response (this does not include me because I am on Federal orders serving a Federal mission).

Those Airmen stopped by the 181st recently. It was great to hear their stories of how they are helping build resiliency within the front line healthcare workers throughout this great state.

Air National Guard members answer to the President and to our Governor depending on the need. 

Delight #28

I had the privilege of recording a video with other members of the Resiliency Team (flight Doc and Director of Psychology Health) recently.

My part was centered around two themes: we may not feel good, but we can still do good; and what we practice grows stronger.

I suggested when we discover the power of the rituals of Faith we are doing good and we are practicing things that we want to grow stronger within us (peace, joy, self-control, generosity, etc.) as opposed to hurt, resentment, anger, etc.

I have a hard time keeping them straight, but I think this video will either win an Emmy or an Oscar...stay tuned!!

Delight #27

One of the most enriching spiritual disciplines I am doing right now is working through this outstanding study:

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Road-Walking-Reorientation-Activation/dp/B01LTHXJSC

Brian McLaren is one of the best contemporary theologians I am aware of.

Good, good stuff...

Delight #26

I worshiped backwards today! The EUM worship leaders were in the "back" of the sanctuary so that those of us worshiping could see the outstanding stained glass windows behind them.

The first say be last...the back will be the front!

Delight #25

National Public Radio. My mainstay primary source of what is going on in the world. I would be lost without NPR. It is a national treasure.

AND Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me is a regular boost to my immune system with all the guaranteed laughs week after week.

Delight #24

Great conversations! Easy to take such things for granted. It seems like we are loosing the art of sustained talking and deep listening.

Delight #23

I have officially made it 52 times around the Sun! Life is a gift.

Delight #22

On the last day of being 51 years old I ran a 5k at the base. This was in addition to my morning run. It was a gift to be able to be outside with a body that still is doing what I want it to do!

Delight #21

Good teammates! I work some fantastic folks at the 181st and it makes all the difference...

Delight #20

The blue sky was my delight for the day! What a gift. No matter what storms may blow through, the blue sky is always there even I may not see it for the moment.

All storms run out of rain. Blue skies always return.

Delight #19

From Psalm 51 (the Message): "...shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life."

What a delight to behold the power in the possibility of that Psalm!!

Delight #18

I was reminded that I have inherited a rich legacy from those family members that have gone on before me. What a treasure to receive what they left.

May I always endeavor to leave a legacy worth remembering...

Delight #17

Video chatting with dear friends that nourished the soul and put laughter in my belly. What a gift!

Delight #16

I connected with a former congregant that moved out West several years ago. It was a huge delight to catch up over the phone. These types of connections are a true gift that the local Church gives us!

Delight #15

I am delighted and impressed with all the ways Marti and her EUM team are leaning into being the Church during C-19. They are not letting anyone or anything hold them back from taking a very creative approach during these unprecedented times.

Delight #14

I had a great meeting with out new Director of Physiological Health recently. What a refreshing reminder that "mental" and "spiritual" are 2 sides of the same coin--comprehensive health. It is not either or. Being mentally healthy allows be to be more alive to God in Christ. A vibrant spirituality enables my brain to function at full capacity.

And if you know me well, you know my brain needs all the help it can get!!! 

Delight #13

I just learned that the 1918-1920 "Spanish" Flu was apparently started in my beloved home state of Kansas and it killed approximately 25% of the world's population.

I believe all four of my grandparents were born in the teens of last century. I am sorry I never asked any of them about this.

The delight for the day is that they all survived and for that, I am most grateful.

Delight #12

Easter!!

No one can quarantine Hope...'nuff said!

Delight #11

Dirt!

What a privilege to work outside with yard implements and dirt on my hands!! The Earth is the one and only...it is good to stay grounded in the dirt.

Delight #10

Good Friday worship through video chatting at EUM! Well done to the team that put on a very meaningful service. 

Easter is coming and this year we will be more than ready to celebrate...AMEN???

Delight #9

Conversations are awesome when we take the time to really listen! My Chaplain Assistant and I did some of our usual workplace visitation and we learned so much. There is immense power in the simple act of walking around and having face to face conversations. We learned so much and folks seem to really appreciate us taking the time to check in on them.

Delight #8

Perspective. I delighted in perspective. Here is what I mean:

While sweating in the 80 degree heat while exercising outside I realized that compared to the bitter cold this winter, I love the 80 degree heat!! What a delight to have the gift of perspective! Without the bitter cold of winter, I probably would not have appreciated the warmth of the day!

Delight #7

I am going to bend my own rules...here are 2 outstanding delights from the day:

My Lenten Bible Study had to move to Google Handouts and was a great reminder that the medium doesn't matter...I seem to remember something about "where 2 or 3 are gathered"...it is a great group and they are already asking what we are studying next!

I got to fly my kite today! ANY day that I get to fly my kite is an OUTSTANDING day!!!!!

Delight #6

Nothing compares to talking face to face! I have had an ongoing conversation through email the past several days that was getting nowhere. Lots of confusions. Lots of assumptions. Lots of going nowhere fast!

Then we talked on the phone. 15 minutes and all is well!

Isn't that something?  What a delight!

Delight #5

Worship online with the awesome Evangelical UMC. Marti and the EUM team has risen to the occasion with creative thinking and passionate hard working "get 're done" attitude.

I believe that the Churches that are leaning into these changes will come out BETTER than when they started!

Delight #4

The Chaplain Corps team at the 181st is outstanding! We had a great team meeting today and it made me realize what a delight it is to work with creative and passionate people.

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Delight #3

Farmers in the fields!

My evening walk was next to several farm fields and farmers where everywhere on this beautiful day working the soil. What a sight. What a reminder of how connected we are to the Earth in real ways.

Delight #2

Today's moment of delight was hands down THE best moment of my day...I got to video chat with my two best elementary aged friends. There is something sacred about seeing the world through the eyes of children. Our chat was a blessing and life enriching.

These two friends showed up for me in a big way during my last deployment. That has made a lasting impact on my life.

They helped me understand their world and I tried to encourage them to bring their best self to each day because I am convinced they will be telling their grand-kids someday about the adventures of 2020.

What delighted you today?

Delight #1

As I mentioned in a prior post, I have been inspired to find one moment of delight per day and post it here on my blog.  It has been fun being on a "delight scavenger hunt" today wondering what one moment I would capture here. If today is any indication my problem will NOT being having nothing to write (pardon the double negative) but selecting only one moment of delight per day!

My apartment in Terre Haute is in a lovely neighbor and I love going for walks in the evening after dinner.

Delight moment number 1 was a child's large handwriting in sidewalk chalk in the street that said,
"Please pick up your dog's poop. Thank you." Complete with an arrow to the edge of the road where, you guessed it, was a large pile of dog poop in the grass!

There you go...only 180 more moments of delight to discover between now and September 30th!!

What brought you delight today? Comment below if you wanna...