My role in the Institute for Cultural Communicators involves training adults and students to be ready to speak. The most compelling reason to be ready to speak is often a deadline. The deadline for our volunteers is usually a training event we are running. So recently, a few of the adult leaders I work with have asked, “Mary, do you think I need a story?” -which translates to – Will I be asked to speak? My…
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This is Christ’s body and blood given for you. I serve as a Sunday morning greeter at my local church. This role also involves serving communion, which in our faith expression is served to the congregation as they come up to be served one at a time—a walk-through line. Although I am relatively new at this, as is often the case in volunteer work, being one step ahead in experience puts you in a position…
4 CommentsWelcome back to Mary’s Meander’s – I randomly post about the books, products, podcasts, and really any places of delight that cross my path and share with you. The Gift of Being Yourself by David S. Benner Being Known Podcast with Curt Thompson, M.D. How We Feel – APP Ingredients for Mary’s Popovers: Makes about 8 Instructions: Note: If you don’t have popover pans, cupcake pans work just fine. Your family will love these!
1 CommentThat’s A Lot The urban dictionary defines the phrase that’s a lot as a situation in which the observer is overwhelmed by visual stimulation, smells, sounds, or anything pertaining to excess action. This time last year, I heard this phrase spoken to me as others learned that within a period of six weeks: I can agree now when I read it all in one place almost a year later. A lot was going on. When I was…
3 CommentsThe details of the day are long forgotten. What I can remember was the utter overwhelm. That day, I was drowning at home with five young children under seven. I made it through the morning, but by early afternoon, in desperation, I picked up the wall phone and dialed an older friend’s number. I don’t know what I was looking for or hoping for. I just needed to hear a voice. I needed a lifeline.…
2 CommentsRecently, I attended my husband’s 50th high school reunion. Reunions come packaged with all sorts of anticipation mixed with anxiety. It wasn’t my reunion, so I was looking forward as an observer, seeing a slice of Gary’s life I hadn’t seen yet. At the Friday night mixer, a classmate in recognition rushed up to Gary. Within minutes, the stories poured out of her life. Her husband died two years earlier, a severe illness still plagued…
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