It's what all the cool kids are doing to here is a list of the things I hope to accomplish in 2012,
-Apply to seminary
-Love more
-Read more
The list is short but I think it's achievable. Here is to the year that was 2011 as we await what 2012 has to offer. Be safe friends...
Saturday, December 31, 2011
To The year that was
This time of year causes a lot of people to look back on the year that was. So now it's my turn, 2011 was a year of change for me.
In late 2010 I was called to the priesthood of the Community Of Christ. It was a very humbling experience to know that God was calling me into greater responsibility. With a lot of study and preparation I was ordained to the office of priest in March at Jr. High retreat. For me the choice of who would ordain me was simple...the people that have had a big impact on my life. The place to have the ordination was also simple the place that has helped to shape who I am today.
My ordination was an experience that has and will continue to be a blessing. Here is the quote I like to use when talking about my ordination, Zen Buddhists use the saying “Before I was enlightened” one Zen master
explained “the mountains looked like mountains and the rivers like
rivers. At the moment of enlightenment I saw it all differently. And now
that I am enlightened, the mountains look like mountains again and the
rivers look like rivers.” Or, when asked what it was like to be
enlightened, another Zen master answered, “I chop wood and carry water.”
In April (I think) I was able to attend the 175th anniversary of the Kirtland Temple. It was a sight to see, most of the church leadership was in attendance and the service was something for the record books. After the Sunday morning service there was a small meet and greet time with the president of the church. It was awesome, he remembered me from previous conversations.
Also this year there were some additions-friends got married. I know they will be as happy as they can be with their love.
This year has also provided my opportunities for ministry.
I became licensed to perform marriages in Ohio. In July I was able to perform the marriage of my sister (Tracy) and her husband (Nick). It was a great experience to be able to perform their marriage.
This year I was also name the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for all of the volunteer work I do in the community. That to was a humbling experience, to know that others acknowledged your work.
This year I have served in several rolls in the community. I am serving as the President of Main Street Portsmouth, an organization dedicated to the historical revitalization of downtown Portsmouth, Ohio.We have made many significant changes throughout 2011 for the betterment of the organization and the city. Most notable we hired a new director. This organization is on track to do great things for the city of Portsmouth.
I am serving in my second term as co-president of Scioto County Habitat For Humanity. We have constructed two houses in 2011. That is a big number because on average we have constructed one. Next year we are on schedule to complete three houses. This is an organization and a ministry that is close to my heart......
I am also serving on the board of directors of the Autism Project of Southern Ohio. The president of the organization recently resigned after serving 6 years. We have recently found and appointed someone to take over those duties after the first of the year.
I am also currently serving my second term as the Vice President of the Camp Bountiful Board of Directors. I have been serving on the board for a number of years and it has been a pleasure serving in a leadership position.
2011 also marked my 20th consecutive year camping at Camp Bountiful. That place has meant so much to me over the years it's hard to imagine my life without it.
I am also the Editor of the Bountiful Mission Center Newsletter and Mission Center Communicator , World Church Young Adult Newsletter and the World Church 70 Newsletter.
This Summer I had the privilege of serving on three summer camp staffs. Sr. High, Jr. High and SPEC.
All of the camps were great and provided memories that will last a lifetime. One of the highlights was the fact that I go to say the communion prayer at SPEC during an all camp worship. It was an awesome opportunity and is one of the highlights of my ministry thus far.
I was able to meet my Goodreads book reading challenge as well. I read 7 books in 2011.
To top it all off I do have a full time job as a photojournalist for two newspapers in Portsmouth. There is a weekly paper called the Community Common. I am in charge of coming up with the editorial content for that paper every week and ensure that everything runs smooth in it's operation.
I like to tell people I work full time to support my volunteering habits.
And for Christmas Santa brought me an iPhone.
As you can see 2011 was a very productive year for me and those in my life. A lot of change happened for the better. What will happen in 2012 is up to God, I do know that 2011 has set the bar pretty high.
As always thanks for reading and I hope your 2012 will be the greatest.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
In late 2010 I was called to the priesthood of the Community Of Christ. It was a very humbling experience to know that God was calling me into greater responsibility. With a lot of study and preparation I was ordained to the office of priest in March at Jr. High retreat. For me the choice of who would ordain me was simple...the people that have had a big impact on my life. The place to have the ordination was also simple the place that has helped to shape who I am today.
In April (I think) I was able to attend the 175th anniversary of the Kirtland Temple. It was a sight to see, most of the church leadership was in attendance and the service was something for the record books. After the Sunday morning service there was a small meet and greet time with the president of the church. It was awesome, he remembered me from previous conversations.
This year has also provided my opportunities for ministry.
I became licensed to perform marriages in Ohio. In July I was able to perform the marriage of my sister (Tracy) and her husband (Nick). It was a great experience to be able to perform their marriage.
This year I was also name the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for all of the volunteer work I do in the community. That to was a humbling experience, to know that others acknowledged your work.
This year I have served in several rolls in the community. I am serving as the President of Main Street Portsmouth, an organization dedicated to the historical revitalization of downtown Portsmouth, Ohio.We have made many significant changes throughout 2011 for the betterment of the organization and the city. Most notable we hired a new director. This organization is on track to do great things for the city of Portsmouth.
I am serving in my second term as co-president of Scioto County Habitat For Humanity. We have constructed two houses in 2011. That is a big number because on average we have constructed one. Next year we are on schedule to complete three houses. This is an organization and a ministry that is close to my heart......
I am also currently serving my second term as the Vice President of the Camp Bountiful Board of Directors. I have been serving on the board for a number of years and it has been a pleasure serving in a leadership position.
2011 also marked my 20th consecutive year camping at Camp Bountiful. That place has meant so much to me over the years it's hard to imagine my life without it.
This Summer I had the privilege of serving on three summer camp staffs. Sr. High, Jr. High and SPEC.
All of the camps were great and provided memories that will last a lifetime. One of the highlights was the fact that I go to say the communion prayer at SPEC during an all camp worship. It was an awesome opportunity and is one of the highlights of my ministry thus far.
I was able to meet my Goodreads book reading challenge as well. I read 7 books in 2011.
To top it all off I do have a full time job as a photojournalist for two newspapers in Portsmouth. There is a weekly paper called the Community Common. I am in charge of coming up with the editorial content for that paper every week and ensure that everything runs smooth in it's operation.
I like to tell people I work full time to support my volunteering habits.
And for Christmas Santa brought me an iPhone.
As you can see 2011 was a very productive year for me and those in my life. A lot of change happened for the better. What will happen in 2012 is up to God, I do know that 2011 has set the bar pretty high.
As always thanks for reading and I hope your 2012 will be the greatest.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Me and My New Toy
Thanks for reading......
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas
If you've heard it once you've heard it a hundred times....It sure does not seem like Christmas. I have to say this year I am a believer. Here in Portsmouth there has been nothing but rain and no site of Snow, which is not a bad thing. It's still nice to have a coating for Christmas though.
I have almost all of the Christmas shopping that going to get done done. Went to Krogers this morning to take some photos of some firefighters who are passing out food baskets this afternoon. That was about 10:30 a.m. even then I had to park at the end of the parking lot. By the time everything was done there was no spaced to be had. So people are waiting to get stuff done this year. I heard the local Wal-Mart was crazy today as well.
After today I will have the next three days off from work. It will be nice to sit back and relax, one of the people that works in my office was on vacation this week, so the rest of us had to pick up his workload. It will be nice to have a little break from all of that.....
I am nearly through season 6 of Lost. It has taken me a long time and am nearly finished. It will be nice to bring that chapter to a close.
There is a pile of movies calling for my attention, that i've put off until I finished lost.
Am still working on my book and hope to finish it in the next week or so. That will be nice, that will bring to a close the goal I set for my self on goodreads.com. My goal was to read seven books this year, it will be close but I will finish, reaching the goal.
Well.....I guess that's all for now, so have a Merry Christmas. Much love to you all,
-W
I have almost all of the Christmas shopping that going to get done done. Went to Krogers this morning to take some photos of some firefighters who are passing out food baskets this afternoon. That was about 10:30 a.m. even then I had to park at the end of the parking lot. By the time everything was done there was no spaced to be had. So people are waiting to get stuff done this year. I heard the local Wal-Mart was crazy today as well.
After today I will have the next three days off from work. It will be nice to sit back and relax, one of the people that works in my office was on vacation this week, so the rest of us had to pick up his workload. It will be nice to have a little break from all of that.....
I am nearly through season 6 of Lost. It has taken me a long time and am nearly finished. It will be nice to bring that chapter to a close.
There is a pile of movies calling for my attention, that i've put off until I finished lost.
Am still working on my book and hope to finish it in the next week or so. That will be nice, that will bring to a close the goal I set for my self on goodreads.com. My goal was to read seven books this year, it will be close but I will finish, reaching the goal.
Well.....I guess that's all for now, so have a Merry Christmas. Much love to you all,
-W
Thursday, December 22, 2011
"Power said to the world, 'You are mine.' Love said to the world 'I am yours.' Love won." - Tagore
So I do not know if I've told you but I love to read books. But, it takes me forever. I have been on my current book for about a month. I already have the next book picked out. It's for the e3 class at the end of January. The current book I am reading is called, "The soul of Leadership". I got it for a couple of dollars with a local book store was closing. Thus far it's been a good read. Throughout the book it shares in sites on how to become the best leader you can become. I've already been able to put some of the suggestions to work.
Here it is December 22 and I have not finished my Christmas shopping, hope to finish soon.....
Am also thinking about getting an iPhone. What do you think? It's a big step.......I will let you know what I decide. The decision will be made soon.
So I do not know if I've told you but I love to read books. But, it takes me forever. I have been on my current book for about a month. I already have the next book picked out. It's for the e3 class at the end of January. The current book I am reading is called, "The soul of Leadership". I got it for a couple of dollars with a local book store was closing. Thus far it's been a good read. Throughout the book it shares in sites on how to become the best leader you can become. I've already been able to put some of the suggestions to work.
Here it is December 22 and I have not finished my Christmas shopping, hope to finish soon.....
Am also thinking about getting an iPhone. What do you think? It's a big step.......I will let you know what I decide. The decision will be made soon.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
3 years 5 months and 9 days
If you remember I posted about the bracelet I had worn around my left wrist for over three years. Well I can not report to you that after 3 years 5 months and 9 days of being on my left wrist it broke off.
It's a weird feeling to know it's not there. It's almost like something is missing because it has been there for so long.
I used it as a part of my sermon on sunday. Am not sure I have the right words for it right now, but I wanted to share with you that it had broken off.
Thanks for reading.....
It's a weird feeling to know it's not there. It's almost like something is missing because it has been there for so long.
I used it as a part of my sermon on sunday. Am not sure I have the right words for it right now, but I wanted to share with you that it had broken off.
Thanks for reading.....
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Am preaching this sunday
I was asked to preach this Sunday at Pleasant Valley, now what to talk about.......
Monday, December 5, 2011
Last weekend was interesting....
Last weekend was interesting for a number of reasons. I had been fight a cold for a few days so, I had the great idea to take something for it. Turns out it was not the best idea, for a number of reasons. That night I went to a youth lock-in. There was about 30 kids there it was a good time. We ended up going to sleep at 4 a.m. we were out of the church at 10 a.m. That was friday night, we left on Saturday morning. When I got home that afternoon I went to take a nap and woke up Sunday morning. Needless to say I was refreshed and was ready for the day. On Sunday I was preaching in Limerick at the church. It was nice to see everyone, on the way back I got to drive through the camp grounds to see what was going on. Turns out they have started replacing some of the roofs that were damaged over the summer from storms. After lunch I went to Pleasant Valley for play practice. Then delivered communion to those that could not make it to the sunday services. Then went back to the church to help decorate for the visit with santa tonight. Then came home and worked on the Bountiful Mission Center Newsletter. So all and all it was a good weekend full of Friends, Fun, Travel and work.
That's all for now thanks for reading,
-W
That's all for now thanks for reading,
-W
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Just when you think you have not made a diffrence
Today I was asked to go take a photo of a doctor for an ad a local hospital is running. While I was at the doctors office I had to Waite 30 minutes for him to get wrapped up with other things. During that time I got the most amazing text message. It truly made my day, I wish I could share some details about it but I can not. Just know it was the best.
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