Third Year Climber

Tomorrow is the big day!

San Diego 911 Memorial Stair Climb is celebrating it's third year as a signature Fundraising event for the San Diego Relief Association's Benevolent fund, Firefighter Aid. It is the only 911 Memorial Stair Climb in Southern California.

Every day I think about taking a big pass on my morning workout I recall those 401 men and women who died responding to the aid of the occupants in the twin towers.

No, I'm not an athlete by any sense of the word. I do however, have the ability to push myself to achieve the goal... Make it to floor 30..and walk to the elevator. Each time I make it to the top I get the unique pleasure of connecting with real heroes from across Southern California. And then repeat times two. All together, it's about an hour workout. AND we all talk about the people who we are walking to remember. WE have vowed to #NEVERFORGET

So, Tomorrow is the big day! And I've been really low key on putting the fundraising squeeze on anyone.

But now, with only 25 hours before the start, I'm asking, begging, everyone to help me make my fundraising goal.

It's a tiny goal; just $250.00. that's not even $3.00 per floor of the two towers destroyed.

Its' not even $1.00 for every public servant that died in the towers on September 11, 2001.
Sheesh... now that I look at it that way, I really should have set a higher goal, because I know how generous all of my friends and family are. 

So, please, can you help me make my goal? You can find my fundraising page right  HERE
 the whole story of who I'm climbing with and who I will

You can go directly to the donation kiosk here

I'll actually be part of the most awesome team of climbers imaginable this year, Team Mission Possible is being lead by my granddaughter.

The Teams Competion

and here are a couple more pictures from the first year...

Hailey singing America The Beautiful with her grandpa Flint

Before I ascended the Bay Hilton in 2011 with my always best cheerleader!












Kids all got to have a great time doing fire rescue activities.

Don't miss the fun this year at San Diego Bay Hilton and follow the event on twitter #SD911SMC @SD911SMC

Thanks for your support.

Seminary Week One

The first week of classes is in the can.

Friday I arrived in Claremont and proceeded through the rituals of student life.

Pay tuition installment #1.

Pick up the last of the texts needed for the semester at the Huntley Bookstore. (or so I think.)

Check in at Myra House, do a quick orientation tour to the premises and meet the other ETSC Bloy House student who will be staying at Myra House throughout the semester.

Back down the hill to the campus to community supper, worship and class.

Sitting in the first class, comparing the book lists in the syllabus to the early edition, discover there is still one more book to purchase. <3 Class ends pretty much on time, and now we (carpooling from Myra house with my retreat house co-resident.) get back to the house to discover arriving in the pitch black after the All Lights Out hour is a bit of adventure.

Saturday Morning early rising, after a less than perfect night's sleep we dress, and then drive to the campus and head out for an "early" walk to the Village before class starts at 8AM. OOPS. Seems we need to allow more time. (Why don't classes start at 8:30AM?)

The classroom just seemed to be getting hotter by the minute in the morning. Good introduction to the material, and a few new faces in this class but my new Myra House friend is in all three of the classes I'm in.

Worship in Kresge Chapel is a refreshing break from the heat of the class. Of course it has all the comfortable features of our Episcopal worship. Dean Sweeney reminds us that the texts of this week all carry one theme, being grown-up Christians. Not milk texts, this is real meat for the mature follower of Jesus. Oh, and a special service to acknowledge all matriculating students (that would include yours truly, and our Sr. Warden who has just begun the Fresh Start Course for Lay Leaders :-))

...pictures for library card...(thank goodness I had my hair cut and no stupid permanent this time around ;-))

Lunch in the Broken Loaf....

And back to class.

(Oh my ever loving Lord, does it really have to be this hot!) Craig Building air inconveniently does not work on the weekends. Really, CST, can't that timing system be adjusted?

By the end of the day I think I sweated away every ounce of water from my body. But it was a great first week of classes.

Ten years ago September 11, 2001 after watching and listening to the news of the Twin towers and Pentagon attacks I sat down in Craig 110 to start my first class in the first semester of seminary studies. That day I felt overwhelmed by all of what was occurring around me and scared to death I would never make it through any of the classes. I had started with a load of 5 classes and would recognize within a week that it would be best to cut back to the standard 4 classes if I was to make it through all the reading and writing requirements.

So different was the first day of classes this time around. I "know" the language of theology. I think in theological terms now, and have the basis for reflection well anchored. The mood of the week was friendly, and intimate. We are a small cohort, compared to the cohort I started with at CST, which seems a bit unimaginable because I thought that was a nice size entering class, about 40 of us in 2001.

Saturday was a very busy day in the life of our congregation and I was sorry to miss the memorial service for a very dear and gifted person, Stuart Kellogg. Yet, I am blessed and grateful that I have the opportunity to be supported and encouraged by the members of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, my church home. It was a wonderful way to conclude my first week back in seminary, by joining for the fellowship of the Annual Luau. I confess I was completely exhausted by the time I arrived home, and could only think just barely enough to bring in my things and toss them on table.

Sunday services, catching up with correspondence, and just trying to get organized.

Tomorrow is another day...for reading!

Training

Training for life
One step, one step
Left foot, right foot
step step step
life flows step after step

Memorials
Steps taken with love
Intention to mention
To Remember the departed
Climbing 110 floors

Walk in love
This is the call
One hand, one arm
Reaching out now
Embracing others as Christ

Training for life
One step, one step
Left foot, right foot
step step step
life flows step after step