I had a good night tonight. I taught, which I rarely do. I used to be a good teacher, back in the day. But now I stumble and bumble and say things like, “If that’s okay with you, I mean.” …and…”Of course, not everyone has to agree with me or anything.” …and…”So, we’re going to try it that way for awhile, but you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. Only do it if it works for you.” (Hmm, that last sentence sounded sort of naughty. I didn’t mean it to be.) I think all this hemming and hawing has to do with trying to find a new way to lead. Lindell and I were talking about that in the kitchen one night this week – how some people say there can be leadership in a postmodern church and other people say there can’t. I say we just haven’t figured out the right model. Lindell says “We don’t lead, we stumble.” I stumble a lot, even when I teach. Maybe mostly when I teach.

At any rate, I taught about Monkfishy things like rhythm and the church year and practicing the practice of presence. I tried to get us all ready for the next season of the Monkfish Modified calendar, the “Season of Light”, which stretches through Eastertide and Pentecost to the Summer Solstice and the 4th of July. I don’t think my little lesson actually went off that well. I’m more interested in this how it works stuff more than most folks. But at any rate, it did help me get my mind around some things and it let me name some things that we are already doing, so I was glad to do it.

Another Jennifer has joined us with her son, Elisha. Her husband’s name is Jeff and we are going to build a wheelchair ramp so he can make it into our house. (I’m so excited!) We’ve already got a wonderful Jennifer with us, whose husband’s name is also Jeff and whose son is named Ian – so it seems sort of kismet or preordained or something. Four kids, three of whom are four or under, is a houseful for us – especially because Lindell is living in our basement “playroom” for the next couple of weeks. I love love love it that they are here. But, I really have to get on the ball about finding someone to help us with kid’s activities! I want the kids to be an integrated part of our little community (mini monks!) but I also really feel for the Moms who can’t have two focused minutes in a row.

Speaking of kids… I was so proud of Eden tonight. She decided to share her prayer journal with the three or four folks who were left after 9. She shyly stood in front of the fireplace and showed everyone her drawings. Each one depicted something she saw during centering prayer…God making the Sunset, a yellow brick road, the stars at night. (“And you know what?! That night, it wasn’t cloudy and we SAW stars!” … This is a rare thing in Seattle.) Eden is such a spiritually sensitive little being. On Monday, our housemate passed out on the Burke Gilman bike/walk path and we had to take her to the ER (she’s okay.) That same night Eden did encircling prayer for her and asked God to “keep beds on the inside, keep sidewalks on the outside.” She’s such an insightful girl. I love my little priestess!

Okay. It’s time to go to bed. Tomorrow one of the girl’s favorite babysitters, “Lilly with the lip ring” is coming over for a few hours so I can start writing copy for our Monkfish Abbey website. Finally! Now if only I could find someone to design our fishy little logo…