week 52, post 1: For everything as season

What an incredible year this has been! And yes, my year is coming to an end... I have profoundly mixed feelings about this. Yes, I am very loyal to my clients here, and am finding it very difficult to terminate with them. I have made many good friends here and hate to say goodbye to them. There is much that I have come to love about coastal LA and the bayous, especially lower Terrebonne Parish. I will miss it all, and I am sad.

As I terminate with my clients, I also have feelings of great satisfaction for the work we've done together. The partnerships of counseling therapy are so rewarding to me. Terminating forces us to take stock of this, and we get to enjoy that accomplishment along with the sadness.

I also want to go home. I do indeed miss my wife and my friends in B'ville. I enjoy our family and the gatherings in Oklahoma. I (mostly) look forward to growing my private practice in B'ville. I also have learned a lot about myself over this past year and hope to continue to be available to do disaster related work through SAMHSA, Red Cross or other agencies. Although it is indeed stressful and painful, it is also challenging and rewarding to help others in this way.

Bartlesville is a good place in many ways. I love it and respect it. It is also a dull and stifling place (for me, at least) and I'm reminded by this past year how good it's been to get away and experience a different context. Bartlesville may be home -- but it's not good to stay home all the time (not for me, at least).

With the exception of an extra 20# I'll be taking with me (I do love seafood and Cajun cooking!), I'm going/coming home with a sense of satisfaction and anticipation. And the little white dog is coming with me...

Peace, Warren

week 51, post 1: Psychology 101

This is not funny = this is really funny. I found this musing at the marina/bait shop at Grand Isle. I love it.

"She told me we couldn't afford beer anymore and I'd have to quit.

Then I caught her spending $65 on makeup and I asked her how come I had to give up stuff and she didn't

She said she needed the makeup to look pretty for me.

I told her that was what the beer was for.

I don't think she's coming back."

Miller Brewing Co.

See, I told you.
Sorry.
Peace, Warren

week 49, post 1:An extraordinary gathering

While wife Rita and son were shopping, Willis stayed in the truck -- and got a vision: the fulfillment of the Kingdom through the unity of the Body. Ordinary lay people, without a lot of worldly sophistication, they offered themselves in humble obedience to Willis' promptings. So together they planned a party and sent out letters of invitation to most of the clergy they know.

Poor dears. Clergy are so busy and so self-centered, it would be very difficult to get them to attend if St. Paul and/or Billy Graham were on the guest list. Clergy and churches in the bayou communities are even more fragmented than usual.

"Build it and they will come," the Spirit said. Willis and Rita offered their home. They came. From New Orleans. From Mississippi. From Houston (Texas). That poor fellow got lost 4 times on the way (all 4 in Houma -- no surprise)! From Montegut, Pointe aux Chenes, Houma, Bourg. About 50 some clergy and wives attended. Ministers gathering without much agenda except to enjoy the wonderful seafood, each other and the blessings of the Spirit. Apostles. Prophets. Teachers. Evangelists. Pastors. All categories came. All colors. Wow.

We prayed, ate, sang, prayed some more, ate some more, talked, witnessed, prophesied, prayed some more, hugged each other, prayed some more and went home happy.

A little miracle. Right there "down da bayou." I saw it.

Thank you, Willis. Thank you Rita. Thank you HP. And _______________, I hope you bought that GPS you promised yourself. Amen.