In the Beginning

Hi Again!

I’m going to share a three part narrative about what’s been going on with me this past few months. I’ll get more into it over time but here is the word-triptych: (Yes, I’m pretty sure there is no such thing. Until today. :)

Part One:

It is hard to tell one’s story sometimes. Especially when it is wrapped up in courage, sadness, hope, disappointment, and trust. As I’m saying thank you to what has been, in my current position, with Community of Christ , I say welcome to all that is to come.

The future seems expansive even as my life is getting smaller. Illness both destroys and creates. And, as I’m discovering my dream of the future for myself, I’m knowing-deep in my bones-that it will not destroy me.

Part Two:

I decided to move from obscure to specific here. Just before the pandemic I was diagnosed with two genetic diseases. One sort of well known: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and one very rare disease: Dercum's. Both are connective tissue diseases, both cause terrible inflammation, both are (at times severe) pain disorders and both mimic (or are) auto-immune disease.

Both will affect my mobility and ability to move around the world as I've done the past 55 years.

My Dercum's Disease, specifically, is causing mobility issues and is progressing more rapidly than hoped. It is similar to MS in that one day I'm mostly fine and one day I'm using my walking stick and not able to do much at all. It also has this terrible effect in that it wraps itself around my organs in different ways that are permanent. It has already come for my liver and most recently, my heart.

BUT, I'm doing fine. I am tending to my well-being and a big part of that has been the heart-breaking decision to leave a job I was made for and deeply love. As I say - I'm one of the most healthy sick people I know. What I also know, is that leaving a job does not mean leaving community. Your gifts of love through words here has proven that.

I believe that a call is for a certain amount of time or for a certain job, but a calling is for one's lifetime. My call was to support a community through it's journey towards hope in a specific way. My calling is to forever do that same work in a variety of ways - peace work being the most primary

Love you all so much.

Part Three - the good stuff!

I could have never believed how much love and support I would receive around all the stuff swirling in my life right now. But I'm not sure why it is a surprise - I have surrounded myself with amazing, loving and creative friends and have a beautiful family. Thank you all.

Here's the good stuff - (keep reading...I promise it really is good!)

Just so you know, my diseases are still at their early to "beginning- to- dance- with" the middle stage. I am changing my job because I'm wanting to have all the time I can and administrative work in particular takes a level of stress I can't afford anymore. I need to choose health.

And, here's the rest for now: I'm going to continue on in peace work. And a lot of that will flow from my part time job with Community of Christ. (Hooray!). And...big news...I'll be leading the team who will imagine and create the Community of Christ International Peace Colloquy in 2026.

Good stuff indeed!

So, things are good, friends. All is well. I'm at peace. And I know I'm loved. Let's see one another soon!

I’ll unpack some of this over time but I wanted to share the basics with you, friend.

Thanks for stopping by!