a lot of difficulty...

Clare,
It's good to read your words…
I've missed you.
First, your declined, past invitation was not rude…
but you explained that you did not like the idea of "arena worship"…
that you felt best in silence.
I believe the invitations have not come out of respect for your preference.

That being said,
there is a conference in October 2016 that I've already purchased tickets for and you are invited, encouraged, and expected to attend. It is in Newark, Delaware (probably at the University of Delaware), a smaller venue. The headliners are Brene Brown and Glennon Doyle Melton. You know Brene Brown. Glennon is the author of Momateries, a blog. Check it out at
http://momastery.com/blog/
S#3 and I made the choice to purchase a ticket for you…
it's only one day…
fairly close to either of our houses…
does not appear to be about Christianity…
it seems more about being human.
It is called To-get-her (together)

Glennon used the phrase "Me Too" many times during her talk.

The Jamaican angel sounds like an amazing occurrence.

The weekend was interesting.
I have a lot of difficulty with the words of contemporary christian songs…
I have a lot of difficulty with the claims of exclusivity with God…
I have a lot of difficulty with pleas to help the people of third world countries…
when we won't talk about race relations, intolerance, hunger, prejudice, poverty, homelessness in our own country.
I had an opportunity to ask myself to clarify what I do believe.
I made the mistake of saying, in front of our mother, that I am no longer a christian…
I explained that I am a theist, but feel that "christian" has been manipulated and used to justify horrible things, so I no longer identify with it. I think she's probably lighting candles for my soul today.
It was nice to spend time with Mom and S#3&5. Mom kept conversations pretty superficial…probably due to my nonchristian confession. Oh well, at least we were physically present with each other, if not emotionally. We can't have everything.

Class starts tomorrow…
9am class with the freshman…
I hope it's a good cohort this year.
I'll check back tomorrow.
I hope the sleepover went well.
Love and Light,
Maggie