God Knows what God's Doing!

In other words God is God! Dios es Dios, This was the main point that I got from the preacher at Buen Pastor cathedral this morning ( Good Shepard) What a very good point it's in deed ! I have found myself thankful for where God has lead me throughout my life. Some paths have been harder to turn upon than others. Yet, I have to keep on trusting in God's time in all things in my life. I continue to work on staying present to my experience here in Honduras. I see my ministry growing as I discover self within the presence of the mystery that is life. This path to get to where I am now in Honduras was not made without some sacrifice in my choice. I think in most of our moves throughout our lives whatever our choices may look like they are never made with an easy decision no not at all. Mission ministry is so awesome and I love what I am doing even with all the challenges I enjoy each moment. Laughter, prayers from friends, family and supporters are truly helping me. I won't however go without saying that there have been plenty of times I have been homesick yet I keep hearing that's normal..so guess I am right were I need to be...emotions are all over the place sometimes yet I know Dios es Dios. Amen Thank you Peace & Love The Rev. Valerie Miller

Dia de Awesome!!!

Today taught me alot about life. I had a great day teaching students. I felt today I was on top of my game for some reason. Wow, if only everyday could be like this I would be as great as Jesus. Yet, again I guess Jesus did have his days when his message was not getting across to everyone. My days are now about living in each moment. I finaly had another great achievement I got money exchanged at the bank with my travelers checks all by myself..( speaking Spanish !!) I am a big kid now...!! I got a pair of cute workout shoes. I am going to the gym with my friend Ashly and then going to a convent with Karla & Ashly to be in community with some wonderful godly ladies. I am going to join my community after I take some time to practice some Spanish.
Peace,
The Rev. Valerie Miller

Poem: Quiet Is This Night

Quiet Is This Night

Quiet is this night.

Sitting in the light of nothing.

The willows dance in my spirit.

You are silent Lord with space unknown.

Cradle me Holy Spirit in the Shadow of self.

It is the whispers that are so loud in my soul.

The time alone is solemn in it's newness.

A language known yet foreign tosses me about.

My head longs to take in each word like honey from a pot.

My roots keep me strong with a new people a new land.

My ancestors reach out to me calling me home again.

Celtic roots are my trunk as I branch out to the quietness of silent space.

No material things are ever needed for the feeling is real.

The feelings are real as each breath I breathe in a place of healing.

The quietness kills the demons with the help of my Lord God.

The Lord God who never leaves this woman...this woman once more.

The evolution has started..this is my life the evolution of lovers who have come and gone.

The evolution of the quiet, once a scared woman in her cocoon.

I am always a larva, a butterfly I am in the quiet with God, Amen

- By: The Rev. Valerie Miller 9/18/08

A Poem: The Creek

The Creek

The water washes over you.

The streams of life carry you own ward to the unknown.

The mystery of the murky deep pushes you forward.

The rocks that hurt your feet with each step are like the relationships that teach you the biggest lessons. The creeks, rivers and the seas are dying as we go on trying to live up to a dream. A dream that says more is better, bigger is best, greed is gentle instead of genocide. The creek calls us now to awaken us to anew way to care for all nature's needs. The Holy Creator, nature, & humanity weeps for the pain of war, hunger and destruction. Praying for it to be washed clean.

Dia de Independencia

The last few days have been the mixture of celebration and deep contemplation. I had the honor of spending two days out on a farm in the middle of the mountains of Honduras. I stayed with a family who had the hospitality of saints. I had such an enjoyable time. Monday was the independence day of the Honduran people. There had been political word that there was to be anti American protest on Independence day yet thanks be to God there was not. Yet, a piece of me is starting to see even more clearly why other people in nations around the world just might have hateful thoughts towards the Untied States. We have been less than peaceful, respectful in honoring other countries customs, faith traditions, and languages. I am sorry we are not the greatest nation in the world and please we need to let go of the ancient Israelite theology that God has hand picked us as blessed above all others. We have stomped on the backs of our fellow humans in third world countries such as Honduras. Yet, relations with the United States and Honduras has improved greatly. I have experienced such love and respect from so many Hondurans. When I need some correction in my Spanish people are there with a polite smile and encouraging words. I am also realizing my privilege that is handed over to me as a white American even if I want it or not it's there. I keep praying to God that my eyes stay open to what I see with the poverty in Honduras and remembering the US and the poor there as well. The age old question still remains...When will we all be free to truly breathe, to truly live without oppression of others? Idealistic No, this is not an idealistic concept because the praxis of liberation theology...the liberating of all! This is the force that helps myself and others get up in the morning and know we are striving to live in our sin and sainthood to do something better in liberating others, to be teachers and to be taught by others so we can all truly live. The Rev. Valerie Miller

Needing some grace for a moment

Wow, I have not written in a while yet much has been going on. The last week I got a treat of getting to know my fellow faculty at Holy Family better. We had a gathering at a lake called La Gloria. It was so breath taking to see its beauty. There was a rickety old bridge over the lake. I walked across it enjoying every moment of peace. I looked out upon the mountains falling into the lake with the authority of creator. I sat by the pool conversing, in my Spanglish, with a gentleman and his baby boy Douglas who was all grins and dimples. Little Douglas put a smile on my face all day. I am glad I held this experience in mind because I had a harder day with my students today. I am searching for a better way to teach the bible. Yet once I quiz the students on what we have read they are biblical wizards...??? I guess they do listen more than I realize. I am starting to see that there needs to be a balance between my American ideals of the classroom. I also have to keep reminding myself that teaching has never been my real gift being a pastor ,others have seen in me as my gift, hence God calling me to be a priest. I keep believing that God has a bigger plan when it comes to my students and myself studying the wisdom of the bible together. So I am keeping my thinking cap on tightly...any suggestions out there??? Blessings of Peace and Love, Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!
The Rev. Valerie Miller

A Peaceful Rest Within

I have written before of the struggle of fully settling into my life here in Honduras. I am each day awakening to new discoveries of self and most importantly culture. I again am learning that in Honduran culture it's common for children to talk about class information as the teacher is talking to the class. I am trying to be open to this new way of being a teacher. It's hard work..! I think in time this will works itself out yet not without some effort on my part. I really enjoy what I am teaching and my students are smart, funny, sweethearts, yet the older ones are teenagers...not my cup of tea however I have a feeling they will teach me about life. I am making some changes such as, I will no longer be having religion class in the chapel. I think it would be better to have a more familiar setting such as a classroom. I really want the students to dig deep into the bible into the rich soil of wisdom. I am also thankful that I will be given more time to prep for classes and chapel as well. I am really wanting the Lord to set a fire of inspiration in worship for the students. I am only a teacher God is the true one of wisdom and grace. I am a vessel as a priest, teacher, and mentor...Oh, my prayer continues to be that I may be open to all that awaits me and grow, grow, grow into what God wants and needs me to be...myself..yet open to the EVOLUTION OF LIFE!!! -Amen