Because of Thanksgiving, all four of my kids were home for the weekend. I had placed a lot of importance on the idea that we would all six be together in church on Sunday for the first time in over a year, so when the teenagers started fussing about having to get up early and go, I was teetering right on the edge of tearfulness.

In the end, we all got there, mostly on time. But we had to sit in two different pews--ironic, yes?

The one who never sings, prays, or participates in any way? Well, I was grateful she was there, of course. But then I was pondering how when she she received communion, that would impart a little grace to her whether she liked it or not -- AND SHE DIDN'T GO TO COMMUNION!

Part of me was quite sad; part of me knows she is a little wanna-be rebel. Of course I said nothing, but my mother's heart grieved a little.

Then, twenty minutes later, the youth minister is telling me that she needs the deposit for this child's mission trip. WHAT?

I think she is a girl of action, not abstraction.

And I think God has no grandchildren.

Had a long conversation with a friend from our old church this week. It seems that the reasons we left that parish were just one facet of some major dysfunction going over there; and in the year and a half since we left, things have really fallen apart.

I am relieved in one sense because we "got out," so to speak. But I am tremendously saddened for the parish itself. Apparently there are actually cliques and battle lines being drawn and all that nonsense. I've heard of dysfunctional parishes before but never really been part of one (though you could argue that I was part of a hugely dysfunctional denomination, I suppose).

Sigh. I am so grateful that God loves us despite our frailty, both personal and institutional.

At our old church, I sometimes despaired because none of my kids seemed to be connecting even to the youth group, let alone to God (which is the point, after all). I can't really tell you what wasn't working for them about youth group there. The folks who ran it seemed kind, capable, faithful -- they planned lots of teen-centered activities. I can't put my finger on it. It simply didn't work for my kids. I kept reminding myself that "God has no grandchildren," and hoped that somehow He would help them find Him.

In our new church, they're finding much more of a connection. The youth minister is quite awesome, though again, I couldn't put my finger on why. Is she that different from the youth minister at the other church? I don't know. Is it that the church is smaller? I don't know. Is that it that they find the theology more in tune with our family's beliefs? I don't know--that's working for me and my husband, but are the kids that tuned into theology at this point?

Now this weekend, we had two complete extremes going on. My oldest is away at school in Massachusetts. She really wanted a connection with youth in a spiritual setting--but there wasn't a youth group at the Episcopal church. So she has joined the Unitarian youth group. I know some Christians would be appalled that I have "allowed" this to happen--my mother probably would be--but I know enough Unitarians to say that they are a pretty awesome group of people. If they're not Christian in the sense that I would define Christian, they are at least respectful, curious, spiritual and journeying. This weekend they had a "lock-in." When she was telling me about "midnight worship," she said, "Mom, I don't think they have the same definition of worship as we do." Apparently, midnight worship had to do with affirming each other through some activities--no, it's not worshipping God, but for this child, being involved in an accepting community is a good thing. She plans to return to our own youth group in the fall when she comes home.

My youngest was at a diocesan youth retreat at a retreat center. They walked the labyrinth, attended Eucharist, sang a lot, played a lot of games, memorized Bible verses, and sang some more. I think she had a blast. I can't predict the future, but if she continues as she is going, she will probably be actively involved in our church's youth group throughout high school. It's rewarding to her--personally, socially, spiritually. Heck, I can actually see her becoming a priest. But one step at a time . . . At any rate, the new church is working for her.

So out of the four, oldest and youngest are finding a spiritual path in our new church. Praise God!

As for the two in the middle, well, God has no grandchildren.

Hmmmmm . . .

The other day I tried to log in here after a couple months away and found I couldn't remember which of my gmail addresses I had attached to Blogger, so I couldn't log in. I tried quite a few combinations of gmail addresses and my customary passwords, but nothing worked.

Finally, I used a help link to request help.

I was unable to provide enough information to them for them to help me (they wanted things like the day I opened the account--who knows that?) and so I was kind of screwed.

But tonight, I prayed, "Lord, I like having this account to process my thoughts about you. Won't you help me remember my username and password?"

And yes, on the second try, I got it. The. Second. Try.

I'm sure there are people who would prefer not to give God credit for that, and I have to admit I'm not one to think God is always that hands-on. But it worked. I'm here. And now I have something to ponder.

Current reading: MUDHOUSE SABBATH by Lauren Winner.