Spring is in the air! A time to get out and really enjoy nature and just unwind. The problem is this: most ministers like myself really don't know how to unwind! For those of you who have developed methods to help relax and break-up stress...please help! What are some tips to planning and making your self take a vacation? Where are the best locations or vacation spots most conducive to just..."chill"? Please hurry....Spring is here!

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Answers

Hi, Ray spring is not in the air today tuesday in the state of Montana. The entire state has been issued a snow advisory, and it is snowing right now in my town;-) You bring up an excellent point regarding the relaxation of ministers. One of the things I do is to have Monday off! I mean to really have the day off from church matters. That's my day to relax, read a book, call girlfriends and sleep late. I do not even clean the house on that day. One of the things I like doing is going to the gym and working out, I bring my cassette player or cd player and relax, you would be amazed at what a great stress buster the gym is. You are right we as ministers often neglect ourselves because we are taking care of others.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

My Dear Brother Please allow me to suggest you either fly or cruise out of the United States to our little island. Spring is in the air and the beaches are becoming busy. Whether a short stop or longer jaunt Bermuda is a place where you can both rest and unwind. Oh by the way you can also get in some good worship on Sunday without having to preach!! Blessings to you, get some rest!

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

I know of one place where I will think twice before visiting before July! Sister Rogers, how do you deal with the snow in May? Yes, I wish to "chill" not Freeze! I admire your love for the mountains. I think a nice beach and a warm breeze will do me a world of good! Maybe.....Bermuda?

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

Ray I had to laugh at your response as to how I could stay in Montana with snow in May. Right now at 6:30 Pm tuesday we have 8 inches of snow so far and it is still snowing. The windchill is 16 degrees. I love Montana and would not want to live anywhere else. This is pretty typical weather for us this time of year. My town is 5000 feet above sea level so it tends to be colder here. But in a week it will be in the 70's. We have very low humidy in the summer around 15 percent and we always have lots of sun no matter what the weather conditions are. My town is small and everyone is friendly and it is beautiful. So we have to put up with some snow. Actually Ray the majority of us are happy about the snow for our state is in a drought condition, and the farmers need the moisture. But do come and visit this beautiful state. Oh, it has been known to snow in July also. One year we went camping on the fourth of July and we had a blizzard;-)

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2002

C'mon Sister Rogers, a blizzard during the 4th of July? It is difficult to imagine such! You truly are a blessing and an inspiration. It is 50 degrees here and I am complaining! Tell me, what does it feel like to wear longjohns in the summer? I guess wool and lots of it is the material of choice! My hat is off to you!

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002

Hi There

Enjoy the Spring time, while I was sick(Actually still sick) yesterday, so I didn't came to work. Here in South Africa is gonna be Winter for the next 4 months, it's very cold here in Cape Town.

Enjoy

Jerome

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002

One of my favorite "get-a-ways" is the beach. Although the landscape beauty of some of our land-locked states is a given (including MT), nothing quite beats shedding the clothes and collocating with sun, water, sand and people. Speaking of shedding, here comes a digression, homie has just lost close to 20 lbs!! Looks like I'm on track to regaining that sculptured figure I commanded during my 20-30 age range. Of course maintaining a svelte body means I will have to keep interested female onlookers at bay and remind them that the "merchandise" is not available for lawaway or fitting :-) Oh, those nagging problems that accompany beach bums like me. QED

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002

Dear Jerome I am sorry to hear you are sick I will be praying for your quick recovery! Congratulations brother Bill on your weight loss keep up the good work!! And Ray, I was telling the truth about a blizzard in July. I live in the Rocky Mountains. My town is actually a ski resort town. I do not ski, I love snowshoeing, I actually started a snowshoe club four years ago, we have 135 members. One of the things I love about my state is that there is NOT a lot of people. There is only 900,000 people in the entire state. Montana gets lots and lots of tourists in the summer from everywhere. We have Yellowstone National Park, Glacier Park, Custer's Battlefield, ghost towns, Indian Pow-wows, rodeo's, buffalo, sapphire mines, (that you can go and get your own sapphire's) the most beautiful rivers, fly fishing, white water rafting, AND NO SALES TAX;-) I have some pictures of our state on our church web site. www.forministry.com/59715spcac Once you get to our home page click on "Visit Montana" The rocky mountains are breath taking!

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002