One year in January I decided I was finally going to accomplish my goal of being in shape. Not wanting to spend the money to join a gym, I picked up a copy of Richard Simmon's Sweatin' To the Oldies and set about to change my life twisting away in my living room, resplendent in spandex and sweatbands.
You can probably guess what happened next. Two weeks into my daily commune with Richard and I was so over it. Working out alone was lonely and unsatisfying. The repetition was incredibly boring. I found myself stopping the tape earlier and earlier and finally I quit doing it all-together.
I discovered I needed the gym. I needed to feel a responsibility to go. I needed the direct guidance of someone with the know-how to motivate me in all the right ways and the opportunity to watch others struggle and achieve along-side me.
Interestingly enough, I imagine going to church can offer a similar experience.
As humans we are complex, social creatures. We need the encouragement and feedback of others to evolve to our highest potential. We need to be challenged with new ways to put our minds and bodies to work. We need concrete opportunities that allow us to support and be supported; interactions that allow what from the outset appears to be repetitive liturgy to come alive with meaning.
Active participation in the life of a church can provide us with all the tools we need to get into spiritual shape. Where else can we find so many different ways to minister, to connect, to learn - and so many patient, experienced mentors.
This week's Profile of Grace brings the importance of strengthening our own calls to ministry into sharp focus. While Elaina's strong, cheerful spirit shines through in her answers to our simple get-to-know-you questions, the truth of the matter is she is facing health issues that are quite severe.
These issues are compounded by the fact that she is in the midst of raising two small children. Mothers (and fathers) rarely have time for themselves in the best of situations, and in times that aren't the best, this is when we have the wonderful calling to step in and offer our care and support.
Please take a moment now to get to know a little bit about Elaina Seep and prayerfully consider how you will minister to this family of Grace in the weeks and months to come.
- Jody
(With many thanks to Darby Puglielli for compiling this profile and coordinating care.)
 | Elaina, with nephew and son, on a
Grace-sponsored hayride, Fall 2009 |
Name: Elaina Seep Which generation do you belong to? X (1965 - 1982) Age you are on the inside: 25, it was my Golden birthday and a great time! Though I really don't mind being 38. I get to be a grown up. Birth city or where you would say your roots are from: Carbondale, Illinois. I am definitely a southern girl at heart. Member of Grace since: 2008 Early Bird or Night Owl? A reformed night owl. I have had to learn to be an early bird and have grown to enjoy the morning quiet. Favorite childhood memory: My dad teaching me how to make snow angels. I knew I was an adult when: I turned 30, for some reason people started to take me more seriously. Then when I had my first child shortly thereafter, and I was given responsibility for another human being, I knew it was time to be serious. Beloved blog, website or TV/radio program: I don't tend to get much time to watch TV and when I am online I am usually researching something. However, I have always loved NPR and make time to catch This American Life with Ira Glass. Favorite book to foist on all of your friends: The Alchemist by Paulo Cohelo. It is a really beautifully written parable. I like the simple and open spirituality of it. Go-to comfort food: Ice Cream, preferably something involving chocolate and nuts #1 item on your Bucket List (Things to do before you "kick the bucket."): Go to Ireland, really Europe in general, but I want to stand on the cliffs off the coast and watch the sea with rolling green hills behind me. Think Wuthering Heights without all of the dramatic tragedy. Physical object that represents your life's work or passion: My children. They are the best thing I have ever done or been blessed with.  | Cade (right) and Phoebe (peeking out)
enjoy the farmer-look with their cousin. |
What is your first memory of God? I am not sure I have a first memory so much as God has simply always been a part of life. I can remember always being able to talk very directly to God. As a little girl when I would say my prayers I would very innocently send God a hug and kiss at the end of my prayers. For me that was something reflexive to do when you love someone. What inspires you? Other people. My Dad would always quote Thoreau that "every man is a person worth knowing," and I truly believe that. We all have stories to tell whether we realize it or not and by being open to that, I have had the chance to meet some truly amazing and inspiring people who may think they are only just getting through life but are actually living in a state of grace. One thing no one would guess about you: I can be very shy sometimes. I would like to get a tattoo. Why Grace? I was brought up Episcopalian and was very active in my home diocese when I was young. Then in my twenties I drifted away from an active church life, though I remained a spiritual person. I kept searching for where I felt comfortable and what I felt expressed my beliefs. I found I could never really leave my Episcopal roots, but I struggled to find the parish that felt right. When I moved to this area, I actually attended a few of the churches but never really found a fit. We lived here for a few years, my husband and I got married at St. Matthew's in Kenosha (where I attended in college) but we just didn't find a fit and never really ventured into Grace for some reason. Then my Dad died suddenly in 2008 and I was truly lost. I tried to call a church or two and oddly, no one was there that day, and when I called Grace, Fr. Raymond answered the phone himself and asked if I would like to talk. I did and we had a much needed spiritual talk and ministering moment. That drew me to come and hear him preach. When I did, I knew I found the parish I had looked for and the rest, as they say, is history! Why are you having surgery? I have a rather rare condition called an Arnold Chiari Malformation (I have Type II). There is a lot still unknown about it and only a handful of neurosurgeons and neurologists who specialize in the condition. In simple terms, the cerebral tonsils that hang from the bottom of the brain on either side of the brain stem are pushed down (herniated) into the opening in the bottom of the skull where the spinal cord attaches to the brainstem. This is also where certain major nerves attach as well (like the two Vagus nerves which control functions like digestion and heart rate/rhythm). The condition causes pressure to build up in the skull; causing a variety of symptoms like reduced cognitive functioning at times (I have the memory of a goldfish sometimes! Once around the bowl and the castle is new every time.), pain and burning in nerves like when I cry or laugh, stiffness and spasticity of the muscles, and more. Actually, the condition gets misdiagnosed quite frequently as MS because they present similarly with some of the same problems in regards to nerve pain and visual disturbances. I don't often sleep very well and can have migraines that last for weeks on end. What is the surgery and how will it help? The surgery is called a "posterior fossa decompression" which is a fancy way of saying the surgeon will remove a piece of the back of my skull to make more room for the tonsils of my brain and for CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) to flow freely. This should take pressure off of my brainstem and from the nerves that are being compressed. What we hope is that some of the other conditions I developed from the pressure will resolve. The biggest being the dysregulation of my autonomic nervous functions, specifically my blood pressure (which is too low) and the spasms in my legs from faulty signally to the nerves and muscles. My blood pressure will often drop too low and then if I stand or move I might fall, or stumble, get dizzy because my body can't raise my pressure fast enough. The surgery should also relieve some of the headaches and general pain. How long is the expected recovery time? If all goes well, then 6 to 8 weeks just to be able to drive and pick up something that weighs more than a gallon of milk. However a "full recovery" can take as long a year for some people as only time can tell if some of the nerve damage is permanent or if you need additional spinal surgery. I am most likely in the "will need a second surgery" column as I also have lower neurological problems that indicate I may have a secondary condition called Occult Tight Filum that is creating a pull down on my spine and brain. --- How will you be called? There is a new pastoral care committee that helps organize help for people at Grace going through life transitions (both joyful and painful). We have provided food for the Maycrofts with their newborn son and the Ambrosavages after Ethel's passing. Darby Puglielli, the coordinator, is in the process of organizing help for Elaina, her husband, and her two children for the time after Elaina's surgery. The Seeps will most likely need food, cleaning, childcare, rides, etc. One of the challenges is that they live in Marshall, WI. We will probably collect food at Grace and then have one person drive it out weekly. If you would like to help in some way, please email Darby at PCatGrace@gmail.com. | 
