Where did the summer go?

This week, those involved with Newberry public county schools have returned to their jobs and assignments as teachers, students, and administrators. Our students begin their first day tomorrow with much anticipation and regret. College students soon will begin as well as seminarians. Anticipation for the newness that lies before them but the regret that the lazy dog days of summer are no more and they actually return to the world of schedules, busyness, and yes, even stress.

It is strange that I am not joined in with them. For so many years, my life has revolved around semesters and breaks. Well, in the Church, it still does but not in the same way. I no longer have long summer breaks (not that they were ever REALLY that long), or fall breaks, or spring breaks. I get very short amounts of vacation time. Yet, even though the liturgical calendar is far from ending (about 14 weeks in case anyone was wondering) we still gear up for the programming kick-offs in all things children and youth related.

The kick-off of school always brings feelings of excitement and apprehension. Am I going to like the class I'm taking, the people I'm with, and will I be able to pass with THAT teacher this year? It's the same in the work force too- is this idea going to work, are we going to be able to get along as a team, can we get past the failure that happened before?

Even though I am not starting new classes and getting adjusted to a new schedule; I still am in the midst of that back to school crazy-ness. The new ideas and events set forth on the table, being seeded and watered to help, shape, and form God's children have given me much excitement and sometimes, apprehension as of late. Finding ways to entrust and equips others to do the tasks of education and ministry can sometimes be quite difficult and plain tiring. I am still in the midst of a new community that is starting to rejoin itself after leadership loss and stability, thus making each day and adventure. Yet, I trust that things will work out the way they need to, and if not, I will continue on my journey because of God's grace. God's ministry is for all of God's people and God will use all of us in the ways needed in the months ahead. May God use all of you whether you are a student, teacher, or in a day to day routine in the workforce.

Busyness

At the beginning of the summer I was told that July just seems to drag on and not much goes on besides worship at Redeemer. While that may be correct, I still have found myself quite busy in the past month. I've gone from Campfirmation, VBS, LCY convention, to July 4th festivities, mom visiting, birthday festivities, LCY Camp Bridge Building, more birthday festivities, Terrific Tuesdays, and Redeemer Rambler Day Trips.

I've met lots of new people and have tried to keep connections going with those of the past. I'm sad that I couldn't be with those who have celebrated various occasions out of state this summer, but am thankful for technology that enables us to keep in touch.. and am thankful for the times of being able to visit with past friends even though I can't travel that much right now.

I am especially looking forward to seeing my lovely niece, Abigail, at the end of this month. From what my sister has shared, she is getting SOOOO big (and of course, pictures and video does not do it justice.. I need to see her IN PERSON)!

Yet, even in the busyness there is still times of stillness and rest.. from visiting Murrell's Inlet/Garden City beach, to sitting on a boat or a floaty in lake murray or picking blueberries with a slight breeze drifting in the air on a 100 degree day, I've managed to take time for myself. I hope that I am able to continue as weekends will quickly fill up with sports games and events during the fall.

I'm thankful for all those who support me, pray for or with me, and just generally can endure my crazyness throughout times of transition. Love Y'all!

The Beach!

Most of you know that I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This means the summer time revolves around the beach, steamed crabs/shrimp, oyster sandwiches, the boardwalk, county fairs, and of course those summer thunderstorms that drive the humidity away for the slightest bit. (Yea, the humidity doesn't leave SC AT ALL!)

Now that I live in the middle of the great state of South Carolina, I find that I dearly miss the water in the summer. I'm close enough to Lake Murray and have pool access at the Y, but its not the same as digging your toes in the sand or jumping back from the waves as the cold water gradually creeps towards your toes. So, because I knew I would be working from June 5-21st straight through, I arranged a short vacation to Murrell's Inlet/Garden City. Thanks for the Hundleys for renting me their place! Even though it was HOT, the two days I spent at the waters edge (or close to it, cause of the thunderstorms and the insane heat) were just amazing.

I love watching God's creation known as the ocean. The waves bring forth renewal and a force of energy each time they crash upon the shore. And it's amazing to see little kids and sometimes even adults battle against the powerful breaks too, especially if its the first time. While I've been gone from home for almost ten years now, the sound of the ocean always makes me feel at home, even if its not Ocean City or Assateague. May you all find your way towards your beach this summer, wherever that might be (whether its literal or figurative as well).

The Mommy Blog

My friend Ondria, over at the Mommy Blog, has been doing all of these awesome reviews and giveaways. I love hearing about her adventures with her son, Balian, who was born about a month before my darling niece, Abigail. I hope you all take the time to peruse her site, whether you are mommies or not, because she definitely has some good things going on over there! This week, she reviewed Hope Embroidery and Gifts (http://hopeembroidery.blogspot.com/) and is doing a giveaway of a baby set! I don't know what you think, but those things are soooo dang cute.. And yes, I love to spoil my niece even though I'm three states away :).. which reminds me... I haven't for a while...

New Attempt

This is my new attempt at keeping this blog updated.. it wasn't that I didn't remember it, I just didn't think I had much to say besides the normal everyday stuff.. but in the normal everyday stuff, there is life!

Thus, in the past two months, when I've started to get adjusted to a new town, new faces, a new congregation, and a new journey, I hope that you will follow me throughout the adventures that will always include sunsets and sand, two of my favorite things.

In the stillness of this place

I love sitting in the silence of nature. Of course, I often get annoyed by pesky insects that hover around my hears and the insane tendency for the south to quickly become a deep-fat-fryer by the middle of the day. But today has been different. I have enjoyed the silence of this building, when it exists. Often times in our congregations all spaces are used at various points of the day. Phones rings, people come in, things to do take up our time. But here, on this third day of my internship, while there have been scattered phone calls and people to speak to/children to entertain while parents have business to attend to, the building has been quiet. The pastor, the AIM, and the administrator are all out for various reasons. So sitting back here, in my cubby known as the worship/ AIM intern's office, I have really enjoyed the silence. I used to get freaked out sitting in the building at St. John's or even at St Paul's Cola (especially after Carrie's wonderful ghost stories) but I like it here. The next sixth months will be an adventure, challenge, and will provide many opportunities for growth. I imagine that come March 1, I will not want to leave, because I am already being transformed by God's amazing grace in this place. I look foward to the opportunities here, involving both silence and the loud obnoxious crazy times.

Baby birds and nice breezes

There seems to be this theory that time by when you are having fun.. well, I think time just flies regardless of how I feel or what I am doing. Today marks the official completition of week 6, although I am on-call tonight. With it being 4th July weekend, we have been told to expect the unexpected in terms of crazy injuries, etc.. anyway, I honestly am amazed at how time does fly during the day.

The last few weeks have been rather hot and today there is lots of sun but along with flows a nice gentle breeze that I really do appreciate. I'm not sure I appreciate waking up to singing birds outside my window at 5:30am, but that is a part of life too. On our chapel door, where we meet every morning, a bird has laid three eggs that are waiting to erupt out of their shells into their new lives. These birds remind me of the life that raditates from the hospital: from new babies down in the birthing center to being healed of infections and recovering from surgeries. Of course, the downside is that sometimes life in this world finishes its cycle and we lose patients and help their families through the grieving process. It's a hard road to walk with people, but being present and caring through times of pain is a good learning process for me. I definitely have gained more confidence in talking with people both in rooms and waiting rooms and have thought about how/what I say may prohibit or open up conversation on various different levels.

This is a family-based community and within that there comes a lot of trust by people they know. As an outsider, I've had to figure out ways to break into that cycle so that I can understand where they are coming from. Breaking into tight-knit communities is not an automatic process and I've learned how to use different techniques and ways to conversate with people. Thinking of how to go beyond introductions and the initial "How are you today" is something I have been struggling with early on and have finally started to find ways to ask about family, community, and interets. There are those awkward stages but as one of my colleagues pointed out this afteroon, these are God-awkward moments in which God uses us and the awkwardness to relate and be present to the patient.

I have no idea what I will face in the next few weeks, but I can be sure that I will continue to reflect and grow from the ministry opportunities set before me within Rutherfordton.

And while I'm around, I would like to continue to take advantage of the opportunities near by. This past weekend I went to Asheville and Biltmore. I haven't been to Biltmore in YEARS and was amazed at the growth that has occurred up on the estate. But it was definitely a day of rest, relaxation, and rejunivation as I walked through the grounds, the house, and even participated in a wine and chocolate tour (ok, that costs extra but well worth it!). Taking care of my well-being, emotionally and physically, is something that I realize is necessary to prevent burn out in any kind of ministry. I have found that attending the aerobics class sponsered by the hospital is very beneficial, even though it kills me the next day, but that I actually enjoy that time (who knew I would like step aerobics).. and that doing simple things like visiting the coffee shop for use of wireless internet, could not only help entertain me, but give me time to relax. And I'm FINALLY on the of last mitford series fiction books.

Well, with all that being said, until next time!