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I tutored once a week at a local elementary school. I love working there because it has no connection to anything else in my life. I can show up at school and be a grunt. I never know what the day will hold, so I show up with open hands, ready to do whatever is needed. (Including that time I had to scrub caked-on cheese. Hilarious.)
I was working in communications at a church in Weatherford, but got elected to serve in children's ministry while the church searched for a children's minister. Not what I expected, but I had fun and learned about developing a leadership team and a rotation of helping hands. I also was challenged several times to look at Bible stories in a new way when the children quizzed me.
My grandfather's health began failing and he moved to hospice and then passed away. I was called and honored to be helpful and present in that process as well.
The children upped their extra-curricular activities and Adam and I worked hard at tag-team parenting to accomodate my class schedule and homework load.
As the fall semester ended and the holidays set in, our family came down with the flu. We all had our flu shots, but this was apparently a unique strain. The positive aspect of having the flu during the holidays is that you are forced to slow down. Once we all recovered, we were already in the habit of staying home, so we spent the holidays being together at home. It was the least stressful holiday season I can recall.
And now we are in full swing of the spring semester. The kids are back at school and this was my first week back at seminary. My stack of textbooks is daunting, but I am hopeful and enthusiastic about my classes. I'm taking Pastoral Care and Counseling as well as A Comparative Study of Howard Thurman and Thomas Merton. I've received some good-natured teasing about the weightiness of the subjects, but I am looking forward to how both classes will stretch me and teach me.
The church was able to hire a new children's minister, and I've been passing duties to her. Starting next week I'll really be able to hit the ground running and hopefully be able to write and improve church communications. I'm looking forward to that with great anticipation.
Since my duties at church scaled back, I upped my tutoring to two days a week. I enjoy being around students and helping with administrative tasks. The kids can't remember my name since I'm not there every day, so I answer to the name "Ms. Awesome."(As a joke, I shared that story with one of my professors, who proceeded to address me that way the rest of the first class.)
Meanwhile, I've been pursuing ordination as a deacon in the United Methodist Church. My ultimate goal is to be a helping pastor and Bible study author. I'd like to work behind the scenes helping the church and its people while writing curriculum for the church.
After much paperwork and a panel interview, I was approved as an official candidate for ministry in the UMC. I think yesterday I said, "I'm so excited!" at least 100 times. The sentiment still rings true.
So for those of you that support me with prayers or buying and eating my banana bread, thank you. For those of you that keep me sane by checking on me and listening to my chatter, thank you. For those of you that help me stand, thank you. I am grateful to you all.
