Wednesday Morning

The winetasting was excellent last night. K and I had a lot of fun and drank some great wine. I brought my rating list home so I can get some of the ones I bought because they are definitly ones I would like again. I think that is what I love about a wine tasting. You get to try without the committment. I hate buying a bottle and finding out I don't like it and then having to choke it down or praying that someone else in your dinner party likes it and will get sloshed finishing off the bottle. (okay, maybe I only hope that)

After we had our fill of wine, we decided we were done with the high class events and went to Pizza Corner for pizza, it was fabulous. I hadn't eaten there in quite a while. It ended up being a really fun night.

I was originally going to stay at K's house, but plans with Ian had changed, so I had watched my wine consumption, lets face it, it was mostly tastes of wine anyway, so really, I probably only had one glass total and then we ate, so it was about two hours or more before I had to drive. So, don't worry anyone, I did not drink while intoxicated.  It was all over by the time that happened.

I went and met Dustin, we did a Wal-Mart run, he went and got Ian, I went home and got the laundry folded adn put away so everyone could go to bed.

This morning, I led a Bible Study and right now I'm working on confirmation worship service and lesson for tonight. At 12:30, I'm having lunch with my friend B, we haven't talked in a couple years, (long story).

It's been a great morning and I see it being a great day. I'm excited for worship tonight, I haven't gotten to do the worship service for the confirmation students yet, I'm excited.  I'm doing a home visit this afternoon, but that shouldn't take the whole afternoon, so I should be in good shape timewise as far as getting everything ready.

I finally got a hold of the PT appointment desk to schedule Ian's appointment for his helmut. They will hopefully call me back to get it scheduled before the end of the week. (What?) Okay, whatever. They have had tons of people sick and out, so I'm not going to get upset, it's just wanting to get this started so it will be finished sooner.

Well, that is all for now. I have to get back to work.

Later gators

Tuesday is better with wine!

It's a great day here in ministry.

• No one in the hospital locally. My colleague went to the one out of town.

• Lunch with a friend who is a youth director at another church in town. Very fun and at one of my favorite places here in town.

• A productive day of getting little projects done. YAY ME! 

• I got a few bigger projects started! Can you say, Quilt Auction Articles and Newsletter stuff started? I can't believe that I am getting this stuff together. I started making a timeline and getting myself organized for the project. It is going to be great.

• Planned my bible study for tomorrow.
  

•  Now, I am waiting for my friend Kari to pick me up and we are heading to a wine tasting. Yum.

I realize that it might not sound like I suffered for Jesus much today, but I did get a papercut! No, sometimes I realize that ministry is in the prepwork as well as the other stuff. Sometimes, things have to be done. The great thing is when I get a bunch of this stuff done in a day and don't have to worry about it all sneaking up on me.

have a great evening everyone!

Do I really write this little lately?

I am sorry that I haven't typed much. I think I need to recommit to blogging in November, so I get the rest of October to slack. I think it is partially because I just don't have the ambition when I get home lately. I don't really want to be on the computer when I get home and that has been my only opportunity. So, I think I'll start taking this little bit of morning break time to try to catch up.

  So, what is new. Well, I need to get my new photos of the house progress loaded, but I haven't had a chance yet. We are now mudding the drywall. We got the second coat on yesterday. I'm in charge of corners because I rock at them.
  Work at the church is going well. I love it. I need to get a few things organized today. My hospital i.d. My alb into the drycleaners. My service for the 8th. We're doing a few things different.
  I'm not here this Sunday, I'll be taking one of my monthly Sundays, so that will be good to worship at home next weekend and sit in the pew with my family.

  So, there's the newest. I'll write more, hopefully sooner than later.

Remodel.

We are in the midst of another remodel project. New windows in the living room and new exterior doors. The doors are done and three of the 5 new windows were in yesterday. We also took out a small wall, it makes our livingroom slightly bigger, at least better for furniture arrangement.
Today, I understand that the other two windows went in and now there will be new insulation, drywall and trimwork to do. I'm very excited. Our house has come together so much in the last year.
I think I feel like my life is in a remodel stage too. Just cleaning out the old, looking toward the new. I like remodel because I'm keeping me. I'm just making changes.
I think so often we think of a "makeover" as saying that we were no good and have to start from the beginning. But, I don't feel that way about myself. So, I'll do a remodel. I'm not talking a physical thing, although there are some goals I have there as well.
I'm talking about the things I hold onto-possessions, feelings, habbits.
   It seems like it is time to go through it all. Declutter my soul, my mind, my possessions.
I think it's time for rebirth and it seems to be starting here and now.

Catching up. Work and Family

    I am in my second week of work at the church now. So far, I am really enjoying myself. I am accomplishing some things I was never capable of in my last call. I have been leaving work at work and going home to my family and completely enjoying them.
   Now, my lack of ability in my first call was brought on by myself. I started as a single pastor. My entire life and social life really revolved around church and community and the two are very closely linked. Consequently, when I did get a life, fell in love, got married, started a family. I was unable to set the new boundaries needed. I was never able to leave something where it was. I worried and cried a lot.
   I served wonderful people, I loved them and still do. I also know that leaving gave me a chance to get mentally healthy again. I was able to devote time to my family that I hadn't been able to devote up until that point. I made the choice to care for myself and my family, and even my own faith was rejuvenated in the process. I meditated in a combine until December, I enjoyed pregnancy, I was able to help remodel our house (while pregnant, I rock!)
   As time continued, I realized that my calling to ministry was not over, but I didn't know where I would be called next or what my options were. After some coincidental phone calls, it seemed the spirit was putting things into place. I ended up here. I will be here 6-12 months. I am thankful. The people are wonderful. I'm getting the chance to explore some ministry opportunities that weren't possible in a rural two-point. I'm going to learn a lot here.
   One thing on a personal note I am learning...boundaries. I am learning how to leave work at work and spend the moment with my family.
    I am in a good place.

My First Day!

So, I was supposed to have my first day last week, but a lacerated cornea prevented that from happening. I think this means that Dustin shouldn't let me throw straw bales anymore, he disagrees. He is sure that I am the only person who could hurt themselves in this way doing that particular chore, so more straw bale throwing for me. But that is a story for another day.
I am getting ready to leave the church, but wanted to write now  because I wouldn't get time when I get home. I have had a whole day away from my baby and the computer is going to be the last thing on my mind.
I've had a tour, gotten my keys, gone to staff meeting, met with my colleague, picked hymns for Sunday, and rearranged my office. I would say it has been productive.
I am going to like it here.
I have made a list of additional things I need to bring. I'm not sure how much I will bring yet, but I definitely need to warm things up in the office. The office is huge, which is fun to have room to play with. I even was able to put my desk at an angle and it looks wonderful.
I am preaching my first sermon this Sunday. Well, first one here, you know what I mean. I'm very excited. It's been a month or two since I preached. I have to come up with my title by tomorrow morning. That's a bit crazy for me, but it'll happen. Having a secretary in the office with her own deadlines will keep me accountable, that's a great thing.
Well, I want to go home and see my family.
Thanks to everyone who has been praying for me. It worked!