Weddings

Through out the pastoral community it has been said again and again that most, if not all pastors, don't like doing weddings. But I do.

Sometimes they can be a pain in the butt, and leading up to them can be a hassle, but I think it's just that I am a hopeless romantic. I love marriage counseling. I love helping people try to remember everything and organizing things for them. I love watching the groom stand up front and waiting for his bride to walk down the isle. I love the nervousness and anticipation. I love seeing what everyone does for the wedding and how they decorate. I love thinking the best of every situation. That they will stay that in love and that love will grow even deeper and stronger.

I will admit it. I'm a hopeless romantic and I love weddings.

Revelations

This week has been about revelations for me.

Today I realized that I love being a pastor... or at least the pastoral duties. My supervisor has been gone all week and so all of the visitations and "pastoral" duties have fallen on me. And I'm loving it! We have had a few people in the hospital so I have been there visiting, I just got called about another person who isn't a member who just got checked in. I had a bible study in a neighboring town and then worship at the nursing home. Got asked to take some communion to a homebound couple. No hymns were picked out for service and I actually was able to have input on the bulletin. It's just been a great week because all of that has fallen on me without question. One would think that this would have all been happening a lot through out the last 9 months but not really. I feel like I have been doing a more programing then Pastoring the last 9 months. It's good to be a Pastor and do Pastoral Care!

There is a lot of conflict stuff happening at the church right now, but because I'm the "intern" it really doesn't fall on me and I don't have to deal with it.

So I have all the perks right now... and none of the conflict. I know it's a selfish place to be right now but I'm okay with that. And it has allowed me to realize that
1. I don't have to take on the world and fix everything
2. I do like being a Pastor

A day

What a day!

It's just been a really busy day. And I have to say.... I LOVE busy days! They just go by faster and I feel like I am accomplishing something in life.

I have also realized that I am really spoiled by some of the members of the congregation. Today the chair person for the internship committee was in and talking about rhubarb. The talk of it made me crave some. So what does she do in the afternoon... bake a rhubarb pie for me. How awesome! Spoiled!

Joys

I'm kind of having one of those days, so to be like my fabulous friend Moe I am writing a list of things that bring joy to my life:

1. My husband
2. My family
3. My friends
4. Good conversations
5. The smell of a Spring day
6. Flowers
7. Lemon Drops
8. Our unborn child
9. Some of the people at my internship site that make being here worth the crappy days
10. Pandora Radio
11. Picking out classes for next year ... I love the organizational side of it
12. Finishing a class and becoming one step closer to being ordained
13. Buffalo Wings
14. Pickles
15. Going to bed with a smile on my face or laughing every night
16. Camp .. specifically Klein Ranch
17. Birds singing in the morning

Those are just a few of things that bring me joy. It's good to remember all the things that I am thankful for on a day that I could get bogged down by things that God does not wish me to spend my time or energy on.

Great Weekend

I took today (monday) off since I was working pretty much all weekend. I had an awesome weekend. The women's retreat that I lead was wonderful. I only got 4 hours of sleep on Friday night, which was fun while I was up talking but not so much in the morning. The ladies that went were great and it was just the right amount of time. This is why I love my job. Getting to know the people. But I did learn that I'm not a rockstar anymore and can't live off of 4 hours of sleep. Making a mental note for myself.

Then Sat evening when we got home we had a little party thing at a friends apartment. I really struggled to even get there and we only stayed till 9. I still had homework that I had to get done before midnight AND I was EXTREMELY emotional and tired. No sleep makes me emotional and then add the extra hormones and I was on the brink of crazy. Good thing I have a patient husband.

Sunday morning was really hard to get motivated. I just preached the first service. The PM left in between services so the second service was all me. LOVED IT! I finally felt like this is what I'm suppose to do for the rest of my life, or at least some of it. It just felt natural and I felt totally comfortable. What an awesome feeling!

And today with my day off I am cleaning. Also an awesome feeling. I finally feel well enough again to clean and be around strong smells. It's been since Easter since this place has gotten a good cleaning so it really needed it. I have just been taking my time. Do a little then resting. What a great day!

Good humor for the day

I happened to stumble upon this and thought it was a good read. It's just so true for most places and so true just for the office environment. And I love the way she writes!

Hope you enjoy!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/05/06/o.tinkler/index.html

Motivation

Today has been a struggle of sorts.

I will work late tonight and then work Friday evening till Saturday afternoon, so I decided to take this morning off. I don't do this that often but I decided that it might be good for my sanity. That and sometimes I can get more done with sermons when I am not in the office. So that is the goal for this morning.

I am really struggling with motivation. I have this thing with being tired and feeling kind of lazy. I seem to come home and just want to crash. Eric keeps pushing me to get out and go for walks in the evening. Once I'm out I love it.

Where to get motivation from?!?!