I will begin this update with cursory apology for neglecting to blog more often. I know my life is exciting and everyone wants to know about it ;) Maybe my New Year's resolution will be to blog more? This winter break was certainly worthy to blog about. It started on December 17th, when I drove home after my final final (and more truck work). The next day, I had my Re-certification meeting with the District Board of Ordained Ministry. It went well, and I am on track in my ordination process. I will be starting my commissioning paper work very soon, which seems daunting on top of all of my other seminary responsibilities. This summer, I will be doing Clinical Pastoral Education (hopefully in Orlando), which the DCOM has required for me. I am really looking forward to that; I know it will make a huge impact on me and I will learn so much from it. This will basically entail chaplaincy work in hospital settings.
As for the rest of my winter break back home, it was very relaxing an rejuvenating I was very happy to be back. One of the highlights definitely was being with my 8-month pregnant sister Anne. Her and Drew are expecting their baby boy late this month, right around my birthday! Talk about an awesome gift. Everyone is so excited for them, and for this new member to our loving family. Anne will be the first of all the cousins to have a baby, so it is very special for us as a family. Now if they could just figure out the little guy's name! If they are having trouble naming him, shouldn't they just wait until he is born and meet the little guy?
Christmas was great. Having the whole family together for the first time in 3 years brought me so much joy.
My sister Sarah and her husband Devon joined Anne, Drew, Charlie, my parents, and I for an amazing rib roast dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by a relaxing Christmas Day, fried turkey included. We do not do presents for Christmas anymore, and it really eliminates the stress and places my attention directly towards the joy and peace I receive from genuine fellowship with my family. I believe my parents focus their efforts towards good eatin' for the family instead of presents. I aint complainin'! I love my family so much, and Christmas was pretty perfect.
I enjoyed being with my parents so much during this break. I went fishing with them. I flew and had lunch with my dad. I had conversations with them that encouraged me. I miss them and hope that I can remember the time that I had with them when I am stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed this semester.
After Christmas, on the 27th, my parents, Anne, Drew, and I went south to Stuart for a weekend of fishing with my aunt and uncle. This is one of my favorite weekends of the whole year I missed it last year (their minuscule catch total reflected this) and I was so very happy to get back to the traditional Mackerel Massacre. The fishing was successful, but the time with my family was what really made the weekend great. I also rediscovered my taste for good seafood as we feasted on lobster shrimp, dolphin, and fresh mackerel! Very fun weekend there.
My break ended with a NYE celebration with Julie, Herb, Ana, Lee, Patrick, Megan, Nicole, Greg, and Charlie. I was reminded how special my friends are to me. I miss them all the time, and times with them are so much fun. They give me energy to be able to do what my life calls me to. Although some of my friends were missed (Sarah H. (I did get to hang out with her a lot though!) Aubrey, Brandon, Bobby, Leanna, Steph, sorry if I did not list you and we are great friends and maybe you can call me out and I will add you, etc.), I enjoyed the time spent with my friends for my last night in town.
I love the ones I love, in part, because of the joy and rejuvenation I receive from them. I know that I cannot be who I am without them. It is impossible for me to proceed on the path that God has for me without the energy and guidance that I receive from them. I think God wants it that way, too.
Listen and understand:
