Last Couple of Days

The last couple of days have been busy. Monday I went to Helena with a group from the church (the church I've been called to, not the one I've been supplying at or my home congregation--so confusing!). Anyway, the church we visited in Helena is going through a similar process that our congregation is starting to go through, moving from a pastor sized congregation to a program size. It was a good day, with lots of good questions asked and lots of good information given. We took 12 people in 2 vans, so I definitely had a chance to get to know a couple of people better. The day was long, but everyone who went had good things to say and there was some excitement about moving forward with some of the changes. The part I find somewhat strange? interesting? whatever, is that my being called is part of this process, since they haven't has an associate pastor in many years. I understand it, but it's kind of odd to be one of the "steps." Instead of driving back and forth I stayed over Sunday and Monday nights, and then yesterday I went...

Apartment hunting! It was actually relatively painless. I was a little worried because the semester at the university isn't over, yet, so rentals are few and far between, but I looked in the paper and found a couple of possibilities that looked promising. The first wasn't bad. It was definitely a giant step up from where I lived in college, but it was still this side of sketchy. The price was right, but it just didn't feel quite right. The second place, though. Sigh, I think I'm in love. Not to be melodramatic, but I think I lucked out. I looked at 2 apartments that were open, w/ 2 different floor plans. Both were nice, and I liked 2 things about the 2nd one better, but I liked the 1st one the best. So, I put in the application yesterday and an hour and a half later I had an apartment! Hooray! It's a little out of the way, not so convenient to stores and such, but it's relatively close to the church, has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a ginormous storage area, and a lovely view. And the price isn't bad, either. And so looking forward...

At the next couple of days/weeks: I'm moving next week on Wednesday and starting the new job on Thursday. Yes, cutting it a bit close, I know, but the days between now and then are pretty much crazy, plus I do my last Sunday of supply, so I'll need to write a sermon and try not to cry while preaching, then I have a continuing ed event all day Monday (it seemed like a good idea at the time when I signed up for it!). Good stuff, lots of details, much happening. Now if the synod would just finally mail my letter of call...

Brrr...

Last Sunday it was 70 degrees, today when I got to church it was 22. It snowed all night last night, and the roads were the worst I've seen them for a long time. Made for a fun 45 mile drive this morning. Fortunately I left early and got there in one piece. I'm ready for spring!!!

On Tuesday I'll be looking for a place to live, so please send good thoughts. I'm hoping it will be a good, even fun, experience, and not a soul-sucking one. The crazy thing is, I haven't had to apartment hunt in 10 years. The last time, ironically, was when I was living here while going to college. Since then housing has been provided by family, seminary, and internship, making me way too spoiled. I'm hoping to have a slightly better place than my tiny studio apartment when I was in college. Oh, and one where my downstairs neighbor doesn't use porn as an alarm clock every morning at 5 am. But maybe I'm too picky... :-)

My Own, Personal Corner

A friend of mine asked me the other day if I was starting to get nervous about all of the details that need to be taken care of in the next month. At the time I was thinking, "nah, it's not a problem, " and I was actually feeling really calm about the upcoming move, new job, and planning my ordination. On Sunday after I found out about the vote I spent the rest of the day in a state of giddiness, walking around with a big, silly smile on my face. Then came yesterday, and all of the reality of the details came crashing down. Oh, wow, I have to move, but first I have to find a place to live, then move, then start a new job, and I'm still supplying these last 2 weekends in April, so I need to write sermons, and the ordination needs to be planned (that alone contains about 3 million details). All of the details are now swimming around in my brain like so many crazed minnows, darting too and fro, and constantly inviting friends. So, KAG, in answer to your question, yes, I'm starting to have the urge to curl up in the fetal position in a corner somewhere and whimper. Anyone care to join me?

Finally!

The church voted today to call me! I'm going to be an associate pastor! I'm giddy and giggly and really excited. Now I need to find a place to live and move and a million other things, and soon the terror will kick in, I'm sure, but at the moment I'm just going to bask in the fact that I finally have a call. Ordination will be May 17th, details to follow!

Happy Birthday....

Well, to me! It's a gorgeous day in Western MT, my best friend is here, my 2 year old niece sang me Happy Birthday, and I've gotten birthday hugs from the 4 and 7 year olds. What more could a girl ask?

Friday Five--Moving

This week's Friday Five is timely as it's all about moving, and I'm about to (hopefully) do that once again:

1. How many times have you moved? When was the last time?
From 15 months to almost 21 I didn't move at all. Since then (so 12 years) I've moved 19 times. Yikes.

2. What do you love and hate about moving?
I hate the part of packing where it's no longer possible to be logical. There are always things left over that just don't fit into my packing system. I love packing books, though. It's like a puzzle, which probably makes me a giant freak. :-) I also dislike finding everything new in the new place: doctors, hair stylist, friends, entertainment, etc.

3. Do you do it yourself or hire movers?
I've always done it myself, with the help of friends and family.

4. Advice for surviving and thriving during a move?
Take the opportunity to get rid of stuff. If you haven't worn/used it in the last year or two, give it away. I also always have one box that I pack with stuff that I get out and put up right away in a new place, just to make it feel more at home and homey.

5. Are you in the middle of any inner moves, if not outer ones?
Inner moves? Hmm...I've been in a bit of a rut lately, but I'm (hopefully) going to move in the next couple of weeks, so that should help with the being in a rut.

Schmoozing

Well, tonight was the meet and greet, and I think it went pretty well. I met with the senior pastor for a couple of hours and had dinner with some of the call committee before the dessert reception. I didn't count, but I think there were about 20-30 people at the reception. I think I was charming. I hope I was charming. Or, more important, I hope I came across as a mature, competent candidate. Of a fun note, I met a young woman who loves Jane Austen and Harry Potter, and who kept grabbing me to talk about books. I think she was about 14, so that was fun. Tomorrow I've been invited to the men's breakfast. What is up with men's breakfasts being at 6:30 in the friggin' morning? Who enjoys that time of the morning? So, it's breakfast, then I have an appointment with a member of the youth and family board at 9:00, staff meeting at 10:00, and I meet with the real estate agent at 11:30 to talk about housing possibilities. Should be a full and interesting day. Then I'll be waiting for the vote on Sunday.

Puberty?

I finally caught the cold my nieces and mom have had for a few weeks now. I actually feel pretty good, I don't think I've got it to the extent that they've had it. I feel OK, but I lost my voice yesterday. I led worship today sounding like an adolescent boy going through puberty. I'd be doing fine and then suddenly my voice would crack and go up an octave. As it was I think I was mostly talking about an octave below my normal speaking voice. Many people laughed at me. Well, there were only 15 people there, so I guess many is a relative term, but still. To try and save my voice, my sermon was pretty short, and then I made them talk to each other! *Gasp* Talking in church! Even worse, talking about faith in church! They're a good group, though, and they put up with my occasional departures from "normal" sermons.

In other news, I meet with the church I'm (still) interviewing with on Tuesday. I'll go to staff meeting, probably meet with the call committee at some point, talk to the pres. of the council, who is also a real estate agent, about housing possibilities, and then go to a meet and greet for the congregation that evening. Guess I'll be shaking hands and kissing babies before the vote on the 13th. Ordination information will be forthcoming if the vote goes well.

Fruity

Apparently I'm an orange. Apparently I take too many internet quizzes....

You Are an Orange

You have a zest for life, especially for anything colorful, wild, or dramatic. You have a unique take on the world, and you're not afraid to be a little funky. You are a bit reserved toward people who don't know you well. You have a thick skin, which can protect you from anything that goes wrong in your life. Once someone does get to know you, they totally get and appreciate you. Your friends see you as a bright person with a refreshing take on life.

http://www.blogthings.com/whattypeoffruitareyouquiz/">What Type of Fruit Are You?