Year of Changes

This has been the year of changes. After working over 6 years for our brother, I found myself unemployed Dec 31, 2009. I saw it as an actual blessing, so never was bothered by the lose of my job. Then in January my oldest son started part time at the local community college and found I had children from elementary school to college in my house all wanting my help on something.

The year continued with me being underemployed as a evening/night manager at Dollar General. Working "part-time, intermittent, seasonal" work for the US Census bureau as an enumerator and a crew leader. In August I quit my DG work to continue working as I have for the past 3 years at another community college converting books for Learning Disabled workers. And my year with the Census finally came to a close.

In June, I had an opportunity to go to the Central States Synod assembly for the ELCA as a voting member of my congregation. I took this and thoroughly enjoyed the process of watching church based politics and being involved. But at this same assembly I was asked to become the pastoral care giver for a small, rural, church 65 miles from my home. After much discussion and prayer I decided to take the opportunity. By the time I returned home from the retreat I had an email from the seminary I'd started the process of applying to, had sent me an email asking if I was still interested in their distance learning program. If so, I had 5 days to get 3 letters of references in along with my essay. I achieved this and was again hit over the head when synod asked me to also finish my initial candidacy process. Luckily for me I could use the same essay for both, because I've never enjoyed writing and two essays in one week seemed more than I could handle.

In July I started serving at the church in a shared ministry with a retired pastor who is a member of this congregation. Between July and August I preached 6 out of 9 Sundays and truly had my research and writing skills tested. Two weeks ago I preached for the second time at my home congregation and tried for the first time to preach without reading from my sermon. Although my sermon was cut in half time wise, I found I felt more comfortable doing this and did it again last weekend at my rural congregation. I have also preached my local church's sister congregation which is Presbyterian and found I could lead that service almost as easily as a Lutheran one.

Today is my last day doing book conversions at the community college and I must say I'm glad. Until this point I've worked an average of 70 hours each week, with some weeks totally over 100 hours.

I started my first seminary course at the beginning of September and am now finishing off my 4th week of 14, with the first exam. Studying has easily taken the 15+ hours the professor suggested, but I am amazed by the students who are studying 6-10 hours daily. I'm also glad for all the previous time I've spent studying Koine (biblical) Greek, because it's helped me greatly as I tried to work multiple jobs, study, and have time with the family.

As I go into fall, I'm now serving the congregation 25 hours or so each week between, services, adult Bible study, confirmation classes, pastoral care giving, and sermon preparation. I feel that I've been called to this ministry and blessed by the initial push I received by our brother. Without that I'm not sure I would every have started what I've wanted to do for years. And the nice thing is I have the support of my husband, children, and two churches as I move forward.

I look forward to hearing more from each of you. I know life hasn't been easy for any of us, but I will admit I'm thankful we each received our own different challenges because I'm not sure I could have handled either of yours.

Have a blessed day and know that although I'm poor at communicating with either of you, I miss you both, and would love to have a little sister time to get together and share some knitting time.

-Myrtle