Rest and Water

I've spent the last week in Mississippi with seven youth from a church in New England. We were working outside on an historic house in Biloxi weeding, landscaping, planting bushes, cleaning up debris, scraping and painting siding, and fencing in an area for little kids to play in. Every hour or so the pastor or I would call out, "Take a break. Grab some water." We would sit on the front steps in the shade, drink down some water, and get back to work.

So perhaps that is why my brain is set on the connection between water and rest. And because I am who I am, I think about baptism. I've been kind of drifting these past two months, without a true center or home. I spent 25 days in Germany, a few weeks in TN, 4 days in FL for Sibling's wedding, and 10 days on this mission trip. No where is really home. I've been living out of a suitcase for two months and for me, while I enjoy the simple-ness of that, it is exhausting. I like having a center. I've always tried to shift away from making that a place, but we, as humans, are tied to places. I'll never understand a nomad lifestyle. If I roam, I like to come home.

So what about baptism, eh? I realized that at the very center of me is an identity that is unshakable. I am a baptized child of God no matter where I lay my head. No matter where I find home. No matter how restless my soul may feel in this in-between time.

For a time I said that I had "people homes." I reasoned that people I loved were my homes. While this is still somewhat true, I recognize that people do not always refresh me, I cannot always rely on them, and I still get lonely. This is especially true as I recognize that some of my best friends are getting married and need me less (and need to spend time on that special relationship), some are having babies and have less time for many things, and some are scattered across the country seeking their purpose in life. Telephone calls and Skype make things easier but it is never quite the same. And even then, I find myself listening a lot and caring for others instead of taking time to process how crazy life is for me right now.

I don't mean to complain. I have so many friends and family members who care so much about me. I have tons of places to stay with people who love me and often ask how I am. Genuinely. For this, I am so grateful. So lucky.

What I mean to say is that there is an unshakable, unchangeable, constancy in the depths of me. It is there... here in this ID as a child of God where I am finding new energy and peace. If this crazy summer of wandering has taught me nothing else, it has taught me this. I am okay on my own.

Travel Annoyance

I often wonder why airport travel is so taxing on my person. What is it about sitting down all day that is so exhausting???

And as I sit here, listening to a little girl cry because her parents threw away the rest of her juice... I stop wondering. Overhearing family arguments is so much fun. Overhearing people's personal phone calls at top volume is just as much fun. Slightly less uncomfortable but annoying.

My mom and I talk about sensory overload. Taking in all the sights, all the sounds, everything about one's environment. At the airport, meeting so many people, sitting in and among people and their virtual personal space is exhausting. Listening to every overhead announcement just to triple check and make sure it isn't about me or my flight. Making sure my baggage is with me "at all times" for security reasons. Having to re-pack up everything if I want to go to the bathroom or grab a drink.

Sigh.

That little girl is still crying and her parents are still yelling at her. *makes awkward turkey symbols with hands*

I'm ready to be home!!

Pet peeves

#23 Crowding around the belt so no one else can get it.

Dahan says this is not time to make a metaphor about accessibility and the Eucharist. Lol.

Mindfulness

Of all I have learned of the major religions that govern our great world, I believe they each try to teach a way to be present to the present. In Hinduism they call it mindfulness. It is all over Buddhism as a way to avoid suffering. And in Christianity, we have Christ telling us that he IS. To not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.

I'm enjoying my summer. I got to travel to Germany. I got to bless the marriage of my brother and his new wife. In Florida. On the beach. And now I get to be in TN with friends and family. What more could a woman want?

Oh, a job, right? In the midst of my mindfulness... I remember that I am waiting. Waiting through a transition. Waiting for not only a job, but a move, a new place to call home, a new set of friends, a congregation to love and do ministry with, and even a pet of my very own.

I have a phone call conversation with the lead pastor of a church tomorrow. Hopefully after that, an interview with the call committee will follow. Keep me in your prayers. I'm really excited about this one...

The in between time

Hello again! I have basking in my TN surroundings and trying to beat the heat. Wow, south, you and the heat don't mess around. Thank God for air conditioning!!!

I have another church's paperwork and I am really, really excited. Their job description for the associate pastor sounds like it was tailor made for me. Can't wait to talk to them more...

Heading to FL in two days - Sibling is getting married!! It's real. Love Currey to pieces. They are a beautiful couple. I am excited to be a part of the wedding Saturday. Keep us all in your prayers and have a great weekend whatever it brings you!