When people ask me how classes are going I have to honestly say that I feel as though I'm hardly ever in class. I only have one regular class this semester - Biblical Perspectives on Suffering and the Atonement. Everything else is practicum. So although I do a lot of reading and report writing, my "class" sessions for my practicum are actually supervisory groups. I have begun meeting with my first directee and am looking for a second one. I found it amazing how second nature spiritual direction felt to me. I am a relatively young spiritual director (one resource I looked at listed 35 as the young end of the spectrum for directors) and do not anticipate practicing spiritual direction straight out of seminary, but I do want to take the class while I have the opportunity and I have found it helpful in other areas of my life, particularly in my chaplaincy practicum.
My practicum at the hospital is going really well. I am starting to feel more comfortable there and am getting to know my way around. I love every opportunity I get to shadow staff members - I learn so much for observing their interaction with fellow staff and patients. I have been blessed with an amazing supervisor, from whom I have already learned so much. I was invited one afternoon to shadow an Oncology Experience Guide which was a great expereince. And last Saturday I spent an 8 hour day with the nursing supervisors (one of them is a student at AMBS so I really lucked out with this opportunity!).
I had struggled at the beginning with issues of "Who am I here?" and "Where does my authority come from?" These questions are still at the back of my mind, but I have had the opportunity to walk alongside a number of patients and hear their stories. I am honoured by their willingness to be so open. Their gratitude is a confirmation to me that I am where I'm supposed to be for the time being. That's not to say that I haven't had my fair share of patients waving me off too. The chaplain is the one person on the hospital staff with whom they can exercise complete control and just say NO - and if I can help patients regain a sense of control by giving them the opportunity to kick me out of the room, then I guess I can be used in that way as well. However, even in my short time there, I have seen God work in amazing ways and have a number of stories that I hold as sacred moments. Perhaps I will share glimpses into chaplaincy ministry with you someday.
I am spending Monday's in the Admissions office and have cut my hours down by quite a bit, but enjoy being able to still be involved in that work. I am still "coordinating" weekly potlucks, a job that I never anticipated would be mine but, alas, that's what happens when you take an idea and run with it. I anticipate any opportunity to hang out with friends, which seems to be a rare occurrence these days. My neighbours/friends just had a baby boy a week and a-half ago so I try to get down there to hold the new baby once in a while :) A group of us ladies here on campus who have tended to hang out together, have now developed "First Sunday Sabbaths." The first Sunday of every month we get together for an evening of relaxation. Last month we made pretzels, coloured pictures and watched Corner Gas. This past Sunday was "Swiss Menno Nite" so we had apple dumplings, pumpkin woopie pies, popcorn, and watched For Richer or Poorer (because of the Amish connection). Our "First Sunday Sabbath" rule is that we are not allowed to complain about church, work or school.
So there's my update for now. Feel free to drop me a note and let me know what you've been up to lately.
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