The summer pace begins...

Whoa... June is getting away on me. Time for an update post. I'm spending my summer days working on the summer crew. I'm doing less (while, none at this point) mowing this year and tons more painting and cleaning. Aside from my wrist and back SCREAMING at me in revolt, it's going fairly well. An unanticipated change to my summer is that I'll be filling in for the executive assistant to the president and dean for 8 weeks this summer. I was called into the president's office last week and she informed me that the current assistant's cancer has reoccurred so she needs time off for surgery and the followup healing, and asked if I'd be willing to help them out. I won't be taking over all of her tasks (her shoes are impossible to fill anyway since she's one of the women who keeps this seminary running!)but I will do my best to help keep the office functioning while she's away. So the plan is to work for maintenance from 7-noon and then be in the president/dean's office from 1-3. Just call me "jack of all trades, master of none." (well, I guess almost Master of one - Divinity that is!)

Aside from work, I'm really enjoying my relaxed evenings and weekends. Carrie and I have put in a small garden this year - only half a plot, enough for fresh eating - and I'm enjoying how much less weeding there is to do in a smaller garden. I've also been playing catch up and taking care of a lot of the things I let slide while finishing up school.

Something that has been very much occupying my thoughts and prayers in the last week is a 5-year-old boy from my church who was just diagnosed with a brain tumor, underwent surgery to remove the tumor on Monday, and has been diagnosed with cancer all in the span of less than a week. Fortunately it seems as though the surgeons were able to remove all of the tumor but it was been an emotional week for that family and for our entire church family. Carrie and I were able to practice our ministry of availability on Sunday as we put together a care package for the family on behalf of the young-adult Sunday school class from church. We've also been able to cook a couple of meals for some families who are closely affected by this news. Both Carrie and I have found it refreshing to have the TIME to offer some of our gifts in ministry. After three years of seminary it's nice to have this perspective again where studies are not the be-all and end-all of our lives. Last week I was also able to carry the hospital pager for a couple of days while the chaplain was out of town, another ministry of availability, but fortunately no calls. I say fortunately because often when a chaplain is being called in it's not good news.

I am anticipating the coming adventure that my fall holds, but in the mean time am enjoying the more relaxed pace of summer.