Good times with Andrea and Carrie...

On Sunday Andrea, Carrie and I decided that it would be a good day for a picnic so we packed up a cooler of food and headed out. We went to Island Park, aptly named because it's a park located on an island in the Elkhart River. It ended up being a bit chillier than we expected, but it was nice to be outside and get "off the compound," as my friend Joanne would say.


The Elkhart River flowing past Island Park in downtown Elkhart.


Enjoying a lunch of sandwiches, yogurt, cheese string, veggies and dip, and grapes in the company of some Canadian friends.


Eying up the sandwich...


Making his move...



We've discovered Redbox! Settling in with our popcorn to watch The Princess and the Frog.

I think we relish the times away from study; what do you think?

Happy Spring!

They've come and gone already. My parents were here visiting Tuesday through Friday of this week. Last year I went an entire year (Christmas to Christmas) without seeing them but this time it's only been two and a half months between visits. We had a great visit. Mom and dad were able to meet some people from church, school, and my practicum setting. They took one day to tour around the countryside and take in some of the Amish tourist attractions, though many of them are in off-season right now. They were even introduced to Essenhaus' broasted chicken - yum! They had the perfect weather - sunny and up to 15 or 17 degrees each day. With the beautiful spring weather, the grass greening and the blooming crocuses outside mom and I got into a gardening mood and started some plants which are now all lined up infront of the living room window. Today it turned cold again - only up to 7 or so. We're supposed to get a bit of rain and snow over this weekend as well so we haven't seen the last of winter but at least there are signs that spring and summer are on their way!

It's not ordinary time...

This afternoon I met with my spiritual director. I shared with her about how difficult it is to return to ordinary life after witnessing an extra-ordinary, tragic, yet sacred event in the life of a family last week at the hospital (refer to previous post). It's been just over a week and a part of me wants to just get back to normal already while another part of me does not want to soon forget. No, I'm not traumatized by the event but I have been changed by it. My spiritual director reminded me that we are now in the season of Lent. More than one day, Lent is an entire season. My director encouraged me to take the time I need to process the event because, as she put it, this is no ordinary time.

A holy moment...

There are moments in life that are beyond words, moments that are sacred, moments in which the only appropriate response is to remove our sandals for we are truly standing on holy ground.

Late Tuesday evening I was honoured to witness one of these most sacred moments and after as I sat in the chaplain's office at Elkhart General, I signed my name to the certificate followed by Chaplain Intern. That's when I felt it: I had become a chaplain.