Seeking Divinity

We are going on vacation. I haven't gone on a 2 week vacation ever, so I am excited at the prospect of two weeks of beach time, with plenty of time for sand, sun and sea; and plenty of time for child-friendly pursuits like Assateague Island, Frontier Town, miniature golf, water slides, and lots and lots of fresh seafood.

Since internship ended, and graduation I have seesawed between maniacally cleaning everything in sight, and sitting on the couch obsessively watching Netflix and catching up on old Dexter and Burn Notice episodes. My spiritual director observed that this summer of rest may be a tender time - it is the first time I can sit down long enough to process all of the life events that had to be put on hold until seminary was over. My father and brothers' deaths, as well as my mother-in-law; the house fire, Soren's surgeries, Emma's depression and hospitalization, my mother's deteriorating health...and I miss my internship congregation too. It has been tender. I've embraced the chance to find joy in the many wonders of each day. it is a gift to spend this summer with my children and prepare for their next school year ahead of time. Emma started taking community college classes in 9th grade, but Soren isn't quite ready to delve into that yet, so I'm wracking my brains to come up with a right-brained approach to her education that lifts up her artistic and musical side.

The older girls and I went on a service trip with CERG and worked on a home in West Virginia with 19 other youth and 3 other adults. It was a great experience, and challenging. We got caught in that nasty storm on the last evening.

So I've been quietly journaling and reading many books on theology and prayer and also some mind candy fiction - I've been rereading the Game of Thrones series for one, and am taking Shawn Colvin's memoir with me to the shore. I've been mentally preparing for my upcoming hospital residency, which will start in September and run for a year. 3/5 of us will be UUs and I'm excited to work with two local UU candidates that I know fairly well.

When I get back from vacation, I'll re-engage with Connect & Breathe, and I have stayed involved with my congregation's Pastoral Care Team, which I'll continue on with. I'll also be facilitating a Wellspring group again this coming year, with my dear friend Libby. And of course, cramming UU History and Polity and reviewing bible history.

All in all, I'm amazed at how much I just need to SIT and do pretty much nothing. So that's what I'm doing.