It has been wonderful to follow Bonnie on her journey. My own spiritual journal isn't on line; I've never felt it to be interesting enough to post. However, now that I see how gratifying it is to follow someone else's walk, I'm beginning to rethink the decision not to post my bible journal.
Bonnie is taking a class to help her on her way. That's a good idea. I struggle by myself with the readings and the meditations. I do have other avenues for learning and studying, however. I am a "sheepdog" for a young "sheep" who is studying for Confirmation. We meet for an hour after school and talk together about the lesson she has for the week. I find it very enjoyable to hear a young person's point of view.
On Sundays, I am the adult "facilitator" who helps two teenagers lead a Sunday School class of high school students. That has been very gratifying. I have worked with this particular bunch of young people off and on since there were in 2nd grade, and watching them grow into their faith has been exciting and uplifting. They are "regular" kids, with all the worries, concerns, ambiguities, and temptations that all teens have, but they continue to attempt to be Christians. I enjoy this group for two reasons: 1. Just because I like them, and 2., because I long to have this relationship with my own teen grandchildren, but geography is in the way.
My Grandmother N., of whom I have written often, stayed young in mind and heart because she tutored teenagers in math up into her 90's. I'll never be able to be a math tutor, but if I can find other ways to be around teens, I certainly will work at it.
This week the letter supporting my "call" will go the the diocese. Then I have to sit and wait for the Commission on Ministry to take the next step. For some reason, I've been very calm about this whole process up to this point. Part of it is because I have tried to keep my mind open and bend my will to His. The rubber reaches the road, however, when the Commission on Ministry gets involved.
Meanwhile, work goes on. No one has taken up the slack with the group I had to abandon last spring. This week three of the parents separately spoke to me about how they miss those weekly get togethers. I feel I have let them down, somehow, but my position does not encompass this particular responsibility, and the big boss doesn't want me doing it. I really don't have time, anyway. But I still feel I have to apologize everytime I see one of the parents.
Today at our Healing Service we celebrated St. Francis of Assisi. I am in awe, not because he wouldn't even kill ants or spiders, but because he just turned his back on his wealth and gave everything away. In a small way, if my call is accepted, and I go to seminary, I will be turning my back on a comfortable retirement. But more than that, I will be sacrificing DB's retirement. So far he doesn't look at it that way. My worry is that he will someday.
Pray for us.
6:48 PM
Well, it's back to the winter schedule. Maybe now I will find time to write occasionally. We will finish closing the Dollhouse this weekend, and our weekends will be spent at home. We've been out to Pretty Bay almost every weekend since May! I love it out there, but things get really messy around the house.
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