School started yesterday. Whew….there is a HUGE difference between itty bitty Concord College and Towson University. I was somewhat nervous yesterday because I had no idea how to get around campus. I tried not to look like a tourist with my campus map….but I’m sure I had “New Student” written all over me! But that is ok, today was much better. I really enjoyed today’s class (Exercise Physiology) and my professor was very nice (Dr. Horea). As for yesterday’s class, turns out that I was put in there by mistake, so I have to drop it and pick something else up. And I am very cool about that.

Tags: Life

SNOW DAY!!! YIPPIE!!!

Tags: Life

We got a little bit of snow last night. Not enough to for my clients to cancel their Saturday morning appts, but just enough to make everything look so beautiful. I hear there is more of the white stuff on the way.

This past week I have met 2 new clients who both work with international relief organizations. They have such interesting jobs and both are mainly interested in working with Africa. Talking to them reminded me of a conversation Dan & I had while at Mayhem. Brian McLaren spoke about the different circles/areas that we can be missional. Being missional on a global level is something that I have desired for a long time. To me something does not feel right about getting so caught up in our own life, our own church, our own culture that we neglect being missional on a global level. (I mean, sometimes we are so busy we “dont have time” to be missional in our own neighborhood, let alone to consider the world.) By being missional I don’t mean a standard mission trip, and I don’t mean going to another country trying to convert people. I just want to care for others….to love them, without any other intention. And globally? Well, to me, that would mean loving people who are not already in my life, maybe not of my culture, possibly people who are quite different than me. Being missional on a global level…..something I want to pray & think about more….hopefully something that can become a regular part of my life.

Tags: Life

It’s 11:30 and Dan still isn’t home from work. I’m lonely….and bored.

Tags: Life

I had to work tonite. I don’t really like working in the evening because it cuts into my Danny time. The client I worked with tonite bought several more sessions with me. So it looks like I’m going to be working with her 2 nights each week. Which I am excited about because I really like her and she has some big goals for us to accomplish. But, add that into the mix of already working Friday nights and I’m going to have class on Tuesday nights…..my Danny time is slipping away!!! I think these next few weeks are going to force Dan & me to make the most out of the time we do get together.

Tags: Life

I had orientation at Towson yesterday and I got to register for classes. Right now I am registered as a full-time student, but I am going to drop a class and just be part-time this semester. But I am so excited to be going back to school. I really enjoyed being at TU yesterday. I met lots of people…some who will be in the same deptartment as me. Even being a Towson for just a short time yesterday made me remember how college life seems like its own little world.

Last night I went to the gym, it was open house. It was crazy busy! But, while there Kathleen mentioned to me that she is looking for someone to take over the fitness coordinator postion. It would mean a small base salary, a pay increase for fitness shifts…and the job seems to be somewhat simple. She asked if I would be interested in the job. I told her I had to think about it….but the more I think about it, the more I kinda want it. The extra money would help pay for school!

Tags: Life

So, I’ve been struggling some with insecurity this past week. I feel like a dump truck unloaded on me….buried and trapped. How do I get out?

Work hasn’t been so great lately. Business picked up some, but that meant so did the number of times that people would cancel or not show. I hate when that happens. If all my clients would have come to their scheduled appointments then I would have had more than double my goal. It’s been very discouraging.

Tonite we have our small group thing. I am excited because we are finishing Mere Christianity. I look forward to starting something else. I hope we read The Pilgrim’s Progress. I’ve heard a lot about it, plus it is a book that none of us have read.

Tags: Life

Something I forgot to mention about Mayhem…..we met in a very cool old catholic church building. Check out pics of the beautiful stain glass in our photo gallery.

Tags: Life

I got my acceptance letter to Towson this week and my orientation is next week. I am very much looking forward to being back at school and getting a degree.

Tags: Life

Dan and I spent the weekend in Ohio. It was a great trip! We spent the first part of the weekend at Mayhem and the second part of the trip we spent hanging out with Jeff & Mindi.

I think that Dan & I were in need of some event, happening, experience, whatnot to deepen what we feel about future ministry stuff and to help us take focus off the past and begin to live in the present. Mayhem was the perfect expereince. I enjoyed every aspect of the gathering, from the lay-out of the “conference” to the topics discussed and the people we met, it all felt natural and right. I realized that is the feeling I desire to have in my church life. So, the one thing that stood out the most to me was Brian McLaren’s 2nd conversation.

monastic missional urban catholic community

As he described this phrase I again felt that this was natural and right for/to me. I hope that Dan & I can be involved in a church life similar to this. Just a short description of the phrase:

monastic - sharing of spiritual disciplines, formation, practices

missional - experiencing the kingdom of God with others

urban - brian mentioned that a higher % of people are living in urban areas. i also think that in an urban setting it would be easier to be involved in the daily lives of people vs. suburban

catholic - honoring all aspects of church life: post-protestant

community - loving neighbors

(If you want to read more about Brian’s talks then check out Jeremiah Smith’s blog. He took some incredible notes.)

So, the idea of a monastic missional urban catholic community feels right & natural, but I am not going to look for such a thing or try to “start” something like that. For now, I just want to love my neighbors and experiment different types of spiritual disciplines.

Tags: Life

Well, a little over a week into the New Year and I have set some resolutions. I was kinda weary to set any, but I got some motivation after reading some of Journey of Desire by John Eldredge. So, here they are (in no particular order):

Discover my deep desires. Fully live life. Love more. Read more.

Yeah, they may seem somewhat silly…but these are the things I want to focus on over the next year.

So today I got a facial. I love my spa lady! I think that if we were in a different situation that we could be good friends. I already know that we share some common interests, such as, thrift store shopping and playing bingo. Just talking to her made me want to play bingo and then spend my winnings at the local thrift shop.

Tags: Life

My new blog. Anyone other than me a little nervous?

What an exciting season we are in…a New Year gives me such a sense of new beginnings. I really look forward to the next year and all the adventures God has instore for us. Usually with such feelings of excitement and anticipation comes a little fear. I suppose it is fear of the unknown. But not this time, I welcome 2004 with open arms. I am ready for the journey to begin.

Tags: Life

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog.

Tags: Life