rites of passage...

it's been an interesting week...
map room went well last tuesday...had new folks show up and participate in experiential worship for the very first time! ( next up feb. 8th ) just wish we'd have one map room tuesday when IT DIDN"T RAIN!
i have to say that the only part of experiential worship that bugs me is the LOADING and the UNLOADING of all the stuff!
mac had exams last week AND...he's learning to drive! (wow! we've entered a new era of parenting!)
so i got to RIDE to school and back with him each day. praying for big angels of protection for everyone on the road...
i have lots of fun memories of learning to drive...my dad taught me to drive stick...and the first time he ever heard me cuss was trying to get out into traffic on a hill, without stalling!
it's really amazing that our first born is already at this rite of passage, drooling over the want ads and every car lot we pass by...
in ohio the student driver has to put in 50 hours with a parent, not to mention time in driver's ed, so we have a ways to go...and lots of PRAYER time! : )
hudson got home thursday night after being away since right after christmas...he stayed on with my folks in nashville and then headed west to ski with my dad out in colorado...rough life!
my dad who'll be 76 this year (he snowboards now), has an annual guys ski trip each january and this is the second year that hudson has gotten to go with him. this week it's back to home school and hitting the books with mom.
been trying to get some order back in the house post holidays...still digging out of clutter from the past few years of focusing on churchland rather than housework...
had my closing meeting with my boss
got some sort of flu bug for the weekend so i've been taking advil and sleeping a lot and feeling just crummy...on to the doc tomorrow if i'm not better...
but the real rite of passage was last night...my favorite volunteers sandy, sarah, and their crew threw a wonderful THANK You party for me at christ church...a farewell bash where folks showed up despite the snow and the sub-zero weather! there were hugs, cards, orange tablecloths (my signature color), and lots of candles...not to mention fun gifts that sandy encouraged folks to bring honoring experiential worship..
it was a happy sad evening...many emotions flowing...it's hard to leave, six and half years of memories, friends, kids, my little taste of mitford where i have learned so much and found my passion.
today, as i have read through the cards and smiled at the gifts and the memories...everything from sponge bob (how to absorb god) to a map of cincinnati (due to the fact i got many volunteers lost on more than one occassion!) to an amazing cd of songs from the chartres labyrinth.
it will take me a while to process all of this and not feel like i have abandoned ship...while i know i made the right decision it's still hard...i'll probably process more here in the coming weeks...
for now it's back to orange juice and soup...and continuing to step out into the big adventure ahead!

Comments

[Lori]

So wait, are you teaching Mac how to use a stick? THAT would get you a nod for sainthood for SURE. ;) Yes, there will be much to process in the next coming weeks. I highly recommend that you take advantage of the lull (temporary as it usually is) to call this one chick named Lori Rutherford who misses you terribly and go to Beans and Bubble with her. She can help process or at least say "Yeah...hm..." a lot... :)

[bobbie]

hope you're feeling better!

[filip]

boohoo!
what do you worship anyway?