44 days/1056 hours/63360 minutes/3801600 seconds left to wrap up this doctoral project. This past weekend I participated as faculty in our commencement ceremonies. I was a little bit sad that I will not get to walk with my friends and receive my degree at the U. However, there will be another graduation. In a couple of years, G-d willing, I'll have my PhD. Until these 44 days are up, there will be lots of writing. So.much.writing. Revisions. All of this will be worth it when I am Dr. Mrs. Vicarage. I'm excited to close out this chapter and begin a new one. One more box ticked off in my bucket list. I am UNSTOPPABLE.
Monday, April 23, 2018
44 Days and Counting
44 days/1056 hours/63360 minutes/3801600 seconds left to wrap up this doctoral project. This past weekend I participated as faculty in our commencement ceremonies. I was a little bit sad that I will not get to walk with my friends and receive my degree at the U. However, there will be another graduation. In a couple of years, G-d willing, I'll have my PhD. Until these 44 days are up, there will be lots of writing. So.much.writing. Revisions. All of this will be worth it when I am Dr. Mrs. Vicarage. I'm excited to close out this chapter and begin a new one. One more box ticked off in my bucket list. I am UNSTOPPABLE.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Corrie Cables
On a hot and steamy afternoon in late July or very early August (I can't remember the exact date) Corrie Cabes and family arrived in Austin. They had a moving truck and looked as tired as we had a few weeks earlier. Her sweet daughter was instantly a magnet for our BEND. I was, of course, wary of everyone as I had not yet made my full peace with the seminary life. However Corrie's accent and warmness softened even my cold and dark heart. Over the coming weeks got to know them and their family. As the weeks turned to semesters we realized what a gift they were. They pitched in and helped with kids, picked up, dropped off, sent dinner, sent booze, mostly, sent love. Solidarity in doing this VIT thing. Feeling with us and allowing us to process this move and the changes that come with being in this community. There have been fun Christmas times. Cane's chicken. And plenty of beverages. I cannot imagine continuing this journey without this sweet family. They are the bread of our life here.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Lucy Kay
Before we moved to Austin I was encouraged to reach out to this fellow VIT spouse. She was from Mississippi. She provides some childcare to other VKs. We exchanged FB messages and texts while she was away at "camp." She seemed very cool. We spied on each other's FB accounts.
As the weeks passed and our move became a real and living thing I reached out for support from this stranger. She provided some balm for my hurting soul and heart. She prayed for us as we journeyed here. They would be back in Austin after a few weeks. I counted the days until this acquaintance would be back at the Vicarage Training Center (VTC).
When I met it her in person it was like this person KNEW me. My kids, and all that drives me crazy and makes me love them fiercely, were evident to her. As the week's passed we had many conversations and kitchen talks. She helped guide me through the maze that is seminary life. She encouraged me to be bold and make choices that benefited my family, sometimes in spite of the societal pressures that come with community living.
The days and weeks passed. As life was hard and was fun I found someone who would not only help me decorate and make our house here a home but also someone who made soup when the kids were sick. Gave them opportunities to navigate all of the strong feelings that came with such a huge life change, and not just the kids, us too. She became a close friend and confidante. She listened, and prayed, and cried, and laughed. She made this life here, so far from our home, a little more amazing and a whole lot less sad.
Now with less than 8 weeks of their journey through seminary remaining they are the ones in transition. They have only 8 more weeks of this community life and then they will be home once again. As we assist in their transition there will again be laughter, tears, and goodbyes. Our kids have become friends and hey, we even share dogs that are siblings. This will again mean transition for us and for our children. And we will face these changes with bravery and trepidation.
I will stand and wave Lucy Kay goodbye. And this time I will be the one praying and sending settling vibes as they journey and make their home in Mississippi. May the road always rise up to meet you Lucy. May the Lord shine his grace upon you. May you always have laughter, and tears. May you know that our love goes with you. Always.
As the weeks passed and our move became a real and living thing I reached out for support from this stranger. She provided some balm for my hurting soul and heart. She prayed for us as we journeyed here. They would be back in Austin after a few weeks. I counted the days until this acquaintance would be back at the Vicarage Training Center (VTC).
When I met it her in person it was like this person KNEW me. My kids, and all that drives me crazy and makes me love them fiercely, were evident to her. As the week's passed we had many conversations and kitchen talks. She helped guide me through the maze that is seminary life. She encouraged me to be bold and make choices that benefited my family, sometimes in spite of the societal pressures that come with community living.
The days and weeks passed. As life was hard and was fun I found someone who would not only help me decorate and make our house here a home but also someone who made soup when the kids were sick. Gave them opportunities to navigate all of the strong feelings that came with such a huge life change, and not just the kids, us too. She became a close friend and confidante. She listened, and prayed, and cried, and laughed. She made this life here, so far from our home, a little more amazing and a whole lot less sad.
Now with less than 8 weeks of their journey through seminary remaining they are the ones in transition. They have only 8 more weeks of this community life and then they will be home once again. As we assist in their transition there will again be laughter, tears, and goodbyes. Our kids have become friends and hey, we even share dogs that are siblings. This will again mean transition for us and for our children. And we will face these changes with bravery and trepidation.
I will stand and wave Lucy Kay goodbye. And this time I will be the one praying and sending settling vibes as they journey and make their home in Mississippi. May the road always rise up to meet you Lucy. May the Lord shine his grace upon you. May you always have laughter, and tears. May you know that our love goes with you. Always.
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