Effective, Efficient, and Joyful

You few but faithful who likely only come across this blog because you subscribed to it years ago when I used to update it regularly, may have noticed that I haven't been good on updating this blog since I started having another outlet for creative writing and teaching and reflecting (read: preaching).

Another thing I'm not big on lately? New Year's Resolutions.

But like everyone else on the planet, I've been thinking about things of old, and what may be yet to come.

2013 is likely not a year that will stand out for years to come. It was a year with lots of hard lessons and struggles with a few good things thrown in between.

But looking forward to 2014, I have a great deal to look forward to.

This year, I turn 30. An age that, just a few years ago, made me a bit sad and realize that I would one day need to "settle down" and all that jazz "adults" talk about. But somewhere in the early part of 2013, that seemed to happen. I already feel settled and content and though I still look forward to opportunities to "go" - I also always really, really look forward to coming home.

My 20s were epic. Really, truly: even I can't believe everything I saw, did, and experienced in those short few years. But at the same time: I'm glad they're behind me, and I can't wait for the next decade that starts this year. I can't wait to turn 30.

So: 2014, Bring it on! As I referenced above, I haven't set resolutions in a while. But this year? This year I have some pretty great goals to look forward to! Above all else, my goal this year is to be effective, efficient, and joyful in my life, my adventures, and my work.

"Work" - both at/through the church, in the "general" church, and in my ordination work.

Because this is the year. This is the year that has been in the making for over 10 years. The year that I will spend a great deal of my time stressing, thinking, over-thinking, and stressing some more over answers I struggle to put into words, and words I struggle to edit perfectly that will still manage to be imperfect no matter how many times I edit them. This, is the year I give up on the fear and the doubt, and declare that God willing, I will effectively, efficiently, and joyfully submit all of my paperwork for ordination, pass a psychological evaluation that says I'm fit for ministry, and pass my interviews with flying colors.

This is the year that I will travel to the Philippines for a "work" meeting with the Global Young People's Convocation and the Young People's Ministries of The United Methodist Church. This is the year I will not stress about how long that means I will be away, and instead will enjoy the time I piggyback on being in that part of the world to go see my South African sister Amy in Japan.

This is the year I will do these things effectively, efficiently, and - above all else - joyfully.

This list is only the the beginning of what I know will be great in the year to come. I can't wait to discover all that is yet to be revealed! I can't wait to find out if I will have a new niece or nephew. To meet my friends' young, beautiful children. To meet strangers who will soon be friends. To see how many miles I put on my car "just because."

Because this - 2014 - will be a year to be remembered. and all throughout it, I will celebrate things my life, my work and my ministry. I will celebrate my friends, my family, and my community. and I will celebrate moments in life, great and small.

As I prepare for this year of effectiveness, efficiency, and joy, I must say: I hope I will get to celebrate some of them with you!

Overflowing

I've had so many amazing conversations with incredible people from around the globe in the past couple of weeks that I can't even keep track of them all. I'm still processing much of what I heard, saw, experienced, learned. As I reflect on all of these things, my favorite hindsight discoveries are the ones about me and how I've changed.

Such as: Last week I ran into an old aquaintance I see now and then at different United Methodist gatherings. It didn't take long to recall that we originally met several years ago at a National Council of Churches General Assembly. I was only beginning to get involved in the Ecumenical movement then, but I loved it! Since then I have fallen out of connection and not been involved with any organized ecumenical work.

As our conversation continued, I was asked if I had considered/would consider applying for a scholarship to attend the World Council of Churches General Assembly in South Korea. It would be fantastic to get involved again! and better yet: I have never been to South Korea. What a great opportunity!

But then I heard words come out of my mouth that never would have a year (or even 6 months!?) ago. "I'd love to, but I just don't have time for another trip right now, and I certainly can't take up any more commitments."

Words that surprised me, but are every bit as true now as they were when they rolled off my tongue. And the best part? These words are not just true, but bring a great satisfaction to me. Right now, my life is overflowing not with commitments that are holding me back or requiring me to say, "no." Rather, my life is overflowing with so many great things that I can't imagine taking time away from them to do something else, even if the other things may also be things I would love.

I can't imagine saying yes right now because right now, my cup is full. More than that: my cup is overflowing.

Life is Good.

I am not the person I was a year ago. I am settled and content and happy to be spending time at home. I know I won't be getting on a plane for close to 6 months, and I couldn't be happier about it.

My, how times have changed! But God is good, and it is great to be in this place that I am called to. A place I am learning to call home.

Life is good.
     and my cup is overflowing.

Praise be to God.

No Place Like Home

As if it wasn't before, the pressure is on. Time is getting short, to-do lists seem to be getting longer, and months of anticipation are turning into reality.

The 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church begins in only two weeks. Since I work MFSA, a caucusing organization within the church, it seems that 100% of my life right now revolves around this huge event that happens every 4 years. In fact, it is such a big deal for our organization that our entire staff have already taken one trip down together to visit the area and conference center, and are going to be on the ground and organizing a FULL WEEK before the conference even starts. Which means my D-Day for departure for this year's location (it rotates) in Tampa, Florida is only 8 days. AHH!

Realizing today that this is my last full week in the office, I was ancy, stressed, and as a result quite snarky all day with my fellow staff. Fortunately, so were they and we are all close so all was well and we laughed about it together. But all in all, though nothing specifically went wrong today, this tension and growing pressure really just made today "one of those days."

Which brings me to now. Here. As I sit writing this in the comfort of my home, snuggled up under a blanket sitting on my bed with my computer on my lap.

Something about the growing pressure of this work significantly diminishes as I sit in my safe space to do it.

No, I cannot get everything I need done on this computer. No, I do not have my colleagues next to me to bounce ideas off of before I hit "send" on emails. There are lots of things that make working at work a whole lot better and easier. But tonight, I'm grateful to get lots done, and grateful not to be there.

Because, in the words of Dorothy, there really is "no place like home."

It is good to realize this as I prepare to leave next week for a month-long journey in Florida (I will be there for 18 days for work then take a week of leave with friends in Orlando). It is good to spend time at home, safe and comfortable and in the quiet in my "safe space." It is good to make time for reflection and prayer in the midst of the craziness around me.

And it is good to have this reminder as I prepare for all that is to come. I am excited about it and would have it no other way than for me to be there for the duration, but I have no illusions about it being less than strenuous, difficult, and trying physically, emotionally and spiritually.

So today, I celebrate this opportunity to take in solitude and click my heels. I may even work from home for a day this week. Because really, truly: there is no place like home.

Grateful

The best thing about family is that it doesn't matter how often you see each other, it can be comfortable and feel like you were never apart. That was certainly how this weekend was as I spent the past 2 days with Jess and Greg and Greg's family.

They leave to head back to South Africa in the morning, so I've left them to their packing. After a short visit with my sister (family of origin who lives in NYC), I am now on the bus back to DC, where I will spend Easter with my 'home' church tomorrow.

Our weekend was full of great tourist activities like standing in line for hours to go to the Cake Boss's bakery (pictured above) and strolling through Times Square at night just to see it. Activities I hadn't done before but had a great time doing if not purely for the company I kept.

Jess, Greg and I in Central Park

So today I celebrate that we live in a small world in which some of my South African family can visit my country (and look forward to the visits of others, queue Grassows and Kleins). I am tired from a couple of busy days, but more so renewed and refreshed by the life, love and energy that comes with spending quality time with family - no matter how long or short it is.

For that I am grateful.