The fall turned out to be a very busy few months for us. In a lot of ways, the busy-ness was unexpected and we felt a little caught off-guard and unprepared, sort of swept away with so many things to do. It was all great, but we both entered the Christmas holidays exhausted and ready for a much needed break. This semester is starting off busy as well, but I am feeling a bit more prepared for it. We've given some thought to what we're going to be spending our time on, what we are going to invest in, and considering how we are going to build room in for each other and ourselves, in the midst of the other things we are doing. I am calling it "intentional living" and am feeling good, so far, with what this is looking like for us.
Our parents, and other family members, say they like to know more about what we are doing, so here's a little about what's on tap for us this term (note to readers: please feel free to skip this--I feel a little odd writing about these things--it seems kind of obnoxious--but our families like to know about all this, so this is really for them):
- French classes are resuming for me! I am actually really excited about this as it gives me a weekly opportunity for some formal instruction and opportunity to practice, plus it's a great way to get to know other people in the area (I've got my eye on a couple in the class that I think we might really enjoy getting to know!)
- I am going to continue to help out with a weekly event at our church as a member of the catering team. I, along with a group of really fantastic women, get together to prepare a meal, serve it, and clean up for a weekly course that the church hosts for people interested in learning more about Christianity. I love doing this as it really combines my love of cooking, serving, and being with people. And, I am really enjoying the relationships that are growing out of this for me, on a personal level. I've also started teaching Sunday School (for 5 and 6 year olds), twice a month, which is fun for me as it's a great chance to interact with little kids, which I miss as I now really only work with teenagers in my job at Barnardo's.
- I've got some exciting things coming up at work, including taking on all the training that is given, along with my coworker (who I really like working with). We've got training dates in the calendar for the next year and are looking forward to taking our show on the road. The national conference I was meant to present at in December was snowed out, so that's back on the calendar for later this year, giving me more time to refine the material and stress out about it! I'm also getting some really great opportunities to be trained in some various areas that I am really looking forward to.
- My biggest new challenge, at work, will be the new student that I'll be supervising through August (the student is great, so not a challenge in that way). I've supervised in the past, but the work I am doing now is still relatively new to me and in a system that I am still learning, in many ways.
- Joe and I are continuing to go to a small group, through our church once a week. This has been one of the best things we've gotten involved in and our group has really become like a family to us--they have really taken care of us, especially during our move in December, and over the holidays. We really have grown to love this very eclectic group of Scots, English folks, and Canadians, young and old.
- Joe is busy tutoring again for 2 new courses and he will be lecturing twice in a third course. This latter opportunity is pretty exciting as the course is taught by Joe's advisor who has invited him in to talk about his own work and to lecture on two of the theologians he is studying. He's also still teaching a distance learning course for a university in Missouri. All great teaching opportunities but they definitely keep him busy busy!
- He is also managing, somehow, to make some incredible progress on his dissertation. He has got some chapters completed and is working on what he describes as the most difficult one at present. He's also got some things in the works for (hopeful) publication.
- We've set aside Sundays as "no work allowed" days and have agreed to spend the days taking walks, having leisurely afternoons with friends, reading, watching movies, taking naps, whatever we find restful and rejuvenating on that particular day. So far, that's making a huge difference in being able to start the week well. We've also discovered Friday afternoon bargain matinees at a local movie theater that shows good films--so, I'm flexing some time at work to take off every other week to meet Joe for film. By Fridays, we are usually ready for some down time and this is a really fun way to end the week.
- Finally, we're planning a trip for March. Actually, we aren't yet sure where we are going--tossing a few ideas and dates around, but we're planning to be gone about 10 days and are looking forward to seeing another city and immersing ourselves in another culture. We are also planning a weekend trip to London with some friends for the Royal Wedding (which all my Scottish and English friends think is absolutely ridiculous, but we are excited!).
So, that's us. And, I am determined to keep this blog going! Promise.
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