Hi all –
Just thought I’d check in with everyone. I saw Randall
and Penni last weekend, and we all seemed to know our work was cut out for
us!
Sending good thoughts to all and hoping that everyone is
settling into a pattern for studying success.
I know that I’m still struggling a little to be able to find
a rhythm …. And I had no idea how much time my studies would take. I
figured if I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, others might be, too.
So just a Saturday night shout out to say “keep the faith”
J
In Light and Love –
Jill
From Sondra:
ReplyDeleteHi Jill and everyone,
Thanks Jill for reaching out! I was wondering how everyone was doing too, so thanks for asking.
Well, the paper writing was most definitely a challenge (especially coupled with the Ember Day letter). But got them both done and sent the paper last night at 9:30. And it felt SO good! I was ready to move on. I think I went down at least a couple dozen rabbit holes and didn't do myself or the paper any favors by doing so. It took WAY longer than I expected. But all along, I was completely aware of being on a enormous learning curve, getting my feet wet, getting sea legs and whatever other idiom might apply. (That little bit of insight and hope felt like a Holy Spirit thing, actually). I am hoping and praying the next paper comes easier.
Yes, this is overwhelming! Especially looking ahead to the reading. This morning I spent a few minutes mapping out a reading/video watching plan for the next two weeks. I now have a plan for exactly what I will read and watch and write about each day. This makes it seem more achievable and not so overwhelming. Fr Wally reminded me how to eat an elephant. One bite at a time. We'll see how that works out.
I really look forward to hearing how everyone else faired!
Prayers daily for us all,
Sondra
From Penni:
ReplyDeleteHi Jill. Thanks for your reaching out. The program is intense and life has been crazy. It has been a little overwhelming but I almost feel I’m getting a little rhythm. We are so richly blessed to be part of this program and have our new faith family.
Trying to reprogram my brain may be the toughest part. I am praying each time I start to study and I have faith that if this is Gods will for our lives he will equip us with what we need. One thing that sticks in my brain from a sermon that Father Jim Gordon gave is that God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.
Thanks be to God.
Blessings to all.
Penni
From Randall:
ReplyDeleteHi all,
Well, I got mine in around 9:30 on Friday night as well. I have a tendency to think, write, and re-write things in my mind over and over, only putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard at the last moment. That may have worked in the past, but I suspect it may not fly this time round. I foresee a request for at least a partial re-write coming from Grace. Although, I always seem to get an adrenaline rush just before I start writing. So, who knows?
On a totally different topic, I’ve ordered an AeroPress to satisfy my need to real coffee to start my mornings at the Bosque Center. It may not be able to produce a true espresso, but it should be a little better than the brown water at the Village Inn.
I have to say that in general I’m feeling a little more relaxed about the whole process than I was before the first weekend. I just wish we had a little more time than just meals to get to know one and other better.
Pax Christi,
Randall
From Lynn:
ReplyDeleteGood morning! I have been traveling since Wednesday - visiting my daughter at Univ of MD near DC and now back in Fort Collins visiting my other daughter - which means I had to bust my butt to get the assignment done by Tuesday. As noted by others, it took longer than expected and I had to keep reminding myself of Grace's words, "I am just looking to see if you read and understood the materials." In other words: not looking for publication-worthy, so just finish it, Lynn! I love to write but I will need to keep reminding myself of her words if I am going to have any semblance of balance in my life. I must say, though, I quite enjoyed the lobster question!
While in D.C., my daughter and I participated in the protest march in support of Christine Blasey Ford ( ot planned, just jumped in at the last minute!) and also visited the Holocast musuem yesterday. Lots to think about. Definitely keeps any angst about my own stresses at bay.
Sondra - love the idea of your reading schedule and am impressed with your organization!
Off to visit St. Luke's church here in Fort Collins.
Prayers and peace to you all,
Lynn
From Jill:
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the responses!! It is a joy to hear how others are processing this experience. I was stressing & am still working to find a “rhythm” …
I got to chat with Bishop Vono at his Santa Fe retirement gathering last weekend. I’ve gotten to know him quite well in the last few years, and it was a really hard thing for me to write that 1st, last and only letter to him in this role. He thanked me for it & I asked for his advice in the future. He said, “you don’t have to write an epistle!” I love his humor.
I did not get my paper submitted until Saturday morning …. I had totally gotten 9/29 in my head as the due date. I had not seen/realized the 12:59am time frame!! I got home Friday night from a mostly all day and evening event with our youth program, followed by a hospital visit to one of them who left the even, as she was appearing to have signs of appendicitis. When I was leaving the hospital at about 11:45, I was driving home when I had the all-of-a-sudden awareness of the time & that the date would change at midnight and the paper was due in about 1 hour!!! I totally freaked out inside. And, when I got home, my computer, which had been temperamental all day, was still being so!! I searched my phone to find Grace’s email & got a note off to her from there, ‘cause at that point I couldn’t even access my work to upload what I had …
The computer finally started working, but after what I thought was the deadline. I just kept focused and finished. ( I had done everything except the 4 important events in the timeline …. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what was “the” most important to me …
Mid morning Saturday, I had not heard back from Grace yet, so I logged on, and low and behold, the ability to submit was still “open” … I got everything submitted. By God’s Grace, and maybe Grace’s timezone difference compared to ours, I was saved!
And, last Sunday, Fr. Mike pointed at me and said, “now that you’re officially in ‘school,’ next Sunday, in order to get you practicing for when you start to preach, you’ll be talking about your journey and kicking us off on the stewardship campaign ….” So today, he had me speak at both the 8am and 9:15 services – literally right after his sermon. I had thought it would be after “announcements” so I was glad that I wrote it in the “style” of a short homily, talking in a limited fashion about the process of my discernment, and how I ended up on this path, and what stewardship means to me in our parish … I was really amazed at the wonderful response I got from folks!!
And now back to the Fortress Commentary for more reading today … and a Sukkot celebration later this afternoon …
Much Love to all –
Jill
From Lynn:
ReplyDeleteJill I noticed that 12:59 am time, but since I knew I had to get mine done early I didn't think about it. Essentially the deadline was 9/28 with that constraint, which seemed pretty odd and maybe a computer glitch? but SO happy it worked out for you. Sounds like some divine intervention to me!
From David-Luke
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You, Jill! And thanks for reaching out to us all, and thanks everybody for your posts! I have hosted an unbelievably intense retreat weekend here in Cloudcroft, and am exhausted. I got my paper in 12:30am Friday morning; and then got up ~8:00am, and have been moving every waking moment until right now (19:30 Sunday!) : - O I think the paper was not very good, and I probably should have reached out both to Grace and to ya'll long ago. (eg. I did not really understand the question about assumptions in Genesis: assumptions in popular lore? or that each of us has personally? or Biblical scholars or ? ? ? ). I am expecting to have to do a re-write on at least that, and possibly 2-even 4 of the questions. I'm diving in tomorrow on our next set of readings.
In the midst of this, and even as I continue to struggle in many ways with discernment (including wrestling with God about this), I am sooooo very thankful to get to know each of you! And I feel profoundly blessed by the journey we are undertaking in large part because we are on it together, thanks be to God! I pray for all of us for energy, wisdom, and new insights as we move forward together. Soli Deo Gloria -- To God Alone the Glory, with gratitude, David-Luke
From David-Luke
ReplyDeleteDear Ones: Re-reading Randall's post, I would like to propose and invite you all to St. Brigid's Rest here in Cloudcroft maybe at the conclusion of our academic year? (I know: It's a long way off, and I am quite sure we will know each other much better by then. But ... ) ... it would/will be just wonderful to have some down-time here in the mountains. I know it's a long way to come for most of you, but I'm envisioning a Friday evening-Sunday afternoon with nothing but good food, the Daily Offices, and opportunities for hiking in the woods-- no formal programming, just rest, prayer and enjoying each other and the Creator in the creation! And celebrating the successful completion of our first year together! : - ) (Tim and I provide an active retreat ministry here May-October, and it would be a particular JOY to host you all. In our main house, the former YWCA of El Paso summer Camp Rest-a-while, we have four beds/three baths, and can sleep 9-11. But if we wanted to invite spouses and family, our neighbors two houses down, Gail and Scott, have a lovely B&B that we could also use for additional space. Please give it some thought in the months ahead. (And poke around our site below.) Peace and Blessings, David Luke
From Matt:
ReplyDeleteHello All!
I just saw everyone's emails. I can tell you from personal experience that Grace and Mo. Carole are very patient. I struggled a lot last year trying to reprogram my brain into school mode again, balance an overwhelming travel schedule for work and my own overcompensating in my writings. Their feedback was always very thoughtful and kind. Grace is not always the fasted at getting back to you, due to her job I assume but she will if you have questions about the assignment. I had another student who I would swap papers with to see if we were understanding the questions correctly and that helped. I would suggest that this year may be the buddy system might be helpful. Those are my two cents, looking forward to the next weekend.
Matt
From Jill:
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt!
That is helpful to know!
Jill
From Sondra:
ReplyDeleteThank you EVERYONE for your input and commiseration. David-Luke, I struggled with that question as well and thought about contacting Grace. But didn't. We shall see. Also struggled with Chronology and I really don't feel I did the Hermeneutical Circle justice at all. Matthew, thank you for sharing your experience with us; it's helpful!
David-Luke, love the idea of a post-school year retreat. I am absolutely up for that! I am sure it is a beautiful place. It would be so good to be with you all there.
I realized late in the summer, as IONA approached, that taking time for self care; rest, good food, fellowship plus letting go of some commitments was really no joke for me. I had talked a great talk for a long time but hadn't made any real changes. I realized that creating balance and room would be the only way I'd be able to do this. After the two weeks leading up to the due date for the paper, I am so very grateful that this concept sunk in (I think some folks were praying I'd get it).
So when the evenings turned into a late night of study after long work-days, I found that the bits of time for self care (walks with Lulu dog, 12 step meetings, gym, good groceries) were life-savers. Once the paper was turned in, I gave myself Saturday off. That was the perfect way to transition to the next thing. I got to spend time with real live people at my parish, attend the bishop's retirement party for the southwest deanery and be with some of my recovery community Saturday evening and Sunday morning at a local recovery retreat. This "break" very much feels like it needs to be a part of the rhythm of these studies for me. LIving alone is great for a person who needs to hunker down and study but I need people to keep me sane. Got back to work yesterday afternoon and evening and felt good. Will you all do me a favor and remind me of this when I stop doing it and go bananas with anxiety and exhaustion? You'll know. :) I have never been a particularly disciplined person around self care and now it feels like an imperative going forward into ministry. This is probably fodder for the Rule of Life, right?
From Randall:
ReplyDeleteWell, I for one, would be happy to accept Br. David-Luke’s invitation!
Pax Christi,
R
From Randall:
ReplyDeleteAll letters are, by their very nature, epistles š
Pax Christi,
R