so far...

it's hard to believe that i've been in dallas for 3 1/2 weeks! it's had its ups and downs and there have been moments when i have questioned why in the world i am here, but i must say that it's been an amazing journey thus far. it's difficult to put the experience into words, but i will try...

i. love. wbc. i couldn't ask for a better place to be this semester. it's an amazing place that has a great grasp of what it means to be the church, not only to the members of the congregation but to their community here in dallas and the rest of the world. it's a great thing to be a part of. not only is it a great internship experience, but other than my home church in l-town and my summer in california, i haven't been a part of a church that i have felt so loved and accepted. i look forward to going to chuch every sunday so that i can worship with this new family i have found. it's a-mazing.

the big city is ok. i didn't think i would be able to do it, i didn't think that dallas would be a place i could EVER be comfortable in, but i am realizing that it's really not that bad. while i am not sure i could do it forever, it's definitely a possibility for the short term. i enjoy everything being at my fingertips.

internship is slowly, but surely, happening. i have the awesome opportunity to work with GREAT people who are GREAT at their jobs/ministries. i am co-facilitating a grief group, which i feel extremely honored to be a part of. to be a part of the grieving process, to walk alongside these individuals, is truly sacred. i am getting to share my passion, social work, with individuals at wbc. i have met some amazing older adults from whom i can learn so much. planning service events for congregants so that they are able to give back to their communities is exciting and rewarding.

so, that's just a snapshot of life right now and a few thoughts about it. hope that life in your neck of the woods is going well.

update.

it's time for an update. this one might be short, but i hope to update more faithfully over the next several months so that this blog will actually prove to be functional rather than just something that exists.

some of the exciting happenings in my life over the last 6 months:
-survived (and enjoyed) an intense summer session of graduate school
-survived (and semi-enjoyed) an intense fall semester of graduate school
-learned that i love social work more than i could possibly imagine
-learning to be content with my relationship status
-learning to live with big questions
-learning to live with peace that passes all understanding
-learning to trust HIM in everything
-had my last "first day" of school
-moved to dallas and started my internship
-made amazing new friends in my graduate program
-celebrated the holidays with those that mean the most to me:my family!
-started 2009 in the middle of a cow pasture sitting on a four wheeler playing "gestapo" with my favorite teenagers while contemplating all of the exciting changes that are going to happen in the coming months

life is good right now. i can't imagine being anywhere else doing anything else. these are exciting times. i can't wait to see where God takes me.