My last post was in February. The month of March was a very difficult one not only for my family and myself, but also for many friends close to us. One of my dearest friends lost her father to cancer and then had to hospitalize her youngest five year old daughter for severe pneumonia. They returned home after two long weeks in the hospital, just before Spring Break. My heart was breaking seeing my friends go through these dark days. And so many other fellow students were experiencing illness and difficult times as well.
Both Devon and Ashley became ill the same week of March and I fell ill with the terrible upper respiratory flu too. My illness came upon me as interviews for my church internships were drawing to an end. Time did not slow down to care for the girls or keep up with classes. After getting the girls well and back in school, it was all I could do to take care of myself. I think it took me close to three weeks to recover from the flu. But God is good in giving us caring spouses, supportive families and friends, good doctors and medicine, and gracious professors who understand that life happens. It has been a hard semester.
After catching back up with my classes and surviving midterm exams, I tried with all my might to press on to Spring Break for a much needed rest. Doug and I took the girls to the beach for Spring Break, April 6-10. It was a wonderful respite for our family and a much needed rest for all of us. We went to Destin, Florida on the Gulf Coast; it was so beautiful. There is an incredible calming of the soul to just sit on the beach and experience the rhythm of the tides with all of the senses. The immensity of the ocean always seems to put my world back into perspective. It was so nice to just be a family with no additional responsibilities or obligations. We went to the beach, played in the sand and the pool, and walked around the Destin area. We returned Friday April 10 in time to unpack, catch up the laundry, and enjoy Easter.
Easter Sunday we went to church and spent the afternoon at Stone Mountain park walking along the hiking trails. The trails overlooked a beautiful lake. We were in awe of all the activity we saw in nature...ducks and geese followed us, cranes flew overhead, and turtles and lizards were perched along the water's edge. It was a beautiful two hour walk. That night at bedtime, I asked Devon what she saw on the hike and she recounted all the creatures. When I asked her where she saw God, her eyes got as big as saucers and she just replied in awe, "I don't know!" When I told her that I saw God in all these creatures, in the beauty and silence of nature, and even in the dogwood blooms she was just amazed. I love moments like these.
The afternoon at Stone Mountain reminds me of a poem by Mary Oliver:
"When I Am Among the Trees"
When I am among the trees,
especially the willlows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in the leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."
especially the willlows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in the leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile."
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine."
Well, we are already looking ahead to what the summer is bringing. Ashley and Devon will turn another year older May 16 and June 24, respectively; Ashley will be 6 yrs old and Devon will be 8 yrs old! So as I press on to finish the semester I am beginning to think about birthday parties and planning a few family trips to VA to be with our extended families. My church internship will begin June 3 at a local church here in Decatur, GA. It is called Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, a congregation of about 150 members. http://www.rehobothpres.org/ The solo pastor, The Rev. Joel Tolbert, is a CTS graduate. I am so excited for the opportunity to put all I am learning into practice and to share in Rehoboth's adventure with God. I will be getting to know the families and community of the church, leading a Sunday School class, participating in fellowship events, learning the administrative side of ministry in staff and session meetings, preaching four times, and engaging weekly with Rev. Tolbert in theological reflection.
Thanks for your support, prayers, and keeping up with us. As always I would love to keep in touch with you and your family. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
