Hand and foot to be exact. Every time I’ve played with her I’ve always won. I was starting to think that if she didn’t win soon she’d stop playing with me (her family informs me that she is the biggest cheater on the earth…I have yet to be aware of it..I think..). Then I realized that soon, she and I won’t be playing any games together. I’m going to miss playing cards with this lively 80 something woman who welcomed me into her home, her family and her heart.

Today is my last day in the office. As I type up my report to the scholarship program that allowed this internship to happen and as I sort through all the various things that have accumulated in my office, I’ve been reflecting over my summer. I am sad to leave. I didn’t realize just how important this place and these people have become for me. There are so many things that I want to do in this week of “lasts”—my last chance to use the prayer room, my last day, my last time to call my office mine, my last walk around the church, my last time chatting with Meghan or watching people come and go throughout the day.

As I was walking to the drinking fountain this morning I looked down the hall and saw a woman that I was rather fond of, so I decided to procrastinate my work just a little bit and chat with her for a few minutes. She was standing at a table measuring some quilts that have been coming in to the church in preparation of the MCC sale in October. As we stood there chatting I suddenly remembered that this woman was the first parishioner that I met on my first day and she was standing in the same spot also doing some work related to quilts. She is very active in the church (one of the reasons that I’ve come to know her), but I’ve only seen her work on quilts in the church twice—my first and last days in the office. The chance of it all and the memory of my summer from beginning to end has only heightened my sentimentalism. I’m going to miss this summer.

Blessings on the Journey

On Wednesday my grandpa died. We’ve been expecting it. He actually lasted over a month longer than predicted. The ceremony was held on Saturday. I wasn’t able to go home for it. Even though I knew that when I saw him before coming out to Oregon it would very likely be the last time, nothing really prepares you for death. It’s reassuring that my faith tells me that he is in a better place, free of suffering and full of peace. But letting go is hard. Luckily for me, I have friends both here and afar who are wonderful and continue to help me through all of my life’s ups and downs.

For family who are friends and friends who are family, I am grateful.

I’ve realized that my host is an amazing person. I have really grown fond of her over the 10 weeks I’ve been living with her. She has been more than hospitable. She has fed me, taught me, supported me, guided me, and so much more. She even does my laundry for me (do you know how long it’s been since someone else has done my laundry? approximately 10 years). On top of all of that, she wanted to do something for me to remember her by (as if she hasn’t already done enough), so together we made a quilt. I picked the pattern, she advised me and supplied the scraps/new fabrics to make it. I pieced most of it, she fixed my mistakes. Her daughter quilted it (by machine) and she bound it. Did I mention that Louise also threw an Open House for me Sunday afternoon to celebrate my time in Oregon and at Albany Mennonite this summer? She and a fantastic woman from the Fellowship Committee at church had the idea that all guests should bring a favorite recipe of theirs’ for me to use while living in a campus house this fall. I have a number of new recipes I’m dying to try out now.

For Louise, I am grateful.

Louise has taken me to many of her various family activities, gatherings and celebrations throughout the 3 months I’ve been here. As a result, I’ve gotten to know many of her family members fairly well. I am fond of them so much too. When discussing with one of Louise’s daughters my possible return to the Northwest in the vague future I mentioned that my mother would love Oregon if only for its weather. She proceeded to excitedly tell me that of course my mother should move out here. She would be welcomed right into the family as a sister, just like I was. After all, Louise is my grandma, right? No one in my family should hesitate in coming out here because they already have family in Oregon. This warmed my heart in inexplicable ways.

For family in unexpected places, I am grateful.

This summer I have gotten to know a number of wonderful people at Albany Mennonite. These people have invited me into their homes, along on their family trips and activities, checked in on me, supported me, helped me accomplish my goals and just been great friends in general. AMC, as a church, has provided me with much learning experience, food for thought, and other invaluable opportunities. Honestly, they have been at times: frustrating; others: inspiring hope. Throughout my time in Albany, many in the congregation have mentioned to me how lucky I was to have Meghan as my mentor and how lucky they are to have her as their pastor. I usually responded acknowledging my similar feelings saying “I feel like I struck gold.” Not only in reference to the leadership of Meghan but also with the congregation as a whole. I overlooked AMC at least two times in my search for a church this summer. It wasn’t until after I fully released to God my desire to control my placement that I was finally placed here. That sent a signal to me that God had plans for me here. Now I think I understand a little better of what God was planning. I stuck gold. 

For Albany Mennonite Church, I am grateful.

Meghan, my mentor this summer, has become a friend to me. She has guided me, helped me make good choices, given me responsibilities and opportunities of leadership. She has supported me, prayed for me, laughed with me, shared with me. She has given me advice and opinions on her topics of expertise and interest (prayer, preaching, church growth, and the generational gap). She has helped me open my mind to different ideas.

For Meghan, I am grateful.

I am down to my last week in Oregon, at Albany Mennonite, working with the fun people I’ve met, doing my internship, and completing the Ministry Inquiry Program. Now is a time for wrapping up loose ends, doing those last minute things that never seemed to have gotten done for some reason or another, packing and mentally preparing myself for my worlds to change once again. As a friend pointed out to me, I’ve had a pretty rough summer in its own respects. This is true. But I’ve also had an amazing summer. And all I can think about right now is my gratitude.  And for that I am thankful.

Blessings on the Journey,

Kate

this was just too cute not to reblog :)

I realize it’s been almost a month since I’ve last posted anything of substance. My apologies. So much has happened in the last month. I survived 2 weeks of my internship “in charge” when my pastor and the secretary were on vacation. I’ve preached, lead Sunday school lessons and small group sessions, gone to church picnics, hung out with my host’s extended family, gone to the coast, went hiking in the cascade mountains, planned worship, read 2.5 books, pieced a quilt, started to learn how to best care for my body and much more. I’ve done a lot and learned a lot in the last month, not to mention this summer.

I’m sad to realize that summer is quickly approaching its end. There are so many things that I want to do before I go, and I know I won’t get them all done. Oh well, that’s life I guess. On the plus side, I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends again.

A few weeks ago, when Meghan was still on vacation and I was starting to get into the rhythm of things, I remember thinking to myself “I think I like this. I might want to do this someday.” Let me remind you that the program I’m doing this internship through was designed to help students like me explore possible vocation. I’m not 100% sold yet, but the option of pastoral work has definitely risen on my list of possible jobs. I’ve also been thinking a lot about what kind of service I want to do after college—I’ve already committed myself to doing 1-2 years of service directly following school before I move on to whatever else my life may have in store for me. Between that and possible post-seminary jobs, I’ve come up with a list of things like Mennonite Voluntary Service (wherever they’d want me), college chaplain/campus pastor, spiritual director, counselor, Service Adventure leader, co-pastor at a church (preferably, not senior pastor).

In last few weeks I was also dramatically reminded of the importance of taking care of my body. It has inspired me to make healthier food choices and motivated me to exercise. In the last week I’ve probably biked close to 14 miles and hiked a steep mountain trail for about 5.5 miles. I feel great. I really do. I think I’m starting to experience the endorphins that are supposedly released while exercising. I’ve always loved hiking—it helps that there is such beautiful scenery like mountains around :) And biking is also one of my favorite modes of exercise. I need to continue this during the school year. Tomorrow is my day off and I have a lot on my to-do list, but I’m hoping on maybe biking twice throughout the day. However, if I’m going to pull that off, I’m going to need to go to sleep soon. Love you all. Thank you for supporting me in all your various ways throughout this crazy adventure.

Blessings on the journey.

Kate