Mental Health Days

During my time at Candler I came up with the idea that one day a semester I would allow myself to take off a day from class. This for me came because I was stress, tired, and just worn out. On these days I let myself sleep in and always did something just for me. Since I was not of those people who got divinity school paid for by scholarship or funds from the church this usually meant watching a movie I owned and taking a bubble bath.

Now that I am in my ministry position I have found that the stress is not all gone. I sometimes and just plain worn out and tired. Yesterday I went to work on my day off because I have been at annual conference all week. I ended up leaving less than four hours after I got to work because I just could not take it anymore. I got a bad look and lecture about something that I thought I was doing right. Haha I guess not. Needless to say phone calls were made while I was at conference about me to one of the other staff and she feels it is her job to not tell them to call me and talk about it, but instead to verbal attack me when I get back from conference. I left work, walked fast to my car and called my mom to cry (I never do that by the way). I told her everything and just asked for prayer.

I have realized that sometime even in ministry I need a mental health day. During those times when I am tired, worn out, and frustrated it is best for me to take a day off and just rest. I let myself sleep in late and am going to watch a movie. I made chicken lasagna with lots of vegetables and salad for lunch and dinner later today. Now I just need to get my mind in the right frame to finish this weekend and keep on going in my ministry with my church.

Prayer for Prayer

This week has been so crazy for me. I have been trying to recover from my vacation to visit my family, which needs a lot of recovery, and getting ready for Annual Conference starting tomorrow. I am going to conference as a district delegate. Since conference takes most of my work week this means I have been trying to get everything for this week and next week together. I know I am nuts!!

Now for the prayer part. If things could not get more hectic in my life time week I got a call Monday afternoon from my DS asking me to be one of the people in my district to say a prayer in front of everyone at a conference session or worship service. Me being who I am, and not knowing the word NO, said YES!!! I know Dr Wodleton asked me because he is trying to get me through my candidacy process faster and thinks the more I am seen the better it will be since I do have a few things on my file that are not flattering. Well I was told I would know by Wednesday/Thursday at the latest. Hahaha. I called Wednesday to find out what was going on and now I am having to wait until I get to conference to find out when I pray. This would be all good, but I am showing up a day late! Annual conference starts tomorrow afternoon with sign in and service of remembrance. During this time I will be leading youth group and driving to conference. I have decided to write a generic prayer, and add in when I find out what I am praying over. Please pray this works and pray that I will get a slot on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Graduation Relizations

So I have been visiting family for the past week in Atlanta and Raleigh. First the start with my graduation then off to my parents place. I loved my visit with my family, but I missed my freedom.

Now for the realizations. As I began to sit and think about my life now I began to see how different I am. As I sat and looked out at the other graduates of Candler I started to realize how changed I am. My Candler peers are all just starting their lives and careers. I have already started by life outside Candler. I have moved on. People began asking questions about my life, where I had been the past four months, and what had changed in me.

I am happier, healthier, and more connected than I ever was in my time at Candler. I have new friends, a new life, and a new outlook. Yes there is drama at the church, but I am handling it better. Yes there are time when I miss my family and friends, but I have realized they are only a phone call away. I also realize that I have new friend who I love to death. I know that I am blessed and hope that this knowledge stays with me during the hard times.

Ready for Atlanta

I am so ready to get going and head out for Atlanta on Saturday. Getting to see family and friends just has me on the edge. I want it to be Saturday now or even Monday. I am so distracted because of my excitement. Even though today is my day off I cannot get my mind off the trip east.

So I had to post this picture. It was taken at Cinco De Mayo dinner with friends. The dish I am holding was called Rachel's Spicy Tacos. We had a blast at this little Mexican place. Then we went to a place called the Chocolate Bar. No alcohol involved, but there was a lot of Chocolate. I had a piece of mint chocolate cheesecake. It almost matched how good a piece of cheesecake is at the Cheesecake Factory.