Holidays

Sunday afternoons are made for naps. My routine after church is to watch the Packers and eat pizza, and then fall asleep in the chair or stretch out on the couch. The Packers played Thursday, so I spent the afternoon in bed napping. I was so tired after the last few days. Family and holidays are exhausting.

Erik and I drove to Kenosha on Wednesday afternoon. We spent Thanksgiving Day with his aunt and cousins, then got in the car and drove down to Illinois to spend time with my family. We had around 40 people show up to my parents. And we had too much food. I think I made the best mash potatoes ever, although nobody said so. I feel like my time got cut short with my family. I didn't get a chance to play games or really talk to everyone, and poor Erik was so overwhelmed with people (He hasn't had a day to himself for at least two weeks).

Needless to say, it was good to see my family and my friends. It amazes me that after ten years I'm still friends with people from high school, and not because I still live in the area, but because those people are important to me and I make the effort to keep them in my life.

I feel a bit guilty because I don't see my family that often and I am the one that moved away. I try to keep in mind that my life might be intended for something that goes beyond my own thinking. I get very frustrated with the amount of people I know that in just the last year have gotten engaged or popped out a child. There's always that feeling that maybe I did something wrong on my journey and the lectures from family about "when are you going to settle down" get very old. It's not that settling down and having a family aren't important to me, it just hasn't happened.

Other things have happened. And while I don't think everything little thing we do is part of God's great grand plan, I do believe that maybe my singleness is about something a little bit bigger then 2.5 children and a two car garage (Don't get me started on how I hate that Americans have bigger garages then most people have houses).

The holidays are upon us, and I have many things to do in the coming weeks. I'm just going to have to remind myself of what is truly important over the next couple weeks. Yep, it's time to remember that being human isn't so bad. That we all came from the same Creator and were made in Their image. That God became human. That He came down to help us out and save us from ourselves. And someday, He's going to come back...or maybe She.

Waiting

I'm waiting for Erik to get done at church so we can drive up North and pick up Toby. Toby went to Grandma Betty's in Door County while Erik was away. We have to get him because I insist that Toby comes to my house for Thanksgiving. Plus, we both really miss him.

All I have done this morning was watch TV, knit, and read a little. Last night Erik and I had curling. I rather enjoy the couple's league better then the women's league. I played with all men last year, so it's not intimidating to play on a co-ed team. We actually did pretty well and Erik and I get to sweep together most of the time. Afterwards we had a couple beers and talked. Two beers makes me a little too giddy, so Erik ended up driving my car and dropping me off at home. So even if I had work to do, I have no car to drive into work. I think I'll go tomorrow. I'm suppose to volunteer, but I'll have to call and say I can't make it. I don't know what time we will be getting back tomorrow anyway.

Erik's dad and aunt were here this past weekend, so I've gotten very little time to hog him to myself since he's gotten back from his trip. We all went out for dinner a couple times and Erik took his dad to the game yesterday. I came home after my youth board meeting and sleep on the couch.

I put up my Christmas decorations on Saturday, including my Hanukkah Tree. Well, it could also be an advent tree, it's silver and blue. I found my dreidels so the confirmation kids will have to play the dreidels game.

A Rainy Thursday

After many days of sunshine and warm weather, we finally got rain. I'm trying to find the motivation to go into work today. I really should check my email, write-up a letter, and see what is on my to-do list, but with only 18 hours a week; spreading it out gets kind of hard. I really just want to spend all day in my PJs and read Wicked.

I've been getting a lot of compliments about my confirmation class. They are benefiting from a lectionary based curriculum. Maybe that is what teenagers need to do, hear the text more then once. Well, we all do. I live with an irrational fear that I might teach the wrong thing regarding the text. I suppose that is where the Holy Spirit comes into play.

You'd think doing so well would take the pressure off, but there is still pressure to keep up with myself. And then there's the Christmas Program! I'm just putting this is good faith that it all comes together.

Erik is back from Israel. I really missed him while he was gone. It was very lonely here. Tonight he going to get Toby from Grandma Betty's House, so we'll all be back together. He brought me a beautiful nativity set from Bethlehem. It was suppose to be a Christmas Present, but I was eager to see what was in the box and he wanted to make sure it was all in one piece. I can't wait to bring it to my house. I'm anxious to put up the Christmas decorations. We get to decorate my house and Erik's. I think we are going to go cut down a tree. I hope it snows, because Toby will look so cute jumping through the snow and peeing on trees.

And I live in a small town...

This morning I walked down to my local library to check my email, etc. So here I am, blogging! I'm trying not to drive my car so much, which is harder to do in a small city. Seriously, Green Bay is small.

This is how small the Green Bay/Lutheran World is here. I have decided to volunteer at the Nursing Home that is right next door. I figured I have the time, and now that I work in the church, I hear more about how lonely old people are. So I've decided to try to listen to Jesus better, and take care of the widow (and widower).

At the volunteer orientation I meet two older ladies that also decided to volunteer. One lady is a quilter at Calvary. She recognized me, and I explained who I was, and then she remembered I brought in an awesome cake.

Now the other lady, Joan, just happens to be friends with Erik's grandmother Betty. She even gave me some old theology books. Her son is in my confirmation class. And Green Bay is official home, because I ran into Joan at Copps on Wednesday. I think she is my first friend.

I think it's amazing how the Lutheran Church is so small and connected here. It makes it easier to be new and have a place where I fit. On the other, I have to watch my behavior and what I say a little bit closer.

I'm Alive!

One of these days when I'm rich or all my credit card, student loan, and car debt is paid off, I will get myself some Internet in my apartment (and maybe cable). But that day is not here yet. Someday, but not today. So until then, I'll will have to make a better effort to blog at work or steal Erik's laptop and go to the coffee shop.

Life suddenly happened and I am a busy lady. Here's my average week summed up.
Monday- Work in Morning, Afternoon Walk, Watch Big Bang Theory
Tuesday- Work, then Volunteer at Lutheran Woodside Nursing Home
Wednesday- 6:45AM Bible study with Erik at Dennys!, Staff Meeting, Confirmation
Thursday-Lunch with Erik and Curling!
Friday and Saturday-Sabbath!
Sunday-Sunday School, Worship, Packers, then Couple's Curling

So I officially have a life in Green Bay. I'm making some friends through curling and hopefully volunteering. My position here at Grace is most likely going to expand. (Super Hurray!) I'm pretty busy at church with Confirmation, Sunday School, and now the Christmas Program. I finally found a position in life where I get to teach, plan, organize, and talk about God! I'm even sort of active in Erik's church (I get to lead the morning Bible Study while he's gone. It was cute, the old men moved their chairs to sit closer to me).

I am actually considering going back to Seminary and getting my MDIV, but I want to work here for at least a full year to gain more experience in the church. This is great place to learn. I get to throw out ideas and they give me things to learn. I am still waiting for that you-should-have-done-this-instead moment. I think I'm even getting to go on the Mission Trip to NYC! (I'll get to teach the kids to ride the subway, oh public transportation, I miss you so!)

Well time to go to Copps (Erik always says there should be store next to it called Robbers, he is silly) and get some groceries. I'll wave to Lambeau for you Packers fans as I drive by.