I'm home for the weekend in Pensacola and suddenly have time on my hands before going out for the evening, so I thought I'd give a little update.
I'm drowning well into the tsunami I call work. I've travelled across Florida nearly every week for the last month and a half to visit our programs... I really do miss being out in the field at times, but some days it does take a toll on me.
The job is a temporary assignment on a prayer that it could be permanent. I'm starting to look casually at other opportunities-just in case-another grant opportunity doesn't pan out. I trust it all in God's hands, though I'll probably say differently by the start of the year when full-blown nail-biting anxiety kicks in if I have to suddenly find new work. Any good leads out there?
Things can always change too... we have a new administration coming in January. I'm interested to see what the new governor will have planned for us.
I've slowly gotten back to volunteering with the youth group again... I have missed it, but I've held back really because of the commitments and demands a new job has placed on me, coupled with the lack of certainty in the future. I'd hate to start developing relationships with the youth and suddenly have to pull out. One thing I've learned about youth ministry... you've got to be committed to getting to know your youth. It's important to be friendly, but you're not their friend... you're an adult and they're still trying to understand life and "the big picture." (If you know how to understand... enlighten me!) That's what I've learned it takes to be a good mentor.
I've also volunteered with my former employer, hospice. I've been serving in development, assisting with fund raisers. I did the Smoked Boston Butt sale... (next year I will dress up as a pig with a sign that reads, "wanna a nice piece o' ass?!?) and a home show yesterday.
Today was the baptism of Sofia, my goddaughter. What a cutie! My friends from Holland are here for a few weeks and it was exciting to see them and their new addition today. I'm excited to have a goddaughter that will grow up speaking Dutch, Spanish, English, and French. I have a future tour guide in the making!
Tonight, I'm headed to the Flora-Bama... (that's what they wanted-- I swear) I haven't been there in years, the last time was when we took a state coord. of Red Cross out and she got sht-faced drunk. Apparently, she didn't get out much. I was the good guy... I made sure she got back to her hotel okay... and she did, about three hours before her morning flight.
Well, that's about it for now.
May God continue to bless all of you, my wonderful friends and family!
