Big Decisions - Planning for the Future

For what seemed like a very long time, we have not been able to plan more than a couple of weeks ahead when it came to finances and living arrangements. manBoy started high school this year knowing we could move sometime during the school year. Now that my appointment is settled at least until June '09, we are beginning to make longer term decisions.

Today, manBoy turned in his letter of commitment to the new high school that will be opening next fall. This school will be small - less than 300 students to start- and be different from most high schools. Learning will be project based. Project assignments are made at the beginning of a teaching unit and teaching focuses on what the student needs to know to complete the project. Collaboration, work ethic, and communication skills are included in the grade along with content knowledge. Someone besides mom will be telling him that working hard and well with others is important. The technology level of this school is higher than the other high school. Each student will have a laptop computer checked out to him/her. manBoy is excited about this. He will be able to continue his athletics (cross country and track) at the main high school then go to the new school afterwards.

As for G&T and I, we just made arrangements to refinance our mortgage. We were in an ARM that adjusted up a year ago, but we had no idea how long we would be in the house or if G&T would be working. G&T has been working for a year now. I know where I'm appointed. The time has come. We bit the bullet and moved to a shorter loan. Slightly higher payments, but earlier security of a place to live when we retire.

It feels really good to plan ahead a little. I know that I should be able to trust God and go with the flow. We did better at that some months than we did during others. We are no longer just maintaining while we wait to hear. This is nice.

Next steps in the planning ahead game: Internet Service and debt reduction.

Loving God, I know that life can change in an instant. My time at the hospital showed me that. Thank you for this time of peace, and less uncertainty. Thank you for the home we live in, for the schools that are available for manBoy, for the jobs we have, and most of all for the certainty that you are always with us. Amen.

Suffering

I've been thinking about suffering of late. I grew up believing that all suffering (especially my own) should be prevented or alleviated. Our society seems to think that way too. We are shocked when hard things happen in our lives. I was recently listening to a Nancy Griffith song about her aunt and uncle in the Great Depression. It seems like 75 years ago, suffering was expected as a part of life. I wonder if we would cope better with the hard events of life if we just accepted that suffering will come. It will be a part of our lives more than once.

I know I already am. Last year when G&T was laid off, I really struggled. I asked myself, "Why?" I believe it was because the suffering free life I had worked so hard to create was threatened. I see now that if I will quit judging whether or not life is good by how hard or easy it is, I will be a more content person.

Now, this is not to say that we should not continue all efforts to alleviate the suffering that comes with poverty, disease, and oppression. In fact if I am more willing to suffer myself, I will probably be more willing to step out to care for others.

Just thinking and praying....

Top 10 Reasons I Haven't Blogged

After months of blogging about my uncertain future, I'm finally living it!

1. Okay, now I have a real job and I'm a lot busier.

2. I'm going to the Y to work out 3 x per week. My goal is moving for a total of 9 miles per week with a combo of walking and cardio machines. I'm adding 1/2 mile each week. I'm up to 7 miles per week. When I get to 9 miles, I'll increase the amount of cardio and reduce the walking. Of course this means less time to blog.

3. Trying to reconnect with manBoy and Gifted & Talented. For months we were in survival mode and just did our own thing. Now we are making plans and doing stuff together. Any ideas for a romantic getaway Memorial Day weekend?

4. Papers. I'm still writing papers. Residency (being commissioned but not ordained) still requires papers, and covenant group meetings, and mentor meetings, and lay minstry committee meetings.

5. Refinancing home. Phone calls, paper work... It's so confusing!

6. Gathering info for filing taxes (or having Dad the H&R Block guy do them).

7. Although I took the whole game folder off my computer, I still waste time playing Text Twist on Yahoo.

8. manBoy is learning to drive. Arranging for Drivers' Ed... That is actually blog fodder, but who has time?

9. Surely I can think of one more ... then I'll have 10. I'll let you fill in the blank __________________________________________________________. Make sure it's something fun. Let me know in the comments.

10. Getting ready for the RevGalBlogPal Big Event!