Youth Group

I have done field ed. for two whole Sundays thus far. This last Sunday I took the high school youth group canoeing. It was an adventure to say the least. I had difficulty getting adults to help me drive and then I couldn't get a straight answer about how many youth were planning on going. It all worked out ok in the end I had 9 youth go and found an adult to help.

By the time we got to the canoeing place it started to sprinkle, and the first question i got when we got out of the car after driving 45 minutes to the canoeing place was, "Amanda, its raining! Are we still going to go?" My response was a tame version of a maniacal laugh and the reassurance that "Indeed, we were still going".

All the kids ended up enjoying it and no one drowned so I figure I am not going to be kicked to the curb yet.

No picture for today, hopefully one tomorrow.

peace,

Amanda

New room!

I am starting off my second year of seminary on the same floor in the same dorm, but I have a different room. It is a suite which means there are two rooms that share a common room. Lucky me there is no one in the other room so I get a small room and the common room all to myself. There are brief moments that I almost forget I am in grad school and still living in a dorm. The other thing which excites me about having this room is that it comes with extra windows which allows for ample viewing of the changing seasons.

Here is a glimpse of the new space, I am still settling in.

One Year

I am back! After a summer break I am back to sharing my thoughts, joys and frustrations.

It is hard to believe that it has been one year this week since I moved to NJ. It has been a fast year and a year full of new things. I have learned a lot about myself, the East Coast, theology, the Church and people. It will be interesting to see what this year holds.

I have started work at First Presbyterian Church of Freehold, New Jersey. My primary role will be as a high school youth leader, but I also will be preaching and participating in worship on a regular basis. After only a single Sunday of work I can already tell that this placement is going to stretch and challenge me in ways I could never have imagined.

I can't say that I am necessarily excited about this upcoming year, I think the best way to describe my feelings are that of indifference. Its another school year, another set of classes and papers. I am sure it will be filled with wonderful,exciting memory making moments, but right now in the rush of all the newness it just seems like a lot of daunting work ahead.

I have decided that this year I want to be more intentional in my blogging. I have decided that I am going to try to post something almost everyday. Along with this I have decided to take on the practice of taking one picture everyday. I think taking a single picture everyday will be a fun way to document my year, I also think it will be a good practice for me in regards to thankfulness. I figure if I can find one thing every day that represents my experience I will be better mindful of all the things I have to be thankful for. So my hope for this upcoming year is to post a comment and a picture almost everyday.

I hope you will join me on this journey,

Amanda