Eighteen's good enough for me.

Oh this blog.  It seems like I neglect it until that point where it seems I have too much information to not post something, just in case there are some people out there who don't have a clue where I am or what I doing.  Which is entirely possible for the aforementioned reason - I neglect my blog.  :)

So, here are the updates, in the form of a numbered list- because it's just easier that way.

o1.  I now live in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
o2.  I have my own apartment.
o3.  And yes, I live alone.
o4.  And yes, I'm still in the AIM program.
05.  I'm just finishing out my time on a field that's less than two hours from my house.  Which, I know, is kind of funny in a sort of weird way.

o6.  I'm working with Lakeview church of Christ.

o7.  It's out in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma - a short ten minutes from Shawnee.

o8.  I love that congregation, already.  They are flawed, beautiful, outreaching, struggling, accepting, and loving.  I like that they put me to use so quickly without abusing me.

09.  I'm looking at different places to volunteer at in Shawnee during the week.

10.  I've applied at the local hospital, the Red Cross, and I'm thinking about the Salvation Army.

11.  There are tons of opportunities.

12.  I also am a sort of "on-call" receptionist for Family Promise, an organization that helps homeless families get back on their feet.

13.  Obviously, I also try to help out around the church - doing random bits wherever they need me.  

14.  I'll be teaching the kindergarten Bible school class this summer, and I'm pretty excited about that.

15.  I have a weekly date with the church vacuum cleaner.

16.  The sentence I have said most often in my experience in ministry?  "Just put me where you need me most."

17.  I think that there is a lot of potential here, and a lot of work to be done.

18.  I have been on my field one month (as of tomorrow), and have had the following emotions so far: exhaustion, mild frustration, wonder, surprise, awkwardness, extreme gratitude, love, delight, happiness, joy.

I could go on forever, I know.  But I think eighteen is just enough.

If you have any questions or comments, once again, please don't hesitate.  ASK.  One thing about me putting my life out here in this form, for whoever to read, is that I make it available for questioning, open for prodding - a scary thing for sure.  But there's a strength in being transparent and vulnerable, and that's the truth.

So, ask.  Question.  Comment.  Tell me.  Talk with me.  Let me know.  I'm here!

Thanks for reading.

-Tara.