faith is good

I have a lot of faith in my volunteers . I just know that they are going to show up, come prepared and be happy. I wish that I could take credit for this, but I really can't . The intrim children's ministry director did a wonderful job showing them importance of volunteering, the changes that they make in the lives of children and I am guessing that the volunteers feel appreciated and blessed. I have been at EBC for two months already and I haven't had a single no show. Boy, that is just unheard of.

So, now my job is to find out from my volunteers what they think of their volunteer positions, what they like and don't like. I need to talk to Carie, who put many of these volunteers into their positions, to see what she did to encourage them, train them and/or value them. And I am going to have to implement those practices in the other volunteer areas that I over see.

I need to not take for granted that my morning people are faithful. I need to learn from that and try to encourage all areas to have the same faithful feel.

I can't believe it is Saturday night at 7:30 and I am not worried about who is going to show up. My volunteers rock.

Playgroup

Every Thursday morning we have a parent supervised playgroup. I think it is pretty fun. We have about 50 children and 30 parents who all come for 1-2 hours and play. We have climbers, wiggle cars, a rice table, costumes and even a bouncer. Of course we have coffee and tea for the parents and juice for the kids. It really is a good program. I love seeing the different groups of people talking and hanging out. Each week it seems like we have people who have been for the first time.

I am looking to add to this program. I am wondering what type of events or programs would be beneficial for young parents. If you are a parent or are in ministry to young families please share any ideas you might have to better my program.

My prayer for this program is that every lady who comes on a regular basis will be intentional at inviting someone from the community.

Making friends up and down the hall

Ok, so here is the thought of the day. How do you make friends up and down the hall of an office. I have to say that I love my job, I also really like the people that I work with, but I am really lonely. I am surrounded by super nice people, whom I have known for 2 months now and really don't feel a strong friendship with any of them.

True I work mainly with introverts, when I am an extrovert. So my overly excited invites for coffee or my constant attempt at starting conversations tend to scare people off than build friendships.

My office is also all the way in the corner of the church, not near most of the of the other offices, so distance can play into the problem a bit.

We are all rather busy here at the church, which does not allow for tons of social time, so that plays into the situation a bit as well.

And I'm the new one, and they are not, so they already have social groups within the office and the church, when I just don't.

So, does my lack of office friendship affect my work? No, the opposite actually. I am very productive sitting all alone in my quiet lonely area. Does it affect the way I view my job? No, I still very much love my job and the people I work with. So what does it affect? Why do work friendships matter? I'm not sure. It affects my mood. But a mood can be changed, controlled and managed.

I will not let this affect my job or my feelings toward my job.

But if anyone has any tried and true ideas on making friends as an adult, or being an extrovert in an introvert's world. Let me know.

Mid Week program

I'm looking to start a mid week program here in Saskatoon and I am not sure which one to do. I am leaning towards Christian Service Brigade. I love their focus on male leadership and developing boys into godly men. It is hard to be a boy right now in our society and I think that the mentoring and relationships that are built in a program like this would be great!

one of these things isn't like the other

I was at my denominational pastors' meeting today, meeting the guys for the first time. I had to chuckle at the group I was in. I was the youngest in the room and was 20 years younger that 80% of the attendees. I was one of two women. I know that those numbers shouldn't surprise me but they do. I love what I do and I have come to realize that right now I will stand out in a crowd like that, as the young female children's pastor. I'm ok with it.

Life as a pastor and a mom

So today my worlds bumped into each other a little, as my son's daycare was closed (well it wasn't closed, the teacher was away and I was uncomfortable with the alternative arrangement that was made) so my son is at work with me today. He is almost 5 and an only child, so he is pretty used to playing by himself. So far we have been here two and a half hours and he is doing great. This makes me so proud!

I am also thankful for a job that not only allows me to bring my son on the odd occasion, but encourages family time. It is a real blessing.

You know what else is a blessing? My son's Nintendo DS. Boy does that thing come in handy. :)

Technology is just awesome!

Ok, I know I've had my iPhone for a year now but I am just learning what it can do. This new blogpress app could make blogging easy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:7 Ave N,Saskatoon,Canada

Wow What happened

Ok, so I can't believe that this blog is still just sitting here begging to be taken care of. Maybe I should start again. Maybe I should erase my two sad little posts and start clean. But then I would be missing a part of me, (my lack of focus and dedication part, mind you). So I won't start again, I won't delete my past, I will work from now.

So where am I now? I find myself in Saskatoon SK. I am at a new church, with a new job (long story, I'll fill you all in later). I am now and children's pastor at a baptist church and I have to say that I love it. God has performed miracles to get me here (well they seemed like miracles to me) and I know that it is for his GLORY that I am here.

I will post the journey. But not tonight. :)