Happy December

Happy December to you all.

If you've been wondering why my blog posts have been so few and far between, it's because life is pretty good and consistent right now. There's not much to blog about. And to be honest, I am really enjoying this season of not having a lot going on.

I have officially been at my new job for 3 months. (If you're new to my blog, I ran the college group at my church for 7 years. Now I have a different job. We have an alternative service on Sunday mornings that meets in another building at church. We have our own worship band and watch the sermon through video feed. The room is smaller - it can hold 200 instead of 1,000 in the main sanctuary -  so it has a more intimate feel. I help run it and do all the behind-the-scenes stuff to make the service happen.)

The first month of the new job was a blur. But the last 2 months have been wonderful. I am still learning a lot, but I feel like I'm finally settling in. I love my team and the volunteers we work with. I am loving only working 30 hours a week, instead of 40. LOVING IT. I don't ever want to go back to 40 hours. I used to come home from work so tired and drained. I didn't want to do anything or see anyone. But now I come home and I have a life. I go running, I read, I go to coffee with friends. It's like a whole new world. I guess when you're in the middle of a high-stress full-time job, you don't realize how unhealthy it is. I mean, part of that is my fault for not being better disciplined and not setting better boundaries. But I can look back and see how all-consuming my job was. And now I don't feel that way. I feel good and healthy and more well-rounded. I can feel my anxiety and stress slipping away. It's amazing. Don't get me wrong - I miss my college students and seeing them every Wednesday night. But I am loving the freedom of not having the weight of a whole ministry on my shoulders anymore.

I am still going to trivia every Thursday night with my roomates and friends. We always have such a good time. And I feel smart when I know random answers. (ie. What amendment allowed women the right to vote?) Something fun I will be doing next month: scuba diving lessons! There is a scuba place about 10 minutes from my house and I've thought about taking lessons and getting certified for awhile now. I finally contacted them and I'm going for it. Along with the 4 weeks of classes we get to do 3 or 4 dives in Monterey by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I'm really looking forward to it.

I had a wonderful time in southern Cal visiting my adorable godson the week before Thanksgiving. And then I had a great Thanksgiving with my family. Samuel, my 18 month old nephew, is just as cute as ever. He's walking and saying words and is such a lover. My nephew Judah turned 4 and for his birthday I bought him Lite Brites. Do you remember those? So fun. One of my highlights from Thanksgiving was sitting on a bed with Judah and watching "Busy Busy World" videos with him. He snuggled into me and it was just perfect. I love being an aunt.

And now it is December. I am looking forward to many things - the Christmas concerts at my church, getting our house Christmas tree and decorating it, having our annual white elephant gift exchange party, having Intern Scott come visit from Florida (where he is a youth pastor), seeing The Hobbit and Les Miserables, and spending more time with my family.

That's kind of my life in a nutshell. I am doing well. I feel healthy mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I am very thankful for that. Happy December!