Appointment

It is early February, the beginning of another long semester, and I am in the theology lounge with a group of classmates, it's break time and we've gone in search of caffine, when my blackberry buzzes. I pull it out, and notice there is an annoucement from the Bishop's office. These come frequently enough, so I'm scrolling through speed reading the jist of the text, when I see my name. At which point I utter an audible 'huh?' and immediately scroll back to the beginning to read:

As we in Huron Diocese seek to minister to, with and alongside our young people in the most effective way possible, it is essential that we are able as a body to offer as part of our ministry, sensitive pastoral care and support, both to our young people and to those who minister to them.
I write to you today to invite you to take up the role of diocesan chaplain to youth. This voluntary appointment if accepted would be for a two year term, and you would be ministering alongside a second such chaplain. Sharla, I feel convinced that you would bring to such a ministry the dedication and the pastoral skills that are needed.
In wishing to give you the opportunity to prayerfully consider such an appointment, in addition to your studies and parish responsibilities, you will find below a copy of the ministry description for the chaplains to youth . I look forward to your response +Bob

It is at this point, the repeated exclaimations of 'oh!' have escalated from a whisper to a very audible level. By this time, I had melted into the couch, and my classmates were visibly worried as I turned shades of pale.

Unable to actaully express what had just happened, I handed over my blackberry to one of them and they read aloud my invitation. This was met with much elation and congratulations from my classmates.

By this time, it was time to head back to class, and all I was able to do, was indicate that I was headed to the chaplains office, not class. I would try to be back in time to pick up my books.

I walked somewhat in a daze to the chaplains office, where Father Bill greeted me with his usual jovial salutations, and asked what was up as I sank into the chair across from his desk. Fortunately, the usual gaggle of students who reside in his office were gone, and I handed over the blackberry. Upon reading the message, he to congratulated me and expressed his pleasure, quickly wondering why I was't more excited.

After identifying just how terrifying this was to me, I was encouraged to understand that there are people who are seeing great potential in me, and it is high time I see it in myself. It is time for me to step up and take on the role that God has provided for me and is asking me to take. I am totally qualified, and competent in this.

Not long after this realization, and of course the requist tears that tend to follow everything that touches my heart, the Dean wanders into the office. After some brief conversation, he realizes that he has walked in on something and appologizes and begins to back out of the office. Assuring him it is quite alright, and that I am fine, better than fine, Father Bill steps in to introduce me as the new Youth Chaplain. What a moment!

The only thing that topped that has been the people who I didn't know knew about this going out of their way to congratulate me and to offer their support and encouragement!

God is indeed good, and I am continuing to take steps down the path he has laid out!

10 LONG months

Hello again everyone! I have just been reminded that it has been 10 months since I last posted anything here. Well, that it has! It's amazing how fast the time flys when you're running like a mad woman. The last 10 months have indeed been insanely long. School, as it turns out sucked more of my time than I had anticipated, even when I piled all my classes into 2 days to avoid the expensive commute!
The lack of postings though, don't mean that I haven't been basking in God's light though. It has been an amazing 10 months.
I suppose the high-lights could be sumed up in 2 major events: 1. An appointement from the Bishop, 2. ALSOC.

I suppose I should blog each of those events separately, as they are both rather large. Watch for those shortly!

Keep walking along the path!