A Blessing

Today I was the recipient of a blessing.  Now, for me this it not a regular occurrence in my life.  Sure from time to time I receive affirmations that go above and beyond exteriors to the real core of my spirit. Those moments when another has spoken truth about me and I'm able to embrace it.

I've struggled in the past with the word bless/blessed/ blessing.  In my days of being fully immersed in church culture it seemed people would casually throw those words around and often times it sickened me.  I remember at one point vowing never to utter "that really blessed me" or sign a card with "Blessings, Erin".  It felt so fake and cliche to me.

Imagine my surprise then when as part of a book report presentation my friend and classmate Sandra told me she'd received a blessing for me that she'd like to share in class.  Perhaps because Sandra is such an authentic person I didn't flinch at all!  I said "Yes, I like blessings!".  Have I come full circle?  What is going on?

I was so touched by the blessing Sandra gave me. What an incredible and timely affirmation of the path I feel God has led me to.

"I want to share with you that you are grounded in the peace and stillness of the beloved and this place of homeostasis surrounds you fully.  In many ways it is like you draw from a deep, blue, enticing pool of refreshing water that God has planted within you, and you are currently learning to tap this pool at a deeper level.  Each person you come in contact with is in turn blessed by your solidness and grounded connection to yourself and your God.  I am thankful for your presence in class and your willingness to share yourself at whatever level you can, and as you do this in humility it tends to be very powerful for others and gives peace and hope.  Eventually this will also impact your counseling practice on many spiritual levels."

cozy

There's something so undeniably satisfying about finishing a project.  I just finished my last paper of the semester and boy am I glad!  Now, just one more presentation and a few more classes to go until Christmas break = yippee!!

Milepost

I had to stop in and document this moment.  Although, I still have to physically show up for a few more class sessions this term - I am officially DONE with all papers, presentations and tests!  Hurray!  It felt so good to listen to my printer whirring away yesterday afternoon as it spit out the last pages of the paper I will turn in this morning. 
Even more incredible is that the past few weeks have thrown me some major curve balls and made it even more challenging to focus.  I've had two horrible dental procedures resulting in a huge green bruise on the side of my face.  While that was still healing, I got a nasty case of food poisoning after eating tainted egg salad and was so sick I thought I might die.  Throw in the mix a three hour orientation for Jakes new middle school, along with a serious miscommunication with a dear friend, and I was beginning to wonder what would happen next!

 And such is life.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  This beautiful mess.

All I know, is I'm going to relish every second of this moment because it's here, I'm here - and right now that's enough.

Fridays Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  it's been another one of those weeks where it feels like we're living in fast forward.  Looking forward to hitting the pause button this weekend!  Dear Self:  congrats on turning in your first paper of grad school; 30 pages - not exactly a soft start, but it will make 10 pages seem like a piece 'o cake.  Dear Kelly Clarkson:  I can't help but love your girl power, slightly angry vibe.  I've been playing this song on repeat a lot lately for inspiration.  Also its great jogging music.  Dear Napoleons:  it's official:  you are my favorite romantic lunch place in Salem.  Cozy booths, french music, crepes and gelato - what more could a girl ask for?   And last to Mr. Veen:  my heart goes pitter patter every time you do the grocery shopping.  Love you sir!

HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Busy, busy....

Hello blog.  I have nothing terribly exciting to share, I just thought I better post something!

Tomorrow I turn in my first big paper for school.  It's about 25 pages long, all about the ins and outs of my family, including a genogram and timeline.  Mostly I've really enjoyed the process of writing this paper.  What's been challenging is carving out the time to do it without sacrificing time spent with my family. 

I'm trying to give myself lots of grace during this season of adjusting to school and new routines.  But I won't lie and say it's been easy!  I miss my friends, I miss thrifting, I miss this space, I miss arranging and rearranging my house, I miss baking and jogging.  Well, only sometimes for the jogging.

Despite the things I miss I do know that I'm in the right place.  There has been so much good that has come out of it already.  Mr. Veen is taking on new responsibilities around the house including - grocery shopping!!  Seriously, I think I might have gone back to work and school a LONG time ago had I known Mr. Veen would do and enjoy grocery shopping!

And so it goes.  I'll try and visit  here more often - I promise.