Optimism if the Spice of Life!

I decided that instead of pouting over my departure in two weeks, I am going to take the opportunity to be happy, joyful & spend as much time as I can taking optimism to an extreme until I graduate!

Huzzah! (Yes, I'm also bringing "Huzzah" back!)

Let's start with an update on how the past two days went, the DCE Conference!

It was amazing! My pastor is awesome & very relational oriented. I really think we're going to get along, don't ya' think? He really likes that my main focus is fellowship & outreach, as well as making disciples of each member of the congregation, keeping integrity & developing the gifts that God has given them & using it wisely in the church. My first priority is to incorporate the family into every ministry aspect of the church: high school, jr. high, confirmation, children's ministry, etc.
Part of this is to introduce a new program in the church: Faith Stepping Stones. Basically, this program is for children & parents. When a child completes a "milestone" in their life / faith life, the parents have the opportunity to take classes, go to seminars offered in the church on how to become better parents, while providing help & support. The child also receives a tangible item that they can keep in a hope chest they are given when they are born: baptismal candle when they're baptized, first Bible, confirmation verse, etc. They take the hope chest when they graduate from high school.
This is a really neat program & I am really excited. I get to go to MN to train in September on how to lead the program in a church. Yay, MN!
St. Matthew is a great place for me & I really think this is something that's going to be long-term (at least I hope so!)

On a more serious note, the DCE at home's daughter, Hannah was taken to the hospital last night because of a high fever she's had for a few days now. She's 4 years old & it was her third or fourth visit to the ER or urgent care. Please keep Hannah & her parents, Grant & Carrie, in your prayers.

Agenda for the next week:

1. Voice Master Class this evening Woot, woot! (that was sarcastic)
2. Beach party night after SHOUT tomorrow w/ Hungary group
3. Masterworks, Masterworks, Masterworks. . . Insert another sarcastic "Woot" here.
   
4. Finishing my dreadfully long & boring Critical Thinking paper this weekend
5. Going to the Angels vs. Oakland game on Tues. night!
6. Turning in every piece of homework due before finals a week from Friday
7. Studying for finals
8. Partying like it's 1999 when finals are over
9. Graduation
10. Dinner w/ mi' familia on Grad. night at fancy super-expensive shi-shi, pu-pu restaurant.
    
11. Handbell Tour!

Wow, you know you're ready to be done w/ school when you can make a list of everything you need to do in less than 12 bullet points.

Getting excited! Pray for me, please!

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