Food Pantry

I just can't seem to keep up with everything right now.  The food pantry volunteer schedule changed and I am not sure that everything is covered.  I started out well several years ago but right now it is a bit out of control and I hate that feeling.  I'm working to pull it together but wonder if it is time to hand it off to someone else.  It is my baby and I don't like to admit that I can't handle it!  I got the additional days started but that doesn't mean that I have to keep it going.  There is a meeting tonight - should I ask for a new volunteer coordinator?

Adding photos???

Haven't figured this out yet!

CPE

I am a bit nervous about starting CPE tomorrow.  I am kind of ready to just take care of my house and quilt and go to FL visit my mother.  On the other hand, getting into the spring semester was a real gift.  I contacted VCU on Monday afternoon last week.  The director called that evening to let me know that soemone had just cancelled and therefore there was a position available if I could get the application done the next day and be prepared to attend orienation that Wednesday!  I did my part and, thankfully, orientation was postponed until tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan 18th).  So I amstarting tomorrow!  I mentioned it to one person and they started to tell me that when people have good pastors there isn'tmuch need for a chaplain.  But then she shared a really tragic story that happened to her and their family.  I hadjust been reminded that the primary purpose of the chaplain is to be a non-anxious presence for a patient and the family.  I think that is the role I ended up playing with my friend.  There was nothing I could say, there was no solution or problem to solve, it was simply a matter of listening and treasuring that I was being honored to share in this very private and intimate moment.  I really do want to do CPE, I think I am just tired and nervous because I am starting one more new thing.

Appalachia and Mountaintop Destruction

Still need to write about my experiences in Appalachia! It is hard to believe that we have been home for a week already.  I did notice on the news today that the EPA has stopped mountain top destruction because it destroys the water for those that are left behind.  Moutaintop destruction seems to me to be the ultimate in short-sighted thinking - blow up a moutain to get the small amount of coal that is trapped inside it.  It takes very few people to do, so truthfully employment is not really a factor, and permanently destroys the landpscape!  Honestly, I do not like it when a non-elected government agency makes law (this is a violation of the Constitution), but in this case I am glad that someone is stopping a most awful abuse of the land.