RUF Training

This week, I've been in Atlanta for my first week of training for my new job — being the RUF intern at MTSU. I'll be updating my blog with more information on my job and how you can get involved with the ministry, but just wanted to blog about a couple of things so I don't forget them.

Top four things I've learned (so far) this week:
1. Having people donate money is going to be hard and humbling experience. I have a hard time learning to accept and receive from people. I can give all day, whether it's time, work, service, whatever. I have a hard time receiving. I'm looking forward to the Lord changing my perspective and learning that because He's given, I need to learn to accept.

2. My fellow interns are a wonderful group of people. I am not a fan of shallow conversation (though I'm pretty good at it). I want to know what's really going on with you below the surface. If I can't get below the surface with someone, I really start to wonder what's going on or what's wrong. I've shared so much (and interns have shared with me) and already been challenged by my "pledge class" (as one of our teachers has nicknamed us). I look forward to what the Lord has in store for all of us.

3. I have generous friends, family, supporters and a church family. It has been a blessing to log in to the RUF staff portal and see that people have already donated to me (and I'm just getting started). I can't wait to see how the Lord continues to provide.

4. This summer and this job is going to be challenging. There's so much I could say about that, but it would take me entirely too long. I am really looking forward to this job and am always up for a challenge. I am looking forward to the Lord getting me out of my comfort zone and stretching me. I feel like I've been comfortable for far too long. This last semester was a stretching experience, and maybe the Lord was using that to prepare me for this coming semester — who knows? Either way, I'm excited to see what's in store.

Trouble sleeping

It seems these days that no matter how tired I am, my body won't allow me to be in bed before midnight ... and forget even thinking about sleep until 1 or 2 a.m. at the earliest. No shocker, I still wake up not feeling rested. Mom always used to tell me that if God didn't grant you sleep, then you were supposed to be praying for someone - feel free to submit your requests and I'll gladly add you to my nightly list. :)

Speaking of my a prayer list ... please keep me in your prayers. I'm seriously considering paralegal school/certification and I'm really excited about it, but I'm having trouble finding the right program. There's really just one the Memphis area, and I'm still trying to consult some professional lawyers about which associations and programs are the best. I'm also considering the Jackson (Mississippi) area as well as Nashville. It'll be interesting to see where the Lord takes me next year! It's a daily struggle to trust Him, so I'm thankful that He's using this time of uncertainty to grow me.

I've had several people ask me, "Why are you giving up journalism? Isn't it your passion?" Short answers: The market is bad/unstable. And yes, it is my passion, but I can tell stories and help others in another field. Longer answer: I never said I'm giving it up forever. I'd love to freelance (writing and photography). I'm ready to get out of a newsroom - call me a grandma, but I just can't pull 3 and 4 a.m. shifts for the rest of my life. If I found a great journalism job upon graduation, I'd probably still take it, but the likelihood of that happening these days is slim.

All right, that's it for tonight. As usual, the paper sucked the life out of me today, so maybe I'll be able to sleep. (BTW, for anyone interested, we DID get our rights to police reports back...somewhat, and the complete log will be posted on reflector-online.com shortly!) I'm headed to bed - as soon as I go downstairs and inform our neighbors that it's 2 a.m. and therefore their porch stereo system needs to cease!