Updates

These past few months have been a whirlwind of activity for Adam and I. Adam graduated from nursing school, began the search for a job, and was hired. I have been trucking along at work and after Adam's new job opportunity, I gave my resignation after two years of incredibly difficult but rewarding work. We are in the midst of transitions right now. For months I felt like I was on the edge of something new, but couldn't quite reach out and grasp it, and now, here it is.

As Adam begins orientation for his new job and I begin to move out of mine, I've had plenty of time to ponder what exactly I'd like to do with my time. So, starting in August, possibly September, I will begin doing part-time interpreting work with Spanish speaking families, forming relationships and hopefully acting as an advocate. With the rest of my time, I am hoping to really focus on my last year of my Masters in Spirituality program--all of the writing and practical aspects of it that I feel I have't had a chance to engage enough over the last two years.

This summer I have had the opportunity to do my learning practicum at the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center here in town. I've been helping with the Discovering Sense of Place series which seeks to understand how we effect and are affected by the Ohio Valley Bio Region we live in. It has been truly fascinating to research our soil, our food, our local wildlife, and to have had the chance to participate in discussions of sustainability and energy efficiency. The rest of my practicum entails a class I have been working on putting together entitled "Natural Fiber Dyeing as a Spiritual Practice: An Intersection of Eco & Women's Spirituality" in which the participants will be repurposing a piece of clothing and exploring how to work with their hands, how to be present to the earth and to themselves, and learning to be conscious of the relationship they have with the world and how it is affected by what they wear. It will be a space to engage with natural fibers, natural dye products, and to see what happens to the spiritual life by being present to the rhythms of work and prayer. I am really excited as this really a tangible place of intersection of all my thoughts and I am really excited to be able to share and explore these ideas with a group of individuals who may or may not already be on the same page!

After this class it will be an adventure to see what direction my practice will go.