I survived my first Sunday!

Hey Folks,

Well I officially survived leading my first service in Mango Creek. Wearing an alb in this heat is CRAZY DEADLY!!! I didn't sleep much last night as I was super nervous about screwing up the service and that my sermon wouldn't be what people were expecting. You know me, worry wart Chelsy. Anyway, after not sleeping much I woke up to do my morning devotions. I've been struggling a lot with transition and how out of place and comfort zone I feel down here. The people of have been wonderful, it's just a different experience. Anyway I was reading the reflection for today's readings for Pentecost:

"The coming of the Holy Spirit nto our lives gives us some important polarities to contemplate. On the one hand, the Spirit brings diversity - manifest in different culturs, languages, and races. On the other hand, the Spirit brings order, as in the scriptural writings which reflect stability, identity, and truth. How do we deal with diversity while acknowledging on truth?"

It was this paragraph of the reflection that brought me an immense amount of comfort this morning as most of my mornings have seen some tears of fear, anxiety and doubt. And the paragraph that challenged me to be aware this summer of how I deal living with diversity while acknowledging one truth. I'll keep you posted!!

Next week, is going to be semi busy. I'll give you a quick run-down and then update as the week goes by! I have my day off tomorrow and will be spending it hanging out at Miss Lorna's so that I can be sure to stay away from any church stuff. Tuesday, Miss Lorna is taking me across the Penisula to spend the day in Placencia. I'm very excited to see the village as I will be leading services there as well during the summer. Wednesday I will be back at the school with the Infant II-2 class practicing our King of the Jungle song. And another teacher asked me to stop by her Infant I-1 class to teach her kids an action song for the festival. Thursday and Friday are designated sermon writing days. Saturday I will be hopping a boat back across the Peninsula to Placencia where I will spend the night with one of the parishioners of St. John's and lead an 8am service. Then I boat back to Mango Creek to lead the 10am service at St. Michael's.

Continue to keep me in your prayers. I'm taking one day at a time and trying not to worry about looking lazy to the community as it's something that I have been worrying about a lot. Hope you are well!! Looking forward to hearing from you when you have a moment!!

Chelsy