Invitations, Resignations, and Vaccinations

[This post was originally written a week ago; however I was delayed in actually posting it until now.]

Welcome here! I've started telling more people about this blog. So hopefully, I'll keep it updated with interesting and relevant information as I prepare for Guatemala. Earlier, I created a Facebook group, Prayers and Support for Dana's Guatemala Trip and sent out invitations for the site. Perhaps you found this through that. However you arrived, I'm glad you're here! Your interest, prayers, and support are greatly appreciated. If this is your first visit, see more general information in previous posts. Feel free to pass this site along to others who might be interested.

Last night, my church, Calvary Presbyterian, had a session meeting where I handed in a formal letter, resigning as an active elder in my church, effective my last Sunday in the DC area, August 2, 2009. The session is the governing body of a local congregation, which consists of the pastor, who acts as moderator, and elders who have been elected to active service/leadership by the congregation. I have been blessed to serve at Calvary. From my letter:

"While I am saddened to leave my three-year term as an active elder a few months early, I am excited to pursue service to God and the broader church with the Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteer Program. My year in Guatemala, starting September 1, will be challenging. However, I am looking forward to growing as a disciple of Christ, letting the Spirit lead and open my eyes more fully, and forging partnerships while sharing God's love in action and word. Although I will be separated by distance, I will remain a faithful member of Calvary. This church family has been a source of strength, love, support, and opportunity for me. I am thankful for the opportunities of growth, friendship, and service at Calvary. I have been blessed to work with the Mission and Outreach team, from the Eagle's Wings tutoring program with Mt. Eagle Elementary School to the English as a Second Language program, to the community CROP Walk and more. Helping lead the church and envision Calvary's future and place in the community, contributing to discussions in Sunday school, and assisting with worship have all truly been meaningful experiences. I am grateful for our walk and time of service together."

Today, I will also hand in an official letter of resignation at work, Bread for the World. Now that I have a firm date for leaving (August 5), I can finish this. My supervisor and department have known of my plans since April and others have known for a few weeks. I am incredibly grateful for the people, ideas, and mission that I have been exposed to at Bread, "a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad." If you're not familiar with it, check it out. This next week will be incredibly hectic and meaningful we as prepare for Bread's Gathering 2009 and 35th Anniversary. I'm looking forward to it! [Note this post was written a week ago; the busyness of the Gathering was a contributing factor in my delayed post. The Gathering is over, and the events went incredibly well. However, they left me a bit exhausted.]

Closing on a brief note of pain, on Monday morning [of last week], I went to the doctor for more vaccinations (others were taken just before going to Ethiopia last fall). The cost of the vaccinations hurt more than the actual shots. However, I'm grateful for access to preventative medicine. I'd rather get the shot than the disease. I need two follow-up shots, and then I should be set with that. This seems to follow in the same vein of a phrase I've been using recently, "For every task I check off my to-do list, two more seem to get added." Oh well, I'll keep checking, and hopefully the tasks will soon stop being added [or more realistically, hopefully the rate at which they're added will lessen].

Thanks again for your interest, prayers, and support. Also, thanks for all of the birthday wishes and prayers! Soon, I may have news about my specific placement.

Peace/paz,
Dana