Hello, Blogosphere!

If you had asked me just last week if I would ever have a blog, I would have laughed until I peed. No, really. And so would anyone who knows me well. It takes me awhile to catch on to anything remotely technological. I just got a cell phone 2 months ago- and only because so many people were on my case about it. I still usually forget to take it with me.

Anyway, I changed my mind about blogging when I heard about the RevGalBlogPals the other day. I checked it out and was amazed to discover this world where people are talking about the kinds of things I want to talk about: putting faith into action, pastor/mommy stress, how much choclolate one had consumed in the past 5 hours.... So, I decided to get over myself and try to set up one of these blog thingys. You know, it wasn't so bad. It took me over an hour to do the "5 minute set-up," but my head did not explode!

So, here I am. I'm still not sure what I'm doing, but I want to be part of it! I've been craving the kind of mutual support, encouragement and laughter that I seen on other RGBP sites.

I've titled this blog 'Growing Where I'm Planted' because I'm feeling a little restless right now and I've been reminded of the advice I would get from my Mom when I was feeling this way growing up. She'd say, "You gotta grow where you're planted."

I am in a period of discernment right now. I am serving part-time (yeah, whatever) as a pastor in a PC(USA) congregation. I am incredibly blessed in my work. My congregation is a healthy, growing, fun, compassionate voice for justice and peace in our community. I have lots of opportunities to preach, which I love, and the worship is wonderful. However, since my head of staff (a beloved friend and colleague) left for another call a few months ago, I have been feeling very restless. I am not feeling called to leave this city. My family loves it here- my son just started Kindergarten in a Spanish language immersion school and my husband is happy in his work. My 3 year old is happy anywhere!

I began going to a spiritual director this past week becasue I've really been feeling the desire to go deeper in my spiritual practices. I had avoided spiritual direction because the classes I took in this vein in seminary seemed to me, at the time, to be a little "woo-woo." I wonder if anyone knows what I mean. I didn't "get" guided meditation. You know, meeting someone in a meadow and they give you a gift..... Yeah, I was a little resistant! And more than a little scared. I am looking forward to taking this journey with my spiritual director. Perhaps I will be able to listen for the Holy Spirit speaking to me in my restlessness.