IT HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE WEEKS...SAY THE WORDS DC TALK

Back in the early days of Chaplaincy work, when I had a hard day or night in the Hospital, I often would put this song on in the car on the way home and I would crank it up.  Some how it got out of me what I was feeling or thinking.  I can't explain it, it just helps me. (I have written about this before)  Especially when a family member says "I wish I could tell him/her I love him/her.

A week ago today, there was a multiple shooting in the area.  Two of the victims were police officers responding to help.  One of them died as a result of his wounds. One victim killed, was a 17 year old just driving down the street.

I was at the Hospital with the family and officers there, when the news of his death was reported to them. All I can say here is the entire experience from the Trauma bay to the OR area was intense.  Perhaps the most intense I have experienced in this ministry, at least in a while.

It has impacted me all week, one problem was the fact I had very little down time afterwards.  I was on call with other calls afterward, and worked straight through to Tuesday.   I would make visits and answer calls, but afterward, be exhausted.

Crisis and situations though not mine, still has effects, physical, spiritual, and emotional.  Its been tough, but its better now and will be better even tomorrow.  Good self care is key to good health for a helping professional.

I'M JUST FINE!

When I walk into a patient's room and the patient tells me he or she is  "just fine"  I have to smile, because we have an acronym for the word fine.  Often when someone says they are just fine, they really aren't.  Especially if that person has just received devastating news.  In the early stages of grief, or dealing with a reality, it can be part of a defense mechanism.  It can also be used to deflect and keep from discussing something the person needs help in dealing with.

The acronym:

Fouled up
Insecure
Neurotic
Emotionally Unstable

So now the next time someone tells you they are "fine" you can think of the acronym.
 

An Early Christmas Present

This past weekend, I received an email from my professor.  He was returning my final with comments and my grade.  I was very pleased with one comment he wrote on one of my essays.  He said said I did an excellent job explaining  both the facts of the question and my position on the issue being discussed.  That was the issue of religious diversity.  For the test I earned an A, for the course I earned a B!  I am very pleased, it was work, but now I am one course closer to that MTS degree.

Today, I turned in both my grade report and my financial statement to my employer for Tuition Reimbursement, as well as my application for the next course approval.

Sometime next spring, the Seminary will receive word of accreditation approval of its retooled Master of Divinity.  When I see how it has been changed, if it allows more clinical courses, like Pastoral Counseling; I may switch to that degree.

Its a good early Christmas!

Pastoral Care Week

This week is National Pastoral Care Week.  This means there are programs set forth by the Association of Professional Chaplains, National Catholic and Jewish Chaplain Associations, encouraging Health and other organizations which have Chaplains to highlight their role in the organization and thank them for the service they provide. 

The theme this year is "Prophetic Voice"  This week already at one facility we had a service of appreciation and our Director gave us mugs, with Journey theme.  Being that we are all on a journey together, and as Chaplains we journey with patients, their families and staff through their situations.

I like that theme, as I am on a journey, you can tell by the fact the name of this blog has journey in it. 

Today I have opportunity to serve one of my other facilities by staffing a table with information highlighting the work we do in that place. 

If you work where their is a Chaplain, take a moment this week to thank him/her for the work he/she does.  It is often stressful, physically, emotionally an spiritually draining. 

I am thankful to be able to do the work I do, and enjoy it!

Monday Medley Forever Young

Welcome to the second week in  April!  Spring is finally showing up!  Monday is always a mixed bag of exhaustion, relaxation, reflection for me.  Sometimes too much reflection. The last 24 hours were rough at work, an unusual number of calls. a total of 15 altogether from 0800 to 0800.  It kept me from making my normal rounds.  I was running from call to call day and night. Some situations out of the norm. when it was finally over, I came home and went back to bed. something I don't usually do, I did not sleep  very long, but my body seemed to say ENOUGH!  I'm recovering, thing is tomorrow I have to do another overnight, this time an evening shift and on call till 0800. I have been promised relief from all the on call, but so far...  I am an adapter and  survivor! At least I hope to continue to be.

Today I am sharing  Forever Young.... at least at heart.
http://youtu.be/E1nbvplgElw

Good News To Share

So I'm sitting at a stop light in a little place called Phoebus.  The phone rings and its a Richmond area number.  The person on the other is the Director of Admissions of the School I applied to.  After exchanging pleasantries, she congratulates me on my acceptance to the MTS program!  Needles to say I am very pleased and relieved! 

This morning I took the next step and filled in the confirmation form for my acceptance and paid the fee, (which will be applied to my tuition)  so its official!!!

Next I will make an appointment with the Admissions office to go and map out my degree plan and financing.  There will be a written plan to follow, I will be attending on a part time basis.  Since I am in ministry. From what I understand a new schedule is in the works, one that is more friendly to people in my position. They call it a hybrid schedule, which includes online and an on campus class schedule which allows the student to come to campus one day a week and take  classes they need.

The only wrinkle in my plan is they do not allow clinical classes in the program I have been accepted to..  However, I am looking at what closely related classes can be taken as electives.  My Clinical Pastoral Education Units will not transfer, which is actually better since the Association of Professional Chaplains would not count them toward certification. 

Perhaps when they retool the Master of Divinity, I may re-visit that degree program so I can add clinical courses.  For now I am happy with the direction things in my life are taking. 

Signs of Spring and a Trip to Richmond

Yesterday I was in Richmond for a few hours, and to my amazement, there was snow on the ground!  On Sunday/Monday we had rain, Richmond had three inches of snow.  It was odd seeing blooming trees, and bulbs with the white stuff on the ground.  I wish now I had the presence of my mind to take a few pictures. Alas and the blossoms I did not.  as I drove there and back, I noted the bird songs I heard, and the blossoms I saw.  Forsythia, crab apple, pear, daffodil, hyacinth to mention a few.  I look forward to seeing the azalea and dogwood blossom.

My mind was on my purpose for being in Richmond.  An interview with the Admissions Director of  graduate program I have applied for. it went well I think.  The next step is for my application package to go before the admissions committee. I do not anticipate any issues at this point.  Some exciting news is they are retooling the Master of Divinity program, pending Association of Theological Schools approval.  I may take another look at that program in the next year.  For now I'm sticking with my application for the Master of Theological Studies degree. My interviewer is suggesting I need to have a conversation with the dean concerning transfer of my Clinical Pastoral Education Units into academic credits, especially if I transfer into the new M.Div.  I will pursue this, and I hope most if not all of the credits I have will transfer into my program. 
   
First though is the official  acceptance into the program must be attained. .