From the Front of the Church to the Back...

Transitions are not something that I've ever been good at. Ever. I'm surprised I moved out here sometimes and braved that transition but here I am.

And now I'm in the middle of another...

Pastor Craig is working out well IMHO. He's busting his tail to learn the ropes at the church and at the school. He comes to say hi to my students rather frequently which is nice and plays ping pong with them. (A sure way to get a TON of love in our school) I make the coffee in the mornings still and life is somewhat going to be routine soon.

But there is a bit of tension under it all. We lost three families last year and one of them is still having an influence in the fact that we lost a student last week. She didn't want to leave but Mom made her.

The other tension is that it's a difficult spot when you are changing pastors and this church has had more than its share of wounds in this regard. So I'm working my tail off to make this transition as easy as possible. I'm aware though, that I am just one woman.

The side effect of the Rice's being in Salt Lake at least part time? A lot of other shake-ups. Devin, the pastor's son is the church drummer -- luckily, Brother David has replaced him as drummer. Unfortunately, this left another hole in the leadership.

So I too, have gotten moved. I'm not playing clarinet for awhile. Brother David was the sound guy and as Ashley is in Salt Lake at least half the time and David is on drums, I have been moved to the sound booth. *wrinkles nose daintily*

It's not that I think the sound booth is unimportant. To the contrary, I know it's a VERY important job. Services can hinge on a good sound person. But I'm not feeling comfortable in the role yet and if you goof up back there it's worse than letting a clarinet squeak that you can cover up.

Example?

Pastor Craig wanted scriptures on the wall on Sunday Morning. Brother David was not at church so I was still in the back during the sermon and spent a goodly chunk trying to figure out HOW to get the scriptures on the wall. (I called Pastor Rice after church Sunday afternoon so now I know) In the middle of this, the computer froze, so I had to reboot. The projector was still on so all the "Windows is shutting down" stuff is still going on the front screen and then when it restarted the sound was ALL OVER the sanctuary. (Bro. Sanders has shown me how to turn that sound off now)

I now think that everyone should be sentenced to several services in the sound booth. Then you don't get stares when you miss a cue on the projector (Which I'm not bad at because A. I'm good with computers and B. I pick up the music cues easily). Someone kept turning around to me EVERY TIME that I messed up this week. ANNOYING!!!!

Pastor Rice has promised me that this is temporary but I don't know who else can do it which means my clarinet and I are going through a temporary separation. I will serve in any needful way, but this is not my favorite church position. It should get better that I know SOME of what I should know though.

In the meantime, Baronial Birthday is next week. HOORAY! And it's getting pretty out here -- not quite as pretty as southern Indiana but nice enough with a crisp fall scent to the air.

God is good, all the time. Even when I don't understand where he's taking me.