Top 10 Moments

Well, leading up to the end of the year, I've decied to reflect on the year and what some of the most incredible moments of 2006 were...There will be other Top 10 lists to come, to be sure...And I started with a sentimental one first, so enjoy as I think back on what this year has meant and done for me...Here are Missy's top 10 moments of 2006...

1.) May 13, 2006--Graduating from United Theological Seminary! It was an event that was 3 years in the making. While throughout my experience there, there were certainly ups and downs and twists and turns, I would never, ever trade my experience there for anything in the world. I was able to travel the US and the world in ways that were amazing and incredible, I met friends that have changed my life, I understood my spirituality in different ways as I didn't feel like a crazy person...I came to terms with the fact that I am a liberal to moderate to conservative evangelical (Because all Christians should be evangelical! Don't buy into the hype...) Christian (and I fall heavier on two of those categories that one...You figure out which one I'm less of!)

2.) June 25, 2006-- My last service as Associate Pastor at Community United Methodist Church. My heart broke as I left and I saw the people I was leaving behind. While I was (and still am) excited about where I am serving, the people at CUMC were witnesses and instigators to my transformation. They were challenging, supportive, prayerful, wise, loving, critical, and supportive...I was loved, welcomed, and supported like I didn't think was possible and I returned those feelings to the fullest extent of my being. I miss the community there, and am prayerful that the people are listening to the call of God as they explore their vision and what it is that God continues to call them to do and be.

3.) July 2, 2006-- My very first service with Sheridan & Norway United Methodist Churches. It was an outdoor service and basically everything that could go wrong, probably did...I have been told by several people of the fear and anxiety over my coming to the churches as their pastor and after that service, a collective breath was exhaled as we all realized that we could work together. It was at this service that I presided over the Eucharist for the first time....Holy moments in a Holy time...

4.) July 1, 2006--My first official day on the job! I started out my time as the pastor of Sheridan & Norway United Methodist Churches with a funeral...I hadn't been "on duty" for 8 hours when I was given the opportunity to be present with a family who was burying their father, the patriarch of their family...My heart broke as I heard their stories and shared in their grief...I prayed this day that my heart will break every time this happens...

5.) January 23-27, 2006-- My trip to LA! I intentionally chose to go to LA in the winter and my trip was paid for on behalf of UTS. I learned things about myself and my education that I have cherised deeply. I got to meet some incredible people that I hadn't met before! I got to see Kevin Max in concert at the Viper Room (see my pictures for that!)...I got to worship on a beach and bless people as I was blessed as well...I was present at Hollywood UMC where I heard stories from homeless people and shared in their lives for just a few moments...I also got evangelized, which was pretty exciting!

6.) April-ish, 2006-- I'm not sure of the exact date and it's not so much because it was a "great" moment, but it did influence who I am now...It was the night that I received the e-mail from my DS that the appointment that was once offered to me had been pulled. I literally read that e-mail, wailed, fell to my knees in a sobbing heaping mess...I got very angry with God, I questioned my calling, my faith, my ordination, my education, and my life...I said some things to myself and to God that were (and are) very hurtful...After my temper tantrum was over, I listened to God and sought to fulfill my calling to the fullest of my ability. I let my own feelings and doubts obscure God's voice at times, I let others dictate my actions, but in the end, I let God provide...And God did provide and by my putting everything into God's hands, I was able to feel comfortable and confident with everything...

7.) June, 15-ish, 2006-- It was the Disney trip...I was invited somewhat last minute to go to Walt Disney World with the girl scouts from CUMC. The trip came at an awkward time because it was just before I was going to be moving, and probably should have been doing other things, but it was amazing to relax and see things through children's eyes again...To be a child, but yet be responsible...I had an amazing time and saw some amazing girls and leaders...

8.) May __, 2006--Seeing and hearing Paul Rusesabagina speak at OSU...His is an incredible story...Just being in the presence of this man who would never consider himself a hero, and in the larger picture of everything didn't (numerically) do all that much, has helped to inspire and educate others about the situation in Rwanda and the Sudan and to share their stories with the world who rejected them while things were happening...

9.) August 15, 2006--The first time in 3 years that I was home for my birthday! Nothing really overwhelmingly exciting happened-- I went shopping and was home...And while part of me was missing Italy (since I was there for my birthday the year before), there was also a peace that I was right where God wanted me to be...Guess it's a good thing that I decided to follow God's nudging, huh?

10.) There's really no date for this one, but every single time that I hear the voice of God continuing to call me and say, "You are my child and I have called you to be my servant. Go and do My work and I will be with you." For those moments that take my breath away-- that are too numberous to name...Those moments...