February 22nd was my last day as Director of Worship at Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church.  My decision to step down as a leader in ministry leaves me with many mixed emotions...

I am sad I will no longer be onstage leading God's people in a time of worship.  I am fearful making this decision will affect my future in leading worship.  I am relieved I am no longer standing on stage in leadership feeling like I shouldn't be in that position.  But most of all, I am hopeful that God will use this time for refreshment and my hunger to know Him will grow more and more each day. 

EPPC has become my church family even though I served as DoW for only 8 months.  I plan to continue to worship there, and am excited to become involved in a Bible Study.  I'm also grateful I will be able to serve the youth in continuing to build their youth worship team. 

I've already seen God's hand and provision in this all.  Providing me with an immediate job doing something I love, surrounding me with His people and providing EPPC with a sudden burst of new musicians.  Not to mention all of the mercy, grace and promises He has shown me through His Word.  How GREAT is our God - I want to know Him more!

I find it strange that I'm 29 years old and for the first time in my life I'm learning to savor each day.  From when I was a child, up until now, I've always had the mindset of "I can't wait until...!"  I've seen the quotes - Live, laugh, love, tomorrow isn't promised to any of us...", or "Live each day as it was your last..." And I've read the stories of the old person looking back at their lives and how they couldn't wait to graduate, til their kids grew up, for retirement, etc, and now that they were at the end of their lives they realized that they never really lived.  I don't want to be that person.  Tomorrow isn't promised to me or anyone else...

Often, I don't expect God to work in the mundane, typical days of my life.  I go to work, go home and go to meetings.  And I am always looking ahead to the Friday morning to relax, or the Saturday I'm spending with a friend or my family.  Not that it's bad to look forward to these things, but sometimes I think I'm cheating myself out of life because I almost push off the typical day as something that doesn't "count".  All those days do count, and it's possible that God will bring an incredible friend into my life on one of those typical days.  Or maybe I will run into someone who needs help unloading something at my apartment building, and by helping them they see God's love.  I read a book not long ago called "Looking for God" by Nancy Ortberg.  She told of a man she worked with who often said "I am an artist, and my canvas is people."  I love that quote.  I want that to be true of my life.  But how many missed opportunities have I had because I'm too focused on getting through the mudane day to reach the more exciting?  With all that said...I'm going to write a little bit about whats been happening around here lately.

Last weekend, I was able to take care of the Morgan girls.  I went to their house on Friday and took them to Walmart to get fake fingernails.  I put them on the girls as we watched Hannah Montana.  Then we went to a wedding in New Richmond, WI on Saturday with Angie.  The girls swam in the pool at my apartment for 3 hours that evening.  They swam again after church on Sunday for 3 1/2 hours.  They passed out in the car on the way back to their parents house.  I think they had a good time - I miss them alot, so it was nice to have them around. 

The week before that I took a couple days of vacation to spend with Rachael and her family as she was in town.  That was a great time of relaxing and enjoying the company of people I love.  Rachael, Eva, Marah and I went for a walk down by the river in St. Paul and we hung out at Rachael's mom's apartment quite a bit.  Abby (Rachael's sister) came up for a couple days and we say "The Women" and did some shopping.  Friday Rachael, the girls and I met Kelly & Eden and Kara at the Mall of America then went to my parents' house and stayed the night there.  It was such a good time.

Tonight I'm having my friend Lacy over for dinner and a movie.  She works fairly close to where I live, so she's spending the night as well.  I got up this morning and make chili and put it in the crock pot - so I hope it turns out!  I had to scrape ice off my windows this morning - so it's definitely a good day for chili.  And this weekend, I'm leading worship at the Alliance Women's Retreat at Big Sandy Camp. 

One other thing that I've been experiencing is "Alpha".  Our church is offering it, and it's meant for new believers, or those who have alot of questions about the Christian faith.  Originally I was asked to do the music, but I decided I would sit through the course so that I could experience what everyone that goes through it experiences.  The teaching time is pretty basic - it's what I expected.  But before the teaching time we eat dinner together and afterward we break off into small groups.  I really appreciate the small groups.  Last week there were 4 of us and 2 of the women in the group really opened up.  It was great.  And I'm looking forward to connecting with people through Alpha.  I've only heard good reports, so I'm excited.

I should really get back to work.