Confession 1: Blogging and Bloggers

I love to write. Really, that's the whole purpose for beginning this blog. I haven't done much writing lately. I have several excuses, but I'm not sure I'd call any of them good, my infant son being the exception. I just sort of came to a place where I stopped writing, and aside from the occasional tug when seeing a new writer interviewed on the Today show, didn't really care. However, as I've been reading through my husband's blogs lately (www.myemergingmind.blogspot.com), I've had this itch in my fingertips to start pounding down on a keyboard again. Blogging seemed to be a good place to start. I don't yet know where this blog will take me (or you, for that matter), but there are a few things that will define what this blog becomes.

First, I am a pastor's wife. I must confess that in general, I'm not a big fan of that term. It seems too trite, too dismissive. Yet, being the wife of a pastor does define you in some ways. When I tell people at work that my husband is a pastor, there's this instant, "Ohhh," (smile) "that's great!" It's as if being married to a pastor makes me an o.k. person somehow, and that's alright with me. Also, I've come to realize that pastors are pastors whether they're at church or not. Not only can we not go anywhere without running into church members, most of my husband's thoughts while at home revolve around church. Being a pastor is an all-consuming profession, so being married to one definitely plays a huge part in who you are.

Second, I am a new mother. I have an almost eight month old son at home, who fills a spot within me I never even knew existed. He's beautiful. Motherhood is an amazing journey that absolutely shapes and defines who you are as an individual and, therefore, will probably play a big role in this blog.

Third, I am a professional youthworker. That term can take, and has taken, many different forms in my life. I went from high school teacher to seminary student to before and after school worker and am now running a before and after school program in the Kansas City, MO school district through an organization called the Local Investment Commission. (Check out their website: www.kclinc.org They do good work.) I have a master's degree in Christian Education and specialized in urban youth outreach. I'm not really using my degree to its full potential at the moment, other than teaching mid-high Sunday School at church, but I trust that it will eventually be money well-spent.

Last, but certainly not least, I am a Christian, and a United Methodist at that. My faith has always had a major impact on what I think and what I do. It will, in turn, have a major impact on what I write.

I think I'm going to enjoy this journey. Let me know what you think!

Blessings and Peace,
Sara