Celebrate

This week I was officially made a Postulant in the Diocese of Kentucky Episcopal Church USA. It's been a very long road (and there are still miles to go!). I began thinking seriously about the priesthood in 1997 and then life, children and moving put things way on the back burner--but 3 1/2 years ago things began to speed up. During this time, I have put in a lot of work. I have read multiple books, written essys, done placements, and been in front of 3 panels for interviews. Wednesday Bishop Ted took me to lunch and told me I was now a Postulant and could start seminary. He also said that one year I would have to go away to an Episcopal seminary (closest is 4 hours away). Now it seems, and I have probably taken the lead in this, everyone is focused on the "bad news" that if I am to proceed I may have to be gone for a year mon-thurs. I have received numerous calls asing how I am mentally and emotinally--said in very sad somber voices. But I'm changing that today--I'm going to celebrate where I am and acknowledge how far I have come. I am going to think about the people who helped me get to this point and offer prayers of thanksgiving for them. And I'm going to remember that this time last year I had no idea I would be part of the Diocese of Kentucky, so who knows what the next year will bring! This has been and continues to be a journey and I firmly believe that the journey itself will help to form me into the priest that God wants and needs for me to be. So my word for the day is "Celebrate!"