We're Facebook Official

I suppose it's time to make it "Facebook Official." You know that time in a relationship where you're committed enough that you're willing to let all of cyberspace in on it? Yeah. It's where I'm at. I haven't really hidden it. But I haven't shouted it to the world yet. So here it goes:

I want to be a hospice chaplain.

Whew... That was so.... Not scary to write. The quick version of the story that led me here goes like this: after spending two years working in the funeral industry, I realized how much I love being with hospice patients and families as they're making their last precious memories together and reflecting on all that they've done. I've seen what a burden death and the dying process can be to families and what solace some find in it. I've seen the incredible strength and total brokenness in families on the worst days of their lives. And every single time, I am reminded how blessed I am to be able to support them in those times.

For several years, I have felt a strong calling to ministry, but it wasn't until this fall that all of the pieces "fell" together and made me have a pretty gigantic DUH moment. I didn't know what area of ministry I was being called to, but it was suddenly pretty obvious. I was being called to hospice and end-of-life ministry.

So, with the help, support and encouragement of a few close friends, wonderful clergy and a whole host of others, I'm setting out on this journey. Hospice Chaplaincy is no joke - seven years of school are ahead of me, but I'm looking forward to enjoying the path. And since I want to cherish this time and share my story as encouragement for others who might be on similar journeys, I am committing to writing my journey down. I might not make it every day - or even every week - but it's important to me. Some day, I want to look back and remember where I have been, where I am going and where I will be.

And this is just too funny to keep to myself: