Day 24: Starting Summer Ministries

Hello!

This has been a busy week filled with a lot of adjustments.
The snow quickly melted after enjoying my snow day, and with the sunshine crowds are bustling at Old Faithful, launching the summer season with great excitement and busyness. My work as a floor supervisor has been such a joy to me because it involves so many elements of work I did last year, such as help out my fellow cashiers and show them helpful ways to reduce computer work while checking out and interacting with customers, but this year I have a lot more flexibility as these elements are integrated into this job. I am greatly enjoying those who are working at the Upper Old Faithful General Store--it's a really great crew this year and I am excited for the new employees that will arrive next Monday.

While floor supervising is going really well, my week as a team leader was a bit strained. Most of it was due to the last-minute details of getting the team prepared for Sunday services, especially when our schedules were difficult to coordinate for team meetings. This is typical for the early season as people are still arriving, but I am very grateful to the team; they all pitched in and we had a great launch to our Sunday services. The other challenge in the midst of this has been my work schedule. Because I was the final floor supervisor to arrive at Old Faithful, I was given the final choice of days off. Instead of having Sunday and Mondays off like the rest of the team, I have Thursdays and Fridays. My manager was very gracious and helpful to make sure that I get Sunday mornings off to do the services, but it doesn't look like I'll be able to help out with Sunday evening services. This puts a bit of strain on the team as they have to make up for my absence Sunday nights; I am praying that in the midst of the team's graciousness to me that God will equip them with the ability to lead as a smaller group. A big blessing that has come about in the midst of this is that Tim, one of the team members, has volunteered to help co-lead with me to help guide the team when I cannot be around. Tim is a recent graduate from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho. It's so good to have him here; he is such a blessing.

All of this has left the rest of my time to homework; fortunately, I'm getting ahead which helps. When I was still in my undergraduate studies, I learned how to read and walk. I have a tendency to fall asleep when I sit down to read, and those days I generally don't get very much outdoor exposure. With walking and reading simultaneously, I am able to complete my reading without drifting off, get some exercise as I walk the boardwalks of the Upper Geyser Basin (already this week I have walked over 7 miles!), and get to spend time in the park even though my time is devoted to studies.

Please be in prayer this week for the team as we are still bonding and learning to work together, especially as Tim and I learn how to lead mutually. Your prayers are so greatly appreciated.

Photos are posted in the right column under "Photos of the Week". Blessings!