Writing in the Margins

It is rare for me to write in the margins of books.  I will crack the spine and dog ear the pages when I can't find a bookmark, but I don't write in the margins.  The exception to that rule is my Bible.

The dedication page just inside the front cover was filled in by my mother.  My Bible was a gift for Christmas in 1992, making it twenty two years old.  Over the course of these twenty two years, I've written many notes in the margins.  This is the Bible I took to camps, on mission trips, taught from during my internships and carried to class at Harding.  Many people have their own story of their Bible I'm sure.

I take my Bible to church with me each Sunday.  I prefer to read along in my text so that I can underline and make notes, rather than just watching the screen.  What I've noticed in recent weeks is that the notes I've made in the margins are contributing to deepening my thoughts and understanding now.  I read the comments I've written before, consider what I'm presently listening to and I become a better student.

Today's sermon was from I John.  One of the notes in my margin says "Bottle Illustration."  You see, not only is my Bible with notes in the margin an assist to me as a student, it also serves as a time capsule.  As I sat in the pew this morning, I began pulling papers out of the front cover of my case so that I could find my bottle illustration.  Behind cards, bulletins, sermon notes, and remembrance brochures, I found this...

If you can't read my fourteen year old handwriting, it says, "Kristen Jones, Quartz Mtn Christian Camp 1993, July 4-9, Theme:  I John "Love"."  There are more notes on the back of this drawing that further explain the lesson.  Among other papers in the cover of my Bible is a directory of sorts of all of those that were in attendance at that camp, that we all signed like a yearbook.  Priceless memories.  That was the last camp I attended with those friends, my family moved that fall and I made new friends and stored new papers.

As I'm sure everyone does, I appreciate these things more now that I'm older.  I'm able to see the most frequently studied sections of my Bible, the lessons I've learned and the memories I've stored, all through the writing in the margins.

Notable Differences

Today I finished my second day as an Enid Public Schools Instructional Coach.  I am learning the ins and outs of how the district works.  I'm learning their procedures, curriculum, resources, data, etc.  There's a lot to learn.  So far this has been a relatively smooth transition.  I didn't have to move.  I knew the people I interviewed with, who are now my supervisors.  I had visited the room that will now house my office and I have a working relationship already with two of my new team members.

There are some very notable differences however between what I've done for the last two years and what I'll be doing going forward.  Here's a short list:

• No travel:  For the last two years I've left town at least four out of five days a week and spent the night away from home an average of seven nights a month.  That will no longer be the case.  I now live in the city where I work.
• Set hours:  For the last two years my hours from day to have have varied to some degree.  I worked eight-twelve hour days, but those eight hours might be 12:00-8:00 p.m. if I was doing evening meetings or training.  That will no longer be the case.  My hours are set.  During the school year I'll work from 7:45-3:45.  As always happens with school teachers, there will be after school meetings and such that will occasionally cause me to work late, but generally speaking, I will now have a solid routine.
• Fewer schools:  Probably one of the most notable differences between the two jobs are the number of schools and districts I serve.  For the last two years I was assigned to work with 22 districts, which translated into more than 50 sites with whom I had contact.  I now work for one district and will have contact with no more than 15 sites, but will focus on fewer than that.

With professional changes, there come personal changes.  What do I mean?  Here's another short list:

• No travel = Less mileage:  Less mileage translates to fewer fill-ups at the gas station, fewer oil changes (I have been having my oil changed every six weeks), and fewer tires to purchase (I've replaced or repaired six tires in two years).
• No travel = More groceries:  My grocery list has been rather short over the last couple of years, especially if I knew I was going to be in and out of town a bunch.  I can't buy a lot of perishable foods and then leave town.  I ate out A LOT in my time on the road.  Not healthy of course, but certainly easier.
• Set hours = New routines:  With a new schedule that includes more permanent hours, I need new routines.  Routines such as eating breakfast at home instead of taking it in the car (my time in the car isn't long enough to eat breakfast while driving anymore) or going to bed earlier so that I can be sure to be out the door by 7:30 every morning.  Those mornings haven't happened regularly enough for me to have an early bedtime.
• Fewer schools = More ME time:  With fewer people to respond to or provide for, I have a lot more time for myself.  I have time to read, organize my house, keep up with my laundry, improve my culinary skills...the possibilities are endless!

One of my favorite TV shows is Criminal Minds.  There is an episode in season three in which FBI Agent Aaron Hotchner and his wife Haley are arguing about his job.  She doesn't want him to join the team on a case in Milwaukee, but he is determined to go.  He says, "This is who I am."  She says, "No, this is what you do."  I find myself walking that line often.  Where is my job "what I do" and where is it "who I am"?  When I let my job become all of who I am, I miss out on other parts of life that weren't meant to be missed.  On the other hand, my job means more to me than just being something I do from 8-5...or 7:45-3:45 as it were.

It takes a lot of work to achieve a balance.  I'm not always motivated to put the work in, it's easier for me to hide in my work than it is to face personal challenges.  With all of the other changes going on however, this seems to be as good a time as any to make a concerted effort to define the difference between who I am and what I do...just one more notable difference.

Casseroles, Deviled Eggs and Banana Pudding

I'm not sure there is anyone who does potlucks better than church families.  If you've grown up going to church potlucks you know they always include casseroles, deviled eggs and banana pudding.  There's a rule book somewhere I'm sure that lists those as staple items for potlucks.

Today I participated in a potluck at my church.  I took a dish of course, I always do, but if you've seen my many culinary crises on facebook, you know that cooking is not my strength.  I also haven't figured out how to take something hot.  Sounds stupid right?  I'm serious though!  I don't know how to take a hot casserole to meal that won't be eaten for a while.  Do I cook it first and take it hot, so that it's lukewarm (if not cool) by the time we eat it?  Do I take it made, but not cooked and borrow oven space at church?  Crockpot stuff I could do, but a baked casserole requires logistics.  I know...I make things too difficult.  

I don't own a deviled egg holder; necessary if that's going to be your potluck contribution.  I prefer to take something that I don't mind coming home with, which means I don't take dessert.  If I come home with dessert, I eat the dessert...by myself.  Today I took raw veggies and ranch dip.  It being summer, I thought that was a good choice.  I didn't have to worry about hot food getting cold, cooking at church or coming home with a bunch of calories.

While potlucks are known for great food, the purpose of course is to fellowship with others.  It's an opportunity to share a meal and conversation with, in this case, other church members.

As you all maybe aware, I've recently changed jobs.  I'm excited about the opportunities ahead of me, but there is a lot of uncertainty for me as well.  I'll save the details for another post, but I mention it here because that job change is part of what motivated me to stay for the potluck.  Weird connection, I know, but it makes sense...

For the first time since I've lived alone as an adult, I will be living and working in the same city.  The relationships I've built in the last two years, for the most part, are people who do not live in Enid.  While I very much value those relationships and I'll be doing my best to maintain many of them, the byproduct is that I don't really have many solid connections here.  I've lived here for two years and I have definitely developed acquaintances and the beginnings of friendships, but I haven't been in town enough to build solid relationships.  That is getting ready to change dramatically.  I will no longer travel.  With the exception of occasional weekends to visit family, I will be in town.  It's time that I build some relationships.  

I read an article recently that discussed the characteristic of humans as social animals.  Frankly put, we need social interaction to keep us sane.  It is no secret that am an introvert and social situations are very difficult for me, but I need social interaction to keep me sane.  I need it to help me be happy and healthy.  

Today that social interaction came because of casseroles, deviled eggs and banana pudding.