How is this for a change – a blog about what I’m up to instead of my entire family? Odd, I know, but I have somethings to share. For a while now I’ve pondering what I will do with my small about free time that is coming with this next season. Owen will be in school full day soon and Graham will spend three mornings a week at preschool. I’m looking at roughly 6-9 hours of free time that never existed in my schedule before. It’s a small window of time, but it seems massive and amazing. I’ve been waiting for these days. As sad as I am about saying good bye to past seasons, I am equally excited to see what lies ahead.
I’ve said yes to a few new things over the last month. Most recently, I agreed to be an area connector for our network of credentialed women. I will arrange a few connection opportunities for the credentialed women in our local area and be available for support. I might not have all the resources these women need, but I will be a connection point for them to reach our network. I’ve always felt very strongly about women being empowered in church leadership. I look forward to stepping into this role knowing that it is something I care about. I am also hoping for new relationships to form through it. There is power in community and there is support through our network. I’m sure this position will be a growing experience and a chance at greater community.
The other new position in my life is that of wedding coordinator our church. Actually, I agreed to a trail run to make sure I enjoy the position, but I am fairly confident this will be a fun new adventure. We just had our first request for a wedding at the church this week since I’ve agreed to try the position. I am about to start this new journey very soon. I am thankful that I will have support through the church as a I figure out this new position. And I happen to know the bride fairly well, so I believe it will be quite enjoyable and hopefully, there will be lots of grace through the learning process. Weddings are a big deal and I want to make sure that I can give the bride and groom the best experience possible.
And finally, I figured I would let the cat of the bag here for the 10 people who consistently read my blog. I did something this last spring… I wrote a book. A full on, 70,000+ words book. For as long as I can remember I’ve dreamed of being an author. We’ve certainly had our seasons of excitement over the last few years and I finally felt like I had processed my experiences and was in a good place to write about them. The book focuses on the four things that matter most to me which are faith, family, home and community. It’s part spiritual memoir and practical encouragement. I’ve given myself the summer off to rest after the writing process. This fall I plan on digging into the editing process and see if I can take the book any farther than sitting on my computer. I know the publishing game can be hard. I don’t know how hard I plan to push to get it published, but I at least plan on printing my own copy to sit on my bookshelf. No matter where the book leads, I am glad I did it. I put the time into it. I shared honestly and openly. It was a project that mattered to me and I went for it. Now I don’t have to wonder if I can possibly write a book someday. I know I did it and that is a good feeling.
There were days where I was home, sitting on the floor, covered in spit up with a crying toddler who was in the midst of potty training and I would wonder if life would always be this hard, if I was always going to feel like an exhausted shell of a person. Would I ever be a functioning adult ever again? I’ve actually passed on both the area connector position and wedding coordinator position in the past because I was so deep in the baby days, I couldn’t be responsible for more than just keeping the tiny humans alive. I’m now seeing that there are seasons for everything. Saying no doesn’t always mean for forever. Some opportunities come back around or new opportunities appear.
I wasn’t missing out when I said no to these positions before. I don’t regret the years that I spent at home with my babies. And truthfully, I don’t think that a traditional 9am to 5pm job is right around the corner for me. I love my volunteering. I love the flexibility I am heading into. I am excited to help at Owen’s school. I look forward to joining my husband for meetings without having to arrange childcare or have a toddler in tow. Doors that were once closed seem to be opening.
There is anxiety and nerves over our new season of school kids and even with these new positions. New and change are always hard for me. But, I am excited with great anticipation. The kind of excited that has me nervous and wondering that I’ve gotten myself into, but also I’m thinking about the relationship I will build, the people I will meet, the ways I can use my gifts to bless others. It’s thrilling. Instead of dreading the next season and wishing for the past, I look forward with hopeful optimism. I truly believe that the best is yet to come. I can’t wait to see how I grow and I who I become through these new possibilities.
Amy Scott's Thoughts 