Claimed, gathered and sent

It is my privilege to be the house chaplain this week at Grant Memorial Hospital here in Petersburg. Although I have previously covered for others, this is my first official week as chaplain. And to make it even more interesting, Mon. and Tues. I was away for continuing education with my supervisor and others. Now that I've been back a few days, I feel like I'm really hitting my stride. Several of the patients recognize me now as I've visited with them a few times. A couple of them waved when they saw me coming while others smiled. There were a couple of outstanding incidents today in my visits, however. In the first instance, when I glanced into one of the rooms, I only saw one patient. The second bed in the room was stripped, so I thought her roommate must have gone home. I looked again and there she was sitting in the corner. She is a woman of great faith. In today's conversation especially, it was evident that this lady has been walking with God for many years. She...

We have now been here in Petersburg, WV for internship just over a month. School began here in August--1 week before it began in Gettysburg--well before it began for my granddaughter in Rochester, NY. First grade began for her this past Thursday after Labor Day. Everything and everyone is gearing up for the school year routine. What is particularly different about this year is hearing about what's happening on the Gettysburg Seminary campus, but not being involved in it. I still follow the news via the Redactor , the seminary's daily news. There are familiar and not so familiar names. It is a different world there than here. I miss the people and some of the activities, like the Fri. night bonfires in the quad. But I absolutely love internship here in the Potomac Highlands. Actually doing the work I have been trained for is particularly rewarding, especially when I "get it right." Of course, there are also those times when I am so very aware of my shortcomings and how...