Happy Halloween!!!
In honor of Halloween, I gave the blog a new look. I have been trying to find some time to “spruce” it up and finally got to do so this week. We had a progressive Halloween party this weekend at SSW and it was lots of fun! I was a sixty’s girl with a FABLOUS pink wig! This is just another example of what a wonderful community I live in and how much fun we have together!
This week I had the honor of being a part of two prospective students visits to campus. I loved having the opportunity to give back to SSW, especially because it has given me so much. It is great to be able to show my school off. I hope to continue to be a part of prospective students’ visits to campus. It wasn’t that long ago that I was in their shoes, so it is a gift to be a part of their discernment process. I truly believe that if you are called to be a priest, then you should go to the seminary that is right for you. That is what I did and I am exactly where God wants me to be.
I want to tell you all about my Liturgy class. My professor is so knowledgeable and has amazing energy. Sometimes when I am in class listening to him I think, wow, this is not the way I understood that! I don’t think he is trying to change my mind, he is just trying to get me to look at things through a different lens. It is refreshing to really feel like you are learning. The knowledge I am gaining often feels like it is seeping into my bones. This knowledge is going straight to my core and connecting my love of God in my heart with my love of God in my head. My professor often says just let this information wash over you. I am doing my best….
I have several group projects and papers due in the coming weeks. I ask your prayers during this challenging but growing time. I am sure that I will make it, but I must admit I am a bit anxious. I don’t just want to mark things off my list; I want to do the work well. I don’t tell him enough, but thank you Daddy for reading everything I write. My Daddy has given me a huge gift of taking on the role of reviewing many of my papers. He is encouraging and teaching me so much. Of course this is in addition to taking care of the hundreds of sheep that need him! Thank you Daddy for taking such good care of all your sheep!! I hope one day I can be half the shepherd you are.
Finally, St. Mary’s family, I will be preaching on February 19th at all four services. Please mark your calendars. It will be my great honor to preach once again in the Church that is supporting me so much on this journey. I miss you all daily and I carry you in my heart.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Seminary of the Southwest Christ Chapel
The view I get to experience everytime I attend Christ Chapel!!!!!!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Lovely Day, Lovely Week......
Lovely Day, Lovely Week….
As many of you all might know, I am a huge Bill Withers fan and “Lovely Day” is one of my favorite songs. Well this week I have had many Lovely Days in fact it has been a Lovely Week. So I have played Bill’s song several times on my ipod in honor of this week. As much as I absolutely love my classes (I am not being sarcastic here) it was time for a break. This is how I spent my week:
Monday: Coffee with my friend Vivian and I worked on a paper. I filled up my car with gas for the first time since August and it still had a half of tank left! I also went on my first thrift shop excursion. I loved it! I went in with a plan and a very strict budget (a whopping $30). I came out with some great finds and $2 to spare. As you all know I am on a very tight budget (I don’t have a job), so thrift shops are the way to go. Austin is known for all its wonderful thrift stores. I had so much fun I might never walk in a department store again. A sweet friend sent me a gift certificate to Whole Foods (the flagship store is here in Austin). So I ended the day with some fun treats from Whole Foods and a lovely phone chat with my Aunt Sally.
Tuesday: I did some reading for my Liturgy and Bible classes. Watched a video on the Old Testament with my friend Jodi (yes, this is how seminarians like to spend their free time). I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education applications (no small task I might say) and put them in the mail. Yeah!!! I got to visit with my very dear friend Camille by phone and picked up my buddies Seth and Amber at the airport. As a treat, I got to go to PTerry’s with them for a burger. The burgers were fantastic and the shakes and conversation were even better!
Wednesday: I watched more videos on the Old Testament, took Owen on a long walk and worked on another paper. I also wrote out all of the papers and projects I have due before the end of the semester and made a calendar. There are 10 of them and 4 are due on the last day of classes. Y’all start praying!!! I ended the day with my friends Samantha and James at a fun pizza place called Red House. Samantha and James have become dear friends and we always have a fun time together.
Thursday: Coffee again with Vivian and finished the second paper! More reading and video watching. Owen got a haircut and my apartment got a good clean. I got to go to dinner with a new friend Ainsley. It is exciting to get to know someone outside of the seminary. She was so kind to me and I am looking forward to spending time with her.
Friday: More reading, more videos and a girl’s lunch! We went to a wonderful sandwich shop called Foodheads and it reminded me of Julia’s in Sewanee. It was lots of fun to be with the girls at a fun restaurant and visit. I ended the day with ice cream with my fellow postulants from the Diocese of Alabama and VERY dear friends Seth and Donna.
Saturday: Great catch up phone calls with two dear friends Emily and Ashley. More videos, more reading, long walks for Owen and I; a wonderful day of relaxation!!!
I think I see a pattern, lots of reading, rest and great food in Austin this week! It will be back to regular scheduled programming next week but everyday this week was Lovely.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
As many of you all might know, I am a huge Bill Withers fan and “Lovely Day” is one of my favorite songs. Well this week I have had many Lovely Days in fact it has been a Lovely Week. So I have played Bill’s song several times on my ipod in honor of this week. As much as I absolutely love my classes (I am not being sarcastic here) it was time for a break. This is how I spent my week:
Monday: Coffee with my friend Vivian and I worked on a paper. I filled up my car with gas for the first time since August and it still had a half of tank left! I also went on my first thrift shop excursion. I loved it! I went in with a plan and a very strict budget (a whopping $30). I came out with some great finds and $2 to spare. As you all know I am on a very tight budget (I don’t have a job), so thrift shops are the way to go. Austin is known for all its wonderful thrift stores. I had so much fun I might never walk in a department store again. A sweet friend sent me a gift certificate to Whole Foods (the flagship store is here in Austin). So I ended the day with some fun treats from Whole Foods and a lovely phone chat with my Aunt Sally.
Tuesday: I did some reading for my Liturgy and Bible classes. Watched a video on the Old Testament with my friend Jodi (yes, this is how seminarians like to spend their free time). I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education applications (no small task I might say) and put them in the mail. Yeah!!! I got to visit with my very dear friend Camille by phone and picked up my buddies Seth and Amber at the airport. As a treat, I got to go to PTerry’s with them for a burger. The burgers were fantastic and the shakes and conversation were even better!
Wednesday: I watched more videos on the Old Testament, took Owen on a long walk and worked on another paper. I also wrote out all of the papers and projects I have due before the end of the semester and made a calendar. There are 10 of them and 4 are due on the last day of classes. Y’all start praying!!! I ended the day with my friends Samantha and James at a fun pizza place called Red House. Samantha and James have become dear friends and we always have a fun time together.
Thursday: Coffee again with Vivian and finished the second paper! More reading and video watching. Owen got a haircut and my apartment got a good clean. I got to go to dinner with a new friend Ainsley. It is exciting to get to know someone outside of the seminary. She was so kind to me and I am looking forward to spending time with her.
Friday: More reading, more videos and a girl’s lunch! We went to a wonderful sandwich shop called Foodheads and it reminded me of Julia’s in Sewanee. It was lots of fun to be with the girls at a fun restaurant and visit. I ended the day with ice cream with my fellow postulants from the Diocese of Alabama and VERY dear friends Seth and Donna.
Saturday: Great catch up phone calls with two dear friends Emily and Ashley. More videos, more reading, long walks for Owen and I; a wonderful day of relaxation!!!
I think I see a pattern, lots of reading, rest and great food in Austin this week! It will be back to regular scheduled programming next week but everyday this week was Lovely.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Saturday, October 15, 2011
A few cooler days, if 91 degrees is cooler....
A few cooler days, if 91 degrees is cooler…..
It is Fall Break here at the Seminary of the Southwest!!! We are enjoying some cooler weather (only the low 90’s versus the high 90’s) but I will take it! I will say I was very ready for the break. While I really enjoy all of my classes and am learning a lot, everyone needs a break! It will be nice to catch up on schoolwork, sleep late and hopefully get to be a part of some fun Austin adventures.
One of the priorities of the junior class is to visit different Churches in the Austin area. The faculty asks us to do this to get a sense of where we might like to do our parish fieldwork. I have been to three different Churches - and they were all COMPLETELY different. I really enjoyed them all but nothing feels like St. Mary’s to me. I guess it is part of my formation to let go of my past and to be open to my future. It is very likely that the Church I will serve will be very different from St. Mary’s, so this exposure to different types of parishes is a good thing. We have to write a report after each visit. I think this is a very good assignment and I feel sure that God will lead me to the perfect field education experience.
We did have a Blessing of the Animals liturgy here at SSW. Of course Owen received his annual blessing. Lots of people have animals, so it was fun to meet them all. We also celebrated the founder of SSW, The Rt. Rev. John Hines. John Hines was Bishop of Texas and then the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church during the Civil Rights movement. It was fun to have his family and our Board of Trustees on campus. I really enjoyed meeting them all and learning more about this very special man.
I also am working very hard on my Clinical Pastoral Education applications. Next summer I will be an intern chaplain at a hospital. I am applying in Birmingham, Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. So stay tuned on where I will be spending the summer of 2012!
The Seminary of the Southwest admission’s department just produced new, FANTASTIC videos about SSW. I encourage you to check out these videos so that you can experience first hand my wonderful school. www.ssw.edu/videos
I hope this love note finds you all well. I continue to think of you all often and you remain in my daily prayers.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
It is Fall Break here at the Seminary of the Southwest!!! We are enjoying some cooler weather (only the low 90’s versus the high 90’s) but I will take it! I will say I was very ready for the break. While I really enjoy all of my classes and am learning a lot, everyone needs a break! It will be nice to catch up on schoolwork, sleep late and hopefully get to be a part of some fun Austin adventures.
One of the priorities of the junior class is to visit different Churches in the Austin area. The faculty asks us to do this to get a sense of where we might like to do our parish fieldwork. I have been to three different Churches - and they were all COMPLETELY different. I really enjoyed them all but nothing feels like St. Mary’s to me. I guess it is part of my formation to let go of my past and to be open to my future. It is very likely that the Church I will serve will be very different from St. Mary’s, so this exposure to different types of parishes is a good thing. We have to write a report after each visit. I think this is a very good assignment and I feel sure that God will lead me to the perfect field education experience.
We did have a Blessing of the Animals liturgy here at SSW. Of course Owen received his annual blessing. Lots of people have animals, so it was fun to meet them all. We also celebrated the founder of SSW, The Rt. Rev. John Hines. John Hines was Bishop of Texas and then the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church during the Civil Rights movement. It was fun to have his family and our Board of Trustees on campus. I really enjoyed meeting them all and learning more about this very special man.
I also am working very hard on my Clinical Pastoral Education applications. Next summer I will be an intern chaplain at a hospital. I am applying in Birmingham, Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. So stay tuned on where I will be spending the summer of 2012!
The Seminary of the Southwest admission’s department just produced new, FANTASTIC videos about SSW. I encourage you to check out these videos so that you can experience first hand my wonderful school. www.ssw.edu/videos
I hope this love note finds you all well. I continue to think of you all often and you remain in my daily prayers.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Sometimes Life Hurts.....
Sometimes life hurts….
As many of you know my first cousin Zachary died this week. Zachary was a young man who came in to my life about 20 years ago. My aunt Mary Gibson adopted Zachary Polk and his sister Ashley Morgan when they were 3 and 5 years old. I remember being excited for my Aunt, who had finally become a mother to these two children. Zachary and Ashley desperately needed a mother and a family and that is exactly what they got. In turn, our family was blessed with two precious children who gave us all so much joy. I remember seeing Zachary for the first time and those beautiful eyes. He was FULL of energy and loved Monteagle, our summer home. It is most fitting that he will be buried there. I thank God for giving us Zachary and Ashley and the short time we had with Zachary.
My family has lost two important members of our family in the last two months. We love you Margaret and Zachary and we know that you are in the arms of God and visiting with Dear. I am sure she is welcoming you and taking great care of you both.
I must say it is VERY difficult not to be with my family this weekend. I would like to hold Daddy’s hand as he prepares to preach the homily at his nephew’s memorial service. I would like to hug Aunt Mary Gibson and Ashley and let them know how much I love them. I can’t do any of this and it is hard to understand this situation. I do know that God is with us. He wants me to cry with Him and to know that all will be well. I try to remember that on a daily basis, but especially this weekend.
Next week, I will catch you up on my life here in Austin. This week, I just want to remember Margaret and Zachary and thank God for putting them in my life.
Father of all, we pray to you for Zachary and Margaret, and for all those whom who we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
As many of you know my first cousin Zachary died this week. Zachary was a young man who came in to my life about 20 years ago. My aunt Mary Gibson adopted Zachary Polk and his sister Ashley Morgan when they were 3 and 5 years old. I remember being excited for my Aunt, who had finally become a mother to these two children. Zachary and Ashley desperately needed a mother and a family and that is exactly what they got. In turn, our family was blessed with two precious children who gave us all so much joy. I remember seeing Zachary for the first time and those beautiful eyes. He was FULL of energy and loved Monteagle, our summer home. It is most fitting that he will be buried there. I thank God for giving us Zachary and Ashley and the short time we had with Zachary.
My family has lost two important members of our family in the last two months. We love you Margaret and Zachary and we know that you are in the arms of God and visiting with Dear. I am sure she is welcoming you and taking great care of you both.
I must say it is VERY difficult not to be with my family this weekend. I would like to hold Daddy’s hand as he prepares to preach the homily at his nephew’s memorial service. I would like to hug Aunt Mary Gibson and Ashley and let them know how much I love them. I can’t do any of this and it is hard to understand this situation. I do know that God is with us. He wants me to cry with Him and to know that all will be well. I try to remember that on a daily basis, but especially this weekend.
Next week, I will catch you up on my life here in Austin. This week, I just want to remember Margaret and Zachary and thank God for putting them in my life.
Father of all, we pray to you for Zachary and Margaret, and for all those whom who we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Sunday, October 2, 2011
A week of firsts......
A week of firsts…
This week has been a week of firsts. Some good, some bad, but my formation is happening. I am surrounded by people that challenge me everyday and that is a good thing! I am learning to live in community and stretch myself. This process will only help me to be the best priest I can be.
So this week’s firsts include:
- Walking the Labyrinth. If you have never walked a labyrinth, I encourage you to do so. It is a peaceful and calming experience. I felt God’s presence all around me while I was walking. There were wind chimes blowing in the wind, beautiful yellow flowers in my view and most importantly the Holy Spirit was present. You can learn more about the Labyrinth experience at: www.labyrinthsociety.org
- I attended my first Spanish Eucharist. A Spanish service occurs weekly in Christ Chapel, but for one reason or another I have not been able to attend. It was wonderful to sing all the hymns in Spanish and actually receive Jesus’ body and blood in words that were unfamiliar to me. It was a glorious celebration of the Hispanic Heritage and St. Michael’s and All Angels.
- I officiated for the first time on Thursday at Morning Prayer! I was so nervous. I have been a lecture and a chalice bearer before, but I have never been responsible for the entire service. I practiced and practiced and did my best to prepare, but I was still very nervous. When the service started God gave me peace and, of course, we worshipped Him in the exact way we were suppose to that morning. It was a wonderful experience and I am very excited to learn more about the liturgy of the Episcopal Church and how to officiate at different worship services.
I did practice my non-anxious presence this week. There were some moments that I was more successful than others ☺, but I will continue to work on it. I look forward to seeing what this week has in store for me. I also continue to miss you all so much and feel your powerful prayers. Thank you for your love!
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
This week has been a week of firsts. Some good, some bad, but my formation is happening. I am surrounded by people that challenge me everyday and that is a good thing! I am learning to live in community and stretch myself. This process will only help me to be the best priest I can be.
So this week’s firsts include:
- Walking the Labyrinth. If you have never walked a labyrinth, I encourage you to do so. It is a peaceful and calming experience. I felt God’s presence all around me while I was walking. There were wind chimes blowing in the wind, beautiful yellow flowers in my view and most importantly the Holy Spirit was present. You can learn more about the Labyrinth experience at: www.labyrinthsociety.org
- I attended my first Spanish Eucharist. A Spanish service occurs weekly in Christ Chapel, but for one reason or another I have not been able to attend. It was wonderful to sing all the hymns in Spanish and actually receive Jesus’ body and blood in words that were unfamiliar to me. It was a glorious celebration of the Hispanic Heritage and St. Michael’s and All Angels.
- I officiated for the first time on Thursday at Morning Prayer! I was so nervous. I have been a lecture and a chalice bearer before, but I have never been responsible for the entire service. I practiced and practiced and did my best to prepare, but I was still very nervous. When the service started God gave me peace and, of course, we worshipped Him in the exact way we were suppose to that morning. It was a wonderful experience and I am very excited to learn more about the liturgy of the Episcopal Church and how to officiate at different worship services.
I did practice my non-anxious presence this week. There were some moments that I was more successful than others ☺, but I will continue to work on it. I look forward to seeing what this week has in store for me. I also continue to miss you all so much and feel your powerful prayers. Thank you for your love!
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
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