I just finished my first "official" week as chaplain of Collins Hall and am loving it. We started training in early August, so it feels like I have been here for ever. But since the first week of school is coming to an end, I now feel like I have officially made it through my "first week."

This is going to be an amazing experience for me. I will be pushed in brand new ways and grow spiritually beyond what I can even comprehend. It's funny how being the "spiritual leader" of a place doesn't mean you can't grow...and I am certainly no exception. I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of the year I feel like I have grown more in my spiritual journey than my residents...is that backwards? Perhaps.

My favorite part so far is my "toilet ministry." That's right...toilet ministry (community bathrooms do have their perks!) Basically I hang two publications on the back of each of the 110 stalls in Collins Hall. One that is called "Collins' Hall Happenings" and the other is called "The Spiritual Flush" they are fantastic. and even better the girls keep saying "oh, you're the one who writes on the back of the bathrooms!" ...i love being that person :)

Now onto the title of this post. I am definitely learning that I cannot be selfish with this job. I enjoy having control over my life, every morning I wake up I do a "run down" of what my day will look like. (let's just say this might explain why I'm not very spontaneous). But being pastoral has taught me that I need to be able to adjust my day to the needs of my residents. Some days that means staying up an extra hour or so doing homework because a girl needed me to be an available set of ears that she could talk to. Other days it means realizing that my school assignment that should only take 30 minutes of undivided attention will take 3 hours because I need to sit up at the front desk so that I am a visible presence in the hall...thus partaking in "small talk" while doing my homework. It also means opening my little apartment to the 600 girls of Collins Hall regardless of whether there are dirty dishes in the sink or not...

At the end of the day though, by giving up of my personal time and space I know that I am making a difference, and that these girls are making a difference in me. I look up to so many of them, their faith is so strong. I had no idea what I was getting into when I interviewed for this job, but I am already beginning to see how God is shaping me into the type of ministry he has planned for me...if I'm willing to accept. So far it looks good :)