Hi everyone ~

Early next week I am submitting my application to the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program up at our big hospital.

The program is from September to May, two days a week and only has room for 8 students. If accepted, I would be a chaplain for two units in the hospital, responsible to visit with each patient on my units in the mornings and then attend the classes in the afternoons.

So, this weekend I have several big essays to write for my application. And I'm so EXCITED about the possibility of doing this wonderful program that I won't even mind writing my heart out all weekend to get the essays completed!

I wish the program started immediately instead of next September!

While I was being interviewed for it today -- a LONG interview, too! -- I just got so enthused by the quality of the minister in charge of it. The guy is terrific and I will learn much from him.

Oh, and because it is pastoral training, the 8 students are chosen from among all types of churches and is meant to be a widely diverse group of men and women. They think it helps in pastoral education to learn from and be exposed to people of many beliefs.

Cool, huh?

Merme

That is so awesome Merme! I hope you get a chance to do this! It would be a wonderful experience! Good luck!

That's very cool Merme!

The best of luck to you!

Merme,
Way cool ! What a wonderful way to share your faith and experiences... will add this to my prayers for you....
Nana

Merme I am really hoping and praying for you to get this!!! That would be wonderful!!

Finally had a chance to sit and read this...I can feel your excitement in your words!! I amm praying that things go well for you!!

thats great merme!! best of luck to ya!

That is awesome Merme! I hope you get the position!!! Will be praying for you.

Merme, I am so happy for you. What a wonderful opportunity and chance to learn.

Are you close to the hospital?

How wonderful, Merme! I will pray that you get the position.

Very cool!!

I am 16 miles from the hospital, Tamara.

And, the program runs from 8 AM to 4 PM. Maxi leaves at 7 for school and I can arrange he do his after school activities on those days so he wouldn't return home til 5. So I could easily get him off to school, get up to town and then return before he gets home. The schedule could be perfect for us.

The element in all of this that I really like is that this hospital not only provides primary care for local people, but tertiary care for people sent here from all over our state, NH and MA. So, many of the patients are isolated, far from normal support of family and friends. And even worse in some cases, from extremely rural areas up north and they get very troubled by even being in "the big city". So, these are the people who are not just suffering from an illness that requires hospitalization, but also suffering from being far away from home and the people and sights they are used to. It would be so nice to be able to be supportive to them!

Merme

Very cool Merme---I sure hope you get chosen!

This is great, Merme!
I sure hope you are chosen.

You DESERVE to be chosen. I think you may have been chosen already somehow.

merme, somehow, i do think this is something made for you and i'm sending my prayers and good wishes for you.