nerdy methodist.

i am a nerd.
and a methodist.
and i like annual conference.
if you don't know what it is... well. its a conference. and its lots of preachers. and delegates. and you hear speakers. and well this AC we have adam hamilton. and he is a great speaker. and we are at lake junaluska so its beautiful. and you see lots of people.
but i digress....

today. i went to a "finance and budget discussion".... two of my least favorite things. but i did it as a favor to a friend. and to write a post for the UMC website. (yea. nerd.)
anyway... to all of you guys who are so interested in this i decided to post here. enjoy.

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Holy budgeting.

While others of you were gathering under the beautiful trees sharing stories, or nestled in a rocking chair reading one of Adam Hamilton’s best sellers, I was able to take part in the finance and budget discussion here in the auditorium. To say I know anything about finance would be an overstatement. I am clueless- but luckily I came away with a few key items that I think would be helpful for all of us to know.

First on everyone’s mind may be how the decrease in districts will affect the budget. Overtime the budget will decrease because of it, but in this first year there are just too many uncertainties to see a big change. There is an allotted contingency fund that is higher than years past, to be used as we figure out this transition. One other increase that can be seen in is the information technology line. As our district superintendents transition to a more “mobile” position, hopefully being on the road 4 days a week, having up-to-date technology will be vital for success. This will also allow for the conference to transition to a new more modern website that allows more continuity throughout each district.

One line item that intrigued me was the “Leadership Development” line that nearly doubled for this next year. It seemed a bit vague, but the conference will be using this funding to send clergy and laity to different educational opportunities throughout the year. Conferences, workshops, and continuing education have a high priority in our conference, which I believe is vital for our future.

There were two other major concerns discussed in our dialogue. First was the cost of health benefits. The only change here was of course the continued rise. Many people are worried about this, but our conference is doing everything they can to keep costs low but still provide high quality care. Every three years the benefits are re-examined and all major and minor carriers are considered. The overall health of the denomination is what is worrisome and what causes the price to be so high.

Finally, there is a lot of concern in regards to the decrease in giving to our health and human services outreaches. There is a large decrease in that giving, but it comes down to two main things. The first thing discussed was that our conference is doing new things. We are moving in new directions. If we keep giving the same thing, to the same people, there cannot be growth or change. Secondly, we have to pay the fixed costs first (salary, pensions, health benefits etc.). Often times we are unable to pay the additional funds so these are the places that are cut. In our discussion a pastor challenged us to bring these discussions up in our local churches. This will be an excellent way for the churches that are able to step up and care for the local ministries of our church. This is an excellent challenge and it will be interesting to see churches rise up and give.

There was a lot that was discussed in our ninety-minute time slot- some of which was completely over my head. The biggest take-away I had from this discussion was that there are many people in our conference who have spent hours upon hours praying over and juggling with this budget. People are passionate about this (shocking- I know!) and truly don’t get enough credit for the hard work they put into creating this masterpiece flow sheet. After listening to them discuss the issues and concerns it is evident that our trust should be in them because they are listening to the Lord and feel His guidance for the upcoming year. 

Pause.

Dear blog family... I've been thinking a lot lately. About my blog. And the lack of it. I don't have any answers. Or a plan. I don't know when or what to blog about. It's weird. I'm just blank. I don't feel as witty as some. As wise as others. And as creative as those artsy ones. Perhaps I'll get out of this funk. Maybe I'll take the blog in a new direction. Or maybe I'll continue to post my daily whereabouts. I dunno. But for now... I'll post a picture of the most beautiful baby I have ever known. And feel so lucky to know. Her momma is pretty special gal. And whether Lillie likes it or not... I'm gonna be around a long while. So she better get used to my kisses and hugs and surprises. Those will come later. When she can appreciate being spoiled. :). Hope these brighten your day ;)

ja'makin me happy mon'

3 days into my residency and i needed a vacation. 

me and ryan had been planning to go on a vacation in august probably since the moment we got back from colorado last summer. we just didnt know where. 

i decided this weekend I was making the move. we were going to decide on our trip. 

after lots of looking. and searching. and cruise hunting. and travel guide reading. and groupon scrolling. and livingsocial perusing. it was decided. 

jamaica. 

5 nights. 

at an all inclusive resort. 

and yeah. it was insanely good deal. 

kinda too good. like it makes ryan really nervous good deal. 

haha... im all about some groupon. 

i mean with a jacuzzi like this, 

and a view like this: 

its going to be wonderful. 

...and no. we aren't staying in one of those cool tiki huts. 

2 reasons. 

1- no AC

2- 50$ exra a night. (that adds up)

anyway. we still have an ocean view room with AC :) 

my residency just got a whole lot better. 

day dreaming of vacation everyday makes anything better. 

Lately

well. i graduated. 

...sorta.

 

the tricky thing is- i don't actually graduate until august. this is my empty diploma. 

...and after graduation they took this back too. 

i did walk across the stage. shake the dean's hand. wear a cool hood. 

oh and forget to give the announcer man my name card... so i had to whisper in his ear my name. 

apparently danielle snider is too hard. 

rebecca snider is what came out. 

my mom jokes-- she doesn't know who this rebecca snider is. 

true. its an odd name. 

but whatever. 

i am currently in my residency. 

everyday this summer from 8-5 i'll be "working" ...for free. 

and doing lots of random things my doctor asks... like research this. find out this. do this. 

ok. whatever. 

august will be here before i know it. 

thank goodness. :) 

im ready for a job. an income.

oh. and a vacation.

more than just a few days in raleigh--- although. that was loads of fun. 

it was great seeing these two ladies. two of the best gals i know. 

it was awesome great seeing the family. always nice to relax and hang out with them! 

welp. thats about it these days. 

tonight we are spicing life up a little by going to a minor league baseball game! 

best part of all... fireworks after!

hopefully the blog won't suffer this summer.... i mean- i am going to florida to see my best friend's baby in less than a month! thats going to be AWESOME!!

and then another good friend is getting married in june. one in july. 

and helllLLLLOOOO vacation in august. 

despite this 8-5 "job"- i WILL make it a  fun summer!

It is finished...

My academic work of grad school is over. I'm done with tests. Papers. Research. Writeups. And class. Beautiful I tell you. The past few days I have wanted to blog, but haven't felt like it. So I haven't. It's a good feeling to have to no responsibility. I get to read. Quilt. Go on walks with mowgli. Dye my hair. And then re-dye it. And do lots of shopping... At goodwill and other thrift shops of course :) its been wonderful. Now on to a
Night of Harry potter movies :) tomorrow is looking like a busy day of quilting followed by a movie date ;) two weeks of freedom... It's beautiful!

motivation

im lacking it.
i only have one final to study for.... but i can't find the mojo to do it.
i try. i study. i make it about an hour and im bored. tired. exhausted. done.

hm.

ive gotten 2 hours of studying in today.
a few hours yesterday.

maybe ill walk through the little antique store next door to the coffee shop im in to get a lil blood flowing. blah.

the end is so so so near.
im almost there.

1 final.
1 1/2 days of clinical.
done.

and then my residency.... which i still don't have my placement yet. lets not talk about that.

here's to studying....

april :snow: showers- brings may flowers?!

hm. well. its snowing. yes. snowing.
its april 22.
and snowing.

bizarre right. yeah. it is. i planted tulips a few weeks ago. they are covered up by a towel. talk about classy front yard. but of course... my tulips are shockingly coming up! this year! ...hopefully they will survive the next few days though.

anyway. its crazy.
kinda like life lately.
crazy.
i actually send the end of school. its right here. in front of me. one more class. one more exam. loads of paperwork (proving im doing all these clinicals and online work). and then. a trip to durham. to graduate.

holy smokes. im excited.
residency will be here soon- and im ready! i can't wait.

little lillie is coming to town  the world soon. :) im so very excited about that too. just this hugely life-changing event in the life of my best friend- i can't wait. i can't wait to see this little precious bundle of joy and celebrate with my best friend. i can't wait to hug the bestie. cry. laugh. hug. its going to be awesome!!!

and then... there are lots of other babies coming into the world soon after that! nope. not for me. but lots of other fun people! some of which are still secret :) its an exciting time in our life! but gosh! its crazy!!

here's to my last week of graduate school classes. ever. woah.
i can't believe its already here.

love. peace. excitement. oh and a little snow- from me to YOU!