Confessions of a Volunteer, Part 3

When I first arrived I went to every service, 9AM and 9PM, every day. As my time continued I found reasons to not walk back over for the evening service or to skip the morning service for a little extra sleep. Now that I am in my last month on Iona I have recommitted to going to service again. The sleep and the walk are not enough to satisfy my longing for the music, good words, insights and challenges I receive. I am glad I’ve returned to the practice of twice daily worship. Services are so lovely and give me so much, even when I roll my eyes over the “practical notices”. IT’s rather nice to have been here so long I’ve committed them to memory.

I am beginning to think of things I’ll miss when I leave in a couple weeks. The list is gets long in a hurry. But there is one thing I will happily say good riddance to: our shower. It is always sparkling clean (thanks to my housemate) that’s not the problem. The problem is our shower is tiny. And sometimes the water temperature changes without warning. But the worst part is stepping out and drying off in the icy cold. I hate it with a passion. This is the only thing I will leave without a backward glance. My list of things to savor and remember with great fondness goes on and on and on: people, food, worship, laughter, scenery, weather, walks, rocks, rhubarb, singing,