Social Life Online?

Social life these days for me is the Internet. Rob and I don’t really go out that much, because there’s really not much to do. Basketball games are not our thing; we are not sports fans. There aren’t that many restaurants either. Shopping is best whenever we venture out of the mountains, either to Charleston or Lexington. The church is keeping Rob busy, and it’s keeping me busy, too. Also, finding a deaf community has been proven difficult. So for me, I relax by emailing my family, blogging and uploading pictures, and chatting with family and friends online and on videophone.

Recently, my brother and sister in law has joined Facebook. Through that, we stay in touch. This is so much better than emails or phones, because it’s a direct, live conversation between us.

Last week at a school, I met a deaf adult finally since the move. He lives in the area. (I don’t count the Sorenson videophone consultants who came twice to set up the phone.) He and I exchanged information, and via emails, he kept me informed about state meetings and events. The other night, I chatted with an old friend back in Virginia who informed me about the deaf community across the Kentucky/Virginia border. It’s a little far, but it’s a start. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get involved with the local deaf community in some form.

Online tonight, I was tagged by another set of two friends one new and one old. Both of them reached out to me sharing their recent struggles and asking for advice. Through online, I was there for them. I hope I was able to help them.

I guess socialization online isn’t a bad thing, as long it is done in moderation. Right?

Dear Third Presbyterian Church

Open Letter to the Church in Staunton, Virginia:

Dear Third Presbyterian Church,

Since the move, we are slowly getting settled into our new lives in Kentucky. Most of the boxes are unpacked. We still have a few left. Rob is getting used to the routine of writing a sermon every week. We are learning more and more about small, friendly, cozy community called Canada. I am becoming comfortable with this new role: an itinerant teacher. A lot of driving, I must say. But I love the kids I’m working with.

As the season of thanksgiving is coming upon us, we would like to take the time to thank you for all you have done for us for the past six years. Without your loving open hand and guidance, we would not be where we are today. As Jack said in his sermon on the last Sunday we were there, you opened your hands and hearts, not knowing what the journey would be like and not knowing all the answers. You did it anyway. You gave us a home for us to go through the ups and downs of our journey. You gave us opportunities to use our talents to do ministry, especially for Rob as an elder. You gave us a place for us to get married and supported us in the early years of marriage. You put up with Rob’s tenor in the choir and Rob’s long hair. You picked on us and made sure that we are being taken care of. Most of all, you were family.

There are pictures of Rob’s ordination posted on here. You can also read about it, too. Feel free to read other entries. We plan to update it as often as we can.

May God Bless,

Love, Beth and Rob

This picture is a little crooked, and this was taken at the time of our wedding. We didn’t own a digital camera then. When we come back and visit, we’ll take a better one. Or someone can email us with a better picture.

Rob’s Ordination

Rob became an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament of Highland Presbyterian Church on August 17, 2008. It was a special day for him (and for me). As his wife, this was one of the exceptional moments in my life. I have known him since the first day of college. We became friends, and we didn’t date until our senior year. I have watched him struggle in seminary. Mind you, seminary is tough. Hebrew, Greek, theology… are not a walk in the park. Since graduating from seminary with a Master’s in Divinity, it took him six years to become ordained. Why? He had to take ordination exams before he could start seeking a call. There are four ordination exams: Sacraments, Theology, Polity, and Exegetical Work. They’re all written exams. Because of his dyslexia, the church allowed him to take these exams using alternative means (after he showed proof that he couldn’t pass the written exams). He then passed them, and it took him a year to find this special place in this “holler” of Kentucky mountains — Highland Presbyterian Church.

The ordination service was moving and beautiful. The commission for ordination coordinated the service. The commission included the moderator of the presbytery, the former pastor of Highland, our pastor of Third Presbyterian Church in Staunton, the pastor of two local Presbyterian churches, the elder of Highland, and the elder of the presbytery. The moderator delivered a sermon on being neighbors based on the parable of the Samaritian and Amos 8. It was an interesting perspective. Jesus wanted us to love the Samaritans (people we hate) and how we need to show our love being neighbors. Then the pastor from Third delivered a charge to Rob; he told Rob to be himself. Then the former pastor of Highland delivered a charge to the congregation telling them to accept Rob as who he is, that he will make mistakes and will do good things, and that both will give each other the grace to forgive each other. During the ordination service, he received the stole as the symbol of the office of a pastor. The stole was a gift from Third Presbyterian Church in Staunton. The stole is called Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors. It’s gorgeous, hand-woven and made in Guatemala.

Both of our families came. It was nice to see all of them together supporting Rob in his call. We are glad that we were able to spend some time with our families as well.

If you can zoom to the picture, you can see the church sign saying “Welcome Rob and Beth Hamilton”, which was up on the day we moved to the new manse.

Highland Presbyterian Church

Back to Writing Posts

Since the move, we have been overwhelmed. Rob started his job. We unpacked (and we are still unpacking in Rob’s office and at home). We got our driver’s licenses and license plates. We met our neighbors and the congregation, and we started to get to know them. I got an interview for a job, and I got it. Rob got ordained, and both of our families came to the ordination service. I started the new job. I signed up for the last course before I graduate in December. We got a VP200 (a videophone) and got our iPhones to stay in touch with our friends and families. We are getting settled in our new home. Now, I’m back to writing posts.

Y’all come back, ya hear? Watch out for more posts soon.