"Welcome to the North Carolina Museum of Art. My name is Ms. J!"

[ I am ridiculously behind on recording the happenings of the Dulins. And there have been many exciting happenings. My goal is to get caught up this week so be prepared for one too many posts from me. ]

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At the end of May, I officially "graduated" from docent training and now am a full-fledged docent. What started out to be a "Hey, I've got museum experience and an art history degree..." has turned into "What the heck did get myself into I can't remember a thing about anything I've learned!"

This is just a portion of our class.

The great thing about the training was its intentional focus AWAY from art historical facts and info toward teaching methodologies that give the docent tools and skills to engage and provide the visitor with an "experience." Did you get that? Right. Afterall, if you are a visitor (of any age) do you really want me to spit out to you a string of facts that you will most likely forget OR find yourself through google, or would you rather learn how to look at art?

Who wants to be told, "This is an important, beautiful piece because the experts say so, therefore like it."? Why is that any different than saying, "This is an expensive slab of beef, you must like the taste." History has its place in art, but one's response to art will always be subjective.

The most interesting thing for me has been the connection between this docent training and the Bible study I took this past year -- "Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Studying the Bible."  I feel strongly God has me in a place of teaching. Crazy. Me, teaching. Just a note, one's response to God's Word should never be subjective.

I already have 3 tours under my belt. All three were in the 8-9 yr old range (which is the most popular age of school groups that visit most museums). Next week I have my first adult tour. It is one I actually scheduled myself for my Bible study ladies and a few other ladies from church. I'm looking forward to finally touring for adults.

The crazy thing about touring with kids is the need I have to be in constant entertainment mode. By the time the hour is done, I am literally exhausted from the adrenaline and high energy output I've given. The best thing about touring with kids is they have energy and full of questions and very engaged.

Lucy, Beverly and Dotti

But the best part about the whole docent experience has been the friendships I have made with some of my colleagues. There is a group of six of us who are particularly close and in that group there are 3 I am very close to. These are women from the same generation (they are almost old enough to be my mother in age).

Gerie and Emily

Last fall I began realizing this group was part of my mission field. And the relationships developed from this group in my life has been a work of God. I have had opportunities to share my faith and to continue to share what Christ does in my life. These ladies expect to see me living the Christian life. There has been great opportunity to give a Bible to one friend and literally teach her how to use it. There have been conversations about deep hurts and how God heals. One docent and her husband came to Danny's baptism.

The harvest IS plenty, and the workers are few.... I remember several months ago when I said to Danny, "Maybe this whole docent thing isn't even about the art or the museum. Maybe its about these relationships God orchestrated."

And my loving Danny looked at me with his beautiful green eyes that practically said, "No duh."