busy week

This week I became a candidate, under care of Presbytery, a student more certain of my call as I pursue becoming Minister of Word and Sacrament. I actually prepared nothing to go before Presbytery (aside from a short e-mailed bio that morning), because I was leading worship at the Presbytery meeting and I was preparing for classes at seminary to begin the next day. Some members of Presbytery asked some thoughtful questions, and everyone said I answered them well, so here we are!

My 2nd Sunday of field ed is tomorrow, and I met with my field ed supervisor today. We shared some of our life stories, and I think I will really like working with her. I think I can learn a lot from her. Another friend, who always seems to be concerned over what I share with her, is not so certain this is the right placement for me, or that I will learn the right things or have enough experience there. Amazing how she can come to that judgment knowing almost nothing. She's laid eyes on my supervisor, and she's been to the church once for 15 mins., and even if I gush about how things are happening, she puts a negative spin on everything and feels the need to counsel me. Friends like this I need to either spend less time with or not share as much with. Once before I told her it would be good if she just listened to me and didn't give me advice, which she acknowledged at the time but didn't incorporate into future dealings with me.

My first full week of school will begin next Monday. This past week was short -- Weds. - Fri., so I've only had 1 meeting of some classes, and 2 of others. Should be an interesting semester: Hebrew exegesis, systematic theology II, Greek, preaching, Christology, and field ed. Not singing in the choir -- bummer. I will miss it but I had to cut something somewhere.

My family is driving me right round the bend. My husband says he hopes this year won't be as stressful as last year -- amazing to me cuz I don't think last year was stressful -- how did I communicate to him that it was? It's like getting a bad appraisal at the end of the year, and not knowing during the year that you could have made some changes. If I made his life stressful last year, he sure never told me! And my 15-year-old hates me (2 days ago) and (2 mins. ago) wants to know what's going on in my life because she cares about me! Hard to stay on the right page. Real see-saw of emotions.

Mom's brain surgery last Weds. went well -- scar tissue removed -- no sign of cancer. I have talked to her 2 days in a row and she sounds good (for someone who just had major head trauma!) -- better every day. This takes a load off my mind in regards to cutting class and skipping field ed to go visit her -- not as much of an immediate need. Thank God!

I feel tired and dried out. Think I will do some pre-church reading (field ed assignment) and maybe watch a little "Out of Africa" -- video loaned from a friend. Will be fun to see Kenya -- saw this movie long ago, before I'd been there. Sent 4 envelopes full of photos to Kenyan friends today -- answered a few Kenya emails -- so Kenya's been on my mind. Time for another trip!