Thanksgiving

Is right around the corner, and I'm thankful for so many things. Little one's arm is healed up (cast was removed Monday) and I passed my Greek exam today. Got a 91 on the first exam, but after missing a week of class with my injured bird, I feel like I will score in the 80's -- still good, but not an A. Good exercise to be taking 2 courses (preaching and Hebrew exegesis) pass/fail -- trying to let go of grades, even though I am not as competitive as most in that regard. Preached last week on John the Baptist -- read the Scripture terribly for some reason (amazingly nervous) but sermon was good and was well received, lots of nice comments from peers and prof. Have lots of assignments looming over me during the Thanksgiving break: get started on my Virgin Mary paper for Christology, exegete the Amos passage for Hebrew, beaucoup Greek homework (including memorizing the Lord's prayer for an oral exam), and writing 2 new sermons -- 1 for field ed preaching 11/28 and 1 for next preaching class -- narrative sermon from the Old Testament. Found out from my Session that last night I was approved $4K for tuition next semester -- how nice is that?! Field ed going well -- Bible study (Purpose-Driven Life) generating lots of good discussion -- though one member who thought we were blaspheming actually ran from the room in fear! This is something I will long remember. Stewardship luncheon this Sunday. I have had fun with my digital camera and have provided shots to be used during a multimedia presentation of the church -- both religious programming and worship, as well as community outreach. Forgot to schedule a supervision session this week with my supervisor (she was busy with a funeral and other meetings, and I have school conferences and shortened days to contend with). Last week my supervisor preached an evening service on campus. Very nice -- show of support she received.

Also, I resumed therapy -- have been twice (I get 10 free sessions annually) with a new Ph.D. counselor -- woman who is 50 -- she is mellow, relaxed, Jewish -- reminds me of Miss Jane Hathaway (Nancy Culp) from the Beverly Hillbillies. She makes me feel like I don't need therapy, which is a mixed blessing. So we are just chatting pleasantly, and I feel like I'm digging to find issues to discuss. It is mental health time for me -- an hour (OK, 50 mins.) for me to relax and discuss my agenda, even gripe about hubby and kids. Better/more professional than last year, though somehow feels a bit less authentic. Wonder if last year's therapist was trying too hard....

There's so much more to write, so many little instances and occurrences, but when I make the time, I am exhausted and it takes so long to catch up. So hopefully I will remember and be more conscientiously intentional about this. Diligence is the key! Enough for now. Early to bed (up at 5 a.m. to study for Greek this morning, after 3 nights out in a row at tutoring and field ed) and we'll see what tomorrow brings -- beginning of a holiday/lessened class schedule -- yea!

communion +

The most wonderful experience recently (last Friday) was the opportunity to serve communion in a nursing home -- just 4 of us in a private room -- the senior resident (85), her best friend (age 90), the pastor, and me. It was a moving and meaningful experience for all of us. This was the first time I had assisted with communion for a "shut-in" -- hate that term -- it's from my old/home church. The woman we visited was a little confused through the procedure, but not inappropriate -- she interrupted during the prayers -- just saying things that occurred to her -- and we answered her and went on with our worship. She remembered her friend and her pastor, but she had never met me before. It was nice to meet some of her other friends in the nursing home -- she definitely has people there who know her and care about her. I left feeling very positive -- we were on the fence about going -- but pastor felt you should take advantage of the opportunity, for we never know how long we will have these people with us.... At worship on Sunday the best friend we took told me again how grateful she was for such a nice friend. It was a good chance for fellowship in the car on the way down and back (about 40 mins. each way). I got a parking ticket right as we were getting back -- we were supposed to leave at 10 a.m. and be back by 1:00 -- we ended up leaving at 11:35 and getting back about 1:45. Then I had to rush to the Halloween parade at school -- which began at 2! Sigh.... But this was the only day for me to do it, since normally I am in class on Fridays.

Timeliness is not one of my supervising pastor's strengths, and I'm trying to be relaxed, but the ticket is about $55 (I think -- I have to find the "obstructing street sweeper" line item!) that I can't really afford.... Also, my supervising pastor called me 4 times on Saturday -- which I think is excessive -- just sharing things as they pop into her head. That said, I really enjoy worshipping with her and learning from her -- limits again are a problem. Not sure if I can resist saying something, or even if I should resist. She talks about "care-fronting" instead of confronting -- but I hate conflict and I don't want to alienate the relationship even a little bit. We'll see. I'm up this late cuz I was emailing a video (?digital camera) duet sung in church today -- as pastor asked me to film it (on one of Saturday's calls). It was only about 2.5 mins. but ended up being nearly 50MB -- huge file that took nearly an hour to send! Here I am with limits again!

Nervous about Greek as I have missed a week of classes. Did my systematic theology mid-term, so not nervous about the rest of my classes. Just have to print some stuff -- my sermon is all ready for preaching 11/11 -- then will be preaching at field ed church 11/28 -- so need to check out that lectionary and see what I can get started on. See I just got a message from Kodak -- bet you anything the 50MB email didn't go through....oh, well. Need to hit the sheets. Still sleeping with little one in a cast. She goes to the doctor again tomorrow to get her pins removed and a new cast. Prayers for her continued healing, and for a pain-free doctor's visit! Amen!