Its been too long

I suppose that I should go ahead and update... its been too long since I've been on here.

Quick and basic rundown of life since the new year began:

1) Decided against doing intensive Hebrew starting Jan 2, and went to Indianapolis instead. Mom's place is really great... plus she's got the Style Network. I spent my first day there watching makeover after makeover... it was fantastic. Also spent some time at Disciples Center, organizing Mom's office. Her bookshelves needed major help! Met up with some old friends and made some new ones.


2) Visited LTS (Lexington Theological Seminary) for the first time. Drove down to see my soulmate Laura after leaving Mom's. I was originally only going to spend a day there, but everyone talked me into staying one extra. Her friends were great! Poor Jeff even took me to the KY horse tracks... he was a good sport to show me around. Finally, met a bouncer -- at the recommendation of a friend who gradutaed from LTS -- by the name of Miami Steve. I was sent to McCarthy's Pub for the sole purpose of meeting him... Miami Steve was hilarious.

3) Went to Norman to visit Lisa and Steph. Had a good time -- overall... went to a foreign exchange student party one of the nites... it was actually really hilarious, tho a bit lame. We had a good time tho.







4) Got home in time for Ministers Week at Phillips Theological Seminary (PTS). Stephanie Paulsell, a professor at Harvard Divinity, was one the preacher for the week. I adore her so much. Met her when looking at HDS, and almost applied simply to learn from her. Decided, however, that one professor was not reason enough to go someplace I didn't love. Anyway, bought Stephanie's book on the spiritual practice of honoring the body. Hoping to read it on the plane to Brazil next weekend. It was great to see her at PTS.

4) Started school at PTS. Orientation was fun. Met some nice people, unfortunately, not classing with any of them. Most first-year students take their classes on Tuesdays, but mine are Wed and Thursdays. I'm taking Ethics, Culture, & the Mission of the Church and Disciples History & Polity (plus the course on ecumenism at the World Council of Churches meeting starting next week). So far, the courses have been AMAZING!!! I love learning from both Joe Bessler-Northcutt and John Imbler. Seriously, I get goosebumps from the material in DOC History, and Joe is too funny! Its going to be a really good semester, I think. Challenging, but really really good.

5) Stole Camp: boot camp for ministry students. Seminarians and those going thru the licensed ministry program get together for a day of ministering 101. We have sessions on church administration, ministerial ethics, funerals, weddings, baptisms, and communion. It was actually a lot of fun. We even got to practice baptisms.

6) Lisa came home for a weekend. It was a total blast... we had too much fun.

7) Steph came home for a weekend. We watched movies and walked around her property. I love having my friends home.

8) Been spending lots of time at Rob's. Went to Nowata to worship with him this morning. He's talking about having me doing some pulpit supply-preaching when he's out of town in March. Can't decide whether or not to do it.

9) Reading. YAY!

10) Getting ready for Brazil. I leave a week from today. Soooooo excited!