Greetings all! Sorry its been a while. I have managed to stay ahead in all my classes....thus a lot less posting on here! LOL. Classes are continuing to be challenging, but I love it. Systematics, is for sure my favorite of all my classes this semester; coincidently, also has the MOST to read this semester! My final paper, 10 pages long is going to be on how Jesus' humanity and divinity are seen in he Gospels today and how Jesus is the New Adam and how Jesus is seen in creation. That's not the actual title of my paper, but that is what I am writing about...in a nut shell. It's a lot, so I figured I SHOULD be able to write 10 pages on all that!
Newest news...I've been talking for about the last month to a man I met online. (Yeah, I know, like where do I have the time or money for that!...what can I say, I was REALLY lonely one weekend and decided to give it one more shot!) I met a wonderful man that I have been chatting with online and speaking to on the phone since then. I'd tell you his name, except he may not want me too. He is very sincere, honest and a God fearing man. He just moved to Illinois, a few hours from me this past weekend. His mother lives here in Dubuque, so I will hopefully start seeing him alot. We hope to be able to meet this weekend for the first time, so cross your fingers. I sense a lot of "goodness and integrity" about him, so I hope I am right about this one. Hopefully will share more about him later.
This past weekend, March 27th, was my baby sister's, Myra's, wedding to Anthony Steech (Tony). My whole family was there, minus my sister-in-law, who had to stay at home with her very sick, prized horse, Dover (who is much better now) and my grandmother, who is simply just too old to travel (according to my mom). In times past, I have always stressed about spending time with family; as I did about this trip. I was preparing myself to be disappointed, but I am learning, that we (my siblings and I...even my mom), as we've grown older, more mature, we have learned to appreciate each other MUCH better. We laughed, we laughed till we cried, we enjoyed each other's company and managed to make it through the whole weekend, with minimal fighting or fuss. I was quite impressed. I even got to spend more time with my sister Tamara's partner, Teresa, whom I have decided has significantly made my sister Tamara a MUCH more pleasant person! It's amazing what the love of another person can do to someone. Myra overall was very calm all weekend...only yelling at us, I think twice, which was to be expected, but she did apologize! I had some time to I spent talking to, playing and dancing with my neice & nephew, Amry & Aidyn. (That just made me sad thinking how little they really know me!) The ceremony was beautiful and Myra was truly glowing the whole day. I have attached pics for ya'll to see, if you'd like. Leaving Arizona from my family really made me sad; as I really wanted to stay and spend more time together. I hope to be able to do that at the end of the semester, but we'll see. Who knows, maybe I'll be there for internship. We'll see!
Holy week has began and this year has a much deeper meaning for me. I suppose studying about the meaning behind everything we say and do in church, really impacts my own personal worship experience. I value it more and more each day. I feel more contemplative, more meditative, closer to God in a way that is making me truly realize the awesomeness of my Call to ministry. The awesome responsibility of helping others become closer to God is really starting to hit me....and its a little scary; no, A LOT scary...but in a good way. This week, as I attend services Wednesday-Sunday, I will take time to remember all the pain and suffering Jesus' endured for me. I am eternally grateful and hope those reading are too!
May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you this Holy Week and always. Open the eyes of your heart and allow Jesus to sink into your soul this Easter! God bless all reading!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Reading Days....very productive
Well...I have to say, I think I'm getting "a hang" of this school/seminary studying stuff. While I am STILL not a fast reader, I am getting quicker at scanning chapters of books, making notes of what I think the chapter is about and moving on....makes for a lot less stress in trying to read a book from cover to cover! So we've not had classes yesterday or today. I managed to stay 3 weeks ahead in translating my Greek in my Pauline Letters class and am trying to complete a paper that's not even due for 2 weeks! Yup....I am proud of myself for not goofing off and staying a head this semester. It was a HUGE problem for me last semester and I have learned that staying ahead, gives me luxury of being able to relax on the weekends and NOT be so stressed about what is due next week. We'll just see if all the staying ahead continues as we move into the next part of this semester.
I posted on my Facebook some time ago that I think I am on the verge of a "huge spiritual shift". I think, largely in part because I am staying very focused on "what" I am studying this semester! I think last semester, I spent most of my time worrying about things and adjusting, that just had a tough time doing much spiritual growth. This semester, I am just enjoying my classes so much that its hard NOT to talk about it all the time; let alone not thinking about theological issues ALL day long. I guess that's a good thing, but sometimes burdensome.
I am singing more this semester which has been a nice stress release for me. I think I mentioned that in an earlier post. It's just nice to sing with a group of people who have no expectations of me, no pressure to be a leader of the group...just to sing because I love to sing has been so refreshing and soul rejuvenating for me. I am truly Thankful to God for opening my eyes to doing that this semester.
Most of my classmates seem to be very stressed this semester. I proposed to my class that we have a put together a "Transition Team" for new seminarians next school year for the new incoming Juniors who will be going through everything I went through this year. It was "kind of" taken as a good idea, so we'll see how all that goes. I'll either be too wiped at the beginning of the year from CPE or just not want to come back to the North for school....just kidding. That won't happen!
So I have been dabbling "again" with online dating, Such a process! Why can't there just be some "normal guy" that lives near by that HAS a job and TRANSPORTATION with some decency, some morals and values and some HINT of religion as a foundation of their life to just "magically" appear?! I have decided a long time ago that the reason I am still single is that God is molding "this man" that he created to be my soul mate and the reason I haven't met him yet, is because "he isn't ready yet!". And when he is, God will make him appear to me. I had just hoped it would be on one of the "dating" websites I have been on....but no luck yet. I dunno. My sister is remarrying for the 2nd time, she met her guy on a site, then there's my buddy & former boss, Argelia, getting married the same day as my sister (which I am still bummed about) also met on a website. Soooo....I keep holding on to the fact that "it does happen"! Maybe the next guy will be "the one". But I'm constantly being reminded that perhaps my timing is just not quite right...cause I just keep meeting some weird ones! I'll keep trying. I guess there is no harm in that. There are just some days when having a significant other would be nice. I do miss being in a relationship and having that special someone to share with. As I sent out my Valentine's cards this year, I reminded those I sent them to, to not take advantage of what they have; To appreciate each other, because, these days god relationships are hard to find.
Anyways, enough of that soapbox. I am off to the library to read some more History and start writing my next paper. Until next time, Blessings and Peace!
I posted on my Facebook some time ago that I think I am on the verge of a "huge spiritual shift". I think, largely in part because I am staying very focused on "what" I am studying this semester! I think last semester, I spent most of my time worrying about things and adjusting, that just had a tough time doing much spiritual growth. This semester, I am just enjoying my classes so much that its hard NOT to talk about it all the time; let alone not thinking about theological issues ALL day long. I guess that's a good thing, but sometimes burdensome.
I am singing more this semester which has been a nice stress release for me. I think I mentioned that in an earlier post. It's just nice to sing with a group of people who have no expectations of me, no pressure to be a leader of the group...just to sing because I love to sing has been so refreshing and soul rejuvenating for me. I am truly Thankful to God for opening my eyes to doing that this semester.
Most of my classmates seem to be very stressed this semester. I proposed to my class that we have a put together a "Transition Team" for new seminarians next school year for the new incoming Juniors who will be going through everything I went through this year. It was "kind of" taken as a good idea, so we'll see how all that goes. I'll either be too wiped at the beginning of the year from CPE or just not want to come back to the North for school....just kidding. That won't happen!
So I have been dabbling "again" with online dating, Such a process! Why can't there just be some "normal guy" that lives near by that HAS a job and TRANSPORTATION with some decency, some morals and values and some HINT of religion as a foundation of their life to just "magically" appear?! I have decided a long time ago that the reason I am still single is that God is molding "this man" that he created to be my soul mate and the reason I haven't met him yet, is because "he isn't ready yet!". And when he is, God will make him appear to me. I had just hoped it would be on one of the "dating" websites I have been on....but no luck yet. I dunno. My sister is remarrying for the 2nd time, she met her guy on a site, then there's my buddy & former boss, Argelia, getting married the same day as my sister (which I am still bummed about) also met on a website. Soooo....I keep holding on to the fact that "it does happen"! Maybe the next guy will be "the one". But I'm constantly being reminded that perhaps my timing is just not quite right...cause I just keep meeting some weird ones! I'll keep trying. I guess there is no harm in that. There are just some days when having a significant other would be nice. I do miss being in a relationship and having that special someone to share with. As I sent out my Valentine's cards this year, I reminded those I sent them to, to not take advantage of what they have; To appreciate each other, because, these days god relationships are hard to find.
Anyways, enough of that soapbox. I am off to the library to read some more History and start writing my next paper. Until next time, Blessings and Peace!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)