My second first year of seminary has officially drawn to a close following my last and hardest final exam today which was in history. I find history fascinating but my brain has never had an easy time of retaining historical information. As you have likely figured out this semester was packed full and I've had no time to keep this blog updated as frequently as I would like. Early in the semester I made a move from Atlanta to Woodstock and am commuting from Woodstock on the days I am in school. It has taken a lot of adjustment to learn to navigate early morning traffic in the metro Atlanta area. It means early to rise. Like 5:00 AM. Those of you who know me well know that has been no easy adjustment. Just this morning I set like 5 alarms to make sure that I got to my exam on time. I did, not that it did me any good.
I have learned much this semester but my two favorite things were my history colloquy group and my History of Early Christian Women Class. I had both of these on Wednesdays so Wednesdays became quickly my favorite day of the week. My peers in both of those classes added so much to my learning.
So much has changed for me since September of 2011 when I first had a conversation with my district superintendent about going to graduate school. I never dreamed I would now be finishing my first year at Emory University. It still just blows my mind.
I have so many people to thank that I fear leaving people off. On top of that list though goes my family whose life has changed as dramatically as mine if not more so. They have been troopers. Also to everyone who has assisted with the care of David. My Uncle and his wife have changed their lives dramatically to show hospitality to David. Hospitality is one of the things they do best. My parents have pinch hit when necessary and Leigh Anne's family has helped out when we found ourselves without a worker right at the end of the semester. Of course I could not have done any of this without the hospitality of my Georgia Families. Both my cousin and her husband and my Aunt and Uncle for the tremendous hospitality they have shown me in opening up their homes to me.
Then there are those who have provided monetary support either through formal scholarship or support of the book fund or gas money slipped into my pocket here and there.
I also must mention my editors Carol Fox and Sally Hundley who on the rare occasion that I got a draft done before the final hour were kind enough to stop what they were doing and edit my papers.
Then there are all those people who have lifted me and held me close in prayer.
Wait......there is more news. I am forever indebted to my wonderful church family, Longs United Methodist Church in Bethel and our pastor, Rennie Salata for affirming my call to ministry and sending me before the district committee ordained ministry. On April 9, 2013 The Smokey Mountain District Committee on Ordained Ministry approved my request for becoming a candidate for ordained ministry and also approved my becoming licensed for ministry. I attend licensing school for two weeks beginning Sunday night. In June at Annual Conference I will receive my license as a licensed local pastor for the Smoky Mountain District of the United Methodist Church where I have been appointed to serve a two church charge beginning in July! Like I said, it has been quite a ride.
Stay tuned as I continue to walk this journey.
