Saturday, February 27, 2010

Oh dreary winter...

Must you go on?

The winter is a time for hibernation... Or at least that's what my body tells me these sun-less days. We've had another snow storm, and although the sun did come out for a few hours, it was not enough to become hopeful about spring. Overnight the melt-off froze, and the sidewalks are dangerous this morning! I would agree with my dad when he expresses his deep distaste for winter. Sure, the fact that both of us also have Reynold's Syndrome in our fingers and toes doesn't improve matters much. :)

And somehow- the past week flew by extremely quickly. I finished my paper for NT and we discusses them at lightning speed in precepts....overall I feel satisfied with what I learned, and even though I spent several hours with the Greek/English concordance, I have to say I enjoyed it! Now if I can get motivated today for another paper in my Radical Reformation class, I'll be in good shape!

In a week's time I shall be driving back to SD for our reading week- in time to work on more wedding details! I initially hadn't planned on going back, but since AJ needed to make the trip anyway for his schooling, I decided to go along- and fly back when he heads to his week of school in KS. I'm excited for the chance to work out more wedding details, but I'm not entirely thrilled about all the travel. It becomes wearisome to be going back-and-forth every few months! And yet that will be my life for the next few years, so I'd best embrace it!

Hmmm, what else is going on here- I enjoyed an evening with friends last Saturday, as four couples got together for a game night! Taboo and Apples to Apples...how much more fun could a girl ask for! :) And AJ was able to meet some other spouses of female seminary students- a real highlight for him, I'm sure! :) We will be living out at CRW next year, so it was good to introduce him to potential neighbors~ AND last night I spent with my dear single friends in the dorm. Before watching The Informant w/ Matt Damon, a few of us put together a puzzle (don't laugh, even if it was a High School Musical, glow-in-the-dark masterpiece).

Also, I've had some play practice this past week- and two more this week...it's going pretty well, and I need to memorize my lines now, but it's not that stressful of an undertaking. I do enjoy the play and my part, so I found that play practices (although potentially much longer than a class) are more enjoyable than sitting through lectures!

On a side note, I had a wonderful conversation with my friend Noah the other day. He commented on his appreciation of my positive attitude toward school, and it became a moment for me to reflect on how truly grateful I am for this time, this place, these people, the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest and most dedicated theologians, and experience a new part of the country all at once! I truly find the task of "seeking God at Princeton" is fulfilling in ways I could have only imagined prior to coming. Although I continue to miss my time at Red Cloud- especially interacting so closely with high schoolers, I know that my purposes here will suit me well in my future endeavors... and I am satisfied with my current student status- but thank goodness it's only for another 2 years! :):)

Okay, that will be all for now. I am really anticipating spring, perhaps more so than I realized I would be (although it is generally warmer here, it's still awful to have no sunshine)... and I will hopefully find time next week to write- however, I would like to say that I am reserving the right to wait until reading week (when I'm home) to write again- or even upon my return! :) we shall see!

Sending my love as I receive from God above,
Em

Saturday, February 20, 2010

March in Sight...

I am writing on a 42 degrees Princeton afternoon, and it's gorgeous. I will choose to ignore slight rumors about more snow in the future- hey, I ran outside today, weather people!

Ah, the past week has been wonderful and fulfilling. My work is much more invigorating at the institute for youth ministry... they are trusting me with more meaningful tasks, which I appreciate. Well, and I did just organize the work room/ paper supply on my own accord, but trust me- that's meaningful to a super-organizer!

February is absolutely flying by. On Monday I will begin my 4th week of class, and I have to say, I'm struggling to find motivation to write my 1st exegesis paper for NT. On the bright side, I'm finally legitimately using a Greek/English concordance (something I perhaps should have learned long ago)...so I feel slightly more legitimate as a seminarian. Speaking of, my classes are pretty cool, but I'm not putting quite the effort into them that I did 1st semester. I mean, so far so good, but I'm not obsessing (except for on the NT paper. Can't quite let it go!)

AJ has settled in nicely to his space in Star's house, and the house continues to become cleaner and more livable every day! I'm proud of him for giving such an effort to help Star with her house. On another note, I'm looking forward to spring so I can bike over there instead of fighting traffic!

Random funny story (which hopefully is as funny to hear as it was to live). :) In speech class last week I presented a poem from the lectern, much like I've always done in that class. Only on Monday, something didn't feel right- so I started looking down at the lectern, scanning it for any changes, and seeing none- I say to my classmates "Does this look taller to you?" (as an important side note, we have the option of adding the box on top for extra height)...and it was precisely when I was thoroughly stumped that my professor says, "Well, you can take the box off!" After my verbal expression of realization, my classmates burst into laughter. Now I don't get embarrassed too easily, but I think the nerves associated with speaking in public heightened my embarrassment at my oblivious nature just then. (and yes, I have noticed the box every time prior when I've gone up to speak) :) Oh well, cheers to being a wonderful ice-breaker! :)

Another random note- I gave blood yesterday! it is an excruciatingly long process when there's no urgency of a blood drive, I shall explain... The Central NJ Red Cross center called last weekend and asked if I would give blood, and considering it's one of my favorite things to do, I said sure! Sign me up! Well, on Friday morning I was slightly late to my appointment because of my unexpected inability to find the place! :) Once I got there, the process took 1 1/2 hours, even though NO ONE was there ahead of me (and I overheard the nurses talking about needing back-up...what??) But now I have the tell-tale light-headed moments to remind myself of my heroic act. Oh yeah, I'm gonna give a shout of encouragement to anyone who hasn't given blood in awhile- the sign I stared at yesterday read, "Your Red Cross Needs You!" and it's actually true. :) GO FOR IT!

Okay, truthfully, this posting is a two-fold experience for me today. One- I needed to update my fabulous readers, but two- I'm procrastinating from my paper, so I'd better hop to it! I hope the best blessings for all of you- and I also hope that we might all continue to remember our blessings so as to spread the graciousness to others! (BTW- when AJ and I were saying what we are thankful for at dinner last night, something we're trying to make habit, he said, "I'm thankful for the generosity of blood donors." :) I love him.

Much peace and eternal bliss as we continue to walk toward the truth of Christ during this Lenten season.

Love, Emily

Thursday, February 11, 2010

A Snowy Gorgeous Mess

Here it is...Full documentation of my two worlds (SD and NJ) colliding in a snowy, swirly, slushy mess!

The beauty of snow-frosted shrubs

The Igloo built by Brown Hall residents


A not-so-pretty pile in front of my dorm


A (lazy) view from my window...

Hello from the wonderland of snowy NJ!

In case any of you wondered whether or not the snowstorms of the east coast hit home here in Princeton- well they did. And it is quite the sight, seeing 15-20 inches accumulate on top of the previous 8 inches from a few days ago! I believe this is more snow than NJ has seen in a long time! And getting my car stuck in the parking lot brings me a certain amount of nostalgic pleasure, being from SD and all!


Ah, so a few big-news items this week. First of all, AJ has successfully moved in here to his new semi-permanent (3 month) home with a woman named Star. They get along pretty well, and there is plenty of work needed done on her home...AJ has a lovely room and feels comfortable here (well, as comfortable as a SD guy can feel in Princeton, NJ after one week). We are enjoying being able to spend time together everyday, but it's also an adjustment for both of us! I suppose it's getting us prepared for the even-bigger adjustment that we like to call....marriage! (less than 4 months, woohoo!)


My classes have been relatively calm, especially considering the fact that we've had two days cancelled because of the snow! And trust me, this is a legitimate cancelling- because they take school pretty seriously here! ;) I am not sure what I think about my classes thus far- perhaps because my mind hasn't exactly been focused on studying, but today I feel a renewed zest for reading, so hopefully I can get into my classes a bit more and really learn something this semester!

Oh, a grade note- I received a solid A for my youth ministry course in January! And since I really tried hard/cared in that class, I feel so happy to have my passion reflected in my grade. A 3.7 first semester...not bad at all!
This Monday evening we had our first read-through for the play, and it was actually a really enjoyable time, even if my vocal chords were exercised more by laughing at other people than reciting my 11 lines. :) That's right, 11. I counted. Evidently the lawyer isn't such a major character in this play. :):) But that's cool, I enjoy my part, the cast is awesome, and the play itself will be entertaining over and over again (at least that's what I'm hoping for during rehearsals). We perform the second week of April, so it should be a great performance- and if you're in the area, you're more than welcome! :)

I am looking forward to an evening with my just-married girl friends with whom I get together for prayer and sharing. It's good to have a social balance, and I realize that I need a variety of different people-interaction to be my best self....

On a final note, I am sensing God working on my heart in discerning a future vocation, and although I am far from a clear answer, I am excited about my field education opportunity as a hospital chaplain intern next year, because I am intrigued by this valuable ministry setting. I'm sure you will be hearing about my learning next year!


Well, to finish, I must say that I've been feeling a bit out of touch with several of you dear friends- but I also know I haven't caught up on blogs in awhile, so I shall do so soon!


As one who is delving further in the New Testament this semester, I love you all with the love of Christ, our great messiah and crazy king.

Emily
PS- I just wanted to mention to a certain faithful reader that I might continue to include posts about the mushy gushy "I'm in love" kinda stuff, just because AJ is here now doesn't mean I don't still think about him! ;)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

February, Friends, and Love

Lest you, my beautiful friends, become concerned that I am no longer interested in blogging, I thought I should post once again...

Here are a few pictures from my friends' visit to NJ! But first..... a picture of a snowy PTS campus (something my friends did not experience)....


Picture taken from my window

A Van Gogh from the Met Museum

A Monet (I believe) taken at the Met


A photo of my favorite painting at the Met (artist: can't remember) :)



Katie and Nealy posed in front of the Egyptian Sphinx in a lovely room housing an Egyptian temple from 15 ce!


Nealy, Katie, and I posing right before The Phantom began at the Majestic Theatre!


My title to this post is quite lovely, I know. :) First of all, it's February and the ground is snowy! I am adjusting to this "30 degrees is cold" mentality, a nice change from "-30 degrees is cold" mentality of SD! :) And February 1st ushered in the new semester!


To back track, however, I shall explain more of my past week-long break spent with my friends Katie and Nealy from South Dakota. They made the trip out here to spend a week in rainy NJ with me! :) We had a fair share of relaxing and excitement. On Tuesday we headed into New York City (my 3rd time ever) to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art (my 1st time ever) and a broadway show (my 2nd time ever) :) We ended up getting pretty great 1/2 price tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera- and it was incredible! The entire day in NYC was spectacular, and hard to top!

After a restful day on Wednesday, we headed through NJ traffic for the coast on Thursday. It was fun to see the ocean, and to b reminded of exactly how close I am to the edge of our country! It's a big strange, being from SD and all. The beach was great, but cold enough to warrant leaving after about 10 minutes... :) (did I mention I'm getting used to thinking 30 degrees and wind is cold?)

The weekend following my friends' departure, I rested up, cleaned, and put my life in order to begin classes this week...and my gosh, it's already Wednesday! I've had my three classes (New Testament, Radical Reformation, and Speech) in addition to my audition for the play! (which I will be taking for 3 credits). It's going to be a lovely semester, I can already tell!

And as is often the case when I become more familiar with my surroundings, I tend to get busier as well...I have agreed to work with the children's program at church, I have scheduled some weekly coffee dates with a few friends, the group of friends in the picture on my previous post have begun a bible study, and I am continuing a prayer group from last semester. Also, I add in my usual volleyball nights and yoga class, the option of attending daily chapel, my work at the institute for youth ministry, finding time to be present to everyone in my life (both friends here and friends and family afar) AND AJ is moving out here in a few days!

Whew, yes- the semester has indeed begun!

I will really enjoy my classes, especially since one of the them happens to be an art and theology class- the play!!! The play cast will be announced toward the end of the week, so next post you will find out my (either daunting or not-s0-daunting) role in the play!


I am truly blessed with my life here, and I have so much to look forward to, including the integration of my life with AJ and my life here. (and getting the final wedding plans completed). Also, we just found out that my current pastors here (a great couple- Seth and Stephanie) will be happy to do pre-marital counseling for us! I am thrilled!


Oh yes, so much to mention- I am also visiting a hospital tomorrow where I might possibly do my field education experience next school year. I am excited for the opportunity to be involved in hospital chaplaincy, and although it's a 45 minute drive, I'm hoping it works out well. The supervisor seems really great- and he's RCA (which has become a familiar and welcoming association for me) :)

Well, that's about all on the news front. I am missing my family and friends who are spread throughout so many states and countries...but I do anticipate a beautiful reunion of love in four months when.....AJ AND I GET MARRIED!!!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone together at last.

May hope and blessing be present in our lives as we seek after the God of love, the God of mystery, the God of redemption.

Emily