My Endless "to-dos"

Hello from a busy woman trying to keep it all together!

Do you know that feeling when it seems as if life should be fairly relaxed, considering you have a few days off, but what you find is a mental list of all the little details you've been avoiding in the busyness of everyday life? Yep. That's where I am right now.

Tomorrow we begin our final 3-week intensive coursework; I call it May Term. This year I am taking a course on Church, Sports, and Leisure in Modern Europe. The professor recommends we take it pass/fail (which I've never done) so that might be interesting- how motivated does getting a "P" make me? This class meets everyday 9-12noon, and the reading should be fairly interesting, so I'm looking forward to it!

I also have a variety of wedding details to work out during the next three weeks. Generally speaking, nothing overbearing, but a decent amount of items of which my organizational preferences demand. I have been receiving several RSVPs back, which make me happy- but we are still looking for about 2/3 of them, and the "due-date" is in a matter of days...so I guess I have to expect a lack of response?

The end of my "long-term" semester was last week, and my New Testament final exam actually went really well. I am so grateful for my lady friends who are in my prayer group with me. They are dedicated students who encouraged me to collaborate on a study guide with them (Which I did, and it actually helped). I've never been big on creating new study guides (um, that's why I take notes in the first place)...but I have to say, I went into the exam with more confidence than I might have otherwise.

So, in this transitional moment, I am awaiting a new class, awaiting my past grades, and looking forward to the classes I just registered for next year. Are you ready? A pretty stellar line-up, if you ask me...

Feminist/Womanist Theology
The Apostle Paul, Karl Barth, and the book of Romans (with all my friends!!!)
Medical Ethics (to correspond with my hospital chaplaincy)
Field Education (Chaplaincy w/ reflection papers)
*short term- Theology of Thomas Aquinas (or if something else sounds more appealing)

So, I am venturing outside the realm of intro classes next year, and I am excited! I wanted to take preaching next semester, but it will have to wait until spring, since my schedule did not allow for it.

Whew, I'm sure there is much more to tell, but I also have written enough. Wait- of course! The Institute for Youth Ministry's big MOMENT is here on campus! 240 people are participating in the youth forum: HOPE, and I have been busy, considering this is our biggest three days of the year (that's the mystery place I work- coming out to breathe in the realm of practicality)! *I picked up The Reverend Dr. Peter Gomes from his hotel today, and he is a "pretty big deal" I guess. He was lovely to chat with, as he has been the dean of the Chapel at Harvard University/Divinity School for 40 years! A wealth of knowledge (and humor). :)

I guess I shouldn't really have expected too much of a break in between finals and May term...that said, I was able to take a trip to Charlottesville, VA with AJ to visit some of his college friends; as fun as that was, it wasn't terribly restful either. Oh well, here's to a summer of wrapping up wedding details and then relaxing a bit!

I hope this post finds you well- and eagerly awaiting the goodness that everyday holds in store. This world might be a little more peaceful if we all sought God's goodness which surely abounds.

Sending my smiles and prayers,
Emily

Easter Blessings...

Hello Wonderful Children of God~

I wrote this post in two segments, so if the timeline seems funny, that's why! I shall begin with a few pictures my dear friend Emily has taken while she visits!

Emily & Emily- the dynamic duo!

My character "Illo" addressing the High Court of Justice (quite emphatically)

My nobility groupies addressing the crazy judge Azdak!

We are skeptical of the lowly peasants' plea for justice

I try to calm my client as she wails about in disgust!

I somehow neglected to write about Easter. Hmm- so many things to be thankful for, and I haven't written a single one on this blog!

I believe that's what I will dedicate today's post toward- the many blessings of this Easter season...

*NOTE: I am posting this a few days after writing this section: :)

I am blessed by the play performances which are going on right now (in fact, I have about 15 minutes until I need to report for tonight's show!)...the cast has congealed nicely, and we are putting together (what my audience friends told me last night is) a great performance! I'm not sure I ever mentioned the setting- early 20th Century Russia- conflict between nobility and peasants- and the theme of justice... (I am lawyer defending nobility, guess toward which side of justice I bend)... :)

I am blessed by my church family here (Reformed Church, Highland Park)- a place where my gift for working with children is celebrated, and a place where AJ's gift for business plans is being utilized. I presented the children and worship message for Easter Sunday, and since we had a spattering of about 30 children with varying ages, I was glad for my plans of unison "acting out" the resurrection story from Matthew. Check it out, so many action verbs to keep the kids involved! :) They (and their parents) loved it!

I am blessed by my wedding plans- going so smoothly, I feel like it truly is a celebration rather than a burden! I have 56 RSVPs back thus far, and so far 47 are people who are coming! Makes me super excited and only a little nervous that the numbers might skyrocket above expectations! :):)

I am blessed by my work- today I completed a cycle of forum registrations almost entirely on my own! I enjoy working with Caroline (my predecessor) but I will be glad to have independence in my work as well- and today I proved to myself that I'm learning quickly! Our biggest youth ministry forum of the year is coming up quickly (Apr. 26-28), for which I am thoroughly excited!

I am blessed by my manageable work-load, as this long-term spring semester is coming to an end! I have 3 days of classes, 2 papers, and one final exam before I move on to the 3-week May term....and then the weeks will really fly before my wedding! Sometimes I get so excited for my wedding that I start to tear up. That's when you know I'm REALLY feeling some emotion! :):)

I am blessed by a fiance who is my best friend, and by his eagerness to be involved in the church community here. I know he's in a difficult position of re-creating his community and network of friends, but he has been so easy-going about everything, and for that I will continually give thanks!

I am blessed by the B+ I got on my 2nd Radical Reform paper today! Perhaps an A- on the final paper? Yes? :) But a B+ is just fine. I have been one of the few regular attendees/contributors at his class, and that has to count for something, right?

I am blessed by the presence of a dear friend these past few days- Emily J. has come to check out the seminary and visit me at the same time! She's lovely to have around, and if she ended up here, I would be more than thrilled! (she also took pictures from my play, which I successfully posted!)

And finally, I am blessed by the space, environment, and community to praise God, the One whom we seek here at Princeton....and when sought, God is often found. I celebrate the finding of God in my midst as I type this final post. May you experience the profound joy of finding God along your way this week and into the future!

My biggest smiles and warmest hugs,

Emily