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