The Deed is Done...

And that Deed is.... My Final Paper!!!!

Before more discussion...here are a few photos from our celebration of Joe's birthday party!

Joe stuffed three mini cakes into his mouth....gross!

Joe showing his excitement about about the idea of stuffing three cakes into his mouth.

The super-card we made for Joe...I counted how many friends were in the dorm room...it was a dozen! What a fabulous group!

I just submitted my final assignment for the January course, which means (as tired as I am), that I have an entire week to relax before 2nd semester actually begins!


My friends from HS are actually visiting for the week, so I will have a break from homework, but still an active break! I have a few things to share with you, my blog friends, but I'm also not up for typing much...since I have typed more in the past three weeks than was required for all of 1st semester! Seriously!

So, a few highlights. 1- my grade for OT changed from a B to a B+ because they caught some final totalling error...woohoo! 2- I found out some incredibly exciting news recently- my fiance AJ is able to stay in a house nearby campus for free in Princeton...which means he's moving in a few weeks! 3- I met some awesome people who have asked us to use their furniture while they are away in China for two years....perfect timing for AJ & I in our first two years of marriage! 4-My friends here at the seminary are delightful and I love them so much! (pictures of us at Joe's party reveal their awesomeness!) 5- Did I mention that I am finished with my short-term class??? :)


Okay, so much more likely happened, but my brain is shot- and my friend Nealy is here already, so I shall sign off and post some pictures from Joe's party!


Love you all and hope you are finding joy in life, amidst the uncertainty of natural disasters....

Em

Internal Tension

It's mid January, and in the midst of my busiest week here at Princeton thus far, a tragedy of enormous proportion occurred in Haiti.

I feel as if moments such as this life-shattering earthquake must cause us all to re-evaluate the purpose of our lives, and even though I know I am not well-equipped to be of aid at this desperate time in Haiti... a part of me wonders if I say that because I do not want to disrupt my life. Honestly, I would guess that we all deal with an internal tension regarding our desire to help and our inability to concieve of how our skill sets might be put to use.

I cannot deny that large machinery and medical aid seem the most important tools for saving lives at this point. However, I also possess skills of a relational nature...and in the coming months, perhaps those would be more useful? Gosh, it really tears me apart, since all the prayer in the world is only floating in the winds if people aren't prepared to answer those prayers on the ground...and yet as a theologian I understand that God can work miracles, that God often chooses to work miracles through those willing to help, and that in the midst of chaos, God' peace can reign. I know these truths, yet I cannot simply disregard the immense physical suffering by ascribing a spiritual quality to the events. What if the earthquake was in a coastal area of the US? My hope is I would feel no more or less desire to help regardless of the geographical location of suffering people.

I could ponder this internal tension for hours, yet I realize that with no immediate plan for how to help, I must continue with my life for the sake of the people I am around today who need a touch of comfort, a word of encouragement, or a smile of understanding. These past two weeks have been a blur...I continued recovering from my cold last week, while enjoying a few extra hours of rest...and this past Monday I hit the ground running by writing and more writing, reading and more reading. Whew, I can finally breathe this weekend, and my class requirements are over 1/2 done!

A bit about youth ministry- I am writing a paper regarding my own hermeneutic of ministry (based on prior experience) and what I hope for in my future ministry. It has been an interesting process, as I enjoy reflecting on my experiences quite a bit. I have realized that as much as my youth group moments helped form my spiritual devotion, my consistent involvement within the church family as a whole likely had an even greater and long-lasting effect upon my faith formation. Such is the basis for my envisioned model of intergenerational youth ministry.

I received my grades for last semester's classes, and I must say, I was quite pleased. I received one A, two A-, and a B! Total: 3.5 GPA for my first semester! This makes me happy. :)

On another note, upon returning to school after Xmas, I have been overwhelmed with realizing my many blessings here...great friends, talented faculty, faithful people, warmer weather, convenient accommodations, and technology to keep me connected with friends such as you! :)

My fiance AJ began his Master's Program simultaneously with my first week back to school, and it has been interesting to see how our time for talking is whittled away when we are both studying/ in class. However, less than 5 months and we shall be married...without this crazy long-distance business to deal with. Honestly, my busyness here is helpful to create distraction from missing AJ- primarily because I did not previously realize how much I could possibly miss him!

Next week I have my final few assignments due, a class presentation, and finishing my final paper! This will all be done on Friday, in time for my two dear HS friends to come visit during my week break! I will surely have pictures and stories to share from our time together.

One random detail before I wrap up this long-time-in-coming post. During the writing process for my paper in class, I soon realized that my blog-writing style is not exactly helpful for an academic paper. In my revising stage, I think I reworded at least five sentences where I used parenthesis (because, who of course doesn't love the random explanations inside parenthesis? Oh, professors). :)

Okay, here's to feeling torn about my blessings here in Princeton- and the atrocities of Haiti. May our God who is found when sought be found in the midst of the struggles in Haiti- and may our redeemer Jesus Christ be given arms and legs by people who provide comfort to those who are suffering.

All my love, in the midst of difficult questions,

Emily

Back in Action- 2010!

Wow! I am back in action after a long blogging hiatus!

Thanks for tuning in again to my wonderfully busy world of seeking God at Princeton. See- I have actually been away from Princeton for awhile- yet I still have so many updates to share, it's hard to know where to begin.

As with most posts, I shall begin chronologically! The week of finals was grueling. Not any more grueling than one might expect a masters degree study to entail...however, since it was my first semester, I'm not sure I had fully solidified my expectations of how intense the exams would be. I studied my little brain to exhaustion (seriously, like the feeling after taking a 4 hour standardized test? Yep. Three days in a row). By the time Friday came, my brain wasn't exactly prepared for the OT exam...so let's just say I did less than excellent on that one! But I shall report (my currently unknown) grades sooner than later- perhaps even next week! :) (I feel as if I am a kid writing home to her parents to check on my grades- as if I have some child-like accountability to my blogging parental audience) :)

So, exhausted from my super-mode thinking, I headed to the airport on Friday- as one of the lucky few who got out before the snow storm hit hard! However, my flights weren't exactly a piece of cake. See, I got to Newark International, and they told me the flight to Chicago was delayed and I wouldn't make my connection. This is the same dismal story they told me time and again, which is why I contacted a friend in Chicago to stay with her, since the next flight they booked me on didn't leave until Saturday morning. Ha! All I wanted to do is be home in SD- more badly than I had anticipated! With all the grace of God, my flight was delayed leaving from Chicago- which meant I was able to make it to Sioux Falls by around 1am Sat. morning to fall into the arms of AJ! In enough time to make my Sat. a.m. haircut, my cousins wedding, and my way to Minneapolis the next night for my flight on Sunday morning to Tampa. Whew, this begins another long story of travel chaos... (btw- the haircut was great, my family is awesome, and my cousin's wedding was beautiful!)

So I reach my friend Emily's place (of great hospitality) late Saturday night, and AJ & I fly out 7am Sunday. So, we didn't plan well in the morning to get to the airport on time- only to realize we had enormous lines to endure...so long that we would never make our flight on time. Again, a long series of God-events, and we ran down the gangway to make the plane to Tampa! Seriously- it was so close- two minutes later (or one less God-event) and we would have been flying ourselves to Caymen to reach the first cruise port! The joy does not end there...after we get on the plane, we realize our seats have been occupied by a family of four...which left us floundering a few minutes before an attendant ushered us to two first class seats! That's right- flying in style, knowing we were the luckiest travelers in that plane! AND although our luggage did not make the first plane, we eventually were able to receive our luggage on the ship before departing- which means everything worked out perfectly- and our travel mishaps suddenly turned to good fortune. First class- door-side luggage transport.... what more could we ask? :)

Okay, at this point I will direct you to a series of pictures I have posted online (facebook) which have captains that will explain our cruise better than I could in a few paragraphs....so check them out! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021889&id=110800880&l=506eadfe7d

After I returned from the cruise, I had a few crazy days of wedding planning, during which my mother and I knocked out several major "to dos" which felt really nice. We are about set for the wedding! Or as set as you can be 5 months out! :) Then we had our annual new year's eve party, which was great- seeing friends and family for a short time before heading back here for school. Also, our family waited to celebrate Xmas until I came back, which was splendid- and although I have been sick this whole time since Xmas day- the trip back home was wonderful!

Now, a short moment about my new class! I am in a Paradigms of Youth Ministry class, which is more accurately- a philosophy of living/eating/ministry and ways to discern the best way. :) like that title? I just made it up now. Yeah, I am considering a career in writing, thanks for asking. :)

I'm actually really glad to be back to a routine here, to see familiar faces, and to be active again in the gym! However, it was quite hard to leave SD behind, especially my adorable fiance AJ with whom I am madly in love. I suppose it's a good thing that it continues to become harder and harder to say goodbye, but that doesn't make the goodbyes pleasurable to say the least! Now, how to make 5 months feel like a short amount of time...

Okay, this is plenty long, I realize, but the typing bug hit me today, and that's when this blog is at its best! I would like to mention that I actually caught up on all the bloggers on my dashboard before typing my own (admirable perhaps?) :) and so if you'd like to send your URL, I'd love to be included in your blog, if you happen to be reading this! :)

To my friends who desire a weekly update, I apologize for the last month- and I will have you know that my new year's resolution involves more routine- which could include more blogs?? we shall see!

Peace to all in this festive year of 2010! Sending my love, but not my germs,

Emily

Super Busy

My Goodness My Goodness!!!

That's about how I'm feeling as time melts away, leaving much studying and fewer hours to accomplish everything on my plate.

I shall only be giving a brief run-down of this past week, since I really need to be typing my theology terms..... yikes!

1. A random dog on a leash wandered into my room at work and chilled for a few minutes until I met the owner- a professor who lets her dog wander around the building. Hmm....

2. I registered for classes, and will be taking New Testament, Speech II, Radical Reformation (taught, ironically, by a Lutheran professor), and possibly a pastoral care class OR THE PLAY! :)

3. On Sunday I met up again with my 6 year old friend Sena, and she promptly informed me of all the Xmas pageant action- to be happening this Sunday! She also called me Mommy. She said I'm her 4th mommy. How much responsibility does that give me I wonder.

4. I am getting excited for Xmas break plans, as I seem to have more and more to fill my plate- I'm not sure how it'll all sift into place, but it will....I guess there's no question about how to fill my time on the cruise- with fun! :)

5. I received my first A on a paper! I was extremely pleased, especially since that means I can get an average grade on the final and still pull a decent grade!

Okay, I'm sure there's much more, just wanted to share a bit and say that perhaps next week I won't be writing- just predicting the flurry of activity I shall be experiencing with finals! My schedule is packed, really, and yet once I am done with finals, it will be a huge weight off my chest!

Much love from the "crunch time" PTS student....
Em

Oops- November is over!

To begin this 1st post of December- some photos from NYC!!!

AJ & I outside the Gershwin Theatre after experience the phenomenal performance of Wicked!

The skating rink of Rockefeller Plaza- if only we weren't so tired from all the walking...

The banner of the Theatre in which we saw WICKED!

Debi (AJ's mom) and Kelly (AJ's cousin) in front of the Rockefeller Xmas Tree!!!

And a picture of my darling niece at Thanksgiving-

unfortunately I wasn't there, but photos help to keep in touch!

Hello from 40 degree Princeton on Dec. 1st!

I know that time continues at a constant rate, but regardless of how much I accept this empirical fact, my perception tells me that November went by extremely quickly....and I think I only managed to blog a few times last month...

Well, we did have Thanksgiving break, so I technically wasn't in Princeton much (as if I really stick to my title when I bloganyway, huh?) :) I have decided to elaborate on other ways I have sought God this past week- traveling outside of my new home Princeton.....

I must say, my excitement for Thanksgiving increased dramatically the week before last, as I finished classes and awaited the coming of AJ and his mother. Turns out, his 15 year-old cousin from PA came as well on Sunday to Princeton. We had a lovely time together, traveling to Atlantic City on Monday to see the coast (walking on a cold beach on Thanksgiving break- not sure I need to make that a tradition) and the excitement of casinos and shops. Although the day was lovely, Atlantic City didn't impress me much... besides the sea (oh, and the dining experience)...since I tend to find contentment (and God) in nature rather than human-constructed buildings, now even moreso since living in a city. (gosh, I'm a country girl... who could have predicted, right family?) :)

On Tuesday we headed into NYC for some city excitement. I have to say this was much more enjoyable for me, probably because I knew more about it and NYC involves much more than casino games! We walked along Broadway, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza (where we saw the scaffolding-encased Xmas tree), past the Empire State Building, and ate at Bobby Flay's first restaurant (in case you don't know who that is, like I didn't- he's a big-time cooking network guy)...the food was excellent (I had delicious sweet-potato raviolli), and in the evening we enjoyed some NYC pizza before heading to WICKED!!! That's right, we decided to embrace the opportunity of a Broadway show while we were there, and Wicked turned out to be an excellent choice. I really love theatre, the only bad part of seeing such shows is the fondness I seem to develop for my personal involvement, which is unfortunately a thing of the past... :) (or is it- I just found out in speech class about auditions for an upcoming spring play here at the seminary) :):) I just might donn that stage makeup yet again!

On Wednesday we traveled to western PA where AJ's mother's family resides and spent a full four days sharing delicious food, lovely walks, great movies, and some definite family bonding. :) I feel quite at home and welcome with his family, which I really appreciate! On Sunday I headed back to Princeton and had ample time to decompress from the week, to realize how much I am grateful for, and to especially reconnect with my heart's desire to be an earnest child of God, seeking life goals which will further God's presence in the lives of others. (sometimes my contemplative side actually has space to bloom here, believe it or not!)

I have especially reflected lately on how ready I am to start a life with Mr. AJ Munger, a man with whom I am falling more and more in love. I say this at the risk of sounding cheesy, yet it most seriously ties in directly with my search for God here at Princeton. The more I understand of this process of becoming a more deeply loving person, the better I see how love determines the foundation of any relationship... and particularly this new relationship with AJ. We are nearing on a year of being together, and I have only become more dedicated to making every effort to reveal my love clearly and without judgment (as demonstrated throughout all of Scripture), which in turn is reciprocated not only between AJ and I, but everyone around us. The love of God is thus manifest in our love for one another...friends, lovers, and strangers alike. I realize these are not original thoughts, but they certainly have begun new thinking in my quest for heartfelt, sustainable relationships with everyone I encounter and even those in other countries and contexts I have yet to meet.

Well, I would love to discuss other aspects of my growing faith, such as the conviction that my general positivity is a gift from God which I feel more and more compelled to display... but not at the expense of disregarding other's misfortunes. Also, I sense a great calling to be with youth, which isn't new, but is definitely continually reinforced.

Yet--- this post is long enough. I'm sending my love in written form to everyone who takes the time to read this.....

Emily

Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving break- and I have to say, I'm taking a huge breather as I allow this beautiful break to soak into me!!!

The past week has been pretty stressful, although I seem to be getting into a rhythm for writing papers, which is fantastic! My final Church History paper is finished, and with the help of my friend Brian, I think it went really well! I wrote on Urban II and the beginning of the crusades in Christian history. Quite fascinating, and as embarrassing as it is to admit this, nearly everything I learned was new information to me! Also, I received my two midterm exams back- and I received an A- on both of them!!! Who knew I had it in me! :) I am relieved, since this means my finals won't be quite so intimidating! (ideally speaking) :)

I would like to explain my last week's highlight of class time. Are you ready? Well, truthfully my highlight was watching this little girl who came to class with her daddy (who is a fellow student). Perhaps one of the most beautiful little girls, she would clap and laugh right along with us!!! Definitely a bit more engaging than the Lamentations lecture going on in the background (did I just say background? Oops!). :) Ha, what can I say- I miss my niece!!!

Last Sunday evening a group of us from the seminary spent the night meeting with (Reformed Church of Highland Park) church deacons and discussing the church's various ministries over dinner with our pastor.... I truly enjoy this church community, and I believe I have worked out a way to remain worshipping there and do a field education placement summer 2011. HA! talk about planning ahead! :) Which means next school year I will be doing a non-church site, perhaps working with underprivileged youth with psychological issues....doesn't that sound fascinating?? :) I sure think so.

Anyway, this coming week will be splendid, as I plan to see my fiance and his mother on Monday and spend the rest of the week traveling to and from PA where his mother's family lives....Not the first time I've spent Thanksgiving away from my family- but definitely still a year I will miss being at home! I feel as if I'm writing in all fragments. Do forgive me. :)

Today I was able to meet up with Veronica from Red Cloud and we had a great long talk and walk- and I experienced the dining pleasure of Princeton U. food! Let me tell you, I should not have been able to compare their selection with ours. I will forever be jealous! Oh well, who am I to complain? I've got it made here, in my little dorm room, letting others cook for me.... Well, if I think about it, perhaps my life next year with AJ could be similar, minus the dorm room! (i.e. AJ loves to cook, hurray me!)

Alright, I'm off to do some laundry (and yes, I wanted to include that for the sake of reality)...whenever AJ reads these posts he suggests that perhaps I put in useless personal information that nobody cares about. I beg to differ, because sometimes the mundane can be the most endearing quality in connection with others. (is this true, or am I justifying?) :)

Until the next post of mundane useless personal information, I'm yours!

Emily

It's Friday!

It's Friday- and with that comes so much ambivalence.

1. I'm glad to be done with another week of class, but unhappy about how much work I still have left for the weekend. 2. It is nice to think of fun things to do, and not nice how little time I have to do them. 3. It's the Rat Dance and a Country line dance going on at the same time tonight...which to choose? Neither? 4. Many people here look forward to spending time with new friends, and although I have several friends here who are wonderful, I miss my long-time friends and AJ on weekends like this.

However, this ambivalence hasn't lent itself to a bad mood... I'm actually a happy person today! I will be even happier if I get through my terms sheet for theology and read all the texts for that class by the end of the weekend- plus maybe read a bit of church history??? :) I'm always behind. Story of my life as a student!

This past week has been a whirlwind! What did I even do? Well, on Sunday I went once again to the church that I am coming to love- and it was great! I met some young girls who were wonderful, and I look forward to seeing them again! (I learned about how the elementary schools are split in the neighborhood, and there are several stairs to get to the 1st grade classroom- tiresome!) I am really grateful for this church environment; it allows for time away from seminary for awhile. This whole learning community can be entirely consuming, and I dislike having to always talk about theology. (said like a true seminarian!)

I received two papers back- and they were both B's. I was pleased, since I didn't receive a "rewrite" which would have been 1. annoying and 2. a bit humiliating! Alas, my learning here will be reflected moreso within my practical experience of ministry, and thus I am not striving for the A's (okay, at least not getting upset when I don't get them). :) I can be a B person....I think. :) I shall be reporting on midterm exams soon enough!

Guess what? I AM BACK. meaning, I am back to yoga- and this coming Monday- volleyball! It feels so great to be lifting weights and walking on the treadmill as well! I know that I did the right thing in waiting for a month before getting going again, because even now my ankle is still weak and my corresponding joints are somewhat off kilter. Wish me well in my recovery to a running ability!

The weeks here are truly flying by, as represented in my above paragraph. I am not looking forward to winter- but seriously, only 3 weeks of class left before final exams! What? I know. Short semesters, remember? :) I am trying to coordinate several wedding details in light of this quickly coming event called Christmas! See, Christmas break will be a joyous time of celebrating AND getting ready for the wedding.... Currently, only 6+months until my wedding. :):)

As much as I'm learning through these current courses, I will be ready for new ones to begin again (except for the massive buying of books phenomenon which corresponds).... In fact, I am particularly excited about my course this January- Youth Ministry!!! That's right! My home turf once again.

On a personal note- I have had a swirl of love displayed in all the calls and other correspondence from friends recently. It's really great and encouraging to hear from so many people- and at times can become overwhelming too...this is how I've handled my feelings regarding not enough time for everything: AAAAGGGGGHHHHH! Then I take a few deeps breaths, respond to each email, make necessary phone calls (or more likely, take the call I have received- oops!) and thoroughly enjoy everyone in my life. (at this point I realize I can go entire days without studying if I try to socialize with everyone I'd like to!) Moderation. Moderation.

Well, that's about it for now. I had a speech conference in which I practiced the Psalm I will be reciting for the end of class video-day! Woohoo! (if it's broadcast on any major networks, I shall let you know!) :):)

Okay, that's all for now, Folks. Thanks for your patience as I go crazy and return to normalcy enough to write a blog post. This is a hectic environment without doing much of anything except studying! :)

Peace to all my friends!

Em