The countdown begins...

I happen to be quite excited as I write this post.

First of all, the countdown of class days begins, (I believe we are at 6 right now) before the end of the year- at last! The class I'm taking has been really fun. The workload is not overbearing at all, plus I get to read about sports history and leisure within the context of the church and missions. I have one group project to work on, but since we have several members of the group, it won't be too difficult. The only other work left is a little reading and a take-home essay exam....the best part? I'm taking it pass/fail, as I previously mentioned! Talk about perfect pre-wedding class! :):)

Speaking of, yesterday my RSVP count for the wedding officially topped 300 people, which is both thoroughly exciting and a little nerve wracking (what with 100s of RSVPs yet to be returned) :):) However, the entire "send out almost 400 invites" idea was completely on faith, and I continue to cling to that faith. Everything will work out just fine! :)

I am getting really excited for the wedding, and as I mentioned to one of my bridesmaids yesterday, I feel as if I should be freaking out- or at least a little stressed...but I'm not! Only super-thrilled to be marrying Mr. AJ Munger in less than a month! I'm also excited for the three months of summer bliss before I have to return to school! :)

I am officially choosing which furniture I'd like to have for next year, from the apartment of the couple moving to China.....what a blessing- shopping for on-loan furniture all with the point of a finger! "I will take this- and that- oh, and that and that too!" Love it!

I spend a few hours last weekend scraping old paint off Star's house. In case you don't recall, Star is the women with whom AJ is living at the moment, and he really wanted me to help him- which I did, although I burnt out after a few hours. Turns out scraping paint isn't really fun! Now AJ has done wonders with her backyard, and he's planning on painting sometime soon too! I'm really proud of him and all the work he is doing from his sincere desire to help Star. What a guy!

In two weeks' time we shall be leaving for SD...and I am thoroughly excited to be back for awhile. I'm less excited about the 24 hr. drive, however, since AJ and I are both driving our cars, and we will be caravaning instead of cruising together. Oh well, it must be done (plus we both have quite a bit of stuff!) :)

Sorry I don't have any pictures for you all. I get really lazy when it comes to that. In fact, I sort of wish I would be more thoughtful and take pictures of AJ and I....but alas, our slideshow might be bare, since he never thinks to capture those kodak moments, and I only rarely.

Well now, it is Friday, I am done with class, and I think I might just go for a walk! That sounds lovely on this sunny, 72 degree weather day! I hope you are all feeling the warm embrace of God as May cruises by!

Em

PS- I neglected to mention that a dear high school classmate of mine (in a class of 18 people) committed suicide this week, and although I could not be present at his funeral, I have been thinking about him all week. I want to express how much I treasured knowing him. He was my neighbor, my best guy friend in HS, and although I lost touch with him the past several years, I hold him close to my heart and wish I could have known him better. Here's to the sadness and grief of tormented souls who simply cannot see the light. May God draw you close in your greatest moment of need. Rest in peace, Richard.

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

I've been trying to think...

This past week has brought with it a number of blessings, and a few struggles....

First of all, I've been trying to think through the haze of (what I sense is) allergies. Although the blessings of sunshine and bike rides seem glorious, I think I've developed allergies to pollen here, and it's been keeping my mind in a haze (either from the meds I take, or the lack of meds- same symptoms- foggy thinking)...

Which is why I've been trying to stay focused, yet I feel as if days melt away in the blur of a swirling head. Don't worry, it isn't like this all the time, but most of the time the past week, it has been. I've had moments of clarity and beauty too, I've enjoyed time outdoors, I've been working on papers (one rather successfully)...but I don't feel %100. All this to say, I should concentrate on things you might rather read.... :)

I finished an exegetical paper this week on 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34 (it's Paul's address to the church at Corinth concerning unity in practicing the Lord's Supper). Really interesting, since this is the 1st written account of the Lord's Supper, and one which most churches use as words of institution before communion, yet Paul was primarily addressing the divisions within the church, particularly economic situations of separation based on class...I enjoy the task of exegetical work quite a bit, and I especially enjoy allowing my work to remain as a "working paper." HA! Basically that means you write all your accumulated questions and research, but you don't have to synthesize into a cohesive argument! Oh yeah!

Speaking of cohesive argument, I actually have to do that for a paper I'm starting on this weekend...it is the 2nd of three for my Radical Reformation class, and I have generally zero direction...so my plan is to choose something and run with it, since I've heard from several people that this professor isn't likely to give an A anyway unless he thinks it's "publish-worthy." Ha well then, I'm not exactly anticipating a publishing contract here...

I have truly been enjoying my prayer group with three other married ladies (who are also 1st year students). We have a great time speaking about our lives and concerns and joys- and bringing them together before God. The consistency of this group is a treasure, and I've just now begun to realize how intentional people must be to create groups like this, yet how naturally they come together when everyone desires that connection. And prayer is only as powerful as one believes in its meaning.

Surprisingly, I have actually been able to take my mind off wedding for awhile this past week- well, okay, so not exactly "off"- but at least "on hold" while I wrote my paper. :) I am getting thoroughly excited, because my wedding falls exactly 2 months after Easter- and the time from Easter to summer always flies by! We have our wedding rings in wax molds waiting for us to try on in SD, we have finalized a number of details, our energetic mothers are sending out invites soon, and we are not feeling over-burdened with work for the wedding- such a blessing!

So, good story from last night. AJ and I decided to go on a double date with my friends Karen and Brian. We went to the best sushi place in Princeton (and supposedly the chef worked under a famous NY sushi guy before moving to Princeton)...and it was really fun, although I must admit that sushi is not my thing! Too many 4-H Special Foods rules about cooking meat are running through my head as I'm eating! Funny thing- AJ also took Special Foods in 4-H, but he seems fine eating raw fish. Strange. Anyway, all the dishes and food looks miniature which is really fun, and I sort of felt like a giant eating at a hobbits table! :)

Okay, that's about all for now- I am off to attempt this paper- or at least attempt to choose a topic. That would be wonderful! :) Please, if you pray, pray that my body might adjust to this season, so I can be of a clear mind as I tackle the next several weeks of the semester. Thanks.

Much love and a forever smile,
Emily

PS- I forgot to mention two very important things- 1. the play is coming along well, and we perform in less than two weeks! 2. my dear friend Emily is coming to visit and see the play, and check out campus! How fun, right? Okay, whew, almost forgot!

PPS- Another thing! I've been offered two additional positions for next year (both of which I sadly turned down due to lack of time)- one was to be host for the admissions department, and another was to be my speech professor/play director's TA! How fun would both of those be! Yet I already committed to doing the work of data entry at IYM. Oh, if only I had enough time for it all!

Is it really March 19th?

Okay okay,

So I admit, my generally-timely blogging tendencies have been lacking....but I would assert for slightly good reason! :)

The week leading up to my reading week (aka- spring break) I was frantically pulling together my life: studies, wedding plans, packing, the endless correspondence which goes with being overly social...and then AJ and I made swift driving of the 25 hour trip back to SD. Yes, we drove. Also for good reason, I would suggest. AJ needed to drive to Kansas the week following my reading week, so we thought it would be best to drive to SD together and I would fly back to Princeton (Sunday) in time for my midterm exam (Monday)....

I must say that my reading week was full of wedding plans and feeble attempts at studying for my NT midterm exam (which, btw, did not go well- but on the bright side, I feel as if I know a lot more about the gospels! -just not the specific details they happened to ask on the test!) :) My wedding plans, I realize, will never diminish in number or detail until the day I marry AJ. What I mean to say...is that if I hadn't gone home, the same things would have been accomplished sooner or later before the wedding- but when I have time to fill with wedding plans (as I did this past week), I somehow realize a million more to-dos! :)

We are on the final stretch of basically two months until the wedding, which makes it strikingly difficult to stay focused in school. Did I mention the 70 degree weather doesn't help much either? Yes, finally the good Lord has provided sunshine for our weary academic minds, only to create further distraction from the last 8 weeks of the semester! I keep telling myself- only 8 more week of being a student, then 4 MONTHS off for summer! In reality, I should be able to maintain focus, but add in the psychological effect of already having my first bridal shower (thanks to Debi and the Mina crew!)...I am overly excited about one thing- wedding.

I never imagined myself for "that girl"- you know, the one who becomes so consumed with wedding plans that everything else falls off the face of the earth for awhile, but I must admit that to an extent, this has been me. Entirely unintentionally, I might add. In some ways, the very circumstances of getting married require me to be thinking about little else...and it's wonderful- but as we all know, thinking about others (taking the focus off yourself) is ultimately the most fulfilling sense of peace and meaning, as opposed to always being preoccupied with "my decisions" "my wedding" "my this" "my that." With that said- I know I will be thoroughly happy with my wedding day- but I will be even more thrilled to begin a marriage with AJ Munger- and be able to focus OUR energies toward others.

So, this week I have been busy catching up on all the "school stuff" I conveniently forgot about during reading week, and I've also been sleeping off this little bug that keeps wanting to attack my immune system! The weather has been fabulous, and everyone's spirits are up on campus, which is a nice change from the gloom of the cloudy, sometimes rainy, sometimes snowy past several weeks. I went for a few runs outside, and the feel of fresh air on my winter-whitened legs feels marvelous!

Tonight I am hosting our very first dinner group! I signed up for dinner groups as a way for AJ to meet people (and coincidentally, he is still on his way back from Kansas...poor timing), but it's basically a random group of people from campus who have all signed up. I agreed to host our first dinner, and we will be eating Mexican in our stylish gray Alexander hall basement! (emphasis on the "stylish" sarcasm). So hopefully everyone enjoys themselves...I'm looking forward to meeting a few new people!

And this weekend I start in on my 2nd (and last) NT paper, due Tuesday. It's an exegetical paper, which means spending endless hours pouring over a passage in 1 Corinthians to understand the literary structure and nuances...and maybe write a good paper? :) I did get a few papers back recently. My first NT actually came back with an A on it. Weird, I know. :) And my first Radical Reformation paper was a B. Not so weird, considering how difficult I found that paper to be. But I will get a chance at another one of those soon too, lest I think I can relax. :)

Okay, speaking of relaxing- I'd best get going! Ha, JK- I actually need to prepare for the dinner group, but I'm so glad to be able to write an update- as I know many of you might have written me off as a quitter! :) Never, Never, never quit.

Sending my love and as much NJ sunshine as I can pack into this blog post!

Emily

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

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