Research and Study Week

This is the last day of our Research and Study Week. No classes, all self-directed studying. It reminds me a lot of working as a youth director. Nobody really looking over your shoulder MAKING me do anything, yet I still had to get things done. I think accountability is so important in life, maybe especially in ministry. It's important to have people expecting you to get things done. It's also important that these same people be gracious when you aren't able to be Superhuman. Anyway, I've tried my best to be responsible with this time that has been allotted to me, even though I always fall short.

For FQI, we are writing a 10-page midterm that I am most of the way done with. I'm writing on everything from the cross to revelation and now principalities and powers. Fascinating and frustrating stuff!

For the other classes, lots of reading and planning. In worship, I am in the first group to lead a required worship service. It's such an interesting process planning worship as a team. It seems that the whole process of planning and participating in worship is a birthing process, in that it's painful but ultimately brings forth new life.

Amber just finished her first week as a nanny. She seems to be enjoying it, and I am so happy she doesn't have to work at Lush anymore!! She is working with a 22-month-old and her employers have another on the way. She's gonna be a wonderful mother, I think! (No, that's not a subtle way of saying she's pregnant, haha.)

Thank you for those who are reading. I am so happy to be where I am doing what I love right now.

Peace!

Finances :(

Times have difficult financially for the past couple weeks. Car insurance changes stink. Nonetheless, we've been trusting in God's guidance and providence in these trying times. As long as our marriage is strong, we will be okay!

I think I've been losing weight, which is good! I ballooned up this past year due to the stresses I was experiencing at work, and I'm just now getting back into the swing of exercising and eating somewhat well. Pray for me! I'm at like 205 right now, and I would ideally like to be 175.

School is going well. Lots of homework and reading, which I like. We are going through Exodus in Scripture, learning about Sin and Grace in Faith Seeking Understanding, discussing diverse worship in Worship, and learning about direct objects in Hebrew. I love this stuff!

God bless you all!

Peace!