Long Overdue Update...

Hey gang - I know...I know...I'm a horrible communicator - I haven't written in MONTHS! I'm hoping to fall on your grace and mercy for taking so long to get back here.

Just to round out the summer 'camp' stuff - it was really an affirming and exciting time for me. Partly why I stopped writing was because there was not much of interest to report. It was largely classroom instruction after those first few weeks. The Lord blessed me with some great fellowship with my fellow pastors, men and women. I really loved my squad and platoon and learned SO much about the Army and male culture in general; the gang was very patient and willing to teach me what I needed to know.

So here we are in yet another fall and I've been thinking (surprise, surprise). This is shaping up to be a very stressful semester, but not a necessarily busy one. I am taking 2nd year Greek (we're studying Romans) and 1st yr Hebrew as well as a church history and old testament class. The two languages are consuming my life. In Greek, I am realizing that I have ABSOLUTELY NO concept of English grammar. Having moved 17 times by the time I was 18 wreaked havoc on my consistent understanding of our language; if my Dad hadn't been a writer I would have been sunk. My professor has loaned me a book on grammar, but I'm feeling rather hopeless about it right now...

In spite of all that, I am really loving my classes this semester. I am able to do some rough translations of our Greek text for the book of Romans and the Lord is speaking SO clearly to me. The book is difficult to get your mind around in the English, the Greek is even more rich. I do love the nuance that is being brought out.

Hebrew is proving to be a very organized language so far, much more so than Greek has been. Our professor is an amazing scholar in her field and she is an EXCELLENT teacher; very systematic, personable and (appropriately) tough.

Personally, I continue to grow in my friendships, making mistakes and learning how to let God be my very best friend. Ah, the elusive hunt for 'balance' continues.

Recently God has put a new friend in my life. His name is Mike. We met during the training this summer. He thinks I'm kinda' cute (and I think he is, too). I'm trying to not just freak out (failing miserably), but its been a long time since I did this 'dating' thing! Please pray for me/us - whatever comes to mind is greatly appreciated!

As far as ministry goes, I finally feel ready to re-engage in more formal ministry and the Lord has opened the door for me to be the coordinator of a small group that I'm a part of in my church. I'm really excited to be doing this - I'll be organizing, occasionally leading and facilitating the group. It feels like a good place to start formally leading again. Please pray that I wouldn't let my own warped expectations for myself take over; pray that I'm reasonable in my expectations for myself and the group. I really just want to continue to enjoy the group for who they are.

That's the scoop for now...

Prayer Reqs:
-Greek Grammar!!(that I would get it...)
-Stress (related to above)
-Mike...
-Sleep (related to all the above...I'm really not doing this all that well right now)
-Small Group ministry (we're taking about merging with another sm gr in the church that I know as we're both on the small side...I think this will be a good move for both of our groups...pray that the Lord makes it clear if that's true)
-Please pray for my friends Mark and Carl; these dear men have both recently lost their fathers and grieve.

Praise:
-Romans study (God is good)
-Mike
-time to do the work I have
-good friends who hope with me for the future
-For the interesting things He's up to in the world...