Hey Gang - well in a few short hours I will start the drive back to Ft. Jackson, SC to complete my Chaplain training - YEA!! I'm totally excited this time - not at all terrified (like last time!). I'm looking forward to a nice road trip, time with friends along the way and getting into the routine at the Ft. Please keep these items in prayer - and STAY IN TOUCH! ;)
- safe travels (Fred (my truck) is on the older side now (195k miles))
- good fellowship with God and friends I meet along the way
- good establishment/integration to the routine at Jackson
-favor on my PT test next Friday (25th)
- quickly build rapport with the other chaplains/make good friends this summer
For those of you on Facebook - check out my photo albums for some of my recent adventures. For those of you not on facebook, it's ok- I'll still post some pics here - it's just much more expedient to post them there...
I'll send my address again on here when I get it - I expect cards and fan mail! ;)) - love, ter
16 July 2008
06 July 2008
Reflections on Becoming Swedish...
Hey Gang! I am currently in Chicago for a week-long course on the History of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Of course I procrastinated the readings for this course (about 1000 pages...really, perhaps more) until last weekend, but have managed to get it down to about 200 remaining. Now, what I hate about that is that for the last 4 or 5 days I have had relatively little I could do besides read....what I love is that now that I'm here, I am literally staring at and interacting with the buildings and streets that I've just been reading about.
The short version is this: ok, so we've all heard of Martin Luther (famous catholic Monk and academian who posted his 95 thesis (suggestions for reform in the Catholic church) on a cathedral door on the campus he was working on in 1517 in Germany), well LONG story short -Luther's ideas change the world and every European country over the course of the next several centuries. Sweden (birth place of the ECC) is no different and by the early 1800s the Lutheran State Church is the officially sanctioned church of the people. The thing is, after several hundred years, even a good idea gets stale and people began to look again for a fresh movement of God in their lives. Pietism started in Sweden c.1800 as a movement of individuals and small groups of Christians started to gather together to read the Word and discuss how they can more deeply and fully live out the Scriptures. This is so common for us now that we instantly think - 'yeah, and?' - BUT this was revolutionary stuff 'back in the day' - at that time you were considered 'saved' if you went to church; birth an baptism into the Lutheran church = salvation, NOT personal relationship with Christ. So folks were not generally encouraged to read scripture for themselves; it was frowned on...after all how could the laity properly interpret scripture... I guess they put a little more faith in education (a good and useful thing) and not as much is the Holy Spirit (when He’s not being abused!)…So we think of someone as being 'Pious' as a really negative thing, but when it started out these cats were basically the original Charismatics -very lively and fully engaged in each other and the work of God in their lives and work...VERY COOL.
Well, even longer story shortened, there was more and more tension between the State church and these new pious movements (these people were called lasare (readers) and later banded together in groups called Mission Friends – NOT intent on separating from the Church at all, but again seeking a more vibrant spiritual life) until eventually the Church gave them less and less recourse to splitting off and forming new groups. Out of these groups the Swedish Covenant was eventually formed. Now (we’re up to about 1880 now), there was a really grievous famine happening in Sweden, causing about 1 million Swedes to immigrate to America. There had been a fair amount of immigration happening for various reasons before this, but the famine put it over the top. Many of the immigrants settled in the mid-western states and just did what they did in Sweden – set up Mission Friend societies and made contact with their local Lutheran church (I won’t go into the whole Synod’s thing here…). Well, this was ok for a bit, but eventually what the Mission Friends wanted out of life and fellowship could not be found in the Lutheran ranks and so they split (or were booted out, as the case may be) and formally founded the (now) ECC in 1885 in Chicago.
So it’s this interesting movement that started out with deep concern for the will of God, God moved some of them from Sweden to America where they experienced freedom to grow and become more of who God has for them to be. They’ve established a hospital, a seminary and undergrad school and a whole bunch of outreached and missions to the poor, disenfranchised and lost across the world…that’s how far I’ve gotten so far.
NOW, here I am, little English-Hungarian girl, in the middle of what used to be a predominantly Swedish and Jewish immigrant neighborhood. I’ve spent about a solid week reading all about Swedish history and immigration history and I’m wondering…Did I sign up to become Swedish when I joined this group? Lol! I don’t know yet – I’ll keep you posted on that – but even if I did, I’m thinking that might not be a bad thing!
The short version is this: ok, so we've all heard of Martin Luther (famous catholic Monk and academian who posted his 95 thesis (suggestions for reform in the Catholic church) on a cathedral door on the campus he was working on in 1517 in Germany), well LONG story short -Luther's ideas change the world and every European country over the course of the next several centuries. Sweden (birth place of the ECC) is no different and by the early 1800s the Lutheran State Church is the officially sanctioned church of the people. The thing is, after several hundred years, even a good idea gets stale and people began to look again for a fresh movement of God in their lives. Pietism started in Sweden c.1800 as a movement of individuals and small groups of Christians started to gather together to read the Word and discuss how they can more deeply and fully live out the Scriptures. This is so common for us now that we instantly think - 'yeah, and?' - BUT this was revolutionary stuff 'back in the day' - at that time you were considered 'saved' if you went to church; birth an baptism into the Lutheran church = salvation, NOT personal relationship with Christ. So folks were not generally encouraged to read scripture for themselves; it was frowned on...after all how could the laity properly interpret scripture... I guess they put a little more faith in education (a good and useful thing) and not as much is the Holy Spirit (when He’s not being abused!)…So we think of someone as being 'Pious' as a really negative thing, but when it started out these cats were basically the original Charismatics -very lively and fully engaged in each other and the work of God in their lives and work...VERY COOL.
Well, even longer story shortened, there was more and more tension between the State church and these new pious movements (these people were called lasare (readers) and later banded together in groups called Mission Friends – NOT intent on separating from the Church at all, but again seeking a more vibrant spiritual life) until eventually the Church gave them less and less recourse to splitting off and forming new groups. Out of these groups the Swedish Covenant was eventually formed. Now (we’re up to about 1880 now), there was a really grievous famine happening in Sweden, causing about 1 million Swedes to immigrate to America. There had been a fair amount of immigration happening for various reasons before this, but the famine put it over the top. Many of the immigrants settled in the mid-western states and just did what they did in Sweden – set up Mission Friend societies and made contact with their local Lutheran church (I won’t go into the whole Synod’s thing here…). Well, this was ok for a bit, but eventually what the Mission Friends wanted out of life and fellowship could not be found in the Lutheran ranks and so they split (or were booted out, as the case may be) and formally founded the (now) ECC in 1885 in Chicago.
So it’s this interesting movement that started out with deep concern for the will of God, God moved some of them from Sweden to America where they experienced freedom to grow and become more of who God has for them to be. They’ve established a hospital, a seminary and undergrad school and a whole bunch of outreached and missions to the poor, disenfranchised and lost across the world…that’s how far I’ve gotten so far.
NOW, here I am, little English-Hungarian girl, in the middle of what used to be a predominantly Swedish and Jewish immigrant neighborhood. I’ve spent about a solid week reading all about Swedish history and immigration history and I’m wondering…Did I sign up to become Swedish when I joined this group? Lol! I don’t know yet – I’ll keep you posted on that – but even if I did, I’m thinking that might not be a bad thing!
06 June 2008
pics!
These sunset pics are from St. Benedict's Monestary in Snowmass, CO - I took them during spring break (March) when I was there on a personal retreat (GREAT time w/God!)
Graduation!!!
This is my family: L-R: Dad (Leo), Me (duhh), Christianne (Dad's wife), Scott (brother), and Mom (Hilda).
This is one of my best buddies since I moved out here - Susan - she has been such a support to me as I wrestled through these last few years!
These are two of my favorite professors: Professor Emig and Dr. Dallaire - both are lanugage teachers! (The languages were among the class I learned the most in, but had the hardest time).
This is a goofy pic of another of my closest friends - Nancee and Jess (middle) - LOVE these guys!
04 June 2008
Life ...of late...
Dear Ones!
I know, it’s been FOREVER since I updated this thing – I finally got smart and pre-wrote my thoughts on Word, so this blog would stop eating my entries. So much has happened in the last few months: finishing in Germany; getting re-commissioned into the Reserves; graduating from seminary; running in my first official race!
Germany
First of all – thanks so much to all of you who prayed, emailed and were available for me to bugg when I got the chance to call- you love and support meant (and means) the world to me. Germany went extremely well. I had the opportunity to see and participate in a vast array of ministry stuff while there. I was able to serve 200 hundred soldiers by doing ‘spot-check’ pastoral care as they processed their paperwork for deployment (these soldiers are all down-range now), participate in and partially lead a singles retreat and spend about five days in a field training exercise (FTX) with a group that deployed about two weeks after I left. I was privileged to work with some really soft-hearted, humble chaplains who gave me ample opportunities to serve and learn; I am so grateful for their ministry to me during that time.
Additionally, I was able to spend some time as a tourist. I got to see some of the cities of Nuremberg, Garmicsh (ski town), Bamberg and brief glimpses of several others en route to other destinations. (And yes, Dad, I did ride the train!) I think the absolute highlight as a tourist was seeing a live performance of Carmina Baranah (130 person choir – men’s, women’s AND children’s) and a Mozart piano duet performance at a Nuremberg concert hall – it was truly spectacular! (Susie – you would have DIED for the organ in that hall!!)
Re-commissioning
So, it’s funny what was hectic and what was not this last semester. One would expect that the last semester in seminary would be one of frenetic finishing. Far from it. This was the most tame semester perhaps of my higher education career. Some of this was planned; I save easier classes for the end and did the scarier stuff early to give myself ‘fail’ room (I did not fail…so I had more time than I anticipated). But what was hectic were the other 2 ‘legs’ of the 3-legged stool that are the Army, ECC (church) and Seminary. This semester I ended up taking two trips to continue along the ‘ordination trail’ in the ECC process. I took a week-long class in KS on Vocational Excellence (VocEx) and a three day trip about a month later to Omaha to do the interview for my pastoral license.
The VocEx class was TERRIFIC. They had us do a battery of psychological tests prior to coming out and then formatted the week to be a really cool hybrid of class and retreat. It turns out that I am actually sane (wheew!), but that I suck at self-care (what a shock). This was, in a weird way, good to hear as this was something that I had been thinking/praying about for a while before this retreat – so I took it as a confirmation that this is something God is speaking into my life. I spend much of the rest of the semester talking and praying about things gleaned from this retreat; what a great growth time.
The trip to Omaha, while completely nerve-wracking, went very well. I think I had emed y’all some about that one, so I’ll spare you some of the details now. It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to meet other Covenant pastors and let them get to know me some. And in the end, they decided that I could be a pastor, too ;). Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this process – this was NOT ordination – that is scheduled to be next summer…but more on that later. For now, I am a licensed pastor, under the authority of other ordained pastors.
The other thing that kept me hopping this semester was putting together a ‘packet’ for the Army to be re-commissioned into the Reserves. And, no, I have no idea why they do this – I keep my same rank (1LT), and my time in service/grade counts from the time I first commissioned, not this new one. But the one real difference is that I am now considered a full chaplain (as opposed to a candidate), but they have asked me to wait to take a local position or wear the cross on the uniform (Christian chaplains wear this in addition to rank) until I finish Chaplain School this summer…but more on that later… Needless to say, we got the packet done and I was accepted…but it did take quite a bit of attention to details that I did not feel I had the energy for… (PLT)
Graduation
Well, I officially have a Masters degree now (yea!*and there was much rejoicing*). I received my MDiv w/a concentration in Chaplaincy on 17 MAY. This was one of those truly spectacular weekends for me. It will live in my heart and memory as one of the personal greats for a long time to come. There were many wonderful surprises God had for me: many of you sent cards and well wishes on em (SO COOL!) and many came out to my graduation party that afternoon (SO FUN!!); my entire immediate family was able to come out (dad, Christianne (dad’s wife), mom and brother) and celebrate – it was SO AWESOME to have them meet my Colorado family and visa versa; and an additional surprise was that I was co-awarded the Chaplaincy award for my class. This is given to the students (2) who the school believes have demonstrated excellence in and great potential for chaplain work in the future. It was a VERY unexpected honor (I heard I turned grey when they called my name).
The rest of the day was devoted to picture taking, catching up w/folks during the open-house at my apartment and an EXCELLENT dinner at a local Italian restaurant. The next day I saw family off to the airport and had a wonderful breakfast with my dad and his wife before they left in the early afternoon. It was truly a weekend of blessings for me.
What’s happened since graduation?
I have been enjoying some absolutely EXCELLENT down time. I have kicked my work out routine into high-gear (lose the ‘stress pounds’ gained at the end of the semester) and recently ran the Boulder-Boulder, a 10K (6.2mi) fun race in the city of Boulder, CO. It was SO FUN. My time was miserable (1.27), but it was a hoot to see people in costumes, local garage bands out on the sidewalks, and the literally thousands of people who came out to run and encourage. My friends Jess and PJ were in the race with me and my friend Susan was our ‘pit crew,’ carrying extra clothes/bags to the finish line for us. I heard there were 53,000 (yes, thousand) who participated in the race this year – the biggest in its 30 year history!
Additionally, I have joined a local soft-ball mixed adult league; we’re 3 and 1 now (not too shabby!). I’ve also recently read the book “The Shack” – an interesting fictional interpretation of the Trinity in a so-so story format. I was blessed with some gift certificates to a book store and have started to read Mother Teresa’s story (the controversial one that includes clips from her diary) – it is SO COOL to read about a modern mystic… and I have also picked up Great Expectations by Dickens (wanted to read it for a long time). My days have been filled with good work outs, excellent people time – catching up with friends old and new – some reading, some emailing, some prepping the rest of the summer, teaching a guitar student (who is AWESOME!), contemplating playing guitar more myself, vegging and generally enjoying the grace God has poured out on my life currently.
What’s Next?
The June looks pretty much the same as above. Starting July 7th I will be in Chicago at North Park Theological Seminary for a week long history of the Covenant class (another step in the ordination process- and a very interesting topic (I love history)), then I will have about a week to get the paper for that class done and pack up for about 2 months of Army training back at Ft. Jackson, SC. I will be finishing the Chaplain office basic course which will qualify me to deploy (war zone) or mobilize (non-war zone). I have one more event to attend for my ordination qualification in late October, but I am looking for and hoping the Army will send me off somewhere in the world sometime starting in November. At this point it does not look like I will need to move anytime soon, so I expect I’ll be back in CO in early September – though I will have my celly on me, so DO CALL ME ANYTIME!
Prayer reqs.
I love what I’m doing and finally preparing to do. Please pray God would open a door for me to ‘get crackin’’ in November. The timing on this will be somewhat critical for me as student loans will come knocking very shortly thereafter, and I would really like to honor my obligations!
Ok, so that’s CERTAINLY enough for now…I have some reflections on life as of late I’ve been pondering, but I’ll spare you for the moment until I can get this and some pics loaded…
Thanks for being here for me – I appreciate and love you guys to death!
I know, it’s been FOREVER since I updated this thing – I finally got smart and pre-wrote my thoughts on Word, so this blog would stop eating my entries. So much has happened in the last few months: finishing in Germany; getting re-commissioned into the Reserves; graduating from seminary; running in my first official race!
Germany
First of all – thanks so much to all of you who prayed, emailed and were available for me to bugg when I got the chance to call- you love and support meant (and means) the world to me. Germany went extremely well. I had the opportunity to see and participate in a vast array of ministry stuff while there. I was able to serve 200 hundred soldiers by doing ‘spot-check’ pastoral care as they processed their paperwork for deployment (these soldiers are all down-range now), participate in and partially lead a singles retreat and spend about five days in a field training exercise (FTX) with a group that deployed about two weeks after I left. I was privileged to work with some really soft-hearted, humble chaplains who gave me ample opportunities to serve and learn; I am so grateful for their ministry to me during that time.
Additionally, I was able to spend some time as a tourist. I got to see some of the cities of Nuremberg, Garmicsh (ski town), Bamberg and brief glimpses of several others en route to other destinations. (And yes, Dad, I did ride the train!) I think the absolute highlight as a tourist was seeing a live performance of Carmina Baranah (130 person choir – men’s, women’s AND children’s) and a Mozart piano duet performance at a Nuremberg concert hall – it was truly spectacular! (Susie – you would have DIED for the organ in that hall!!)
Re-commissioning
So, it’s funny what was hectic and what was not this last semester. One would expect that the last semester in seminary would be one of frenetic finishing. Far from it. This was the most tame semester perhaps of my higher education career. Some of this was planned; I save easier classes for the end and did the scarier stuff early to give myself ‘fail’ room (I did not fail…so I had more time than I anticipated). But what was hectic were the other 2 ‘legs’ of the 3-legged stool that are the Army, ECC (church) and Seminary. This semester I ended up taking two trips to continue along the ‘ordination trail’ in the ECC process. I took a week-long class in KS on Vocational Excellence (VocEx) and a three day trip about a month later to Omaha to do the interview for my pastoral license.
The VocEx class was TERRIFIC. They had us do a battery of psychological tests prior to coming out and then formatted the week to be a really cool hybrid of class and retreat. It turns out that I am actually sane (wheew!), but that I suck at self-care (what a shock). This was, in a weird way, good to hear as this was something that I had been thinking/praying about for a while before this retreat – so I took it as a confirmation that this is something God is speaking into my life. I spend much of the rest of the semester talking and praying about things gleaned from this retreat; what a great growth time.
The trip to Omaha, while completely nerve-wracking, went very well. I think I had emed y’all some about that one, so I’ll spare you some of the details now. It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to meet other Covenant pastors and let them get to know me some. And in the end, they decided that I could be a pastor, too ;). Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this process – this was NOT ordination – that is scheduled to be next summer…but more on that later. For now, I am a licensed pastor, under the authority of other ordained pastors.
The other thing that kept me hopping this semester was putting together a ‘packet’ for the Army to be re-commissioned into the Reserves. And, no, I have no idea why they do this – I keep my same rank (1LT), and my time in service/grade counts from the time I first commissioned, not this new one. But the one real difference is that I am now considered a full chaplain (as opposed to a candidate), but they have asked me to wait to take a local position or wear the cross on the uniform (Christian chaplains wear this in addition to rank) until I finish Chaplain School this summer…but more on that later… Needless to say, we got the packet done and I was accepted…but it did take quite a bit of attention to details that I did not feel I had the energy for… (PLT)
Graduation
Well, I officially have a Masters degree now (yea!*and there was much rejoicing*). I received my MDiv w/a concentration in Chaplaincy on 17 MAY. This was one of those truly spectacular weekends for me. It will live in my heart and memory as one of the personal greats for a long time to come. There were many wonderful surprises God had for me: many of you sent cards and well wishes on em (SO COOL!) and many came out to my graduation party that afternoon (SO FUN!!); my entire immediate family was able to come out (dad, Christianne (dad’s wife), mom and brother) and celebrate – it was SO AWESOME to have them meet my Colorado family and visa versa; and an additional surprise was that I was co-awarded the Chaplaincy award for my class. This is given to the students (2) who the school believes have demonstrated excellence in and great potential for chaplain work in the future. It was a VERY unexpected honor (I heard I turned grey when they called my name).
The rest of the day was devoted to picture taking, catching up w/folks during the open-house at my apartment and an EXCELLENT dinner at a local Italian restaurant. The next day I saw family off to the airport and had a wonderful breakfast with my dad and his wife before they left in the early afternoon. It was truly a weekend of blessings for me.
What’s happened since graduation?
I have been enjoying some absolutely EXCELLENT down time. I have kicked my work out routine into high-gear (lose the ‘stress pounds’ gained at the end of the semester) and recently ran the Boulder-Boulder, a 10K (6.2mi) fun race in the city of Boulder, CO. It was SO FUN. My time was miserable (1.27), but it was a hoot to see people in costumes, local garage bands out on the sidewalks, and the literally thousands of people who came out to run and encourage. My friends Jess and PJ were in the race with me and my friend Susan was our ‘pit crew,’ carrying extra clothes/bags to the finish line for us. I heard there were 53,000 (yes, thousand) who participated in the race this year – the biggest in its 30 year history!
Additionally, I have joined a local soft-ball mixed adult league; we’re 3 and 1 now (not too shabby!). I’ve also recently read the book “The Shack” – an interesting fictional interpretation of the Trinity in a so-so story format. I was blessed with some gift certificates to a book store and have started to read Mother Teresa’s story (the controversial one that includes clips from her diary) – it is SO COOL to read about a modern mystic… and I have also picked up Great Expectations by Dickens (wanted to read it for a long time). My days have been filled with good work outs, excellent people time – catching up with friends old and new – some reading, some emailing, some prepping the rest of the summer, teaching a guitar student (who is AWESOME!), contemplating playing guitar more myself, vegging and generally enjoying the grace God has poured out on my life currently.
What’s Next?
The June looks pretty much the same as above. Starting July 7th I will be in Chicago at North Park Theological Seminary for a week long history of the Covenant class (another step in the ordination process- and a very interesting topic (I love history)), then I will have about a week to get the paper for that class done and pack up for about 2 months of Army training back at Ft. Jackson, SC. I will be finishing the Chaplain office basic course which will qualify me to deploy (war zone) or mobilize (non-war zone). I have one more event to attend for my ordination qualification in late October, but I am looking for and hoping the Army will send me off somewhere in the world sometime starting in November. At this point it does not look like I will need to move anytime soon, so I expect I’ll be back in CO in early September – though I will have my celly on me, so DO CALL ME ANYTIME!
Prayer reqs.
I love what I’m doing and finally preparing to do. Please pray God would open a door for me to ‘get crackin’’ in November. The timing on this will be somewhat critical for me as student loans will come knocking very shortly thereafter, and I would really like to honor my obligations!
Ok, so that’s CERTAINLY enough for now…I have some reflections on life as of late I’ve been pondering, but I’ll spare you for the moment until I can get this and some pics loaded…
Thanks for being here for me – I appreciate and love you guys to death!
13 January 2008
The Middle...
Hey Gang - sorry it's been so long since I wrote - more mess with computers and timing. This has been a very good and eventful week for me. I was able to work with 200 soldiers who were preparing to deploy over the next few months at something called a PDP (pre-depolyment somthing...) The first day I worked with another chaplain who treined me in what the event was and what our role in it was to be - mainly checking ID tags, signing paperwork and checking in with them on their basic emotional health as they prepare for this deployment to Iraq or Afganistan. It was a real blessing to be the pastor caring these men and women as they went through this event.
I was also blessed to be able to be a part of something called a CRC meeting (Case Review Commitee) which tries to intevene in soliders, dependants and civilians' lives when they get complicated on base - this is a stop gap measure desigend to help families before there needs to be more judicial/leagal involvment with the families. It was good to learn how the commitee (comprised of social workers, an MP, a Lawyer, a Doctor and the comander of the base as well as the chaplain) works and the types of things I can expect to get involved with once I'm doing this full-time. It's pretty mesy, but the light never shines so bright as when it's darkest.
I will be going on a field excercise this week (FTX) and have managed to get some gear together to prepare for it. It's a time of practicing how a unit (or batallion or brigade - different sized groups) will work when they are in a deployed situation. The group I will be going with will deploy in the next year, so this training, while in some moments will be fun, in many moments will be fairly serious learning as they prepare for real life stuff.
Personally, I find myslef again in between two worlds - not quite a civilain not quite a solider, though more one than the other (not sure which). I have manged to make some good connections with people here, so it feels a little saddening to leave, though I do miss friends in the states - thus, the two worlds thing. Please pray for me and my troups this week as we 'play' in the field - that we stay safe as we practice. Pray for me, too as I prepare to come back to CO for my semester of seminary. I return on the 24th. - love, Ter
I was also blessed to be able to be a part of something called a CRC meeting (Case Review Commitee) which tries to intevene in soliders, dependants and civilians' lives when they get complicated on base - this is a stop gap measure desigend to help families before there needs to be more judicial/leagal involvment with the families. It was good to learn how the commitee (comprised of social workers, an MP, a Lawyer, a Doctor and the comander of the base as well as the chaplain) works and the types of things I can expect to get involved with once I'm doing this full-time. It's pretty mesy, but the light never shines so bright as when it's darkest.
I will be going on a field excercise this week (FTX) and have managed to get some gear together to prepare for it. It's a time of practicing how a unit (or batallion or brigade - different sized groups) will work when they are in a deployed situation. The group I will be going with will deploy in the next year, so this training, while in some moments will be fun, in many moments will be fairly serious learning as they prepare for real life stuff.
Personally, I find myslef again in between two worlds - not quite a civilain not quite a solider, though more one than the other (not sure which). I have manged to make some good connections with people here, so it feels a little saddening to leave, though I do miss friends in the states - thus, the two worlds thing. Please pray for me and my troups this week as we 'play' in the field - that we stay safe as we practice. Pray for me, too as I prepare to come back to CO for my semester of seminary. I return on the 24th. - love, Ter
21 December 2007
Acclimating...
Greetings Friends!! Well I've been here a week now and am fairly well over the jet lag. It is bloody cold here, though not really more than CO or even RI this time of year - consistantly in the 30s - I've just been on foot for everything, so I'm much more aware of it. I have managed to get my American-in- Germany drivers license (there are lots of nifty road signs I had to learn...).
You know you're on an Army base when you say this sentence: "Oh, Sergent - do you have a minute to take a picture of me in front of that tank?"...that was one of my more favorite things to have had the opportunity to say since I've been here...
So far, a 'typical' day is shaping up to be: 0630 workout, breakfast/reset, go to the post chapel, meet folks, do in-processing stuff and try to jump on anything I see the other chaplains doing. It looks like I will get to see/particiapate in a singles solider's retreat in two week - this will be fun, since I've only atteneded a couples retreat so far! (and yes, I was sinlge for that, too! *lol*) I hope to do some ride-alongs with the local MPs and perhaps some range time with one of the batallions that will be deploying later this year.
Personally, I've been doing very well with the exception of some confusion on my housing that has come up. Some of the SGTs around here are telling me my orders will not cover the place I'm staying in, though it is the typical place I stay on these stints - so, not sure if there's some European thing my command/I am not aware of. Do pray for me that this will be favorably resolved as it could mean a thousand dollars out of my own pocket if it goes badly.
Other than that, I've been enjoying meeting new people, exploring my neighborhood, on and off post and checking out downtown Bamberg's Christmas Market. I'm thinking I'll head down to Nurenberg over the weekend and see what's happening there. Brats are perhaps the worlds most perfect food here...
You know you're on an Army base when you say this sentence: "Oh, Sergent - do you have a minute to take a picture of me in front of that tank?"...that was one of my more favorite things to have had the opportunity to say since I've been here...
So far, a 'typical' day is shaping up to be: 0630 workout, breakfast/reset, go to the post chapel, meet folks, do in-processing stuff and try to jump on anything I see the other chaplains doing. It looks like I will get to see/particiapate in a singles solider's retreat in two week - this will be fun, since I've only atteneded a couples retreat so far! (and yes, I was sinlge for that, too! *lol*) I hope to do some ride-alongs with the local MPs and perhaps some range time with one of the batallions that will be deploying later this year.
Personally, I've been doing very well with the exception of some confusion on my housing that has come up. Some of the SGTs around here are telling me my orders will not cover the place I'm staying in, though it is the typical place I stay on these stints - so, not sure if there's some European thing my command/I am not aware of. Do pray for me that this will be favorably resolved as it could mean a thousand dollars out of my own pocket if it goes badly.
Other than that, I've been enjoying meeting new people, exploring my neighborhood, on and off post and checking out downtown Bamberg's Christmas Market. I'm thinking I'll head down to Nurenberg over the weekend and see what's happening there. Brats are perhaps the worlds most perfect food here...
I'm still working through buggs on gettings pics uploaded...so...the above was the only one I could get today... more to come! - ter
16 December 2007
Greetings From Bamberg!
Hi Friends! I have safely arrived at Bamber USA Garrison! I only have a few minutes to write before this place closes, so I'll be brief:
you can snail mail me at :
Bamberg Inn Lodging
USAG Bamberg
1LT Terri King
CMR 459
APO AE 09139
I'm working on a cell/skype, just sent off my addy to the Geeksquad folks who have my laptop, so that'll still be a while...
I'm doing terrific, despite jetlagging out of my skull...have jumped in with both feet, as usual - more to come - thanks for all the GREAT encourgaments/notes/ prayers - SOOO appriciated - keep up the good work! - love, Ter
you can snail mail me at :
Bamberg Inn Lodging
USAG Bamberg
1LT Terri King
CMR 459
APO AE 09139
I'm working on a cell/skype, just sent off my addy to the Geeksquad folks who have my laptop, so that'll still be a while...
I'm doing terrific, despite jetlagging out of my skull...have jumped in with both feet, as usual - more to come - thanks for all the GREAT encourgaments/notes/ prayers - SOOO appriciated - keep up the good work! - love, Ter
13 December 2007
Traveling!
Hey Guys - Do pray for me today - I am traveling and it looks like I will not have my laptop for a few days? Weeks? Best Buy/ Geek Squad has it and won't let it go... they tell me they'll mail it to me IN GERAMNY... pray that that happens qucikly - I dont' think I can get skype/firgure out skype w/o it... - so, prayers too that I will adjust well w/o close friends at hand. I'm doing very well - finshed calsses last night (!) and am stoked to be going!! Stay in touch (I will find termainls along the way) - love Ter
10 December 2007
GERMANY!
Greetings, Friends! First of all, let me update you on some of my life...
- I have PASSED my Doctrinal Orals (a really big, scary paper that one completes and defends in front of a panel of 2 professors that one signs up for for no credit and cannot graduate without completing...very scary...copies available upon request)
- Tomorrow is my last day at my CPE internship, Porter Adventist Hospital. I've had an incredible learning experience and have LOVED working with the other chaplains (AMAZING!!) and staff at this excellent hospital. I will genuinely miss being here.
- It now looks VERY good that I will GRADUATE next semester!!!
- I leave for Bamberg, Germany this Thursday...ok, I can't really just slide that in, can I?
So, here's the story...
About a month ago I woke from a very strange dream. I can't remember what the dream is now, but I remember having the definite impression that the Lord had told me to get my butt to Germany. When I was more conscious, I thought "Humm, wasn't that a strange dream?" and pretty much was going to let it go at that. However, the next night in one of my classes one of my classmates told a story of a young Vet he had just met that changed my mind; it seemed to me to be a sign that the Lord really had spoken. Now, I knew that there were 2 slots open for the Germany practicum for the Reserves. I also knew that there are several hundred slobbering Chaplain Candidates drooling over this assignment. But, I put in my paperwork trusting that the Lord would do what he would do. Sure enough, about two weeks later my commander called me up and told me I had been chosen for the assignment. This is, needless to say, quite an honor.
I will depart in a few days for Bamberg which is about 45 minutes north of Nuremberg in central Germany. I don't speak a lick of German, so I think this will be a really interesting time! I will be there through the holiday, returning in late January to complete my seminary education. I will be posting pictures and updates often, so do keep checking back every few days starting Monday. I plan on using Skype to be able to touch base with folks, so if you have an account, let me know! I'm mostly ready to go now, just finishing one last class Wednesday night, so I just need your prayers and support now!
Prayer Requests:
- For me to be fully open to what ever He has planned for me for this time.
- Travel mercies/ good connections
- Culture Shock!
- Divine appointments
- God's peace to be on my family as I'm overseas for the holidays - I'm not normally with my family for the holidays, but I know they worry about me when I leave the country.
- The Lord's continued favor as I learn to minister to and with the military.
- I have PASSED my Doctrinal Orals (a really big, scary paper that one completes and defends in front of a panel of 2 professors that one signs up for for no credit and cannot graduate without completing...very scary...copies available upon request)
- Tomorrow is my last day at my CPE internship, Porter Adventist Hospital. I've had an incredible learning experience and have LOVED working with the other chaplains (AMAZING!!) and staff at this excellent hospital. I will genuinely miss being here.
- It now looks VERY good that I will GRADUATE next semester!!!
- I leave for Bamberg, Germany this Thursday...ok, I can't really just slide that in, can I?
So, here's the story...
About a month ago I woke from a very strange dream. I can't remember what the dream is now, but I remember having the definite impression that the Lord had told me to get my butt to Germany. When I was more conscious, I thought "Humm, wasn't that a strange dream?" and pretty much was going to let it go at that. However, the next night in one of my classes one of my classmates told a story of a young Vet he had just met that changed my mind; it seemed to me to be a sign that the Lord really had spoken. Now, I knew that there were 2 slots open for the Germany practicum for the Reserves. I also knew that there are several hundred slobbering Chaplain Candidates drooling over this assignment. But, I put in my paperwork trusting that the Lord would do what he would do. Sure enough, about two weeks later my commander called me up and told me I had been chosen for the assignment. This is, needless to say, quite an honor.
I will depart in a few days for Bamberg which is about 45 minutes north of Nuremberg in central Germany. I don't speak a lick of German, so I think this will be a really interesting time! I will be there through the holiday, returning in late January to complete my seminary education. I will be posting pictures and updates often, so do keep checking back every few days starting Monday. I plan on using Skype to be able to touch base with folks, so if you have an account, let me know! I'm mostly ready to go now, just finishing one last class Wednesday night, so I just need your prayers and support now!
Prayer Requests:
- For me to be fully open to what ever He has planned for me for this time.
- Travel mercies/ good connections
- Culture Shock!
- Divine appointments
- God's peace to be on my family as I'm overseas for the holidays - I'm not normally with my family for the holidays, but I know they worry about me when I leave the country.
- The Lord's continued favor as I learn to minister to and with the military.
18 October 2007
Seasons of Change...
I love the Fall. I have finally decided that it is my favorite time of year. One can enjoy the comfort of long pants, yet still wear a T-shirt. It is also a time of winding down. All summer is a hurried, mad dash to enjoy as much outdoor goodness as physically possible before the snows come to dust our doors once again. And Winter is a huddled misery of waiting. The Fall is an in-between time. It is neither blazing hot nor freezing cold on a consistent basis.
This fall is reminding me of my life and the seasons of change that I have and am going through. I am currently in a program called CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) - it is part of my seminary education, but also counts toward national accreditation as a chaplain. This is a VERY intense program of professional and personal development. As part of this program I have an internship working at Porter Adventist Hospital here in Denver. I meet people from EVERY walk of life three days a week. I am learning how to engage a total stranger with care and sensitivity. It is truly a blessing, honor and privilege to be in this position of trust both with the hospital as well as patients.
Everyone suffers loss and grieves. So have I. This fall I am thinking a lot about loss and the resulting hope that eventually can come of it. Loss makes room for newness - not necessarily newness that we would have wanted, but none the less, newness that we eventually get the opportunity to choose back.
God willing, I will be graduating from seminary and continuing the journey toward Army Chaplaincy this May. The feeling of transition is strong in me now - loss (or change) of the good things I have gained here - professional and personal friendships, a stable place to call 'home' - and am facing both the grief of that change and also preparing to open myself to the new opportunities and friends that are waiting to be. Please keep me in prayer - love, Ter
This fall is reminding me of my life and the seasons of change that I have and am going through. I am currently in a program called CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) - it is part of my seminary education, but also counts toward national accreditation as a chaplain. This is a VERY intense program of professional and personal development. As part of this program I have an internship working at Porter Adventist Hospital here in Denver. I meet people from EVERY walk of life three days a week. I am learning how to engage a total stranger with care and sensitivity. It is truly a blessing, honor and privilege to be in this position of trust both with the hospital as well as patients.
Everyone suffers loss and grieves. So have I. This fall I am thinking a lot about loss and the resulting hope that eventually can come of it. Loss makes room for newness - not necessarily newness that we would have wanted, but none the less, newness that we eventually get the opportunity to choose back.
God willing, I will be graduating from seminary and continuing the journey toward Army Chaplaincy this May. The feeling of transition is strong in me now - loss (or change) of the good things I have gained here - professional and personal friendships, a stable place to call 'home' - and am facing both the grief of that change and also preparing to open myself to the new opportunities and friends that are waiting to be. Please keep me in prayer - love, Ter
23 July 2007
Summer Pictures...
Hey Gang - I hope your summers are going well. I've been 'slaving' away at my summer class during the week, but have been getting out into the outstanding nature of CO on the weekends - here are some pics I've taken over the last few weeks. It's springtime in the mountains here. the mountain is Holy Cross, a 14,000 ft mountain in the Sawatch mountain range. We were not able to summit, but I did get a picture of the summit from 13,300 ft. The waterfall pic is from Portland, OR when I was at the Covenant Annual Meeting last month and many of the flower picture are from Herman's Gulch. God bless and stay in touch! - peace, ter
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14 June 2007
Operation Desert Locust
This morning as I drove into work through the parking lot, I noticed there was a locust on the lamp post I parked in front of. As I adjusted my Beret and walked toward the building, I noticed he had friends...So I find myself in my first Locust Invasion. Now, there are lots of operations happening out here in Texas with 'high speed' (the Army word for 'Really Cool') titles like Operation Warrior Command and Operation Boots on the Ground. So it makes me want to have a really cool title for my little Hospital operation. So I think I'm going to settle on Operation Desert Locust.
Things here are going well. I continue to do lots of different things in a given week from visiting patients and ministering to them to attending trainings on things like MasCals (we did another one at a different venue yesterday) to going out to the ranges on post and visiting some of the training operations happening out there to getting a chance to preach at a chapel service or led worship. Each day brings with it it's own challenges and opportunities. As I wrap up my time here and start to think about getting back to civilian life (I leave next Thursday), I find myself reflecting again on this past year in comparison to these last few weeks. All year I felt like I was just dying for affirmation, but no matter what affirmation I got it was not enough. I came here expecting to learn things but received so much more; I feel like all the affirmation I needed last year has been poured out on me here. It feels like everything I've put my hand to here has met with some measure of success.
The Lord has been so gracious to me. It seems to me that the lessons of grace the Lord has been teaching me have paid huge dividends here. It has often been tempting for me to be very hard on myself and expect an unreasonable standard of myself; I have used my 'get out of jail free' card often and it has increased my ability to do the work the Lord has given.
Thanks for staying with me and praying for me - I know that I would not survive these times without such a faithful prayer and friend base. Here's how you can be praying for me as I wrap up my last week:
- for continued divine appointment with paitents and staff
- for continued good working relationships with the Chaplains (that we'd all finish strong together)
- ***For strength and speed on my physical fitness test that I must pass next Wends (20th - 5.30AM)*** - that I would continue to engage all that the Lord has for me here and not 'check out' early
Things here are going well. I continue to do lots of different things in a given week from visiting patients and ministering to them to attending trainings on things like MasCals (we did another one at a different venue yesterday) to going out to the ranges on post and visiting some of the training operations happening out there to getting a chance to preach at a chapel service or led worship. Each day brings with it it's own challenges and opportunities. As I wrap up my time here and start to think about getting back to civilian life (I leave next Thursday), I find myself reflecting again on this past year in comparison to these last few weeks. All year I felt like I was just dying for affirmation, but no matter what affirmation I got it was not enough. I came here expecting to learn things but received so much more; I feel like all the affirmation I needed last year has been poured out on me here. It feels like everything I've put my hand to here has met with some measure of success.
The Lord has been so gracious to me. It seems to me that the lessons of grace the Lord has been teaching me have paid huge dividends here. It has often been tempting for me to be very hard on myself and expect an unreasonable standard of myself; I have used my 'get out of jail free' card often and it has increased my ability to do the work the Lord has given.
Thanks for staying with me and praying for me - I know that I would not survive these times without such a faithful prayer and friend base. Here's how you can be praying for me as I wrap up my last week:
- for continued divine appointment with paitents and staff
- for continued good working relationships with the Chaplains (that we'd all finish strong together)
- ***For strength and speed on my physical fitness test that I must pass next Wends (20th - 5.30AM)*** - that I would continue to engage all that the Lord has for me here and not 'check out' early
07 June 2007
Community House
What does it mean to be a family? I know, for those of you who know me well, you groan…yes, I’m on this topic again. But it is an obsession…so, we drive on…What does it mean to be a family? (Dad, don't freak out, I haven't seceded from the King family, just thinking a little bigger). Since I’ve been working in hospital ministry these last few weeks, I’ve spent a lot of time doing family oriented trainings. Yesterday, I did one on the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.” Now, I’m not sure ANY family is shooting for “Highly Effective”…I think most would just be satisfied with “Maximally Functional For Where We Are In Life.” Yet workshops abound (I didn’t even realize…) and I’m beginning to catch some repeating themes: read the book “The 5 Love Languages” (so the suspense doesn’t kill you, they are: physical touch, quality time, acts of service, words of encouragement, and gift giving); have a plan or vision or mission for the family to focus on, be open to change and input from each member of the family, always be working on improving communication and good will amongst family members. Ok. How is this different from the Christian community working together the way Christ intended? This is a very old question for me, but one I’ve felt is perhaps not valid to ask until recently… so now I’m asking and I REALLY do want ALL your feedback – the good, the bad and the ugly. I'm tired of having this roll around in my brain - I'm willing to let y'all in a bit, so here goes:
I am 33 years old and single. There have been moments of deep discontent with my singleness, but I find they are usually when I am under an inordinate amount of stress and when the stressors pass, my craving to be married tends to go with it - not to say I'm not still open, but the urgency passes. This is forcing me to ask several questions: am I created to be single (now, do not read: without family, read: without spouse) for life? And what does it look like for me to have meaningful family as a adult? Most people have a biological drive to have children and thus, create their family. For whatever reasons, I do not seem to have this drive. However, this does not mean I do not want to have a family – I find that I very often want to gather other singles together and create a family in this sort of community (or perhaps adopt children some day). And I have thought this for a very long time. If I am to be single, does that naturally follow that I am to be without close family ties? I don’t think so, at least, I don’t read scripture that way… And I am finding there are others out there who want the same or similar things as singles and even as married couples…
In the last few months I have been thinking more and more seriously about creating something I think of as Community House (CH) (working title only, please don’t spear me over the cheesy title) – A place where three to five folks (married and/or singles) live together in intentional community, working in the home as a family – we have a common mission (here it’s still fuzzy for me what that could be), common commitments to Jesus and each other and our community at large. I envision a once a week dinner/bible study together where we can pray and touch base with each other (each member taking responsibility to led alternately). Now there are two tough parts to this for me: one – what’s the mission? And two – how do I do this as a member of the Army? (second one being harder to reconcile).
The mission thing, I think of two roads – one, we prayerfully choose a mission together and aim our lives and resources to it; I’m not sure this would be terribly feasible for most members of the community, as I assume they will all be well along in their careers. Two – we all do our careers, but use home as a touchstone to keep us grounded in Christian community (like a, oh say, FAMILY) and as a resource to love the hurting and lost people we come into contact with in our day-to-day lives. The problem I see here is perhaps feeling like we’d be starting a church or somehow conflicting with the community and ministry of the churches we’re involved in …humm…
The other problem, for me anyway, is how do I do this as a highly mobile member of the Army? And just in general, how do I keep a sense of community and family as I move every few years? Is this idea meant to be transportable? Am I supposed to establish these communities wherever I land? That feels schizophrenic to me…and not very ‘familyesque.’ I have no solution to this one. Though this will not be forever, it will be for the next few years...Thoughts?
As a parting note – the picture here is of a collage I did during that workshop yesterday. I'm not really a 'collage-type girl,' but I found I was very enthusiastic about this (which also inspired me to get off my duff about talking about these ideas). It is everything (well, mostly anyway) that I would like CH to be, represent and do. At one time, the things on this card were things I needed to receive, now they feel more like things I want to give; not to say I’m ‘fine’ or ‘done,’ just to say I’ve received so much of this my heart overflows.
So, I feel very vulnerable putting this out here, so do be gentle with me, but do be honest – is this something I should shoot for? Is it something good? Or is it a twisted idea from an adult who refuses to ‘grow up?’ Feel free to ask whatever you need to clarify any points. Thanks y’all, and as always, keep me posted on prayer requests and updates from your lives. – love, Ter
The other problem, for me anyway, is how do I do this as a highly mobile member of the Army? And just in general, how do I keep a sense of community and family as I move every few years? Is this idea meant to be transportable? Am I supposed to establish these communities wherever I land? That feels schizophrenic to me…and not very ‘familyesque.’ I have no solution to this one. Though this will not be forever, it will be for the next few years...Thoughts?
As a parting note – the picture here is of a collage I did during that workshop yesterday. I'm not really a 'collage-type girl,' but I found I was very enthusiastic about this (which also inspired me to get off my duff about talking about these ideas). It is everything (well, mostly anyway) that I would like CH to be, represent and do. At one time, the things on this card were things I needed to receive, now they feel more like things I want to give; not to say I’m ‘fine’ or ‘done,’ just to say I’ve received so much of this my heart overflows.
So, I feel very vulnerable putting this out here, so do be gentle with me, but do be honest – is this something I should shoot for? Is it something good? Or is it a twisted idea from an adult who refuses to ‘grow up?’ Feel free to ask whatever you need to clarify any points. Thanks y’all, and as always, keep me posted on prayer requests and updates from your lives. – love, Ter
28 May 2007
Army Practicum...
Hey Team – just thought I’d put out an update. I’m currently in TX at an Army Hospital doing a summer practicum with the Army. I will be doing something called CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) in the fall, hopefully in a hospital setting, so this is GREAT preparation for me! Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement this past semester – it has meant the world to me. As far as I can tell, I did well in all my classes – so it looks like there’s only one more full year of Seminary! I survived Greek and Hebrew!! I’ve put off writing because so much has happened…where does one start? Well, I thought I’d give you a page from my recent journaling for your prayers and consideration…
25 May 2007
It’s been a better day, still emotionally exhausting (too much information too fast), but I’m starting to feel like I am beginning to understand more of the conversations here and am beginning to participate in more meaningful ways. I’ve wanted to get out to do patient visits the last two days, but other stuff keeps coming up, and then the day’s over. It’s frustrating because I can’t tell if I’m just hiding because it still makes me a little nervous to get started (I think I’m better once I get going) or if it’s just that there’s more stuff I’m trying to get a grip on and I don’t know when or if they’ll be offered again so I’m trying to capitalize on what’s in front of me. Some of both, I’m sure.
I participated in a Mass Casualty exercise this morning. It was sort of fun because the mood was fairly light (soldiers who were playing the injured were in great moods), but still somewhat stressful as I was trying to take it fairly seriously and learn (VERY quickly) what I should and should not be doing as a chaplain in such an event. CH Cotton was great to follow around today; he’s very patent with me.
I feel like I’m learning volumes about myself and this job – here’s my list so far:
When I am in culture shock and am not working with a team of people I know, I:
- Am mercilessly perfectionistic with myself
- Need to talk/connect with friends like mad (try desperately to re-establish security in at least one area/space in my life)
- Find it difficult to process large volumes of information, because I’m spending so much energy trying to not look like an idiot and connect with the person I’m talking to
- Get frustrated easily (feel very impatient and get angry quickly, though I usually do not express it outwardly)
- Feel overwhelmed, adding to all of the above
Things I’m learning about this job:
- It’s like many other jobs; there are people, tasks and systems – sometimes people loaf around and it fouls up others, sometimes people are apathetic about their work and sometimes they love their jobs and do it with enthusiasm; in or out of uniform, Americans are still Americans.
- In a Mass Casualty situation, keep asking people: where patients are being moved to (this can change frequently – keep paper so you can track what floors everyone ends up on); and how people are doing (staff and patients)
- When doing patient visits: ask what their religious background is and if they have people visiting them (offer to liaison with their religious group as necessary)
- This office is very laid back – I do not feel micro-managed; the chaplains here are very willing to help me grow and will stop what they’re doing almost immediately to mentor me (wow!)
- Marriage retreats are interesting to attend as a single person – I think maybe I’ll ‘provide’ for these rather than perform as long as I am single!
One thing did disturb me today at the MasCas. There was a ‘casualty’ who was dying and unconscious – I was available and called to pray over him and no one knew his name. There was nothing identifying him – no Army ID tags, nothing on his paper tag. I prayed for him as a Christian, but it felt so inadequate. Was there something else I should have done? In real life, I think this would have deeply disturbed me – I think I would have worked the hospital system a lot to try and get a name on him. No one should die without their name being spoken over them. It just seemed so sad.
As for the rest of it – the fake burn injuries, cuts, abrasions, disfiguring breaks, puncture wounds with debris sticking out of them…well, I think those images would bother me too, but I don’t know – I felt like I could handle being there. A lot of it could have been just that it was such a relatively ‘easy’ atmosphere. In any case, I do think I got a sense of what a chaplain does today. We pray, comfort, reassure and connect people. What a fascinating job…
25 May 2007
It’s been a better day, still emotionally exhausting (too much information too fast), but I’m starting to feel like I am beginning to understand more of the conversations here and am beginning to participate in more meaningful ways. I’ve wanted to get out to do patient visits the last two days, but other stuff keeps coming up, and then the day’s over. It’s frustrating because I can’t tell if I’m just hiding because it still makes me a little nervous to get started (I think I’m better once I get going) or if it’s just that there’s more stuff I’m trying to get a grip on and I don’t know when or if they’ll be offered again so I’m trying to capitalize on what’s in front of me. Some of both, I’m sure.
I participated in a Mass Casualty exercise this morning. It was sort of fun because the mood was fairly light (soldiers who were playing the injured were in great moods), but still somewhat stressful as I was trying to take it fairly seriously and learn (VERY quickly) what I should and should not be doing as a chaplain in such an event. CH Cotton was great to follow around today; he’s very patent with me.
I feel like I’m learning volumes about myself and this job – here’s my list so far:
When I am in culture shock and am not working with a team of people I know, I:
- Am mercilessly perfectionistic with myself
- Need to talk/connect with friends like mad (try desperately to re-establish security in at least one area/space in my life)
- Find it difficult to process large volumes of information, because I’m spending so much energy trying to not look like an idiot and connect with the person I’m talking to
- Get frustrated easily (feel very impatient and get angry quickly, though I usually do not express it outwardly)
- Feel overwhelmed, adding to all of the above
Things I’m learning about this job:
- It’s like many other jobs; there are people, tasks and systems – sometimes people loaf around and it fouls up others, sometimes people are apathetic about their work and sometimes they love their jobs and do it with enthusiasm; in or out of uniform, Americans are still Americans.
- In a Mass Casualty situation, keep asking people: where patients are being moved to (this can change frequently – keep paper so you can track what floors everyone ends up on); and how people are doing (staff and patients)
- When doing patient visits: ask what their religious background is and if they have people visiting them (offer to liaison with their religious group as necessary)
- This office is very laid back – I do not feel micro-managed; the chaplains here are very willing to help me grow and will stop what they’re doing almost immediately to mentor me (wow!)
- Marriage retreats are interesting to attend as a single person – I think maybe I’ll ‘provide’ for these rather than perform as long as I am single!
One thing did disturb me today at the MasCas. There was a ‘casualty’ who was dying and unconscious – I was available and called to pray over him and no one knew his name. There was nothing identifying him – no Army ID tags, nothing on his paper tag. I prayed for him as a Christian, but it felt so inadequate. Was there something else I should have done? In real life, I think this would have deeply disturbed me – I think I would have worked the hospital system a lot to try and get a name on him. No one should die without their name being spoken over them. It just seemed so sad.
As for the rest of it – the fake burn injuries, cuts, abrasions, disfiguring breaks, puncture wounds with debris sticking out of them…well, I think those images would bother me too, but I don’t know – I felt like I could handle being there. A lot of it could have been just that it was such a relatively ‘easy’ atmosphere. In any case, I do think I got a sense of what a chaplain does today. We pray, comfort, reassure and connect people. What a fascinating job…
25 March 2007
Feeling Better...
I was talking to a friend recently (I can't actually remember who...) but she told me that she's convinced that all of life is a continual process of tearing down and rebuilding. I think I can safely say that the last 10 months have been a real time of tearing down for me. The Lord is breaking my dependence on myself and my idolatry of people. Yet, strangely, he's not calling me away from trusting the instincts he has given me, nor is he pulling me out of community. I think this is a deep and mysterious (at least to me) work of grace happening in my life. It has been a time of fire, where I have loved deeply, been hurt just as deeply, and have fallen (read:*splat*) on the strength of the Lord more solidly than perhaps any other time in my life. I know He is real. I know He is FOR me, all the time, in all of my messiness, just as I am. I am both in awe of that and completely flabbergasted by that: why does he bother with me/us?!
In some ways, it comes back to identity, doesn't it? Am I: the thing I do, or the One I belong to? As I was leaving RI to come here, one of the deepest lessons the Lord was trying to impress on me was this cornerstone of identity: I am/was not a Campus Staff Member for InterVarsity, I am not a graduate student, I am not a 2nd LT in the Army. I'm not. I'm a daughter of Jesus; beloved, cherished child of God. This too, is a mystery to me...
Thank you all for praying for me and encouraging me, especially in light of my last post. It has been an impossibly difficult semester. But this is what it is taking to break me of my perfectionism, and I am growing in gratitude for the new freedoms that this is affording me.
I have 7 weeks left to this semester, and several large projects to still go, but I finally feel that I have settled into a place to trust and peace about the whole thing; thank you for keeping me close to God. I will complete my last Hebrew language class next week (it's only a 10week semester for that particular class) and it looks like I will be passing it respectable well (B-ish). This is sort of a fun thought: I started the semester at 18 credits (16 at Den Sem, 2 at my Denomination) and have wheedled my way down to 14 as of next week.
The following are quotes that have been resonating with my soul and informing my thinking over the last two years, I thought I'd share them for your edification:
On Communion intersecting life:
If Jesus doesn’t receive us, give thanks for us and break us so that he can give us back to ourselves and others, we will be left in our bundles of isolated deceptions. – Steve Thulson, a Sunday service, 2007
‘Love is as strong as death.’ There is a convergence of love with death in which both open the door to the unknown and uncontrollable. – Richard Hess “Song of Songs”p33.
The Shema (sort of rule of life) of Mother Theresa
The fruit of silence is prayer
The fruit of prayer is faith
The fruit of faith is love
The fruit of love is service
The fruit of service is peace
The Shema of Terri
The fruit of silence is choice
The fruit of choice is potentially wisdom
The fruit of wisdom is peace
The fruit of peace is love
The fruit of love is service
The fruit of service is life
The Shema of Hell
The fruit of silence is anxiety
The fruit of anxiety is despair
The fruit of despair is hatred
The fruit of hatred is self-service
The fruit of self-service is death
Idolatry…leads to disillusionment and despair. –Integrative Theology, p195
There is no pit that the love of God is not deeper still. -Corrie Ten Boom
If you seem empty of any feeling, rejoice- you are his ransomed bride. If those you cherish seem not to love you, and dark assails from every side, still yours the promise: come what may, in loss and triumph, in laughter, crying, in want and riches, in living, dying, that you are purchased as you are. – Peter Aschan (1726-1813), a hymn
It takes so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment or the courage to pay the price. One has to abandon altogether the search for security and reach out to the risk of living with both arms. One has to embrace the world like a lover. One has to accept pain as a condition of existence. One has to court doubt and darkness as the cost of knowing. One needs a will, apt always to total acceptance of every consequence of living and dying. -“The Shoes of the Fisherman’
In some ways, it comes back to identity, doesn't it? Am I: the thing I do, or the One I belong to? As I was leaving RI to come here, one of the deepest lessons the Lord was trying to impress on me was this cornerstone of identity: I am/was not a Campus Staff Member for InterVarsity, I am not a graduate student, I am not a 2nd LT in the Army. I'm not. I'm a daughter of Jesus; beloved, cherished child of God. This too, is a mystery to me...
Thank you all for praying for me and encouraging me, especially in light of my last post. It has been an impossibly difficult semester. But this is what it is taking to break me of my perfectionism, and I am growing in gratitude for the new freedoms that this is affording me.
I have 7 weeks left to this semester, and several large projects to still go, but I finally feel that I have settled into a place to trust and peace about the whole thing; thank you for keeping me close to God. I will complete my last Hebrew language class next week (it's only a 10week semester for that particular class) and it looks like I will be passing it respectable well (B-ish). This is sort of a fun thought: I started the semester at 18 credits (16 at Den Sem, 2 at my Denomination) and have wheedled my way down to 14 as of next week.
The following are quotes that have been resonating with my soul and informing my thinking over the last two years, I thought I'd share them for your edification:
On Communion intersecting life:
If Jesus doesn’t receive us, give thanks for us and break us so that he can give us back to ourselves and others, we will be left in our bundles of isolated deceptions. – Steve Thulson, a Sunday service, 2007
‘Love is as strong as death.’ There is a convergence of love with death in which both open the door to the unknown and uncontrollable. – Richard Hess “Song of Songs”p33.
The Shema (sort of rule of life) of Mother Theresa
The fruit of silence is prayer
The fruit of prayer is faith
The fruit of faith is love
The fruit of love is service
The fruit of service is peace
The Shema of Terri
The fruit of silence is choice
The fruit of choice is potentially wisdom
The fruit of wisdom is peace
The fruit of peace is love
The fruit of love is service
The fruit of service is life
The Shema of Hell
The fruit of silence is anxiety
The fruit of anxiety is despair
The fruit of despair is hatred
The fruit of hatred is self-service
The fruit of self-service is death
Idolatry…leads to disillusionment and despair. –Integrative Theology, p195
There is no pit that the love of God is not deeper still. -Corrie Ten Boom
If you seem empty of any feeling, rejoice- you are his ransomed bride. If those you cherish seem not to love you, and dark assails from every side, still yours the promise: come what may, in loss and triumph, in laughter, crying, in want and riches, in living, dying, that you are purchased as you are. – Peter Aschan (1726-1813), a hymn
It takes so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment or the courage to pay the price. One has to abandon altogether the search for security and reach out to the risk of living with both arms. One has to embrace the world like a lover. One has to accept pain as a condition of existence. One has to court doubt and darkness as the cost of knowing. One needs a will, apt always to total acceptance of every consequence of living and dying. -“The Shoes of the Fisherman’
19 February 2007
Update on the 'Bat Signal'
Hey Gang - I just wanted drop a quick note to let you know I'm doing ok - still overwhelmed, but not panicky anymore. I've been able to get a lot of the off campus work (interviewing various pastors and chaplains) done as well as my denominational conference (I took another class with them for a week). I seem to be catching up on my workload in an acceptable fashion. Thank you for praying - the difference was almost immediate. - more soon - keep it up! - love, ter
02 February 2007
Spring?
'Spring' semester; such an optimistic term right now... Well, here we are, kids - the heart of seminary: my last semester of BOTH languages, one pastoral theology class, one religious services class, one preaching class and two learning contracts (one on grace the other on pastoral identity) - anyone else hearing "...and a partridge in a pear tree..."
As you can tell, my humor is a bit off. I care a great deal about this semester - the things I am and will be learning will be foundational to my life in ministry; and that scares me to death. the implications of all that I'm learning feel very heavy and I don't know how to encapsulate what I'm thinking/feeling other than to say I feel overwhelmed on an almost daily basis. It is very hard to know the grace of God in the middle of this. And it's not because I think God is being ungracious to me, I think I'm allowing my fears to be the thing I focus on.
So I need you, body of Christ. Pray for me. Not that I succeed or even do well academically, but that my heart would know peace in this time of trail; that my victory will be communion with the Father in spite of the circumcises. It is the age old battle, I do know that - will I trust God or my eyes. You know where I long to be: entreat the Father to strengthen me to be there.
Thanks, friends. - love, Ter
As you can tell, my humor is a bit off. I care a great deal about this semester - the things I am and will be learning will be foundational to my life in ministry; and that scares me to death. the implications of all that I'm learning feel very heavy and I don't know how to encapsulate what I'm thinking/feeling other than to say I feel overwhelmed on an almost daily basis. It is very hard to know the grace of God in the middle of this. And it's not because I think God is being ungracious to me, I think I'm allowing my fears to be the thing I focus on.
So I need you, body of Christ. Pray for me. Not that I succeed or even do well academically, but that my heart would know peace in this time of trail; that my victory will be communion with the Father in spite of the circumcises. It is the age old battle, I do know that - will I trust God or my eyes. You know where I long to be: entreat the Father to strengthen me to be there.
Thanks, friends. - love, Ter
31 December 2006
Whoah Urbana!
Reflections on my 4th Urbana (which represents 12 years of involvement with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship):
(St. Louis Arch at sunrise)
This is my fourth Urbana. I cannot believe I am here - and I mean that both sarcastically and seriously! My first one was in 1996 as a student, the next two were as IV staff and now as a Denver Seminary graduate student.
(Friends: former student, Sarah and friend from my church in RI, Jay)
For those of you who are new here, here's the quick update: I was an InterVaristy staff member for 6 years in New England (NE) working with commuter students in RI. InterVarsity (IV or IVCF) is a national and international organization on around 600 college campuses throughout the US with a ministry of campus outreach to students, staff and faculty. My time with them as a staff member (missionary) was both really good and really complex; I'm still, to some degree, sorting out the experience.
(Below: fellow former staff friends/friends from college, Doug and Patri)
Now then...
I was really surprised at how eager I was to come when the opportunity presented itself on campus back in Denver (I'm writing this from St. Louis, where the conference is being held). I think I understand why now.
This conference and week are about God's work and mission in the world and providing students with tools, contacts, encouragement and teaching for them to engage that mission with Him. (Frontier's missions exhibit tent) That message and those tools were given to me as a student and deepened in me as a staff member and now are part of my 'basic operating system.' I love this in part because it affirms some basic commitments I have to serve God to the best of my ability all of my life. I also love it because I love to see people learn, grow and pass on what they've gained.
All that said, I don't think that that's what my time here has been about. I have not gone to every session, run to every workshop or sought out mentorship the way I have at past Urbanas. I feel that my 'mission' here (aside from talking to students about my seminary, which was my 'paid' job here), was to reconnect with my old co-laborers and friends from NE. To encourage where I can, listen, and let them know I may have left in body, but am very much still there in prayer and love.
(Great old friend/roommate from college, Rose)
I had some very encouraging conversations with some folks in leadership and am so happy to hear that my region is healing and taking great strides forward in moving past some messy and ugly times; God is transforming. That brings me great peace to know. It was also encouraging to hear that I left the ministry well. In ministry, so much of your life is relationships and mine was no exception. I really felt that my supervisor did a wonderful job of encouraging me to follow God wherever He lead, beit on staff or not. But it was such a complicated time when I left, I was not sure I left well with my team and region. It was a blessing to hear that I had.
For me, this Urbana has been on of watching, loving and praying but from more of a distance than I've ever had here before. It doesn't make me sad, though, as I think it would have a few years ago. I have loved this week to meet and catch up with a plethora of old friends, students and staff. I have peace with the life I had in RI and with the life I'm leading now in CO.
.
(It's really dark, I know - this is the stage with the theme on it)
It's funny that the theme of this conference is the book of Ephesians - one of the most encouraging books in the bible next to the Psalms, in my opinion - and that the theme tag line is "LIVE a life worthy of the calling." When I got back from Mozambique three years ago, I made a vow with God that I would choose to live. That I would stop putting myself in positions that just felt like dying. I loved staff work in many ways, but I needed to move on, to grow and develop fully into the person God made me to be and I could no longer see how to do that on staff; God called me onward. Feeling a sort of 'death' the longer I stayed was a good indicator.
(Worlds collide: Army buddy LT Todd from the summer, and Jim Harding, a Regional Director with Africa Inland Mission) I love that the Lord is continuing to affirm and call me to truly LIVE and not settle for what is familiar or even comfortable. As scary as things can sometimes be in seminary, the Army and the direction of my life, I am finding that I have been honoring that call to LIVE. I guess it may be that it is better to be a little scared and truly live than to feel completely safe and stuck.
This week has been truly a blessing in connecting with old friends from a wide range of my 'worlds.' I was able to catch up with (or at least see) friends from different missions agencies I've been involved with, former students (love to the Sarah and Becca!) and have some wonderful times of catching up with old friends from college. Even my Army 'world' was here representing the Chaplain Corps - including a guy I was in training with last summer! I ALMOST brought my uniform, but didn't think we'd be here, so didn't at the last minute! Bummer!
(Friend and former student, Becca - aww...)
All that now said, I've also been working on a paper for my January term class that starts next week. *sigh* Please keep me in prayer for this class and next semester as always!
Oh - for those of you who are wondering - the blizzard (the first one!) was terrific! I helped a friend move during it and had a BLAST. There's currently (even when I left) an IMPRESSIVE amount of snow - I'll post pics next time as I need to go take some!
(The Denver seminary recruiting Team: Julie (the real recruiter - we learned from the Jedi master, herself), Douglas (a first-year, but we love him anyway ;) ) and Angela (fellow MDiv and worship leader on campus) - and our favorite snack...beef jerky)Thanks for praying for me for this week as well as my seminary adventures - I really appreciate it! HAPPY NEW YEAR GANG! - Love, Ter
25 November 2006
November Notes...
Wow...What an amazing, difficult, learning-rich semester it is turning out to be. Thanks so much for hanging in here, gang - I really need you this semester and next. I've been studying the first half of the book of Romans in Greek this semester. For those of you who aren't so familiar with it, the first 4 chapters are talking about the total depravity of humanity and how we couldn't be any farther from God if we jumped. Paul is setting the stage for the amazing, unmerited free gift of God in Jesus for us. Have you ever had a time in your life when you just feel like you're living out a piece of scripture?
I feel that my life has been mirroring these passages these past few months. I know that I am ALWAYS writing/talking about the joys and trials of my relationships, and this post will be no exception. I've blown it really big with one friend in particular this semester, ended a relationship I was in and have been feeling very 'in touch' with how messed up I am lately. Not a pretty picture. I even feel vaguely justified in throwing myself a bit of a pity-party (which I have, thankfully, not yet indulged). But, as I said, I do feel that I am living the book of Romans right now. My state has been one of utter depravity and rebellion against God (to parallel the case in Chs 1-4).
Last week we started chapter 5. The Kingdom Strikes Back. "Therefore since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." (5.1). I've been a mess since I was born (so were you, BTW - sorry). Because of what Jesus did on the cross all our sins are dealt with - even the ones we're surprised to find ourselves in or didn't think we were capable of (even our mistakes). This is not a new bit of theology to me - I would have said that is what I knew and believed years ago. Somehow the message of peace and grace is striking me differently, more deeply in this time in my life.
A good friend and some Army aquaintaces this past summer spoke a word of God into my life. They said "you can't give what you don't have." Again, not earth shattering news or even logic. But it prompted me to ask the Lord what is it I don't have that I keep trying to give? I believe he told me I don't have real grace. I have a cheap version. A version that looks like grace on the outside, but does not have the weight and scandalous freedom that God's genuine grace contains. Romans is about a lot of things, but for me, right now, it's all about teaching me what is the grace of God
I've been realizing this semester that I have all these crazy personal rules for myself that I would NEVER apply to another person. And if I saw another person with these rule I would apply my whole life and mind to freeing them from them. It's stupid things like, 'it's ok if I get hurt so long as no one else does' or 'other people's time and lives are more important than mine' - stupid stuff that makes me more of a door mat than a true servant of God. Grace for 'blowing it' does not mean "whew...Glad He let that one go, I'll be sure not let it happen again;' it means something more like, "Thank you Jesus for loving me better than I love myself, encouraging me to walk in freedom and not being even vaguely angry or surprised by my sins and mistakes.'
*Sigh* It's been a deeply thoughtful semester. I'm really grateful for the way the Lord is shaping my character and for His ongoing care - I really do want to be more like him at the end of the day. I am continually surprised at the depth of depravity we're all capable of, but I'm trying to turn my focus more to the wonder of friends and 'divinely appointed' people God keeps dropping into my life to remind me that it's not all bad and that one day, it will all be amazing. We were, after all not created for a sinful, fallen world; we were created for perfect communion with God and each other (heaven?...that's at least part of it...).
The rest of my classes have been really good. Hebrew is very challenging and I don't anticipate getting as much out of it as I have in Greek, but it does look like I will pass it this semester (and do decently). I also have 2 history classes this semester - one Old Testament history of Israel and the Prophets and the other is Church history of the early church to the renaissance. I got to spend a little time studying the Crusades...very cool - I didn't realize they lasted over about 1,500 years or that they were so poorly organized and (for the most part) led.
Lest you think I've had no fun at all this semester, I've included a couple of photos of friends and events I've been a part of this semester. The ones with the pumpkin is my friend Susan's (and her dog Abby) - she's does this crazy 'monster-creation' garden in the summer and she's sitting next to a 35lb pumpkin that she grew (she's got another one that's 33lbs). We' split this (yes...I did get to use my machete...*happy*) the other night and looked up a variety of pumpkin recipe's (got any good ones? I'd love a good main dish recipe - I have a ravioli sauce one and a couple of soup ones...) I was also really blessed to have my old pal Bonnie out for a weekend - I took her down to Garden of the Gods and we found this cool little 'canyon' while we were exploring and catching up.
On the really exciting side (at least in my little world...) - I get to go to Urbana 06 - InterVarsity's tri-annual mission conference! It was always one of my all-time FAVORITE events when I was on staff/a student and I didn't think I would be able to go because I am a broke grad student...However! My school needed some students to go and represent the school as exhibitioners and I was one of the lucky 4 who got picked to go on this fabulous, all expense paid event! SO...If any of you plan on going - COME FIND ME at the Denver Seminary booth (we're planning on having a cool couch set up with at least one video game option...very fun...) - I would love to catch up with y'all!! Aside from all that coolness, I'm really excited to be traveling - I REALLY miss it.
As for Mike, the fella I was semi-dating, thanks for your prayers for us. It did not work out, but I know that God has good things in store for both of us.
Prayer reqs:
- We have 3 weeks left - I'm REALLY tired - please pray I have the will/energy to make it
- Pray that God will help me (and us all, I think) to accept His grace and be at peace with it all
- Pray for Mike - he is deploying to Kosovo for a little over a year
- Pray for Urbana - that God would be preparing me (and everyone involved) to be there - to receive and give what God has in store
- Please also begin to pray for me for next semester - I anticipate it being even more challenging than this one and I fear for it already...
Praise:
- I'm grateful/thankful that God is clarifying my relationships and making me a stronger person
- I'm praising God for good friends and 'drop ins'
- For a wonderful TG - I was able to be with friends from school and church
- For the opportunity to reconnect with 'loved ones' from my IV 'family' at Urbana
I hope you all are well - Stay in touch! - Love in Christ, Ter
04 October 2006
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...
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...
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