Changes

So much has happened since January. As usual, I have not been able to catch up with my postings here. Is it because I think no one reads this thing? Maybe. But anyway, I spent a week at camp over the 4th, this time as camp nurse. It was a good week. Got behind on my studies, but had fun overall. Today though, is our friend Heather's last day at church before she and her husband head off to Texas. She has taken a Senior Pastor call in Katy, Texas-near Houston. Seems like we have a new place to visit now! Time to get ready for church, see you later!

Anticipation

Well, I have arrived here at Lexington. These next 10 days are going to stretch me, challenge me, and who knows what else. This is certainly going to push my comfort zones and we will see how the days ahead progress. To spend 10 days in an intense exploration and learning about faith, process, church, and more. I will finally get to meet the people I have only until now seen in two dimensions online. I have reading to do tomorrow and then tomorrow night the classes begin. Join me in this journey and we'll see where God takes me.

Time Flies on By

So much has happened since I last checked in to this venue. Yes, I have been in Seminary now since June of 2011. What a ride this has been! It is one of the reasons for not been here posting (other than procrastination). I have been up to my neck in classes, classes, and more classes. Lexington Theological Seminary has transitioned their on-site seminary into an online offering.

You might think "Oh, he's getting a degree from an online church? Is it the church of what is happening now?" Actually this is the hardest thing I have ever undertaken. Think about trying to take a full semester class in just two weeks, with all the depth of theology, nuance, process, and a whole bunch more all rolled up together. It challenges your brain, your patience, your skills and most of all, your sanity. But I still have my sanity, I just don't know where it is at the moment.

Through this journey so far, I have felt close to God, far from God, indifferent towards God, and enamored and enthralled by God. Sometimes over the course of the same five minute span. I have learned how to read and understand Revelation (there is no "S" at the end)and I still struggle with understanding Brueggemann, although I think at times I always will.

Soon I will be traveling to Lexington, KY for 10 days of classes on campus. I will come home after classes with 6 credit hours. 10 days, 8 classes, and the month after coming home is the time to finish papers, create the practical assignments, and wrap-up the coursework. Speaking of which, must get back to reading. May God travel with you all this evening and all evenings.

Acceptance

Good morning! I know this wierd, I am writing this so soon after my last post, but there is news to tell. I have been accepted into Seminary! Lexington Theological Seminary has accepted me for classes, which will start in May. It seems so surreal. Here I was, a high school dropout, now I am going to get my Master's Degree in Divinity. It's hard to sometimes imagine...

I am alternately thrilled and yet terrified. Am I up for it? Can I do this? I know that if I place my trust in God, I will be successful. We'll get through this, and I have the support of my wonderful sweatheart who is my number one fan. With love like that on your side, how can you fail? Impossible, I say. Well, need to get ready for work, everyone have a truly WONDERFUL day!

Well, Quarterly it is. Here it is April first and this is the first time I have had the opportunity to post anything in this space. Seems like I have been on a whirlwind since January. The church I pastored for over 6 years closed. I am now working a temporary job, but it isn't enough for the bills. Looking to find a flexible schedule job that has a decent income. Where are they? Hopefully one will be found. On another front, I have officially applied to Graduate School. Tonight, I clicked the submit button on my application to Lexington Theological Seminary. Looking for a Master's in Divinity, that will lead to full ordination and another church pastorate. If accepted, I will be able to post my adventures in Seminary for all to see...does anyone ever read blogs these days? You can take the journey with me. It should be an exciting path of discovery, since the Seminary is online. Three to five years of study and some face-to-face time at the Seminary itself. What an adventure! Speaking of adventures, this last weekend I went to Bethany WV. Nice tiny little town just west of Pittsburgh, PA. STayed at Bethany College, one of our church's oldest colleges. In our spare time, we went to see the home of one of our founders, Alexander Campbell, who started Bethany College in the 1840's or so. Across the street from his home there is a graveyard where he and many of his family are buried. Called God's Acre, you have to climb over a 4' tall stone fence to enter it. And.... what's really weird is once you come over the wall, you come face to face with a mailbox.... Yes, a mailbox. Now I know the sign on the front of it said Cemetery information, but seriously you get the first idea of who is getting mail here? After all, they are not a very lively group, the residents of the place. Oh well, it works for them I guess. All in all, had a great trip to WV, hope I get to go to the conference being held there next year. That's all for now I guess. I'll be back soon. (Hopefully with good news about Seminary acceptance.)

Quarterly Update?

Now it looks like this will get written in every quarter...consistency right? Right. Well, application process is underway for Seminary, since I graduated from the University of Arizona in December. GPA not what I would have liked, but not too bad overall. 2.8 something.

Currently sitting in Sacramento typing for a bit waiting for the chance to construct a Nordic Track Eliptical with my son. Never attempted something like that before--this should be interesting. A major construction project. Heard tell it should take us two hours, I bet three or four but we'll see.

Yesterday went with son and family (wife and granddaughter) to Frisco to truck around and go to a really neat museum (full of aquariums, birds, butterflies etc)....way cool. Granddaughter Madison liked the ferry ride over to Frisco until we hit the wake of a ship; about a three to five foot swell and she got a little scared. It passed, she was cool about it. Rest of ride uneventful.

Totally enjoying the rain/foggy weather we've had here in Roseville in the last five days...in Tucson it is like this: Sunny 70,Sunny 70,Sunny 70... . Not bad but Tucson could mix it up a bit from time to time. When I get back to town, will try (I know-said that before) to write more frequently, but I am geared up and ready to go with this again. We'll see what happens in the long run. Take it easy, everybody!

Discernment

So much going on, so many changes in my life. Last month we went through the passing away of my wife's best friend. This month it looks like it will be my friend whom cancer takes into its grim grasp. That combined with starting the last semester at the U of A is bringing some things to a close and opening doors to others. Somewhat scared of seminary in the spring. What will it be, can I do it? Time will tell, but a glimpse of the future would be really nice too. Looking at many things, what do I give up, what gets added to my life? Maybe we can explore that.