Friday, August 29, 2008

This Week, I'm Thankful for...

It's been a rough week and I've got a rough road ahead of me with school and such. I decided it would be a good thing to do today to make a list of a few things I'm thankful for from this week.

1. Flavor-Ice Lite popsicles which cool me down after a good walk
2. A friend who came over to walk and talk with me last night
3. A woman from church and seminary who agreed to help me through a class
4. An awesome hubby who cleaned the house and did the laundry for me because my class schedule made me be in class all day on my normal cleaning day
5. Text messaging which has allowed me to be in better contact with my sister
6. A beautiful daughter who wants to watch Gilmore Girls with me
7. My computer Sookie that has allowed me to reconnect with a friend I thought I had lost

What are you thankful for this week?

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Book Recommendations?

One of the classes I'm taking this semester is Supervision in Ministry. I have to read some books related to the ministry I'm participating in. I'm looking for suggestions of books about relational ministry (i.e. small groups and chaplaincy). If you have any suggestions, I'm open to hearing them. Thanks!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

My Next 4 Months

I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into. I am taking 14 hours of classes this fall. Full-time is considered as 9 hours. I'm taking 5 classes - Advanced Systematic Theology, Old Testament Exegesis on The Exile, Spiritual Formation, New Testament Exegesis on the Passion Narratives of the Synoptic Gospels, and Supervision in Ministry. Just finished making myself a schedule of assignments. Thought yall might want a glimpse into my next 4 months.
*weekly – 200-700 word reports (Advanced Systematic Theology)
*over course of semester – 3 (100-300 word) responses to other student's reports (Advanced Systematic Theology)
unknown due date – Case Study (unknown length) (Supervision in Ministry)

September
9/1 – 500 word essay (Spiritual Formation)
9/2 – Supervisor Info (Supervision in Ministry)
9/2 – Ministry Paper (5 pages) (Supervision in Ministry)
9/9 – Learning Contract (5 pages) (Supervision in Ministry)
9/16 – Journal (Supervision in Ministry)
9/22 – essay (500-1000 words) (Spiritual Formation)
9/29 – report (600-900 words) on Molly Marshall (Advanced Systematic Theology)

October
10/6 – essay (1 page) (Old Testament Exegesis on The Exile)
10/6 – Synoptic Study (New Testament Exegesis on the Passion Narratives of the Synoptic Gospels)
10/13 – midterm exam (Old Testament Exegesis on The Exile)
10/13 – midterm exam (Spiritual Formation)
10/14 – Journal (Supervision in Ministry)
10/17 – take home exam (Advanced Systematic Theology)
10/20 – essay (500-1000 words) (Spiritual Formation)
10/31 – Book Review (1500-2400 words) (Advanced Systematic Theology)

November
11/3 – essay (1 page) & presentation (Old Testament Exegesis on The Exile)
11/3 – book review (unknown length) (New Testament Exegesis on the Passion Narratives of the Synoptic Gospels)
11/11 – Journal (Supervision in Ministry)
11/17 – essay (500-1000 words) (Spiritual Formation)
11/24 – paper (unknown length) (Spiritual Formation)
11/25 – reading report (unknown length) (Supervision in Ministry)

December
12/1 or 12/8 – paper (10-15 pages) (New Testament Exegesis on the Passion Narratives of the Synoptic Gospels)
12/1 – essay (1 page) (Old Testament Exegesis on The Exile)
12/1 – paper (20-26 page) (Old Testament Exegesis on The Exile)
12/1 – essay (500-1000 words) (Spiritual Formation)
12/2 – journal (Supervision in Ministry)
12/8 – final exam (Old Testament Exegesis on The Exile)
12/8 – final exam (Spiritual Formation)
12/10 – paper (2000-3000 words) (Advanced Systematic Theology)

This does not include the 15 textbooks I need to read, my CPE interview which means an out of town trip, a weekend conference (we have to attend 6 conferences during the time we are working on our degree), going out of town when my sister's baby is born, the one hour weekly meeting with my Supervision in Ministry supervisor, the 4+ hours of ministry each week, spending time with Russ & Damaris, homeschooling Damaris, plus our 11th anniversary, my 31st birthday, & Damaris' 9th birthday which all will occur during the next 4 months.

I think I've lost my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Day of Rest?

Exodus is chock full of verses that talk about observing the Sabbath. Sabbath is defined as a day of rest and/or worship. There are all kinds of articles and studies that discuss how having a day of rest makes a person more productive the rest of the week. Most athletic programs/exercise routines recommend at least one day of rest each week.

So my questions for yall are:
Do you observe a day of rest? If so, which day of the week do you observe Sabbath on? What does a typical Sabbath look like for you?

Friday, August 22, 2008

Family Outing on 8/21

It's been a blessing this summer to have some free time to do some things together as a family that we don't have time to do during the school semester.

We started yesterday by taking 3 boxes and 14 Walmart bags of books that we had sorted through last week to the library to donate.

Next we headed across town for a game of bowling. You'll see in the pictures below that we pretty much sucked at it. LOL!

Then we did bumper cars. It was only the three of us in cars and we had a blast!

We finished up the evening with a little shopping, dinner at Chili's, and hot fudge sundaes from McDonald's.


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Prayer for What's Next

As most of you know, Russ & I are currently pursing our Master of Divinity degrees at Logsdon Seminary in Abilene, TX. Back in March, I had put in my application for a Clinical Pastoral Education residency program in Lubbock, TX. I was scheduled for my admittance interview right after the Spring semester was over. However, because of lack of organization on the part of the program I applied to, my interview has now been rescheduled 5 different times. Russ & I are seriously praying about whether this is God closing the door for me to do my residency at this location. We have begun looking at other locations where I could do my residency because we do believe that God is still calling me to chaplaincy as a ministry and career. No one location is drawing us in right now, so we continue to pray for God's guidance. We would ask that you would pray with us and for us about this situation. Please also pray that I will be able to add another course this fall. I'm already taking a huge load of classes, but because of the entrance requirements of some of the locations we are looking at for my residency, I need to pursue completing my M.Div. before I begin my residency versus utilizing my residency for credit towards completing my degree. It will make for an insane amount of work for me over the next 10 to 11 months, but this is the only solution we see to this matter. Most of yall know how stress affects me with my migraines and Bell's Palsy, so I would ask also for prayer that I will be able to handle this increased workload and still be a good wife and mom as well as a grace-filled woman to all those around me. Thanks in advance for your prayers!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

What Olympic Sport are You?




You Are Kayaking



You have a competitive spirit, but you don't like to compete alone.
You do well in a partnership, where you can feed off the other person's energy.
If you have the right partner, nothing can stop you. Your energy is infinite!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Family Outing at ArtWalk

We went on another family outing last night. Abilene does a thing called ArtWalk once a month. Last night's theme was the Dog Days of Summer so there were lots of dogs out walking around. LOL!

We started out the evening with a drink from our favoritest coffee shop, Monk's.

Our biggest excitement of the night was finally getting to visit Grace Museum.

There was an awesome wall that when you touch a wood panel, a sound played. Each panel played a different noise. We had loads of fun playing music by touching the wall.

There was a room called move and groove where you danced around and it made pictures of you.

There was a life size game of operation.

Damaris got on a horse on the 3rd floor of the museum which is about the history of Abilene.

I got a henna tattoo from a street vendor. Isn't it cool!!!

We ended the evening with dinner out at Cracker Barrel. Lots of fun for family night!

Here are some pictures:

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Watercooler Wednesday

watercooler wednesday

Today's Watercooler Wednesday - What is your favorite phrase or quote? What series of words has not released you?

Not sure who said this quote or even where I found it, but it reminds me daily of what I want my life to be.

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition, to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.


How about you? What's the quote that has affected your life?

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Putt Putt

I had planned a family outing for tonight but realized at the last minute that I was a week off for doing that. So, we made a plan b and went to play Putt Putt.

It's probably a good thing you can't see the score card because we're not so great golfers. LOL!! It said:
Damaris - 93
Russ - 50
C.C. - 62

Sunday, August 3, 2008

7 Things

I was tagged by my friend Penny to write about 7 things that I want the whole wide world of the internet to know about me. Then, I am supposed to tag 7 fellow bloggers to do the same. So, here goes:

1. I'm a huge fan of Harrison Ford & Sean Connery. Gotta love Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where I get to watch both of them on screen!

2. I'm addicted to spreadsheets. Seriously! I have a file folder on my computer full of spreadsheets I have created for different random things. Russ thinks it's hysterical when I tell him I need to check my spreadsheet.

3. I also love lists! I have a daily to-do list that has everything on it. If it's not on the list, it doesn't get done.

4. I'm a huge multi-tasker. I can't just sit and listen to someone or just watch tv. I have to be doing something else. Which is why I knit during church or do stuff online during class. I can listen better while doing these things versus just sitting and listening which makes my mind start to wander, usually to something on the lists from #3.

5. I love Sci-Fi shows and movies. Stargate SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis are my two favorites, but I also enjoy a good episode of Star Trek and other Sci-Fi shows.

6. I have a huge aversion to crowds. As in when we're shopping at Walmart and there's 10 people shopping in the same aisle and I can't breathe or have my own space, then I proceed to have a panic attack. Same goes for elevators. I need my space!

7. I'm addicted to the internet. There you go, I confess! I have my e-mail open 24/7; if we're not at home, I can't go more than an hour without checking my e-mail via my phone; I have a folder of bookmarks I visit daily; my to-do list and calendar are all online. LOL! I think I would go insane without the internet!

Now for the tagging part. I hate doing that! I don't want anyone to feel obligated to do this meme if they don't want to. So, if you've read this and want to do it, go for it! If not, that's fine. LOL! Have a great day!