Claimed, gathered and sent

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I'm back to classes and reading and writing papers. Frankly, after being on internship, it is a challenge to fully engage myself in these tasks. On top of that I have physical therapy twice a week. I now just use one crutch, but the transition to walking without crutches is going slowly. A couple of weeks ago I tried to transition too quickly and suffered the consequences. I was sure that by now, if not sooner, I'd be driving. But I still can't drive. And then I thought for sure by Nov. when I go to meet with the Candidacy Committee in New England for approval, that I'd be able to drive there. But alas...that is not the case. So, thank you to my husband for thinking about taking the train from Harrisburg to New London, CT. Now that the logistics for getting to and from the train station are worked out, I think this will be a neat adventure. This will also give me an opportunity to reconnect with a former pastor ...

My first year of seminary is complete!!! The last class was Wednesday. Seniors graduated yesterday and I am no longer a first year student. I am now officially a second year student (middler in seminary parlance). In August, as we were struggling through the two week intensive Summer Greek, we wondered if we would ever survive even that, let alone our first year. Teaching Parish was a formative experience for us. We have made friends with whom we have laughed and cried together. We have formed traditions, like going out together on Friday nights for dinner. We have had silly times like the peeps diorama contest and decorating the Martin Luther statue like a beloved prof. There have been flag football competitions and croquet tournaments, struggling with translating scripture and moments when the lightbulb in our heads has gone on. The year has been a wonderful growing experience for us all. We are not the same people we were in August. In many ways it has been a difficult year for this...

I was afraid that if I joined Facebook, it would take away lots of time because it would be difficult for me to restrain myself. So, I've been dragged in kicking and screaming. I do like it however. I've connected with people I haven't heard from in years. But as one classmate wrote, "Welcome to the black hole." So, we'll see how restrained I can be...so far not very, especially since we had reading days earlier in the week and I didn't feel much pressure to get work done.

When I left for Christmas vacation, I was suffering from fried brain syndrome, as were my fellow seminarians. The time away was filled with renewed mental and physical resources, renewed relationships, and renewed commitment. We spent Christmas with my daughter and granddaughter (at left). Grace has grown so much in such a short time. A particular highlight for us was seeing Grace in the Christmas pageant at church. She was an angel. There was also a toddler who was one of the shepherds. As he followed the other shepherds up the aisle, he was sucking his thumb and clutching his blanket. He was too cute. Shortly after arriving in Rochester, I talked with a pastor friend (he married us just over 5 years ago) and he asked me to preach for him. The congregation is small, but delightful. I had a wonderful time. Since Amity has been with Ray (Sept.), she has not wagged her tail much at all and has sometimes looked rather melancholy. This has changed dramatically and it seems the impetus for ...