i was MADE for this

So, I’m proud of myself.  I’m actually ahead of the game.  It’s Thursday at 7:40PM EST and I am finished all of my work for this week.  All of my school work, that is.  And I’ve had meetings and doctor’s appointments and disctractions all week.  And I did nothing school related on Sunday.  So, what I’ve learned is that God blesses you when you follow His commands.  Like taking a Sabbath.

Instead of resting on my laurels (whatever that means) I am pressing forward.  I already began my reading for next week in Theology.  I have to critique an article in one page, double spaced.  Ummm…..yeah.  That should be interesting.  And my professor takes away points for being over the limit.  Here’s hoping that I lose my verbosity

Off to learn about how all language is meaningless.  Until next time….

Yesterday I made a stand.  Sunday is my sabbath.  From school.  From work.  From anything that will cause me stress (except football, of course.)

It’s not easy to take a rest when you have hundreds of pages of reading looming.  And several research papers. 

But, this is the way that I think about it.  If God had to take a break after He created the heavens and the earth, I should probably take a week off between doing anything.

So, there you have it.  Taking a sabbath.  Every Sunday.

Well, I’ve discovered something about myself that I have forgotten over the past year plus that I had off from the world of academia.  I love the world of academia.  I love reading, studying, constructing, deconstructing.  I love writing papers, posting thoughts on a discussion board, posting comments to others’ thoughts on discussion boards.  I love the interaction with professors and fellow students.  In short, I love school.

Admittedly, after two years of living without the structure of turning in assignments, etc, I was overwhelmed by the process of organizing my time so that I can accomplish all of the work on my plate.  But…being on the other side of the organizational process, I find myself alive.

Today I read a few chapters of my Systematic Theology book.  As the rust and cobwebs fall off my brain, I find myself understanding why the study of theology is so important.  On the flip side, I can also understand why some people, after studying in seminary, become agnostic or atheist. 

For myself, I look forward to discovering facets of God that I could not find without the help of the wise people who have gone before me.

I also find it incredibly amusing to gauge the reaction of people, specifically men, when they notice the textbooks that I am devouring.  Why is it that (some) men are so intimidated by women who are studying the things of God???

Technorati Tags: seminary, study

Dear Liberty,

I have to admit.  I was more that a little skeptical when I saw the books for my evangelism class.  But, I have to tell you.  So far, I’m enjoying the class.  And it has not yet begun.

Please accept my apology

Your new student,
Me

Oh my flipping goodness.  I was finally able to access my syllabi for my first two classes.  It was nice having a social life.  ‘Cause that is over for the next three years.  I have to start reading.  I have to buy a VCR.  I have so much to do that I am going to feel guilty sleeping. 

Had a little bit of a disappointment today.  Found out that someone got a position that I kind of wanted at work.  I didn’t know that I was able to apply for it.  She did and got it.  In all honesty, she will do a wonderful job and I’m really happy for her and proud.  I just wish that my company had a method of communication.  Heck…I kinda wish that they knew what that word means. 

But, this is the place that God has placed me.  He is not surprised at all of the stuff that is on my plate.  He is not surprised that my life looks like it does.  Yeah…I’m shocked.  But Him…He knows all.  Yesterday a woman told me to lean on God.  I am not so good at leaning on Him.  Guess I have to learn.  Either that or I’ll lose my mind.

So, I’ll see all of you in three years.  On the other side of seminary.  LOL

It would seem that it is pretty obvious that in the few weeks preceding something like starting seminary, life would get pretty intense.  Duh, right?  I think that they should write some kind of disclaimer in the application and in the registration forms that once you make the decision to attend seminary, all hell will break loose.

Last night as I was waiting for my films to be processed, I was reading Organic God by Margaret Feinberg.  I’m finding this book more of a journey than a race to the finish, if you know what I mean.  Anyway…she was at a point in her life where she was praying, asking, beseeching God to tell her what He wanted for her life.  After a period of nothing…no answer, no confirmation, no nothing, she finally admitted what she wanted to do.  And she went for it. 

I thank God that she went for it.  Because the book that she has written is really assisting me along in this journey toward the future.  Sometimes it seems that I am going about things backwards, different from the way that other people go about things.  What I am finding in this book is that there is another person who’s gone about things in a different manner.  And you know what?  God is doing some awesome things through her, whether she can actually see them or not.

So, that is where I am right now.  I want to encourage anyone who reads this to keep walking forward with what God has already placed in your heart.  It may seem insanely huge; it may seem like there is no way that you will EVER accomplish that thing.  But go for it.  Because if you can do it on your own, it’s not even worth attempting.  We need to chase down some God-sized dreams.  There are about 5 billion people waiting in the wings.  We are only called to affect them, one life at a time.

So, I got some of my books for my first set of classes.  OK.  I got one book, one workbook and the multimedia for my first set of classes.

I will go on record as saying that I cannot wait to start classes.  I do have one bone to pick with Liberty University.  We’re in the 21st century, right?  Well, one of my classes has videos on VHS.  I don’t even own a VCR.  So, in addition to the heinously high price I paid for the stinking videos, I now have to purchase a VCR.  Seriously.  What a crock.

In other news…tonight I went to an IVC BBQ.  It was fun.  It is an organization that introduces international visitors to Philadelphia to Philadelphia (or in my case, Delaware Valley) natives.  It was fun.  The food was great.  I went with two of my Korean colleagues.  Interesting stuff. 

My boss made a funny.  We were standing in line for drinks.  He chose a glass of red wine.  He asked me what I would like, and I said I’d like a glass of white.  He said, “Why, because you’re white?”  I said, “Su Min, I know we’re at an international event, but that wasn’t nice.”  He said, “No, Deneen.  Your surname is White.”  At that point, I had to laugh.

Reminds me of a story.  I was born in the Cooper Medical Center in Camden.  Camden is a predominantly African-American community.  My grandfather walked into the maternity ward and said, “I’d like to see the White baby.”  He almost got run out of the place, until he was able to explain that my last name was White.  So you see, my life started with controversy

Well people, I have to get some sleep.  And I should probably get some work done as well.  Apparently my latest hat is “real estate mogul.”

More on that one later.

Technorati Tags: work, funnies, seminary

Well, today is the last Saturday that I have to work until September 8th.  Thank God. 

I am going to miss our doctors.  I really do enjoy being around the doctors, and I have loved the opportunity to learn more about dental implants than I will ever need to learn. 

BUT…I need my weekends back for a little while.  I have to begin to prepare for school.  I start in a little over a month.  Today I was trying to figure out how I’m going to do it all.  I have no idea.  No idea at all.  It doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day.  Or in the week.  Or in the month.  So, I will have to rely on God to get me through it. 

Yesterday I went to a funeral in Somers Point and then to lunch in Ocean City, NJ.  Can I tell you that I did not want to come back to the western side of NJ?  I just wanted to walk on the beach, get my toes wet and enjoy the ocean. 

Hmmmmm…..maybe tomorrow I will take a jaunt.  Probably not.

Well, I am absolutely exhausted.  Today’s class and subsequent meeting took a lot out of me.  I am barely able to type. 

Need sleep.  Need much sleep.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Technorati Tags: Work, seminary

It looks like I’m gonna be taking classes this fall.  For real.  For seminary.  Liberty University DLP MDiv.  Lotsa letters.  I honestly have no idea how this is going to work.  It looks like, starting in September (you know, when classes get into full swing…) I’ll be working just about every Saturday.  So I guess I’ll be doing my reading and writing…sometime.

I am usually the person who hands things in (not necessarily school work, but work-work and ministry-work) ahead of schedule.  I had two things that I had to do for church in the past week, and I was either a week past my deadline or right down to the wire.  I don’t like that.  I am going to have to learn to manage my time better, or things could get complicated.

Today I asked (told) my boss that I would really like the opportunity to work full time on our training center(s) when that position becomes available.  I love working with our faculty and with the trainee doctors.  Of course I have to learn more about our products, but that should be no problem.  It could be a very busy position (which would be amazing) that could involve quite a bit of travel (hopefully.)

Stuff is happening on just about every front of my life. 

One more thing, then I have to unwind.  I have to make sure that I don’t go into my default “fix” mode.  I am a problem solver.  If I see something that is broken, I want to fix it.  This pertains to actual objects, situations, people.  I cannot fix people.  Only God can do that.  I don’t want to force a caterpillar out of its coccoon prematurely.  I want to allow God to do the work that He has deigned to do. 

I feel naked.  I got me some contacts tonight   I keep pushing up my phantom glasses.  Guess that’s a nervous habit rather than a necessity.

I’m going to San Diego on business in Octover or November.  I can’t wait.  I love San Diego.  It will be awesome to get out there and be able to have some fun as well as work.  I told my boss that I’d be willing to stay out there.   He told me that I’m not allowed.  Oh well.  I tried

Oh yeah.  I’m going to Cali in August for fun.  I can’t wait to get out on the west coast.  See some friends.  Check out my friends’ church.  Dip my piggy toes in the Pacific.  Have some chick time.  I can’t wait for vacation.

On the God front.  I am sad that Jerry Falwell passed today.  I can’t say that I know all that much about him, but he is the founder of the seminary I’ll be attending…via distance learning…beginning in the fall.

Speaking of seminary.  I’m glad that one of my friends in the blogosphere Chill Pastor is going to be going to seminary via distance learning as well.  Today he wrote…basically everything (the anxieties) that have been keeping me up at night.  I know that God will work everything out.  I just need to trust Him.  In the most real sense.

Gotta run.  It’s Idol time.