Well it seems as if I have neglected to keep up with my blog among the business of seminary, work, and spending time with wonderful people. I really want to keep up with it as I know many of you are wondering what I have been up to. It is difficult be intentional about connecting with each and every one of my friends and family member while keeping up with my studies, but I have decided that during this Lenten season I will take time to write in my blog every day. I want to keep the people who read this updated, but I also hope to use blogging as a spiritual discipline; to reflect on my day and be intentional about finding God in moments I may not have noticed God during the day.
So my first semester of seminary was challenging, but rewarding. I learned so much and built wonderful relationships. I was then able to return to Massachusetts and see my family for a couple of weeks, but it was strange going back to school and not knowing when I would be back in New England again. When I came back to Evanston, I worked full time at the bakery for a month and then began my second semester. I'm taking New Testament, Church History 2, Intro to Theology, and Church Planning and Planting this semester and so far all of the classes seem wonderful!
I also had the opportunity to attend the Northeastern Jurisdiction Vision Table meeting and was then elected to the Executive Committee. I was pleasantly surprised that Young Adults/Youth had a line item on the agenda where we intentional discussed how to foster relationships with young people in our congregations. Even more wonderful was when it came time for nominations for the Exec Committee, 2 out of 3 spots were filled by myself (a young adult) and a youth. I hope this means we are truly moving forward and taking action about our concerns about young people in church within the NEJ.
Now that you are somewhat caught up, I will begin my reflection for today. Today I woke up a little stressed out because I am leaving for Tokyo, Japan tomorrow morning for the UMW Climate Justice Seminar. My apartment was a mess and I had a million things to do in order to get ready. I had neglected that part of my life since work was crazy (Fat Tuesday at a bakery is insane!), I had just returned from DC (where the NEJ conference was), and school work had piled up. As I began to get more overwhelmed I took a step back and prayed (which I realized I had not done in awhile). I took some deep breaths and realized that among the craziness I had seen glimpses of God supporting me. Afterall, I had just had an amazing opportunity to work on the vision table, I was learning wonderful things in my theology class, I had an amazing boyfriend who came over and helped me with my homework after I had just worked for 10 hours, and I had amazing friends who encouraged me along the way. I truly find God in my relationships (maybe that's just me being a hardcore extrovert) and I have been blessed to have so many wonderful ones. Suddenly preparing for Tokyo did not seem as hard and instead of being stressed I was once again able to feel excited and blessed for this opportunity to go.
This reflection today was a chance for me to catch up with my own life, catch you up with it, and kind of get everything out so I could see God amidst my busy life. I hope that as I continue to reflect during this Lenten season that I will be able to build a stronger relationship with God and deepen my faith among academics, work, and other things that come my way.
I pray that this Lenten season also brings you closer to God and see God in ways you may not have noticed God before.
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