I left NC on Sunday to drive down to Atlanta for one last stop before TX. My dad had business in Atlanta on Monday, so I just drove him on down to break up my 20 hour drive a little. My mother and I did 14 hours on Monday and finally got into my new home town of Lake Jackson around 7:30 pm. Yesterday we spent the day looking at apartments, furniture, and ended the night with dinner at Dickson and Sally's house (two church members). I put my deposit down on an apartment called Raintree that is gated.
Today we look at more furniture. I got a really nice couch and love seat on CLEARANCE!!! So I did not pay much for them. They are red, so I am going to do the rest of the furniture in the room black. I told my father that I will have a Carolina Hurricanes colored room before he will. This fact made him laugh and he actually thought I was talking about painting the walls black. I just got back from the church. I got to finally go into my office and see everything I have. The church gave me a laptop. So now I have one for church and home. I also showed my mom around the youth area's of the church (the only places I have keys to). The youth have a couch room with a sectional and then stadium seating with another couch. Then there is the gym/worship space. I also got to see Wesley, the pastor, and he asked if I would not mind starting a day early so that I could do youth on Sunday night. I said sure, so here I go off into the wonderful, crazy world of Youth Ministry. Oh did I mention I have to preach my first sermon on Sunday night!!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas, jobs, and moving plans
So it is almost Christmas (well 2 days) and I realized just how thankful I am for everything this past year. I told my mother yesterday that I got everything I asked Santa for this Christmas. I am now officially a graduate of Candler School of Theology and I got a job. The job is now official now and I am going to be the Youth Minister at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson, TX. I loved the people I meet there and think everything is going to be great. The only thing is that I start January 4, 2009. So as exciting as everything is for me right now I am having a spend my Christmas packing up a trailer with my things. This means every present I unwrap I will be sticking in a box to go straight the trailer once we are done with the unwrapping of presents on Christmas. I will officially be moving on December 28th or 29th. This moving date depends on my mom's other nurse manager getting back in town. Well I will let everyone know more when I get down to Lake Jackson. For now I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Papers, Job interviews, and Finals
So I feel like I am completely overwhelmed. Over the past two weeks I have written 2 papers, one 9 page and one 12 page. I have also preached a sermon at my friend Jan's church and video taped it for my Preaching Final, flown to Texas for an interview with a church, and am now on to procrastinating studying for my last final of my Candler career.
I of course have a wonderful love of writing papers (I would much rather do write a paper than take an exam). However, I became extremely disturbed by my last paper on Dowry Deaths in India and how Families are a big reason they are still going on. I hated it and turned it in anyways so that I could be done with everything.
I got back yesterday from Texas. I feel in love with the church, the people, and youth. I cannot say officially that I have the Job yet, but I can say I will be moving to the Texas area at the beginning of January.
As for my last final. I cannot believe that Ethics is my final. I am worried about it yet, I have a feeling everything will work out alright. I need to get a 70 on this final to pass ethics. This would not normally be a problem for me except that I failed my midterm. I need this so badly. If I do not pass this exam then it will have an impact on if I can take any job I am offered. Ugh, I hate exam time.
I of course have a wonderful love of writing papers (I would much rather do write a paper than take an exam). However, I became extremely disturbed by my last paper on Dowry Deaths in India and how Families are a big reason they are still going on. I hated it and turned it in anyways so that I could be done with everything.
I got back yesterday from Texas. I feel in love with the church, the people, and youth. I cannot say officially that I have the Job yet, but I can say I will be moving to the Texas area at the beginning of January.
As for my last final. I cannot believe that Ethics is my final. I am worried about it yet, I have a feeling everything will work out alright. I need to get a 70 on this final to pass ethics. This would not normally be a problem for me except that I failed my midterm. I need this so badly. If I do not pass this exam then it will have an impact on if I can take any job I am offered. Ugh, I hate exam time.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Last Day
So I have know it was coming, but I never thought it would get here. I am finally done taking classes at Candler. I woke up today and found that it was just like any other day, except I had to dress up for a presentation. My roommates were both awake and doing their morning routine. Which was kind of strange for a Friday since Yair is never up until after Dave and I leave the house. However I still felt strange. I think it all start last night.
I finally was able to attend an advent service at Candler. They put up fake greens this year so I am not allergic. It was the service of heartbreak and hope. As I sat and thought about the past three and a half years I began to be afraid. Afraid of what is to come next. I don't have a job yet and my faith has just seemed so challenged this past semester. I cried over the loss of my friend Katie, the cancer in my dog Lynn, and the life I am now leaving. I also gave praise to God for the good times, and the plans he has for my future. As I passed the peace (hugged) with my friends and colleagues I began to realize just how much I would miss Candler.
Back to today. My final presentation went well in my Ethics class. We all ate breakfast and enjoyed the class. I got to lead a congregational meeting with my class members over the use of designated moneys. Then I got to go to my favorite class Preaching with Tom Long. I listened to my peers give Crisis sermons and began to see how real crisis is in everyday life through their eyes. At the end of Class Dr Long looked out into the class and told us that when we are preaching and there is an empty space in the congregation he in that space in spirit cheering us on. When he said those words he look right at me and we meet eyes. I could not help but just let the tears flow. I knew that even though I have doubts about my future and where I will go next that God has a plan for me and that Dr Tom Long believes in me and my calling. He has been a great influence on my preaching and carer at Candler. Dr. Long has even become my academic reference. I now know that others believe in me and now I just need to believe in myself more.
I finally was able to attend an advent service at Candler. They put up fake greens this year so I am not allergic. It was the service of heartbreak and hope. As I sat and thought about the past three and a half years I began to be afraid. Afraid of what is to come next. I don't have a job yet and my faith has just seemed so challenged this past semester. I cried over the loss of my friend Katie, the cancer in my dog Lynn, and the life I am now leaving. I also gave praise to God for the good times, and the plans he has for my future. As I passed the peace (hugged) with my friends and colleagues I began to realize just how much I would miss Candler.
Back to today. My final presentation went well in my Ethics class. We all ate breakfast and enjoyed the class. I got to lead a congregational meeting with my class members over the use of designated moneys. Then I got to go to my favorite class Preaching with Tom Long. I listened to my peers give Crisis sermons and began to see how real crisis is in everyday life through their eyes. At the end of Class Dr Long looked out into the class and told us that when we are preaching and there is an empty space in the congregation he in that space in spirit cheering us on. When he said those words he look right at me and we meet eyes. I could not help but just let the tears flow. I knew that even though I have doubts about my future and where I will go next that God has a plan for me and that Dr Tom Long believes in me and my calling. He has been a great influence on my preaching and carer at Candler. Dr. Long has even become my academic reference. I now know that others believe in me and now I just need to believe in myself more.
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