1 more semester done, 1 more to go...

Yesterday at around noon I handed in my last assignments, put my textbooks back on the shelf, and declared the Fall 2010 semester finished. My mood wasn't quite as celebratory as you might imagine because for the last two days I've had on and off flu-like symptoms - NOT FUN! The lack of sleep these last couple of weeks has probably caught up to me. So I'm trying to get plenty of rest in the midst of cleaning and packing and preparing for the trip home, which has been minimally successful. I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight before hitting the road to Manitoba tomorrow morning. This will be the last trip home for Christmas from Indiana!

A prayer...

I have posted this prayer by Thomas Merton on here once before, but it has taken on new meaning as I begin to seek where God may be leading post-seminary.
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My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
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As I articulated to my pastor earlier today, I feel as though I am in a season of building trust in God's ultimate way of bringing experiences in my life full-circle. It is an exciting time and though what exactly I'll be doing once I graduate is still a huge unknown, I sense that God has got something particular for me up God's sleeve!


Winter, that is, snow has arrived in Indiana this week.

My soul is filled with joy...

I just arrived back from Dingmans Ferry last night after round two of my Gestalt Pastoral Care training. It was a good time of learning about interruptions, introjects, retroflections, projections, and confluence. And it's just plain fun to hang out with 12 amazing women!

I went for a walk up in the mountains one afternoon during a break and this song came to me and stayed with me throughout my time there. It has become my advent song:

1. My soul is filled with joy
as I sing to God my savior:
you have looked upon your servant,
you have visited your people.

Refrain
And holy is your name through all generations!
Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen,
and holy is your name.

2. I am lowly as a child,
but I know from this day forward
that my name will be remembered,
for all will call me blessed.

3. I proclaim the pow’r of God,
you do marvels for your servants;
though you scatter the proud-hearted
and destroy the might of princes.

4. To the hungry you give food,
send the rich away empty.
In your mercy you are mindful
of the people you have chosen.

5. In your love you now fulfill
what you promised to your people.
I will praise you, Lord, my savior,
everlasting is your mercy.
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On another note: The race beings - 10 days to the end of the semester. My integration paper is as ready as it is going to be for my group presentation this week. I still have two bigger papers and one large project to complete, as well as a few smaller projects. I will be thankful when this semester is over. I have a three-week intensive course in January to prepare for over the Christmas break, and then my LAST semester of seminary. Time flies...