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.
__________________________________________

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...