One week in…
I came across this draft from a year ago, and for the sake of posterity I figured I would post it before moving forward and posting
• • • • •
September 1, 2010
It has been one week now that I have been an official Graduate Student, attending classes and actively engaging in the reading and writing that goes hand in hand with Grad School. I find myself consistently struggling with feeling confident and completely overwhelmed as I am asked to do what I never dreamed of doing, as I consistently must choose to schedule time for me and God to connect each morning.
This summer was filled with opportunities to rest and to reconnect with God, the creator of the universe. Times of unexplainable joy and laughter, praise and singing bubbling up from somewhere deep within me. These times were filled with beauty and reflect the desires of my heart, yet as school starts back up and the busy-ness of life comes flooding in from all sides, these times of beauty are in danger of being pushed out.
For me, this has resulted so far in a very intentional response. Time in prayer and in the Word each morning.
• • • • •
August 2, 2011
The year was in fact a whirlwind. It did not take long to pick up speed and reach its steady rhythm. The first semester went well, and it was reportedly the most difficult of the semesters in my program. The second semester was decidedly easier academically than the first, but I found myself committed to 50 hours of work responsibilities in addition to the full-time class load. With such a load, I did little more than sleep when back in my room. The rest of the time given to work and study. There were multiple times in which I seriously reconsidered my decision to accept the two service oriented positions, but as I look back the value of coming out of my Masters program debt free will be worth it.
This summer I intentionally stepped away from the busyness of professional advancement and sought to spend time with friends and family that I have been blessed with. The first few weeks I spent in Cascais Portugal helping my family in any way that I could, namely in an attempt to live life with and beside each of them. In July, David Degge and Abby Rix were married in New Jersey, so I found myself flying back to support them and celebrate the occasion with them. The rest of July was spent visiting each of my grandparents in their respective homes. In Montana, I spent several days on the Crow Reservation working with horses and serving as a handyman for my grandparents as I listened to their hearts as they told stories from their lives. Then to Star Valley, WY, where I was able to hear more about my Dad as he grew up and what my Grandfather deems important enough to pass on to future generations. We were also able to spend time being physically active, but it was not the important part. The thing I valued most, was the time being next to each grandparent getting a glimpse of what life meant to them – it was a beautiful experience. I finished my circuit by being with my grandmother and grandfather as my grandfather had part of his thyroid removed. It was unclear whether or not there would be cancer and both of them were a bit apprehensive. The good news is that it went well, with the surgeons not finding any cancer and with my grandfather recovering quickly.
Tomorrow I fly back to Texas and will begin the process of getting all of my ducks in a row before school and work start-up. The process is exciting, but I would be lying if I failed to acknowledge a bit of apprehension about all the ‘unknowns’ on the table. But God has it all in control and I have no doubt it will work well. For I know that “In all things, God works for the good of those who love him, and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
