long lost blogger... & another 10 things!

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." [1 John 4:7]

So if there is any chance you may be concerned about if I am ever going to return to blog land or not the answer is: I am going to try! You may be thinking... well, that girl hasn't blogged since October of last year. Fat chance she'll keep it up. While it's true that most likely I will fail, as I do with many other things I desire to get done, I'm going to give it a go again. Can I just use the "I'm in grad school" card? I feel this is an okay time to play that card. Seems there's always something more I should be doing. (Or is that just the story of life?) I'm never reading enough of what I am supposed to read for class. I find myself digger deeper into resources related to things that interest me about ministry related topics but rarely do they line up with what is required in the current course I am taking. Oh well! Learning is learning and benefits me in some way whether it is in or out of the classroom. Just as long as I read the stuff that's required in due (and on) time!

That being said... I'll do a quick run down of the top 10 things that I can think of off the top of my head currently about being back in Fort Wayne for my first Spring quarter at the seminary:

[10] Winter quarter ended and I was blessed to be part of a short term 2 week mission/study abroad trip to Nagercoil, India with a group of students and faculty from Concordia Theological Seminary. WOW! I did not at all anticipate God bringing me to Indiana this year and leading me with an opportunity to go to India. (Pretty sure my parents didn't either!) What joy it was to meet students of the seminary of the India Evangelical Lutheran church (IELC)! It was also really neat to visit multiple sites that the IELC supports and runs. Homes/ schools for children who are blind, deaf, dealing with polio, a high school, place for mentally disabled, etc. We toured a hospital that received support through LWML mites in 1955. I was shocked! It was so neat to have God show me half way around the world how the LWML had benefited his people! I especially enjoyed being able to attend worship services and recognized hymn tunes of the hymns the people sang in the Tamil language. I'd recognize a tune and be able to find the hymn number in the LSB and then the team was able to sing along in English. Well, these are biggest highlights I can think of for now. That and our tour guide, Ravi, was an amazing blessing for our group! The final thing is Chicken 65 was the best dish I enjoyed to eat along with naan bread!

[9] My classes this Spring quarter are absolutely awesome. I am taking: Psalms (Hello, hymnbook of the Bible...anything having to do with hymns and I am there!), Theologia I: Baptism, Field Education, Lutheran Confessions II (Love me some Book of Concord!), Theology of Diakonal Care, and Organ lessons (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). While I have enjoyed my entire first year of graduate studies so far, I am pretty sure this will be my most favorite quarter. Maybe it has to do with it being Spring. The sun's bound to shine a lot more than it did during the dreary months of winter. But who knows...it could be I am understanding and realizing "formation" process unfold in my studies and time here at the seminary.  I don't know for sure yet, but I do know that God does know and will show me reasons why in his timing.

[8] Visiting others. It just doesn't get old. And I pray it never does. The Lord grants me so much joy in visiting the old and the youngest of young I know in this area I find myself living in. It was wonderful to come back from India and stop by the senior center nearby to show my residents I was safely back in the states. I rode my bike there, so I didn't stay long because I didn't smell the best :) And what joy to learn from an aunt of a seminarian's kids that a 3 year was ecstatic I was coming over to play for a bit! Little kids bring me so much joy and help me remember to worry less and play more. It was wonderful to see a little of Cinderella a few weeks ago and even more precious to do devotions with a 3 year old. I don't think I've ever been asked so many "what else happened?" questions in regards to explaining Easter to a youngster. Kids are smart. They can challenge you in more ways than one. And for that, I am so thankful!

[7] Studying theology. I'm am incredibly grateful and blessed that God led me to find about the deaconess program through people he placed in my life and at just the right time. I'm glad he had me at Concordia University Seward, NE right when the pre-deaconess program began and he nudged me on my own accord to begin taking theology classes before it was even required for a program. I will forever remember the deep love of theology that began at Seward and continues to grow and strengthen its roots here in my studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN.

[6] Liturgical posture...before I became a student at the seminary I really hadn't thought much about these two words. But as I am nearing the end of my first year as a deaconess student, so it's time for me to reflect on these words and confess - yes, it's hard for me to stand during the Prayers of the Church portion of a church service these days. It may seem weird to you - especially if your church doesn't have kneelers - but when you spend 3/4 of the year at seminary kneeling during prayers there's something about changing your posture that can help a person be more focused in praying together as a community. We no longer kneel as we are in the Easter season of the church year and for this I'm ever so thankful to rejoice in the resurrection of the Lord - even if it means standing during prayers again!

[5] During Lent we chanted the Litany found in the Lutheran Service Book. It's probably the first time I've ever sung it and it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. I still remember the joy that filled my soul in partaking of this sung prayer for the first time at chapel. What peace and comfort it brings to a person!!!

[4] Surprises!!!! I have been blessed to share in many surprises this year. And for all of that, I am forever grateful that God blessed me with completing successful surprises!

[3] Receiving wonderful news...from friends all over the USA. I rejoice in getting to share in others' joy and I pray God continues to teach me how to mourn with others in their sorrows. It seems easy to share with others when all life hands you is good news after good news. I continue to ask the Lord to give me strength and his words to share in the proper time when others have bad news come their way.

[2] Springtime...is just a wonderful season of the year. What with nature coming to life again, trees budding, flowers perking up, birds chirping, milder temperatures, etc - why wouldn't a person love Spring? Good news has come my way this spring from friends from all over, friends receiving their first calls, friends about to complete their first year serving as teachers, Directors of Music, etc. Graduations are upon us all over the country, Confirmations are coming up, recent engagements, with witnessing celebrations of weddings, etc - just more events to take part in and celebrate and rejoice with others! 

[1] And my number one thing about this Spring quarter...is that the love of Christ continues to abound in my life in many ways. Whether in reading his Word during devotions, hearing it spoken in daily chapel services or receiving the preaching through the pastor's lips into my ears, the love of Christ is continually poured into my life. Not to forget the many people God places in my life and shares his love with me in so many ways. I am forever grateful for this. It is so comforting to know in an ever-changing world, Jesus Christ remains constant and is always there. He never changes, never will, and his love for me, for you, is always present in our lives! Thanks be to God!

Life on Martin Luther Drive.

"For in him we live and move and have our being." [Acts 17:28]

Hello to those who are still reading this blog! Please forgive me for not being more faithful to regularly updating the blog. I realize it's now the last day in October - Reformation actually or for those of you who participated in the secular holiday, Halloween!  Didn't really get to observe Halloween today other than to see a bunch of decorations adorning walls at the retirement/health care center I stopped by today.  I did sing Martin Luther's solid paraphrase of Psalm 46 hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" in chapel today. Is singing that hymn 4 times in the past two days too much!? Naah! :)

What a whirlwind the last month has been... my studies definitely picked up and I experienced my first crunch time two weeks ago and here I am in the midst of another crunch time part of the quarter - so of course, I am blogging.

Life on Martin Luther Drive is absolutely splendid. Don't get me wrong...it's not perfect, but I love love love it here and am extremely blessed to study in this place. Here are some recent thoughts I'll share of highlights/delights/ learning of life here:

-I'm still desiring an oven to be able to use at my disposal whenever I have the craving to bake bread...but let's face it: grad school doesn't lend itself well to the disposal of tons of free time for as much stress relieving baking I did in Seward last year. I do miss being able to share bread with friends, but God blessed me to use a friend's kitchen two weekends ago and bake 4 loaves of coffee tin English muffin bread and pumpkin dessert.

-I no longer have to sleep with ear plugs...guess I'm just so exhausted my body can block out the loud water/pipe noises I hear in the "natural" background of my dorm room.

-I'm continuing to grow closer to deaconess sisters and gals on this campus. I'm learning. I'm living. I'm growing. I'm serving... and yet waiting to serve. Does that make sense? I'll expand that thought sometime soon - that's a whole subject of its own!

-I've learned to survive on 6-7 hours of sleep. I've only slept through missing 20 minutes of class and of course it happens for my favorite topic of all...Liturgics. I saw it coming though. I went to bed the night before thinking, "Wouldn't it be awful to sleep through this class?" Bam. It happened. I guess though I did get ready in 5 minutes and the prof didn't give me too much grief about it :)  

-I can't for the life of me figure out how long mail takes to get here to Ft. Wayne or how long it takes to get elsewhere. It's weird to not be able to check for mail on Saturdays. I am so my father's daughter. I just get really excited when there's something in the real mail box for me and it's not a filler advertisement from the sem community. So if you ever want to write me... I will write you back. I am so my mother's daughter.

-The Lord continues to teach me even when I think I'm done learning for the day. Love that. I am thankful for learning and pray it will be put to good use one day.

-And there's so much else to include...but I am going to have to pause here now in this list.

It's now week 9 and next week is the last week in the quarter. I'm trying and hoping and praying I get tons of homework related things done this week because one of the best conferences I've been blessed to attend the last two years is next weekend.

The Good Shepherd Institute occurs each fall at the Ft. Wayne seminary and is the annual sacred music and theology conference. Wonderful speakers present papers and there are a myriad of opportunities shared for continuing education in attending this institute for church musicians and pastors currently serving in the field. I pray I am blessed to attend this conference every so often when I am serving in my call as a deaconess somewhere. This year's topic is all about weddings. Considering a lot of my summer was filled with going to weddings and playing at weddings, I'm excited to hear more about the musical end of things!

What else is there to say? So much I wish I could type it all out, but I also don't care to bore any of you. I am still debating the choice between completing the one year program or the two year program. Praying God allows me peace in that decision and that the answer comes sooner than later...part of me wishes that when you have to make a decision in life there needs to be a right answer and a wrong answer! In this case, either route I go I know will be a blessing... but if there was a wrong answer... I think that'd make the decision easier. 

Once classes end next Friday, I look forward to the drive WEST to Iowa and also to Nebraska. To see friends and family. To be refreshed and probably, most likely, to catch on all the sleep I've missed the last 10 weeks.

Let the Learning begin!!!

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." [John 1:16]

This post is an attempt to fill in those dear loved ones, friends, family, all brothers and sisters in Christ who care to know about what's occurred in my life the past 6 or so days. It's been a whirlwind of a few days. I am still gathering my thoughts together as I reflect on the experience of moving 2 states eastward and the beginning (finally!!) of graduate studies in the MA Theology Deaconess program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne. Bear with my randomness and hope you can piece things together; if not, I'm an email away (for clarification).

I'll begin by sharing, I am amazed at how God continues to give me blessing after blessing each step of my life. He is unbelievable and full of so much love, I don't deserve any of it, and yet day after day, I feel his grace, blessing and love showered upon me in various ways. Thanks be to God for this!!

The drive here seemed to take forever, but all in all a week ago I spent the majority of the final day of August on the road, with my parents' van following me here. I felt like I was on Cloud 9 as soon as I got to Ft. Wayne. It was so great to arrive before dusk and give my parents a very quick (& brief) driving tour of campus before enjoying dinner at Applebee's.

Thursday, all of sudden decided to be super hot, which of course happened to be moving into the dorm day. Oh well, as I've done the packing/unpacking process more than once before, my attitude & mission quickly became "My van is full, let's get it empty." So, I was off, unloading, along with my father helping me. He also helped put together a 5 shelf bookcase for my room. Unloading and all of that went well and rather quickly. We didn't eat lunch until almost 4. Mom and Dad headed off to IL to visit my brother and sister-in-law. This helped to break up their trip home.

Spent most of Thursday evening unpacking/getting organized and so I'll show you "home" in Ft. Wayne:

 This is what you see as you look towards the door that you enter & leave the room. Behind the wood is my closet. I kind of have two closets :)

Bed & desk on one side of the room.

My first study area in the room.

The other half of the room! Loads of books to help aid in studies this year!

Friday came quickly and began with a Matins service at 7:30am in the chapel. From there, we were in a lecture hall to meet any one and everyone that had anything to do with campus community. It was great to see all the people but after awhile my brain was turning to mush with trying to keep straight who's face belonged to who's name. This was also when my eye began to hurt really badly, but I didn't figure I should miss any of orientation. Friday late afternoon, there was a short time to get a nap in and I thought the eye would feel better after being closed for a bit. It didn't though. Enjoyed a banquet with professors and new students that evening and an excellent speech by the sem's new president. He quoted from a Walther sermon circa 1542 who quoted Luther. It just amazed me that something said so long ago was relevant to what I'm beginning this year of my life. (I'd share the quote - but waiting to get it from the president!)

Saturday, I woke up and my eye hurt even worse so I showered and figured out how to get to a doctor. Turn's out I ended up with pink eye and I was so so so sad because the doctor said I shouldn't be around any one for 24 hours. I was very unhappy to have to miss deaconess orientation activities, but figured I should abide by the doctor's orders. Watched a couple movies to pass time, napped, and hung up pictures on the wall. Finally, girls returned to the dorm and I spoke with a few but didn't touch any one. (Thankfully, the eye drops helped and I looked much better by Monday!)

Sunday, I went to a seminarian's daughter's baptism and baptismal dinner at his house afterwards. It was so beautiful to witness a family celebrate this special day in their daughter's life and enjoy fellowship with other people. After that I enjoyed time with a dear friend - she teaches first grade and visited Ft. Wayne for her Labor Day weekend. We had a blast being together and catching up. It was great to have a visitor. Monday was especially nice to enjoy not having to go to class for the first time in 4 years.

And Tuesday finally came!!!! First day of classes and I loved every minute of it....well minus having to wade through logistics of introducing the courses. Sometimes, I wish the syllabus could be sent via email and we just show up the first day and already begin the learning. I'm ready to dig in!!!!

Things I've learned since becoming a seminary student:

1. Ear plugs are an ingenious man made creation, and allow me to get sleep here.
2. Living life by the sound of Kramer Chapel bell is wonderful. I know it's only been a few short days, but I really have enjoyed the depth of hearing God's Word shared 4 times a day and the opportunity to pray and worship my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
3. Don't ignore when your body says something's wrong to you.
4. Professors everywhere are hilarious.
5. Believe it or not, I'm becoming a morning person.

There's much more I could add to this list, but I think I'll end there for now. God bless you all. Thanks so much for your encouragement and prayers as I begin my time here at the sem!