Going Full Steam

Three weeks into the semester, and I have finally attended a full week of classes!

It's been a busy week, but I'm beginning to feel like I have a handle on things for the semester. On Tuesday, when I walked into Hebrew and realized I was a lesson behind I got a bit worried, but as I sat through that class I began to realize that I still love languages and Biblical Hebrew is no exception. I really feel like I'm learning it well now, and I'm looking forward to finishing a semester of it.

All my other classes are fantastic as well, I am truly enjoying them all. I am taking Church History 2 which covers the time of the Reformation to the present. I always love learning about the Reformation and Luther, and I'm going to enjoy the rest of the history as well. Then I'm taking Introduction to Worship as well as Music in the Contemporary Church. They are both fantastic classes about Christian worship, and they are making me so much happier to be involved in worship and think about ways to create it and lead it. I'm also taking Old Testament 1, and I always enjoy studying the Old Testament. Finally, I'm taking Spanish for Ministry.

I started Spanish along with everyone else last week. Since it was a week later to start than the other classes, I didn't miss anything. I began in the Spanish 2 class and I was a bit worried that it would be too far advanced for me. However, the first class was fantastic and I'm enjoying getting back into my Spanish, which I gave up at the end of high school. At the time I was burnt out on Spanish, but now that I've discovered my love of languages I'm excited to be back into it again. I am also attending a liturgical Spanish workshop, which will hopefully come in handy. When I'm working at Parkland hospital this summer, I am hoping that when I encounter someone whose first language is Spanish, I will at least be able to make an effort to pray for them in their native language. I'd hope that would be comforting to someone needing the kind of comfort they will need in that place.

Tuesdays are a long crazy day, and I'm exhausted by the time I get home, but the things I am learning are worth it. The rest of my days are easier, still working in the library, and spending most of my time at home learning how to read and write papers with George between me and whatever I'm doing. He's doing well, and he got a few new toys this weekend. Hopefully they'll help to distract him if he's distracting me too much.

It's just a week and a half until Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I've been struggling with my spirituality on occasion over the past year, but I am eager to move into this and the Easter season, as I rediscover the beauty of worship and my place in it. I feel like it is going to be a wonderful semester.

Peace and love,
Kathryn

By the way: Did you know that the Alb (the white robe worn by worship leaders) is supposed to signify the purity and cleansing from sin we receive in baptism, and those wearing them are representing the baptism of all the assembly? Neat! More people should know that.

The Middle of February Already?

So this past week and a half has seriously thrown me for a loop, and I'm just now starting to get myself re-settled.

Silas came in as expected, and after learning what it truly means to dig your car out of a parking spot, I picked him up at the airport. We had a fantastic weekend, celebrating Valentines day a week early and running around Columbus. We went to a distillery and an art museum, which were both fantastic.

Unfortunately, that same weekend, I was getting news from my mom that my grandfather was not doing well at all. On Sunday I was sitting with Silas and I got the phone call from my mom saying that he was in heaven. It was very sad, and I was very glad I had someone with me at the time to hug. After I sent Silas back to Oklahoma on Monday, I had to immediately start getting ready to get myself to Oklahoma on Tuesday.

I flew out Tuesday, spending all my time reading and trying to keep up with my schoolwork, since I was basically going to miss an entire week of school, and made it to Tulsa with no issues. It was wonderful to be with all my family, despite the sad occasion. I was asked to speak at Grandpa's funeral, and I felt quite honored to be able to share some memories with all those who came to honor my Grandpa. Silas was able to come up Wednesday evening and spend some time with my family too, which was wonderful.

Thursday I spent most of the day heading back, and then I spent the weekend getting myself and my schedule sorted out and dealing with my new cold. I'm feeling pretty well caught up and settled in, but we'll see how tomorrow goes (Tuesdays are my marathon days where I have class literally all day). I am truly enjoying all my classes so far, but there are a couple that I haven't been to and will get a feel for tomorrow. The reading level this semester is bordering on ridiculous, so I'm working on my speed reading as well as my triaging. Grad school will keep me busy, but I'm learning fantastic stuff, that I hope to keep using the rest of my life.

That's about all I have going on at the moment, but that's probably enough, right? My birthday is coming up, and I think I'll be hanging out with a couple of friends to celebrate my 23rd. It should be lovely. I can't believe how far I am into the month already - I've been off on my time all this past week. Hopefully a relatively normal week will get me re-sorted.

Rather than snowing, today we got ice here, so we'll see how walking to school goes tomorrow. I hope the weather is better wherever you are.

Peace,
Kathryn

Snow Day

My long vacation was supposed to end today, so I got all ready to start the day with morning prayer at 7:30 and just before I left my apartment I discovered an email saying that campus was closed due to some pretty impressive snow we got last night. So, one more day of vacation, and a very productive one at that.

I have been spending my last few days getting my apartment organized and my school things in order to get ready for the semester. I've sorted through all my craft projects - I have more than I thought - and gotten them into a system in which I can actually find what I have going and maybe finish some of my projects. I bought yarn and fabric in the past month, and I won't let myself buy anymore until I get a few things done. One thing I started this week is a shawl that can be worn many different ways, and it's going quickly, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.

This Sunday I went to All Saints, my MIC site for all three services and I was introduced to the whole church as their new MIC student. It was quite a morning - I met a bunch of people, and mingled between services. By the time I got home, I was rather tired. I opted to only stay at the seminary Superbowl party for a bit, and then I came home and watched the rest of it with Silas on my computer and some knitting on my lap.

I was actually a tad bit disappointed in the snow day today, just because I am looking forward to getting started with my classes this semester. I spent a fair bit of time this morning putting my assignments for three of my classes into my calendar, which is one of my favorite beginning of the semester tasks.

Tomorrow though, after my morning classes, I should be picking Silas up at the airport for a visit here. I'm really looking forward to seeing him again, and that is why I'm writing this blog on a Wednesday. We'll be celebrating Valentines Day and my birthday this weekend.

Next week I'll start my classes in earnest, and I am looking forward to what this semester will bring. I'm moving into more interesting classes and I think I'll enjoy the semester. Then we'll just have to see how George deals with my being gone more often - he tends to demand immediate cuddles when I've been out of the apartment for a bit. That will be a nice thing to come home to.

Hoping everyone is staying warm!