December (Just under the wire!)

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas! It was very strange to not be “working” Christmas Eve – and I miss that time with the staff.

I am finally able to dig my way to my desk! It has been wonderful having 3 of our kids with us for Christmas – 2 of them had to spend a few extra days with us due to the snow storm (I thought it was not suppose to snow as much here). 5 of us in the apartment was cozy, to say the least! But it is not horribly disappointing to be getting back to normal! I am not sure what that is any more, but getting ready for the short term to start on the 3^rd seems like normal.

It was great to be “home” with you all at Thanksgiving. I was afraid I would be sad and homesick but you have raised me well! I enjoyed it, felt renewed but ready to get back to school. I am looking forward to spending a longer bit of time there in May and June and to share more of this amazing experience.

Writing a blog is difficult for me because I love the interaction of conversation – not just my blathering on - so be sure and write me!! I have promised to be a better communicator, but continue to fail. I could put it on my New Year’s Resolution list… but fear it would be the first failure of the year. I promise to try to be better!

It is hard to believe that I have a semester behind me! I thoroughly enjoyed all my classes.  Never thought I would get through all the reading. The opportunity to learn from such brilliant and caring professors (almost all are pastors as well) has been a gift I am lucky enough to continue receiving! During the short term (3 weeks in January) I will be taking a modern church history course and next semester I am taking New Testament, Speech, Systematic Theology plus Bible, Preaching and Catechesis in the Reformation. 

2010 has been a year with so many changes - I can hardly wait to see what 2011 brings.

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Peace and love,

Kristie

November

Hello!

All my great intentions have fallen away! I had hoped to write every week and I am managing once a month.

Things are moving so fast – I cannot believe it is almost Thanksgiving. And almost time to be home to see everyone!

I am a little old to be emerging from anything, but that has been my life lately!  From emerging from the tunnel vision of midterms and processing information from the Emerging Adult Conference, I feel like it should be spring, but I have emerged to find fall in its fullest.

I may have had only one midterm test – Old Testament – my first real test in 35 years!  But also several papers! I am use to writing papers where I have a book to check my facts. Memorization is much harder. (It was reassuring to hear the younger students were just as stressed.) There was a cloud of anxiety hanging over the seminary, but it has been blown away like the leaves as we get resettled into the remainder of the term.

The diversity of people and opportunities is a wonder. The different preaching and worship styles are so exciting as well. I still relish in the opportunity t worship every day.

Our baby was out here a few weeks ago and it was great to see her (the first of the kids to visit.) When she returned home she told us that we really seem at home here, that we have not skipped a beat. I am thinking that I will not feel that way when I visit over Thanksgiving, I have missed everyone so much.

One last word to us parents. I regret the times I fretted over not hearing from my kids while they were at school. I now know that it is because you do feel as if you are in an alternate universe and disconnect. But we are still in their thoughts, just at odd times that do not mesh with the schedule at home. So, please forgive my errant ways and give me a call or write to remind me!

Take care of each other and I look forward to seeing you in church again in 2 weeks!

Peace and love,

Kristie

News From Seminary

Almost three weeks complete! This continues to be an astonishing experience. My Foundations of Youth Ministry class gathered together for a retreat this weekend. It was a gift to spend a few days with my fellow students who have a passion for young people and to have an opportunity to bond and build relationships on a level that usually takes months or years. Walking across campus on Monday morning really brought that feeling home. I actually KNEW 40 people. My passion for experiential or practical (as it is correctly titled) youth ministry was validated over the weekend.  The first weekend of November we will be participating in a Conference on the Emerging Adult, with experts researching this cutting edge field of ministry.

My experience so far is very different than what I was led to believe. I was told to not expect to get to know my professors on a personal level for a while. But I have spent the past two evenings in a professor’s home. Last night was a dinner for all the dual students and the faculty that leads us and tonight a group of us were back to discuss the implications of last night’s Glee episode on the faith of youth.  

I was thrilled to hear that the Rummage Sale was again a great success this year (but no less exciting with the fallen tree!).  I also love checking my email as I walk across campus and discovering a note from one of you back home. I feel very connected and I love sharing with the other seminarians the history we share.

Paul and I are truly feeling settled. We have nested in and made this our home.  Just as I am trying to settle into the school year they are asking us to start thinking about Field Study assignments for next year! I haven’t even registered for next quarter’s classes. There is always lots of reading but also lots of gathering with students and sharing community.

I miss you and love hearing from you. Take care of each other!

Peace and love to all,

Kristie

Greetings From Seminary!

Greetings all!

 No I have not fallen through a rabbit hole and morphed to another dimension (though at times it feels that way). Moving took much more out of me than I anticipated. But we are settled, I have started work and most importantly I have now attended each of my classes!

I am taking Old Testament studies, Introduction to Christian Education and Formation, Theological Foundations for Youth Ministry and a speech class. There is a tremendous amount of reading (and remembering), but it is all exciting and fascinating. Since I am a dual degree student – Master’s of Divinity and M. A. in Youth Ministry – I am starting out by diving into many of the courses that focus on my passion.

Most of the students are younger than me (surprise, surprise) but there is a god core of us second and third career students. We met as a group during orientation and their journeys are all different and inspiring.  I feel fortunate that this year the seminary is starting some new advising and affinity group programs.

One of the best things about being at seminary is the opportunity to worship DAILY. We have prayer services in the morning before class and Chapel Monday through Friday mid-day. There is not set style of worship for Chapel so I will get exposure to all types and styles. One thing they have had in common is excellence.  Corey gave me a gift by introducing us to Global music and that has been a large part of the worship here, so I feel more at home.

My husband has really settled in having found a sports bar that televised the Bears on Sunday. Our apartment is wonderful, a three block walk to school and four blocks from downtown Princeton. I am having no trouble walking the recommended 10,000 steps a day (hopefully you will see less of me in November). I think the kids are adjusting to us being here, but if you run into them please give them a hug for me (as well as your own kids).

This has so far exceeded my expectations. I miss you all but find myself thinking of you throughout the day as we study the church and scripture and I reflect on how you have impacted my faith as well as my life.  I pray that you are continuing to “practice your faith” as I am practicing mine here.

 I promise to not fall behind in my blogging (it was much easier when I knew Donna would edit me).

Peace and love,

Kristie

Greetings to First Church

With the desire to stay in touch with my First Church family I am taking the leap into blogging! The primary reason for this first blog is to thank you all for the love and support you have shown me during my ministry with you, not just during these final months in anticipation of my departure, but throughout my time here……..if I were able to thank each of you individually I would not even get to seminary until I was 60!!!

I am incredibly grateful for the many times you answered the call and agreed to be a part of our young people’s lives, even when you lived in fear of teenagers! And to those teenagers – many of whom are now adults - thank you for embracing those adults and welcoming them into your lives. I am honored…..by the trust you placed in me whenever I asked you do something a little outside your comfort zone.

I will always be in debt to the parents I have met on this journey - those with lots of experience and those just beginning. The insight I have gained continues to fuel my passion for parenting…..we are all in this together and need the support of the community.

I take a part of each of you with me to Princeton because you have impacted my faith journey in ways that I keep discovering fresh every day. You have all helped me to see God’s call in my life - and your love and prayers allow me to make this leap of faith without fear or doubt. I feel BLESSED to be in your care and my prayer is that you continue to share the love and acceptance you have shown me with each person you encounter.

Christ calls us to be in community with each other and I thank you for allowing me to be in yours. By now you know my keyboard is soaking with tears so I had better sign off for now and I look forward to reading your comments.