Spring Semester Review

Last week I turned in my final for Church History II: Reformation to Modernity. If you have insomnia or are a nerd and enjoy these things, you are welcome to read my final paper. Click the link here to go to it.

My return to school as a student again was quite an adjustment for everyone in my family. Claire didn't particularly like me leaving and developed some separation anxiety. Paul got sick of eating pizza every Thursday night and has declared he doesn't like it at all. Adam had to arrange his work schedule to be home at 6:00 p.m. every Thursday so I could make it to class on time.

Most days when I was at Brite Divinity School in my class, I felt like I was at the precipice of an entirely new world. Being around people that know words I've never heard and can write about concepts I've never even thought is invigorating to my spirit. It also makes the learning curve steep for me.

I've always enjoyed learning history, but I was fascinated with incorporating theology and learning the processes and events that brought the church where it is today. The inflence of secular history on church history and vice versa was a world unexplored. I learned about Martin Luther and how some of his thoughts became part of German culture and hundreds of years later even influenced Hitler and the common person's response to him.

I learned about the abolitionist movement and how it was linked to women's suffrage and even later, women's ordination in the church. This was a big eye-opener to me because learning about the 1800s and women's prescribed "role in society" made me question and ponder my own prescribed role. What parts of my life did I chose? What parts did society chose for me? This added relevance to the issues of women's rights. The struggles of the past became real in the present.

I learned my limits and how to ask for help. I'm still not a master at this, but I am definitely more self-aware and am become more proactive about asking for help when needed. On the week of my mid-term I had job interviews, my mid-term, a full work week and a husband who was stuck at work for about 60 hours. It was difficult but when I asked for help, I immediately received it.

I learned how important Google is to a student and how many thousands of books are available online. If you're writing a paper at 4:30 a.m., the libraries are closed, but you can do a Google books search and usually find what you're looking for. Instead of the index, online books provide a keyword search feature which saved me time. I was able to access any source I desired at any time I desired, for no cost.

As part of my school, I filled out a field education form for kicks, actually listing what I want to do for a living when I'm out of seminary. I wrote "I want to be a Bible study curriculum writer." Five months later I have completed my first course toward my Master of Divinity degree and I have a new job!

I'm so glad I took the plunge and stepped forth in faith to acheive some dreams. I can't wait to see where the next year takes me!

--In the fall I'll be taking Methodist Polity and Spiritual Life and Leadership. I'll be taking two courses, with two jobs, two kids, a husband, and two dogs. I can't wait to see what the world looks like in the midst of that. I know I'll be asking for help.