Life as a Seminarian

The end of selfishness...

I have a tendency to write blog posts but never upload them to blogger....here is one from last week

I thought planning a wedding was busy...boy was I wrong.

I just finished my first "official" week as chaplain of Collins Hall and am loving it. We started training in early August, so it feels like I have been here for ever. But since the first week of school is coming to an end, I now feel like I have officially made it through my "first week."

This is going to be an amazing experience for me. I will be pushed in brand new ways and grow spiritually beyond what I can even comprehend. It's funny how being the "spiritual leader" of a place doesn't mean you can't grow...and I am certainly no exception. I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of the year I feel like I have grown more in my spiritual journey than my residents...is that backwards? Perhaps.

My favorite part so far is my "toilet ministry." That's right...toilet ministry (community bathrooms do have their perks!) Basically I hang two publications on the back of each of the 110 stalls in Collins Hall. One that is called "Collins' Hall Happenings" and the other is called "The Spiritual Flush" they are fantastic. and even better the girls keep saying "oh, you're the one who writes on the back of the bathrooms!" ...i love being that person :)

Now onto the title of this post. I am definitely learning that I cannot be selfish with this job. I enjoy having control over my life, every morning I wake up I do a "run down" of what my day will look like. (let's just say this might explain why I'm not very spontaneous). But being pastoral has taught me that I need to be able to adjust my day to the needs of my residents. Some days that means staying up an extra hour or so doing homework because a girl needed me to be an available set of ears that she could talk to. Other days it means realizing that my school assignment that should only take 30 minutes of undivided attention will take 3 hours because I need to sit up at the front desk so that I am a visible presence in the hall...thus partaking in "small talk" while doing my homework. It also means opening my little apartment to the 600 girls of Collins Hall regardless of whether there are dirty dishes in the sink or not...

At the end of the day though, by giving up of my personal time and space I know that I am making a difference, and that these girls are making a difference in me. I look up to so many of them, their faith is so strong. I had no idea what I was getting into when I interviewed for this job, but I am already beginning to see how God is shaping me into the type of ministry he has planned for me...if I'm willing to accept. So far it looks good :)

Won't you be my neighbor?

Ok, ok. I'll be the first to admit that updating my blog has not become a priority of mine. I mean honestly...there's only so much time in the day after stalking your friends on facebook :) But Rachel gave me a hard time today, saying that she checks this thing every other day to see if I've posted anything and I gave in. So Rachel, this is for you...don't ever say I didn't do anything for you :)

So I'm taking Scriptures III for this first part of the summer which covers the Gospels and Acts...well...actually just Mark and Luke...but it's still really good. I've really enjoyed this class! First of all one of my favorite professors is teaching it and secondly I get to sit next to Kelly! So Dr. Arterbury has been really stretching our understanding of the Gospels, having us look very critically at their material, what they share, what they don't share etc.

We looked at the Good Samaritan story this past week. Now, I'm not going to lie, I was a little cocky here. I mean it's the Good Samaritan...I've only heard this story a million times! But Dr. A had us look at it in a new way...

Have you ever noticed that Luke places the Good Samaritan story right before the Mary and Martha story? (The one where Martha "flips" out b/c Mary won't help in the kitchen...") Growing up I always heard that Martha was trying "too hard" to please Jesus and she needed to get her priorities straight. Now I think that's a fair interpretation, but what about what we had just learned as readers through the Good Samaritan story? That story clearly shows us that we are to help our neighbor, and that everybody is our neighbor. Most people try to work this out by saying that Martha was going overboard...really though? I mean this was Jesus, she was just trying to make his stay nice...the Samaritan went through a lot more work to take the man half-dead to an inn and payed 2 denarii (2 days wages) for a complete stranger! That sounds a little "overboard" to me...so what is it then? These stories seem so confusing!

This is where Dr. A just looked at us and told us to start thinking. I just peered over my Bible, figuring that the answer had to be there somewhere. Everyone was pretty quiet, except for a few guesses every now and then, but none of us were on the right track. He told us to look at the section as a whole. Jesus talks to the Lawyer, lawyer asks what gives us eternal life...love the Lord, do unto others...Good Samaritan story...Mary and Martha. WHERE IS THE ANSWER! Finally I looked up and said "Jesus is not our neighbor" before I could stop myself. Dr. A looked at me with a smile and said "Go on Katie..." To be completely honest I was in shock...did I really say "Jesus is not our neighbor?" am I going to be kicked out of seminary? Certainly that's a heretical statement...I just repeated what was said in the Lawyer's story, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and do unto others." If Jesus corrected Martha it must be because she wasn't supposed to show mercy to Jesus, she was just supposed to love him, like Mary was doing by sitting at his feet.

whoa! What a statement! Jesus is saying that he is the Lord. Can you imagine what the people in that house must have thought? That is quite a bold statement to say around your Jewish friends who are all waiting for a king-like Messiah. I reflected on this passage for the rest of the day. All God asks of us is to Love him, like Mary, to sit at his feet, listen, and love. There are no works mentioned, the most important thing is to Love God. It seems so simple! How can it possibly be? But that's what it says.

This is why I love seminary. It's just awesome to look at passages you have read your entire life and see them in a brand new, refreshing, way. The stories never get old because there is always something to learn.

I also like seminary because my professors always like to point out the "pro-women" passages. And the Mary-Martha story is a big one. In the ancient world, the act of sitting at someone's feet was to say that they were your teacher and you were their student/disciple. Mary had the boldness to sit at Jesus' feet, something that a woman would never do. In a sense she was saying, "Jesus I want to be your disciple" and he praised her. Luke has MANY passages like this, situations where as people today we don't think anything of it, but in Luke's time would have been huge statements against the cultural norm. So cool.

Ok, I'm done...hopefully I can post more things on here as the weeks go on. A lot is happening! I mean I'm getting married in 14 days! wow! In fact all i have to do is write a 12-15 page paper (already have 3) and go to three more days of class before I go home on Friday! Life is so good right now. I am so blessed!

I leave you with 2 pictures from our "luau" a few weeks ago!

Bragging on "Bubs"...again

Because I never miss an opportunity to brag on my brother...he was on the news...and he is awesome...and I love him :)

Not gonna lie, i think i've watched this about 25 times...i'm just so proud of him!

two's company, 580 is a crowd?

Yes it's true, Steven and I will be spending our first year of wedded bliss in the company of 580 freshman girls in Collins Dormitory...aka my "home sweet home" from freshman year...and my mom's...and my aunt's for 1 semester. Gosh I love Baylor :)

I could not be more excited and nervous about this amazing opportunity to minister. At times I feel this is way out of my league, but every time without fail God somehow gives me a sign that tells me everything is going to be ok. I'm so glad he puts up with my doubting. I seriously have no idea where I would be without that constant comfort.

I actually got to go to Collins on Sunday night for their new staff initiation ceremony. It's mainly for the new CL's (Community Leaders, aka RA's) but I got to come and be a part of it, very, very cool. I also got to see my next home. It was so incredibly exciting and a fairly good size. Michelle (the current chaplain) was so amazing and let me take pictures for Steven, but I think i'll refrain from posting them on the WWW...i'll post some when we move in, a few months from now.

The weirdest part of all...I walked into Collins that night and I stopped dead in my tracks. Collin's has a very distinct scent, and it's one I haven't smelled or even thought about for 4 years. It's not a bad smell by any means, but it's just very distinct. I had to stop and take it all in, memories of freshman year were flooding back, and it just made me realize that I will get to be a part of a whole new group of freshman girls' memories this next year. How cool is that? Maybe when they come back to Collins long after they are gone b/c of homecoming or they are moving their daughter in, they will stop in the doorway and think of me...ok well maybe not me but the amazing experience they had as a freshman and hopefully how they grew in their faith that year. ahhh it's just makes me so excited!

Well that pretty much sums it up for now.

PS i have the most amazing fiance who could not think of anything better than to live in Collins for our first year of marriage. I mean seriously? who is this guy? It's not going to be easy for him...he will have to "announce" himself every time he comes in the hall, but of course, being the "glass is half full" guy that he always is, he's been brainstorming on fun ways to announce himself...i'm scared to ask... :)

I'm sure we will have many great newlywed stories given our new living situation...i'll keep you updated :)

pps. collins is stereotyped as the "pretty girls dorm"...i won't argue cause I lived there :) which just means that my bubs (brother) will probably be visiting a lot more now...with friends...oh goodness....

The Proverbs

This Tuesday we are studying Proverbs in my Scriptures II class. So in preparation I just read all 31 chapters. What's even more amazing is that I only took short break for dinner in the middle. I loved reading this book! I actually can't believe I had never read through it before.

I kept a list of some of my favorite verses, and thought I would share. Enjoy!

The fear of the lord is the beginning of knowledge 1:7a

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 4:18

Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. 4:26

Keep my commandments and live, keep my teachings as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart 7:2-3

some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. 11:24

Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up. The righteous gives good advice to friends, but the way of the wicked leads astray 12:25-26

In the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its path there is no death. 12:28

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13:12

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 14:23

Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding 14:33a

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good 15:3

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. 15:16

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. 16:9

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. 18:22

(I think I will write this one out for Steven and place it on his bathroom mirror so It's the first thing he reads every day, haha!)

Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin. 18:24

The fear of the Lord is life indeed; filled with it one rests secure and suffers no harm. 19:23

Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. 20:13

(It should be a requirement for all grad students to memorize this verse!)

The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. 22:2

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 24:3-4

Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another. 27:19

(I might like this one the best)

The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. 28:5

Many seek the favor of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice. 29:26

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 30:5

give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, "who is the Lord?" or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God. 30:8b-9

speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. 31:9

(A great proof text for social work)

And by far my new favorite verse...

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without good sense. 11:22

Bragging on "Bubs"

My little brother James (aka: Bubs) is so hardcore. He's having an amazing senior baseball season and I couldn't be more proud...if only I still lived in Austin and could go watch every game.

Note: Yes he does stick his tongue out for every pitch, and yes I DO hope it's on the cover of Sport's Illustrated one day...I secretly want to be known as "the sister of the lefty pitcher with the ridiculous face"

Like I said....proud

Extended Break

(I tried posting this last Wednesday but my internet kept cutting out. I just now remembered it so here it is!)

This semester has been tough. I have never looked forward to spring break more in all my 18 years of education. For some reason procrastination has been looming in my doorway all semester constantly distracting me from getting the things done that I need to. I was ready for a break, a week to just go to work and catch up in my classes. Apparently I was so drained that I wasn't even able to do that, and to top it all off I got the worst case of poison ivy/oak/sumac (which will not be referred to as poison ivy just to save space) ever! I got nothing done last week and I even had a to-do list. What is up with that?

Steven and I went home to Austin for a few wedding errands the last weekend of spring break and day 5 of my poison ivy attack and I just about lost it. I was stressed, tired, in tremendous pain, couldn't bend my arm from how swollen it was, and not to mention just felt plain ugly from the rash all over my body and face. It was really difficult to go back to Waco on Sunday but I just bit my lip while Steven drove us back up I-35. I woke up early on Monday to get the work done for school that I meant to do with my week long vacation and realized that my poison ivy had spread...again. I called the nurse to see if this was normal (i had already had 1 steroid shot, had lathered myself in hydro-cortizone for a week now and was sooooo good about not scratching). The nurse told me I should come back in so the doctor could check on me so I got dressed and headed off to the clinic. I checked in, sat in the corner of the waiting room feeling like a leaper, certain that everyone was saying "un-clean, un-clean!" under their breath and was definitely aware of the number of stares I was getting from the whole room. I then felt a tingling in my right hand and looked down and noticed it had swollen up to twice its size...in 5 minutes! I breathed a sigh of relief that I was already at the doctor's office and continued to wait, all the while trying to hide the blisters all up and down my arms that were continually popping and at this point smelly (I know that's gross to read but imagine living with it for over a week!)

The nurse called me back and looked like she was in pain when she saw me, the doctor saw me in the hall while he was going to see another patient and walked over to me to express how sorry he was for me, the whole time I'm thinking "this is not helping!!!! I know I look ridiculous!!! Just fix it!!!" I go into the exam room, the nurse can't even take my blood pressure because there is not a free spot on either of my wrists to wrap that silly contraption around. When the doctor finally came in he told me he had never seen a reaction as bad as mine (i actually felt kind of proud about this, if I'm going to have this disgusting rash that is blistering and oozing all over me it might as well be the worst he's ever seen!) and he gave me a second steroid shot, steroid pills, steroid cream and an antibiotic to fight off any infections that might come my way. And then he told me if it didn't clear up in 3 days I would have to be hospitalized (talk about a lot of pressure on my body!!!) He wrote me a doctors note to get out of class and work for the rest of the week and said the earliest I could go anywhere would be Thursday and I should remain a hermit until then.

So I called mom, told her the news and she begged me to come home. I told her I would think about it, but I wasn't convinced until I was in the drive through at Walgreens to drop of my prescription and the pharmacist gasped as my blistery hand and asked "What happened to you!?!?!" Needless to say when mom called to check on me 30 minutes later I was more than relieved to hear that she had already sent Lizzie driving up I-35 to come take me home.

Apparently 2.5 days at home was all the medicine I needed. I got more refreshed these past few days than I have all semester just from being home and being taken care of. It was amazing and I even got to see my brother pitch last night because of how much better I had gotten.

So I'm back in Waco, I have my to-do list, and I'm pretty sure I will get more done this semester all because of my silly poison-ivy attack. (which by the way I got taking engagement photos, and I'm sure all this pain means they will only be that much more amazing).

So I will leave you with a few pictures of my rash, even though they don't do it justice because (1) with only one working arm I couldn't maneuver the camera to every angle to show the extent it was covering my body (2) It's really hard to see the blisters without my not-so-top-of-the-line camera (3) you can't smell the puss which is really the grossest part :)

...but I think you will get the idea.

(ps I promise to post the much more enjoyable, and what I can only guess will be the most beautiful engagement pictures EVER, as soon as I get them. Until then this will have to suffice!)

Face (obviously)

Right Arm - the reddness is actually just a bunch of blisters that wraps all the way around my arm like a sleeve...oh and they burst every time I move my arm

Left arm: where most of the big blisters were.

Left Hand: Look at all those blisters! Steven told me they made my engagement ring look ugly...(it's funnier now that they are all gone!)