The Spring semester of 2013 was a trying one. It started off really well as far as we were concerned. We kept up with all of our schoolwork along with our jobs. Things took a turn for the worst on April 1st, when Leslie’s mom was killed by a drunk driver. I am not going to go into how that event changed the course of the semester. School and work are small stuff, and I am tired of sweating the small stuff.
In 2010, I felt as though I needed to attend seminary. Not just any seminary, but Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. I felt as though getting my higher education outside of the Bible Belt would be a great thing for me, and so I left for California that August. Fast forward three years and I’m still in school, in part because of a degree change, a concentration change, and a semester that I had to take off for financial reasons. In these five semesters I have learned some, but even more I’ve learned how well Howard Payne University prepared me for where I am. It may not show on my transcript, but I have had little trouble with most classes.
I’ve also had somewhat of a revelation. I was not called to come to this seminary in particular to study books outside the Bible Belt, but interact with those who live here. I’m supposed to be going to church here, fellowshipping with some people, loving others, maybe doing a little networking, and just enjoying the absolute beauty of this area (whenever the weather is bearable for a Texan, anyway).
Between being a full-time student, a full-time employee of the school, a part-time employee of the city of Mill Valley, a full-time husband who tries to help out with the housework when I can, and, a bit of a gamer (or at least, that’s what I would like) I have not experienced much outside our small apartment. Even less off campus or outside of Mill Valley. So here is what I’m doing. And this is more for me than it is for you. Actually it’s 100% for me and only for you as much as you care. I’m taking the least amount of school per year that I can get away with while maintaining the right to live on campus. I’m dropping my part-time job (not quitting completely, perhaps, but not signing up for near as many shifts), leaving me with my full-time job. I’m taking Leslie hiking at least every other week, schedule permitting. And I am going to take her camping from time to time, or at least to a hotel. Just somewhere outside of Mill Valley. And warmer.
One other thing to mention is that I will have a new internship-type situation that is being added to my plate thanks to school, but Leslie and I are both too excited about the opportunity to let it get in the way of enjoying ourselves here. I have not received the job description yet, but it seems as though I will be leading service projects in the area, getting to know a bunch of new people, speaking at churches and to the association to gain interest and support for the service projects, and maybe even heading up a trip to Romania.
Finally, I also want to blog more. Not because I have an audience right now, but because it seems to help me think. If you are reading though, I do appreciate it. If you have gotten this far, I hope I can count on you for your prayers in all this. It’s going to be a lot to take in. Thank you.
