Okay, I think that I will officially hold more reflections until I come home and I can process everything to come up with a more intelligent and thoughtful blog rather than these little exclamations here and there, although those are fun and formative as well!

So, just as I said that I would hold more until the end, I do need to share this because I was nearly brought to tears after this particular comment was made to me, but I thought that it was slightly inappropriate at the time...Now, it's okay... Anyway, I met Marjorie Suhocki for coffee this morning and she was just positively a delight! I loved talking with her about United, Claremont, and theology of movies. It was beautiful! We shared experiences, opinions and theologies and I couldn't have picked a better cap to all the meetings that I've done! Now, Marjorie Suhocki is one of the top theologians of the 20th century. I personally must admit that I have not extensively read her writings, but I have been referred to them more than I can count and I have been introduced to some articles and essays that she has written as well. So, I am familiar enough with her work to be respectful, but ignorant enough not to know what to refer to specifically...But as our conversation was wrapping up, she asked what my future plans were and I told her to finish seminary and go into the parish...To which she, Marjorie Suhocki, top theologian, greatly respected woman, in one word, amazing, said to me, "I think that you will make a wonderful pastor, Love." That is the point where I almost cried and I thought better of it...But now my heart thuds and my eyes well up as I think of the woman that I respect paid me such a high compliment after barely knowing me for an hour...Wow...

I saw Kevin Max perform the Viper Room tonight and it was amazing...I got my picture taken with him and I shook his hand...It was amazing...I met some awesome people....It was amazing....

I will share more when I'm not so tired, but I think that you get the idea that it was amazing!

Picking oranges in the middle of the afternoon with which to make fresh orange juice is quite amazing! I must say that it is a stunning recruitment opportunity to say that you can pick oranges and go to class, one right after the other...Good ploy there, good ploy.

I spent an hour and a half of my morning with someone who could quite possibly be my theological hero...I'm really still working on that at this point...He's certainly written enough books to be considered in that realm, but I'm not all that completely sure if I like all the things that he says or that I quite agree with all the things that he has to say...But, anyway he is quite amazing in the theological world and in the United Methodist world. Kids, I'm talking about John Cobb here...Yes, John Cobb who wrote Grace and Responsibility...Yes, John Cobb who wrote Postmodernism and Public Thought...Okay, I know those because I've had to use them for class...But, this is quite impressive here folks. I was immediately drawn to his southern charm and soft spoken way of communication, but yet saying so much in that. I really didn't speak as much as I did listen in awe and wonder of the theological concepts and ideas that he was coming up with off the top of his head, but yet that he had so obviously been pondering for quite some time. It was truly amazing and inspiring. And yet, in his brilliance, he is also so humble and so willing to admit that there are things that he doesn't know and things that he just can't understand...So amazing!

I'm meeting with some more amazing people this week-- Marjorie Suhocki, and some that I'm not even sure that I know their names, but nonetheless I am impressed with them! Today is Tuesday and I have already felt like this trip has been worthwhile! I knew that it would be, but I really feel like I have been refreshed already. I'm looking forward to spending sometime in Hollywood later this week and also to be spending some time just being Missy and not having to wear all sorts of different hats within an hour. It's nice to be Missy from UTS and also YASN rep. But essentially, they wrap themselves up into the same person...And I'm totally okay with that! I come with no authority or responsibility or any kind of leadership assumptions...I come as Missy...Which is a beautiful thing and something that I wish that I could do and be more often, but I know the life that I have chosen (or has chosen me) doesn't allow that all of the time...And my soul is okay with that most of the time. I think it's when I know that I get the chance to be Missy, my soul begins to get angry about tearing into many different people...But, now life is good...I smell like oranges, am getting a slight, slight tan, and get to wear my flip flops!!

California is amazing! It's 70's and it's January...Would anyone come and visit me if I moved out here?

Good thing to note-- there are some amazing Northern IL contacts out here...Who knew? I have to go to LA to get some good Northern IL contacts!

I went last night and saw Brokeback Mountain. It was a beautiful story-- There is no reason not to see why it has been nominated for the awards that it has. It really and truly is a deep love story and whether or not you agree with the type of relationship, it is an amazing, amazing story. It is honest and the truth is that what is not said is the most interesting and intriguing about the story. I was blown away by the beauty of the scenery (and I'm not just talking about Jake Gyllenhaal & Heath Ledger), but the actual mountains and nature of the movie-- it was displayed so stunningly and gorgeous that I would love to visit and see where this place really is just to get lost in the wonder of God's creation.

Yes, I understand the concerns of the people who are upset about the movie and I can sympathize with their thoughts and concerns. And yes, it would be difficult to look beyond the fact that the two men are in a sexual relationship, but the love that they have for each other is beautiful and heart breaking. The story would not be the same if it were set in the year 2006 and by being set in 1963-1980's provides such a different tone to the story.

Life began to get crazy yesterday. I suppose that I prolonged it as long as I could, but I always knew that it was coming...Yesterday, Sunday, I had an unbelievably full day! I began teaching Confirmation yesterday, which is always an amazing class. My prayer always with the kids who are in the class that they would explore their faith for themselves. I think that the majority of the time (myself included), teachers often underestimate their students. I don't want to do that, especially this time, but I also don't want to intimidate them or do too much that may hinder their journey. I also preached yesterday on baptism.

So, during the service, I was feeling hectic and crazed and worried about everything-- what would go right or wrong or whatever...and during the announcements, I was concerned with all of it...and it continued through the opening reading, opening hymn, and mission report...But a funny thing happened during the opening prayer & songs...I realized that no matter how much planning I did or what happened in the service. The Holy Spirit was most definately working. It was a beautiful thing to see the Holy Spirit at work. People renewed their baptismal vows and received a blessing and I could feel the Holy Spirit at work through my and throught the people that I was providing the blessing balm. It's amazing what happens when you step aside and let God do God's work!

Tomorrow, I'll be heading to the University of Cincinnati to begin a study there with a group of students. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also so aware of the difference. When I've worked with college age in the past couple of years, I have thought that I could go and feel connected with a group closer to my own age. But, I know, now, that there are so many differences between me and college age students. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'm just at a different place and I'm not really all that interested in going back. I'm happy where I'm at...

In two weeks I'll be in LA...I am so excited about this trip-- you have no idea! It'll be a great experience-- both to see what happens at another school and to experience LA life. I'm considering moving there in the next 5 years or so...Who knows where God will lead me. But, to make connections now would be so great and helpful.

And lest we forget that I'm taking classes as well...Life is so crazy...But you know, for as crazy as it is, I'm loving every minute of it! I may complain now and then about being tired, but I honestly love every single minute of what I do and what I am experiencing. Yes, there are bad moments, but that's all they are-- moments. Life is too short to dwell on the negativity!

So, I'm slowly getting papers & grades back this week from my classes last semester. I've only gotten 2 back, and actually they're the two I was predicting would come back first. They were from Church History & Mission & Evangelism. Now, we're not on an "A,B,C" grading system, we're on a "Pass/Fail" system. Granted, it's a modifyed Pass/Fail because there are gradations with the Pass/Fail. The system goes as such: N/C= No credit; F=Fail; M=Minimal; P=Pass; HP= High Pass; H=Honors. Now, there are some profs who stick to the P/F of the system and give out only P's or F's, occasionally some M's...Anyway, you can usually tell who those profs are by the way the handle the class (or who you talk to). So, these two evaluations that I got back were from two "new" profs...One is a new full-time and the other is an adjunct, so it's possible that this prof will never be teaching here again (or may, depending...). Anyway, I thought I had things figured out that the Church History prof will never give out more than a P and that I was going to have to work really hard in order to get that P. Which, I was kind of excited about, because this is graduate school! So, I challenged myself and decided to write the 20 page paper option, which I really enjoyed and learned a lot! But, I was really nervous because I wasn't sure if it was going to be what she wanted and was looking for. So, I was expecting a P from this class...I got and H!! I couldn't believe it! She didn't give much of an evaluation, and I'm anxious to see what comments she wrote on my paper. Now, the second class, I had it figured out that either he was going to be a strict P/F or a push-over and I really couldn't get a sense. Well, I assumed I would get an HP in the class and I ended up getting a P. Which means that I passed and he gave me a nice evaluation, but I was a little disappointed in "only" a P. I'm still waiting for some grades to come in and I'm not really holding my breath beacause the ones I'm waiting on are actually the ones who are notoriously late or in one case, he's not going to be back until February...

Now, I'm starting classes this week and this is going to be my most challenging semester. I'm really looking forward to the challenge, but I'm having a really hard time saying no to some things. I really want to do as much as possible in my last few months here, but I know that I can't do everything. A friend and colleague has invited me to lead a Bible study at the University of Cincinnati, which will look really good on my resume and is something that I'm interested in doing, but I'm trying to be realistic in what I can and can't do. I told her that I would test out for a little while and see how ift fit in my schedule, but I made no promises.

In another note...I'm getting a laptop in the next couple weeks...Does anybody have any suggestions on what kind to get because I'm clueless and I don't want to spend a lot of money. I also don't want an Apple...

Dear Friends,

Well, here it is another year has gone by and just like last year; I had to get my papers written before I could send out my Christmas cards! But, next year I won’t be writing any more papers! Life is happening like life often does—fast and crazy, but nobody, especially me, wants to miss a single moment of it.



In May, I will graduate from United Theological Seminary with my Masters of Divinity. That is, if they let me of course! I think that this will be the end of my academic life…for a few years that is. After graduating, I will return back to the Northern Illinois Annual Conference where I will be placed in my first full time appointment. I still have no idea where this will be or what the placement will look like, but I am excited and ready to be in full time ministry!



As I said, life is fast and crazy and this year certainly has fulfilled those requirements! The seminary has moved to our new campus and barring a few bugs to work out, things seem to be going well. I have moved from my old apartment and I am living in a wonderful house where I have created home here! It was such a blessing to have this offer come into my life at just the right moment. I am continuing working at UTS in the admissions office and I get to meet so many people, prospective students, current students, and donors. I don’t think that working should be this much fun, but I get by!



Life at Community United Methodist Church is going well, too. I am starting my third and final year there and the time spent has been wonderful. It has been so encouraging to see the youth discover their faith and make it their own. We still have such a full year planned, so there’s never a dull moment! I’m also preaching on a more regular basis, and you are more than welcome to come and join worship. I’ve even got an extra room!



One of the most amazing things of this year was my trip to Italy in August. This, of course, was my second trip to Italy, but everything was still new! I went to Rome, Florence, and Milan with a few smaller villages sprinkled in there as well. The cities were some as I remembered them and some even more than I remembered. It was an amazing and wonderful trip both just to be in Italy again and as a spiritual renewal and refresher. It was a great segue between a restful summer (or as restful as I get!) and a hectic fall semester. The seminary and I are in talks about leading another trip there after I graduate, so we’ll see what happens!



I’ve received so many enticing offers this past year for many different roles, but the one that I like playing best right now is that of student. In the spring semester, I will begin my most challenging semester to date as I carry 20 credit hours…There’s no way that I’m not graduating! But in addition to the classes, I’m also working on my commissioning process with my Board of Ordained Ministry. So, the paperwork and forms that go along with that are really another semester all of their own! But, this is a huge step in the process and I’m looking forward to tackling it head on and crossing this path.

I’m also still working with the Young Adult Seminarian Network and I was elected by the organization as the facilitator of the network. So, I am in charge of making sure that communication actually happens and that things get done. The standing committee that I am involved with is an amazing group of people. It has been exciting to see things form and to see things get done. When I look at the group that forms this network, I am hopeful and excited for the Church. We are planning our second annual national gathering which will happen in May and hopefully wonderful things will come from the event itself.



So, I suppose for as much of life as you can fit into a letter, that’s what this is! I hope that your lives have been just as crazy and fast, but that you too are enjoying every minute of it! My prayers and thoughts are with you all and I would love to hear from you or I would welcome any kind of a visit—my door is always open…Well, figuratively, I do live in the city! I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!