Well, I just got one of my evaluations back for the final class that I ever took at UTS...And I can make a million excuses for it, but the fact of the matter is that I just did not do as well as I am capable of. I suppose it was a learning curve for myself to know my limitations...This should have been the class that I gleaned the most off of...In actuality, I did, but I was not able to express that appropriately in the work that I did for the class.

And yes, there are excuses-- it was a weekend course and I had not wanted to take a weekend course at all...But, it was the only time that this particular class was offered and I wanted the class! I don't learn all that well in such intensive sessions and the time between sessions didn't help all that much either. And it was the very last class I took...I'm not going to lie-- senioritis set in hardcore. This was my last paper due and I was in no means in the right mindset with which to write the paper...

So, there are the excuses and they lead into why I didn't do my best work...But I just didn't do my best work. It kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the last evaluation that I will receive...I did pass the course, which is good and I did graduate which is good...But, I have this less than positive mark left hanging over me...Of course, it should balance out with the positive marks and evaluations that I have gotten over the years as well! So, looking at it that way, this is really the first and only less than positive evaluation that I have received...I suppose that's something?

To do list...

This is my To Do List of things that I need to do before I move away from Ohio...Anyone else have any suggestions for me to add??

To Do List (Updated)

Eat at Skyline Chili (Done...Don't need to do it ever again!)
Visit Newport Aquarium
Go to Yellow Springs
Walk in John Bryant Park
Go to Kings Island (June 1)
Eat at Dave and Busters in Columbus (Friday)
Shop at the Outlet Malls one last time
Go to the Second Street Market
Have a spa day at Taverniers
See the Diana exhibit at Dayton Art Institute
Tour Sunwatch
Visit Cincinnati Art Museums
Visit Franklin Park Conservatory (Possibly Saturday depending on the weather)
Shop at Jungle Jims
Eat at Red Robin
Watch at least one more movie at the Neon
Visit Lakeside, OH

Breaking the silence

Well, I can make some official announcements at this point and they are good, very good!

Let me work backwards here...So, if you've read my blogs for a bit here, you know about the difficulty that I had with my conference. It has been a very painful and rough time...So, because of the situation, I began to send out my resume. I heard from three churches in the other IL Conference. I had a telephone interview with one and a "real live" interview with another...The "real live" interview went great! I felt very confident about everything....After the interview, I even got to hang out with Sarah afterwards and have breakfast with her for a little bit...So, that was last Saturday...

But, let me back up just a little bit more...On Wednesday, I went to hear Paul Rusesabagina speak at Ohio State University...He was wonderful! It was great to hear him speak about the situation in Rwanda from his personal experience and "correct" some things that were "inaccurate" from the movie. Overall it was a great speech and moving and inspirational!

But it was the phone call in the car ride that night that is the most memorable. I received a phone call from someone in my annual conference...They offered me an appointment. I was in so much shock that I really didn't know what to say! I received the profile for the appointment the next day and I agreed to take it. However, because of what happened before, I wasn't sure what that really meant, so I said virtually nothing to anyone...Other than the 3 that were in the car and heard my shouts of joy! But, other than that, I kept it way on the DL...Or at least cryptic in someways...Anyway, I didn't want to get my hopes up just in case something should happen again...

So, I continued on things as I had normally scheduled, interviews and such...With this in the back of my mind...

On Thursday, I met with my new DS (for general info on the UMC and how we operate, try here). That meeting went extremely well and I left that meeting solid and secure about what was to happen...

So, what did happen? I met with my new churches on Saturday and the meeting went extremely well! I am proud to announce that on July 1, 2006, I will officially become the pastor of Sheridan and Norway United Methodist Churches.

I am so excited and yet scared at the same time...But, that's good! There are a lot of things running through my mind, but I have not really had that long to process as I've been running everywhere from here to kingdom come! I'm going to be settling down just a little bit this week, but not that much because it's graduation week!

So, things are looking up and looking amazing! Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers! I'll share more when I get the time to sit and think a bit...