Transitioning... again

Hi all-

So, I have turned in all my academic stuff, on Tuesday I go through "graduation check-out"- all the stuff one has to complete in order to leave here (ie. pay all bills/return library books/ pick up cap/gown etc.) and then in one week the "festivities" of graduation commence.

Between now and then I will be continually sifting through all my stuff, packing up what I want/need to keep and trying to get rid of the rest. I have now culled my DVD collection for the second time this year- another 20 or so movies in the pile "for someone else." There might be one last cut too- but it's getting harder to do. Last night I actually packed one Tupperware tub thing- mostly in it are sermons from over the last seven years and those pesky things you have to hold onto for three years in case of an audit- so, in other words, the tub probably contains at least one tree of paper... (and a few other random things). In the sorting of all that I have gotten rid of a good fifty pounds or so of paper and junk I no longer wanted/needed to keep- so, while tedious (Like this blog I'm afraid), it has also been a good thing to do.

It's raining here in Austin which is a very good thing. Hopefully, it will break the temperature, and at the very least wash away the pollen and humidity that has been hanging in the air for the last two weeks.

It feels very surreal that in just 9 days I will be moving once again. I will be staying in Cary, NC while I continue to discern my call/circulate the PIF- (and hopefully find some sort of employment in the mean time). It's daunting not knowing where my next "home" will be- where I will be living in a few (hopefully) months. But I press on, fight the good fight, etc., etc., etc.

I want to write the word "anyways" here but Ted, the president and one of my teachers this spring says that "anyways" is not a word. I am not sure if he's right- I really hope he isn't because I love it as a transitional word. So instead, I will write, to close this posting I am going to pop up two pictures from last week- the last week of classes (which was not this week but last- this week has been reading week) that are my favorite ones from the week- one from the Hall Ball- (a couple of the profs trying to look "tough"), and one from the chapel with my favorite ladies here- enjoy.

OH, and PS- GO CANES!!! Congrats on beating the Bruins and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals!

C

Last week of classes

Hi all-
It seems hard to believe that this is the last week of lectures for me. It has caused for some serious reflection on my time here as I try to envision where my future may lead. And while I am excited about the future, I can't help the whole nervous, anxious, sadness that comes with the end of one journey.
A lot of things have happened in my life these last few years, some good, some bad, and I thought, that I would perhaps, mention a few of those now (a re-cap if you will):
1) There have been significant deaths in my time here, most recently with my cousin, but also with both of my grandmothers, one of my former youth, one of my professors and the pastor at the church that I served this fall.
2) I have traveled A LOT... new places that I have seen: Hong Kong, Bali and Java, Indonesia, Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, and a lot more of Texas and Tennessee, Cozumel and Guadalajara (and the surrounding areas), Mexico, a very little of New Mexico. I also went on my first cruise.
3) I have seen people die from (and helped families deal with their deaths) gun shot wounds, stab wounds, car wrecks and chronic illness- ahh the joys of CPE at a Trauma One hospital.
4) I lived in Oklahoma for four months and served two churches as their pastor for my SPM.
5) I have preached in over a dozen pulpits
6) I have vacationed to the gulf- once in TX and once in AL- with my friends- which is NOT something many North Carolinians do...
7) I have a cat- KoKo- which is the first time I have had sole responsibility for any other creature...
8) I have incurred some serious debt- which I don't know how I will pay back- yay school!
9) I have made some good friends, some of whom I think will be lifelong, and I am very appreciative of that.
10) I have learned a lot about theology, the Bible, pastoral care, worship, space, liturgics and church history and formation.
11) I have learned a little Greek and a little Hebrew- more Greek than Hebrew really...
There are a lot of other things that happened, but these are the ones that are currently standing out right now. Not to mention all the different things that have happened in the world these last three years...
Well, I need to get back to class. So that's all for now.
Peace- Carrie

Some days are just grey

Hi all-
The sky here is overcast, and at any moment now I suspect Austin will be in the midst of a rain storm (which if history is any indicator- probably means hail is on the way as well)...

Today marks one month until graduation.

Today also marks the death of my younger cousin, Megan who died late last night/early this morning after battling cancer for over a dozen years. She was 30. My heart aches for her son, her husband, her parents and for my family.

It is fitting that the sky is grey-

O death where is your sting?

April is flying by

Hi all-
So, I am finally getting around to updating the ole blog- with my little kitten curled up on my arm no less...
I suppose the most significant thing that has happened since I last wrote, was Holy Week. Here on campus they did a lot of worship services including one I participated in on Saturday night, the Easter Vigil. The service started at 8:30pm and ended at some point after 11pm. It was a wonderful service, scripture reading, songs, lighting of a bonfire, Pascal light and individual candles. There was a reaffirmation of our baptism with lots of water and there was a sermon and the Eucharist Feast. After the service, we gathered back in McCord for the break-fast covered dish pot luck food eating extravaganza that lasted until after midnight. By the time we got everything cleaned up and back to normal- we were pushing on one a.m. But- it was a very good service. The next day a few of my friends and I gathered together to have an Easter meal together. That was also very nice.
Other than that it has been school work, meetings and circulating my PIF- the call search has officially begun!
so- uhm- that's about it. Go Canes!
Take care-
C

airport & new phone fun

testing out my new smart phone's capacities while waiting on a flight here at DFW. It seems very odd to be here instead of a church to celebrate Palm Sunday. I considered shouting Hossana as I walked up and down the concourse but I fear I will get in trouble and miss my flight. These past few days in NC have been pretty cool. Thursday was especially good. I went before my CPM in the morning and after we met for a while, they certified me ready to receive a call- so officially I am now actively pursuing my first call! (this is a big thing). also, my friend/mentor Donovan (who happens to be on the CPM) drove me to/from Rocky Mount so we were able to go out and have lunch to celebrate. later that day two other friends came over and I cooked dinner for them and my mom. After dinner, John, Victoria & I went to see the Canes beat the Rangers! Like I said, it was a very good day. On Friday, mom & I ran errands and then drove out to see my friend Margot and meet the newest addition to her family, the very adorable Manix. Her other son Connor is a cute big brother. We then headed over and visited with my fake grandparents, Graham and Anne. That night we went to my brother and Ruth's house and watched Milk. Outside of some of the camera angles, I thought it was a very good movie. Saturday we rode out to Pittsboro and Jordan Lake and grilled out that night. We then watched the Canes clinch a play-off spot and the Tarheels win their final four game! Not a bad 3 days I think. Too bad I have a lot of homework (and housework) waiting for me when I get back to ATX. Well, they are getting ready to board so that will do it for me. Take care all!