Howdy folks!
It's been about four months since I last posted, and a lot has changed in my life since then, so I thought I'd briefly share a little of my adventure.
Well, I really did it. I enrolled in college and am well into the second week of being a student for the first time in approximately ten years. To say that starting school again after all this time nerve wrecking, overwhelming, or just outright scary would be an understatement. I was terrified, but trying to trust God that this is the direction that He has me going, that some day, when I get to help the cause of adoption in some way, shape, or form, it will all be worth it.
I'm only taking one class this term for a couple of reasons. Firstly, so that I could "ease" back into the whole school routine, and secondly, because I was too late to apply for financial aid for this term, so I had to pay out of pocket for the class (and it's NOT cheap! and I don't make a lot of money at my job). This term I am taking Religion in US Culture. I thought it would be an interesting class, and it fits the criteria for two different kinds of classes that I have to take to get a degree. Also, it will help me in my future career/ministry, to know where people of different religious backgrounds are coming from.
This class is online, and so has A LOT of reading associated with it. That has been the hardest thing to figure out. I've learned that I need to seriously work on my time management skills. There are also discussion questions that need be answered by certain times. I'm not going to lie, I've been completely overwhelmed at times, trying to figure out how to fit the deadlines and get the reading in with my schedule. Just last night, I was talking to my mom on the phone and started crying talking about how every spare minute seems to be taken up and I'm only taking one class this term. It's overwhelming.
That being said, I still do need to get the routine figured out, but as of tonight, I've decided that I really do like the class. Maybe it's because so far we've been covering Judaism and Christianity, so I already have a pretty good foundation to build off of. (Confession: I haven't been reading everything since I already know the basics). Tonight, I even got giddy choosing what discussion question to answer. I was going to call it a night and just answer the first question (we get to choose one of 3-4 questions to answer and then respond to someone's answer). Then, upon further reading I saw a word that stood out to me. It was almost as if it was a neon sign for me to see. The word: Predestination. The theology nerd in me came alive. I got to use scripture, and share what my views of predestination are and how that affects how I live. And this is homework? Deal!
I know that things won't always be this ideal. I'll probably have to read more in the coming weeks as we dive into other religions and the answers may not always come as easily for me, but I really do enjoy learning what makes people tick. There is something intriguing about people who live differently than I do. This is why I semi-guiltily have been known to watch shows such as "Sister Wives" and 'Amish: Out of Order." Not because I believe that polygamy is right and I have no desire to become Amish, I just like to observe how people do things. I like to try and figure out why they believe what they do. This class will be great for that.
So, all that being said, after being a student for almost two weeks now, school is: scary, exciting, stretching, overwhelming, frustrating, fun, challenging, and adventurous. That's where I'm at right now. Riding the roller coaster and trying to enjoy the ride more than screaming in fear. It's touch and go sometimes, but when I stop and reflect, I can see God's hand guiding me along the way.
