Hello friends,

I’m preparing to write a paper on Unitarian Universalism. If you walk too closely to me in the library, sit by me in a hospital waiting room, or talk too long on the phone you’re destined to hear about this religious group.

Feel free to add your insight and suggested resources in the comments section. ESPECIALLY if you’re an Unitarian Universalism chaplain or minister. I’d like to add a section in the paper about how to provide religious support for UUs… I’d also like to know what UU Army Chaplains think about wearing the cross on their uniform.

P.S. Pestered friends, if you’re terribly tired of hearing about UUs… hold on. Next week I’m going to talk of nothing but Church history. [Which conveniently has a lot to do with this paper too...]

I have a pile of books I can’t wait to dive into this summer. They’re not exactly ‘light’ reading… but they cover counseling and theological topics that I can’t fit into my seminary schedule.

Here’s the list.

I’ll post a photo of my pile when Amazon ships the two I just ordered.

P.S. Fellow seminarians, I know I’m not the only geek.  Let’s see a list of your summer reading.  Chris, I know you’ve got a pile of book twice as high as mine.

I recently turned in a 20 page paper for the Military Chaplaincy course at AGTS. It covered my call, my strengths and weaknesses as it pertains to the chaplaincy, my vision of ministry opportunities and challenges, free exercise of religion, pluralism, working with chaplains of other faith groups, and a personal fitness plan addressing spiritual, physical, emotional, mental and career growth.

Here’s the section explaining my call.

Me and my man.
[He was still in uniform because I made him come straight from work... just so I could get this photo.]

I’ve finally gotten a few opportunities to pull my ACU’s out of the back of the closet. Friday was Seminary Day at AGTS. Lunch and dinner were provided for prospective students by the Army, Air Force and Navy. Chaplain Candidates wore their uniforms all day and answered questions about the chaplaincy and about our Chaplain Candidate Fellowship Group. We also nabbed some swag from our recruiters.

Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, [aka the head AG guy in the USA] preached during chapel. This was my fourth time to hear him speak. He’s hilarious, intelligent and insightful. Really, he makes me happy to be in this denomination.

Saturday I spent the morning hanging out with single moms while they got their oil changed for free at Central Assembly… no uniform… but free donuts.

This morning our church focused on missions. We filled the lobby with tables representing many of the Assemblies of God foreign and U.S. missions ministries. Nicole and I manned the AG Chaplaincy Dept. booth. We shook hands, handed out pens and dog tags, and heard about EVERYONE’S couisn/brother/nephew/neighbor who has served in Iraq or Vietnam or Korea or the Civil war… People love to tell these stories.

We had several cheerful men come tell us how important chaplains were to them when they served their country.

I also had a few interesting characters insist on saluting me… I know you’re not generally supposed to salute indoors… but really what could I do? Sometimes I just smile, but sometimes it’s just better to place people over protocol and salute the crazy old guy eccentric gentleman.

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Well… now I need to recover from all of this mandatory fun and start writing some papers! I only have 25 or 30 pages to write by Tuesday.

A year or two ago, my recruiter sent me the Every Soldier’s Battle kit for women.  This kit includes the book Every Woman’s Battle.  I never got around to reading it until now.  We have a 1,200 page reading requirement for our Military Chaplaincy class.  Some of that reading is left for us to choose.  We can read chaplain, ministry, and military related books.  Since this one came straight from my recruiter, I think it probably counts.  I’m only to page 71.  Much of what I’ve read so far doesn’t seem to relate to me personally… I think that makes it even more useful.  It’ll help me understand and minister to women who deal with different battles than I do.

Coincidently,  I just found a song by Dustin Kensrue that seems to fit some of the things I’ve been reading today.  If his words touch your heart… you might want to buy the book.

Dustin Kensrue - I knew you before

P.S. I’ll let you know what I think of this book and the others I’m reading after the semester ends.

Yes, I still breathe. Perhaps some of you started to doubt that I remain among the living. I too have doubted that on occasion. And yet, here I am. Blogging. I have much to catch up on. Most of it is pointless, but you said you miss me so here you go:

School:
The semester is over for most of my cohorts. Not for me. I have a few [10] more assignments to complete over the holiday break. I received my first B of my grad school career. The tarnished GPA stings a bit, but in all reality… I am thankful I even got a B. This has been a difficult semester for me. I’ve greatly enjoyed all of my classes, I’m just tired of doing seminary as a sickly single mom. I’ve spent the last few months tired, ill and missing my husband. That made it difficult to get things done. All whining aside, I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to attend AGTS. I love it, love it, love it.

Car:
The heater on the car wasn’t working a few weeks ago. With the end of the semester crushing upon me, I didn’t have time to get it fixed before the first freezing rain hit… and boy did it hit me. I nearly froze my toes off one Wednesday while waiting to pick my kids up from school. I had frost nip and stage two hypothermia. Brrrr! The next day I had to give a presentation in class. I woke up at 4am to work on it. Still cold from the day before, I shivered in class while wearing my coat and my classmate’s scarf and gloves. After class I went outside to find a thick sheet of ice on my windshield and freezing rain falling from the sky. With no heat or defroster… it took a while to get the windows cleared. I finally made it to Sarah’s preschool craft day… hours late wearing two coats, shivering uncontrollably and looking like I had stood in freezing rain for half an hour. Way to make a first impression.

The next morning, Hillery watched Sarah so that I could drop my car off to get it fixed. Gene Thomlinson [aka "Chief"] picked me up at the shop and dropped me off. A few hours and only thirty dollars later, I had heat in my car! Ahhhh…. my toes finally thawed out.

The recent ice storm killed my passenger side windshield wiper arm. I ordered one at O’Reilly Auto Parts and got it the very next day. I just installed it in the rain a few hours ago and I’m feeling rather Hooah for doing so. I hate overpaying people to do stuff I can do myself. Kind of like Jiffy Lube, I took the car there a couple of days ago. The guy told me I needed a new radiator cap and it would only cost 12.50… um…. No Thank you! I got one at O’Reilly for 4 bucks. No wonder I always feel like they’re trying to take advantage of me… they are.

Christmas:
Today’s weather delayed my trip to Texas. We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. On my mom’s birthday. [Happy Birthday Mom!]

I’m looking forward to seeing my family for the holidays but really, I’m not very excited about Christmas this year. I miss my man. I usually avoid most holiday trappings and just enjoy having my husband off work or home from Army training. Now that my favorite thing about Christmas is in Afghanistan… I’m trying extra hard to boost up on holiday cheer. It’s shocking really. I actually bought [and frequently listen to] a Christmas CD. *GASP* And… AND… I bought a Christmas t-shirt. Unbelievable isn’t it? VERY.
Don’t worry, I’ve not completely turned from my scrooge like ways. I still can’t stomach 88.3 The Wind’s Clean Air Christmas. [Just a few more days till I get my favorite radio station back from those pesky reindeer and elves who take it hostage each November and December.]

Bible:
I finally bought a new ESV Bible. Unhappy with Crossway’s sub par publishing, I decided to buy an inexpensive hardback while waiting on someone to do a better publishing job. I got the Hard cover ESV, Single Column Reference Bible Besides the insanely thin pages, I really like it. [Actually the thin pages aren't so bad... I can read twice as fast since I can read several pages at once... argh] Here’s a pdf sample page. I like the layout, I’ve never had anything like this. I think it’ll leave lots of room to write in the margins… without being an actual wide margin Bible.

I’m going to get Mom or Julie to help me make an ACU fabric cover for it… why not?

Conclusion:
Well… I think this concludes my rambling reintroduction into the blogging world.

Good morning my friends,
I’m enjoying a slightly overcooked omelet and a perfect cup of coffee. The end of the semester looms upon me. Sleep is no longer optional… it is no longer an option at all.

I’ve spent every free moment reading century old periodicals and researching the varying doctrines of Sanctification. I’m doing a ‘creative project’ for my Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements history class… Creative means I get to add pictures and music. Let me tell you, there is some GOOD music about sanctification. My homework playlist has old hymns written in the 1800’s, gospel music, a newly released song by MercyMe and an awesome rap song.

I’m loving this seminary gig. Wish I wasn’t so far behind and overwhelmed though.