Regular People, Regular Problems

For almost two weeks now I have officially been a Georgia resident; my journey as a Seminary student is just beginning and I am so hopeful for all that lies ahead.  Early on a Friday morning my amazing parents loaded up our cars and we headed south to move me in to my first apartment.  There are so many feelings and emotions that go along with this big move, but despite all of that, God has been flooding my heart with a deep peace that I am right where He is calling me to be in this season.

In case anyone didn't already know, I am starting at Candler School of Theology at Emory University as a 1st year MDiv student.  So for at least the next 3 years, I will be in school doing a lot of reading, writing, and being equipped to serve in ministry.  As of right now, I am interested in being ordained in the United Methodist Church as an Elder with hopes of serving as an Associate Pastor.  I would love to work especially with women's ministry and faith, health, and wellness, maybe doing some community engagement and education on the importance of taking care of our spirits and bodies.  My own experiences have given me a passion for helping others to know that their identity is in Christ alone, and because of that they are a beautiful, beloved son/daughter of God.

Outside of Canon Chapel

As excited as I am to follow this passion and see how it is going to fit into my purpose, there is some serious nervousness and uncertainty that comes in tow.  This whole past week all the first year students have had orientation activities.  Everything from technology tutorials, to faculty panels, to curriculum introduction, to worship and spiritual formation opportunities at Candler.  It was great to finally be on campus and meet some of my classmates.  Though we all come from different backgrounds, we are all united in a like-minded pursuit.  Along the journey to get our degrees we will need one another to bounce ideas off of, to grow with, and to lift one another up.  Candler is already starting to feel like home, and my classmates are already starting to be like family, and I could not be more excited to see how God continues to knit this beautiful community together!

Enjoying breakfast and conversation on our first day of orientation.

The final orientation session of the week was for our Contextual Education I sites.  I will be working with about nine other classmates and three leaders at Restoration ATL, the largest women's and children's shelter in Atlanta.  We will be doing pastoral care and just general relationship building with the residents.  It is sure to stretch and challenge me, but I know God is going to transform so many lives.  I got this overwhelming feeling as we were touring the campus that, this (the poor serving alongside the privileged in a relational ministry that values being with not doing for) is what the resurrection looks like!

As a part of the orientation, I got to meet my faculty advisor and leader of my contextual education reflection group this year.  Our team is blessed to study with and under Dr. Noel Erskine, a Systematic Theology professor who has been at Candler since the 70s.  In our time of reflection and introductions, he said one of the wisest things I think I have heard since coming to Candler.  He commented:

"Even though we gather in this holy place, we are just regular people with regular problems.  And we need to check-in with one another to see how we are doing."

Can I just say, AMEN TO THAT!! Yes, I am going to Seminary, I love Jesus, and I am an active member of the church and bigger picture body of Christ.  But that in no way implies that I have all my stuff together or that I have everything all figured out.  And Dr. Eskine's comment reminded me that that is okay and downright inevitable.  This reminder came at the perfect time because this week my sister Ashley had two surgical procedures done to remove an abnormality that caused her to have a seizure several months ago.  It was such a gift to have so many people surround my sister and my family in prayer.  From all I have heard so far, the procedures went well and she is under close watch recovering in the neural ICU.  Though I wasn't able to be in Charlotte with my family, I was with them in heart, and have faith that the Lord is holding my sister in His hands, watching over her and keeping her safe.

This reminder was also perfect for the start of this new journey.  Candler is very much a holy place, but it is filled with regular people doing regular life together.  The only thing that makes it extraordinary, and such a special place, is that God is there.  God takes a group of regular people with regular problems, and He redeems them and He makes them into something new, something beautiful.  And the same thing is happening in every corner of all creation!