the latest

i'll go ahead & state the obvious: way to go Heels! there is nothing much better in the world of sports that beating the dookies. and i don't think that will change even if i end up attending grad school and become, at least partially, a dookie myself (shudder).

speaking of grad school, i haven't heard back from anywhere else besides candler. that's probably best, because i know the decision will complicate itself rapidly. and i already have plenty to think about: i've been studying up on the ordination process over the last week. my pastor gave me a little United Methodist-endorsed book about ministry possibilities, including the ordination process. it was neat to look through the book & ponder all the career opportunities that were suggested. i'm leaning towards sticking with lay ministry, which was my initial intent. still, i'm going to follow my pastor's advice and begin the inquiry process, because i'm not going to shut the door on this myself when God may still yet be calling me to ordination. but right now, that's not where i'm headed. i know that i can do a whole lot of good ministry as a laywoman. and i don't really like the idea of a bishop or a conference having control over where i can work and where i can live (though the job security is a big perk, without question). the problem is, i start questioning whether i really should be applying for an MDiv, since the goal of the degree is usually ordained ministry. it doesn't have to be, but that's how this whole thing started--at Duke the admissions director made it seem like an oddity to earn an MDiv without ordination. so i'm going to move forward & see where God leads me. every day, i pray "Lord, in the ways I serve you today, give me the discernment to know what you would have me do for my life's work." and i know that prayer will be answered.

as i write this right now, i'm waiting on a call (i think...) from princeton seminary--an interview for the MDiv/MA dual program. that would be a really sweet program to undergo because it pretty much caters to exactly what i want to do. we'll see if they call..a specific time wasn't set, so i'm just keeping my afternoon open & impressing myself with my lack of anxiety.

this weekend--singing in a valentine's day concert, while simultaneously supporting the whole anti-valentine movement. my hot date on saturday night? i'll be with not one, but two boys. they're three and one. we'll probably drink apple juice & watch dora the explorer before an early bedtime.

i did, in fact, receive several boxed chocolates and one long-stemmed red rose from my bevy of preschool admirers. so i guess valentine's day this year isn't a total wash...