Sixteen days

Yes, that is when seminary begins. With a lovely orientation weekend. In case you were wondering, this is what the husband and I will be up to:

Saturday, August 29

4-5:30, registration

5:30-6:30, dinner

6:30-8:00, the mysterious "seminary life" gathering

Sunday, August 30

10-11, church service

12-2, hot dog and fried chicken lunch

2-3:30, library orientation (the husband will skip out here until there is more food)

3:30-5:00, doing online research

5-6:30, dinner in the dining room

6:30-8, meet the faculty

Monday, August 31 (the husband will be back to work at Government Motors)

9 am-12 pm, new student orientation

And, the next day, September 1, my first day of class. We are burning the candles at both ends right now, David and I. He is working about 58 hours a week for the auto industry. I am seeking to balance chaplaincy work, a rush of freelance work, writing church curriculum for our women's ministry, and the inevitable details that must be attended to for my first semester.

I need a haircut. I need some fall/winter clothing. There is a rolling laptop bag being shipped our way through ebay. There are people to email and call and encourage. And there is one amazing Creator/Sustainer/Lifegiver to fellowship with. I was reminded today of my first responsibility when my friend Katy posted this quote on facebook:

"...for most of us...the reason we exist is to serve ourselves. Or to serve our families. Or to serve God. Nothing could be further from the truth. We do not exist to work. We do not exist to evangelize. We do not exist to marry & raise children. We do not exist to make the world a better place. The reason we exist is to be in fellowship with God."

~Randy Kilgore

Thanks, Katy. It is really all about relationship with this amazing heavenly Father who loves us. Here's a quote for the wall above your desk, folks. Or the refrigerator...or the mirror...or the car visor. Oh how we need the reminder to rest in His presence.