A Sigh of Relief

Well, everyone, I officially completed my first year of graduate work in seminary. Honestly, I didn't know if I could do it when I started. I wasn't sure if I had it in me. There were lots of "what if's?" but they were all put aside as I focused on completing my task one day at a time. It feels really good to be 40% done with my degree work. I am so thankful that I have been able to further my education, and I am really enjoying it. Don't get me wrong - it's hard. But, the good kind of hard. The kind of hard that makes you want to do well and learn, and makes you want to do your best. I like that.

I guess since I'm being all reflective I should look back at how the year went.  I don't know if it was just the school that made everything else harder, or if it was just tougher than usual. Last semester we had some unusual relationship stressers that were somewhat all consuming and still lingering, and this semester I experienced arthritis 2012, which really made things physically and mentally difficult. But Mark was supportive, and Karlie and I even got to do homework together at a coffee shop, so I never really felt like I was alone in my efforts. Scholastically, once I got back in a routine of schoolwork it has been much more manageable. Although, I will say, there are days when I'm like, "Man wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to go to work and could just focus on my schoolwork?" Ha. Yes. In dream land. (-:

And then I look back and I think "What did I do with all my free time before school?!" Seriously! I'm sure parents with new babies say the same thing. I think I will quickly answer that as I fill up my summer with my list of things I want to accomplish: books I want to read, things I want to clean out, fun crafty things I might learn, blog more (WOO!), and projects around the house. Oh, and I also plan to get ripped to shreds. hehe.

In addition to fun things, I'm really looking forward to and planning on somewhat of a spiritual retreat and time of growth. I have a devotional I'm excited to start and have some things I really want to focus on working through and growing in. It seems like when you are worn thin, those habits and character flaws (and I only have like a million), really start to surface. I've let my tongue get a little too loose, and those things that I could usually just shake off have given me a bit of an attitude problem at times. These are things I need to surrender to the Holy Spirit and allow him to shape me a bit. And I'm ready. I need it. You know when you just want to like chill with Jesus? I'm there. I'm really craving some Jesus.

How were my grades? Well, overall I'm doing pretty well. I haven't gotten back my grade for Old Testament, but overall I'm sitting at around a 3.4. Which, considering the fact that you have to get a 96% in a class to get a 4.0, is pretty good in my book. (-: Here is some feedback I got for my paper. I was pretty stoked (especially considering I did pretty poorly on the exam!):

So, I guess that's all for now. I'm one year down. Woo! Tomorrow is the last day to register for the giveaway, so you better enter soon if you want to win!

~Kathryn