A couple Friday nights ago, I went to First Friday Fun Night at a friend's apartment complex. I got to meet some cool people and eat really great food. Since that night, I've been thinking about ways that I can integrate this kind of stuff in my current and future ministry. Also, I think that if more Christians opened up their homes once a month to neighbors for no-strings-attached food and fun, we may start to gain some favor in our communities. Just a thought.Last Thursday, I flew back to the South for a crazy week of events. Friday, I went to my cousin's 3rd birthday party. I got to see my mom's side of the family at the party, which made me really happy. I was kinda sad though because I realized that my cousin had no idea who I was because I'm never around.
Saturday, I went to another cousin's marching band competition in Mississippi. When my mom and I looked at the program, we realized that my old marching band had competed earlier in the day. I looked around and found my old band director and got to talk to him for a few minutes before my cousin's band took the field. He didn't recognize me at first, but once it hit him who I was we had a good conversation.
On Sunday, I went to my aunt's wedding. It was a small, outdoor wedding that was soooo beautiful. My aunt made a gorgeous bride. I have to admit that my eyes misted up during the ceremony. I just keep praying that I will fall in love with someone one day that I can promise to be with for the rest of my life.
Monday through Wednesday was a big blur of events at a seminary that I'm looking at in North Carolina. I didn't expect to actually like the school, but now I realize that I have a hard decision to make. Do I go to a good school in North Carolina that is closer to my family and cheaper, or do I go to a good school in California that is 3,000 miles from home and expensive? There's more to it than proximity to home and the cost of the school (God will provide), but those are the big things in my mind right now. I want my cousin to know who I am, I want to spend more time with the people I love, and I ultimately want to do what God has for me. Do those things have to be mutually exclusive?
Tonight, I'm going to a ladies' night at my church. Bring on the fondue fun!
5 comments:
Hey! I was at that party! It was really cool. :-)
Wow. Big decisions. I used to think that I wanted to be far from my family while ministering. But now I realize what a blessing it is, especially since we have a child. We do still struggle to set boundaries, and that overlap is hard at times.
You know how we said that any experience is really what you make of it? Well, we truly believe that. And while GGBTS is a great school, but being closer to home and family is something to take into consideration. Of course, getting once in a life time experiences during your seminary time is also an amazing opportunity. You have to way out the opportunity cost. From which direction will I benefit more in the long run?
Yeah...tough choices! You are in my prayers.
I'm so glad you had a great time!! I'm rooting for NC (duh), but I know that you will listen to God and make a wise choice in the end. Love ya and miss ya!!
yep, that's FONDUE fun, not BONDING fun. :)
Well I would say you ought to look at seminary at KC, closer to home, very cost efficient, great school...not that I'm biased or anything... :)
Regardless I know you'll make the right decision because you're following God's will.
I think you could go to either school and serve God. I doubt He has one perfectly picked out for you, and is expecting you to guess right (and waiting to curse you if you guess wrong). It's more like being at a crossroads with two good paths in front of you.
I would say that if having your family in your life is important, you are probably better off sticking closer to home. You have decent odds of meeting someone you want to marry while you are there, and you are more likely to meet someone who likes the south if you are already in it.
I also think that you should weigh the financial side pretty seriously. You are entering a ministry that does not pay well. If one choice leaves you with significantly less debt than the other, that is a pretty big plus for that school. Sometimes God provides by showing alternative options that allow you to achieve your goals in less expensive ways.
Lets say you could afford one school if you worked 30 hours a week while the other school you would only need to work 10 hours a week. The less expensive school will give you 20 extra hours a week to spend in other ministries/schoolwork/relaxing.
Food for thought! It's an exciting decision to make and I am sure you will be able to serve God whatever you decide.
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