School, snow and the flu

The last few weeks have been pretty eventful for Joe and I. It has snowed a couple times and our classes have been cancelled more than the seminary has seen since the 1970s. I have mixed feelings about this. It is nice to stay at home during the freezing, wet weather outside, but I enjoy attending lectures and am getting scared at how quickly the end of the semester is arriving.

A really bad bout of the flu attacked St. Louis over the last month, and 3 out of every 4 people that I know got it. Even Joe got sick, with a fever and sinus infection. Joe has probably gotten sick about three times throughout his entire life, so this flu must have been extremely vicious. I, however, did not get sick--Hallelujah!! It was really enjoyable to take care of Joe while he was sick. I feel like my role as a wife was enhanced as I got to nurture my husband through his weakness. It feels good to help him get better.

There was a funny moment during Joe's sickness that I would love to share (and I don't think he'll be too embarrassed). Because he rarely got sick growing up, Joe has never experienced the taste of liquid benedryl. His sinuses were giving him a really hard time, and even though he was able to clear them out as often as needed (that rare talent that is gross and yet was quite an asset), the infection wouldn't go away. I offered him some benedryl and the medicine had barely touched his lips before he made the funniest face I have ever seen. He spluttered and whimpered and made all kinds of noises that most children make when taking liquid medicine. Even though the next day he was feeling a lot better, he swore he would never take it again.

He is back to normal by now and going full speed ahead at work and school. He is so diligent at reading our assigned texts. Unfortunately, that hasn't rubbed off on me very much. The one book I am really looking forward to reading is about a mother with borderline personality disorder, written from the perspective of her child. It is required for my Psych Disorders class, which is my favorite class so far. God is challenging the low level of value I have for His people through that class--I hope I look more like Christ by the end of the semester.

Blessings to all,
Rachel

2 weeks in...

This week was the end of our second week of classes for the spring semester. My first paper is due next Thursday. Time flies by so fast!

The more time we spend in classes and in fellowship with other students, the more deeply we are confronted with the challenges of living in the "now and the not yet." Just some thoughts...

Life will be hard until we enter into the Lord's glorious presence.
Things are not the way they are supposed to be.
There is hope that God can and does heal the brokenhearted here on earth.
Our soul will always be longing for Christ in His fullness until that glorious Day.
God is more good and more faithful and more of a treasure to my heart each day.
He has big plans for my life and has promised to carry me through them.
I am never outside of His plan, nor can I mess it up.
I can see, literally SEE, the ways he is restoring my heart day by day.
I look more like Him than I did when I began seminary--rejoice with me!!!!
I feel more and more grateful for who God is and for His presence in my life than ever before.
Life has become an oscillating ride between Romans 7 and Romans 8. "O wretched woman that I am, who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ!"

All of this is to say, my God is my Refuge, my Strength, my Comforter, my Joy, my Savior, my Life. Praise and glory be to Him now and forevermore!! Amen.

Grace and peace,

Classes have begun!

Our first week of seminary has come and gone. I love Covenant. My favorite professor is Jerram Barrs. I want to be more like him. He LOVES people, and has a passionate heart for unbelievers. It's like Mark Davis all over again, but an older, less spastic, British version. Our final semester paper will be a letter to a close non-Christian friend, telling them about the beauty and truth that we see in them. What a wonderful assignment. Praise God for shaping Jerram Barrs' heart to imitate His own. I am scared to death about this letter but so excited. Again I say, I love Covenant.

On a different note, tomorrow is a solemn day. Our dear friend John is leaving on Sunday for a couple months of training and then 8 months in Iraq, and tomorrow night is his going away party. It will be great to spend time with all our friends and to watch John amongst people who love him.

On another note, it snowed about 8 inches last night, so classes were cancelled yesterday evening and all day today. There's something about studying inside with a hot drink while there's a thick layer of snow everywhere outside. It's peaceful and makes me long for beauty and fulfillment. I can slow down right now. *sigh*

I hope everyone is enjoying their Friday as well:)