Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Ok...did you hear? It SNOWED in Dallas tonight!
Sleet & snow... big puffy cotton ball snowflakes. Not for long, maybe 30 minutes or so. And winter has arrived. A little weird, because the leaves on the trees were red and gold like fall finally just this weekend and then whoosh, in comes the snow!

The front moved through during the day today. As I was on my way to my 1 o'clock class I distinctly remember thinking, wow, it looks like snow. And then I thought how silly that was... I'm in Dallas and at that point in the day, the cold front hadn't made it all the way in, so it wasn't cool enough, but still... East Coasters... we just know when the sky looks like it's gonna snow.

This could turn into one of those mega posts about all I've done since November 20th... which, frankly was a lot!
I got to go to Virginia for Thanksgiving week. Spent some great time with the pastors, staff and friends from church one day. Got some clarity from my "God-squad" about some decisions I was trying to make... and was finally able to decide... No more Greek for me! I'm changing my degree program to a 2 year program (that will probably take me 2.5 years) rather than 5+ years. FABULOUS! Not because of Greek. It's kicking my butt, but the overall time commitment to learn the languages, other classes needed and the length of the program. I really don't need everything in that degree plan. So, now I'm probably going to fall into the Master of Arts in Christian Education, concentration in Women's Ministry and pick up some creative writing, dramatizing Scripture and other classes that interest me.

I have 4 more class periods to attend this week and 3 finals to take next week and then I get to go to PA and enjoy a chilly Christmas they way it should be.

This 50 degree weather but seeing Christmas lights and decorations everywhere is the weirdest thing. Cold tonight, but it will warm up again tomorrow. Does a Texas Santa wear a Hawaiian Shirt to deliver gifts? Surely he doesn't need his warm red suit...

Still no job... applied to several places... keep praying. I'm managing financially for about another month or so, but after that... well, the stage is set for a Divine Intervention. Looking forward to how He'll supply and am totally enjoying the rest while I'm waiting!

I made a DELICIOUS recipe from a friend tonight. My roommate & I loved it and so did the guys who live in the apartment below us. It's called Taco Soup but it's more like Chili. So I'm going to call it Taco Chili. And it's super easy!
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 can CRUSHED tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
1 can whole kernel sweet corn
1 can navy beans
1 can Bush's seasoned black beans
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing dry mix
1 can mild Ro-tel (tomatoes with green chilies)

Dump everything into a big pot. Drain only the fat off the meat. Pour the entire contents of all the cans, juices and all, into the pot. Add the seasoning mixes along with everything else...don't add either to the meat while it' browning.
Heat until it's hot and serve it up! Mmmmmm, delicious! Quick! Cheap! Great for a cold winter's night! The girl who gave me the recipe said it's great for a crock pot meal because the flavor gets better the longer it simmers. Either way, it's great.
We had it with Frito's Scoops, shredded cheese and sour cream... like the Virginians taught me to eat chili. So good...

Official countdown to PA: 14 days!

Tsk...Tsk...Tsk

Avery, Drew & Aunt Kathie playing with the camera on my computer...too much fun!

I know, I know...
Where have I been? Not blogging, that's for sure..

Ok, so here are 10 things I'll bet you didn't know happened since the last time I posted...
#1. Shame on me for taking so long to let you know, but we found out a long time ago that my dad's biopsy came back clean. Apparently his doc didn't believe the test, so he had it sent to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion... same response. No cancer. And for this, we praise the Lord.

#2. Halloween happened. An old friend from high school in PA (Dan Dries for anyone who knows him) lives in Dallas now, too. We recently found out the connection, then he got married the beginning of October... They invited me to their Halloween party. I went for a little while. He lives literally 10 minutes away. 1,500 miles, 10 years... and they live 10 minutes away. How weird is that? Had a fun time. You're dying to know... Martha Stewart. It was cheap, easy to throw together and non-offensive and not in the spirit of my least favorite holiday ever.

#3. (These may start to happen out of order) I just got back from 5 glorious days in Albany, NY visiting Matt, Amanda and my sweet Avery & Drew. It was so much fun! One night, me & the kids ("Me-and, who's Me-and?") made a blanket tent using Avery's Rose Petal Cottage. We all climbed inside and read lots and lots of books with just a flashlight. Drew kept insisting we were hiding from monsters, I insisted we were camping. The whole trip was amazing. Completely in perfect timing (which I'll mention in a minute) and the only draw back was the freezing cold temperatures this newly-converted Texan could hardly handle. We went to see Madagascar 2 together and that was fun. When we drove around, the kids pointed out every yellow car or school bus they saw. "Yellow car, mom" Drew (2) is talking and can have a little conversation with you. He loves his cars and trucks and trains...but he still loves to snuggle and cuddle. I don't care if he never outgrows that! It was great. Made me never want to leave. I lost it at the airport. So much so that the security guard at the metal detector got teary eyed at me. Mercy.

#4. The reason the trip was so timely was because even though it was planned 6 weeks ago, it was timed to perfection. I lost my job on Wednesday last week. Not for being an idiot or a slacker, but a long story that can be considered down-sizing, or my boss finding a different business model or whatever. Bottom line: it totally stinks. So I'm looking, and with the search for a new job comes a thousand decisions... how many classes to take next semester? Work part time or full time? Do I really want this 4 year intense degree that might take me much longer than 4 years to complete? I just don't know... I've sent my resume to several places, applied at a few online things, but in my heart, I want back in ministry. I miss it. So, join me in prayer for just the right job at just the right time and that God would make it clear about my decisions.

#5. I'm in the middle of 2 weeks break. First week is Reading Week. A week set aside for us crazy grad students to catch up on papers, projects, reading and for this girl, Greek... but particularly for this girl.. VISITS! Some amazing, precious friends got me a plane ticket to Manassas for next week. It will be so good to just hang out there for a while. See my friends, pastors, church family (though I won't be there for a service)... I really can't wait. hhhmmm, I wonder how cold it will be in VA?

#6. Some great friends from college recently told me they are in the interview process for a job in Dallas! I don't think I can say who it is, but OH MY WORD, if this happens, I will be in awe. The most difficult part about being here is being so far from home, establishing all new relationships and not having someone who has known you longer than 4 months and just KNOWS you and GETS you. But college girlfriends were with you then and through the journey of becoming who you are... a little taste of heaven, that's all I'm saying. Hope it works out!

#7. Hhmm... running out of ideas. OH... just last night we found a GIGANTIC dead roach in our kitchen. Now, we're not dirty people. This thing apparentl got drunk on the pest control juice, walked into the middle of the floor and died. But when we saw it, we didn't know it was dead. Nearly had a heart attack. Called a boy to help. Errr... small mistake. Apparently, jumbo roaches weaken even the strongest of men. So, after we realized it was dead, and after I psyched myself up for it, I scooped it up using a dustpan and brush. Y'all. It was huge. Like those nasty fake bugs you can buy in stores. Or like bigger than a nasty black cricket. I don't know where it came from, but I sure home it doesn't have any buddies.

#8. A couple weekends ago we had an open house in our apartment. Just our floor, and only 4 apartments chose to participate. Jennifer & I share a love for the TV show "The Office" and we didn't want to be too girly. So, we had like an Office party. We had dvds of the series playing and we made a jell-o mold with yellow jell-o and a stapler (something they occasionally have done on the show). Our theme was Pretzel Day after an episode in season 3... It was so much fun! Lots of people stopped by, got to meet a bunch of new faces. And it was one of these meetings that led to one of the most embarassing moments of my life. Sit back and enjoy a good laugh.
So, these 2 guys walk in. One was a-hem, handsome. That's all. But he also looked familiar. So, in the midst of trying to place him, mixed with Lord only knows what and my roommate Jennifer introducing herself to the other guy, I find myself introducing myself to this guy and I said (no lie): "Hi, I'm Jennifer... wait, no... she's Jennifer!" Y'all. Oh My Word. Gets worse. I then realize that the handsome fella SITS in front of me in Theology class. He just usually wears glasses and is dressed up, he came here looking entirely different. Have you EVER heard of such a thing?! Kill me now.

#9. I didn't vote. There, I said it. Aaahh. Public confession is good for the soul. Don't hate me. I just didn't and I have no excuse.

#10. Well, I just don't know another thing to tell ya... God is good. He is faithful. He has called me and HE WILL DO IT. He has set the divine stage for the God-show. There is no other option than to trust that He will continue to be more than enough.

Quick Update...

hey there...
Just wanted to let you know I talked to my dad today.

He'll have the biopsy results from yesterday's test on October 17th...so now we wait...

And the little surgery today went well. I guess they didn't actually replace the battery, they replaced the whole thing?! anyway, he was at home this afternoon when I spoke to him...

Thanks for praying... check back later to hear the latest...

love y'all...

Prayer...

So, today (10/7) at 2pm Eastern time, my Dad needs your prayers. Several weeks ago, there was a blood test. Today there will be a biopsy. He'll get the results on 10/17.

Tomorrow, he has to have the battery changed in his pacemaker/defibrillator. General anesthesia, it's a surgery.

Big deal.

Big week.

Many prayers.

Big God.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Destination: Albany, NY

There are some pretty great people who live in Albany. Like the greatest brother of all time, his fabulous wife, a little 4 year old princess named Avery and her sweet sidekick, 2 year old Drew. For crying out loud, the child will be 2 on Sunday! Seriously... time goes way too fast.

So, I've been kicking around the idea of going to visit them during our 2 week November break--oh, yeah, you heard that right. Nov. 17-21 there are no classes for "Reading Week"--a week to catch up and get ahead, and then the following week is off for Thanksgiving.

My wonderful parents want to see me at Christmas, so they bought my plane ticket back in May, but it's only for 2 weeks and I will have to take a road trip to VA for a long weekend to visit my ODBC family... don't know if I'd sanely make it to NY at Christmas... and, quite honestly, I like having them all to myself.

Then, I couldn't justify the money... so I prayed about it... knowing that God had the ability to provide for my trip, but not knowing if He would. His blessings have been so ridiculously abundant to me the past few months, I certainly don't "deserve" more.

So, I prayed, checked airfares, waited... almost charged it, changed my mind... waited, checked airfares... then one day earlier this week, God specifically answered the prayer. I was absolutely amazed. Then, today... I went to buy the ticket and the fares at Southwest had shot up like another $100... so I checked out Northwest airline at nwa.com that my sister in law highly recommended... Round trip to Albany November 14-18th... dirt cheap. Well, it would be rather expensive dirt, probably a couple of truckloads, but you know what I mean.

So in 42 days I will be Albany bound...for 5 glorious days of Eachus-ness...

Scientology Report...

As promised... keep in mind, the assignment was not necessarily to research a world religion, but to visit a religion that has no ties to Jesus or Jehovah God and ask the important questions of life and write an observation of the visit.

I called the Buddhist Temple in Dallas in hopes of setting up a meeting with them. The phone was answered by someone who spoke very poor English. I simply stated my reason for calling. He asked me to hold on a minute and laid the phone down. I was still able to hear everything going on in the background. There was indistinguishable talking for no less than 3 minutes, after which the phone was picked up and placed back on the base without further words spoken to me.

I looked at the other religious institution written on my paper and cringed as I dialed the number to the Church of Scientology. To my absolute surprise, a delightful voice answered, “Thank you for calling the Church of Scientology. This is Ann, how may I help you?”

I rather nervously stated my simple request to schedule an appointment to come in and ask questions. Ann was delighted. She asked when would be good for me and I had the feeling if I would have suggested 2am she would have obliged. She explained she would be the one I speak to first when I arrive and she hoped to answer all of my questions. After hanging up the phone, I felt so at ease about the situation. Instead of attempting to recruit a classmate, I thought I’d be ok to go alone.

The morning of the appointment, I made a mental list of the big things I was looking forward to asking Ann. I tried to imagine what I would want her to ask me if the roles were reversed. When I arrived at the Church of Scientology, I immediately wanted to turn around and go home! I was later told the building is a 1930’s era estate that the church has occupied for some time. The parking lot was unkempt and there was a canopy-covered sidewalk that led to the entrance. It felt a little like a cross between a nightmare and the opening scenes of a horror movie.

I walked into the entrance and was greeted by a man sitting at a table piled high with pamphlets and literature he was assembling into some form of mailing. I was then directed to a small desk area right off the entrance where Ann greeted me. Every available inch of wall space was displaying Scientology literature, L.Ron Hubbard books, seminars, or the like. I particularly noticed one poster that equated psychology with foolishness or something to that effect and quickly made a mental note to avoid discussions of my undergrad degree in psychology!

Ann allowed me to ask a few questions first. I basically wanted her “testimony.” She became a Scientologist in 1992 through the encouragement of her son. He had taken part in a course, had enjoyed it and wanted her to pay for a second course. She agreed and really noticed a difference in him, so she decided she “had to get some of that for herself,” too. She said she loved it from the beginning and as her face lit up, she said, “It works. It really works.” So I asked, “What works?”

Ann informed me that Scientology’s purpose is to remove the impurities from inside each one of us to “be a better you.” With what I would learn in Scientology, I would gain the tools to search inside myself and others and remove those things which emit negativity. When we’re filled with positive thoughts, positive things happen to us.

I asked her if she believes in God. She emphasized that personally, yes she believes that God exists, but God is not needed to be a Scientologist. In her understanding, we are created in the image of God and what that means is that as God has the power to create, so too do we have the power to create. She also wanted me to know that “Mr. Jim of Mr. Jim’s Pizza is both a Baptist and a Scientologist, he’s a good Scientologist,” she told me.

I asked her about heaven. She’d asked me earlier if I believed in God. I did not deny the Lord, but simply stated that I’d been raised in a Christian home and still attend a Christian church. The truth, just not all of it. When I asked her about heaven, before she answered, she asked what I believe. I told her that I believe that at the moment I die, my soul with be in the presence of the Lord. She said Scientologists don’t believe in a heaven or a hell. They believe they will be reborn into a new being. I asked if she was conscious of her past lives? She explained that she personally was not, but could one day work toward knowing that, depending on how far she advanced in Scientology.

Then, she told me a story about her grandson, Dale (the oldest son of her Scientologist son) who at 8 years old told her he used to be a grandpa in another life. She went on to say that he assuredly stated he had been a black man living in Mexico and he knew he was a grandpa because there were kids around him and he was reading a paper. She asked if he could tell her what the paper said (thinking she could get a time frame) and he laughed and told her he doesn’t read Spanish in this life! She said, “So it’s real. A child doesn’t just come up with stuff like that on his own.”

We then took a tour of the main floor of the area we were in. There was a literature rack full of program workbooks ranging in topics of Marriage, Personalities, New to Scientology, etc. There were children’s books as well as a number of DVDs that could be purchased.

We then walked to a seminar room. Ann explained to me that this was the room where many of their workshops took place. There were some charts on the walls and a handful of books on a book shelf There was even a lectern with a uniquely shaped cross on the front. It was a cross like in Christianity, but each quadrant had an extra “L” shaped piece adjacent to it. It caught my eye, so I asked about it. Where a cross has everything to do with why I am who I am and why I believe in Who I believe in, the cross in Scientology represents the eight levels of mastery. Ann couldn’t remember them all, but some were mastery over creation, over self, and others.

Next, we walked to a chart on a wall that expressed the different stages of Scientology. There were about 30 grades in all. Ann informed me that I would start at the Purification Ritual. She told me I would take some vitamins and sit in a hot sauna and be removed of impurities inside. Impurities get inside from illnesses and surgeries. She weirded me out a little when she mentioned that she’d noticed a scar on my chest and asked if I’d had heart surgery. I told her I had and she explained all the negative energy that very likely came inside of me during that operation could be removed with the Purification Ritual. And, she stated, “It’s not good to leave it in there, it’s better to get it out.”

The lowest level was a Grade Zero. That’s as far as Ann had achieved in her 16 years in Scientology. Her status as Grade Zero meant (as indicated on the chart) that she could speak to anyone about anything at any time. Higher levels indicated being free from the effects of suffering, being free from different levels of brokenness. Midway up the chart was a level called “Clarity.” If one achieves the Clarity level, he is no longer impacted by negativity or evil. He has been completely released from all negative energies from within.

Our next stop was at a display where there was an “e-meter.” An E-meter is a way of measuring one’s emotions. It is a blue electronic device with gauges and needle measurement boxes on it and it is attached to two metal cylinders. The Auditor has been trained to interpret the subject’s emotions to indicate what level of emotions a person is in. Ann didn’t really go into why it’s necessary, other than to know what needs to be improved. And she really wanted me to try it. But, I didn’t think it was a good idea.

Finally, we saw a roped off office space dedicated to “LRH.” LRH is the familiar way they refer to Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard. His office looked like any nice office space. It was his personal office space for use when he was in the Dallas area when he was still alive. At this point, I asked Ann if LRH had discovered or invented Scientology. She thought for a minute and decided he had discovered it, in conjunction with other great thinkers and researchers and was able to put several pieces of the puzzle together until they realized they had something and needed to make it a religion.

Ann invited me back to watch an information video, to attend a seminar, be audited or to attend a church service on Sunday morning. She was so pleasant to talk to, her demeanor so filled with joy over the idea of “being a better” her. Over and over she kept trying to sell me on the fact that “it works, it really works.”

I left after visiting for a total of 30 or 45 minutes and my heart was so burdened. I’ve often heard that the Enemy is the Counterfeit Christ…and feel like everything they’re working and searching for fits that bill. From the symbol of a cross meaning nothing of a Savior to working toward a far away goal of being free from inner negativity.

Ironically, later that night, I attended the DTS Women’s Retreat and during a sweet time of small group prayer, a woman was exuberantly sharing how prayer sustains her. Her face lit up as she said, “It works, it really works!” Perhaps my ears were more attentive, since hearing it so often earlier that day. The stark contrast of the source of that joy broke my heart.

Since our meeting, I often think how things might have been different for Ann. What if her son had received Christ with such joy and shared that good news and example of a changed life with his mother? How different their lives and eternities would be.

October...already?

Can you believe it's OCTOBER today? What in the world? I wonder when fall will arrive in Texas. It's supposed to be a little cooler today. Maybe we're on the the way. I realize I probably won't see much snow down here... or temps in the teens... and I've never been anywhere but PA and VA in the winter months. So, gearing up for the holidays in 60-70 degree weather might be odd... like you know, Santa in shorts and a Hawaiian t-shirt...but I was wondering today about fall...

Fall is like my most favorite season. I love the crisp weather and though some people deny they experience the phenomenon, I like when it smells like fall outside. Not people burning pumpkin spice candles, but when you're outside and it's like 55 degrees and the sky is clear the wind is blowing and you can just smell that it's fall.

Aaww... reminds me of a poem I had to memorize in 4th grade. Let me see if I can find it online:

OCTOBER'S PARTY

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow,
The Oaks in crimson dressed;
The lovely Misses Maple
In scarlet looked their best;
All balanced to their partners,
And gaily fluttered by;
The sight was like a rainbow
New fallen from the sky.

Then, in the rustic hollow,
At hide-and-seek they played,
The party closed at sundown,
And everybody stayed.
Professor Wind played louder;
They flew along the ground;
And then the party ended
In jolly "hands around."

George Cooper [1840-1927]


P.S. Never blog that you think it will be an easier homework week. Ever. Lesson learned. I'll be living in the library tonight.

Greek Lesson...

So, it's 10:33 Monday night.

I have a Greek quiz tomorrow afternoon. Looked at my book, made my note cards... chatted with Matt on Facebook IM a little bit. I am addicted to Facebook. And Diet Coke...still... I'm weak!

Before I get into this WAY COOL Greek story...

Y'all... please take a minute and pray for my brother's family. Their van caught fire because of a transmission problem 2 weekends ago. Kids were not along. Not a huge car fire, it was fixed fairly quickly, actually. But still. There was FIRE! Cost them a load of money, not covered by insurance. Then, Matt's very old truck that he drives was hit in a wreck yesterday. Today, the van died. He's feeling the pressure. Pray for strength, patience and grace to abound... and for God to come through in a way only He can. Anyone have a minivan they want to give to an awesome pastor in NY? Let me know...

Ok, so this Greek deal.

Like once upon a time, I learned that the name "Katherine" means pure.

So, I wrote out my Greek vocab words tonight and was just flipping through them, reading them out loud to hear what they sound like and how about this... (oh, i wish i could type in Greek on here!)
Here's the english version of the Greek letters: katharidzo
It means: I purify.

Well, I just thought it was great... so great, I had no one to share it with at 10:30pm Central time, so... I thought I'd plop it on here.

Our pastor's daughter growing up was Alaithia. Came across that in Greek the other day. It means Truth.

Klepto means I steal [who knew? I thought it was a weird slang word]
Grapho means I write
Apostolos means apostle
Mathetes means disciple
Euangellion means Gospel or Good News... looks like Evangeli--
Prophetes means prophet
Adelphos means brother (for my southeastern PA family near Philadelphia...haven't officially learned phileo as a word for love, yet... but we know it)
Anthropos means man/person
Therapeuo means I heal.
Kardia means heart
Mikros means small

You get the idea... lots of similar words.

Less reading this week... only 1 quiz...1 paper (my Scientology visitation report--which, incidentally gave me a freaky weird dream last night)...

I should go.

For anyone who is still reading, you may be interested to know I lost a toenail tonight and freaked out like nobody's business. It was gross. It didn't hurt because there's a soft little dwarfy toenail grown up underneath but is was still yuck-o. Like that nasty fungus commercial where the little fungus germy guy lifts up the toenail and you have to look away so you don't hurl. Only I couldn't look away. What was the alternative? Go to class tomorrow with a toenail flapping in the wind? I think not. NASTY. Matt told me I should post pictures. No I will not. Do not even ask. Dis-gus-ting. I had smashed it a couple months ago. I thought it might fall off and then it started to get lighter, so I thought it would be fine. Um, no... not fine... pretty sure it's gone.

So... now it's 11pm. Back to Greek then to sleep.

Don't forget...pray for my brother & sister-in-law... Matt & Amanda... that God would supply all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

Sorry if that toe nail stuff grossed you out. How could I keep silent?

Quick Retreat Update...

Just got back from the retreat. I'm so glad I went. I'm sure you were expecting that, but it's so true. It was a lot of fun getting to know some other DTS students and enjoy the teachings, admonitions and encouragements from Mrs. Hendricks. It was a huge blessing, well worth the sacrifice of time. Dr. Hendricks came, too. We saw him during meal times, other than that, I guess he was just hanging out. They are the cutest couple.

God gave me what He took me there for... maybe just between Him and me... but I needed it, He knew it, He arranged it, I loved it.

I survived Scientology...

In case you are wondering and/or freaking out...
I already went to the Church of Scientology and I'm back...and I'm not a newly converted Scientologist, sadly neither are they now Christians. it was WEIRD... have to process through the whole thing before I blog about it. Tom & Katie--are you kidding me? Jesus being raised from the dead is way easier to believe than this auditing, better you business.

Quick update...

Whew!  It's already been a busy week...

Wanted to share with you how marvelous and intimately concerned about His children our amazing God is...

I'm in seminary.  

I now work only a part-time job.

I make just about enough each month to cover bills.  

That's about it.  Me and my penchant for Friday afternoon movies in a theater of 15 people:  no more, haven't been to a Chili's in several months... and shopping? well... not so much.

But that's ok.

I'm not complaining.  

This season in learning is a gift... I am reminded of it almost every single day.  

I am privileged to learn in such an incredible place. 

So, there was this women's student retreat deal this weekend...  Howard Hendricks (he's apparently a legend, but he's my Bible Study Methods prof... he's contagiously in love with God through His word)... 

Howard Hendrick's wife is scheduled to be the main speaker at this retreat.  Basically, it's an overnight at a campground like 45 minutes away, in Waxahachie, TX... how fun is that word?!  

It wasn't that expensive to go... but, expensive enough that I didn't think it was the wisest use of my budget, and didn't know how busy I'd be, so I didn't sign up for it.  I wasn't overly disappointed, just thought...oh, maybe next time.  

Yesterday, God decided I needed to go. 

I had an afternoon meeting with the Adviser to Women Students.  Everyone has an entrance interview, we get to know her, she gets to know us... since there are so few of us (again, NOT complaining of any ratios at all!), it's like a point of contact for where to go when your world caves in :o) Or whatever... 

Had a great little meeting with her and before I left, she asked if I was planning to go to the retreat.  Told her no and why and she said she would make sure I got in if I changed my mind.  

Well, I don't know anyone going, so I thought probably not... 

But God... (one of the greatest phrases all over Scripture)

I went to my mailbox and saw a check in there.  Someone from my church in VA had contributed to my July fund...in September... and the church sent the contribution to me.  

I don't know who it was from, they probably do, but I don't need to know... it was for just about the amount of the retreat.  I can swing the remaining $15... if I decided to go...

Then, last night at my Spiritual Formation group (a small group everyone in my program participates in for 4 semesters, all girls/all guys) our discussion was really good all around, but we ended up talking about stuff that finally helped me figure out this very weird spiritual place I've been (which for those of you who aren't familiar with all this Jesus talk basically just means that the Lord I have for so long connected with, spoken to in prayer and heard from in Spirit hasn't felt so close--no twilight zone stuff, just what having a relationship with Jesus is)...  so, been in this weird place, feeling like I got to seminary and everything I ever learned or knew about God fell out of my head and I couldn't know anything until I learned it here.  Can hardly put it into sensible words, but, the point is...

The thought is stupid.  

Stupid, but true and I thought I was the only one... until someone else confessed her frustration before I did, making me nearly leap for joy.  I'm not the only one... as we talked about it to try to figure it out... it became more clear what was happening... so engrossed in the study of the Word of God, I've slacked off on my relationship/prayer life a little more than I should have. There is no replacement.  There must be a balance.

Then, today... I was sitting in my apartment trying to read these few chapters for Theology which are boring to me because I am not a deep thinker... and my mind wandered...  to the happenings of yesterday, particularly trying to put a finger on the words to describe what my crazy deal is... and then 3 little words popped into my head that described it:

I miss Jesus. 

I'm learning about Him, but not spending enough time learning with Him, talking to Him, shutting out the craziness of life and really spending time in prayer...  letting Him help me figure out what all I'm learning means for me, today and for the life He's called me to.  

So, I figured it out in a sweet little moment... and immediately knew that this weekend, the unexpected blessing to be able to go, the pointed question inviting me to go, the discussion last night... seem to all be pointing in the same direction... so, don't try to find me Friday night from 5pm until Saturday at noon... I'll be in Waxahachie... 

And if you were the giver... THANK YOU for allowing God to use you...thank you for acting on the little Voice that nudged you to be a blessing.   

______________________

On another quick note... 

If you're reading this between 2:00-3:15pm or 9:30-10:30pm (Eastern time) tomorrow... I will be taking a Greek test and then a Theology test... PRAY!  

And, on Friday at noon your time, I'll be visiting the Church of Scientology... it's for my Theology class.  We are required to visit a religion that exists but doesn't believe in the Christian God and ask them about what they believe, why they believe and all that.  I called and made an appointment today.  The lady was super sweet...as if I was calling any old church... I'll bet she thinks she'll convert me.  Oh, don't worry.  I won't be alone.  Jesus is going to be there, too.  And if I'm lucky, Tom & Katie :o)  

So, I'll tell you all about the retreat and the Scientology visit later this weekend when I find some time to blog about it.  

Love & miss you all... grateful you don't mind getting massive updates via the blog rather than individual emails... I'd never have time for it all.  Love your personal emails, cards and calls, though... my little taste of home...  

For anyone who's counting... Christmas, by the way is 3 months from tomorrow.  

I haven't blogged for a while...

Haven't blogged in a while because... well... i haven't blogged in a while... sorry...

Let's see if I can give you 10 things I should have blogged about but didn't.

1. I saw The Bucket List last weekend. Which was the first movie I've seen rented or in a theater in a VERY long time. I don't even have time to turn on the regular TV let alone pay to waste 2 hours to watch a movie. Those 2 hours are precious. Seriously. Good movie, good times.

2. My niece Avery turned 4 years old! Not 3, not 5, she's 4... 4 years old... (some of you will remember that, Matt?) My oh my how fast 4 years have gone.

3. There's a gorgeous lake in Dallas that I got to walk around the other afternoon. BEAUTIFUL. And it was a beautiful day, too...surprisingly.

4. I likey Ikey. Many of you have asked. Dallas was spared the hurricane last weekend. We had a grey, overcast day with only a very short time of rain. Everyone was prepared for worse, but it never made it this far. Ike did, on the other hand, bring a week's worth of amazing beautiful temperatures. Like, chilly in the morning on the way to class. Bliss! I'm telling you... low humidity, light breeze all day. Yeah, I could get used to this Texas weather. Not trying to negate the destruction that took place in Houston and Galveston... I just don't know much about it. Please don't think I'm insensitive.

5. The homework is picking up... lots. In fact, this is a crazy busy weekend. I have to read almost 500 pages, write a 4 page paper, diagram/outline the book of Habakkuk (my professor joked, if we can find it!), and study for a Greek quiz on Tuesday, Greek Test on Thursday and HUGE Theology test on Thursday. Whew!
But all of it has been great... learning good stuff. Last week, in different classes, I studied Acts 17: 16-34 (good stuff!), we picked apart Nehemiah 1: 1-11 and then Mark 11:27-12:44... and I'm just telling you the Bible is AMAZING stuff. Maybe one of these days I'll share with you some of the things I'm learning in my Bible Study Methods class. Those of us who own a copy of the Bible have the privilege to hold in our hands the powerful, inspired, inerrant word of the God of the universe. Do you understand the weight of that? The One who spoke worlds into existence, who tells the sun when to rise and set, who knows they very number of hairs on your head provided a way for you to know Him through the gift of His word. He's not merely "God" who's way up there, unconcerned about the workings of your life... no, He created your life... He's not far from each one of us, as Acts 17:27 tells us. I'm just saying...God desires a personal relationship with you through His Son, Jesus... and if you don't know what that is, you're missing out on a love deeper than you've ever known and a whole bunch of other cool stuff. If you want to know more, I'd love to share with you who Jesus is to me... just ask!

6. I walked with my Greek professor last Sunday night, but I don't think he knows it. :o) Read on...The gym that DTS students have a membership to as part of our student fees has a beautiful 1/2 mile walking/jogging trail that is enclosed with a big iron fence (that's for you, mom) secure from the city, but has all kinds of landscape, trees that provide shade over the path, lights at night little ponds with huge fountains, gazebos, oh, it's just great. I like to walk there. Last week, I was walking, listening to my iPod and a yellow flash that looked fairly familiar zoomed past and nearly scared me to death because I couldn't hear him coming up on me. I was just listening to my Jesus music. As he passed, I thought... hhhmmm, that kind of looks like Dr. Jay. Sure enough, he lapped me in a few minutes and whoooosh, did it again. Now, you all know me. He appears in my peripheral vision and what do i do? No, i didn't scream... but I flinched or like jumped. Remember, I hear nothing but my Jesus music, he's not wearning an iPod. Keep that in mind. So, this happened maybe 4 times. As the walk is going on, I half forget he's there, but I do wonder if he'll make the connection. Slowly all of the other walkers and joggers leave the trail and it's getting dark. They have lights along the path, and it's well lit but still is different at night. So, I'm beginning to think, hhhmmm... this is darker than I thought, maybe I should go in. Then, Wooosh.... he passes me again. No, i'm safe... Dr. Jay's still out here. There's a fence. I'm just a country girl freaking out in the big city. So, on I go. And throughout the next lap, I'm looking for Mr. Yellow and I don't see him anywhere. I decide I've been hauling it out there for 45+ minutes, it's time to go study. So, i'm on my last lap, thinking I'm the ONLY person on the track and one of my favorite songs starts playing. Naturally, what any tone deaf worshipper with an empty trail and a great song would do, I start to sing along... and just as my song gets to this wonderful part that goes, "I will not be moved, I'll say of the Lord, You are my shield, my strength, my portion, deliverer, my shelter my tower my very present help in time of need..." I have to sing it. Just have to. God's been all those things to me lately so I was just praising Him for it. Well, I started, "I will not be moved..." kid you not... at that precise moment, WHOOSH, comes the yellow flash, i not only flinch i gasp, then instantly I'm embarassed and realize what I've done so I start laughing... and the yellow flash who by this point I am CERTAIN is my Greek professor strolls on by... remember, with no iPod of his own. Got to class on Tuesday and Thursday... he never mentioned it. And he's the kind of goof ball that so would. No, I certainly did not mention it...

7. Oh!!! I know what else: I FINALLY ran into my dear friend Laura Beth in the hallway yesterday. It was a hug like coming home. I can't even tell you. Our schedules have been insane and we've been busy doing our separate things and haven't seen much of each other in months... it was so good to run into her. Love that girl. It happened after Greek class. Gosh. what a great class.

8. My mom and dad celebrated 31 years of marriage yesterday. In Las Vegas. They got to go see the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Vegas stuff. Pretty exciting! And no, they didn't stop by Dallas! What nerve!

9. Confession: studying is easier with Double Stuf Oreos. I don't know what the phenomenon is, but oh my goodness... I learn so much more and retain so much more information if I have a few Double Stuf (that's important) Oreos around. Thank you Jesus, for Nabisco.

10. And, this is a big deal. I'm giving up Diet Coke. For real. It's gotta be rotting my kidneys. There's a warning on the cans that says: contains Phenylalanine or some other ungodly chemical that probably means: cancer causing, kidney rotting juice that gets you addicted to our product. Anyway. People need coffee... I prefer Diet Coke... but, I'm weaning off of it. No time for a caffeine withdrawal migraine (been there, done that before) so 1 box remains... and then no more... Save the Kidneys! I think I'll get T-shirts printed.

Surely no one is still reading... if you are, God bless you :o)

Just want you all to know that I miss you. If there was any way to be here and there at the same time, I would be. I don't have time to send individual emails and there are a few I've been meaning to get back to for the past couple of weeks, please, bear with me... Trying to put the big rocks in the jar before the pebbles and the sand (know that time management analogy?)
As my Greek professor admonishes us often:
Why did you move to Dallas?
We reply: to go to seminary.
He says: Then go to seminary! Don't waste this time in your life on other stuff. You have to learn to prioritize and say NO to other things. You're here for seminary. Go to seminary.

He has a point.

If there were only more hours in a day...

"I thank my God upon every rememberance of you..." Philippians 1:3

Preach the Word

I'd never know it's poured rain all day in the east... today was a gorgeous day... again.  It's almost sickening how nice the weather is in Texas.  Instead of the little slogan "Everything's bigger in Texas"  they should have another one that says "Everything's brighter in Texas."  And if we're going to go there... "Everything's hotter in Texas!" 

Actually, I think I've acclimated... I was walking around in jeans and a cardigan sweater the other day from work (where it's like the inside of a freezer) to my car and thought, oh, it's such a nice day today... got in the car, turned on the radio and heard it was 101 degrees!  Yep, I'm a Texan.  

A Texan with an expired VA inspection sticker, a valid TX inspection sticker and Virginia license plates.  Papers to get the TX registration in my car (that, hallelujah and amen I finally got back this morning!) but besides the fact that I crashed it and was waiting for the repairs...I just haven't brought myself to go get the plates and the license.   I'm just going to have to get someone (tall, dark and handsome, I hope) to do the dirty work of taking off my VA plates.  Not because I can't.  "I'm independent by circumstance, not by choice," remember my motto?  But it will break my heart, I think... 

I've had my VA tags for 6 years... 4MZNGRC...(Amazing Grace) or as my brother who thinks he's so funny likes to call it "For-mazing Gerk"  Yeah, the day he said that (in 2002) made it lose it's appeal a little... Although, most people "get it."  And if they do, I know they're cool.  Why did I pick for it to start with a "4" instead of an "A"... because the "A" was taken, of course.  And a "4" looks like an "A" that's just missing a leg.  

Let's talk about Greek... 

So, I know the alphabet.  Would totally write it out on here if this thing had the font to let me, but it doesn't... so you'll just have to take my word for it.  I have a theory:  Greek is like Mount Everest and I am going to reach the top if it kills me!  You do recall (because I've told you at least twice already) that I am the only girl in my class...and not that I have something to prove... but I'm just not going to let the boys beat me!  Hello!   

So, that's my little update on life...not a whole lot going on down here outside of school and work... 

ok, let me end with this passage of Scripture that one of the professors preached in chapel last week... the slogan/motto (don't know if that's the right word) for DTS is "Preach the Word."  It's on T-shirts, the website, this big thing on campus.  It comes from a passage in 2nd Timothy chapter 4.  We heard it in chapel and then it was part of our lecture in Theology later in the week to explain why it's so important to know and teach the Doctrinal, Scriptural Truths the Bible teaches.  

2 Timothy 4:2-5

..."preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  

Where do you get your preaching from?  Someone who will tickle your ears or pierce your heart?  What we need to hear isn't always what we want to hear, but if we don't hear those things that make us stop and evaluate and compare the reality of our lives with the reality of the Word of God, how will we ever be more like Christ and grow closer to Him?  

Did you get your free Chick-fil-a today?

I did.

Chick-fil-a was giving away 3 of their new Chicken Strips to anyone who came in dressed in football team attire.

I know what you're thinking: No, I don't own a Donovan McNabb jersey like every other Eachus who was raised in PA, married into the family, or for pity's sake was born into the "Eachus undying love for the Eagles" tradition. I don't even have a Liberty t-shirt down here... sweatshirts, yes... but who is going to wear a sweatshirt in Dallas on Labor Day? So, I borrowed a hat from the bearer of the good news of the free chicken strips. It was purple and had a W on it. Washington (the state) something or other.

you know, they should have a "bring your cute bag" to Chick-fil-a day or "wear your favorite shoes" to Chick-fil-a... what is it with football anyway? :o)

And you know what... I don't think people know who the Eagles are down here... Maybe my lack of Eagles attire saved my life, actually... a Cowboys fan would have had no choice but to take me out.

It was a nice study break... and a free dinner... Yay for football, after all :o)

P.S. Stay Tuned... the Chick-fil-a man, Truett Cathy is going to be in our chapel next Tuesday... so I'm sure I'll have great things to tell you about that!

Syllabus Shock

That's what they call it when you read through all of your "syllabi" at the beginning of the semester and realize the amount of work that lies ahead of you. I am currently suffering from a severe case.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• feeling completely overwhelmed
• wondering why one has to read more books in 1 semester than during an entire undergraduate career?!
• a sick feeling in the pit of one's stomach that can only be translated as "what have I gotten myself into?"
  
• mental exhaustion from the simple IDEA of all the work that's coming
• and tears (though I've not gotten there quite yet!)

Along with the syllabus shock of this week, I'm also incredibly excited.
I already know so much more this week than I knew last week. Particularly 24 letters, how to write them, what they sound like and how to transliterate them (turn them into English letters). So, take that Greek 101! (Still the only girl... and let's be honest: is that really a bad thing?)

If you want to know how you can pray for me from the East Coast... join me in prayer that God would open my mind to comprehend everything and make it stick so I can remember it all. Not just for the sake of a good grade and for the tests... but for crying out loud, for LIFE. What else am I here for?!

As my sweet nephew Drew says: Love you! Miss you!
(guess you just have to be on the phone with him to hear how sweet that is for yourself)

First Day of School

Ok, so there were no cute backpacks, ruffled socks, Rainbow Brite lunch boxes (I was a child of the 80's), no big yellow school bus, or Mom taking pictures on the front steps... but today was probably my favorite first day of school ever. 

I think that's because I'm here with such purpose.  I'm not going to school because it's the fall and I have to.  I'm here because God called me, provided for me and I "get" to. 

My first class today was Spiritual Life.  7:45am comes bright and early after a summer of working 20 hours a week not waking up before 9!  The class was as meaningful as a church service.  It's structured to encourage solid, healthy spiritual disciplines that we will carry for the rest of our lives.  It was phenomenal.  Have an excellent teacher who absolutely loves the Lord with all his heart.  Couldn't have had a better "first class at seminary" if I tried.  It really set the tone for why we're here, what a unique opportunity this is... 

After that, I had the one, the only Dr. Howard Hendricks for Bible Study Methods.  He's a much older gentleman than most of the other teachers.  I would guess late 80's.  He oozes a love for the Word of God that is nothing short of contagious.  Even in his advanced age and frail state, his class of 200+ students were captivated.  What a privilege just to be in one of his classes!  And, it's great content, too.  We're going to learn how to read our Bibles for our own personal growth and for the purpose of being able to teach others to do the same.  Sounds simple, but very few believers really dig deeply into the miracle that is the Word of God.  His way of communicating with us. 

After that was chapel.  You know, at Liberty... even when Dr. Falwell spoke, convocation was, well a little dreaded and a little boring.  Again, different motivations, and hello different sleeping patterns!  But mostly, different priorities.  Dr. Bailey, the President of DTS spoke today and I kept thinking 2 things:  WOW, I'm so privileged to sit under the preaching of these incredible men of God and #2, oh my WORD, I'm going to be learning how to teach like that!  Scary, but sooo exciting. 

Then, after a short break was the dreaded, very scary Greek class.  Are you sitting down? I hope so, you're at your computer... I am the only girl in my class.  Don't get too carried away!  There are only about 20 people in there and this is school, not E-harmony!  My degree is ThM, not "Mrs."!  Being the only girl is a weird feeling.  But the prof (that's how everyone refers to professors around here!) made it a really good experience.  It's going to be a challenging course and it's going to be a lot of work and a lot of studying, but I'm ready to jump in!  

So, I'll have these same classes on Thursday again and then also have a once a week Thursday night class on Intro to Theology (lots of reading, lots of printed notes) and a class on Evangelism on Friday morning only. 

As for an update on my car accident...My car is at the collision repair place.  $3,000 in damage!  But, I only have to foot a $500 bill for my deductible. (Only!) And, my boss talked to his in-laws who are elderly, live in the area and they are LOANING ME THEIR CAR for a while!  That happened very much out of my hands and they don't even know me... is that awesome or what?  Complete strangers lending their car to the girl who crashed hers in a very irresponsible way.  I'll bet they don't know I caused the wreck :o)

I'm just saying... it's amazing to know the God of the universe is intimately concerned with the details of our lives.  Not just mine... yours, too!  

Lots of love from (really not that hot anymore) Texas!  

Drop me a line, post a comment... let me know how you're doing!  

I love mail in the real mailbox :o) 

Katherine Eachus

3909 Swiss Ave, Box 534

Dallas, TX  75204

kept my same cell number:  703-328-2864

email:  katherine.eachus(at)gmail.com

Accidents Happen...

Sometimes your GPS unit is to blame, sometimes your stupidity for listening to the GPS unit is to blame. 

Today, it was all me.  Stupid me for listening to the GPS...  

Don't worry.  I'm ok.  Obviously.  I'm writing this crazy post.  But, my car is not.  

Ok, so I was driving down a one way road with 3 lanes.  I was in the center lane.  Please note:  I thought I was in the left hand lane in the split second that my GPS told me to "Turn Left"onto Willow.  

So, I turned.  

Luckily, and by the protection and grace of God.  Mr. Gonzalez in his big red F-150 saw me starting to act like a complete moron and started slowing down, too.  

His fender kissed my fender.  

No one is hurt.  My roommate Jennifer was with me.  She's ok.  I bumped my head on the window, but really, it was barely a bump.  It really could have been a catastrophic collision if just a few variables were different:  his speed, angle, timing of my turn, etc.  

So, the insurance said it was my fault.  What?  No way!  Yes, of course it was my fault.  

I have a $500 deductible.  So thanks ODBC for your generous July contributions to my car being repaired and now fixed again.  No rental coverage, but my roommate is here, I live on campus and already have a Monday morning appointment to get the adjuster to look at it and start the repair process.   I'm not stressing.  It is what it is.  And I can't whine about it, just moving forward.  

Let's just hope my spanking new rack & pinion wasn't damaged... that would just be very bad news.  

So, no... I assure you, I do not have a concussion, whiplash or anything of the sort.  I am fine. My car drives (no need for a tow), it just pulls to the right and the fender is smashed.  

So, is this persecution?  The Enemy trying to discourage me from seminary?  Trying to make me question my move, my calling, this journey?

No.  

It was just me being stupid trying to find my way to the Salvation Army store to shop for a couch for our apartment (which we still went and did in Jennifer's car and found an adorable one!)

And even if it was an "attack" or additional burden to carry on top of other not-for-blog news I got the other day...  Well, let's turn in our Bibles to Romans chapter 8, verse 38:

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, [nor fear, nor traffic accidents, nor possible cancer diagnoses for people we love, nor distance, nor the blazing heat of Texas] nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Contributions to the "Katherine Eachus Focus Resurrection Fund" can be sent... just kidding... forget the money... PRAY that God will show up and He'll do what only He can do in ways that can only be credited to Him.  (And praise Him that He already did... Mr. Gonzalez had every  right to cuss me out and be fuming mad.  He was kind, caring, and even used a piece of wood from his big red F-150 to un-bend my fender enough to make sure I was able to turn my wheel to drive home)

That's life.  It happens.  It stinks to high heaven, and it was totally my fault.  But all is well and soon to be fixed and God provided in advance for the needs that were to come.  

As for Seminary Life, today was another really good day. 

Started with the MMPI personality inventory test.  569 of the strangest questions of my life to make sure I don't have psychoses DTS should know about before they let me start classes.  Here's a sampling, all True/False:

If I were an artist, I'd like to paint flowers.

I love my mother/father

I am afraid of the dark

I am afraid of spiders, snakes, dirt

I prefer loud parties/social scenes

I would like the job of a forest ranger

Also, questions about suicidal tendencies, health symptoms the could indicate underlying health issues, etc... interesting.  Hope I'm not crazy!

Then, I went to the Women's Student Fellowship luncheon for us newbies.  Sat at a table with Katherine (me), Katherine (not me), and Mary Katherine.  For real.   It was nice.  Got to meet some new girls, learn about Women's activities on campus, there will be a fall retreat and in November, DTS alum Priscilla Shirer (Tony Evans' daughter) will be speaking at a women's leadership conference.  

This afternoon I hit Target for notecards, paper, binders, etc and then, decided to go get in a wreck.  After that, Jennifer & I found the Salvation Army and went to a Half Price Bookstore where she may have found a Psychology textbook for $9.98.  It's the 10th edition, she needs the 11th, so hopefully she can get it and use it without a hitch.  

Then, we went to a dinner at "Texadelphia" where DTS new students and faculty had the restaurant all to ourselves.  There were cheesesteaks (but, hello, we're 2,000 miles from the real deal...), and chips & queso...you get the idea of the name... and, it was free.  And it was fun.  

I met someone who's last name was Mauger.  His dad graduated from Boyertown Area Senior High in '67.  And his aunts and some relatives still live in the B-town area.  I think his dad became a missionary and then never settled back in PA.  Hello, small world!  For those of you that don't know, that was my high school and my parents' high school... they graduated in '75, though... so maybe my Uncle Glenn knew them?  Did my Aunt Cindy go to Boyertown? hhhmm... details of the courtship I don't believe I've ever heard...how you guys met... Know any Maugers?  Open your yearbook, just for kicks :o)

Also met a couple from Alaska who we think is going to help us go pick up the couch at the Salvation Army in the morning.  Blessing!  

Then, we sat around, talked some more... and voila, here I am recounting my day to you. 

Faithful is He who calls you... HE WILL DO IT!  

Stay tuned, your first Greek lesson will hit the blog soon... as will "Blog Party Scripture Memory" and you know you don't want to miss that!  

Orientation Day!!

What a GREAT day, y'all!  

(fyi..."y'all" snuck into my vocab in Lynchburg, not Texas!)

Went to Orientation this morning where "Chaplain Bill", this 70+ year old man who's been here at DTS for decades led us in several hymns.  Then, he began to welcome us and he quoted a few Scripture passages...  and wouldn't you know, the second one he starts saying is the one that is carrying me through this journey of transition:  

1 Thessalonians 5:24 "Faithful is He who calls you, He also will do it."  

When God chooses to surprise us like that, it's like an inside joke, only it's not silly... it's such a blessing.  He's intimately aware and in control of the happenings of our lives. 

We were addressed & challenged by Dr. Mark Bailey, the President of DTS(who told us he'd been hanging with the Prez of the US in Beijing last week because DTS has a successful Chinese online program).  

After a few hours of what to wear, what not to wear, who to contact, what they offer, where to pay, church stuff, Q&A...  they brought in every faculty member present today and introduced them.  The stage was filled with mostly men, a few women, whose teaching, contagious love for the word of God  & the God of the Word, doctrine, etc has impacted thousands of students...who in turn are reaching this world.  It was incredible to me... Even more so when I realized... they're teaching me now.  And what on earth is God going to do with this life for His glory?  WOW... 

Several people shared bits of advice and wisdom.  Apparently, it's common for seminary people to get so caught up in the knowledge aspect that they neglect their own walk with God.  We were warned and admonished in love several times to make both a priority and to view assignments and classes as opportunities to deepen our faith, not only our minds.  So, that's something you could add to a prayer list for me... that I keep that balance...

That's why I'm here.  Not for the degree.   I want to know this God I'm so crazy about in ways I have never known, never seen, never looked deep enough to KNOW Him. 

A great bit of advice that I needed to hear most today was to remember not to rush this degree just because you don't want to be here forever (hello, that had my name written all over it!)... but to realize this 5 year block of time is not only the means to an end, but is life for this season and to make the most of it, enjoy it, live fully in it... 

  

Then, we had a break for lunch where they divided all us newbies (maybe 200 ish people, i'm not a good estimator) into groups of about 7 with 2 faculty members and we had our lunch in a classroom somewhere on campus.  It was great to get to know some new people and see who God put together in the room.  We weren't in there because of degree program or anything, just how it happened.  

One of the faculty members in my group was Dr. Joye Baker who is involved in Women's Ministry classes  & advising(coincidence?  i think not).  One of the students in there has been interning at McLean Bible (huge church in northern VA) for the past year!  Small world.  

So after the group met, we were heading back to the chapel for the afternoon portion of orientation where we were welcomed into chapel by Chaplain Bill, who was no kidding, leading us in 2 non-"worship" songs.  The whole group of us sang "The Stars at Night are Big & Bright (clap-clap-clap-clap) Deep in the Heart of Texas" and "Home, Home on the Range"!   It was ridiculously funny!   I think I should add that to my "Only in Texas" post! 

The orientation stuff ended with an information fair where we got to take care of a lot of loose ends... get our ID pictures taken, register with the fitness center as a student, ask questions... there were raffles, etc.  It was really helpful.  

Then, I went to a Christian Ed department meeting for new students, designed for us to learn a little more about the department, etc and got to chat again with Dr. Baker.  There's a connection there.  God's doing something.  You know how you can just tell something wasn't by chance?  Yeah, this was kind of like that.  

So, tomorrow is another big day:  Assessment testing in the morning, Women's Student Luncheon, and then a dinner with students and faculty at a local restaurant, compliments of the school!  Fun, huh?!  

I am so excited for school to start!  YAY!  Who says that? 

Do me a favor and remind me of my zeal in about a month, ok?  :o)  

Pastor Steve is on Facebook!

And to mark this monumental occasion, I had to make it a post!  This is BLOG-worthy (i LOVE that word!)

Of course, I saw in my inbox "Steve Benedict added you as a friend on Facebook" and quickly felt nostalgia whooshing in... and a couple tears escaping... 

for those of you who don't know... 

Pastor Steve ("Pastor" is his first name on his birth certificate, it must be) was my youth pastor from the time I was in @7th grade until...well, now.  

He's an amazing man of God who poured his life into a girl who had no idea how much she needed it at the time, but has been forever changed by his unconditional love and constant example... for the past 15 years.

After high school, I went to Liberty and while I was there, he had the nerve to leave our church and move to some little church in Manassas, Va.  What kind of name is Manassas, anyway?  :o)

After I graduated college, I stayed at Liberty and worked as an admissions counselor for almost a year.  That March (2003) I got an email from him telling me his church was looking for a summer intern and was I interested?  [in my mind, no I was not]  But God would not let the matter rest.  VERY long story short, I got the internship in March and was planning to begin the first of June.  In May, the church's Ministry Assistant notified the church she would be retiring, effective June 1... Coincidence?  I think not.  

So, you guessed it.  The internship turned into the last 5 years of my life... and through it all, the church changed, friends came and moved, i lived a hundred different places (ok, 4), staff changed, lots of changes... but what always remained the same...  every day I got to go to work for Pastor Steve.

As time went on, I got to branch out and be involved in many other areas of ministry at Old Dominion, but I was always his assistant.   And every week, we'd meet and talk about tasks, blah blah blah... but the first thing he'd always ask, always... in sincerity--because he'd wait to hear the answer... "So, how are you?"  

He's such a good guy.  God's hand-picked mentor.  Treasured friend.  "My hero."  

  

Texas Bar-B-Q

Ok, Dad... are you reading this?  The answer to your question you've asked so many times... YES, i've finally had some BBQ.   Here's how it happened:

My roommate arrived on Monday night (finally!  YAY!) and her parents stayed in town to help her get settled.  Well, they're from Georgia, and everyone knows when you're in Texas you have to try Tex-Mex food and authentic BBQ, right?  So, the other night we went to a great Mexican restaurant (yes, they were nice enough to ask me to go!) called Chuy's (Chewie's).  Huge, colorful restaurant that you can tell has been there for years and years.  No parking.  Great food.  Great company.  Lucky me! 

Then, tonight, they invited me to dinner again (because they're wonderful like that) and we planned to go get BBQ.  So, we left the apartment around 6:45, relying on Dora-the-Explorer (my GPS) we punched in the address, followed the directions and ended up at Sonny's BBQ... The original building that I guess launched several others.  Only, what we saw was a parking lot, with a "vintage" (aka dive) shack building that had signs in the window that NO KIDDING read:  Closed.  Gave the operating hours and then the sign said:  We Close When the Food Runs Out!  

I guess we should have gone for lunch! 

So, we ask Dora-the-Explorer to find us another BBQ place.  She gives us a big list.  But, we tried another Sonny's.  Got there... and oops!  It's just like a catering center... no restaurant.   So, we ask Dora again... she gives us a big list... and we tried the final Sonny's BBQ option.  It was only a couple of miles away and we'd come this far... 

Third time's a charm!  

What a treat!  Walked in, were served like cafeteria style had great food and it was totally worth it and so fun!  

So, yay for great Mexican food and BBQ... gotta love Texas!  

A Purple Envelope that Made My Day!

Went to the campus post office this afternoon, and to my delight, saw a little purple envelope waiting for me.  I could hardly wait to see what was written inside!  

It was a sweet note of encouragement and to let me know she's been following my blog. I was so touched by her thoughtfulness...and surprised that she knew I am blogging!  

So, my dear Aunt, thanks for your note and for thinking of me! 

Always a treasured reminder that God has a plan for me... even though I know it to the depths of my soul because He's proven it time and again and because His word tells me He does (Jeremiah 29:11), it's good to be reminded again and to hear it as a fresh blessing today.  

Despite the incredible amount of work that lies ahead...  God did this for me.  He mapped my journey, showed me when it was time to move, blessed the move and now, is totally and completely in control of this new season of life... He alone knows the end from the beginning. 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,  plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Fall Reading List...Wish me Luck!

So, classes start in just over a week (Aug. 25) and I thought you might like to know what I'm taking and what books I'll be reading this semester.  Seriously.  24 books (plus the B-i-b-l-e) 

I can hardly believe it myself!  

Oh, and stay turned for Blog Party Scripture Memory... I'll let you know as I'm working on passages I have to memorize...you might even learn some Greek along the way... and you KNOW I'll be the first to inform you of Theological words I have never heard of and share the sheer delight when I find out what they mean... remember "prolegomena", anyone?  

It's WAY scarier to see it all on a big list!
Lots of books, found most on Amazon and at a local store called Half Price Books for really good deals. And a few that I have to get at the campus bookstore.  

Bible Study Methods (Howard Hendricks is my professor!):
--How to Read the Bible as Literature (Ryken)
--Methodical Bible Study (Traina)
--Joy of Discovery in Bible Study (Ward)
--Basic Bible Interpretation (Zuck)
--NASB Bible

Intro to Greek:
--Greek New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul)
--Elements of New Testament Greek (Duff--not Hillary)
--Fundamental Greek Grammar (Voelz)

Spiritual Life:
--He That is Spiritual (Chafer)
--Grace Awakening (Swindoll)
--The Pursuit of God (Tozer)
--Spirit of the Disciplines (Willard)

Evangelism:
--7 Principles of an Evangelistic (Cecil)
--True Evangelism (Chafer)

Spritual Formation:
(a weekly small group required, not for credit)
--Foundations of Spiritual Formation (Pettitt)

Introduction to Theology:
--Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Elwell)
--From the Ground Up (Horrell)
--Dispensationalism (Ryrie)
--The Universe Next Door (Sire)
--Reinventing Jesus (Wallace, Komoszewski)
--Last Word (Wright)
--The Missing Gospels (Bock)
--Progressive Dispensationalism (Bock/Blaising)
--Baker Pocket Guide to World Religions (McDermott)
--Christian Theology (McGrath)

Blog-happy...

You like how I post nothing for a week and then have like 10 different topics I can't help but post all at once?  I have issues.  Sorry... 

I just thought of another topic to tell you to show you how God has again revealed Himself to me in this crazy move...

I was the Missionary of the Month project for July at ODBC.  Despite a low-offering trend lately, I was generously blessed and so I wanted to thank you all so much for giving and supporting me this semester.  I joyfully received the check on Thursday of this week...

The same day the service center at the local Ford dealership called to tell me that the rack & pinion had to be replaced on my handy-dandy 2005 Ford Focus...  now, let me tell you... i had other plans for the funds I'd been given (books, tuition, rent, etc), but God "Who called me is FAITHFUL...He will do it"  1 Thessalonians 5:24

So, I'll pick up my car maybe tomorrow afternoon, maybe Monday afternoon and it will have a beautiful, brand new rack & pinion that I will never see with my own eyes and I surely don't want to throw $1200 into something I'll never lay eyes on... but, even in this, my God is faithful.

A month ago, this would have been a nightmare.  Today, it's a blessing.    

My First Care Package

Just so you know, I almost forgot what it feels like to get an unexpected package in the mail!  But today, I got a bubble envelope filled with post-its, hi-liters, pens, a planner, antibacterial wipes, and a sweet card from my precious friend of almost 8 years to the day (and i can still remember that she was wearing khaki capri overalls and a burgundy and white striped top the day that i met her in dorm 20-3)...  

Erin Chucoski--you are amazing!   LOVE YOU!  

If anyone wants to jump on Erin's bandwagon at any time during the school year...you'd be amazing (& blog-worthy) too!  

My mailing address is:

Katherine Eachus

3909 Swiss Ave, #534

Dallas, TX  75204

 

The Patti's are in Texas!!!

Did you hear?  

The Patti's are in Texas! 

Pastor Paul and Karen flew into DALLAS yesterday afternoon to meet up with their oldest son, Tim, who is graduating this weekend from his year long internship at The Honor Academy with Teen Mania Ministries.  

So, lucky me... I met them at the airport and got them all to myself for like 4 1/2 hours...we went to the Blue Goose Cantina, a local authentic Mexican restaurant (was a ton of fun!) then, they came back to see the seminary and my apartment for just a few minutes and then we drove half way to Garden Valley, TX --where Teen Mania is--to meet up with Tim (who had been at graduation rehearsal).  

AND, Pastor Paul is leaving tomorrow to start driving Timmy's car back to VA, so I won't see him again, but I'll get to hang with Karen & Tim...at the Cornell's tomorrow night.  Aaahh, a sweet ODBC reunion of sorts!  

(Like Dorothy)  There's no place like home, there's no place like home... 

Beijing Olympics

So... I'm watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics... remembering back like...goodness, 16 years ago when my brother won 2 goldfish at the Boyertown sidewalk sale and named them Dan and Dave because I guess they were some track star people.  I was 12, I don't know for sure.  

So I'm watching all forms of fireworks, pyrotechnics (good word, eh?), hundreds of dancer people and a ginormous globe thing with people harnessed to it running and dancing around the world.

And all I can think about is persecution.  

Last fall, ODBC highlighted the Persecuted Church during our annual missions week and I was assigned the task of researching examples of persecuted Christians around the world.  Most of the articles were about Chinese Christians...beaten, imprisoned, locked inside their own homes, abducted, violently abused during police questioning...many tortured and even secretly murdered for their faith in the SAME Savior who died for me.  

Do we even have a clue how privileged we are to own 7 Bibles in 4 versions by every publisher available, endorsed by Christian inspirational authors and yet despite our privilege it is a chore and too rare an occurance for us to be found treasuring the wonder we hold in our hands, gathering dust on our bookshelves, packed away in boxes...  when millions of people in a land where Jesus is forbidden would (and do) give any earthly good to own a copy of the inspired word of God?  

I also recall very clearly during my research coming across articles Americans weren't supposed to end up reading that stated the Chinese government had a plan in place to aggressively investigate and punish leaders of the underground Church before the 2008 Olympic Games.  

So, for me, while I am interested to watch the gymnastics, diving, swimming and a few other life long highlights of the summer Olympics... it's all just a little overcast with sorrow for me.  

For more information on the Persecuted Church, visit The Voice of the Martyrs website at:  www.persecution.com 

But be warned...  the truth about what is going on around the world to our Christian brothers and sisters is shocking...  

We think we have it so rough when we can't drag ourselves out of bed on a Sunday morning to attend church.  

 

PBOB is on my iPod

And so is...

Travis Cottrell (In Christ Alone)
Stuart Townend (How Deep the Father's Love for Us)
Dennis Jernigan (Who Can Satisfy My Soul... When the Night is Falling...& a few others)
By the Tree (Beautiful One)
Chris Tomlin (How Great is Our God...Enough...Forever...Indescribable...others)
Casting Crowns (Lifesong, If We are the Body, East to West, Every Man)
David Crowder Band (Wholly Yours, Everything Glorious)
Kutless (We Fall Down [love you PJ!], Strong Tower, All Who are Thirsty, Better is One Day)
MercyMe (Spoken For, Word of God Speak, Love of God)
Newsboys (In the Belly of the Whale [i LIKE it!], I am Free, It is You, Shine)
Rich Mullins (Songs CD, Awesome God, Step By Step...)
Bob Perdue & Hannah (When God Ran, Bowed on my Knees)
Lincoln Brewster (Everlasting God)
Aaron Shust (My Savior, My God)
Natalie Grant (I Will Not Be Moved)
Lifehouse (Everything)

And some other fun ones, too that make me smile:
Sadie Hawkins Dance--Relient K
Parents Just Don't Understand--DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince :o)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun--Cyndi Lauper
I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)--The Proclaimers
The Happy Song--Delerious?
Jumping in the House of God--(Hog vs. World Wide Message Tribe) That was our call to Hall Meeting my freshman and sophomore years at Liberty... aahh, the memories...
Then He Kissed Me--The Crystals (an oldies song, but it's from my favorite 80's movie: Adventures in Babysitting)
She's in Love with the Boy--Tricia Yearwood (the one that goes "Katie looks at Tommy like I still look at you")
I Think We're Alone Now--Tiffany (in the 80's, I loved this song... and my brother wrote his own lyrics to it...about bodily functions... and it will forever be the new version wearing the original's clothes!)

but yeah... I'm not really much of a music person!
keep reading, I blogged 2 other posts tonight!

Only in Texas...

Start reading each of these with this phrase:
Only in Texas...

Does the 7-day forecast on the news look like this:
102 102 103 103 104 103 102

Is it a race to take your key out of the ignition and open the car door before you nearly suffocate. You have about 10 seconds of getting your things together before you have to dial 911 for yourself!

Are traffic lights/stoplights/traffic signals SIDEWAYS. It's so strange.

Would I find myself driving behind a fancy maroon corvette whose license plate says: DION3--I don't know sports, could he have been famous?

Can you get a sunburn at 7:30pm... kid you not.

Could I look out my apartment window and see Southwest planes on their descent. We're in their flight path, and they are so close it sometimes looks like you can touch them!

Could I be in the land of cowboys and have yet to see a person wearing boots or a cowboy hat!!! What in the world?! I've seen a western store or 2, not brave enough to enter yet!

Do people who are financially challenged ride around on senior citizen scooters for transportation... in the middle of the road... and are not physically handicapped.

Can you go to a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. Get this. It's Super Wal-Mart without the wal-mart part, just the supermarket part. I've never heard of such a thing.

Is everything BIGGER. No kidding... Went to the Grapevine Mills Mall which is owned by the same people as Potomac Mills. Oh, and you thought Potomac Mills had a lot of stores. This place has every store you can imagine. And it's HUGE. Their AMC looks like Universal Studios or something... 30 theatres!

Are there 2 Apple stores within a 2 mile radius! Sweet...

Have I ever needed a step ladder to use all the shelves of the kitchen cabinets... Our apartments havea loft feel and the ceilings are like 12-14 feet. The top shelf of the kitchen cabinets are about 10 feet up. I don't know, I'm not a good estimator, but I did have to get a kitchen step ladder thing.

Would you see Taco Bell, Taco Bueno and Taco Cabana all very close to each other on the same road! Within 3 blocks of each other! And they're like the same thing!

Would I find myself on Lover's Lane several times a week and it not be taboo. It's a real road, street signs and all! I have to take it to get to my office. It's just so cute.

Is it this HOT... seriously... it's really not that bad. You just expect it, I guess. Every day is the same. Bright, Sunny, Blue Skies, White Puffy Clouds and temperatures so hot Secret ain't gonna help nobody! Ok, I'm sure there are other places as hot or hotter... I've just never been to them!

Would I have reasons to write this post :o)


Make sure you read the next post... I just wrote about the past month to fill you in since I had been such a slacker!

Almost a month...

So... my dear friend Erin emailed me last night and told me to update this thing. When I logged in, I could hardly believe how long it's been. I actually wrote a fun post on July 4th about Ka-Boom Town, this cool fireworks thing I went to with a group of people my age in the same life status as I am (old and single)... Just kidding... not old, actually a mix, but mostly 20 somethings. But after I had spent forever writing about how HOT it is in TX even at 10 o'clock trying to watch fireworks... I clicked something wrong and lost it without posting.

Hopefully, I'll have learned my lesson and this one should be better.

In the past month, I've gotten a lot more settled in. I still have a few boxes to really unpack but my roommate doesn't come until mid-August, so ever the procrastinator, it's still not done.

I know my way around to the local things without my GPS...but I still can't leave home without it... just in case.

I got to go to PA for 5 days for Eachus Family Fun Week... (or so I named it) had a blast seeing everyone! Avery and Drew are getting so grown up... which although a little sad that they're not all itty bitty babies anymore, they're a total blast because, especially Avery can carry on a conversation and communicate. Drew is absolutely the most adorable little boy in the whole world. So happy!
Saturday to Sunday of that trip, I headed to VA for a quick overnight so I could say a little something in church on Sunday. ODBC has so graciously named me the recipient of the special missions offerings for the month of July, and since I was so close, I popped in to share a little bit. It was a little funny because not a whole lot of people knew that I was going to be there, so their looks of surprise were so fun. In passing to a few they asked what are you doing here and I quipped, "I changed my mind"... oops! A few of them thought I was being serious until I spoke. Sorry!!!

After the trip, I came back to Texas... and can I just tell you again today I was driving to Target and absolutely could not believe I'm in Texas (wait, it's hot enough, I know I am!)... So I came back to Texas and up until the visit to PA and VA, I was doing really well with the transition and moving. But after I got back, I had a really difficult week or 2. It felt like the world caved in. I had gotten to go "home" for long enough to really know what I was missing: people who know me, love me, are a support system, etc... here, I basically have no established relationships... the first few days being back, i really thought about leaving, about changing my mind for real and just going back and doing something different... but, no... I know the summer will soon end, people will be moving in, classes will start and life will go on. I need to re-appreciate this down time and soak up the last month before classes begin.

So, to get myself out of the pit, I joined a gym. DTS has a deal with this fancy schmancy fitness center that all students taking 6 hours of classes pay their $55 activity fee each semester and that covers a membership to their facility. Very cool. Only, I won't be a student officially until August, so I went and bought a 6 week membership... to fill in the gap and have been LOVING having an indoor, SAFE, air conditioned track to walk on. There is also a 1/2 mile outdoor path that has a pond, fountains, etc to walk around and I've done that a few times but end up inside because it's so stinking HOT in Texas! Joining the gym was probably the best thing I could have done.

Oh, and I also got a little iPod. It's called the shuffle. And, it was like $50 and I got the tiny one because I am a self-proclaimed "not a big music fan"... so i just put a few songs from CDs that I had and downloaded a bunch from iTunes and apparently, i don't dislike music as much as I thought! I have over 8 hours of songs on there aready!!! Matt--isn't that hilarious?! And, believe it or not, I have a bunch of rockin' Contemporary Christian songs because I want to be worshipping, but also want to be getting a good walk in. So I've got like Jeremy Camp, David Crowder Band, Skillet, Kutless, Newsboys, and yes, Cheryl and good dose of MercyMe, too! So, yeah, apparently I like "loud Christian music" :o) Who woulda thought? But it's great because I walk for a little over an hour and never know what I'm going to hear. I'm in my own little worship world. LOVE IT. hhhmm... maybe I'll post my favorites sometime. Yes, for sure... PBOB is on my iPod! When God Ran... LOVE IT!

Oh, I also got my hair cut and highlighted... for a great deal. Went to the Regis at the fancy pants mall here in Dallas. It's called the North Park Mall and they have all the ritzy stores you can hardly pronounce... so, I figured I could get a good hair cut for Regis prices and I was pleasantly surprised. The lady's name was "Precious" no kidding... and she did a fabulous job!

hhhmm, what else was new this month? Well, i got declined for health insurance because I'm working as an independent contractor for my job, so insurance companies don't have to insure me with no questions asked. Of course, being a veteran to open heart surgery (even if it was 28 years ago) means they will not insure me. So right now, I got nothing. But, seminary policy states that I have to have something. So please pray with me about this. That first of all I stay healthy and don't need my appendix out or something and that there would be an appeal or another company (like a ministry for seminary/ministry people) that will insure me. Even if it's just major medical.

The job is going well. I work for a great guy (he's no Pastor Steve, but he's wonderful). Check out his website: http://www.timwackel.com/ I am his: Executive Assistant, Business Development Specialist and Director of Marketing. Depending on who I am speaking to. In short, I'm his "Ministry Assistant" and do a little of this and a little of that :o) I really like it. It's a flexible job. I can work a lot from home (a-hem, remember the procrastinator stuff? yeah... working on that) and when classes start I'll be able to fit both in without having to always go to the office to work.

Let's see... well, I guess that's about it.
I'll post again before a month, PROMISE. Absolutely, I will...because next weekend, I'm going to the BETH MOORE SIMULCAST!!!! First Baptist Dallas is only a few blocks away, and they're a host site... Aaaaahhhh... I could use a little Beth!

Love & Miss you all!
Here's my campus mailing address if you want to send me mail :o)
Katherine Eachus
3909 Swiss Ave, #534
Dallas, TX 75204

Same phone number: 703-328-2864 and I'd love to hear from you!

Making New Friends...

So... this morning I had to stop by the housing office to see if I had any mail and while I was there, I met Julie, about my age, works here as the assistant apartment manager. She invited me to a prayer and fellowship event at a professor's house tonight.

I'm so glad I went!

There were about 30-40 people there and the prayer focus was for DTS students who were embarking on missions trips in the next few weeks, testimonies from others who have gone and already returned and that sort of thing. Very cool.

I'll be in the professor's Systematic Theology class this fall... scary stuff. I'm sure there will be posts on that to come! yikes! He said the word "Prolegomena" in a sentence while he and I were having a conversation and I was like... oh my word, I hope he doesn't expect me to know what that means yet!!! Yeah, I think I'll get started on the class reading assignments over the summer, since I'm here and all.

Anyway, I also met a girl whose mom was involved in Classical Conversations, the homeschool group that meets at ODBC. Her home church is Centreville Baptist, but hello, I'm in Dallas. How many people know where ODBC is?! That was fun!

Met another girl who lives in another on campus apartment building and she goes to the church I visited last Sunday...she invited me over for dinner with her and her friends on Tuesday. And apparently there will be a Gilmore Girls marathon to follow. Never saw the show, but my mom and sister like to watch it.

Then, the girl we drove over with was a sweetheart and oh! turns out she lives across the hall from me... literally, directly the closest apartment door to mine (yay!)

So... for those of you who may have said a little prayer for me that God would provide opportunities to meet some new friends THANK YOU!!! I have enjoyed basically being invisible this past week, not knowing a soul and feeling totally fine to keep it that way for a little while, but having the opportunity to meet new people tonight was a blast.

And I get to do it all over again tomorrow at a cookout for the summer residents in my apartment building. So, that should be fun, too!

Even so, miss y'all bunches.

Home Sweet Dallas

So, I'm here.  

In Texas.  Are you kidding me?  

It's been a whirlwind of a week.  

Seven days ago, I was on my way to Tennessee after stopping by to see a brand new beautiful baby girl named Katelyn Brooke Chucoski, and her precious momma, my dear friend Erin, in Lynchburg.  

I spent last Monday night in Kingsport, TN.  Hadn't been there since Matt & Amanda got married in 2001.  I stayed with my sister-in-law's mom...or my brother's mother-in-law (whichever way makes the most sense :o).  It was wonderful to see her again and was a blessing to not have to pay for a hotel room and be safe in someone's home.  Of course, I totally thought I was going to oversleep, so I kept waking up every hour and finally just gave up around 4:45am and hit the road for what I thought would be a 14 hour drive to Dallas.

The day passed surprisingly quickly.  

I was going from the top right corner to the bottom left corner of Tennessee.  That's quite the trip.  I went through Nashville and Memphis, crossed the Mississippi River outside of Memphis into Arkansas, passed through Little Rock, talked to a few people on the phone until the signal cut out...overall, it was really a good drive...no traffic the whole way except for like 15 minutes going through Nashville.  I was doing great...

Until 14 hours into it.

Hello, 14 hours stuck in a packed-so-full-it-was-claustrophobic Ford Focus and I was supposed to be there, only I still had 2 hours to go... must have been all the $1 Diet Cokes and potty breaks in Tennessee that added to my time.  

Finally, at 8:15pm Dallas time (which is 9:15pm EST)...after being on the road for 16 hours, I got here.  And that's about when the exhaustion hit.  

I spent the night at Laura Beth's apartment and had a HUGE moving day on Wednesday, complete with U-Haul, Derek Cornell (a friend from ODBC), 100 degree heat, and lots of mysterious bruises that I swear I don't know where they came from!  

It really only took the morning and then, my stuff was all moved in and a HUGE mess! 

I finally had a really good night's sleep Wednesday into Thursday and my dear friend from college, Jen Kilpatrick flew into the DFW airport that morning for a job interview, so she stayed with me, helped with getting settled, shopping at IKEA, moving the IKEA stuff into the apartment... she was truly a God-send.  

We had a great time exploring Dallas with the GPS unit she got with her rental car... 

Can I just tell you... God created the GPS for people like me.  

I liked her GPS, so I researched a few on the web that night, thinking I'd go look before I bought, just to see...so I mapped myself directions to a local Best Buy where they had a GREAT deal on the Garmin nuvi 200.  Just 15 minutes away.

So, Jen left the apartment on Friday morning for her job interview and I left to look at Best Buy and run several errands after that.  

One hour, 27 minutes later, frazzled half out of my mind I arrived at Best Buy... I got LOST going to look for a GPS.  Good thing it was on sale (and the pink one was $50 cheaper) because I am now the grateful, completely dependent owner of a GPS unit.  Oh, it makes life so much easier, driving so stress-free.  Seriously... a great investment.  I would be a hermit for the rest of my Dallas days without it.

Big day today (Monday).  I started my job this morning.  Was a great day.  Will be challenging enough to keep me interested but not so difficult I won't be able to focus on school once classes begin this fall.  

So, anyway...that's life in a nutshell so far.

Wish I had time to tell you about my Sunday.  My first church visit was really good.  It was similar to ODBC, had a familiar feel.   I'm sure I'll go back again.  I do have a bunch more churches to visit.  But this post is already long enough and I should get back to unpacking...

Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers, your gifts, and the many ways you have blessed me in support of this journey God has set before me.  The transition has been so smooth.  I'm still far far away, but "The One who calls me is faithful, He will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24  He's faithful.  He's doing whatever He's doing and giving me complete peace as He works.  

Check back here regularly for updates... I'll post when I can to tell you about life.  Easier to keep up with so many people this way but I also won't mind hearing from you on email or by phone!  Life's leisurely these days, especially until late August when classes start.  I'm mostly working from home and not doing a whole lot of anything else.  

Hope to hear from you soon!  

Oh, and the seminary changed my mail box part of my new address:

Katherine Eachus

1107 Saint Joseph St, Box 1119

Dallas, TX  75204