Retreat and Renewal

Ahh... the joys of alliteration. I was once told (rightly so) that the first line of my paper was horrible. Ever since then, especially in my blogging, I have tried to make either my title or my first line have some sort of a hook. Most of the time I do not succeed - but at least I am aware of the importance of a first line.

This past weekend I journeyed up to New Hampshire, Lake Winnepasaukee (of the What about Bob? fame) to be exact. The Women's Resource Network was hosting a 24 hour women's retreat for the women connected with GCTS. As a woman connected with GCTS, I went. My hope in going was reconnect with God because it is so easy to lose him in the midst of theological study. Seems ironic, but it is so true. The tendency is to make God an object of study rather than the subject of our lives. This summer, prior to coming to GCTS, someone was asking me what I was doing this fall. I replied, "I'm going to seminary." They heard "cemetery." An honest mistake, but when I corrected them, they shrugged and said with a sly smile, "basically the same thing anyway." It does not have to be that way. Retreats like the one this weekend are designed to remind us to find ourselves in light of who God is and reorient our lives in his direction.

The verse that really stood out this weekend was Psalm 139:14a (perhaps it will sound familiar to many from the Mercy Me song.) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
It is so easy to see the light of God in others, but when we think about it - do we praise God for how he made us? We talk about people who bear the image of God, but do we ever include ourselves in that discussion? Not really. Often, when people focus on who they are, they focus on their sin and faults. Yes, we are sinners, but we are also justified creatures of God. As Martin Luther said, we are simultaneously sinners, yet justified. Genesis 1:26-27 says that God created humans in his image. That alone gives us value and worth. Not only does it give value and worth to your friends, your family, your enemies; it gives you value. It gives me value. If you don't think that you have been made in the image of God, just ask those around you. They will tell you how wonderful you are. I am sure they would not find it difficult to think of times where God has blessed them through your presence in their lives. Sometimes we just need to hear that. I know I do!

Transitioning a bit from the retreat, but not from the topic- 3 people from USF showed up in the North Shore this weekend. What a wonderful gift of God! Their presence just renewed my spirit. I admit that I've been in a bit of a scholastic slump - I was not motivated to do homework - I felt overwhelmed by theology. Seeing these girls again reminded me how much I loved theology in college and although it may be different here, it still has great value for me. I realize now that my path here was to learn to articulate the theology I already possess. My last months at USF were a struggle for me to articulate what I knew to be true. I find the particular challenges I face at GCTS are in part causing me to define and articulate what I believe. There are no doubt other reasons God has called me here, but I am grateful to be on this one reason.

One quick fun story. I took Kim and Dianna to Salem, Mass. on Sunday night. Considering how close it is to Halloween and Salem is like the Halloween capital of the world due to the witch trials how many centuries ago... it was a little crazy and perhaps even a little creepy. We did get to see some historical stuff and ran into a friend of mine who plays drums in a worship band that was part of a ministry designed specifically for Salem. Anyway - it was an adventure and I'm glad I could share it with those two - such awesome people!

On to much reading and studying. Since I basically took last week off, I have that much more to do this week. Ugh... procrastination!

The many facets of Hospitality

This morning I was reading a book my Marva Dawn titled Unfettered Hope. I came across a passage where she began talking about hospitality and then I realized that this weekend was filled with episodes of genuine hospitality.

Friday night I was invited by a friend to have enchiladas - which is quite the treat considering mexican food is lacking here. She made the food at a couple's apartment that she knew. The night was filled with good food, good music, the budding of genuine friendship and community. We discussed theology, we played a card game and we just enjoyed a night away from seminary. That night I experienced genuine hospitality as a guest in a stranger's home.

Saturday morning my roommate and I went to pick up our couch. Very exciting indeed! It is a lovely couch - big and comfortable and even matches our beige carpet. This couch is such a blessing because now we will be able to invite people over to our room. Before, we were hesitant because we had no place for them to sit. We had to constantly invite ourselves over elsewhere and be the guest. This couch has given us the means to return the favor and be the hosts. Now we can practice the hospitality we have received by so many of our friends here at GCTS.

Yesterday morning I went to church at Immanuel (where I currently serve as the secretary.) I have never felt so welcomed in a church. The moment I stepped in the door people smiled and greeted me by name (or close to my name). I was introduced to a half-dozen people before the church service and to the rest of the church during the passing of the peace. I sincerely believe everyone came to introduce themselves to me. I genuinely believe they do this for everyone - not just the girl who happens to be the secretary. One cannot help but be amazed by their overwhelming hospitality! I look forward to "plugging myself in" at their church more fully in the future.

While these were all wonderful stories of my experience of hospitality this weekend, my very own grandmother put me to shame. After talking to my mom last night, I believe my grandmother to have hospitality ingrained into her very being. This is her story. Sunday morning she woke up and went out to get the paper. On her way out of the garage she found a pair of shoes that were wet and covered in mud. She brought them in and asked grandpa what he thought about the shoes - he didn't know. So she decides to take the shoes back out to the garage and check the vehicles to see if the owner of the shoes is perhaps still in the garage. According to my mother, grandma went back to the garage, stick in hand. Sure enough, a woman was sleeping in her car! Grandma asked her in a loud voice what she was doing here - to which the woman did not respond. Grandma poked the woman with her stick (I admit I laughed a little when I heard that) and the woman woke up. She insisted to my grandma that this was her house.

Grandma noticed that she was cold and invited her in to warm up. The woman, once in the house, still insisted this was where she lived. Grandma protested the entire time (since it was obvious this was not the woman's home.) Grandma then offered to give her a ride to whereever she wanted to go. They drove around Arlington until they found the correct house. Grandma waited until the woman was safely inside before returning home.

Last night I was so shocked at the story and more concerned for my grandparents' well-being that I completely missed the grace and hospitality in the story. Grandma showed mercy on the girl - invited her into their home. It could have been a dangerous situation, but grandma showed grace. Not only that, she again went above and beyond by personally seeing to it that the girl found her own home. I think of the story of the good Samaritan. This girl was in need of help and although we would have thought grandma well within her rights to just kick her out, grandma showed her compassion. She did not think twice about it - that was just her nature. Grandma is never one to draw attention to herself or to do things so others may see. I can only hope to grow into that type of person.

Weekend Trip to Maine

All things must change to something new, to something strange.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This weekend I found myself traveling up to Maine to get away from Gordon Conwell for awhile and to meet some of my mother's relatives. While the drive up there was plagued by rain and the inability to drive over 40mph due to constantly being in a town - the rest of the weekend was "fabulous."

Friday I met my mom's cousin, Judy. This was after I got lost in Portland and ended up north of Portland at one point. Thanks to my innate ability to somehow find my way, I made it to where I needed to be. I say "innate ability" but what I really mean is "luck." I visited my mother's aunt, Ruth, who is 90 years old. She is such a sweet lady and very funny. She is my grandpa's sister and they are so much alike. It was good to see, but it definitely made me miss my grandma and grandpa at home. That night we went to Jackie's (Judy's sister) house north of Portland. Beautiful place with trees, wild animals and a lake across the road - a very pleasant lake - in fact so pleasant it is called Pleasant Lake. The next day we went into Portland and I saw a lot of cool things. It looks like a great city to explore and I look forward to returning again.

What struck me about this weekend can be summed up by the Portland native Longfellow. Things much change to something new, something strange. I get struck my the "strange" sensation often. Many times the changes are so minor and it really shouldn't phase me, yet they do. They are strange because this is the first time I am encountering them by myself. Everything seems a little strange because the vantage point itself is strange. Strange isn't necessarily bad. It is through times like these that a person begins to understand who they are. What does it mean for me to be from South Dakota? What does it mean for me to be a female academic? What does it mean for me to be a theologian? All valid questions.

Below I have some pictures of my weekend. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Pleasant Lake


Fall Foliage


Horse at the Fireman's Museum


Harbor at Portland


Jackie, Judy, and me

God Bless the Reading Week!

Sometimes you just need a break... especially from Hebrew! -Dr. Pratico (Hebrew Prof.)

This week is a reading week for me. There are no classes scheduled throughout the week. It is a chance for students to get caught up and possibly get ahead. Most importantly, reading week provides a much needed break and rejuvenation period.

While I am finding that seminary is not as chaotic as college, the break is still very welcome. I began the break this Saturday with a outlet mall shopping trip to Maine with the women's ministry on campus. Not only did I get to add 2 states (Maine and New Hampshire) to my total count of US States I have been in, I got some great deals on clothes.

Yesterday I went to church with my friend Anna. We went to Grace Chapel in Lexington. I guess it is categorized as a mega-church. I tend not to be a mega-church fan... this church was no exception. This makes me sad to say, but I just don't feel comfortable in a church that works so hard to make me feel comfortable. They entertain me, they stimulate my senses with various artwork, videos, etc. The message was uplifting and encouraging (although I am still trying to figure out how it connected with the biblical passage.) No doubt you are reading this thinking, "Katie, are you crazy? What is so wrong with those things? Are you saying church should be boring and uncomfortable?" No. I think church shouldn't be about people - it's supposed to be about God. Anyway - I don't think I'll go there again.

Currently I am writing a response paper to Karl Barth. We had to read Evangelical Theology which I really enjoyed. As I am learning about liberal theology, Barth makes more sense to me. He makes sense as a reaction to liberal theology. When I tried to read him before, I couldn't understand why he was emphasizing so much on the revelation of God and the Word of God - but now that I get why he's doing that - he's much more accessible to me. I might end up doing some more extensive research on him - that makes me excited.

This upcoming weekend I'm going to Maine to visit my mom's cousins and her aunt. I'm excited and a little nervous. Hopefully I find the place alright and am a good visitor. I would have preferred to meet them once with my parents - but not everything works like I want it to (much to my disappointment!)

Well, this would be a good week to call me. I welcome phone calls and letters of encouragement!