Quick Life Update

I love what I do

I can’t imagine that it will somehow get even better when I’m ordained and serving as a pastor, but right now I’m loving my work as a vicar – a full-time seminary intern – at a congregation in Northern Virginia.  It’s been quite a journey.  Five years ago I graduated from seminary with a Master of Divinity that I wasn’t sure I’d ever use, regrettably estranged from the Candidacy Process and unsure of my future.  What a difference five years – and therapy, good friends, a loving wife, and a great pastor and congregation – can make.  I give thanks to God for my internship and for the various people who helped me get here.  I can’t remember ever feeling happier and more fulfilled than I do now.

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Baby coming soon

Our third child – our first boy – is due on November 12.  If I were a betting man I’d wager that the kiddo is coming early, but what do I know? 

My wife and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary earlier this month.  For four of those years she has been either pregnant or nursing.  I don’t know how she does it.  I think it’s time we give this whole baby-making process a break . . .

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AB(three chapters of the)D

My wife – who blogs sparingly over at Ecclesia Crucis – is making amazing progress on her PhD dissertation.  She is "ABD" (all but dissertation), but last week sent the introduction and first three chapters – 178 pages – to her adviser.  Only three chapters remain, with the goal of cranking out one or two before baby arrives. 

Jess is a PhD Candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary in the Practical Theology department.  Her research and dissertation examine adult faith formation, particularly the ways in which congregations welcome and assimilate new members.  In this regard, she is looking at ELCA congregations that have recovered and adapted the ancient practice of the catechumenate for the catechesis and formation of new members.  It is fascinating and exciting stuff, and at times I struggle to keep myself from blogging about her findings and insights.

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Exhaustion

I’m tired.  I’m two months into my internship and am feeling the fatigue of parish ministry.  Add to this fatigue the fact that our girls are not sleeping well at night, the dissertation push, the baby anticipation . . . I’m tired.

But I’m happy.  And that’s all that matters.