Stressed? or something. . . I personally am unsure how best to described my current state. There is extra stress in my life at present with the end of my first term at MTSO. Yet, to describe my current state as stressed may be not be fully accurate.
In the next week and a half I have the following due: An ethics paper arguing two different views of a topic that we have discussed this term; the final draft of my exegesis paper; a “Integrative Research Paper” expressing my theology of evangelism and developing a practical program of evangelistic ministry; and the final draft of my definition of religious education. Somewhere in all of this I also need to start work on my first sermon since February 2005. I also need to prepare the Advent portion of the worship services for the next three Sundays.
So what have I been doing?
Well, last week when I should have been working on my exegesis paper draft, I found myself instead working on my dream field education position. (Perhaps it would be dreamless as with 12 credit hours, and the position I devised I may never sleep, especially as the main location for position is about 150 miles away from the school.) Though perhaps it would be feasible as I did use a position listed position for a Graduate Intern for Community of Christ as a reference point for this position. The biggest problem with the position, however is me. Though I would love to do it, will I be able to bring it up with the people who could make it possible? I spoke to one of the people who would need to be involved about my field ed requirement a couple of weeks ago, and never once brought up the possibility…
Presently I am witting this entry rather than working on any of those papers.
So yes, there is stress in my life, however there is a sense of peace and joy mixed in. The past few weeks I have had wonderful experiences, from my Thanksgiving break in Kirtland, to my teaching lab, a wonderful sermon on Sunday, to sharing a meal with my friends from c-group (and having a very minor allergic reaction). I think it is the first time I have had Korean cuisine, and I am happy that Min bestowed this wonderful gift on us. Then today for the final session of Exegesis practicum we had a wonderful presentations, the first group doing a wonderful skit based on one of their final paper scriptures, and my group doing a brief Taizé style worship experience based on our scriptures. It has just been amazing time for me, but mixed in is this end of term stress.
I wonder how in the world I am going to get it all done. Often I sit and am unable to write, and then at odd times when I am trying to do other things (such as sleep) I find myself being able to write. What bothers me the most however, is I need to get these papers done soon, so I can place my attention on the sermon. I feel I need to get my Exegesis paper finished prior to getting at the sermon, so that I can have my attention focused on the theme and scriptures for the 17th rather than both those and that of this past Sunday.
Peace to one and all;
— Lyle II