Day 2 Reflection/Email

An Email to a Mentor:

Thanks K!

I can feel that I've been covered in prayer by many folks because despite some of the stress and anxiety of taking the Exams, underneath it all there is a feeling of calm, that all will be well. Kind of like when you stress about a birthday (like turning any of those years where you feel "old"), but then when it gets there the day is fine because what can you do... the birthday is there so you might as well suck it up. Been trying to be mindful of offering my own prayers too so that even while I'm trying to do my best, I stay focused on God and the bigger picture.

On a couple questions I've fallen into the research pit a bit (as I feared), even though I've trying hard not to. The nature of the questions and my lack of memory/knowledge meant I had to look stuff up, so then I struggled to get something coherent written and pulled together in time (even with the extra hour). I've known where to find the information and haven't even run to the library or found internet access for more info than I had in the apartment, but in addition to having to look up the topic:

1) Its hard to narrow my focus while I'm trying to look up stuff
2) I think of a lot of ideas, and
3) by the time I find the info I need and try to understand it enough to write about I'm running out of time to really write well or flesh it out like I know I could.

So that's been a little frustrating. I knew open book would probably be my biggest challenge.

On the other hand, knowing that I could answer them better with just a little more time gives me confidence that:
a) I've apparently been learning what I'm supposed to in seminary, and
b) if I get a" 2" (I think I've answered enough that I wouldn't get a 1 on anything we've had so far) I'm confident about my ability to re-write it and send to the diocese/commission or to send along previous work I've done in school on the subject.

I've been trying to follow M's suggestion when he was here in the Fall to try to have some information in for all parts, even if I didn't have time to do much with it, so that not only will the readers and the diocese have some idea of what I was thinking and could have done with more time, but also I will be reminded if I decide to do (or am asked to do) a re-write.

I was pretty happy about the liturgy question yesterday. We were asked to create a Public Service of Healing as a result of a chemical plant explosion in the community, and explain our choices. Also I had a lot of ideas on what to do for the Contemp Society question (I was afraid that with only a Bible I'd draw a blank and not be able to come up with enough for 3 pages).

Well I'm at the library since my computer is in the apartment across the hall and not hooked up to the internet. So I should run along and try to relax and get some sleep to get ready for Day 3. Tomorrow we have Bible and then the afternoon off.

Thanks again for the prayers and the support!