Whew! When people said seminary would go fast, they weren't kidding around.
My spring semester ended Thursday when I turned in my Greek II take-home translation exam. On Saturday, Trinity had its graduation at the cathedral in Pittsburgh, and a classmate of my was ordained to the priesthood afterward. I got to serve as a marshall during graduation -- it's kind of like being a liturgical usher (in a purple cassock and white cotta). The photo above is of all of the marshalls (we added the badges and six-shooters).
There's a crazy amount of stuff happening in the next few weeks -- visit with family, cross-country trip to California with my mom, my best friend's graduation and ordination, preaching at my parish in Fresno and beginning a three-month summer job in bivocational ministry in Sequoia National Park. Life is good -- hectic, but good. It's times like this when I wonder how I ever believed so sincerely that the Christian life was dull.
3 Thanksgivings and Prayers:
My head is kind of swimming right now after the last week, but I think I can offer a few tentative reflections on the first year:
* After one year, I can say that Trinity's instructors have tremendous skill in what they teach, and I've observed the great heart they have for every student at the school. I have learned a great deal here, and I pray that I may pass on these teachings faithfully.
* I can say that the classmates I came in with -- and the older students we met when we arrived -- have taught me a great deal about love and humility. I pray that we will continue to sharpen and uphold one another in the coming years.
* And, I can say that God has been faithful in disciplining and loving me. I pray that he'll continue to transform me into the image of Christ, all to his glory.
