Going to Louisiana

Well, it's been a long week. I just got done taking my January term class on United Methodist history - a good class for the most part. We did a lot of small group work - and my group was the BEST!! (I wonder if it had to do with the fact that we were the only group made up of all women?!?) No idea what kind of grade I'm going to get on the test though - it was only supposed to take us an hour, but I spent 1 hr and 40 minutes and felt like I rushed through! Good thing there's a concept of grace!

I've spoken with some people who have read or at least looked at my blog, and I admit that I'm new to this and don't really have a clue what to do with this new outlet for my thoughts, but I've heard repeatedly to make entries shorter, so that's my goal. If you have any other suggestions, topics you'd like to hear me perspective on, or whatever, please let me know.

It's now Saturday and I'm at work in the seminary library. Course of Study is here this weekend, so there are actually people in on a Saturday morning, which is nice. But I'm focused more on next week when I travel to Louisiana for a VIM trip being sponsored by the seminary. I'm excited about going - anything to be involved and feel a part of the solution rather than a mere spectator. There's so much work that needs to be done, whether demolition, construction, or just talking with people who have been affected. There's a group of 14 people - some from seminary and some from a local congregation where the pastor is a recent Saint Paul graduate. Now, I'll be honest - this particular student and I are known to be from opposite ends of the theological spectrum, and for that reason I have talked a couple of other people into going - people that I feel are "like minded" as myself. I'm not looking for debates or expecting any confrontations, but it's nice to know you have friends around anyway. It's a very mixed group of people going - ages, backgrounds, theologies, etc so there's a lot of potential - good and bad. One interesting thing will be that we are an entirely white group (or European American, if you prefer) traveling to an area of Louisiana that is African American. I'm really hoping that this doesn't become some kind of racial benevolence situation - but I'm also not sure how it can't be. Just my musings as I get ready to go. You'll hear more about it when I get back. Thanks for reading...