November already?!

Like the rest of you, I flipped over my calendar on Monday as I always do the first day of the month. As the picture changed from two students strolling down the Hello Walk to enthusiastic Jubilation dancers (yes, I do have a Whitworth calendar. It's one of the perks of being an alumnus and having parents who were so economical as to wrap it up as a Christmas present), I caught myself wondering how in the world it is already November. October seemed to fly by without my noticing it.

November means, among other things, that the semester is more than halfway over. For this, I am completely unprepared. I have multiple large assignments to complete, a prayer retreat to organize and lead, and my first ever sermon in front of a real congregation to give between now and then. Where did the first half of the semester go? I have felt far more busy and stressed this year than any other year of school. No one told me being a middler was so hard before I got here. Now, of course, all the seniors are giving us slightly sympathetic grins as they nod their heads in agreement that middler year is the hardest year of seminary. Not only am I taking a full load of courses, but I'm also serving part time as a student pastor. By the way, small church work takes a ton of time. Though my official hours are not to exceed 15, my time in preparation and at the church generally exceeds this limit. Teaching an adult Sunday school class takes more preparation than I thought.

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining. I'm just trying to express that juggling all these different demands on my time has facilitated in increasing the rate in which time has seemed to pass by. It is hard to catch my breath and live in the moment. However, as November also means Thanksgiving, this is the month to do just that. I am reminded to stop and think about all of the blessings I have been given. Studying at Princeton is one of the greatest blessings a person can have. I have a room to myself that is actually quite large, a warm bed, more clothes than I know what to do with, and food that I do not have cook every day. I have a wonderful family that supports and prays for me. Parents who are willing to stretch their budget to make sure that my older brother and myself get to come home for Christmas. Friends who share the burdens of school and walk with me through it. My friends here provide solidarity and occasions for fun and relaxation. My friends scattered across the United States remind me of who I am and help to keep me grounded. I am incredibly blessed.

So as the time flies by, I will make it my goal to stop every now and then and thank God for all that he has given me.