Survived Week #1 of Seminary!

Amazing but true! I've survived the first week of classes! Hebrew is definitely going to be tough. But I've made good progress just in the last two days (after three days of freaking out), and we're going to organize a study group tomorrow after class. Whew! It's just SO different, so foreign. There's nothing about it that's similar to anything in my world. Our first quiz is this Wednesday on the alphabet (aleph bet!), and I still have the vowels to get down as well as the various sounds for each of the characters...just when I was feeling on top of things...
My other classes I have no worries about, thank God! Church history (from Jesus to the Reformation) will be awesome. Lots of reading, but a great teacher. Historical books of the O.T. is also a lot of reading but very interesting. And Spiritual Formation has five different books, journaling, and a ten-page paper at the end - but lecture and small group time!
Each class is unique, and Hebrew, OT books, and church history all definitely have some overlap. Yeah! I love that!
Friday evening the Presbyterian Student Assn. went to the President's house for dinner. It was a really nice time with 25-30 of us there with Dr. Carl and his wife Jane. They are SO hospitable and made everyone so welcome. After dinner he had each of us stand and tell our story as to "why PTS?" (and not some other seminary). About halfway thru stories started getting more personal and a little lengthier. It was a great time hearing how God brought all these different people together from all over the world.
Wednesday we go over again, this time it's the married student group (w/ spouses). I'm sure that'll be great fun as well.
Saturday morning we had the last section of our orientation - talking about sexual and racial discrimination, harassment, etc.. It actually turned out to be a really great time with lots of good discussion and role-playing. John Welch, the Dean of Students, said at the end of the time that there has been talk amongst the faculty and staff at the seminary that this particular class is different, unique. That there is something about this class in particular that is setting us apart. Community has come quickly, and people are hungry to have real, authentic relationships. He said he's planning on having more get-togethers throughout the year with us - and including staff and older students - because he feels we have as much to teach them as they do us. Interesting. We'll see what God has planned!
Well, Kim and I are getting ready to go to church. We're going to the 6pm service at the Open Door, a new church development started about five years ago here in the East Liberty area. I hear it's pretty contemporary, very missional and active in the community, and has more young than older folks...so we'll probably bring the average age down tonight! Ha! Will report back later!
Blessings to all, and please pray for Hebrew and this brain of mine!
~Sally