Where have the days gone?

Urbana 06

I've been ridiculously busy this quarter. The rumor is that winter quarter of your first year at seminary is the hardest because of the classes you have to take and dealing with the Michigan winter. Well I had to change my schedule from the normal winter classes that Masters of Divnity students take. Since Christmas break I've written a ton of papers, and taken a lot of 2 Greek quizzes. The semester is not going to let up until the end of the quarter in mid February. I have another 12 page paper for history, 7 page paper for systematic theology, plus regular homework, and I've got to start studying for exams. Oh well, it'll all get done. Little by little.

I went to URBANA 06 in St. Louis over Christmas break. It is a missions conference put on by Urbana for about 5 days. Overall the experience was good, but since my break was less than 2 weeks it make my break seem really short and rushed. In the morning there was a bible study, large group lecture in the stadium where the St. Louis Rams play, and then we had a 2 hour break for lunch. It was crazy because in a matter of 15 minutes 22,000 hungry Urbana participants were unleashed onto downtown St. Louis' restaurants. It was crazy, especially since most people didn't drive to the conference. Then in the afternoon, there were 2 sessions of smaller conferences lead by various people, or you should visit the Global Connections. Global connections had about 2,000 people that wanted to talk to you about missions and their agencies or schools. The conference center hosted dinner, and then there was a night large group lecture, and then small group prayer meeting.

My reflections on Urbana. I got to visit with a lot of missionary schools from all around the world. I hopefully will be able begin working with them to see if I will be able to do my internship there next year. Over all Urbana was good over all, at times the messages seem to offer a watered down or somewhat shallow interpretations of the Bible, but then there were speakers that really challenged me. It was a hit or miss at times. The large lectures began with praise and worship, it was amazing to see 22,000 Christians worshiping together. We sang songs from around the world, and the crowd was so diverse from different countries and backgrounds. It was beautiful to see and hear. I was really challenged by one speaker Brenda Psalter Mcneil. She asked us where we were settling in life. I realized that I was setting at Calvin Seminary in my school work. I was worried about giving the professors what they wanted to hear, instead of enjoying what I was learning. I researching “safe” topics; instead of studying what I was interested and felt lead to study. I really want to take ownership and joy in my work. It is hard at times because it is so intense and difficult sometimes. I've begun to develop better relationships with my classmates, and we starting to support and help each other. Well, I better go. I'm just going to take it one day at a time...

posted by Sarah @ 11:01 AM