school, church and the future

a baby bald eagle getting banded last spring

School's going well so far. I've taken 2 quizes in my Forensic Psychology class, with scores of 100% and 96%. Not bad if I do say so myself!
My first paper for History of Ideas is due near the end of the month. I've read most of the pertinent chapters of the course guidebook. Now I just have to sit down and watch the dvd lectures. It shouldn't be so bad, I mean I'll be attended my college lecture on my couch... I'm slightly frightened about my first paper. The guidelines are really loose. Now that I've read most of the assigned reading, the questions I'm to answer make a lot more sense (as one would hope, right?) but it's the form I'm more worried about. But the other students who have taken this prof's classes say that he is kind and fair, so that gives me hope.

I was officially welcomed into Lowman United Methodist Church last Saturday. The ceremony was more involved than I had thought it would be, and it was wonderful! The Pastoral Assistant (a retired pastor who usually does our Saturday service), the Senior Pastor and the Lay Leader all took part. I've been bouncing around churches for years, it's so nice to be a member of a congregation again.

I've been reading blogs of military chaplains lately. I keep telling myself that I'm not even in Seminary yet and it's far too soon to settle on anything. And could I really lay aside my freedoms (the military tells you where to live, how to dress, what you can talk about, etc.) and possibly my life? I don't know. I am definitely feeling a pull, however.
My grandfathers, father and 2 uncles served in the military. (chaplains join the military as officers, and I have to admit that I find the idea of outranking my uncles to be kind of hilarious) I have considered the idea of a military career a few times over the years, but I knew that it was not in me to learn how to kill someone. Military chaplains are never to use a gun. They are assigned chaplain's assistants who not only help the chaplain, but serve as bodyguards as well. I have such respect for the men and women who choose this life. They give up a lot, even if they never see a war zone. To be able to serve them would be a wonderful thing.