Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

As the last part of my (incredibly long, drawn out) college career is underway, naturally I've been thinking about the next steps. But I've also been reflecting on where I thought I was going to be and those memories make me laugh.
If I remember correctly, the first job I ever truly desired, with every passionate fiber of my being, was to be a waitress.
Picture this:
Little Amy running around the house at holiday meals, apron tied around her waist, notepad and pencil in hand.
"What would you like to driiiiiiiink??"
And then dutifully reporting back to my mom & godmother in the kitchen.
Now I can't remember if I actually followed through in retrieving and then serving the requested orders to my other family members, but hey, the thought was there.

Little Amy; Big cup.

The next dream came when I was a little older with a little more of a firm grasp on reality- the kind of grasp that told me being a waitress wouldn't sufficiently satisfy my love of shoes.
I dreamed of being an interior designer.
I loved to create things, spruce things up and give color and life to places that needed it. I think the only reason I liked to play with Barbies when I was young was to set up their houses.
Embarrassing Amy Fun Fact # 1.
I like to think I had good taste (& that I still do ;P) but soon enough I realized that I have no math skills.
Seriously.
None.
So working with dimensions, equivalencies, and area were probably not best suited to my skill set.
Oh well.

What did you want to be?

Next week I'll be beginning the mentoring stage of the candidacy process here in the West Ohio Conference. To prepare, we've been asked to write out our call stories. I think back on when that time in my life was so clear and it was in an instant that being a waitress or being an interior designer or whatever it was, it all fell away and something new began to take shape.
Things change.
Sometimes, most times, without knowing when or where. They just do.

We have to go with the flow (and if you know me even in the slightest, you'll know I am not the "go-with-the-flow" kind of chick.)
Being a waitress, an interior designer, a monkey trainer, a parent, a teacher, an astronaut, whatever you want to be is important because it's something you want, something that you and your heart desire.
We just have to remember to always be open to things that aren't in our direct line of vision.
That can be scary, exciting, and sometimes just plain insane but that's how we find the doors that open us up to so many new and wonderful experiences.

So January's visit has been set.
drumroll, please & thank you:
Duke Divinity School will be the 10th stop on this adventure!

First, I should give my disclaimer--
I have scheduled and then un-scheduled (which is how I like to say, "I bailed" in the attempt to make it sound less awful!) with Duke THREE times.
Boo me. I know.
So providing that mother nature doesn't send any freak snow storm to the mid-west before Thursday, we'll be there. PROMISE.
For this trip, I have recruited one my dearest friends, Corey, to make the drive with me.

@ the House of Heroes concert in October!

Corey is currently in his Senior year at Thomas More College in Kentucky where he is getting a one-up on me and a head start to his career in ministry by studying Theology. He is looking to further his theological education at one of the Methodist seminaries as well and Duke is on his list!
We're Jesus friends, tattoo friends (much to the chagrin of my father- love you, Daddy!), and best friends.
It'll be another whirlwind trip (down on Thursday, back on Friday) but it'll be fun.


Prayers and blessings to all of you & keep an eye out :)

The Methodist Theological School in Ohio

I forgot.
I did, I really just completely forgot about writing this post.
Between Christmas, family time, a theft at my on-campus house, the New Year and the traumatic experience of having seen Django (not really, go see it. Just not after you’ve eaten), I’ve been so preoccupied.
My SINCEREST apologies.
But thanks to Nick Works from Wesley Theological Seminary for reminding me- that’s accountability, people!

So….The Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
I know it well. I believe the first time I ever went there was when I was 17? Maybe 18 years old. I had just joined a task force of MTSO seminarians, staff and a few other lay people that had decided to focus on young adults in both the ministry and the Church as a whole. That is when I had the privilege of meeting April Casperson who is currently the Director of Admissions at MTSO.
She is one of two “April's” that have been mentors to me over my journey of discernment. Her ability to remain neutral and diplomatic through my search of schools is not out of the ordinary because while she believes in and represents the beliefs of MTSO, she also recognizes the excellent quality in all of the schools.

Alright, so unfortunately, I have no pretty pictures to pad this post and to keep your attention ;)
My visit was at night.
In the cold.
After a loooooooong day.
However, if you go over to their website, like most others, they have the most colorful, gorgeous pictures of different areas of campus.
The campus is a stand-alone in the sense that it is not affiliated with any other university. It is located just 20-25 minutes North of Downtown Columbus, right next to a golf course! (Although I don’t think membership is part of the tuition package ;) )
There is an area for educational buildings and an area for housing, the norm. But it’s hilly and green and no matter what season it is, somehow it still manages to look like the scene came straight out of a brochure. As I was being shown around the buildings, I noticed flyers handing from bulletin boards and doors promoting some kind of LGBT event that was being held there. I asked April about it and she proudly spoke of how she felt as though MTSO is a great place for not only those that are members of the LGBT community to feel accepted, but it’s also a place where those who are allies for the LGBT community are encouraged and able to offer their support and aid in raising spiritual awareness of equality. 

I’ve been to this school. A lot.
In fact, when I was an intern with the West Ohio Conference during Summer 2011, this was the first stop in that seminary tour. During that visit we stayed in the commuter dorms (people, it’s like staying in a nice hotel!), met with the President, JayRundell, and conversed with students that provided us with a lot of insight into what it’s like to be at MTSO. A lot of the information that I have about this school has been evolving over the years. During my visit in November, I was able to sit down at dinner with April to talk about all things logistical and everything in between.
The demographics of the school are getting younger with a more diverse range of gender, denomination, and ethnicity. Awesome!
They offer degree AND non-degree programs so that you can educate yourself and be like, a Super Lay Person (they should hand out a cape instead of a diploma, huh?) and they also encourage their cross-cultural experience so that we can learn to integrate our teachings into our real lives.
We were able to talk about scholarships, which I know I haven’t gone into great detail about from the other schools, I’ve kind of made y’all fend for yourselves with thatt. However I’ll fill you in on The Harding Scholarship that MTSO offers. It is the top merit scholarship available for this school and from what I have seen so far, it is one of the largest scholarships available (plus stipend) of any of the schools.
I know it’s hard though. We see the word “merit” and some of us are like, “well, NEVERMIND!"
Trust me, I know. 
Keeping my GPA (and in tandem, my motivation) up has been nothing short of arduous, but if you can reach it, maintain it, then it will be so worth it to you! 
Do not fear, as with the other schools, they have multiple other non-merit based scholarship options that will help you get through.
At dinner, I also learned that Garrett-Evangelical and MTSO are joining forces to improve and expand the educational experiences of their students. This is BEYOND exciting and a great example of how we can work together for the betterment of the future of the church.

After we ate and chatted, I sat in on one of the night class: Multi-Religious America taught by Dr. Paul Numrich. I saw many familiar faces in that classroom and I just want to say I'm proud of all of you!
This was an intense class, though…at least for my pre-seminary brain ;) And for it being an evening class is was filled with students! Despite the larger number, which still didn’t exceed 50 I would guess, there was still a great amount of discussion that went on. I liked that.

Now folks, I’m trying my hardest to be as non-biased while writing this particular post, and I hope I have succeeded in doing so.
I know amazing theologians that are products of The Methodist Theological School in Ohio’s educational programs and with it being so close to home, it’s impossible not to think well of it.
MTSO is an inviting place that challenges and strengthens various areas of ministry.

MTSO encourages higher education as a door that leads to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.
MTSO is a space where who you are is just enough, and what you bring is exactly what is needed to grow.
MTSO is a wonderful place :)

So it’s been an entire year since this journey has started. 
And I’m not done like I had hoped to be.
Close, but not quite there.
What’s that saying? “We plan, God laughs”? Yeah.
9 schools under my belt with 4 more to go.
I’m not sure where I’ll be visiting next, but as soon as I know, you’ll know!
Now, I don’t normally ask for prayers, I’ve never felt super comfortable about asking others to take on my own “stuff”; but it’s a new year with new goals.
So this is me, asking you to just pray for me as I try to balance school and travel and the life of a twenty-something.
And know that I’ll continue to pray for those of who are discerning as well; those of you that are asking God, “yes?” or “no?”; or even just those of you who are struggling to balance your own “stuff.”
This is the only way to make it through life: together.

Blessings.