Life Just Keeps Moving

I (Kristine, obviously) am in my last weekend class meeting for the semester. I have:

1. three Thursday night Access class meetings
2. two large research papers
3. two small policy research briefs
4. and one mid-size book review

left in the next month. My last assignment will be turned in on the 17th of December and then I have three weeks off from both work and school, and that will be wonderful. I'm managing to stay afloat, and that is a good thing. This has been a semester to blow all other semesters away.

• Marriage (enough said)
  
• 9 hours of graduate school courses: 6 weekends of class and a weekly Thursday night class, plus requisite reading, writing, and researching
  
• 20 hours (plus) of assistantship work in a new office
• 10 hours (plus) of practicum work
• weekly women's accountability group
• weekly Financial Peace University class

What an adventure, right? I've been thinking about what's in store for me (and consequentially, us) next semester. Here's what I've got so far:

• Marriage (still, that's a good thing)
• 3 hours of graduate school courses (plus 6 from practicum work): 3 weekends of class, plus requisite reading, writing, and researching
• Comprehensive Writing Exams and Job Searching
  
• 20 hours (plus) of assistantship
• 10 hours (plus) of practicum work
• bi-weekly women's accountability group
• facilitating a weekly FPU class
• (hopefully) more volunteering with Mercy Ministries and helping with Ellie's Run

It's amazing to think what life will look like when I can strike out all of the components of being a graduate student, right now, like working two jobs, being in class, and doing work for class. That fact, as well as having an office (maybe) and income, are three reasons I am looking forward to finding a job.

Anyways, enough about that. While my life is largely school, we have managed to still enjoy a lot of good things lately. We volunteered with Room in the Inn for an evening at the church, went to Atlanta and last week's Titans game (thanks to Lampo), started a membership at the Y (which has been AWESOME), and have enjoyed spending time with great friends that we've missed dearly. Tonight is our third annual pre-Thanksgiving Dinner with the Finchers, which will kick off my week long holiday break.

I really love this time of year, despite the hectic nature of academic life. The ground is on fire with the littering of fallen leaves, and it's easier to remember what blessings there are in the tiniest crevices in the fabric of our lives. The air is crisp and I just think so much more clearly, and how I have missed writing more than just updates on what we're doing! That will come, soon.

I am reminded of something significant, today. Three years ago, I had a run-in with a recent acquaintance, that ignited a fast and furious relationship, that after time turned into a deep and loving friendship. A year ago, I was hours away from seeing my best friend after months apart. I was driving to meet him with the nervous excitement and anticipation welling up in the beating of my heart and pushing my foot harder on the gas. There was nothing I wanted more than to be back in his arms - I couldn't have tried to take that for granted had I been given the opportunity.

Today, I am resolving to drive home from class to that same man - my husband and my best friend, and love him with all of the ability to do so that God has given me. Everyday, I am reminded of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness in Cliff. It's not the roof he has put over my head, or the food he puts on the table, or the times he lovingly cleans up my messes that make me love him most. It's the fact that I know him, am allowed to be in his presence as often as I am, and am simply loved by him. I just can't take that for granted.