Ice. Snow. No School. That's the day ahead. What a gift it is for me. What a hardship it is for others. For some, it probably means overtime. For many, a chance to sit in by the fire and sip a warm drink.
That would be me: sit in, by the fire, or at my kitchen table, or at my basement table and study. This has become my new normal. Study. Read, write and study some more. Write and study and re-write some more.
I recently embarked a journey that will affect the rest of my life. Seminary. A.W Tozer Theological Seminary. I am a new student. Very new--new to the world of turning in papers and assignments on-line, and making plane and cab reservations as part of my educational experience!
The first week, as I discovered the actual process of things, I had to change my flights...that was an expensive ordeal. However, it could not be avoided, unless I wanted to catch a train in the middle of the night, ride two hours, then catch a bus for the next hour, and hope to make my out-going flight on time.--I was only a little stressed trying to work all that out.
God, in his wisdom, gave me a husband that plans trips in his sleep, so he was a huge blessing, and helped keep me calm and focused during that whole process!
Lesson learned: do not make travel arrangements too far in advance, I may NOT have all details.
I get to use something called a moodle. (Holly is emphatic that this is NOT real) This is a web-site that I get assignments, submit homework, post to something called forums, and I think I even get my grades there.
So, the first week: the first assignment is to take some surveys and assessments, then write 1000 words, and post on a forum. There will be several forum discussions throughout the semester, I am supposed to jump in and post when ever, with something intelligent to say.
So, I go try to get on the first forum. nothing. I go to a different place and try. nothing. Thank God that one of the students was very persistent, she couldn't get 'on' either! It was an I/T problem at the school...which is fine, but when we were expressing concern, they couldn't tell it from their end. This persistent student, took a picture of her screen, sent it to them, and they were able to fix the problem! Oh, technology, how wonderful and horrible you are!
And,so, after a week delay, the whole class was able to receive the forum prompt and have a discussion. Plus, we also received an extension on the first assignment due date. Not certain I added anything intelligent, but I did post...to make certain that I could.
I did get somewhat stressed when I was not able to get to the right discussion...it was good to know that I was doing it right, the problem was on the other end. And I'm so thankful for Ms. Persistent.
This week, I had my first 1000 words ready, and wanted to be able to send it. The paper was written with front matter (title page and table of contents) and body. Ok, no problem. I read the over 300 page book, to know how to site sources and present the paper in acceptable form.
The problem about this paper: I kept re-writing it, for one thing...which is not a big deal...that's what writers do. The problem was numbering the pages, in Microsoft word. OH yeah, can't be done, unless you know the 'secret'...(or, perhaps took the time to actually read the 900 page book about how to use their programs--I'm just kidding, I don't even know if a book exists) this program is not user friendly for old women like me.
I had my computer savvy friend, my daughter with the comm. degree (who has written a zillion research papers in recent years) and our church's administrator ALL take look. No one knew the secret, apparently. My desire for the paper was NO page number on title page. ii on the Table of Contents. Begin body with page 1. Easy on a typewriter. OR, if I was turning in hard copy, I could just make two documents...NOT, this paper is ONE document, uploaded to moodle. (love that--)
So, remember the Ms. persistent student I mentioned--the one that helped fix the forum problem? Well, she is, of course in this class with me, pursuing this master's program while pursuing another masters at the same time. She finished her two undergrad degrees last spring. And, did I mention that she's one year younger than me, climbs mountains, on foot and on her bike...and loves to sit in her back yard with her chickens..I do not know. But, I think I really like her--funny and smart.
I was stressing about those page numbers, and thought, well, she said she'd help me along, maybe she knows how to number pages. (I mean, logic tells me, if she did two degrees at once, and she's pursuing two master's at once, she probably knows how to number pages)...and, of course, she did.
Graciously she sent me to a blog--something about turtlemeat....and there it was: the secret. The secret, I will share with you, (the website is detailed so if you really need this info, go there) is to divide the paper in to sections...numbering each section.
Who knew? Well, Ms. Persistent did. And, probably the writer of the program, to that person, this is very logical. To me, very complicated! Oh, horrible, wonderful technology.
And, so, yes, I am a student. Loving it. And, the things I've share above have been my biggest challenges so far!
Here's something pretty cool...one of those 'inside jokes' between me and God. I teach Sunday school and a Bible study at the assisted living facility. I had the inspired idea to keep those two lessons to the same general place in scripture. That way, I'm preparing once, but the lessons can take different 'slants'. This past week end, I got the scripture reading and research done and was ready. I am taking a theology course, and started reading for it. To my delight, the theologian spoke directly to the material I had just prepared. How cool is that? I LOVE that about God--giving me just what I need, when I need it.
And, so, the ice and the weather are hardships for many, but for me: there's food in the house, it's warm in here, and I need to study. I consider the ice and the weather a gift from a loving Father. The fact that I have a gorgeous view of gently falling snow outside, and bright red geraniums blooming inside is another gift.
