4 Weeks In…

Last week I completed my 4th week of classes. I miss television and the ability to be spontaneous, but thus far, I am loving every second of it. That is not to say that the amount of work is not overwhelming, because at times it is; or to say that it’s not hard, because it is; or even that I understand and “get” everything, because I can certainly say that I don’t! I am blessed to have made great friends that I am thankful for and to have good professors (for the most part). Let me give you a quick run down:

Professor Contracts: definitely old school and believes in the Socratic method. When called on, you have to stand and give the details of the case, as well as for all the ensuing questions that arise. He asks many questions and gives few answers. Oddly enough, this is one of my favorite classes … which may change once I am called on.

Professor Torts: likes to read to us from the book and it did not take long to realize that he enjoys detailing the notes in between the cases. Torts is like the gym class of law school, and while I thought going in this would be my favorite class, it’s not.

Professor Criminal Law: A genius that is a huge proponent of literacy – far and away, the heaviest reading loads that we have. He goes back and forth between calling on people and straight up lecture.

Professor Civil Procedure: Great professor with a sense of humor that is brought to the classroom. If he calls on you, the entire case and every question will be on you. This has meant that one person was “on” the entire class. I like the teaching style and the format very much and is probably my favorite class. Of course, this too may change once I’ve been “on” for a class.

Professor Writing: also doubles as an english professor, so grammar and style counts. This is a small class and is getting more in-depth. I’ve written my first paper for this class – an opinion on whether or not a group of people who kill and cannibilize a fellow member of their spelunking group when they are trapped in a cave for over 20 days should be convicted of murder. See what fun law school is?

The atmosphere is competitive, but friendly. I’ve not heard any rumors of hidden books from the library, pages being ripped from reference books, or hard drives wiped clean. The faculty and staff take a genuine interest in the students and seem to want to equip us for practice.

Well, that’s my overview of my classes for you. I would go more indepth and give more detail, but I have a Torts book and a Criminal Law book that need my attention.

God is…

Yesterday, I was going over some old notes from NewSpring and the last One Prayer series, entitled God is…  It is hard to put what God is into one word or one phrase.  There was God is Consistent, God is Father, God is Great and God is Good, and God is Here. These were all presented by excellent pastors and teachers. This morning as I walked after my run, I got to thinking what if I presented God is ___________? (Not that anyone would ever ask me to do so, I was just thinking about it in my quiet time).

So what or who is God? If you were asked to answer that question, what would you say? He is so many things! Father, conqueror, teacher, the Alpha and Omega, deliverer, and rock. And then, there are the emotions. So many people sum it up by God is Love and yes, that is very, very true. God loves each and every one of us. I think that He may not like us all the time, but He loves us in spite of the stupid things we do. If you view God as someone whose lap we sit in while He reads us a story, is that really accurate? Revelation tells us not totally – He comes in a kicks butt!! Not only that, but how many times is our relationship with Him one-sided if we think He’s the one who loves? How do you treat people that love you? Not always the best, especially when we feel like we are unloveable. There have been times in my life that I’ve treated the people who loved me the absolute worst. I think it is us that needs to fall in love with God and strive for that deep emotion of falling in love with Him each and every day. What happens when you are falling in love with someone? You want to be with them all the time, you constantly talk about them and you’ll do just about anything to be in their presence. Is that your relationship with God? I can honestly say that it’s not mine. I slack in my quiet time & reading His Word. I’ve tried to do things my way instead of letting Him take the control.

I’m not preaching at anyone by writing these words, nor am I telling you what to do. These are simply thoughts that came to me this morning.  I don’t think that God should be put in a box. We are made in His image, so look around and see the differences in each of us. So, I guess if I had to say what/who God is, I would say, “God is EVERYTHING”.

Lessons Learned …

In less than 7 days, I will officially be a 1L! I cannot believe that the time is near. So far, Jeff and I have been getting settled into our new apartment. We’ve been here a little over three weeks and so far, this is what I have learned:

• Our area is somewhat like Wild Kingdom. I see deer and geese and was stopped on my way to church to let goats cross the road.
• Our neighbors may be invisible. I have yet to see the other people that live on our floor. It is not as if I am a recluse who stays behind her own 4 walls. I do go in and out quite frequently, at varying hours. You would think that I would at least see them at some point, but so far – no see. Maybe they are the recluses.
• I am all in favor of princess parking, but when you cannot get a princess space – parking in the handicapped space is not acceptable! (Unless you are indeed handicapped).
• I like living in the smaller space and love our apartment!
• Living in a city and visiting it are two very different things.
• A county that makes headlines for a Council member e-spying on the County Administrator and sending out emails under a false name in order to install spyware on councilmember’s computers really isn’t that bad.
• Counties can go bankrupt, have hundreds of “uncategorized” workers that are furloughed, close offices, cut law encorcement budgets, and yet  build a dome.
• When you need to register a vehicle, do not rely on information you find on the internet. You will need more than what is covered there and things you would never anticipate.
• In order to get a driver’s license and tags, you will stand in lines for over 5 hours. Thank goodness, if your husband is with you, it isn’t all bad.
• Said husband may drop the “F” bomb if you don’t have said documentation not listed on said website.
• Being a woman of leisure sucks and there is no way I could be a stay-at-home wife and not lose my sanity. I have respect for those women who can, I’m just not one of them.
• I have no idea what to wear for a “casual” kick off to orientation picnic.

Do not get me wrong – I love Birmingham so far but right now, I am glad that we did not buy a home here and know that everything works out for a purpose. After all, God has promised “I know the plans I have for you…” I try every day to live those plans and let Him guide me.

Sweet Home Alabama

Hello Alabama, I’m here! Our move went incredibly smooth and this past week has been great as Jeff and I have settled into our apartment. We only have one room – the guest room that will double as my study – to organize and cannot do that until my desk is delivered. As I look around our living room, it is beginning to feel like home. I’ve had some pool time and am working through the summer reading. I’ve been able to get out and learn the area and the alternate routes to avoid traffic. I would say that things are going well.

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, I am getting to know some of my classmates. Hard to believe that orientation kicks off in two weeks. I am very excited for classes to begin. This is the first time in many years that I have not had a job to go to and I’m getting antsy with the time on my hands. I am one of those people who even calls in to the office and incessantly checks email, even while on vacation.

The one thing that is taking a hit during this move is my running. I went out last week for a 3 miler and yesterday, Jeff and I went into Crestline and walked/ran a little bit. He’s not run since April 26, so I was pleased to get out with him again. This week, I definitely plan on getting that back on track.

So, here I am … living my dream. I am blessed beyond measure and excited to turn over to the next page of the story of my life. Stay tuned…

Saying Goodbye is never easy

In 9 days, I will co-sign a lease for an apartment in Birmingham, Alabama. That thought sinks in deeper and deeper with each passing day. On Thursday, I was blessed to spend time with two friends that I’ve known most of my life. We laughed a lot, we reminisced and even took a trip to our old high school to watch former classmates practice for an alumni football game. At the end of the evening, I got in my car and cried on the way home, knowing that it’s the last time I get to see these two fabulous ladies for a few years.

On Saturday, we had a crazy, busy moving sale. Again, we were blessed with selling off almost everything we needed to get rid of. After all, moving into a 2 bedroom apartment does not leave room for the insane amount of “stuff” we have acquired over the years. I believe that brass went out as decoration in the early 90s, so why it’s been boxed up and moved from house to house, I don’t know. At first, it was very freeing – the “stuff” no longer controlled me. This was a way of organizing my life and getting down to the bare minimums. What can I live without for 3 years? I can assure you – more than I ever thought. I got emotional carrying my prayer bench out to the driveway to sell. This bench saw me through the pain of my brother’s cancer diagnosis, fight and ultimate death. I remember the night before he passed away, on my knees face down on the bench praying for God to not let him suffer anymore. To this day, that was one of the hardest prayers I’ve ever prayed. It also saw me through heartache of failed relationships, disappointments of life in general, and happiness when I met Jeff. But see, there’s not room for my prayer bench in the apartment and it truly is one of those things I can live without. I can get on my knees in any space, I don’t need a pretty bench for prayer. I can cry out to God anywhere that I am, I don’t need a fancy cushion.

Saturday night, we spent time with family at Fluor eating BBQ and funnel cake, and watching the fireworks display. I looked at my family – my wonderful husband, my beautiful daughter Heather, my brothers, sister-in-laws, niece and nephew and realized how good life is. We are all healthy and they have been a tremendous support system for me and my mom. I know in the coming days and months, my mom is going to need them and they will be there for her.

On Sunday morning, we went to NewSpring’s Anderson campus. It was almost 2 years ago that I first walked through those doors. How much has changed in those 2 years. Jeff got saved and baptized, Heather got baptized, and I know that my entire family has grown in their faith and relationship with God. Once the worship music started, all 3 of us got teary, knowing that it will be awhile before we get back. Yes, it’s on the internet and we will watch, but it’s not the same as seeing the intensity of Lee McDerment’s face as he sings from his heart, or the joy of Elizabeth Embler as she worships from the stage.

Sunday night was the family cookout. We had a great time and were happy that Robin and Eric Longino joined us. At the end of the night, each person gave us a hug and that’s where the emotions started. I was okay with the first batch as they left- after all, this is my stepfamily and some of them I just don’t know as well as others. At the end came Rob, Pam, Cody and David. I’ve grown very close to this family over the past two years. Often my partners in crime, we have fun and they are always there when I need them. I love them so much and it hurt my heart when Cody hugged my goodbye. I love that kid! I got in my car and the water works started again, only this time really hard.

Today was the worst hurt of all. Heather stayed with us this weekend and we took her home this afternoon. As she packed up her bedroom and her bathroom to take with her what she wanted, I had to leave the room and take a lot of deep breaths. I didn’t birth Heather or Chelsea, but I don’t think I could love them any more if I had. I know this separation is temporary and we will still see them as often as we possibly can, but that ride to Boiling Springs sucked. In the driveway, Jeff & I took turns hugging Heather and it ripped my heart out. I witnessed the sacrifice my husband is making for me to live my dream and a part of me feels so selfish. But not only is law school for me, it is also to be an example to the girls that they can do anything, at any age. It is so my family can have a good, comfortable life. But if it meant losing my family, I would give it all up in an instant and take law school off the agenda for good. While law school will fulfill me professionally, there is nothing that fulfills me or makes me more complete than Jeff and the girls and my friends and family. I am so happy that Jeff is excited about this adventure and knows that the pain is temporary and a speed bump to get the ultimate prize.

I know that the next few days are going to be hard, but I am excited to begin this adventure called law school. My job with the County has ended and I’ll be working these next 2 weeks to organize and pack. Much planning has gone into this over the last year and a half and logistically it appears the details are being taken care of. However, none of the planning prepared me for the feelings I have about leaving my friends and family and the only home I’ve known for most of my life. But, as long as my new home includes Jeff, it’s the only home I need and I know that I’ll quickly make new friends – not to replace the ones I have currently, but to extend my network even further.