Ramblings and Travels

  As I begin the last semester at seminary, many things are coming to mind. What a wonderful ride it has been. I have always valued education, never thought of going to college and here I am finishing graduate school. I think back on the all the people who made this possible. My brothers and sister who stood by me and understood my sense of call to ministry. Thank you so much.
 It all started with our loving mother. Although  I may not have acknowledged it at the time. She was a role model of biblical proportions. She showed me what it means to have faith, let alone, how to live it out. She loved to teach children and was so active in the church. She taught Vietnam refugees English. She cared about so many, what a heart. I give thanks for the gifts she taught me. I miss her so. My dream was to be able to talk to her about all the things I learned in Seminary. Although we did not get that chance, I know she is walking with me in this journey.
 Then there is my incredible wife. I never dreamed of finding someone ever again. God's sense of humor sure kicked in when we met (5 years ago this month). She has been so supportive of me and my call to ministry. She is always there to pick me up when I am feeling down or challenged. She is the love of my life and my best friend. I am also proud to be her husband. She shows strength in times of challenge and I am blessed. She as taught me how to look at situations from different points of view.
 With all this said, I am excited about the future and the ministry that lay ahead. I have been challenged and inspired. The most eye-opening time in seminary has been the trip I took to Atlanta, Ga. I sat in the 16th Street Baptist church. I saw the faces of the little girls who died. I sat in Ebenezer Baptist singing We Shall Overcome, and I felt that I got to know the man and learned of the many people that gave their lives to be treated as equals and not "separate but equal." I made friends with classmates and have been blessed by this "trip of a lifetime."
  My prayer is that God continue to bless me and this wonderful journey. I'll take the good times and the struggle because God is Good all the time. God, Thank you for the dog too, but can you teach her to be a little less spoiled, (ha ha).