I have finished my culmination project! It's very strange, because the completion of this project means I have fulfilled all the requirements for graduation. How crazy is that? So, in three weeks I will graduate from Huntington Graduate School of Christian Ministries with a Masters of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministries. Woo hoo!
I have to say, it is pretty exciting to see how God works in our lives. Five years ago, a Masters degree was not on the brain. Based on my academic records from my undergraduate education, I had all but figured that I would probably not get any further education. Then God took my wife and I to Huntington to be a part of a church planting team. In Huntington, I stumbled upon the grad. school. I checked it out and even took one class. Then, about a year and a half later, God opened up the door for me to go full time. Let me tell you how awesome it has been. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything about this program. The classroom interaction, the professors, and even the work has been really fun. God not only used this program to better prepare me for ministry, but now I have 42 of the 72 hours I need for the Army. How amazing is my God? He is really amazing! I love how God brought me to a program that fit me like a glove. It couldn't have been better.
Now we embark on the next chapter. A little more school through Liberty and then, Lord willing, in to the Army. Walking with Jesus sure is exciting! While my wife and I are really looking forward to the Army, we can't wait to see what He'll do this year!
Rob
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Quick Update
Just a quick update. I am busily working on finishing my culmination project for my MA. It is due Saturday and while I feel very good about where I am in the process, I have to take advantage of the time because some friends of ours are watching our son.
I start my first class through Liberty next week. It's exciting. I'll be glad to get this big project off of my plate so I can focus on the next phase of our lives. I also found out that Liberty University will give me 9 credit hours for completing CHOBLC! This is great! Because of this news, I am changing the plans a little. Instead of only going to phase 1 this January, I am hoping to go to all three phases. 16 weeks! Following CHOBLC I will only have one class to complete in order to fulfill the 72 hour requirements for the Army. The time line doesn't change much, but I will not have to go to phases 2 and 3 next summer. I will be done with them by April with all my classes completed by July. We'll see what happens. It is an exciting journey!
Rob
I start my first class through Liberty next week. It's exciting. I'll be glad to get this big project off of my plate so I can focus on the next phase of our lives. I also found out that Liberty University will give me 9 credit hours for completing CHOBLC! This is great! Because of this news, I am changing the plans a little. Instead of only going to phase 1 this January, I am hoping to go to all three phases. 16 weeks! Following CHOBLC I will only have one class to complete in order to fulfill the 72 hour requirements for the Army. The time line doesn't change much, but I will not have to go to phases 2 and 3 next summer. I will be done with them by April with all my classes completed by July. We'll see what happens. It is an exciting journey!
Rob
Saturday, April 21, 2007
We've Got a Plan
I don't know what your theology is on making plans versus allowing God to guide each step. I have really wrestled with this in the past and have come to a place where I feel comfortable in my walk with Jesus. I used to believe it was faithless to make plans. I believed that I needed to wait on God and allow him to move in my life. This is a far cry from my natural tendencies. I am one who likes to see a plan laid out. And while I am glad that God took me to that place, I think I have found a more realistic place to live. Now, I ask God to guide the plans I make. And then in the midst of working through those plans, I realize God may change them.
I have the next year pretty well worked out. I start my first class through Liberty at the beginning of May. By fall, I am taking two classes every eight weeks. In January, I'll take some time off from classes and attend CHOBLC for six weeks. After CHOBLC, I will have four classes to complete by July allowing me to go to phases 2 and 3 next summer. And in the midst of this, I have to finish ordination and eventually apply for active duty. Yes, it will be a little busy. But here's where I feel I've grown: this next year may not work out like I have planned! Something may come up and I may have to change my plans. So be it. But, I feel that it is important to have something to shoot for. I don't know where the quote comes from but it goes something like this, "Aim at nothing and you'll hit it every time." I believe that making plans does not quench the Holy Spirit in my life. It allows me to go for something recognizing that if God has something else in mind, he will show me. So that's our plan. My wife and I are pumped about it! We are enjoying the process of watching our son grow and look expectantly to the birth of a new baby in September. And then we'll just keep on walking. Asking God to guide each step we take as we walk with Him.
Rob
I have the next year pretty well worked out. I start my first class through Liberty at the beginning of May. By fall, I am taking two classes every eight weeks. In January, I'll take some time off from classes and attend CHOBLC for six weeks. After CHOBLC, I will have four classes to complete by July allowing me to go to phases 2 and 3 next summer. And in the midst of this, I have to finish ordination and eventually apply for active duty. Yes, it will be a little busy. But here's where I feel I've grown: this next year may not work out like I have planned! Something may come up and I may have to change my plans. So be it. But, I feel that it is important to have something to shoot for. I don't know where the quote comes from but it goes something like this, "Aim at nothing and you'll hit it every time." I believe that making plans does not quench the Holy Spirit in my life. It allows me to go for something recognizing that if God has something else in mind, he will show me. So that's our plan. My wife and I are pumped about it! We are enjoying the process of watching our son grow and look expectantly to the birth of a new baby in September. And then we'll just keep on walking. Asking God to guide each step we take as we walk with Him.
Rob
Monday, April 16, 2007
Moving Right Along
It's been a little while since my last post. I guess I just wanted to actually have something to update. I saw my Doc today and there were no problems. He is writing his evaluation for the Army so I can fax it to my recruiter and eventually MEPs. My packet is so close. Basically, my packet is a bunch of information that will go before the board of Chaplains for them to look over and approve me as a Chaplain Candidate. It should go before the board in May. This is exciting, but unfortunate. I was hoping to get to phase 1 this summer, but that does not look as though it will happen. More than likely, I will go to phase 1 in the fall or winter. My wife and I are talking about which would be better considering we have a baby due in September. We'll see how the Lord leads.
Rob
Rob
Friday, April 6, 2007
Soooo Close
Ok, so I didn't make it through the day without having to get a waiver. I knew I wouldn't, but I was hopeful. But I did make it through the day and I only have to get a couple things checked out by my Doc. It shouldn't be a problem. So, we're continuing to move ahead. It is an exciting and overwhelming time. A lot to get done. I am close to completing my culmination project for my current masters degree! I am pumped!
Rob
Rob
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
It's Time!
It's time! I hope. I am scheduled for MEPS tomorrow. To update: MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station. It's like the most intense physical anyone could ever go through. Lord willing I will get through and there will be no problems.
Once I get through MEPS, the process really gets going. After MEPS, my packet of information gets sent to the Chief of Chaplains. He and a board of Chaplains decide whether or not to accept me as a Chaplain Candidate. If I am accepted I will be sworn in as a 2 Lt. and I begin my time in the Army. This is where it gets exciting! After getting commissioned, I can do other things. I can hook up with a reserve unit or an Army Post and "shadow" a chaplain for up to 45 days a year. I can apply to do a Clinical Pastoral Education module for 75 days at an Army hospital. But best of all, I will be set to complete phase 1 of Chaplains Officers Basic Leadership Course. This is a six week course designed to teach Army protocol, Basic Army skills, and an introduction to the Army Chaplaincy. If my packet gets to the boards by April, I am hoping to go through this course in June. If it doesn't, then I will probably not go until next year. But that's ok! We know God's got a plan and we just want to trust in Him! The first step. Get through MEPS. I'll let you know how it goes.
Rob
Once I get through MEPS, the process really gets going. After MEPS, my packet of information gets sent to the Chief of Chaplains. He and a board of Chaplains decide whether or not to accept me as a Chaplain Candidate. If I am accepted I will be sworn in as a 2 Lt. and I begin my time in the Army. This is where it gets exciting! After getting commissioned, I can do other things. I can hook up with a reserve unit or an Army Post and "shadow" a chaplain for up to 45 days a year. I can apply to do a Clinical Pastoral Education module for 75 days at an Army hospital. But best of all, I will be set to complete phase 1 of Chaplains Officers Basic Leadership Course. This is a six week course designed to teach Army protocol, Basic Army skills, and an introduction to the Army Chaplaincy. If my packet gets to the boards by April, I am hoping to go through this course in June. If it doesn't, then I will probably not go until next year. But that's ok! We know God's got a plan and we just want to trust in Him! The first step. Get through MEPS. I'll let you know how it goes.
Rob
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