Nothing exciting

There is nothing very exciting going on right now so I thought that I would just take this opportunity to update everybody on what is coming up in my life over the next few months and answer some questions that I have been getting from people. Here is a list of a few things you might or might not be interested in knowing.

1. It has been a very slow start to my last semester of seminary. I have not had any
motivation. All I have wanted to do is lay in my bed and watch t.v. and movies. Thankfully,
I seem to be back to normal and I have actually already written one paper today and half of
another one! I'll have it finished before the end of the day.
2. Due to the above noted lack of motivation I have had to ask for an extension on a paper for
the first time in my life.
3. My comprehensive exam is April 15th and I get a sick feeling in my stomach every time I
think about it. This pretty much says if I graduate or not.
4. Susan is coming to NYC in a couple of weeks which means that we get to have a playdate in
the city one day while she is here!
5. Chris and Lacy are coming to visit for Spring Break. I can't wait to show them around.
Showing people New York City for the first time is like seeing it for the first time yourself. I
know they are going to love it. And, I actually get to see a show that I haven't seen yet so
that is way exciting!
6. I will be moving back to Alabama in May and I have no idea what I will be doing. I have to
pay off my school loans before I can go overseas with the CMA. I need a high paying, low
stress job that will enable me to pay back all my loans rather quickly. Anybody have any
ideas?
7. I'm excited about all the new babies that I will get to play with when I come home. As well as
all of my babies that aren't babies anymore.
8. No, 2 years of seminary did not provide any prospective husbands for me so there is no need
to ask. That is not what I came here for so I am ok with that. Someone will come along in
God's timing and at peace with that...now I just have to get everybody else that cares about
me to be at peace with that as well.
9. I have made some really wonderful friends here and I am going to be sad to leave them.
10. There are still so many places to go and shows to see in the city. Unfortunately that takes
time and money...two things I don't have much of. Oh well...I am very fortunate to have
been able to do everything that I have already done so I will just remember that.
11. I'm going on our Graduate School of Mission winter retreat this weekend so maybe next
week I will have some fun pictures to show. I am really looking forward to spending some
quality time with God and seeing what he is going to do this weekend.

Go Big Blue!

This was by far the most fun I've ever had watching a Super Bowl. Of course, I'm sure it has something to do with having a home team to root for. I was up screaming at the end like an Alabama game. Too bad I have class on Tuesday Afternoon when they are having a parade and celebration for the Giants' Homecoming.
Of course, I had to make a cake for the occasion. Ignore the toothpicks in it. I promise I took them out before taking it to the party.

A taste of The Ivory Coast

Here are just a few pictures from my recent trip to Abidjan, Ivory Coast. I was there for a class on African Theology. It was great to actually learn from an African about African Theology. We also interviewed and visited lots of different churches over the 2 weeks. I loved being there and I was pretty content to stay but it made me miss Senegal. I had my favorite, Fanta Cocktail! But, I was very dissapointed that there was no ataya(or however you spell that). I don't have alot of pictures because I plan on just getting everybody elses. Once I get the rest of the pictures I will put some more on here for your viewing pleasure.

This was the building we stayed in for the 2 weeks that we were there. The accomidations were fabulous. A lot better than I expected. I think the mattress was actually better than the mattress that ATS provided for me.














This is the actual Seminary building. The round part that you see in the middle is where we ate all our meals. I never get tired of eating outside. It was great. The food was wonderful too. There wasn't a meal that I did not like. Our chefs were Raymond and Natalie. They have worked with a lot of missionaries over the years so they know how to cook for our weak American stomachs. I was very thankful for that.




This is a market I stole a picture of while we were in a church across the street. It smelled like fish...can't you just smell it now.



















This is Lindesy and me when the day started. We were on our way to an interview with a church. We were all smiles and excited to see what the day would bring.













About 30 minutes later we were stuck in traffic because they closed a road for the President to come through town. We were rather warm and a little delirious by this time.

















We all got dresses made by the Academic Dean's wife. We were all very pleased with the results! I had not planned on getting a dress made but I am glad that I did. After we had payed for them we found out that the Dean and his wife were trying to figure out how they were going to pay for thier son's tuition for school. It turned out that they made just enough from making our dresses to pay for his tuition.






I drank Fanta Cocktail every chance I got. I even brought two of these bottles home. Sadly, in my jet lagged stupor, I dropped one of them as soon as I got home. They were the only thing I upacked for several days. The bottle that was left lasted for about a week. Of course I had to share it with a couple of people because I think everyone sould experience the yumminess of Fanta Cocktail. By the time we left I had the whole group drinking them. I really don't understand why we don't have this flavor in the U.S. Maybe we should start a pettition.