I'm not going to lie to you... I'm in class right now. It's the second and last weekend of my Ministry to Children course. Wireless internet is a beautiful thing.

My spring break in Nashville was wonderful! I got to spend time with some of my favorite people, ate at some of my favorite restaurants, saw some famous faces, and came to some priceless realizations. The last time I was in Nashville was back in the fall. I hadn't been back in Abilene too long, and I was really missing my friends and families in Tennessee. When I was there the only thing I could think about was how I wanted to be back. This time was different. When I visited the children's classes, it was SO good to see the kids again (especially the ones that remembered me!). Last time I was there I still considered them "my" kids. This time I realized how much I missed "my" kids at Highland. Coming back on Sunday I was actually anxious to get back to work. I'm starting to see my purpose for being here and, instead of running from it, embracing it.

There was one thing, however, that was making me not want to come back to Abilene too quickly. Over the break I spent some time studying for my very first graduate school exam for my New Testament class. Of course I always could have studied more, but I did spend a good number of hours studying for it. I took it this past Monday morning, and afterwards felt like I did better than I initially thought I would do. I felt like I probably barely passed it, and if I got anything higher than a D, then I would be jumping up and down. In class on Tuesday our tests were given back to us. I made an 85! When Dr. Thompson gave it to me, I just looked at it for awhile, thinking surely he hadn't added the points up right. I can't tell you what it did for my ego. Lately I've been feeling like I am not as smart or "deep" as the other students. My weekly posts never sound as educated as the rest. Maybe I am not cut out for graduate school. But getting a nice B on a very hard test made me feel like I really can do this. I didn't start jumping up and down until after I left the classroom.

Thanks for your continued prayers for my dad. He came home from his second trip to the hospital on Tuesday- also his birthday. Well I better get back to listening now...

Quick report:

My dad's path report came back today. My mom's blog explains it way better than I could, and her link is below. I are so grateful for your prayers and ask that you continue to remember my dad over the next few weeks.

Belly laughs are some of my favorite moments in life. I consider myself to be a pretty silly, ridiculous person, so I laugh often, but rarely does a good, hearty belly laugh come out. Since arriving in Nashville the belly laughs just keep on comin'.

Today was a very relaxing day. I introduced Katey to the amazing Puffy Muffin, which was fabulous. This afternoon I spent time with one of my favorite people, mentor, and second father; we had great conversation about ministry and life. I am a blessed girl to have experienced ministers in my life who will sit and talk with me about the journey and adventures of life in ministry. Tonight I been treasuring time with my girls in B-5. It really makes me excited for Kaylynn (and hopefully Megan) to join me in Abilene in the fall. In the midst of joking and laughter tonight, it seems that I have been conned into leading Bible majors chapel at Lipscomb on Friday. I led it once last year, but my sources tell me that there are less people this year and the most riveting sermon came from a guy who struggles with English and told mostly jokes. Surely I can compete with that. Last time I spoke I read my favorite children's book, "Pageland," and that went over pretty well. I think finding spiritual application in "Walter, the Farting Dog," another literary success, would be a stretch, so I better visit Davis-Kidd tomorrow to find something else. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

I'd like to give a shout-out to Kaylynn, who is turning the big 2-3 tomorrow. We will be celebrating at Mafioza's with 2-for-1's.... slices of pizza, that is. Hope your day tomorrow is a blessing to you. Whatever it may hold, may you rejoice and be glad in it.

I have not been in Nashville 48 hours, and already it has been well worth the 13 hours in the car with my dear friend Brad. Friday night I came home to B-5 (my apartment for a blessed year and a half) and my sweet girlfriends who live here. Saturday morning Kaylynn and I took a walk around Green Hills: went to the bank, the library, and the post office. Then we had some Baja Burrito for lunch, where we saw Twila Paris! Thankfully Kaylynn is like me and doesn't go crazy when she sees celebrities, so we just smiled to ourselves and kept eating our chicken tacos. Also saw some ACU guys there. Random. Saturday afternoon Kaylynn went out with a friend, so I had some time to myself. My Nashville family, the Grays, loaned me their extra car for my time here. Now you may be thinking to yourself- "wow! an extra car?!?" This is the car that their daughters REFUSE to be driven to school in. It's a silver Lincoln that the girls call "the herse." But it's actually pretty luxurious, and I am just grateful to have wheels while I'm here. Saturday night we went to Chili's for some dinner. I know, I come all the way to Nashville to eat at Chili's? But my good friend and upcoming artist, Alan, was working and i wanted to see him. So that was fun. Then we went to Brad's house and watched Lost in Translation.

This morning I went to Woodmont for their second service. Last time I was here, back in October, when I walked in the door, my thought was "I'm home!!!" But this time I felt like a visitor. Even though I was swarmed by my beloved brothers and sisters, it made me realize that Highland is becoming more and more like my home. So that was good. But it was still great to be with some of the families that are such a special part of my life, and to see the kids that helped shape me as a children's minister. After service I went over to Otter Creek to meet Jessica, my best sister who I got to know in Australia. We had some lunch at the ever-yummy Mazatlan!! Then this afternoon I have been visiting with Katey Earles, who has recently moved to Nashville from her hometown of Abilene.

I have about 3 hours until my next set of plans begin, and a nap is sounding good. Hope everyone out there is enjoying your spring breaks as much as I am enjoying mine.

By the way...

I am still coming to Nashville! At the beginning of the week I was iffy, but my parents told me yesterday to go on. They both know how much I was looking forward to going, and how much my soul needs to go! Brad tells me that we are leaving at 4am on Friday, so I guess we'll roll into Nashville before dinnertime. A shout-out to Megan for arranging my schedule for me!

More tomorrow...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

The surgery went very well, and as I type my dad is still out like a light. The tumor was incapsulated in an inflammatory cell, which is why he has been running so much fever. It was pressing on his intestine, but not attached, so it was really easy to remove, and everything else looks great. They have no idea what it is, and even the Hendrick pathology dept. took a look at it and weren't sure. So it is being sent off somewhere else and we'll know something by Friday or next week. I can't wait to see my dad after church tonight!

I am so grateful to each one of you that reads my simple blog and has been praying for my family. I will update again when we know more about this crazy thing. Blessings to you!