A & J on their way to M.A.

This week flew by quite fast. Philip went straight from work to class each night so was out of the house from 7 am - 10 pm each night (that's as bad as my parents!). He was in class all day yesterday and today as well. He came home exhausted after a 2.5 hour final. It was in Intercultural Communication class - so obviously he knows this subject intimately. His class was taught by a Chinese woman who moved to America to study at university. She now has her Ph.D. and teaches at Oklahoma State. As you can imagine she knew this subject inside and out. It was interesting because this was essentially the same class I took from Dr. Smith at Northwestern (and Kjersten Karlsgodt is taking it from him now at Bethel!), so it was interesting to discuss the information again.

On Thursday night I had my friend Alicia over for some of the famous flaxseed and wheat germ pizza that is served at the Lere house. Alicia and I met a year ago in my first master's class (QUITE an experience. . . but that's another story). The Lord really blessed me with someone who was at a similar stage academically and professionally who also shared my faith. It has been so wonderful to be able to dialogue with her about issues that arise as I grapple with the integration of my faith into my future practice.

She and her husband have had a rollercoaster of a ride this last year. They were scheduled to leave England in August. She had her practicum arranged in Connecticut and he was scheduled to be gone on a remote tour to Korea. They were supposed to fly out of London on Monday. On Friday everything changed. Her husband began experiencing some medical problems that were reminiscant of those he had a few years earlier. Looooong story short. He has a blood disorder so the military didn't want to send him to Korea if something happened. However, they have made him wait here in the UK (Alicia meanwhile had no choice but to go back and start her clincial work for school) while the Air Force decides whether to medically discharge him or not. For months they have been told "we'll meet and decide this week" but the board keeps putting everything off. Alicia was able to come see her husband for a few weeks between her practicum and internship this month. The medical board here finally told them that they had a split decision so that a head office in Texas will have to make the call (another 6-8 weeks). STRESS!

I'm so impressed with Alicia & Marcel because it is obvious they have been very prayerful about this and are really resting with the matter in God's soverign hands. It's so hard not knowing if he'll have to leave the military or not because that completely changes EVERYTHING (very fast!). Alicia is very much a planner like me, so to see her so at peace is quite a testimony to me.

We enjoyed our last evening together talking and laughing (laughing a lot). It was wonderful. I'm going to miss her. I can't wait until our families' paths cross again.

I know that she is a friend for life who I will be able to relate to regarding the issues of balancing career and family in a way I can with few other people. Often I feel too progressive among some of our conservative church friends where there's a strong mentality about raising a family and when I very strongly convey that I have no desire to have children right now and talk about getting my doctorate a few people kind of raise their eyebrows. And that's really okay. I understand the reaction because I share their view and value of family. Most of the time the barefoot and pregnant attitudes just make me laugh and roll my eyes.

On the other hand, friends in other circles would be apalled to think about the fact that when Philip & I have kids, school and work are not an option for me until they are in school. Philip & I discussed this a lot before we got married (because it's a pretty important thing to agree upon) have agreed that when we have kids, WE are raising them and that one of us will be home. While I know my calling as a wife and mother will be my most important roles, I am no where near ready for it because I am so passionate about my work. I think the thought of kids scares me so much right now because the thought of not completing my professional goals (which the military makes more complicated than it would for most people) before we have a family really freaks me out. Being a Christian woman in the 21st century is really complicated. Don't get me wrong (DISCLAIMER that I provide whenever I say I'm not ready for kids and people just laugh and say, "it's not anything you can control") I know that God will bring children when He purposes us to have a family regarless of any of our futile planning. However, it's not wise NOT to have a plan - but working one out hasn't felt really easy lately. Alicia gets this catch 22 I often find myself in.

Coming later this week: my housekey drama & REAL snow. Stay tuned for more mundane musings from life in England :) Love and miss you all.