Full Speed Ahead!

I have been a full-time student for 3 days going on 4. So far, I am surviving - not only that, but I am truly enjoying myself in this place. Sure, it feels overwhelming from time to time when I put all of my class syllabus' together and see just how much work is expected of me over the next 3 months - but, if there is one lesson that I learned the most from this summer, it is to just relax and take one day at a time. For the most part I am staying organized and on top of my studies - I have many, many pages to read in a short amount of time, but I know that it's doable. I also enjoy the challenge of hitting the keyboard for a paper of some kind - and I am anxious to see how I will adapt to the constant pulling and switching of different gears and mindsets. For instance, one minute I am reading the Catholic Catechism and the next I am in front of a group of 7-9th graders introducing myself and getting everyone jacked up for a year of confirmation - which was the case last night at my new church, Westwood Lutheran.

I have also gotten lots of practice saying my story schpeel. In the last two weeks - here's what I've heard several dozen times: "Where are you from? What program are you in? Tell us about yourself." This gives me a chance to A) Decide how much I am going to disclose B) Give some shout outs to my hometown(s) and college and C) Remind myself of God's great calling in my life. So, here is what I have typically said: "My name is Keith Long. I am a first year M-Div with a Concentration in Children, Youth and Family (CYF) Ministries. I am from Richmond, Virginia, where I've been living for the last 5 years. I am originally from the Twin Cities area and graduated from Moorhead State in 2001. I've been married for 6 years and my wife is a social worker - and we're living on campus in Burntvedt (apartments)." If they probe further, I will talk about what I've been doing in Richmond, what my degree from Moorhead was in, what Rebecca does, and that I like camping, the outdoors and that I worked at camp this past summer. It is amazing to me how many similarities and shared connections there are amidst this community. I have made new friends that I very well could have encountered in another place and time - it's kind of weird.

As for my classes and professors... I like them all in all their different and unique ways. My first class on Monday, the professor asked us all to introduce ourselves and tell a little about ourselves (see above). He proceeded to talk a little about his background, and mentioned that he got his Ph.D from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. My immediate thought was, "Sweet, this guy is going to love me..." Sure enough, once it was my turn, he lit up upon hearing my story. Now, I don't want you to think that I will use this to take advantage of him or anything, but its just cool to have a connection like that with your professor. My second class is with a professor named Andrew Root - who is only a few years older than me. Cool guy - I read his book over the summer called "Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry." I already had much respect for him based on the greatness of his book - so I kind of felt like I was in the midst of a hero or celebrity. My only thought was to not make a dork of myself. During a break I had a chance to chat a little with him, and I shared a little more of my background in film, church work etc. I think I made a good impression - afterall, my opening line was, "Would it be considered too ballsy (yes I used that word) to do my book review assignment on your book?" He laughed. I immediatedly regretted my decision to open with "ballsy." But, on the other hand, it was kind of like old friends chatting - anyways, I got a chance to thank him for his book and the encouragement it gave me. It's not everyday you get to thank the author of a great book you've read. He was actually open to the idea of my doing the review of his book. My first thought was "SWEET, one less book to read!" But then I told him I was just kidding and that I was looking forward to checking out the options offered...I know, I am a brown-noser... Anywho, I think I will really enjoy his method of using film to teach, and my hunch is that it'll probably be movies I haven't seen - he mentioned he likes to use Independent films mostly - which I like, but never get to see due to the limited choices offered at the public library. Ok, enough about this class.

My Tuesday-Thursday classes are completely different. I got to Pentateuch when the professor was calling out attendance - he was on the letter D of people's last names. I was thankful for being an L. No intro's - just jumped right in to the lecture. Good lecture for a first day, and I got some good notes. This class will be much more individual based - lots of reading and papers due on a weekly basis. I will be challenged in this course - and I am excited to see what I've got. The second class on Tuesday is a doozy. My professor is intense in every sense of the word. I got myself a front row seat next to a friend I just met last week. I feared I would be spat upon - he got started and just kept going, and spittle would build and build. I know he'll be a challenging and inspiring teacher - and that he is definitely a "my way or the highway" kind of guy. I questioned whether or not I will thrive in the class or just hang on for dear life. We shall see. Welp, it is time for class - I am hoping to get there before roll call this time. See ya!