2,073 mile journey

In roughly fourteen days I will be moving my life to Pasadena California to begin my studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. (Two weeks people!!) As I prepare for this cross-country move I have found the majority of my conversations revolving around Fuller, and how I've found my way there. "What made you choose Fuller?" "Why California??" "California?...I thought you were moving up north?" "What do you hope to learn out there?" "Are you excited?" That's the easiest one to answer- YES!

As I step forward (with great excitement, hopeful anticipation, eagerness, and a healthy dose of fear of the unknown),  I am thankful for a moment to pause and reflect on how I got to this place, and what I hope these next three years to be.

(While visiting Fuller a few months ago, I jotted down notes throughout the weekend. I returned to the notebook recently and found these words (among others) that reflect my experience.)

There is a phrase that has never sat well with me, a phrase I often hear yet have never been able to identify with, "Called to seminary." I don't think there is anything inherently "wrong" with this idea...but personally I have never felt "called to seminary." (Perhaps some might feel I should not be there if I don't directly feel called to this place, but I would disagree). I am called to take part in God's redemptive kingdom work on this earth, I am called to the ministry of Jesus Christ, I am called to love my neighbor. This calling is taking me to seminary, to gain what I feel to be necessary knowledge and tools to continue this ministry in my life. Seminary being a part of the process, not the calling itself.   While visiting Fuller someone spoke directly to this idea during a time of Q&A. They said, "We are not simply called to seminary- we have a calling far beyond what happens in these classrooms." I look forward to the next three years as I am stretched, challenged, broken, and equipped for ministry. A current student phrased it this way "Fuller is a place that equips passionate people to do what they already love." I think I'm going to like this place...

Fuller is a diverse community made up of students from roughly 70 countries and representing over 100 denominations. The more days I spend in this world the more I'm reminded of the rich diversity within the family of God. Our God is immensely creative (good quality for a creator to possess, yea?) and we have so much to learn from each other. I am extremely thankful for my upbringing. I was raised in a loving, inclusive church within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship network. As a young female called to ministry I fully grasp how fortunate I am to have called this place home for 23 years. This circle I've been nurtured, encouraged, and brought up in will always be home, and I am thankful for it. That being said, this girl is ready to explore a little bit, get away from home for a while. I am ready for an adventure! I am excited to share life with people who are vastly different that me. I look forward to having conversations and learning from individuals who think, look, believe, act, speak, and come from different walks of life than me, such is the kingdom of heaven.

A dear friend of mine once gave some advice that I have held close ever since. She said "listen for you heart to come alive, and lean into that." [Sorry for paraphrasing :) ] Simply put, while visiting Fuller I felt my heart come alive. I awoke to my passions, my hopes, my ability to dream- I felt alive, fully human, and I hope that is a sign of what's to come in the next three years.