Tennessee and Texas….
I had a wonderful week in Tennessee and I am back now in my 400 square foot apartment in Texas! I spent some much needed girl time with Mama on Monday. It was great to run errands and just be together. I have missed her so much over the last three months. She is a wonderful friend and mother.
Tuesday and Wednesday were VERY lazy. I don’t have TV in my apartment. I took the opportunity of catching up on all of my favorite shows. I think I really needed time to just be. Not to think, just rest. I did get a paper written, so I didn’t beat myself up too much ☺
Thursday we headed to Chattanooga for Thanksgiving with the Pratt’s. I just love my family. They lift me up, they care and we have so much fun together. I am so thankful to have them - each and every one of them. I am also so glad that my brother Thomas knows how to fry a turkey so well! All of the food was wonderful, but the best part was just enjoying each other’s company.
Friday I spent the day with Daddy. We have so much in common. I guess those commonalities will only continue to grow as I persist in my studies. We have a playful rivalry between Sewanee and Seminary of the Southwest. He is big SSW fan now so I thought he would enjoy a SSW sweatshirt for his birthday. He told me jokingly that he would wear it inside the house ☺. I am so thankful for my Daddy and our time together. Believe me, it helps to have an amazing father, who happens to be a priest, while attending Seminary.
I am back in my apartment and so glad to see my sweet puppy Owen. I told Owen when we woke up this morning that this weekend was all about writing! I have several projects and papers due by December 12th. I have a feeling that my computer will get lots of good use in the coming weeks. I ask your prayers during these difficult two weeks.
I really did miss my seminary community while I was in Tennessee and I am excited to be with them again in Texas. I am also very thankful for all of you and the many blessings God has given us all. I celebrate you all in my heart and prayers.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Seminary of the Southwest Christ Chapel
The view I get to experience everytime I attend Christ Chapel!!!!!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Home Sweet Home!
Home Sweet Home!
I am in Tennessee with my family and it feels so good!!! I made it home on Friday in time to spend the evening with my two wonderful brothers, Knox and Thomas, and my amazing parents. I can’t tell you what a treat it is for the five of us to be together. Knox lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, so we don’t get to see him often. We have been blessed this year by having the opportunity to see him twice. It was wonderful to share a meal together and just be in the same room with them!
Yesterday we made the short journey to Franklin to celebrate with my cousin Nerren and his bride to be Victoria. All of my cousins and their spouses, on my Mom’s side, were there except one. My cousin James and his wife Courtney were not able to join us. Again, a huge treat to get to hang out with them!!! We had a ball being together and celebrating with Nerren and Victoria.
Today my heart was full when my Daddy gave me communion then gave Mama, Thomas and Knox communion. This hasn’t happened in many years, worshipping together! It was great to worship Christ together. My brothers and I just go back from lunch. I am so thankful to spend time with them.
I really needed to see my family. As much as I love seminary, there is nothing like home sweet home. I look forward to updating you all on my week in Tennessee. May you all enjoy this special week remembering all that God has blessed us with.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
I am in Tennessee with my family and it feels so good!!! I made it home on Friday in time to spend the evening with my two wonderful brothers, Knox and Thomas, and my amazing parents. I can’t tell you what a treat it is for the five of us to be together. Knox lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, so we don’t get to see him often. We have been blessed this year by having the opportunity to see him twice. It was wonderful to share a meal together and just be in the same room with them!
Yesterday we made the short journey to Franklin to celebrate with my cousin Nerren and his bride to be Victoria. All of my cousins and their spouses, on my Mom’s side, were there except one. My cousin James and his wife Courtney were not able to join us. Again, a huge treat to get to hang out with them!!! We had a ball being together and celebrating with Nerren and Victoria.
Today my heart was full when my Daddy gave me communion then gave Mama, Thomas and Knox communion. This hasn’t happened in many years, worshipping together! It was great to worship Christ together. My brothers and I just go back from lunch. I am so thankful to spend time with them.
I really needed to see my family. As much as I love seminary, there is nothing like home sweet home. I look forward to updating you all on my week in Tennessee. May you all enjoy this special week remembering all that God has blessed us with.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The importance of Hospitality.....
The importance of Hospitality…
We have just completed Fall Visitor’s Weekend here at the Seminary of the Southwest. It was an exciting weekend! There were prospective students on campus from all over the U.S. The weekend reminded me of the importance of hospitality. Hospitality is a ministry. It is an important ministry that God we are called to by God.
The prospective students visited classes, participated in Chapel services and took tours of different students’ homes (my apartment was on the tour). We treated them to our local pub, finishing the weekend with a festival Eucharist, a fabulous dinner and dancing to a bluegrass band.
I was a part of team clean. I now know how the kitchen at SSW runs! It really takes an army to pull off this massive event. Everyone, and I mean everyone, helped make this weekend so special. I think our visitors got a real sense of our amazing community and what life as a seminarian is all about. I am honored to have been a part of this weekend and I can’t wait until we get to do it all over again in the spring!
I finished off the weekend by being a part of St. Mary’s, Birmingham, my home parish, annual meeting. I was “Skyped” in. It was AWESOME to see my Church again and of course all of the people that make it the special place that it is. What a gift to be able to be a part of the annual meeting even though I am so far away. I can’t wait to see them all in person soon.
I am heading to Tennessee on Friday, so next week’s post will be from there. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see my family and to get to attend a party for my cousin Nerren. Nerren is getting married in December and I am thrilled to be a part of the celebration.
Remember, I keep you all close to my heart and continue to love you all even from far away…
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
We have just completed Fall Visitor’s Weekend here at the Seminary of the Southwest. It was an exciting weekend! There were prospective students on campus from all over the U.S. The weekend reminded me of the importance of hospitality. Hospitality is a ministry. It is an important ministry that God we are called to by God.
The prospective students visited classes, participated in Chapel services and took tours of different students’ homes (my apartment was on the tour). We treated them to our local pub, finishing the weekend with a festival Eucharist, a fabulous dinner and dancing to a bluegrass band.
I was a part of team clean. I now know how the kitchen at SSW runs! It really takes an army to pull off this massive event. Everyone, and I mean everyone, helped make this weekend so special. I think our visitors got a real sense of our amazing community and what life as a seminarian is all about. I am honored to have been a part of this weekend and I can’t wait until we get to do it all over again in the spring!
I finished off the weekend by being a part of St. Mary’s, Birmingham, my home parish, annual meeting. I was “Skyped” in. It was AWESOME to see my Church again and of course all of the people that make it the special place that it is. What a gift to be able to be a part of the annual meeting even though I am so far away. I can’t wait to see them all in person soon.
I am heading to Tennessee on Friday, so next week’s post will be from there. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see my family and to get to attend a party for my cousin Nerren. Nerren is getting married in December and I am thrilled to be a part of the celebration.
Remember, I keep you all close to my heart and continue to love you all even from far away…
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Formation.....
Formation…
Formation is a word that we use often here at the Seminary of the Southwest. All that we are participating in, Chapel, classes and community, are a necessary, hard, fulfilling and loving part of this formation. It is this formation will make us great priests and leaders of the Episcopal Church.
Two of the events that were a part of my formation this week were:
Working on a group project. This is one of those very difficult projects that lead to a great ending. I worked with several of my classmates on a group presentation. Of course we all have different styles and organizations skills. When these differences were put together there was friction. One of my classmates described our differences and the difficulties we encountered as a storm. As a result of this storm we found ourselves having to communicate and pray about the issues at hand. Ultimately we were able to put together a project that made us all proud. Emotions are sometimes difficult to deal with, but often they lead us exactly were we need to be. This group project is great example of how our faith in God and others can lead us to a wonderful end result. Thank you to my classmates, who pushed me, loved me and helped form me this week.
Christ Chapel and its loving attendees. Christ Chapel is a teaching Chapel. You might think of the students much like residents working in a hospital. It is a place that we can make mistakes and learn from them, and yet feel safe at the same time. That was certainly true for me this week. I was the lector at Morning Prayer on Thursday. I have read in Chapel a few times, so I was aware of the flow of the Daily Office. I somehow got the order confused and got up to read before we said the Psalm. Fortunately one of my classmates quietly stopped me. Once I did get up to read, it was a tough passage! You all know those passages in the Bible with lots of difficult names that you stumble over. This particular passage was from Ezra. It was chock full of difficult names! This wasn’t my finest reading moment even though I had practiced reading it several times. But with the help of God and those who were praying for me, I got through it. Despite stumbling through the passage, we worshipped God in Christ Chapel that day, just as we do everyday.
For a sneak peak at next week’s love note I will tell you more about my work-study and some of the amazing work that is being accomplished at SSW. I will also be able to report on Visitor’s Weekend. Please pray for our community as we welcome prospective students to our school. My prayer is that we can convey our love for this place to them.
I have many of you of my mind. I am specifically praying for those who are hurt, lost and broken and are looking for God to open a door for you. Trust, believe, have faith. He is holding both you and me tightly as we continue on this journey together.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Formation is a word that we use often here at the Seminary of the Southwest. All that we are participating in, Chapel, classes and community, are a necessary, hard, fulfilling and loving part of this formation. It is this formation will make us great priests and leaders of the Episcopal Church.
Two of the events that were a part of my formation this week were:
Working on a group project. This is one of those very difficult projects that lead to a great ending. I worked with several of my classmates on a group presentation. Of course we all have different styles and organizations skills. When these differences were put together there was friction. One of my classmates described our differences and the difficulties we encountered as a storm. As a result of this storm we found ourselves having to communicate and pray about the issues at hand. Ultimately we were able to put together a project that made us all proud. Emotions are sometimes difficult to deal with, but often they lead us exactly were we need to be. This group project is great example of how our faith in God and others can lead us to a wonderful end result. Thank you to my classmates, who pushed me, loved me and helped form me this week.
Christ Chapel and its loving attendees. Christ Chapel is a teaching Chapel. You might think of the students much like residents working in a hospital. It is a place that we can make mistakes and learn from them, and yet feel safe at the same time. That was certainly true for me this week. I was the lector at Morning Prayer on Thursday. I have read in Chapel a few times, so I was aware of the flow of the Daily Office. I somehow got the order confused and got up to read before we said the Psalm. Fortunately one of my classmates quietly stopped me. Once I did get up to read, it was a tough passage! You all know those passages in the Bible with lots of difficult names that you stumble over. This particular passage was from Ezra. It was chock full of difficult names! This wasn’t my finest reading moment even though I had practiced reading it several times. But with the help of God and those who were praying for me, I got through it. Despite stumbling through the passage, we worshipped God in Christ Chapel that day, just as we do everyday.
For a sneak peak at next week’s love note I will tell you more about my work-study and some of the amazing work that is being accomplished at SSW. I will also be able to report on Visitor’s Weekend. Please pray for our community as we welcome prospective students to our school. My prayer is that we can convey our love for this place to them.
I have many of you of my mind. I am specifically praying for those who are hurt, lost and broken and are looking for God to open a door for you. Trust, believe, have faith. He is holding both you and me tightly as we continue on this journey together.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
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