Halfway to a Sixth

A couple weeks ago we passed the halfway point of Aaron’s first semester of seminary. He’s completed 1/4 of 1/3 of his years . . . 1/2 of 1/6th his semesters . . . 1/12 of seminary!

He got a long weekend with two extra days off, but it didn’t feel like much of a break because he had a huge midterm the next day. Then another exam last week. And another today. Every week it’s something. He swears his professors have no idea there are actually other professors who are also assigning huge amounts of work; each one proceeds like keeping their students chained to their library carrels is their high and holy calling in life.

The saving grace is that Aaron’s not the only one feeling constantly busy and overwhelmed; pretty much all the first year students are in the same boat. He has some guys he gets along with especially well and meets with one morning a week (before 8:00 classes–can anyone who’s ever encountered Aaron in the morning believe it?) to pray and commiserate and plan their rebel alliance against overly liberal theology. They call themselves the Jedi Council. But because they like to lurk in the back of a crowd, whispering who knows what plots behind and above everyone’s backs and bald spots, I call them the TPA, Tall People’s Alliance. Or the Conservatalls. (Acafellas was rejected.)

Since the weather’s been outdoor unfriendly and everyone’s been either sick or busy or both, we haven’t seen much of our neighbors/the Jedi families. Even though we are close, it’s easy to end up holed up in isolation unless we are intentional. So tomorrow we are getting together with the Jedi/TPA families–and celebrating having just two weeks to go until a full week off for Thanksgiving!