A Seminarian's Packing List

It was Lao Tzu who was credited with the commonly used quote “the journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step”, but as I prepare to head off to begin the three year seminary journey I can not help but feel like there are a lot of little steps that need taking before I can take the “single step” Tzu speaks of.

I would like to share a glimpse of the “To Pack for Seminary” list in order of importance, which I am aiming to locate and pack to bring along.

1) A Bible. Which one am I supposed to take? An NRSV? The Message? NIV? King James? The English Standard Version or Good News? Maybe I am supposed to take one of each edition, just in case.
2) Clothes. I think that this one might be just as important as the Bible, but I’ve never lived in Ontario before. Do they get a lot of snow in the winter? Does it rain a lot? How many clothes will I need to take? (I think I might need to do a few loads of laundry before I try to pack the clothing up otherwise it could be very bad!)
3) A computer. I’ve heard that professors prefer graduate level work to be done on a computer... this shouldn’t be a problem. However, if I need to print off the work that complete... well, that might be a problem.
4) Cliff’s Study Notes for Seminary Year One or Seminary for Beginners – does anyone know where I could find these?
5) A list of emails for people who have expressed interest in staying in touch.
6) My hockey equipment so that I can sign up for the “Revs on Ice” hockey team that plays once a week throughout the year. This bag of equipment might put me over my luggage restrictions; note to self: go through the hockey bag and decide what I absolutely require to play the sport.
7 – 13 are reserved for those things which I have temporarily forgot, but are crucial to take along.

13 things to haul across to London, ON; not bad! In all honesty, the closer I get to heading out, the more I realize that this list is one of “comfortable items”. The list of “must haves” is actually a lot shorter and easier to do: an open mind, a healthy serving of grace, courage, and faith, and a servant heart that is willing to follow wherever God may lead.

What is the hardest thing...

I find myself intrigued by this quote; perhaps I will paste it on the ceiling, in a frame on my desk, and on a sticky note on my mirror, computer screen, and anywhere else I can think of.

"What is the hardest thing you have ever had to do?"
"Remember that I am God's beloved"

This was the response of Episicopal presiding bishop from a question she'd received at the Lambeth Conference. I will provide some feedback on it a bit later, but I just love it and needed to share it!