So even though it was 8 in the morning, it was still pretty cool to listen to. We also got to sit in on the Pastoral and Deaconess Counseling class. Oh my goodness! Completely amazing. I love the counseling aspect of mercy and care... It's something that I've had to go through, and something that I like to help people out with. I love knowing how to help people through the hard times in their lives, because as some people seem to miss... life is not always easy. There are trials and troubles, and sometimes you can't always get through it on your own. And seeing that I'll actually be able to get those classes when I get there is such an encouragement. The final class that we sat in on was Catechetics, which was actually taught by one of the deaconess students who is on her internship right now She was so much fun! and she knew her stuff. It gave the thought that "this is what I get to look forward to! This is what I can learn one day!" Let me tell you... it's a great realization to have. There was also the contraceptive debate put on by some of the sem students... I'll just say that it was fun to listen to Some of those guys are pretty funny, but clearly know their stuff. 
Wow... the people alone are enough to make you want to go there, ESPECIALLY the ones in the deaconess department. Friday night we had a fireside chat (with a real fire in the fireplace!! yeah... we don't use fireplaces down here, so it was cool 
) with Dr. Just and Dcs. Rosie Adle. Being able to just sit there, and listen to Dr. Just talk about the Gospel, and know what he makes sure that the girls of the program are getting that same Gospel is such a comfort. He seems to have such a passion for what he does. It made me smile to sit there and listen to him talk about Christ and His service, and what a deaconess is doing when she is serving the church in mercy. I know that for Lindsay, Ali and I, listening to Rose talk about her experience in South America on her internship was a huge blessing. We've never had the chance to talk to someone who has done what we want to do (except in Africa), especially someone that is Lutheran. Being able to sit there with her afterwards and talk about what it's like being away from your family, and adjusting to the culture and knowing what is right for you was extremely helpful. It was so powerful to hear about the things that the Lutheran Church is doing overseas. Training the women there to be deaconesses so that they can continue serving when others are not there was something that really stuck out to me. And hearing about the joy that they have over there, even when they have nothing and are often persecuted and in fear of the world around them, they are still happy. Being surrounded by the constant reminder of what Christ did for us, how we are living in our baptisms every day... well, it's not something that I get often. And to have that for those few days, being surrounded by the people that I was with... words can't describe. I was so glad that Lindsay and Ali were there too. To see two important people in my life receive the Gospel and the joy they had afterwards... kinda brings tears to my eyes lol I feel like this weekend gave me some hope for making it through Concordia, and makes me feel a sense of purpose. There is something more out there. I got to see what theology is all about; what service in the church is all about. They were well cared for lol. It dawned on me that I should accept my "terrible" night as gift (which I should have done straight from the beginning). I was away from anything and anyone familiar... but isn't that what I'll be getting myself into when I go overseas? Isn't that what is going to happen, only much much farther from home? Sure this was just 12 hours or so stuck in the airport, but I think that it was a good test for me. As we talked about Friday night, I have always worried about being away from the things that I know. Well... I was got thrown into the unknown, expectantly and unprepared. And I survived. I now have no doubt where I feel I am given to be.