Casey Dylan!

Ordination, Graduation, Celebration!

This past Saturday was an amazing day...I was ordained in my church at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. It was an amazing experience and one that cannot be explained with mere words. My family, my friends, the volunteer auxiliary, my minister friends, and my church celebrated with me and it was amazing.

Thanks to all of you for making this such a great experience.

Laura

Response to Topper

I think that the evolution of human thinking is what we have to consider here. As people have evolved, so have their ideas about God and what God is.
Laura

Howard's Health

Many of you have emailed me to find out how my loving husband Howard is doing. He is doing much better! He had four cardiac blockages. He now sports two stints and still has some cardiac issues. He has changed his diet, he has stopped smoking, and will begin cardiac rehab in the next few weeks.

We are really lucky that we live in an area of Arkansas that has great cardiac care.

Your possitive thoughts and prayers have made this challenging event so much better.

Thank you from both Howard and myself for your support.
Laura

CPE...Clinical Pastoral Education

I am taking my forth unit of CPE and I am amazed at the diversity of the people involved in the group. Anytime you get a bunch of religious people together you get an interesting mix of conversation and ideas. I love it!
It is my desire to continue to be open to all faiths and ideas. It is my struggle to be patient with those who are not.
Laura

Life is Good

HEY!
Seminary is done!!! Need I say more???? Words cannot express the myriad of emotions that I am feeling about where I am right now. I begin CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) this week and I am a bit anxious about that.....
Driving to Tulsa is finally OVER!
Ordination date: March 17th.
Graduation date: May 12th.
Invitations are going out soon.
Love to you all!!!!!
Laura

Topper-My Friend

Hi Topper,
I do remember you and I am glad you are keeping up with my blog!
I think many post-modern theologians today are somewhat critical of the bible and that makes for more interesting interpretations. I, myself, believe that the bible (both new and old testaments) is not necessarily proof of God, but of God language or experiences of people, reaching out to what they believe God is. I also believe that the words are experiential and inspirational, and these writers are people that have written down their experiences for their perspective communities. It is our choice today to interpret their writings in ways that are helpful and interpretive for us.
For many years, I believed that the bible was the inerrant Word of God, and then after going to seminary I found that there are discrepancies and cultural opinions that reflect the times in which these documents were written.
I am not saying that I do not believe the Bible to be an important book, it is the book for Christians, but I do believe that as Christians today we are incorporating anthropology, science, and other disciplines to interpret our own faith. I also see other religions as helpful or informative in interpretation my own religious beliefs.
I do not know if what I have said is helpful, but I want to say that faith is important to me personally. I know that I trust in God, as I know God. God is an important concept/being/spiritual concept for me and although I cannot prove God, I still believe.
Blessings,
Laura Whitaker

It is finished!!!!!

Words cannot express the relief that seminary is finally over. Even though I loved it and the community I found there was amazing, I am so glad to not have to drive to Tulsa every week and continue with the heavy reading and work load.
For those who are interested, I will be ordained at my church on March 17th, St. Patricks Day, and will actually graduate with my class on May 12th in Tulsa.
Blessings to you all.
OH YEAH...by the way, I have lost almost 90 pounds!
Laura

OH MY GOSH!

I cannot believe it is the final two weeks of seminary and eighty pounds weight loss!!!
Just a few lines to let you all know that things are CRAZY right now. I preached three sermons this past Sunday in addition to having bunches of family at the house for Thanksgiving. I am going to chill out after school is done!
Blessings to all of you! Laura