The "What Now?"

So now that I am all done with my undergrad, I cannot help but dream about the future.  I know ultimately that our future is in the hands of God, but I can't help my wishful thinking. :) So I thought I would let you in on my daydreaming!

As I stated in my previous posting, Riley and I are staying in St. Cloud for the next year or so.  He is looking for a job right now utilizing his Psychology or Biology degree (so please pray for that!) and I'm picking up more hours at the salon while starting a new internship with Youth for Christ for the summer.  This summer will fly by because I will be helping out with three of their camps: Leadership Quest (Northern MN), Kickin' It Cloudside (St. Cloud), and Rock Outdoor Adventure Camp (Wyoming).  As for this fall, YFC is hoping to be able to hire me on part-time (15 hrs/wk) as the BRAID Ministry Site Coordinator.  Even if they cannot pay me, I'll still coordinate and volunteer my time; the young ladies I work with are treasures and hold an important place in my heart.  I’ll also continue to work at the salon because I enjoy the women I work with, it pays the bills, and I want to keep my cosmetology license active for as long as I can.  While we are here in St. Cloud for this year, Riley is going to be trying to get some more experience/volunteering in to build up his application and resume.

Starting in August, Ri will be applying to Physical Therapy School.  He is looking at two schools in Colorado, two in Utah, and the U of MN.  If you have not noticed my recent postings about Denver on Facebook, it is our number one choice for relocation next year.  There is just so much to do out there and the city is full of opportunity for the both of us.  Denver is simply ideal. J 

As for myself, I am extremely interested in furthering my education in Theology, particularly in Scripture and Interfaith/Interdenominational Relationships.  I want to eventually get my Master and Doctorate and teach on a college level.  Here are just a few of the graduate schools I’m looking at:

- Regent University: School of Divinity

- Denver Seminary

- Liberty University

- Campbellsville University

- Southwestern College

- Luther Rice Seminary

All of these schools offer online Masters degrees in Theology and Divinity, which is something that I prefer.  Though I would love to get back into the classroom setting, online schooling would work best if I want to continue to work full-time.  I obviously do not plan on going back for my Masters within the next five years, but I have an ever-growing book list that will continue to engage me in Theology (My poor little book shelf is starting to overflow!).  I am also currently mapping out a reading/study plan for the entire Bible, which I am very excited about.  So though I may not be in formal schooling for a while, I will be continuing my education on my own :) 

All in all, this is what I dream about on a regular basis! What God has in store for my fantastic husband and me really excites me for our future adventures.  I thank you all for your continual prayers and thoughts.    

-Pippa Q.