Updates

The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity! If it's possible, life is just getting busier. This past friday was new student orientation at Southern Seminary. Adam and I were both in attendance since I am beginning classes this fall and Adam is an ambassador for the seminary (he was working the event). We have several friends who are also ambassadors as well friends starting classes. Thus, it was a fun day of worship and fellowship together with friends as we became "oriented" for the coming semester. I am thrilled about beginning classes, and I pray that the Lord will use this time here to better equip me for whatever ministry he has for me--be it counseling, women's ministry, just being a preacher's wife, or all of the above. We are so excited to see how and where the Lord will use us now and in the future. It is going to be a busy semester, though, and I have to admit that I am somewhat nervous about balancing school, work, and what I like to call "wifely duties" (cooking, housework, etc). Please keep us in your prayers this semester as we balance many responsibilities. Here is a brief update as to what the upcoming semester will hold for the Rice family: Adam will be taking Hebrew Syntax, Christian Preaching, and Personal Evangelism this semester. He is still working around 25 hours a week at Carmax, and we are so thankful for the Lord's provision through this job. As I mentioned, Adam is also serving as an ambassador for the seminary this year. He will spend a lot of time recruiting new students, working with admissions, and doing fundraising to help keep tuition low for students. As for my classes, I will be taking Systematic Theology 2 and Personal Evangelism. I am a nanny for 3 children every afternoon of the week, and I am still working 2 mornings a week at Ann Taylor. Whew!

In addition to attending orientation this past weekend, we also celebrated Adam's 25th birthday! Woo Hoo! He's getting old! :) Sunday night,we had a get-together with friends, complete with an Auburn birthday cake and lots of other yummy snacks. We are so blessed to already have such wonderful friends here to celebrate with. A good time was had by all. Poor Adam had to work on his actual birthday (Monday the 17th), so we ate his birthday supper (parmesan chicken--his favorite)when he arrived home around 10 pm. Growing up, my mom always cooked us a special meal on our birthdays (whatever we requested) and we got to eat our meal on the red plate. Now, the red plate is simply a red plate that says "You are Special Today." Eating off this plate is a little birthday tradition that I cherish. And guess what? Without even registering for it, Adam and I received our very own red plate as a wedding gift. So, we have continued this birthday tradition in our new little family.