The beginning of the second or winter term happened to coincide with the sudden need to move. It was a stressful time to move and start another semester. My very wonderful family, friends and life group came through and helped me get packed, moved and settled. As I started the first week of the term under the clouds of pressure, I got scared.
The old voice loves to chime in at these times.
"See? First term was just a fluke. You knew you couldn't do this. Who did you think you were anyway? Maybe you should just get out now."
I battled through the first week and then came my resolve: I would drop Algebra II, the class that needs most of my attention, and replace it with something less homework driven. I would pick up the math again in the spring. That seemed right to me. I immediately felt better. Speech, Women's Health and Psychology 202 would be fine. Just replace the math.
So I look through the courses that I am lacking, trying to find a good replacement for math. I must hurry because I have already missed the first week. I needed a history class and saw religion and Old Testament as an option. I was thinking how hard can it be? I grew up hearing about this stuff every week in Sunday School. We will read about the beginning, Noah and the Ark, Moses and the Ten Commandments....I would really like that!
My first day of class found me waiting outside of Room 1610 with about 20 other students. This teacher is precise and doesn't show up until just at 9 a.m. As he approaches, pulling his rolly cart behind him, I smile. He is a tall, lean, elder man. He has white hair that I have noticed always seems to fly away, glasses, a bushy white mustache and best of all....about 15 pens/pencils in his shirt pocket! I had a sudden dose of "what did I do" and then decided to make the best of it. By the end of the first class, I really liked him and found myself very engrossed in the lesson. He is very serious about the Old Testament.
That said, this is the class that I am struggling in the most. I enjoy reading and talking about the issues and storylines. I like hearing about the history of the battles and how the Old Testament, Hebrew Bible and Roman Catholic Bible compare.
It's the tests! I just can't seem to conquer the material when it comes to answering the questions. I am halfway through the term and I am struggling to have a Cminus! So this Tuesday, at his invitation, I am meeting with him to get tips on how to study. Honestly, I am surprised that I am having so much trouble in a class I am enjoying. But this is where I need to override old shortcomings and get a different outcome.
I always tell my women's groups: If you don't like something, change it. I need to take my own advice.
I CAN really do this. I can, I Can, I CAN!
