.church.

What can I say besides WOW! Literally this is all that comes to mind when I even try to think about how much of a blessing it has been to be at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh.  
I visited the church during each of my 3 visits to Pittsburgh prior to moving here and I had decided months ago that this was going to become my new church home.  I have been attending since July and I became a member of the church (officially)  and began singing in the choir in August.  I just completed my New Members workshop 2 weeks ago so now I am really officially official.....lol.  
Let me give you a bit of background about the church - the purpose statement of the church is as follows, 

"Covenant Church of Pittsburgh is a multi-cultural congregation that exists to exalt God the Father, and to know Him as revealed in His Son Jesus Christ. We are called to be a house of prayer, to bring reconciliation and healing to every individual, to equip them to extend God's love to our city and the nations." 

For those of you blog followers that are a part of the HFCN family, this should sound very familiar.  It is simply a longer way to say: Know God. Grow Together. Go Serve.  I knew from the beginning that God was saying that this was the new church home for me.  The preaching is wonderful and the music is amazing.  For those of you who are not musicians, this is the point at which you can turn away.......
As for the music, this is one of the first churches that I have found that has been able to really blend what is known as a "multicultural music" sound.  We sing all kinds of music: top 40 CCM, gospel, hymns and everything in between.  On any given Sunday, you may hear songs by David Crowder, Hillsongs, Israel Houghton and Kirk Franklin.  And it isn't forced - we just worship and the songs seem to flow one to the next.  Speaking of worship, it is like going to church with 100 Ms. Agnes' - no joke.  Everyone is so free - raising hands, clapping, yelling and dancing.  I cannot wait for you all to come and visit.  For those who may have never attended a Pentecostal service, never fear - we don't get too far out of hand! :)
Starting this Tuesday, we begin the yearly Presence Conference.  This years theme is: Designed to Worship II.  Speakers include: Apostle Joel Brooks, Bishop Tutor Bismark, Dr. Mark Chironna, Pastor Cheryl Brady and Bishop Joseph Garlington.  Musical guests include: Ashmont Hill, Brian and Ramey Whalen, Wayne and Libby and wait for it.....Israel Houghton and New Breed.  I am so excited.  Israel and New Breed are on tour right now (check out their new CD, Love God: Love People) so they are bringing the whole tour bus and all of their people.  They are like transforming our whole church to fir their staging.  Can you tell I'm excited?  The best part?  Our choir and worship team will be performing with each guest every night.  Yes, I am going to be singing on stage WITH Israel and New Breed!!!!! :)
This is like a worship leader's dream come true.....
Speaking of the worship team, for those of you who have been following my Facebook, you see that I have been asked to join the worship team.  At CCOP, they are called BGVs (Background Vocalists) but it is all the same.  Tonight was my first rehearsal and I have earned a spot on the mikes for two services during the conference.  They are day sessions, so I am not sure if they will be recorded, but if they are, I will bring copies home for all of you over the holidays! :)

Let me close this post by saying that my CCOP church family will NEVER replace my HFCN family.  You all are my home base, my family church - I love and miss all of you and can't wait to worship with you soon.....my dream is to have both choirs sing together - that would ROCK!

Go out and buy the new Israel CD, it is great.  Let me know if you want the DVDs of the conference, I can get some for you.........check out LIVE webcasts of our church services at CCOP.org!

.school.

I have been in classes now for 5 weeks.  Time is flying by but I am attempting to enjoy every minute.  Since I am on fellowship this semester, I am taking 12 credit hours (4 classes).  In graduate school, this is known as an overload but I have been very blessed to be able to balance assignments and reading - as well as still make time for some fun activities.
My classes are really good, I feel like I am learning so much but I must admit that the most enjoyable part is bonding with my classmates and my professors.
In my graduating class, there are 8 of us.  We have aptly named ourselves "The Octohort."  We have such great chemistry with one another and even when we disagree on points of departure in the text or other things we are working on, we are able to leave all of that in the classroom and still move on to be friends.  So to Cherod, Piper, Chloe, Nick, Ali, Martin and Iffat, I say thanks and I am looking forward to what the future has to bring us.
At the moment, I am working on a grant application.  I am applying for the Ford Foundation Predoctoral Diversity Fellowship.  I am really excited about this opportunity because if I am chosen, I will have 3 years of funding in which I can spend my time focused on my research.  Believe me, I enjoy teaching but it has been a very long time since I have had the opportunity to focus on my writing and even have the chance of getting an article published in an academic journal.
My advisors (Ron and Mary Zboray) have taken me under their wing and are really guiding me throughout this process.  Whatever happens, I am grateful for the experience.  But, I won't lie, I will be even more happy with a letter that says that I am a Ford Fellow.
I will keep you all posted on the outcome, but prayers and well wishes are much appreciated.
As I said earlier, classes are great and I am really excited for the projects that I am working on.  I won't lie, this is some hard work - we are reading on average about 400 pages a week.  It is grueling but such an accomplishment to come to the end of each week's to do list and cross everything off......
At times, I feel like my brain might explode and come oozing out of my ear but it hasn't happened yet, so  I'm guessing that it isn't a possibility.  :)
Attached to this message, you will see my wordle.  This just simply gives you a glimpse of my research agenda/interests.  It may not make much sense, but it looks really cool.  You all know how I feel about looks......lol.  You have to click on the wordle to see it in a separate screen (the print will be large enough to read there.
So, I'd say, thus far, this has been a successful venture - the beauty is that any venture you do with God is always successful.