Before I begin....Again!

Since I now understand a little better just how crazy

 a semester in grad school can be, I decided I would send out a note at the beginning of the semester!  The last time I wrote I was 2 ½ weeks away from the end of my first semester.  I am happy to report that I made it through finals.  They were extremely difficult and at times overwhelming but a satisfying accomplishment.   After finals were finished I was able to travel to Danville, PA to spend a few days with my sister Alex.  She is doing her residency in pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center and it w

as a great time to catch up with her, meet some of her colleagues, and relax.  I hope to be able to live with her at the end of this year while doing one of my own rotations at Geisinger.  

From Danville I drove to Pittsburgh to spend Christmas with some of my family.  The six short days I was home were filled with neighborhood parties, fantastic meals with family and friends and even a visit to the Chihuly exhibit.  Even though I had been home only weeks ago for Thanksgiving I was so happy and refreshed to be back with my family.  The day before I left I got to play tennis with my father who, even well into his 60’s, still managed to kick my butt. One of these days I’ll get a game off of him…I hope!

On Thursday, December 27th I left Pittsburgh and drove to NC where I

 spent most of the rest of my vacation.  Only one day after arriving in Raleigh I repacked my bag and went to Myrtle Beach with two of my girlfriends Bryan and Su-

Anne.  Our friends James and David joined us there the next evening.  The five of us spent a few days going to the outlets, playing putt-putt, eating out and just having a great time together.  It was so wonderful to be with such great friends again and every minute was precious.   

Back in Raleigh I was able to join a group of friends for a New Years Eve celebration full of dancing!  Over the next two weeks I visited with friends and was able to go back to my church in Raleigh.  It was an incredibly sweet time and I truly enjoyed getting to se

e and spend time with each person, even if it was only for a few minutes.  
 Halfway through my stay in Raleigh I actually ended up flying back to Pittsburgh for two days to attend a surprise birthday party for my stepmothe

rs 60th birthday.  Boy was she surprised.  Hours into the party she continued making comments about how surprised and still a little confused she was about how we had all gotten home without her knowing about it.  It was a fantastic night.  It was the first time the entire family (almost) had been back together since my sister Emily’s wedding five years ago.  Unfortunately Alex was unable to make it because she was stuck at home sick.  

The biggest news, however, is the birth of my newest nephew, Jackson Strader Grimley!  Okay, technically he isn’t my nephew, but his mommy says I am and calls me his “

Aunt Stephy”.  This is, of course, the baby of my friend Sara, the one I mentioned in my last letter.  He was set to come into the world on December 28th but was so excited about making his debut that he came on December 8th.  At 7lbs. 5oz. and 21in. he was more than ready.  While I was in NC I was able to spend many days with Sara and Jackson getting to know him and watching Sara shine in her new role as Mommy.  Most of the days I spent just cuddling Jackson and taking hundreds of pictures.  He is, by far, one f the cutest little boys ever (excluding my own two biological nephews of cours

e).  Jackson is a total cuddle bug and a very content baby.  As long as you are holding him he has not a care in the world.  Sara is doing a fantastic j

ob and Mark is fully embracing his role as Daddy.  T

heir kitty Scooter, however, has serious doubts 

about the arrangement and can’t seem to figure out why he isn’t the most important one in the household anymore.

I am now back on Philly and trying to gear up for another semester.  Classes started today and they are being kind to us by easing back into everything.  We were only in class for a few hours today and we already get a day off next week for MLK day.  The next few months are going to be a whirlwind but I am confidant more now than ever that I will make it through both academically and emotionally.  The day before I left Raleigh I was challenged, and a little convicted, by a sermon from David Horner encouraging us to “trust His plan”.  He taught that even while enduring sufferings in your present circumstances you should remember that God will always offer opportunities for you to make a difference and show His love.  He put you there for a reason and you should plant your feet where you are until he tells you to go somewhere else.  “Bless the place where you are” (referencing Jeremiah 29.7).  

I would ask you to join me in praying for the coming months regarding my relationship with my roommates and my classmates, my continued health, finding community in the church I have been attending (Church of the Savior), a daily renewal in desire for spending time with the Lord, and that I would make a difference where I am, not just biding my time until I can move back to Raleigh.  
Please also be praying for Josh, one of the professors in our program.  His wife was diagnosed with breast cancer about 3 months ago and over Christmas break Josh was called back to active duty.  He will be in training over the next 6-9 months and then will be deployed to Iraq.  He and his wife also have a daughter.  
As always, keep the emails and phone calls coming.  I miss you all so very much.  It was wonderful to get to see many of you while I was traveling over break and I look forward to see many of you again soon!