Today marked a rare lurch forward in my doctoral program.  I submitted my prospectus to The Committee (TM)) for approval.  The Committee is comprised of several professors I don’t know who teach things rather unrelated to my subject area (theology and young adult fiction--a marketable combination, I know).  They were friendly, but still The Committee.  Not unlike all such bodies, they had as their guide the King in Yellow.  He laughed a dusky laugh at the voids of chaos, and then ate a printed copy of my prospectus whole.  I don’t expect it to pass.

Later this month, I must go before The Other Committee (TM pending), the one that decides my fate in the United Methodist Church.  And I think I’ve come up with a workable strategy for not getting kicked out of the Wesleyan ilk.  I will preface every sentence, every response with “God is calling me towards.” Try it.  It’s fun.  You’ll feel a part of the holiness movement instantaneously.

“Adrienne, why are you here?”

I feel God is calling me towards work with God’s people.  Particularly people who still think it’s a good idea to throw flaming couches out of dorm rooms windows.  People who feel called towards defenestration. *Insert winning smile here*

“Adrienne, why are you still in school?”

I feel God is calling me towards faith through understanding.  Understanding faith.  And God.  God, faith, and understanding, together, as one.  *Insert reverently folded hands*

“Adrienne, why do you watch so much reality television?”

I feel God is calling me towards knowing every Project Runway script by heart.  *This speaks for itself*

See?  How could they turn me down?  The Almighty is infused into every moment of my day. 

Though, now that I’m thinking about it, I should have told The Committee (the academic one) I thought God was calling them to pass my prospectus.  Now they may not know!  Ah, well.  Next time.  God is calling me to say it next time.