Three Things I Did Before I Submitted the thesis

The process of researching, writing, and submitting my PhD
thesis has been my sole focus for over four years now. I came
here for no other reason and I committed myself to accom-
plishing the task. I rid mysef of anything that hindered me
from completing such an undertaking.

I have identified three routines that helped me to carry out
this process: a rhythm of daily morning prayer, regular
times of journaling at a local coffee shoppe, and frequent
walks on a nearby bluff that overlooks the North Sea.
Those three were foundational during my four years here.
Without them my life would have been disordered, dis-
tressed, and in disarray. They helped me to keep in relation-
ship with the Lord, to be in touch with myself, to connect
with people, and to enjoy the finer things of life.

Last Monday, just a couple days ago, the 90,ooo plus words
of my thesis were stored in my memory stick ready to be
printed out on paper. Since I had over an hour before the
printing office opened I did what I have done for most of my
four years here. I took a brisk walk along the top of the bluffs
and was re-energized by the fresh air. I remembered concerns
I had expressed to God and was reminded of God's lovingkind-
ness and faithfulness. Then it was time for morning prayer at
the University Chapel. Since it was Monday,I was the only one
there. But I knew I was not alone. I went over to the coffee
shoppe for a hot chocolate. I was too excited to journal, but I
shared with a friend, a fellow PhD student, that I was submit-
ting within the hour. When the printing office opened, I had
three copies of the thesis printed out. Within an hour they were
delivered to the college office.

It was important to me to do those three things because they
had been so foundational to my life here. Now that the thesis
has been submitted I probably will never go back to it the way
I had done. But I will always do some variation of each of the
three things I did before I submitted. I'll share more about
each of those in future postings.

Peace and blessings in Jesus to you and yours.