Thanks for the encouragements and prayers about the writing. I think I just need to be okay with the fact that it may take me longer to complete this chapter (and the entire dissertation) than I thought and planned (sigh). And it's not the end of the world. I realized that I'm so anxious about wanting to be done in a certain time span that it's stressing me out. I just need to be patient, take my time and do a good job, and if it takes longer, then so be it.

It's been a hard time of learning to surrender my own timetable for the completion of the dissertation to Jesus' authority in my life. I used to think that if I don't finish on time, it's because I'm lazy, but now I'm not so sure. These things just take time. Maybe God wants me to take that extra quarter or two, for whatever reason. I need to be faithful and trust him for the endpoint.

Please continue to pray for me in this area. It's really hard, because all my life I've wanted to pre-plan everything (I think it's a control issue). And I get stressed out when things don't go according to my schedule, I feel "behind" or stalled from the other things I want for my life (all in a certain time frame): job, family, home, etc. But God has been reminding me to trust him, trust his daily guidance, let go of my own agenda, and really believe that his timing, his schedule is even better than anything I can plan.

Anyway, that's where I'm at with the writing. I plan to work on the chapter tonight and also tomorrow and Saturday, but I definitely need a break sometime this weekend. Anyone want to play with me Saturday night? Pride and Prejudice again, anyone? :)