A wife worthy of celebrating, on her last day of class

(Rare guest post by Kari’s husband Jeff. Don’t let Kari know I’m writing this … )

Just want to celebrate my wife – for her perseverance and joy on this, her last day of classes. People ask me all the time if I’m graduating soon. Nope. That’s quite a ways off. But my wife is nearing the end of seminary. Let’s talk about her.

Kari graduates in the Spring with a masters of arts in pastoral studies, with an emphasis in women’s ministry (MAPS-WM for short). Her internship will span until May, but today is her last day in an actual class as a student.

Four years ago this month we arrived at the mutual decision that God was calling us to seminary. By late the following Spring we had moved to be in the proximity of Multnomah. And we both worked full-time during that season. We drove about 50 miles each way (90 min to 2 hrs each way) to go to classes together. (Sort of ironic that car fuel costs less now as it did then, something I won’t not have imagined only four months ago, let alone years ago).

We entered seminary as DINKs (double income, no kids). Both of us were full-time students, which I think made us unique among the student body. Kari of course ran laps around me – and the rest of the students – in quality of work, depth of insights and clarity of words when she spoke up in class (which is still rare). Female students sometimes mention to me (after realizing my connection to the wonderful blonde) that the best insights they learned all semester were in the classes when Kari taught.

At the end of our first year we learned Dutch was on the way, so I focused on working and she focused on school. Two years ago she was taking finals, then delivered our first child a week later. Yeah, she’s my hero.
After a year off, devoted to full-time mommyhood, she came back and has persevered through many dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and logged lots of miles in the reliable Honda. Right now she is 6+ months pregnant. While she won’t complain, I can see the signs of endurance in her eyes. She’s ready to finish as a student.

Kari plans to graduate in May with a degree that will likely not earn her a penny. With a 3.9+ GPA. Yet, she has never for one moment neglected her first ministry in life: her family. Dutch – who grasps more than we credit him – probably doesn’t realize mommy is working on her masters degree. Why not? Because she does all her homework during his naps, after cleaning and cooking. I have one great hero in life: her name is Kari Patterson.

The journey has been the best part, doing this all together. We joke that she should be allowed to carry our two kids up on the stage at graduation.  Even if that is not allowed, you know where I will be … in the back wrestling our wonderful kids cheering on their mommy. She’s earned it.

Happy last day of class, my love.