A few Sundays ago, the pastor at the church I have been going to spoke about Christians speaking up. I agreed with him about so many things and I want to share all of those things with you, but for now, I just want to touch on one of the thoughts that he had. So many times, we as Christians, find causes that are important to us, but seem silly to the rest of the world. We boycott Pepsi because they didn't print "In God We Trust" on their patriotic cans. We get upset because of something Disney does and they are always doing something. Are these important? Yes. But, the world is beginning to see us as silly Christians who have no idea about what is really important. So, I suggest, let Pepsi print whatever they want on their cans, you don't have to buy it. But, let's save our warheads for something more important. The pastor then suggested a few issues that we aren't speaking up on that we should be. The first one he said really stuck with me because I never even thought about it: the environment. The rest of the world is so concerned with the ozone layer and global warming and pollution and the use of alternative fuels and we don't care and the world is wondering why.
I once saw a movie about a Navajo shaman. Every morning the Navajo shaman would wake up before dawn and chant the world into being. He would chant for the sun to rise and the birds to sing. He respected nature. He revered nature. He believed that he had a part in nature. He wanted to walk in beauty on the outside, so that he could walk in beauty on the inside. He said that you could see holy people everywhere and in everything, especially in nature. So, he chanted and walked through the desert every morning. Because unless you speak, there is no world, and unless you move, there is no life.
As Christians in America, we don't think that we need to chant the world into being every morning. We know that the sun will rise and the birds will sing without our help. We don't feel an urgency to connect with nature. We don't even feel any kind of responsibility toward nature. "This world is not our home, we are just passing through," the old hymn says. Earth is only our temporary home while we wait for Jesus to prepare a mansion for us in Heaven. But, we have no idea how long it's going to be our home.
Maybe it's not our job to get up every morning and help the sun rise. Maybe we don't need to hold special ceremonies so it will rain. Maybe we don't need to have a festival to insure a good harvest. But, we do know who makes the sun rise every morning. We do know who makes the rain fall and the trees grow. We know who made this earth and everything in it. We know who lovingly molded the mountains and carefully carved the rivers and oceans. We know who controls the tides and knows every star by name. And, He did all for us. He did it so we could walk in beauty on the outside, so that we could walk in beauty on the inside.
What if we did join the world in their fight to save nature? What if we started speaking up about alternative fuels? What if we started to be concerned about the ozone layer? Heck, what if we just started reading up and educating ourselves on all these issues and started to take action? Do you think the world would start to take us seriously? Do you think they might start to have a little respect for us? I do. And do you know what people do for people they have respect for? They listen.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Desert
I am convinced that I do have the best friends in the world. I may not have a million, but they are worth a million. Thanks so much all of you for trying to cheer me up in my terrible no good days. I think you deserve an update.
Currently, I am in a state of denial about my truck. It's true. I freely admit it. I function better that way. You don't have to tell me it's unhealthy. I have a degree in psychology. I know it's unhealthy. But, I know that I can't do anything about it right now, so I have pushed it out of my mind.
On another note, recently I have been checking out churches in Grand Rapids. I know that I am missing something in my spiritual life, and I know that it's the lack of a church family. So far, I've only been to three, but I am, for once, enjoying the hunt. I've brought something away from each service I have been to lately. That's refreshing. I've been to far too many showy chapels. I was starting to think that maybe that was all there was. I have been wrong. If you don't mind, I would like to share a little something from today's service.
The speaker today at Ada Bible Church was talking about the Children of Israel and the desert. God plucked them from the land of plenty and put them into the land of nothing. He let them loose in a desert with no food, no water, and nothing that they were used to. Why would he do this? It was time for the Children to start relying on Him for their daily bread. It was time that they learned that He is their portion. He was humbling them so that they could fully rely on Him.
Ouch. Perhaps, I have also been plucked from my land of plenty. I can't always depend on my parents. Most of my friends are scattered all over these fifty states. I have new bills and a new job and I'm just barely making ends meet. My car is broken and I don't have the money to fix it. That's a huge contrast to being at Lee with family just a phone call away, friends even closer, and it's probably time for me to not call my dad with all my problems and expect him to fix them. Sure, my car wasn't that reliable, but it wasn't this bad. Could God be trying to tell me something?
What if I did ask God for my daily bread everyday? What if I did rely on him for my most basic needs? What if I did expect Him, and only Him, to by my portion? What if He was it? What if I stopped, for even one second, trying to figure all of this out on my own and just let him take complete control?
For those of you who know me well, it would not be easy for me. I've never been one to let go of control. And, maybe, that's why I'm in my own little desert. God is telling me that he has all the answers, and I, in contrast, have no answers at all. Maybe, he's ripping that control away from me, humbling me, preparing me for something bigger.
Or, maybe He just wants me to shut up for five seconds and realize that He is God.
Currently, I am in a state of denial about my truck. It's true. I freely admit it. I function better that way. You don't have to tell me it's unhealthy. I have a degree in psychology. I know it's unhealthy. But, I know that I can't do anything about it right now, so I have pushed it out of my mind.
On another note, recently I have been checking out churches in Grand Rapids. I know that I am missing something in my spiritual life, and I know that it's the lack of a church family. So far, I've only been to three, but I am, for once, enjoying the hunt. I've brought something away from each service I have been to lately. That's refreshing. I've been to far too many showy chapels. I was starting to think that maybe that was all there was. I have been wrong. If you don't mind, I would like to share a little something from today's service.
The speaker today at Ada Bible Church was talking about the Children of Israel and the desert. God plucked them from the land of plenty and put them into the land of nothing. He let them loose in a desert with no food, no water, and nothing that they were used to. Why would he do this? It was time for the Children to start relying on Him for their daily bread. It was time that they learned that He is their portion. He was humbling them so that they could fully rely on Him.
Ouch. Perhaps, I have also been plucked from my land of plenty. I can't always depend on my parents. Most of my friends are scattered all over these fifty states. I have new bills and a new job and I'm just barely making ends meet. My car is broken and I don't have the money to fix it. That's a huge contrast to being at Lee with family just a phone call away, friends even closer, and it's probably time for me to not call my dad with all my problems and expect him to fix them. Sure, my car wasn't that reliable, but it wasn't this bad. Could God be trying to tell me something?
What if I did ask God for my daily bread everyday? What if I did rely on him for my most basic needs? What if I did expect Him, and only Him, to by my portion? What if He was it? What if I stopped, for even one second, trying to figure all of this out on my own and just let him take complete control?
For those of you who know me well, it would not be easy for me. I've never been one to let go of control. And, maybe, that's why I'm in my own little desert. God is telling me that he has all the answers, and I, in contrast, have no answers at all. Maybe, he's ripping that control away from me, humbling me, preparing me for something bigger.
Or, maybe He just wants me to shut up for five seconds and realize that He is God.
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
If you turn someone in who has a warrant out for their arrest, do you get a reward?
I knwo you're probably getting tired of me blogging about my terrible days. You know what? Get over it. Today was a doosey.
This morning, when I was leaving for work, my car was dead. I had to drag Crystal out of bed to jump me. I made it to work with three minutes to spare. But, I couldn't really concentrate on work because I was so concerned that my car wouldn't start again.
So, when I went to start my car at lunchtime, it was dead. Awesome. So, I called Crystal and she said she would come give me a jump after work. I called Dad who told me that I would need to jump it and then drive it for a while so the alternator could charge the batter. Fine. My main problems: all I had to eat was some leftover cereal from breakfast and I had forgetten my book. So, I had an hour to kill with nowhere to go and nothing to do and nothing to eat. Bummer.
After work, we jumped my car, and let it charge on Crystal's battery a while. We drove it around for an hour and then on the way home we had another one of our fantastic adventures.
My plates are expired and have been for a while, so when I saw the lights in my rearview mirror, I was not surprised. But, I was afraid to turn the car off. So, I had to hold in the clutch the whole time. And it was a long time. First, he took my license and registration and all that jazz. He told me my plates were expired and that's why he pulled me over. He told me I needed to get my bumper fixed. (While he was at it, he should have told me the winning numbers of the lottery cause that's what I'm gonna need now.) Then, he asked Crystal for her ID, which we thought was odd, but she gave it to him anyway.
He was in the car forever. My foot is falling asleep from holding the clutch in. Finally, he comes back and asks Crystal if she would step out of the car so he can talk to her. I thought he was going to give her a sobreity test. But, he asks her if she has any knives on her possession. Then he starts asking about her address and such. He asks her is she ever lived on Toepher and she told him that her dad used to, so he asked for the address. She couldn't remember it, so he asked her to spell the street name. So, she did. He asked for her social security number and if she had any tattoos. He also asked why she was on this side of the state. Then, told her she could get back in the car.
We thought for sure she was headed to the slammer.
Then, he comes back and tells her that there is a sizeable warrant out for the arrest for someone with the exact same name, but there is no description. He strongly advised her to get this cleared up if it was her. He couldn't prove it was her so he was going to let her go. But, told her that this could be a situation like you see on tv with a swat team storming into our apartment.
Then he handed me my license back, told me I needed to get my registration cleared up. He explained that I should call the number on the back of the ticket within ten days and they will tell me everything I need to do to take care of it.
So, apparently, I'm living with a criminal who has a sizeable warrant out for her arrest, I'm still afraid my car won't start in the morning, and I really need to win the lottery.
Oh, and I just got off the phone with my dad who says I have to buy a new battery. My car just isn't charging and I just can't drive it. Great. So, I have to buy a new battery, transfer the title, renew the plates, and get the bumper fixed. And, oh yeah, pay the ticket.
This morning, when I was leaving for work, my car was dead. I had to drag Crystal out of bed to jump me. I made it to work with three minutes to spare. But, I couldn't really concentrate on work because I was so concerned that my car wouldn't start again.
So, when I went to start my car at lunchtime, it was dead. Awesome. So, I called Crystal and she said she would come give me a jump after work. I called Dad who told me that I would need to jump it and then drive it for a while so the alternator could charge the batter. Fine. My main problems: all I had to eat was some leftover cereal from breakfast and I had forgetten my book. So, I had an hour to kill with nowhere to go and nothing to do and nothing to eat. Bummer.
After work, we jumped my car, and let it charge on Crystal's battery a while. We drove it around for an hour and then on the way home we had another one of our fantastic adventures.
My plates are expired and have been for a while, so when I saw the lights in my rearview mirror, I was not surprised. But, I was afraid to turn the car off. So, I had to hold in the clutch the whole time. And it was a long time. First, he took my license and registration and all that jazz. He told me my plates were expired and that's why he pulled me over. He told me I needed to get my bumper fixed. (While he was at it, he should have told me the winning numbers of the lottery cause that's what I'm gonna need now.) Then, he asked Crystal for her ID, which we thought was odd, but she gave it to him anyway.
He was in the car forever. My foot is falling asleep from holding the clutch in. Finally, he comes back and asks Crystal if she would step out of the car so he can talk to her. I thought he was going to give her a sobreity test. But, he asks her if she has any knives on her possession. Then he starts asking about her address and such. He asks her is she ever lived on Toepher and she told him that her dad used to, so he asked for the address. She couldn't remember it, so he asked her to spell the street name. So, she did. He asked for her social security number and if she had any tattoos. He also asked why she was on this side of the state. Then, told her she could get back in the car.
We thought for sure she was headed to the slammer.
Then, he comes back and tells her that there is a sizeable warrant out for the arrest for someone with the exact same name, but there is no description. He strongly advised her to get this cleared up if it was her. He couldn't prove it was her so he was going to let her go. But, told her that this could be a situation like you see on tv with a swat team storming into our apartment.
Then he handed me my license back, told me I needed to get my registration cleared up. He explained that I should call the number on the back of the ticket within ten days and they will tell me everything I need to do to take care of it.
So, apparently, I'm living with a criminal who has a sizeable warrant out for her arrest, I'm still afraid my car won't start in the morning, and I really need to win the lottery.
Oh, and I just got off the phone with my dad who says I have to buy a new battery. My car just isn't charging and I just can't drive it. Great. So, I have to buy a new battery, transfer the title, renew the plates, and get the bumper fixed. And, oh yeah, pay the ticket.
Monday, October 2, 2006
What if?
"When you are a kid you have your own language, and unlike French of Spanish or whatever you start learning in fourth grade, this one you're born with, and eventually lose. Everyone under the age of seven is fluent in 'ifspeak'; go hang around with someone under three feet tall and you'll see. What if a giant funnelweb spider crawled out of that hole over your head and bit you on the neck? What if the only antidote for venom was locked up in a vault on the top of a mountain? What if you lived through the bite, but could only move your eyelids and blink the alphabet? It doesn't really matter how far you go; the point is that it's a world of possibility. Kids think with their brains cracked wide open; becoming an adult, I've decided, is only a slow sewing shut."
Lately, I have found myself thinking with my brain cracked wide open. I don't know why, but I've been playing this massive game of what if. What if I hadn't gone to Tyndale those first two years? What if I hadn't dated he who must not be named? What if I hadn't stumbled upon anthropology in my senior year? What if I hadn't met the people I met and did the things I did? Would I still be here now?
I've even found myself asking the tiniest what if's. Like, what if I had taken that class at a different time or joined that club or talked to that boy? Would that have changed the course of my life at all?
Not that I want to change the course of my life. I don't think I do, but I'm definitely curious. I think I would like to make a time machine. I want to go back and make those what if decisions and see what happens. But, in the end, I don't want anything changed. I just want to know how my life would be different. I don't even want the choice, I just want the knowledge.
Sometimes, while I'm at work, or on the way to work, or anytime I'm bored at all, I play what if. Sometimes it's deep, and sometimes I just wonder what would happen if all the sudden my car took flight. I think it's good exercise for my creative mind. I doubt my imagination needs much exercise though.
What can I say? I'm curious like a cat. That's why my friends call me whiskers.
Lately, I have found myself thinking with my brain cracked wide open. I don't know why, but I've been playing this massive game of what if. What if I hadn't gone to Tyndale those first two years? What if I hadn't dated he who must not be named? What if I hadn't stumbled upon anthropology in my senior year? What if I hadn't met the people I met and did the things I did? Would I still be here now?
I've even found myself asking the tiniest what if's. Like, what if I had taken that class at a different time or joined that club or talked to that boy? Would that have changed the course of my life at all?
Not that I want to change the course of my life. I don't think I do, but I'm definitely curious. I think I would like to make a time machine. I want to go back and make those what if decisions and see what happens. But, in the end, I don't want anything changed. I just want to know how my life would be different. I don't even want the choice, I just want the knowledge.
Sometimes, while I'm at work, or on the way to work, or anytime I'm bored at all, I play what if. Sometimes it's deep, and sometimes I just wonder what would happen if all the sudden my car took flight. I think it's good exercise for my creative mind. I doubt my imagination needs much exercise though.
What can I say? I'm curious like a cat. That's why my friends call me whiskers.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
I don't have a clever title for this one. Maybe next time.
How ironic is this??!! They don't even believe in Christ and they're getting their own Christmas stamp, but don't dream of posting the ten commandments on federal property? USPS New Stamp If there is only one thing you forward today.....let it be this! REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of PanAm Flight 103! REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993! REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon! REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the military barracks in Saudi Arabia! REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the American Embassies in Africa! REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the USS COLE! REMEMBER the MUSLIM attack on 9/11/2001! REMEMBER all the AMERICAN lives that were lost in those vicious MUSLIM attacks! Now the United States Postal Service REMEMBERS and HONORS the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a commemorative first class holiday postage stamp. REMEMBER to adamantly and vocally BOYCOTT this stamp when purchasing your stamps at the post office. To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors. REMEMBER to pass this along to every patriotic AMERICAN you know!!
So, this was sent to me this week via annoying forward. I know that they are people who are going to read this blog and think that I am too liberal. I know that there are people who are going to read this blog and say that I am too open minded. You better just stop reading right now. I have something to say and I won't be stopped.
I thought that the Muslim world had made it perfectly clear that they were not all fascist terrorists. I thought that any person with a reasonably average IQ could separate the small rift of Muslim extremists from the rest of the group of law-abiding Muslims, and Arabs for that matter. But, apparently I was wrong. Apparently, we have forgotten one basic human fact. We have forgotten that every group of people has aspects of their history they would rather forget. Every group of people has its black sheep. Not every Christian jumped in to help with the Crusades. Not every German worked at a concentration camp. Not every rich white American had a slave. It's true that as a whole, these groups have had to pay the price for these dirty memories of their history. But, is that right? And, should we ask the Muslims to pay the price for that rift that would see people die, see people in pain?
Why shouldn't they have their own holiday stamp? There is a rather large population of Muslims in America. Rather, there is a large population of American citizens who are Muslims. Why shouldn't they be allowed to celebrate their holidays in public? I know there are Hanukah stamps and Kwanzaa stamps and I have yet to get any forwards about those. (Sidenote: It's not technically a Christmas stamp, it's an EID stamp. I don't know why the person who wrote this forward is referring to it as a Christmas stamp.) I don't think I need to remind you why the Pilgrims came over on the Mayflower. Religious freedom is one of the values that this country was built on. Diversity is on of the things that makes America beautiful.
One more thing: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. That is another value that America has been built on. I won't disrespect you for your beliefs. In fact, I'll do my best to hear where you are coming from and treat you with respect. Do me a favor, respect me, yourself, and the people about whom you have an opinion, and have an informed opinion. Ignorance doesn't do anyone any good. There are some things I have a hard time understanding. I don't have to agree with you, but I refuse to disrespect you. If there is on thing I can promise you, it's that I will approach you and your conflicting view with respect and an open mind. If you do the same, then only good can come from any discussion we may have. I don't like to admit it, but I have been wrong before. Thinking critically about what you believe can only lead to a stronger you.
I am a Christian. I am proud of the fact that Jesus is my savior. I am proud of what He has done in my life. I am proud that my dad is a preacher, that my half my uncles are preachers, that my grandpa is a preacher. I am proud of the fact that I have a Christian education. Those are aspects of me that I wouldn't trade for a million catrillion dollars. It's more than just a part of who I am. I would love to see every person accept Jesus as their savior. In fact, I believe that every person needs to so that they can experience a full and abundant life. But, no one will ever be won if we only tell them what they have been doing wrong. Tony Campolo once said that anytime make a person feel less like a human, dehumanized, we have sinned. And don't forget that the Bible says that a brother offended is harder to win. So in our quest to fulfill the great commission, perhaps we should think twice about how we treat people with different beliefs.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Ahhh...the smell of gas.
So, this is what happened to me today. I got off work at 5:35, as usual. I thought to myself, "perhaps, I should get some gas before I make my way home." But, I decided against it because I don't live that far from work. It's really just a short jaunt on 96. Unfortunately, they was a bit more traffic than usual and so, it took a little longer than usual. I called Crystal, and just as I said that I was concerned that I may run out of gas, I ran out of gas. Right on the exit ramp of the freeway. So, she came to save me.
We went to a nearby gas station. They had a gas can that would hold one gallon of gas. But, you had to have a five dollar deposit to use the gas can. Of course, I didn't have five dollars in cash. I probably don't even have five cents in cash. So, Crystal knew the guy, so she just flirted a little. You know, used her womanly charms to her advantage and he let us take the gas can without leaving the deposit. We filled the gas can and drove back to my truck. We put the gas in my truck, but it wasn't enough. So, we went back. It still wasn't enough. So, we went back. And, it still wasn't enough. The best part, my truck wouldn't turn over any more.
So, we figured we would have to jump it. Crystal had this contraption that jumps your car without using another car. We would just have to open my hood and hook up the contraption. So, we popped the hood, but we couldn't get it open. We tried and tried and tried. So, Crystal called everyone she could think of and no one was answering. Then, her friend, Rachel, found us and told us she would talk to her neighbors and see if they wouldn't mind helping. So, we waited. We watched all the cars pull up behind my car, even though my hazards were on and we were standing outside the car. We wathced everyone look at us and not ask if we needed any help. Aaron called and said he would come save us.
But, while we were waiting for Aaron, a cop stopped. I was concerned, it's true. I was blocking one lane of an exit ramp. Oh yeah, and my plates are expired. So, finally, after a million years, the cop gets out of his car. Just as he was getting out of his car, Aaron showed up with his roommate, Jeff. So, we told the cop that we did have some help, and we would get out of the way as soon as we could. He asked what the problem was, so we told him. Not only did he open the hood for us, he waited with the lights on and then blocked traffic while we pushed the car across the street.
Anyway, in the meantime, we tried Crystal's contraption, which didn't work. So, Aaron pulled his car up to mine, and he and Jeff tried to jump my car that way. And, no, that didn't work either. So, they tried again and again. Well, then it was decided that the car needed to be pushed across the street. So, Crystal, Aaron, and Jeff pushed my car across the street while I steered (And no, I didn't do that good of a job. I just don't know my rights from my lefts.) And, so my car is still in the parking lot, waiting for me to figure out what to do.
Crystal, what an adventure we had! But, why does everything have to be an adventure? Why?
Jeff and Aaron, I doubt you will read this, but just in case, I think you should know, not many guys would do what you did, in the rain, for a girl you don't know. And, not once did you make me feel stupid for running out of gas. Today, you are my heros.
And, I think I have gas in my hair. Is that bad?
We went to a nearby gas station. They had a gas can that would hold one gallon of gas. But, you had to have a five dollar deposit to use the gas can. Of course, I didn't have five dollars in cash. I probably don't even have five cents in cash. So, Crystal knew the guy, so she just flirted a little. You know, used her womanly charms to her advantage and he let us take the gas can without leaving the deposit. We filled the gas can and drove back to my truck. We put the gas in my truck, but it wasn't enough. So, we went back. It still wasn't enough. So, we went back. And, it still wasn't enough. The best part, my truck wouldn't turn over any more.
So, we figured we would have to jump it. Crystal had this contraption that jumps your car without using another car. We would just have to open my hood and hook up the contraption. So, we popped the hood, but we couldn't get it open. We tried and tried and tried. So, Crystal called everyone she could think of and no one was answering. Then, her friend, Rachel, found us and told us she would talk to her neighbors and see if they wouldn't mind helping. So, we waited. We watched all the cars pull up behind my car, even though my hazards were on and we were standing outside the car. We wathced everyone look at us and not ask if we needed any help. Aaron called and said he would come save us.
But, while we were waiting for Aaron, a cop stopped. I was concerned, it's true. I was blocking one lane of an exit ramp. Oh yeah, and my plates are expired. So, finally, after a million years, the cop gets out of his car. Just as he was getting out of his car, Aaron showed up with his roommate, Jeff. So, we told the cop that we did have some help, and we would get out of the way as soon as we could. He asked what the problem was, so we told him. Not only did he open the hood for us, he waited with the lights on and then blocked traffic while we pushed the car across the street.
Anyway, in the meantime, we tried Crystal's contraption, which didn't work. So, Aaron pulled his car up to mine, and he and Jeff tried to jump my car that way. And, no, that didn't work either. So, they tried again and again. Well, then it was decided that the car needed to be pushed across the street. So, Crystal, Aaron, and Jeff pushed my car across the street while I steered (And no, I didn't do that good of a job. I just don't know my rights from my lefts.) And, so my car is still in the parking lot, waiting for me to figure out what to do.
Crystal, what an adventure we had! But, why does everything have to be an adventure? Why?
Jeff and Aaron, I doubt you will read this, but just in case, I think you should know, not many guys would do what you did, in the rain, for a girl you don't know. And, not once did you make me feel stupid for running out of gas. Today, you are my heros.
And, I think I have gas in my hair. Is that bad?
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Office Space, my office space to be more precise...
Well, there's good news and there's bad news. I'll tell you the bad news first.
Today, the Direct TV guy came. He told us that he could not install our dish because there is a very large tree in front of our balcony that would interupt the signal. He apoligized profusely and told us that if we got the tree trimmed down , but we would not be able to get local channels. Really, the only option is to cut the tree down completely. But, that is not an option at all. He told us we would have to get cable. So, I looked up the prices for cable and to get all the channels we would get with Direct TV we would have to pay twice as much. Well, that's a no. So, we decided we would just get basic, and I went online and made the order. Then, when I got to the end and had to confirm our installation appoint, the lady told me that service was not available at our address. What?!? I just want to watch television. I already had to give up Project Runway. Can't I at least get the network stations? Pure frustration.
The good news is that I love my job. I really do. When I originally got the job, I didn't think I would hate it. I just figured it would be a job. It would be interesting. I would get to learn something new. I figured it would be easy enough, that I would catch on pretty quickly. All of that is true. I have caught on pretty quickly. It's not too hard. But, I am challenged. I have to learn several computer systems. I also have to become familiar with all the vendors that we work with and all the tours we offer. All of the people I work with are fantastic. They are so nice. So far, I am loving being a Travel Consultant. My manager keeps telling me that it's going to get busy, but I guess I don't mind. Bring on the busy. The only real complaint I have is that it's freaking hot. But, I guess I could just get a fan. And, I have my own desk, my very own cubicle. Man, it's good to be a graduate. Today, I was just driving home from work and realized that, for once in my life, I don't mind going to work.
And, I'm watching Office Space. This is a good day.
Today, the Direct TV guy came. He told us that he could not install our dish because there is a very large tree in front of our balcony that would interupt the signal. He apoligized profusely and told us that if we got the tree trimmed down , but we would not be able to get local channels. Really, the only option is to cut the tree down completely. But, that is not an option at all. He told us we would have to get cable. So, I looked up the prices for cable and to get all the channels we would get with Direct TV we would have to pay twice as much. Well, that's a no. So, we decided we would just get basic, and I went online and made the order. Then, when I got to the end and had to confirm our installation appoint, the lady told me that service was not available at our address. What?!? I just want to watch television. I already had to give up Project Runway. Can't I at least get the network stations? Pure frustration.
The good news is that I love my job. I really do. When I originally got the job, I didn't think I would hate it. I just figured it would be a job. It would be interesting. I would get to learn something new. I figured it would be easy enough, that I would catch on pretty quickly. All of that is true. I have caught on pretty quickly. It's not too hard. But, I am challenged. I have to learn several computer systems. I also have to become familiar with all the vendors that we work with and all the tours we offer. All of the people I work with are fantastic. They are so nice. So far, I am loving being a Travel Consultant. My manager keeps telling me that it's going to get busy, but I guess I don't mind. Bring on the busy. The only real complaint I have is that it's freaking hot. But, I guess I could just get a fan. And, I have my own desk, my very own cubicle. Man, it's good to be a graduate. Today, I was just driving home from work and realized that, for once in my life, I don't mind going to work.
And, I'm watching Office Space. This is a good day.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
A Slice of My Disjointed Thoughts.
Here, I sit. In my brand new apartment. I said good bye to my parents and now I am sitting in my brand new apartment. Just let that sink in. It's true. I did it. I made it.
I know that this isn't my first apartment. It's my second. But, somehow, this one feels different. I don't know why. But, it does. Maybe because it's the first apartment where I get my own room. Do you know how long it's been since I had my own room? A long time. Do you know how long it's been since I had my own closet? I can't even tell you. Guess what else I have? My own bathroom. I know. It's so strange and liberating at the same time.
Today, on the way here, I passed Tyndale. And, I was thinking that the last twenty-three years of my life could be easily divided. There were the pre-high school years which, despite the fact that I moved a zillion times and they included puberty, are pretty unremarkable. Then, there was highschool. Probably the first real turning point in my life for a lot of reasons, but that is another blog. Then, of course, the tyndale years. I lived with my parents, worked full time and went to college full time. Next, are the Lee years. While I learned a lot at Tyndale, at Lee, I learned a lot about myself. I was away from home, dealing with all kinds of stuff. Work, school, social situations, which we all know are not my specialty.
And now, I am embarking on a brand new chapter in my life. I guess if I had to name it, I would call it adulthood. I know that technically I have been an adult for five years, but this is a different taste of adulthood.
I know this blog is a little disjointed, but my thoughts are a little disjointed today. I'm tired and excited all at the same time. My mind is racing with all the things I need to do. I thought I would be scared about embarking on this new journey, but I'm too excited to be scared. That's odd, considering that new restaurants make me nervous.
Oh, one more thing, I'm a pirate. Yep, this wireless signal has been commandeered by me for my illegal use. How do you like dem apples?
I know that this isn't my first apartment. It's my second. But, somehow, this one feels different. I don't know why. But, it does. Maybe because it's the first apartment where I get my own room. Do you know how long it's been since I had my own room? A long time. Do you know how long it's been since I had my own closet? I can't even tell you. Guess what else I have? My own bathroom. I know. It's so strange and liberating at the same time.
Today, on the way here, I passed Tyndale. And, I was thinking that the last twenty-three years of my life could be easily divided. There were the pre-high school years which, despite the fact that I moved a zillion times and they included puberty, are pretty unremarkable. Then, there was highschool. Probably the first real turning point in my life for a lot of reasons, but that is another blog. Then, of course, the tyndale years. I lived with my parents, worked full time and went to college full time. Next, are the Lee years. While I learned a lot at Tyndale, at Lee, I learned a lot about myself. I was away from home, dealing with all kinds of stuff. Work, school, social situations, which we all know are not my specialty.
And now, I am embarking on a brand new chapter in my life. I guess if I had to name it, I would call it adulthood. I know that technically I have been an adult for five years, but this is a different taste of adulthood.
I know this blog is a little disjointed, but my thoughts are a little disjointed today. I'm tired and excited all at the same time. My mind is racing with all the things I need to do. I thought I would be scared about embarking on this new journey, but I'm too excited to be scared. That's odd, considering that new restaurants make me nervous.
Oh, one more thing, I'm a pirate. Yep, this wireless signal has been commandeered by me for my illegal use. How do you like dem apples?
Saturday, August 12, 2006
To boldly go where I have never gone before...
I'm moving on Thursday. Yes, I am.
I got a job at Image Travel. It's a travel agency that specializes in international guided group tours. I am kind of anti-tour. I much prefer traveling by the seat of your pants, but hey, it's a job. I am pretty excited about it, though. I am excited about getting to learn about a new industry. I am excited about starting this new chapter in my life.
So, now, I am moving into my new apartment in Grand Rapids on Thursday. I am really excited about that. I just can't wait to be out of my parents' house and on my own again. They are excited about it too.
So, last week, Crystal was telling me something about her boss' wife and how she wants to reinvent herself when she turns forty. I don't care if she reinvents herself, of course, but it made me start thinking about reinvention. Madonna is the master of reinvention. She is constantly changing her image and sound to keep up with "the times." Sometimes, it works, and sometimes it doesn't.
I think that there are a few things that I would like to reinvent about myself. I've always wanted to be one of those people who got more done before 9 am that I could get done before 9 pm. I've always wanted to be one of those people who is always reading a new book and always has something interesting to say. And, I think that now is the time to reinvent myself. I'm not talking about changing who I am, of course, but would it kill me to get up a few hours earlier and get stuff done? Would it kill me to go back and read all those books I was supposed to read for class? Would it kill me to maybe exercise every once in a while? I don't think so.
Just thought I would share.
I got a job at Image Travel. It's a travel agency that specializes in international guided group tours. I am kind of anti-tour. I much prefer traveling by the seat of your pants, but hey, it's a job. I am pretty excited about it, though. I am excited about getting to learn about a new industry. I am excited about starting this new chapter in my life.
So, now, I am moving into my new apartment in Grand Rapids on Thursday. I am really excited about that. I just can't wait to be out of my parents' house and on my own again. They are excited about it too.
So, last week, Crystal was telling me something about her boss' wife and how she wants to reinvent herself when she turns forty. I don't care if she reinvents herself, of course, but it made me start thinking about reinvention. Madonna is the master of reinvention. She is constantly changing her image and sound to keep up with "the times." Sometimes, it works, and sometimes it doesn't.
I think that there are a few things that I would like to reinvent about myself. I've always wanted to be one of those people who got more done before 9 am that I could get done before 9 pm. I've always wanted to be one of those people who is always reading a new book and always has something interesting to say. And, I think that now is the time to reinvent myself. I'm not talking about changing who I am, of course, but would it kill me to get up a few hours earlier and get stuff done? Would it kill me to go back and read all those books I was supposed to read for class? Would it kill me to maybe exercise every once in a while? I don't think so.
Just thought I would share.
Monday, June 19, 2006
The Village and other thoughts concerning M. Night.
This isn't actually a movie review. In preperation for the soon coming Lady in the Water, I was thinking about other M. Night flicks. Well, I guess I was really thinking about M. Night in general. He has become known as the crazy twist guy. You'll be watching one of his movies and think you have it figured out, and then you find out that Bruce Willis was dead or that he has supernatural powers. And that little girl was totally right about the water.
We came to expect that from him. He, like so many actors, has been typecast as the director who never ends a movie like you expect. The problem with that is that he constantly has to one up the suspense he built up in the last movie. But, not every movie is a thriller. If he made every movie a thriller, he would become cliche and blah and no one would go see his movies anymore.
But, when M. Night makes a movie that isn't a thriller, people are disappointed. Case in point: The Village. Everyone expected the movie to be about scary monsters. So when there were no scary monsters, just the elders dressed up in crazy costumes, people thought that was the crazy twist. But, no, if that's what you thought then you wrong. Some people thought that the crazy twist was the fact that the village wasn't what you thought. It was a modern day group of people that had voluntarily secluded themselves from the world. If this is what you thought, then you were only half right.
The crazy twist in The Village is that it isn't a thriller. It's not about the monsters. It's not about the suspense. It's about love. Yep, it's M. Night's version of a love story. And, it's a damn good version. But, before you go thinking the wrong thing again, let me just add that it's not just about romantic love. It's about people loving their children and their family so much that they were willing to seclude themselves from the rest of the big scary world so that they could give their children the best possible life. They gave up their careers and the members of their family who didn't want to come so that they could build a better life. It's about the kind of love that produces a kind of pain that would make people want to seclude themselves from the rest of the world. It's about loving someone so deeply that when you lose them, you lose yourself.
The elders understood that love so completely that when Lucius Hunt was stabbed they broke all their rules to save Ivy walker from that same kind of pain. It's a movie about a love so pure that if you're not careful you could miss it. It's a movie about innocence.
Only a genius of a director could pull of such an amazing movie. And, only M. Night is that kind of genius. Perhaps I am a bit biased, but few movies are shot as well as his. His aliens were probably the most beleivable aliens I have seen in a movie in a long time. And what director pays such attention to detail as he did in The Sixth Sense? And, what does it say about a director when actors want to work with him again and again? And, not just any actor, good actors. Bruce Willis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix have all worked for him twice. He's had Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, Adrien Brody, Samuel L. Jackson, Haley Joel Osmet, and Toni Collete in at least one of his projects. That's not a list you should sneeze at. So, don't.
All of you need to go out and rent The Village and any other M. Night movie you didn't like and watch it again with new eyes. Shake off your old prejudices. Stop looking for the twist and start looking for the story. Because not only is M. Night a brilliant director, he is a fantastic writer, a story teller.
We came to expect that from him. He, like so many actors, has been typecast as the director who never ends a movie like you expect. The problem with that is that he constantly has to one up the suspense he built up in the last movie. But, not every movie is a thriller. If he made every movie a thriller, he would become cliche and blah and no one would go see his movies anymore.
But, when M. Night makes a movie that isn't a thriller, people are disappointed. Case in point: The Village. Everyone expected the movie to be about scary monsters. So when there were no scary monsters, just the elders dressed up in crazy costumes, people thought that was the crazy twist. But, no, if that's what you thought then you wrong. Some people thought that the crazy twist was the fact that the village wasn't what you thought. It was a modern day group of people that had voluntarily secluded themselves from the world. If this is what you thought, then you were only half right.
The crazy twist in The Village is that it isn't a thriller. It's not about the monsters. It's not about the suspense. It's about love. Yep, it's M. Night's version of a love story. And, it's a damn good version. But, before you go thinking the wrong thing again, let me just add that it's not just about romantic love. It's about people loving their children and their family so much that they were willing to seclude themselves from the rest of the big scary world so that they could give their children the best possible life. They gave up their careers and the members of their family who didn't want to come so that they could build a better life. It's about the kind of love that produces a kind of pain that would make people want to seclude themselves from the rest of the world. It's about loving someone so deeply that when you lose them, you lose yourself.
The elders understood that love so completely that when Lucius Hunt was stabbed they broke all their rules to save Ivy walker from that same kind of pain. It's a movie about a love so pure that if you're not careful you could miss it. It's a movie about innocence.
Only a genius of a director could pull of such an amazing movie. And, only M. Night is that kind of genius. Perhaps I am a bit biased, but few movies are shot as well as his. His aliens were probably the most beleivable aliens I have seen in a movie in a long time. And what director pays such attention to detail as he did in The Sixth Sense? And, what does it say about a director when actors want to work with him again and again? And, not just any actor, good actors. Bruce Willis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix have all worked for him twice. He's had Mel Gibson, Sigourney Weaver, Adrien Brody, Samuel L. Jackson, Haley Joel Osmet, and Toni Collete in at least one of his projects. That's not a list you should sneeze at. So, don't.
All of you need to go out and rent The Village and any other M. Night movie you didn't like and watch it again with new eyes. Shake off your old prejudices. Stop looking for the twist and start looking for the story. Because not only is M. Night a brilliant director, he is a fantastic writer, a story teller.
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
I need a map.
I don't really know why I am writing this. I just sort of need to send this cosmic question out into the universe.
Today, I was listening to the radio and the DJ said that the artist who had just sung the song was only twenty-three and already has three number one songs. That made me start thinking, that's how old I am. And, how many other twenty-somethings are out there acheiving their dreams. They are out there making movies, on tour, hitting home runs and such while I live in my parent's basement working at a medical billing office and watching the gilmore girls.
I have already resigned myself to the fact that it is unlikely that I will "make it" before I'm twenty-five. So, I'm shooting for thirty. Now, I know that thirty isn't old, but it is in seven years. I do not have that kind of patience. I think John Mayer called it a "quarter life crisis." I feel like I am sitting behind a desk waiting for my life to start while the rest of the world is just zooming by. It hurts a little.
Another part of the problem is that while I am waiting for my life to start, I feel a little guily because I feel like I could be starting it if I just knew what to do. If I just knew what job to take or who to talk to or what classes I should sign up for, then I could get my life started. But, I have no idea what I am doing. Here I am, graduated from college, with a good idea of where I want to end up, but with no idea what steps to take to get there.
So, college students, worse then the dreaded senioritis is the quarter life crisis that seems to inevitably follow. I have all this freedom. I don't have to go to class or write a paper. I don't have to register for classes. But, it seems when I don't have someone telling me what to do, I'm lost as to what step to take next. Like John Mayer said, there is just a stirring in my soul, wondering about a still verdictless life.
Today, I was listening to the radio and the DJ said that the artist who had just sung the song was only twenty-three and already has three number one songs. That made me start thinking, that's how old I am. And, how many other twenty-somethings are out there acheiving their dreams. They are out there making movies, on tour, hitting home runs and such while I live in my parent's basement working at a medical billing office and watching the gilmore girls.
I have already resigned myself to the fact that it is unlikely that I will "make it" before I'm twenty-five. So, I'm shooting for thirty. Now, I know that thirty isn't old, but it is in seven years. I do not have that kind of patience. I think John Mayer called it a "quarter life crisis." I feel like I am sitting behind a desk waiting for my life to start while the rest of the world is just zooming by. It hurts a little.
Another part of the problem is that while I am waiting for my life to start, I feel a little guily because I feel like I could be starting it if I just knew what to do. If I just knew what job to take or who to talk to or what classes I should sign up for, then I could get my life started. But, I have no idea what I am doing. Here I am, graduated from college, with a good idea of where I want to end up, but with no idea what steps to take to get there.
So, college students, worse then the dreaded senioritis is the quarter life crisis that seems to inevitably follow. I have all this freedom. I don't have to go to class or write a paper. I don't have to register for classes. But, it seems when I don't have someone telling me what to do, I'm lost as to what step to take next. Like John Mayer said, there is just a stirring in my soul, wondering about a still verdictless life.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Confessions
I thought that because I have now graduated from college and have entered the real world and adult life that maybe there are a few confessions to make before I start this new chapter.
1. I love American Idol. No, excuse me, I really really love American Idol. Sometimes Tuesdays are the highlight of my week, especially lately. I vote and vote and vote. No, I am not giving this up.
2. Sometimes I stay in my pajamas all day. I want to. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't. It's not like I would go to work in my pajamas and I hardly ever leave the house in them, so every once in a while I just stay in them for a very long time.
3. I daydream a lot. It exercises my creative mind.
4. I really did wonder if Ross and Rachel were going to get together in the end.
5. I hate when people make suggestions about what I should do. I know they are trying to be helpful by offering their knowledge in a particular area, but I really just want to punch them in the face. Look, I'll find my own path, thanks. And, if I do need your help, then I'll ask.
6. Boys make me nervous. Always have, always will. I'm not sure why. And, honestly, I have a bachelors degree in psychology, so if I did want to know, I would figure it out on my own.
7. And, lastly, I love television. I know a lot of you already know this about me, but I want to say it for everyone to hear. I love tv. I watch it a lot. And I don't think I am any less smart for it. And if I was, then dang, I could have been the next Einstein.
I invite your own confessions, but you probably shouldn't tell me. I don't really care. I hardly ever listen to people when they talk.
1. I love American Idol. No, excuse me, I really really love American Idol. Sometimes Tuesdays are the highlight of my week, especially lately. I vote and vote and vote. No, I am not giving this up.
2. Sometimes I stay in my pajamas all day. I want to. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't. It's not like I would go to work in my pajamas and I hardly ever leave the house in them, so every once in a while I just stay in them for a very long time.
3. I daydream a lot. It exercises my creative mind.
4. I really did wonder if Ross and Rachel were going to get together in the end.
5. I hate when people make suggestions about what I should do. I know they are trying to be helpful by offering their knowledge in a particular area, but I really just want to punch them in the face. Look, I'll find my own path, thanks. And, if I do need your help, then I'll ask.
6. Boys make me nervous. Always have, always will. I'm not sure why. And, honestly, I have a bachelors degree in psychology, so if I did want to know, I would figure it out on my own.
7. And, lastly, I love television. I know a lot of you already know this about me, but I want to say it for everyone to hear. I love tv. I watch it a lot. And I don't think I am any less smart for it. And if I was, then dang, I could have been the next Einstein.
I invite your own confessions, but you probably shouldn't tell me. I don't really care. I hardly ever listen to people when they talk.
Saturday, May 6, 2006
I'm set adrift, with a diploma for a sail and lots of nerve for oars.
Today I graduated.
They did not let me give an acceptance speech, so I decided I would put one in blog form anyway. So, if I would have been able to give a speech upon accepting my diploma what follows is what I would have said.
First and foremost, I want to thank my family. My parents have supported me in more ways than I could possibly recount. My sisters have been wonderful as well. We don't always get along, sure, but I always know I can call on them. Also, to my extended family, especially to those of you who are here today. All of you have been the base of my support system and I have a hard time believing that I could have actually made it without you.
Second, I want to thank my friends. I hesitate to name them for fear that I might leave someone out, but there are a few I would like to name. Crystal, without you, I would have no idea where I'm going. Joshua, thank you so much for picking me up on the side of the road, changing my tire and all the other things you do for me. Mary and Sarah Beth, you were my salvation those first few semesters and I never would have made it without you. Jessie, my wonderful roommate, I can't believe we did it. Sara, this is only the beginning. And, finally, Audrey, if you wouldn't have caught me on the way to the registrar's office, I definitely wouldn't be here.
Third, I want to thank the faculty and staff. Namely, Dr Dirksen and Dr. Jones. I know that I can be an annoying student. I know that I can be a pain in the butt. Dr. Dirksen you have taught me, but more importantly, you have showed me a bigger world out there. Thanks for Peru. Dr. Jones, you have always made me believe that I can do anything. Your passion about even the most boring aspects of Anthropology is infectious.
I can't believe I have finally made it. And while I am proud of myself, I am proud of us. It has taken a lot of people to get me here. I did not do it on my own. It took a village to get this girl graduated.
They did not let me give an acceptance speech, so I decided I would put one in blog form anyway. So, if I would have been able to give a speech upon accepting my diploma what follows is what I would have said.
First and foremost, I want to thank my family. My parents have supported me in more ways than I could possibly recount. My sisters have been wonderful as well. We don't always get along, sure, but I always know I can call on them. Also, to my extended family, especially to those of you who are here today. All of you have been the base of my support system and I have a hard time believing that I could have actually made it without you.
Second, I want to thank my friends. I hesitate to name them for fear that I might leave someone out, but there are a few I would like to name. Crystal, without you, I would have no idea where I'm going. Joshua, thank you so much for picking me up on the side of the road, changing my tire and all the other things you do for me. Mary and Sarah Beth, you were my salvation those first few semesters and I never would have made it without you. Jessie, my wonderful roommate, I can't believe we did it. Sara, this is only the beginning. And, finally, Audrey, if you wouldn't have caught me on the way to the registrar's office, I definitely wouldn't be here.
Third, I want to thank the faculty and staff. Namely, Dr Dirksen and Dr. Jones. I know that I can be an annoying student. I know that I can be a pain in the butt. Dr. Dirksen you have taught me, but more importantly, you have showed me a bigger world out there. Thanks for Peru. Dr. Jones, you have always made me believe that I can do anything. Your passion about even the most boring aspects of Anthropology is infectious.
I can't believe I have finally made it. And while I am proud of myself, I am proud of us. It has taken a lot of people to get me here. I did not do it on my own. It took a village to get this girl graduated.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
You can read this if you want.
I know I've been blogging a lot lately, and maybe you are tired of reading them. Well, you don't have to read this one. I will not be complaining though. And, it's not about graduation. It's something I've never written about before. I know your interest is peaked now.
Okay, so I have been reading this book by Tony Campolo called A Reasonable Faith. I wasn't impressed until I got to the second to last chapter today. He was talking about self actualization and humanism. Don't worry if you don't know what that is because I'm going to break down my favorite parts for you. If you are curious though, I do suggest you read it.
So, basically Campolo is building around Maslow's theory of self-actualization, which is that the ultimate goal of humanity is to become the most perfect human, to be fully human. Campolo suggests that the only way we can become fully human is to have an intimate relationship with the only person who is fully human, Jesus.
The most interesting thing about Campolo's Christian Humanist theology is not the above statement, which is the main premise, but its implications. The one on sin being my favorite. If we are all striving to be that most fully human, then we should also be striving to bring others to that same state. And anytime we succeed in bringing a person, including ourselves, closer to self-actualization, we have accomplished good. Anytime we fail to bring a person, included ourselves, to self-actualization, we have not accomplished good. Worse yet, if we make a person, including ourselves, feel less like a human, dehumanized, we have sinned. Whoa. Holy Moses.
Think about that. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. But, how many times do you think you dehumanize someone? Call some driver an idiot, treat the casheir like they're stupid, or get agitated in a drive thru. We are dehumanizing them. But, even more, when we fail to humanize someone, or bring them closer to being fully human, is that a sin as well? Man, I don't know. But, I have to be honest, I am loving this new perspective on sin. I like the black and whiteness of it.
It definitely made my last trip to Walmart a little more interesting.
Okay, so I have been reading this book by Tony Campolo called A Reasonable Faith. I wasn't impressed until I got to the second to last chapter today. He was talking about self actualization and humanism. Don't worry if you don't know what that is because I'm going to break down my favorite parts for you. If you are curious though, I do suggest you read it.
So, basically Campolo is building around Maslow's theory of self-actualization, which is that the ultimate goal of humanity is to become the most perfect human, to be fully human. Campolo suggests that the only way we can become fully human is to have an intimate relationship with the only person who is fully human, Jesus.
The most interesting thing about Campolo's Christian Humanist theology is not the above statement, which is the main premise, but its implications. The one on sin being my favorite. If we are all striving to be that most fully human, then we should also be striving to bring others to that same state. And anytime we succeed in bringing a person, including ourselves, closer to self-actualization, we have accomplished good. Anytime we fail to bring a person, included ourselves, to self-actualization, we have not accomplished good. Worse yet, if we make a person, including ourselves, feel less like a human, dehumanized, we have sinned. Whoa. Holy Moses.
Think about that. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. But, how many times do you think you dehumanize someone? Call some driver an idiot, treat the casheir like they're stupid, or get agitated in a drive thru. We are dehumanizing them. But, even more, when we fail to humanize someone, or bring them closer to being fully human, is that a sin as well? Man, I don't know. But, I have to be honest, I am loving this new perspective on sin. I like the black and whiteness of it.
It definitely made my last trip to Walmart a little more interesting.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
"Adventure," she cried, "adventure!"
I am so bored. I am bored with Cleveland. I am bored with my apartment. I am bored with my job. I am bored with school. I am bored with my life. Let me break it down for you.
Cleveland does not rock. Cleveland sucks. There is never anything exciting going on. Well, last week there was the festival of cultures, but I had to work. You can drive from one side of Cleveland to the other in ten minutes and not see anything excited. I know, I just did it. In fact most of the restaurants are closed by ten. Well, that's just silly.
Because I do not have a job, and I only have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and most of my friends do not have this cushy arrangement. So, I spend most of my days hanging out in my apartment. I hate it. I feel like a big, lazy slob.
I am bored with my job. Yes, I am the Lee University Lady Flames Concessions Manager. I am grateful for my job. And, most of the time, I don't mind my job. But, sometimes, I just get sick of serving hot dogs. Sometimes, I have a lot of fun with my job. And, sometimes, I don't. The truth is, it just doesn't pay enough.
I am twenty-three days away from graduation. That is exciting. I am definitely not bored with that. No freaking way. However, seriously, what are you going to teach me in twenty-three days. Actually, it's far less than twenty-three days, it's actually eight days. What are you going to teach me in eight days? What could I possibly prove to you about my own intelligence in those eight days. If I haven't proven that I am worthy of my degree, am I really going to prove it to you in those eight days? I really don't have the motivation to write one more paper, to take one more exam, to listen to one more lecture.
I think I am done complaining. I realize that my life is not that bad. I'm just frustrated right now. I just need a little adventure. I am not content hanging out in my apartment, watching television and writing response papers. I need to climb a mountain, hang out in a cafe with a hot guy with a lovely accent, take a hike in a jungle, hell, I'd eat a jungle grub.
Cleveland does not rock. Cleveland sucks. There is never anything exciting going on. Well, last week there was the festival of cultures, but I had to work. You can drive from one side of Cleveland to the other in ten minutes and not see anything excited. I know, I just did it. In fact most of the restaurants are closed by ten. Well, that's just silly.
Because I do not have a job, and I only have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and most of my friends do not have this cushy arrangement. So, I spend most of my days hanging out in my apartment. I hate it. I feel like a big, lazy slob.
I am bored with my job. Yes, I am the Lee University Lady Flames Concessions Manager. I am grateful for my job. And, most of the time, I don't mind my job. But, sometimes, I just get sick of serving hot dogs. Sometimes, I have a lot of fun with my job. And, sometimes, I don't. The truth is, it just doesn't pay enough.
I am twenty-three days away from graduation. That is exciting. I am definitely not bored with that. No freaking way. However, seriously, what are you going to teach me in twenty-three days. Actually, it's far less than twenty-three days, it's actually eight days. What are you going to teach me in eight days? What could I possibly prove to you about my own intelligence in those eight days. If I haven't proven that I am worthy of my degree, am I really going to prove it to you in those eight days? I really don't have the motivation to write one more paper, to take one more exam, to listen to one more lecture.
I think I am done complaining. I realize that my life is not that bad. I'm just frustrated right now. I just need a little adventure. I am not content hanging out in my apartment, watching television and writing response papers. I need to climb a mountain, hang out in a cafe with a hot guy with a lovely accent, take a hike in a jungle, hell, I'd eat a jungle grub.
Friday, April 7, 2006
AND ANTHROPOLOGY
Today, I went to the bookstore to pick up the twenty-five announcements the school gives me for free. Before I even open the announcements, I call my mom to let her know that they are in. Then, I open them and saw what they said. Sure, they spelled my name right, but the got my degree wrong. Oh man, am I ever mad. It says I am a candidate for a Bachelor of Art's Degree in Psychology.
AND ANTHROPOLOGY!
But, do they say that? No.
The truth is, I don't really care what the announcements say. If the school didn't give them to me for free, then I wouldn't even be sending them out. But, I do care what my degree says. I do care what they say when I walk across the stage. And if they can only say one major, fine, but I want it to be Anthropology. None of the psychology professors even know my name. I don't even care about psychology anymore. Sure, I probably learned some useful things, but if I had to do it all over again, I would only do anthropology.
My fellow double major, Sara, and I are feeling as though we aren't getting a fair shake. Neither major wants to recognize us because we betrayed them in some way. It's like we are Samaritans, not fully Jewish, and not fully Gentile. But, there is one difference, we have done the same amount of work as every single major, plus the work of an entire seperate major. I only had one class that overlapped. This is ridiculous. I stayed an entire year longer because I discovered that anthropology is truly my passion, my avenue to change the world, and I don't even get the recognition for it.
Man, come Monday if something doesn't change, heads are gonna roll. I'm calling my Mama.
AND ANTHROPOLOGY!
But, do they say that? No.
The truth is, I don't really care what the announcements say. If the school didn't give them to me for free, then I wouldn't even be sending them out. But, I do care what my degree says. I do care what they say when I walk across the stage. And if they can only say one major, fine, but I want it to be Anthropology. None of the psychology professors even know my name. I don't even care about psychology anymore. Sure, I probably learned some useful things, but if I had to do it all over again, I would only do anthropology.
My fellow double major, Sara, and I are feeling as though we aren't getting a fair shake. Neither major wants to recognize us because we betrayed them in some way. It's like we are Samaritans, not fully Jewish, and not fully Gentile. But, there is one difference, we have done the same amount of work as every single major, plus the work of an entire seperate major. I only had one class that overlapped. This is ridiculous. I stayed an entire year longer because I discovered that anthropology is truly my passion, my avenue to change the world, and I don't even get the recognition for it.
Man, come Monday if something doesn't change, heads are gonna roll. I'm calling my Mama.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Reese's Pieces and Amoebas
I am eating Reese's Pieces for lunch. I thought perhaps this blog may make more sense if you knew that little tidbit of information.
This morning I took a linguistics test and I think I did a pretty good job. I'm talking passing here, folks. Then, I was talking to my Spanish professor and he said he didn't think I would be failing any classes this semester, including his. Well, thank you very much Profesor Esmit. Also, I have rediscovered the comfort and versatility of jeans and a t-shirt, and I'm not going to wear anything but for the rest of the semester. So, I am having a fabulous day. But, that is not why I am writing this blog. I am writing this blog because I have happened upon a theological truth that I wanted to share with all of you.
We all know that when we get to heaven, we will be given a new body. There has been much discussion as to what form these new bodies may actually take. Discuss no further. I have figured it out. We will be amoeba-like. Obviously, we will not be amoebas, because amoebas are unicellular organisms, and we will be mulitcellular. What is my reasoning, you ask? I forget, but think of the advantages. There is no fat or thin when it comes to amoebas. They are shapeless. They can even change shape to fit the situation. Come on, that would totally come in handy. Think of all the new forms of creative movement we could discover. Amoebas are slimey. Gross? No! Convenient, we won't have to worry about personal hygeine. Can an amoeba be less slimey? Would it matter? I don't think so. We also won't need to give any thought to what we will wear because, amoebas don't wear clothes. This is so obvious, I can't beleive no one has thought of it yet. I am a genius.
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Update: May 10th, 2006
So, I told my dad about my amoeba theory. He calmly told me that we will be known as we were. He gave me some scriptures and said that we will probably be the same, our body will just be new. I tried to tell him that I didn't really think we would be amoebas and he told me I should want the truth. whatev.
This morning I took a linguistics test and I think I did a pretty good job. I'm talking passing here, folks. Then, I was talking to my Spanish professor and he said he didn't think I would be failing any classes this semester, including his. Well, thank you very much Profesor Esmit. Also, I have rediscovered the comfort and versatility of jeans and a t-shirt, and I'm not going to wear anything but for the rest of the semester. So, I am having a fabulous day. But, that is not why I am writing this blog. I am writing this blog because I have happened upon a theological truth that I wanted to share with all of you.
We all know that when we get to heaven, we will be given a new body. There has been much discussion as to what form these new bodies may actually take. Discuss no further. I have figured it out. We will be amoeba-like. Obviously, we will not be amoebas, because amoebas are unicellular organisms, and we will be mulitcellular. What is my reasoning, you ask? I forget, but think of the advantages. There is no fat or thin when it comes to amoebas. They are shapeless. They can even change shape to fit the situation. Come on, that would totally come in handy. Think of all the new forms of creative movement we could discover. Amoebas are slimey. Gross? No! Convenient, we won't have to worry about personal hygeine. Can an amoeba be less slimey? Would it matter? I don't think so. We also won't need to give any thought to what we will wear because, amoebas don't wear clothes. This is so obvious, I can't beleive no one has thought of it yet. I am a genius.
--------
Update: May 10th, 2006
So, I told my dad about my amoeba theory. He calmly told me that we will be known as we were. He gave me some scriptures and said that we will probably be the same, our body will just be new. I tried to tell him that I didn't really think we would be amoebas and he told me I should want the truth. whatev.
Sunday, April 2, 2006
You have bewitched me.
You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love and love and love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on. And every woman in the world breathes a collective sigh.
This past week, I received the most lovely thing, a care package from my little sister. And, my little sister, being the little sister that she is, sent me nothing I needed, but everything I wanted, including Pride and Prejudice. So, in the past week, I have watched it at least three times. Actually, probably more because I have watched the scene that the above quote is from about fifteen times.
But, I couldn't help but wonder why I put myself through it. Why do I watch these romantic movies over and over, when I usually end up feeling depressed because I have yet to find that bewitching love? But, the truth is that while I am a tid depressed, I find much more hope, hope that someday I wil find that man who loves and loves and loves me. It is a gentle reminder that love really does exist. And it can survive through an insane mother with bad nerves, an overzealous aunt concerned only with her daughter's welfare, and a pledge to loathe him for all eternity.
This past week, I received the most lovely thing, a care package from my little sister. And, my little sister, being the little sister that she is, sent me nothing I needed, but everything I wanted, including Pride and Prejudice. So, in the past week, I have watched it at least three times. Actually, probably more because I have watched the scene that the above quote is from about fifteen times.
But, I couldn't help but wonder why I put myself through it. Why do I watch these romantic movies over and over, when I usually end up feeling depressed because I have yet to find that bewitching love? But, the truth is that while I am a tid depressed, I find much more hope, hope that someday I wil find that man who loves and loves and loves me. It is a gentle reminder that love really does exist. And it can survive through an insane mother with bad nerves, an overzealous aunt concerned only with her daughter's welfare, and a pledge to loathe him for all eternity.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Equality Ride
For those of you who do not know what happened on the campus of Lee University last week, a group of activists on a freedom ride stopped by. They said that they were fighting for civil rights. They said that they were following in the tradition of the freedom rides of the 60's and the 70's. They were a group of gay and lesbian students traveling across the United States asking Christian colleges and military schools to remove the homosexual clause from their handouts and rules. If you want to know more about them, they have a pretty well organized website, www.equalityride.com.
I don't have a problem with what they are doing. I don't agree with them. But, I recognize their right to have their own point of view and to broadcast it all they want. However, I do have a problem with their attitude. According to Dr. Conn, when they first approached him, they asked for public forum. It has been my experience with Dr. Conn and the majority of the staff at Lee University that they take a pretty liberal view on most topics. They allow for varying opinions and will grant those varying platforms a soapbox, if they want it. He only asks that they maintain a public discourse, meaning that both sides of the argument are presented. ER did not wish to have a public discourse. They were not willing to discuss their beliefs with others who may not agree with them. So, as a result, Dr. Conn would not allow them any public forum. This is what the students were told from the start. (http://www.leeuniversity.edu/info/news/news-article.asp?newsid=3323)
From my point of view, it was a pretty boring two days. They weren't any public demonstrations. I actually was kind of hoping to talk to a member of ER, but they pretty much ignored me as I walked into chapel. They didn't come into any of my classes. The only real issue was that some close-minded resident of lovely Cleveland spraypainted "fags-mobile" in hot pink paint on the side of their bus. Fabulous.
Well, I thought it went off without a hitch, but today, I read the online journals about their visit to Lee. I found myself getting angrier and angrier. First, they have an article saying that on Wednesday night, Dr. Conn told them they were not allowed any public forum. This surprised them because he had previously said they would be allowed one. No, he didn't. He's been telling us from the beginning that they wouldn't be allowed a public forum. Then, they refer to those of us that do not agree with them as close minded and lacking the Love of Christ. Well, that just flat out pisses me off. I am far from close-minded. I accept their right to practice whatever way of life they choose. I do not agree with it. I'm not grossed out by LGBT's. I admit that I don't understand it, but that's why I was looking forward to ER's arrival. I wanted to hear what they had to say.
As for lacking in the Love of Christ, they are so wrong. Maybe I'm not the best example of Christ's Love, but I know plenty of people on this campus that personify it. I think a reexamination of Christ's Love may be in order. Jesus ate with sinners and publicans, but he did not agree with them. He did not accept them. He commanded that they rise above their sin. That's really what He's asking us all to do. He wants us to shed out dirtiness and become clean, become better, become useable.
I don't have a problem with what they are doing. I don't agree with them. But, I recognize their right to have their own point of view and to broadcast it all they want. However, I do have a problem with their attitude. According to Dr. Conn, when they first approached him, they asked for public forum. It has been my experience with Dr. Conn and the majority of the staff at Lee University that they take a pretty liberal view on most topics. They allow for varying opinions and will grant those varying platforms a soapbox, if they want it. He only asks that they maintain a public discourse, meaning that both sides of the argument are presented. ER did not wish to have a public discourse. They were not willing to discuss their beliefs with others who may not agree with them. So, as a result, Dr. Conn would not allow them any public forum. This is what the students were told from the start. (http://www.leeuniversity.edu/info/news/news-article.asp?newsid=3323)
From my point of view, it was a pretty boring two days. They weren't any public demonstrations. I actually was kind of hoping to talk to a member of ER, but they pretty much ignored me as I walked into chapel. They didn't come into any of my classes. The only real issue was that some close-minded resident of lovely Cleveland spraypainted "fags-mobile" in hot pink paint on the side of their bus. Fabulous.
Well, I thought it went off without a hitch, but today, I read the online journals about their visit to Lee. I found myself getting angrier and angrier. First, they have an article saying that on Wednesday night, Dr. Conn told them they were not allowed any public forum. This surprised them because he had previously said they would be allowed one. No, he didn't. He's been telling us from the beginning that they wouldn't be allowed a public forum. Then, they refer to those of us that do not agree with them as close minded and lacking the Love of Christ. Well, that just flat out pisses me off. I am far from close-minded. I accept their right to practice whatever way of life they choose. I do not agree with it. I'm not grossed out by LGBT's. I admit that I don't understand it, but that's why I was looking forward to ER's arrival. I wanted to hear what they had to say.
As for lacking in the Love of Christ, they are so wrong. Maybe I'm not the best example of Christ's Love, but I know plenty of people on this campus that personify it. I think a reexamination of Christ's Love may be in order. Jesus ate with sinners and publicans, but he did not agree with them. He did not accept them. He commanded that they rise above their sin. That's really what He's asking us all to do. He wants us to shed out dirtiness and become clean, become better, become useable.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Language Purism
This blog will not be about language purism at all. Want to know why? Because I don't know anything about language purism. But, I have a paper due at 7:45 in the morning that is supposed to be about language purism. Actually, it's just a rough draft. Why do I have to write a rough draft? I passed English 110. I already proved that I am capable of writing a paper. Why do I have to turn in a test paper first? I don't know.
I am so over school. Can I just say that? I don't think it's fun. I don't think it's a good experience. I'm done. Emotionally, philosophically, physically, and in every other way, but technically. I am totally spent. I don't think I could learn anything else if I tried. And the truth is, I don't think I'm going to try. I think I may be ready to commit educational suicide. If you know what that means, then my guess is you are in the same boat as me. The rest of you who are saying, "oh my God, what is she talking about? Should we be concerned? Should we call her parents? Is there a doctor in the house?" Do not call a doctor, and for God's sake, do not call my mom. Someday you will be in the same boat. Trust me.
One last thing, does anyone know where I could buy a paper? Seriously, I've lost all moral fiber when it comes to my education. Fortunately, I'm broke.
I am so over school. Can I just say that? I don't think it's fun. I don't think it's a good experience. I'm done. Emotionally, philosophically, physically, and in every other way, but technically. I am totally spent. I don't think I could learn anything else if I tried. And the truth is, I don't think I'm going to try. I think I may be ready to commit educational suicide. If you know what that means, then my guess is you are in the same boat as me. The rest of you who are saying, "oh my God, what is she talking about? Should we be concerned? Should we call her parents? Is there a doctor in the house?" Do not call a doctor, and for God's sake, do not call my mom. Someday you will be in the same boat. Trust me.
One last thing, does anyone know where I could buy a paper? Seriously, I've lost all moral fiber when it comes to my education. Fortunately, I'm broke.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Doctor, I think she has an acute case of senioritis.
I have never in my life not wanted to be somewhere so bad. I hate Cleveland. I hate Lee. I hate going to class. I hate going to Walmart. I hate Bradly Square Mall. I hate not having a real job. I hate homework. I hate writing papers. I hate spring break.
All week, I have been attempting to "catch up." I have a ton of homework. I did get a considerable amount done, but not all of it. And, then Emily told me that our linguistics rough draft is due on Thursday. Holy suck. I actually find linguistics terribly interesting and, in another life, might consider pursuing it on the graduate level. But, to write a paper about something I don't really know anything about yet, is not an appealing proposition. I have so much reading to do, so much writing to do. I also live in constant fear that I might fail spanish.
I am so bored. I am bored, bored, bored. I am bored with school. I don't want to read one more anthropologist who died before my mom was born. I don't want to write one more paper. I don't want to conjugate one more verb. I am done. But, if I am not doing homework, I have nothing else to do. I am broke. And even if I wasn't broke, there isn't anything to do here. Especially this week, since everyone was gone. I don't even have cable.
On top of all that, I'm having this peculiar problem. I can't sleep. I'll be so tired, but then when I go to bed, I can't sleep. It's annoying. I think I'm done complaining. But, I do think I have the worst case of senioritis ever. I may actually be diagnosable. And that's my semi-professional opinion.
I'm spent.
All week, I have been attempting to "catch up." I have a ton of homework. I did get a considerable amount done, but not all of it. And, then Emily told me that our linguistics rough draft is due on Thursday. Holy suck. I actually find linguistics terribly interesting and, in another life, might consider pursuing it on the graduate level. But, to write a paper about something I don't really know anything about yet, is not an appealing proposition. I have so much reading to do, so much writing to do. I also live in constant fear that I might fail spanish.
I am so bored. I am bored, bored, bored. I am bored with school. I don't want to read one more anthropologist who died before my mom was born. I don't want to write one more paper. I don't want to conjugate one more verb. I am done. But, if I am not doing homework, I have nothing else to do. I am broke. And even if I wasn't broke, there isn't anything to do here. Especially this week, since everyone was gone. I don't even have cable.
On top of all that, I'm having this peculiar problem. I can't sleep. I'll be so tired, but then when I go to bed, I can't sleep. It's annoying. I think I'm done complaining. But, I do think I have the worst case of senioritis ever. I may actually be diagnosable. And that's my semi-professional opinion.
I'm spent.
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
That Elusive Twenty Dollar Bill...
Okay, so a lot of people have been asking me what happened yesterday, so I decided to write a blog about. So, the rent is due today, but I was going to pay it yesterday. But, you know, when you get money out of an ATM, you can't ask for exactly the amount you need. So, I had to go above the amount I needed. I had to go over by like eighteen dollars because you have to request the amount in increments of twenty dollars. Well, you know how they work. So, I decided to go to Chik-fil-a and get some sweet tea so I could break the twenty and make life a little easier. So, me and my roommate are in the drive-thru, listening to sunny 92.3, and being silly. I had the twenty dollar bill in my hand and I was playing with it. And, then....
It happened.
The twenty dollar bill slipped down inside my car door.
I asked the two lips that hold the window to hold my twenty for a second. You know, I just needed to get something. So, I said, to the lips that hold the window, "will you please hold this for a second." They said, "oh, sure, no problem. We hold the window all the time, of course we can hold that twenty dollar bill." But, they did not. They failed. They let go.
Luckily, I had some more cash, or we would have been in trouble. But, we were both laughing so hard we were crying. The guy in the drive thru must have thought we were absolutely insane.
Then, we got home, and looked inside the door and Jessie said she could see it. So, we got a hanger, stretched it out, and stuck some gum on the end of it. It didn't work. Then we took the gum off and fashioned a little hook out of the hanger. Man, if only we had had the foresight to punch a hole in the bill that would've worked. Then, Kevin came over and he tried to take the door apart. Well, that started to look like it might be bad. I was afraid we were going to break the door and then it would cost more than twenty dollars to fix it.
So, today, I think we will try a vacuum. We might also try to fashion giant tweezers out of a hanger and see if that works. If it doesn't, then, when I sell my car, I'm just going to see it for twenty dollars more than it's worth, no matter what. But, for now, that twenty dollar bill is just laying at the bottom of my door taunting me, laughing at me.
It happened.
The twenty dollar bill slipped down inside my car door.
I asked the two lips that hold the window to hold my twenty for a second. You know, I just needed to get something. So, I said, to the lips that hold the window, "will you please hold this for a second." They said, "oh, sure, no problem. We hold the window all the time, of course we can hold that twenty dollar bill." But, they did not. They failed. They let go.
Luckily, I had some more cash, or we would have been in trouble. But, we were both laughing so hard we were crying. The guy in the drive thru must have thought we were absolutely insane.
Then, we got home, and looked inside the door and Jessie said she could see it. So, we got a hanger, stretched it out, and stuck some gum on the end of it. It didn't work. Then we took the gum off and fashioned a little hook out of the hanger. Man, if only we had had the foresight to punch a hole in the bill that would've worked. Then, Kevin came over and he tried to take the door apart. Well, that started to look like it might be bad. I was afraid we were going to break the door and then it would cost more than twenty dollars to fix it.
So, today, I think we will try a vacuum. We might also try to fashion giant tweezers out of a hanger and see if that works. If it doesn't, then, when I sell my car, I'm just going to see it for twenty dollars more than it's worth, no matter what. But, for now, that twenty dollar bill is just laying at the bottom of my door taunting me, laughing at me.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Hands and Feet
So, as I am a senior for the second year in a row, I am familiar with senioritis. I no longer care about my gpa or what grades I get in any particular class. For, as my good friend reminded me so recently, c's get degrees. I am sick of writing papers, and I am so over exams. I don't mind skipping class. I won't lose any sleep over it. The semesters have become these never ending blocks of time. I can spot a freshman from a mile away, actually, I think I can smell them by now. I know what times to go to Walmart or the PCSU or even the business office to avoid people, and that's generally when I go. Yeah, I know all about senioritis, or so I thought.
I didn't think about another symptom of senioritis. It's when you break out in hives because people keep asking you what you are going to do with your degree or what you are going to when you graduate. Most of the time, I'm content answering honestly. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can give you my plans for the next year or so, but honestly, my future is something that I'm not completely sure of. I just don't know what road I'm going to take and where that road will eventually lead me. I just don't know. But, today, when I got into my car, Audio Adrenaline was playing. It's the Underdog cd. I don't know why it was in my changer, but it popped up and I was pretty excited. They were one of my favorites when I was in high school. Anyway, the song that was playing was Hands and Feet.
I started thinking that all God has asked me to do was to be his hands and his feet. God can't (or won't, take whatever theological standpoint you will, this is a blog) be here on this earth. He can't physically touch people, he can't hand them a glass of water, or help them build a church. But, we can. I'm no preacher. Sure, I can jump up on a soapbox every once in a while, but that is definitely not my calling. But, I can reach people with the message of Jesus just by handing them a cup of water. I don't know if I'm making any sense. But, from now on, when someone asks me what are you going to do with that degree (which admittedly it is a strange combination), I'm going to tell them that I am going to be His hands and feet. I'm serious, people. I'm not trying to be cute or super spiritual. This song really resonated with me today. I am going to be His hands and feet. I want to reach people in a really practical way. I want to clothe them, feed them, hold them, love them. I really want to be His hands and feet.
I didn't think about another symptom of senioritis. It's when you break out in hives because people keep asking you what you are going to do with your degree or what you are going to when you graduate. Most of the time, I'm content answering honestly. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can give you my plans for the next year or so, but honestly, my future is something that I'm not completely sure of. I just don't know what road I'm going to take and where that road will eventually lead me. I just don't know. But, today, when I got into my car, Audio Adrenaline was playing. It's the Underdog cd. I don't know why it was in my changer, but it popped up and I was pretty excited. They were one of my favorites when I was in high school. Anyway, the song that was playing was Hands and Feet.
I started thinking that all God has asked me to do was to be his hands and his feet. God can't (or won't, take whatever theological standpoint you will, this is a blog) be here on this earth. He can't physically touch people, he can't hand them a glass of water, or help them build a church. But, we can. I'm no preacher. Sure, I can jump up on a soapbox every once in a while, but that is definitely not my calling. But, I can reach people with the message of Jesus just by handing them a cup of water. I don't know if I'm making any sense. But, from now on, when someone asks me what are you going to do with that degree (which admittedly it is a strange combination), I'm going to tell them that I am going to be His hands and feet. I'm serious, people. I'm not trying to be cute or super spiritual. This song really resonated with me today. I am going to be His hands and feet. I want to reach people in a really practical way. I want to clothe them, feed them, hold them, love them. I really want to be His hands and feet.
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