Wow! It's been a long time since I posted something. I promise to write more soon. Can't write now because I have to go study for French class. Yes, I'm trying to take Intermediate French I. A class that at one time would have been a walk in the park. But 14 years after high school I don't seem to remember much of my vocab and the comprehension is a nightmare. What was I thinking?
The students are back on campus and my office is buzzing every minute of the day! I'm loving it....I feel like I have 950 potential new friends!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Laugh out loud
Luke is always making me laugh! A few days ago I told him to go in the other room to set up for Neuronet (his learning therapy program). I walk in the room and found him like this. How could you not love this super duper kid!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Mountain Top High
I started my job at Covenant College this week. I often describe my time at Covenant as a "mountain top" experience (no pun intended). I loved my years at Covenant and now I'm so thankful to be back in that community. My work mates are great and have been so patient and helpful as I learn the ropes. I went to my first staff meeting yesterday and thought it was odd that I already know half the staff or more at this new workplace. The ladies in the mail room told me that I don't look a day older than when I was a student (they're my new best friends!). And of course my favorite time of day is lunch! It is a great opportunity to catch up with mountain friends and soon I'll be making new student friends to meet for lunch.
I'm still trying to help Stacy's children so I'm trying to keep a "working mom" mind set. (Great considering Luke has been telling people I'm their asst mom!) Every night I go home to help the family. These kids are busy, busy, busy. And I love being with them. Soon I'll try to have a social life too. I even got an invite to an outdoor concert last night but then the storms rolled in.
Here is a picture of the campus and building I work in (Carter Hall). The top mountain in the first picture is where I live, Signal Mtn. So I go down one mountain, across the TN river, and up another! Thank God for NPR!
I'm still trying to help Stacy's children so I'm trying to keep a "working mom" mind set. (Great considering Luke has been telling people I'm their asst mom!) Every night I go home to help the family. These kids are busy, busy, busy. And I love being with them. Soon I'll try to have a social life too. I even got an invite to an outdoor concert last night but then the storms rolled in.
Here is a picture of the campus and building I work in (Carter Hall). The top mountain in the first picture is where I live, Signal Mtn. So I go down one mountain, across the TN river, and up another! Thank God for NPR!
If only I could find my life
I've been meaning to post some pictures from my recent family reunion in Michigan and my little house. But since much of life is still packed up I can't find my cord that connects my camera to the computer. I was delighted to find my card reader only to then find out that my card reader doesn't actually read the card in my camera! (Why do I have that card reader?)
This morning I was running around trying to get ready to go to a baby shower. I couldn't find tape or an enclosure card for the gift. Finally I found a box of stationary I pack up in Scotland only to open it and realize the enclosure cards were not packed in there. I screamed outloud. This is everyday life and is very frustrating. Much of it is my fault for not getting it all done - but I was supposed to be resting in July. Still can't find the camera cord. It may be in the last suitcase from Scotland that Fed Ex will deliver in the next few days. Then I will also have my cooking utensils which will make kitchen work much easier. And one more trip to Ikea should complete most of what I need to get things out of boxes and put on shelves, namely bookshelves....... why do I keep buying books?!
This morning I was running around trying to get ready to go to a baby shower. I couldn't find tape or an enclosure card for the gift. Finally I found a box of stationary I pack up in Scotland only to open it and realize the enclosure cards were not packed in there. I screamed outloud. This is everyday life and is very frustrating. Much of it is my fault for not getting it all done - but I was supposed to be resting in July. Still can't find the camera cord. It may be in the last suitcase from Scotland that Fed Ex will deliver in the next few days. Then I will also have my cooking utensils which will make kitchen work much easier. And one more trip to Ikea should complete most of what I need to get things out of boxes and put on shelves, namely bookshelves....... why do I keep buying books?!
What was I thinking?
Yesterday I ran into the local Christian bookstore during a horrible thunderstorm. I've been avoiding this store since I came back to Chattanooga but I had to buy a present there for a friend. The lightening outside was so bad I thought I was safer by killing time in the store instead of returning to my car. So I perused the aisles and was reminded just how much bad Christian writing is marketed to Americans.
But in the newly released section I found a book called What Was I Thinking? Things I've Learned Since I Knew It All by Steve Brown. I know that Steve Brown is pretty well respected in my circles so I picked it up. And then I couldn't put it down. Brown describes himself as the most religious person he knows. A seminary professor, Christian radio talk show host, a minister - all of his life centers on the study of God and helping others to know God. Yet in the introduction he writes, "Theology...., a belief statement....., and propositions...... Are all useless if they don't lead us to the reality which is God and to the astonishment that ought to be a regular occurrence in the believers life." Theology builds a foundation for the life of the believer but reality of God is what teaches a Christian the tune to sing. Brown says that many know the words but few know the tune. This book was written for people who have the foundation yet struggle in their faith to sing the praises that one only has after encountering the living God and finding that He truly is the source of all delight.
I am one of those people. This past year I have struggled in my spiritual life more than ever. Life was difficult and with it came difficult questions. I could give you all the acceptable Bible answers to the questions, but none of them seemed to explain anything. I was faced with my own unbelief and was overwhelmed. I felt like Jacob wrestling with God demanding for God to reveal Himself on my terms, with means that I would recognize. Eventually I released and just trusted that He would restore my soul. And He is, and He will. I love this book because it was written for people who know all the answers but struggle to believe them in their hearts. For Christians who look for the love of God because they don't understand that He is love. And for those that know you can't confine God to the theology books but don't yet know how to sing the tune.
Favorite quote of Chapter One ~
"I often say to my students when they are especially strident about a subject, 'You haven't lived long enough, sinned big enough, or failed nearly enough to even have an opinion on that.' Well, I have lived long enough, sinned big enough, and failed enough. So I want to share with you what I know about God - which, frankly, isn't as much as I once thought it was."
But in the newly released section I found a book called What Was I Thinking? Things I've Learned Since I Knew It All by Steve Brown. I know that Steve Brown is pretty well respected in my circles so I picked it up. And then I couldn't put it down. Brown describes himself as the most religious person he knows. A seminary professor, Christian radio talk show host, a minister - all of his life centers on the study of God and helping others to know God. Yet in the introduction he writes, "Theology...., a belief statement....., and propositions...... Are all useless if they don't lead us to the reality which is God and to the astonishment that ought to be a regular occurrence in the believers life." Theology builds a foundation for the life of the believer but reality of God is what teaches a Christian the tune to sing. Brown says that many know the words but few know the tune. This book was written for people who have the foundation yet struggle in their faith to sing the praises that one only has after encountering the living God and finding that He truly is the source of all delight.
I am one of those people. This past year I have struggled in my spiritual life more than ever. Life was difficult and with it came difficult questions. I could give you all the acceptable Bible answers to the questions, but none of them seemed to explain anything. I was faced with my own unbelief and was overwhelmed. I felt like Jacob wrestling with God demanding for God to reveal Himself on my terms, with means that I would recognize. Eventually I released and just trusted that He would restore my soul. And He is, and He will. I love this book because it was written for people who know all the answers but struggle to believe them in their hearts. For Christians who look for the love of God because they don't understand that He is love. And for those that know you can't confine God to the theology books but don't yet know how to sing the tune.
Favorite quote of Chapter One ~
"I often say to my students when they are especially strident about a subject, 'You haven't lived long enough, sinned big enough, or failed nearly enough to even have an opinion on that.' Well, I have lived long enough, sinned big enough, and failed enough. So I want to share with you what I know about God - which, frankly, isn't as much as I once thought it was."
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