Midnight Confessions About the Book I’m Reading

There are some books that I tend to hide under my journal when I’m out reading. After some thought, I've decided to come out and talk about a book I’m currently reading on reevaluating what we have been taught/believed in the Church about the “gift of singleness”

Getting Serious About Getting Married by Debbie Maken is a book that reviews the progression in Christianity in the last 30 years to prolong singleness and hold it as a better/higher calling for which singles should aspire. I can’t say that I’m ready to agree with everything she says, but it is really hitting me between the eyes and I have to set it down regularly to ponder what she’s said. As she goes over the classic passages where Jesus talks about eunuchs or Paul talks about singleness, I can’t help but think we should reevaluate the interpretation many have taken in this generation.

I have been especially struck by what she says about how we dump so much on singles in ministry or missionary work. (since you know its how we will be fulfilled and “bear spiritual children”)

I recommend you check it out (if only to have a nice debate with me)!

Amazing Benefits of Technology and Globalization

...talking to your friend in Mozambique on a crystal clear connection. So clear you can hear the joy in her voice when she says shes exicted she'll be there for her birthday.

September Drawing to a Close

I can hardly believe this month is almost over (but the bills gently remind me). As I sat in the interview room for my job I could smile thinking Miss NC had to explain to Blockbuster why she was a midwife in dental assisting school who wanted to work there. I was having to explain why I, a crazy traveling midwife, was wanting to work a job in retail in this out-of-the-way town. In just days Miss BC leaves fro the tribes...

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The Drug Test

This morning I went for another interview and this time I made it far enough to be sent for a drug screening. Upon finishing the interviews they handed me a paper with all the necessary info for the lab. One one page there was a list of rights.
I had the right to
a private place to go
a door on the stall
and water allowing me up to 3 hours to obtain the specimen

The last time I took a drug test I actually took 2 of them over in Asia. Words just cannot express what its like to go to a shaddy "lab" in a tin-shack building across from the DMV. Of course there are no other women, because women don't usually drive in that country. So, I'm with the taxi drivers and jeep drivers while guys keep coming over for bribes to make it quick and easy to get my license.

The last time I went I couldn't go...I just couldn't. I was in a wet bath with a bucket and my exam cup with a curtain that barely covered the opening. The large man outside kept yelling at me to go. Finally, if I remember right they accepted the little offering I could provide. Wow...rights don't really mean much to you until they aren't there and then you realize a door on a bathroom stall is a beautiful thing. ;0)) Its the little things that start to make your day.

My First Dinner Party

Yesterday seemed to end a little pathetically. I got on my bike to go to the tailgating party and before I made it out of the parking lot it fell apart. Yep...I watched in horror as nuts, bolts, gears and a chain each fell off. It's so far gone I can't fix it myself. After an hour of futal attmpts to fix it I went upstairs and worked on another essay.

As Sunday drew near I asked the Lord to direct me on who to invite over for a dinner. Yes, today I hosted my first dinner party after church. I had make-your-own-nothing-raw sushi makings and some yummy ginger chicken and brocolli. I prayed God would make it a good day and hoped no one would mind sitting on a mat on the floor if I had too many people.

I must say the Lord arranges great dinner parties. I ended up with three people I didn't know - only one of whom I'd met before. We had an amazing lunch and awesome fellowship. The other two girls have also done missions work overseas and never imagined moving to West Texas. The sermon today hit me between the eyes, so along with this meal it was overall an amazing day so far.

Psych

It's a lovely Saturday and I had expected to help someone move. However, they moved the date and I'm stuck with my psych papers. AHHHHHHH I'm banging my head on the desk and so glad I CLEPed out of intro to psych. Two psych classes in one year would have put me over the edge. The combo of life span psych and chem has worn out one side of my brain so I've been sawing, hammering, painting, and creating a little bit each day... I put my exercise ball at my desk (it lets me bounce to music when I get bored typing). However, I just saw the Office episode where dwight gets an exercise ball at his desk...that COMPLETELY ruined my fun. O well. The beautiful part of blogging is that you, dear reader, get a glimpse into my pain.

My New Title

While talking to a "5-year senior" I came up with a title for myself. People keep asking me if I'm in graduate school and of course I say no and smile at their confused look. While I do have an associates, in my program I'm technically a freshman and then didn't go to school right out high school... Anyway to simply things I now introduce myself as

"an 8th year freshman"

Yesterday I was talking to the Lord in the car (seems to be a profound place right now) and kind of shocked that I'm getting comfy in my little place here. Why am I not more disappointed my job might limit the overseas trips I want to take in summers? I was telling Him how I wanted to see more opportunities in my life here in this town. A few minutes later I got a call on my cell asking if I'd help at the nursing home. But...but...Lord...its the PREMIERE of the OFFICE!!! AHHHH I've only had a tv a short time after years without and I'm fussing about a stupid show?!? I did go to the nursing home and was glad I did. And the extra blessing at the end...the premiere stunk.

Seen In Chemistry Class Today

A cowboy wearing a t-shirt that read:

"Save a cow, eat a vegetarian"

Jim...

I've been enjoying my new church here and have actually come at a unique time. The new permanent pastor has just arrived and they are in the process of going from being a church plant/mission church to being a "permanent" church. Perhaps I have been watching a few too many Office episodes (as I catch up for the new season) because when I try to remember my new pastors name I can only think "Halpert". That's not it. Well at least the Office is my little motivator right now. I let myself watch an episode if I finish my chemistry homework or write my weekly Psych paper.

Just Planning the Perfect Set-Up

Do any of you singles catch that look from married people when you've just casually meantioned that you'd like to get married and have a family....that look like they are mentally tabulating who they can set you up with...

...he's probably a spitting image of Dwight (from the Office) who's "really nice" and "missions-minded"

Ok, maybe I should be more optimistic.

I Don't Like Them Sam-I-Am

...I don't like eggs in a pan!

Step one: Made lovely egg white omlet with homemade salsa (take THAT Martha)
Step two: Told myself I like eggs
Step three: Took bite
Step four: Added garlic salt, took bite
Step five: added canned salsa, took bite
Step six: Added parmasean cheese, took bite
Step six: added salad mix, took bite
Step seven: Dumped rest of omlet into trash

A Run-In With Culture Shock

This week in my lifespan psych class we are on the subject of fetal development. Besides watching the Miracle of Life (I have stopped counting the number of times I've watched it) we watched some videos on new advances in intrauterine, fetal surgery and IVF. I broke down (good thing this was homework and not in class!). All throughout the IVF video I just saw the faces of babies and toddlers I've met in orphanages around the world. I have friends who are infertile and only have a small grasp on how devastating that must be. I can understand how those strong emotions have fueled this industry. However, my mind is having trouble realizing the two realities exist in my world. The thousands of dollars on fertility treatments and yet adoption is "so expensive" and "involved".

The IU surgeries were truly breath taking and amazing. But how do I reconcile that with just wishing poor women overseas could actually go to a hospital that is clean...where they won't have to sit on a bed or chair with someone else's blood or amniotic fluid....A hospital where preemies could be given a chance and not a death sentence at less than 34 weeks! Maybe a cure for preeclampsia that kills up in the tribs? How many people in my own country (including me) have no insurance and its financially out of reach?

I don't know that I say one is right or wrong, I'm just suddenly faced with a culture shock that I'm sure will hit me again as I enter this crazy thing known as US healthcare.

Missing The Days of Martha Stewart...

Last night at the last minute I invited a girl from church to have dinner at my place. She was about 10 minutes away, so I had to think fast. I realized the other day that I haven't really cooked (as in made a nice, Martha Stewart worthy meal) for quite a while. At one time I was famous in my church in Michigan for my homemade raviolli and other culinary presentations.

Since I'm still new here I've only purchased necessities for myself. I did anticipate having some college guests, so I had a stock of baked potato bar fix'ns but that seems so lame. There were little things I had forgotten to get. For instance I just use balsamic vinegar on my salad, but most people here like dressing. I would have made my other specialty, homemade ranch, but I had no dill!

Once I finish my kitchen island (complete on rollers) I will have to do more. I'm thinking of having a roll-your-own sushi party. And yes, the kitchen island...my plan is to retro fit a storage unit and lay tile on the top to make a nice surface. I think that will be easier than completely starting from scratch since I only have manual tools (I accidentally left my power drill and power staple gun back at my parents house).

God is good. I've really been enjoying Bible study and am currently enjoying Redemption Songs on my new speakers. I met a grad student last night who is kind of in the same place as me...from out of state...having to go back to school because things didn't transfer...etc etc. We swapped stories of getting lost in this town. ;0)) Off to another job interview....

So Texans ARE suspicious like Yankees

Inevetably I face some Yankee ribbings from the locals every now and then. They like to tell me how friendly everyone is here, how they smile, and they aren't so stuck up and suspicous like Yankees. But I would like to say after living here for a short time THAT IS A FACADE. They don't trust you. Everyone and their brother makes you put down a huge deposit for everything cuz they think you are gonna run off. I just got off the phone with the power company after they sent me a bill (and I've lived here for ...um...less than 2 weeks) for about half my months rent! (approx 3times what I will pay per month in electric). Maybe that's standard but give me a break! So I will get it back...some day in the distant future when I move out. Darn Texans with bad credit to ruin it for everyone!

A Kindred Spirit on the Other Side of the Apartment Building?

Yesterday as I walked to my car I heard the most glorious sound drifting from the side of the complex facing the parking lot. I think it was coming from somewhere in the 200's. The vibrations from a deep classical string instrument waved in the breeze and were so lovely. I paused to try to identify if it was someone playing or a REALLY good sound system. Either way I became intrigued and wondered how to meet this person. Based on what I know here are the facts:

a. the person has some diverse musical tastes that include some good classical music

b. they either play this instrument or have a wonderful sound system so they must be somewhat intelligent and well read (when's the last time you met a scrub/mass murderer who played a classical string instrument)

c. I'm assuming they live here...so that means they picked an apartment across the street from the medical district and not right next to the big university, so they might be in the medical field and are probably not a freshman.

I joke that because I am in the building of studios this is "hermit row" and my neighbors aren't too talkative. When I look across the courtyard into the bigger apts I see people hanging out more with each other. So, my dilemma is "should I meet this neighbor" and if so "how?". Here are my ideas.

a. though it is out of my way, cross by this row of apartments when taking out the trash esp when I hear the tunes.

b. blast a few concertos while I role up in the parking lot

c. wear various t-shirts for the symphony or composers while doing laundry in our apts facility.

But then again...mentally disturbed people are also known to have great musical skill. Just proof I have a little to much time to think ;0)) I like my hermit row.

Casting My Stones

When I worked with the poor I often found myself questioning some of their decisions. If you live in a shack at the end of an alley crawling with worms and open sewage, why do you have a wide-screen color TV and cable (though who knows if the cable was legal)? Yet, as I grow I see that I could probably ask the same questions of myself and someone would probably judge some of my decisions as odd. This reality was quite real to me yesterday while I was in Walmart.

After buying some groceries for the week I stopped in the electronics to look at the price of cheap stereos. I thought it might be nice to have something that I could plug my MP3 player or cd player into in my apartment. Wouldn't you know I found this amazing speaker system for a VERY reasonable price. However, as I stood there I realized this probably isn't the time to be buying speakers. As a currently unemployed student who is eating lots of quinoa, rice, beans and tofu wouldn't it be better to make sure I keep money to eat rather than to have a nice sound system. (no matter how reasonable it is) I judge the person at the end of the worm alley, but someone could probably say the same about me. As I wheeled my cart away I made a mental note to try to set down another of my stones that I am so quick to throw.

This life therefore, is not Righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not yet finished but all is going on. This is not the end of the road; all does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified. - Martin Luther

I'm not a huge fan of most of the cheezy CCM out there. If I do happen to be listening and Casting Crows comes on I usually turn it off. However, they have this live version out there of Voice of Truth that just happened to be playing when I walked out of my interview. It hit me hard.

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!""You'll never win!"
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' downI will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Chorus: But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

My Crazy Day

8am: Continue e-mailing almost everyone I know to get their current contact information so my prospective employer (the PD) can do the most extensive background check EVER on me.

9 something: Leave for school

around noon:
TEACHER: (speaking about science evolving from philosophy) Who built the pyramids?
KID IN BRIGHT PURPLE JIMMY HENDRIX T-SHIRT: Aliens!
TEACHER: Exactly right!

1pm: Kid next to me in lab constantly staring at me and taking forever to copy questions out of my lab book.

3 something: Sitting with insurance agent trying to determine what my life, air matress and dishes are worth for car and renters insurance.

4 somthing: Getting vehicle state inspection by two dudes with gums erroded and teeth stained by chew. (hey, they are licenced to do this soo....)

O glorious life out west!

The Apartment Day 3: Still Raining

I thought this state was known for wide open, clear skies! For the last three days it's been overcast and raining like crazy. I'm stitting at Andreas in a sweatshirt, jeans, and boots!
Well, drumroll please....here are some apt pics

The bathroom is just behind the kitchen (see the walkway leading behind?) And my FABULOUS shower curtain...

The Apartment Day 2: Still Haven't Found Silverwear

Another rainy, cold day as I make my trips up multiple flights of stairs with my boxes. Yesderday I found my self tired and in serious need of a good enchillada. Once Andrea woke up (on 12-hour nights) I took her with me for an early dinner. She says any time I want to work hard all day and let her reap the benefits of the meal at the end, let her know. I managed to asemble an Ikea lamp and table and put together my bookshelf. As the title notes, I still haven't found my silverwear or any cooking utensils (odd, they weren't with the dishes...) Good thing I had training in Asia and can eat just about anything with my fingers. =0))

Stay Tuned...

Its a humid, rainy day as I move into my new place. Like any good germaphobe my first task upon entering was to spray the place down with a germicidal and scrub every surface. I have hung my awesome shower curtain and unpacked some dishes. Stay tuned for more and some pics. I'm thinking Asian theme...