9.29.2005
Fall
“They’ve bottled fall and this is what it tastes like,” said Lori while sipping on Samuel Adams Octoberfest. Oh, Lori.
9.26.2005
Marriage Weirdness
Background Information: John and I are co-leaders of a campus group Integrating Non-Violence into Theological Education: Peace and Justice Working Group.
John and I are getting together the beginning of the year email with events and the like for INViTE-PJWG. He asked me to proof the email and one correction/change I had was my name. I still haven’t sent in my Social Security stuff, but I will – soon, so I don’t have to pay. Around Luther I need to have my name changed on a Social Security card before the registrar will make the update. So, for the time being I’m still Christina Wernicke. In my classes when professors read the roster they call Christina Wernicke and I respond, nope, I’m Chris Matson (it has a nice ring to it, not to mention the amazing guy who shares it). It sounds like a whole different person. The whole marriage thing is an amazing transformation and realization. It’s an inquiry and recognition of who am ‘I’ and who are ‘we’. What makes each important and distinct without compromising the other? This is a balance I think will take a lifetime, but that’s okay and even exciting – I don’t have to figure it out tomorrow (unlike Hebrew nouns).
The other weird thing is life with and without bridal jewelry. With it I get adult status, a few years added to my age and a weird, undeserved respect that the title Mrs. brings. Without it I get carded and am treated like a young college student. I’ve only been without it for 24+ hours now, but it’s strange the way I am viewed by society.
John and I are getting together the beginning of the year email with events and the like for INViTE-PJWG. He asked me to proof the email and one correction/change I had was my name. I still haven’t sent in my Social Security stuff, but I will – soon, so I don’t have to pay. Around Luther I need to have my name changed on a Social Security card before the registrar will make the update. So, for the time being I’m still Christina Wernicke. In my classes when professors read the roster they call Christina Wernicke and I respond, nope, I’m Chris Matson (it has a nice ring to it, not to mention the amazing guy who shares it). It sounds like a whole different person. The whole marriage thing is an amazing transformation and realization. It’s an inquiry and recognition of who am ‘I’ and who are ‘we’. What makes each important and distinct without compromising the other? This is a balance I think will take a lifetime, but that’s okay and even exciting – I don’t have to figure it out tomorrow (unlike Hebrew nouns).
The other weird thing is life with and without bridal jewelry. With it I get adult status, a few years added to my age and a weird, undeserved respect that the title Mrs. brings. Without it I get carded and am treated like a young college student. I’ve only been without it for 24+ hours now, but it’s strange the way I am viewed by society.
9.22.2005
Tornados
After a stormy night, I’m at home instead of work. At 7:30 this morning, I received a call from Janet. Through the static on the line she began to tell me that trees are down all around their place and a tree is blocking my parking spot – the one beside her car that was hit by a tree. There were straight-line winds that hit their house with tornados touching down within a few miles. They have no telephone service and no electric. In typical Janet fashion, her cell phone battery is run down and she was on a neighbors cell. As the static got worse she said, “don’t come, can you hear me, don’t come today, unless you hear otherwise don’t come tomorrow!” She stated that they were physically fine, just shaken up. Her husband was out of town; I can’t imagine Janet with terrified Ellen and James without telephone and electric all last night and today. They’ll manage. Compared to the other weather events going on this is extremely minor. That doesn’t take away from what they’re feeling or how I’m worrying about them.
The Luther campus faired pretty well. On my way to class I saw many tree limbs that had fallen as well as a few trees blocking my walk through the alley. I haven't seen or heard of any structural damage yet. Back to the books!
The Luther campus faired pretty well. On my way to class I saw many tree limbs that had fallen as well as a few trees blocking my walk through the alley. I haven't seen or heard of any structural damage yet. Back to the books!
9.19.2005
Plans and Soul Food
Yesterday after worship Lori and I decided to attempt to work on assignments while we ate lunch outside at a restaurant that has free wireless access. We found out that one of our favorite places, Old Chicago, meets all requirements. We played on the Internet and chatted through an extended lunch and then went to see March of the Penguins. According to Aaron, I saw the trailer and wanted to see it for the penguins and because Morgan Freeman is the narrator. The film was amazing National Geographic documentary on penguin mating habits. The land itself is beautiful and constantly being reformed with each passing winter. A must-see for a chance to get away from Hollywood Blockbusters and a time to relax and enjoy a part of nature I will probably never see. Nature, that brings me to the plans. While chatting last night Lori and I discovered that seminary students can go to Holden Village free! Holden is a Lutheran camp in the Cascade Mountains. Plans are in the works for a January trip with Lori, Tyler (Lori’s husband to be), Aaron and I. I’ve wanted to go to Holden for some time now, and this seems like the perfect time to go. The only issue is driving through Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Washington in the end of January. To say the least, it’ll be an adventure we’ll never forget. Life is so incredible when you have wonderful friends to share it with.
9.16.2005
Katrina and the uncomfortable truth
This is a recent e-mail article from Sojouners. The powerful message is one that's been weighing on my mind for a few weeks. Richard Sterns writes the hard truth.
"Perhaps the most disturbing comment I have heard over the past few weeks, as I have been glued to the 24/7 Katrina media coverage, came from a man who lost his home in New Orleans and was living in a shelter. It came in response to the controversial use of the word "refugee" to describe the thousands of people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. He said: "'Refugee?' I'm not some poor African with flies on his face - we are not refugees, we're American citizens!"
There is a profound and uncomfortable truth captured in this man's angry statement. The truth that all men are not created equal; that the 2.8 billion poor who live on less than $2 a day are not valued with equal importance; that their suffering is less important; that their pain can be tolerated; that their lives are somehow less significant; and that they don't have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the same way the rest of us do.
Hurricane Katrina exposed this uncomfortable double standard to us. It is a double standard that suggests that we don't have a moral responsibility to respond to human suffering if it occurs in a different hemisphere and it is a double standard that showed us that the poor - even in America - are the most vulnerable of our citizens."
"Perhaps the most disturbing comment I have heard over the past few weeks, as I have been glued to the 24/7 Katrina media coverage, came from a man who lost his home in New Orleans and was living in a shelter. It came in response to the controversial use of the word "refugee" to describe the thousands of people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. He said: "'Refugee?' I'm not some poor African with flies on his face - we are not refugees, we're American citizens!"
There is a profound and uncomfortable truth captured in this man's angry statement. The truth that all men are not created equal; that the 2.8 billion poor who live on less than $2 a day are not valued with equal importance; that their suffering is less important; that their pain can be tolerated; that their lives are somehow less significant; and that they don't have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the same way the rest of us do.
Hurricane Katrina exposed this uncomfortable double standard to us. It is a double standard that suggests that we don't have a moral responsibility to respond to human suffering if it occurs in a different hemisphere and it is a double standard that showed us that the poor - even in America - are the most vulnerable of our citizens."
9.15.2005
James and Ellen
Today is my first day back to work, being a nanny for James and Ellen. This morning I spent 2 hours at the park with James while Ellen was at kindergarten. We spent our hours swinging, climbing, sliding, laughing, reading and relaxing. During our trips we often come across other preschoolers and today was no different. For a half hour I was paid to sit and watch James play with his new friend, Jake. I was free to think about things other than the apartment, Hebrew and online posts for class. I was also able to reflect on the amazing afternoon Aaron and I spent together on Wednesday. In short, I was able to catch a glimpse of life outside of our apartment and Luther. Often I don’t realize how intense situations are until I step back. Work is my step back. Spending a few hours with children brings new perspective. It’s a time to get back to the basics. It’s a time to catch a breath of fresh air and a ray of sunshine. My call committee made one recommendation for me. They want me to focus on self-care. I believe being a nanny is a form of self-care for me. Well, quiet time is over, time to for a snack and a Ms. Frizzle video then it’s back outside to play.
9.14.2005
Ethics and 3.2 Beer
Well, I have a ethics post due in 3 hours and 31 minutes. While gearing up for ethics Aaron decided to grab a Leinenkugel's, "A Northwoods favorite brewed in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin by 73 people who care", then Lori grabbed a Miller High Life and brought me one. As I opened it I realized there was writing on the top. The last few High Life's I've had have been purchased at a gas station. Well, in the lovely state of Minnesota you can only buy 3.2 at gas stations. While at the grocery Monday, I picked up a 12-pack of High Life. Back to the writing on the top. It's only 3.2 beer from the grocery too! Lori and Aaron laughed at me and then began to educate me saying that in Minnesota you HAVE to go to the liquor store to get the real stuff. Who knew? Well, wonderful alcohol laws from other states. In Wisconsin, alcohol is legal in parks. In Nebraska, you can buy alcohol until midnight. In South Dakota, you can buy anything at the grocery stores. In Ohio, sales end at 1am and everything's available until at least 10pm. Ohio awesomeness extends to drive through kegs. Yes, you can drive through, pick up a keg and never get out of you car (provided you have a trunk pop). Well, that's the news from Lake Burntvedt- where all the women are clueless and the men are drinking 3.2 beer.
9.08.2005
To Blog or Not to Blog
This week I’ve been ask, ‘why haven’t you blogged yet?’ Below is the reason I haven't blogged. I've been in a funky mood.
Lately I’ve found myself stuck in serious mode and it really sucks. Life consists of going to class, learning the Hebrew alphabet, reading a little for class, opening more boxes, shopping/returning apartment items and hearing news. The latest news…my cousins, former residents of Biloxi, Mississippi, are scattering immediate family due to the devastation of their homes. Mary is in a hotel in Florida with her husband and had to send her daughter to live with her dad in Oklahoma City. Mary’s dad will not return to Biloxi and is living in Oklahoma City while his wife, a nurse, is in temporary housing in Biloxi and wants to rebuild. In other news, Katelynn had to wear a heart monitor for 24-hours because of a valve problem. Jack is recovering slowly. These past few days I have had a few short conversations with Mom but just enough to get the necessary updates. I hate feeling blah! I have an amusing online course. We’re in the getting to know you phase, but it’s giving me many laughs. Back to the books.
Lately I’ve found myself stuck in serious mode and it really sucks. Life consists of going to class, learning the Hebrew alphabet, reading a little for class, opening more boxes, shopping/returning apartment items and hearing news. The latest news…my cousins, former residents of Biloxi, Mississippi, are scattering immediate family due to the devastation of their homes. Mary is in a hotel in Florida with her husband and had to send her daughter to live with her dad in Oklahoma City. Mary’s dad will not return to Biloxi and is living in Oklahoma City while his wife, a nurse, is in temporary housing in Biloxi and wants to rebuild. In other news, Katelynn had to wear a heart monitor for 24-hours because of a valve problem. Jack is recovering slowly. These past few days I have had a few short conversations with Mom but just enough to get the necessary updates. I hate feeling blah! I have an amusing online course. We’re in the getting to know you phase, but it’s giving me many laughs. Back to the books.
9.02.2005
Humbled by New Orleans
New Orleans
On CNN’s website the Mayor of New Orleans gets real with a reporter. He talks about the lack of resources given to the city. From reports I’ve found the director of FEMA has been running around with his tail between his legs. The Mayor lashes out at the President and others. He asks people to flood offices with letters and calls as well as stop press conferences.
The biggest news from this report is how he gets real about the lawlessness. The real reason people are looting, shooting and stealing is because the poor drug addicts were left behind. Addicts cannot go cold turkey, especially in a situation like the one in New Orleans. The reports of people breaking into drugstores and hospitals are reports of addicts trying to get something to take the edge off.
The report is amazing! True desperation of a Mayor who cares about his city and who is willing to do anything is talking. He is not a polished speaker, he is a powerful, and emotion filled Mayor who knows what his city needs, but can’t get it fast enough.
To listen to the Mayor go to CNN and click on WATCH: Mayor ‘Get Off Your Asses’
Other coverage I’ve been paying attention to is the Times Picayune. The paper is only available online now as the offices are underwater. I first heard about it on NPR. There are tens of thousands of postings of people looking for entire families. Once I began reading these it broke my heart. One posting I read was of a place where there are 300 refugees. They are without food and water. To make matters worse the place is filled with many diabetics.
Right now I am in an odd situation. Aaron and I are unpacking our apartment. We are sorting through wonderful wedding gifts and running to Target to get what we need to finish making the apartment our home as I read and listen to accounts of thousands who have died and many more who are on the verge of death. We are so fortunate. We are so humbled.
On CNN’s website the Mayor of New Orleans gets real with a reporter. He talks about the lack of resources given to the city. From reports I’ve found the director of FEMA has been running around with his tail between his legs. The Mayor lashes out at the President and others. He asks people to flood offices with letters and calls as well as stop press conferences.
The biggest news from this report is how he gets real about the lawlessness. The real reason people are looting, shooting and stealing is because the poor drug addicts were left behind. Addicts cannot go cold turkey, especially in a situation like the one in New Orleans. The reports of people breaking into drugstores and hospitals are reports of addicts trying to get something to take the edge off.
The report is amazing! True desperation of a Mayor who cares about his city and who is willing to do anything is talking. He is not a polished speaker, he is a powerful, and emotion filled Mayor who knows what his city needs, but can’t get it fast enough.
To listen to the Mayor go to CNN and click on WATCH: Mayor ‘Get Off Your Asses’
Other coverage I’ve been paying attention to is the Times Picayune. The paper is only available online now as the offices are underwater. I first heard about it on NPR. There are tens of thousands of postings of people looking for entire families. Once I began reading these it broke my heart. One posting I read was of a place where there are 300 refugees. They are without food and water. To make matters worse the place is filled with many diabetics.
Right now I am in an odd situation. Aaron and I are unpacking our apartment. We are sorting through wonderful wedding gifts and running to Target to get what we need to finish making the apartment our home as I read and listen to accounts of thousands who have died and many more who are on the verge of death. We are so fortunate. We are so humbled.
8.31.2005
Home: In St. Paul
After an excruciating 14.5-hour drive - that should have been 12 hours, Aaron and I arrived in the cities. It is good to have spent our first night in out new 70’s style place. There is of course, much to be done. Today we’ll grab our belongings from friends who were gracious enough to store our personal items as well as wedding gifts. Also in this time of moving we both have an important essay due to our synods. Let the fun begin!
8.28.2005
Us
This pic has to be my favorite of the summer. Finally, we're married and able to enjoy a life together. This photo was taken outside of the Ohio Theater (facing the Ohio State House) where we saw the touring Broadway version of the Phantom of the Opera.
8.24.2005
Pietism
During my last day in the Lutheran Outdoors of Ohio Outreach office, I stumbled across “Renewing the Passion: a guide to spiritual revival” sent to the camp by the Division for Congregational Ministries. For an ELCA publication this looked pretty racy. The background section included a quote from an article by Professor Walter (Skip) Sundberg as well as the link to the article.
After my History of the Reformation, course I have dismissed pietism as fundagelical (fundamental + evangelical) Christianity and non-confessional Lutheranism. Skip, as usual, has challenged my ideas while remaining true to Lutheran doctrine.
How can awakening and God coming down be preached at the same time? Aren’t these two mutually exclusive? According to Skip, “to be awakened is to know that Jesus Christ alone is Savior and that the purpose of life is to love God and love the neighbor before satisfying the desires of the self.” In class lecture, he manages to talk about God coming down in a way that is personal.
I have found this to be true. “Unfortunately, many major Lutheran theologians writing today are unsympathetic to the heritage of Pietism. This is especially true of European Lutherans who, despite the fact that the church is in severe decline in lands such as Germany, Norway, and Sweden, continue to draw on old, narrow arguments to dismiss the Pietist critique of the church… He [Oswald Bayer] considers that movement as one of the most dangerous and destructive illusions of modern secular life, culminating in “Marxism.” This analysis, certainly typical of intellectuals in the church, is patently ridiculous.”
“Mission is what the church is called into being to do. Unless a church is in mission, it is no church.” Powerful! More over, “the mission of the church requires awakened souls. Awakened individuals and Lutheran congregations built the church in America from colonial times to the great flowering of membership after the Second World War. Since the 1960s, however, Lutherans seem to have entered 40 years (a long time in the Bible) of membership decline and doctrinal drift. Perhaps, once again it is time for our synod committees, who are charged with the responsibility for examining ministerial candidates, to ask them about their “awakening” in the faith! If our ministers and members could give personal testimony to the work of Christ, we would be in a much different place as a church.”
What are we afraid of? Why doesn’t this take place in our pews today? Is it the laity who frequently preach themselves going to God? Could it be that we are not secure in our Lutheran identity and therefore we must protect it? Is this reaction what is killing our Lutheran identity? Is this what keeps Lutherans from evangelizing? When will it be safe to open our mouths and risk saying something not “theologically sound” for the sake of Christ? When was the last time I talked about what God was doing? When will I get out of my head and into my heart? I am proposing using both mind and soul to proclaim Christ. This is radical! We have what the world needs, why can’t we share?
After my History of the Reformation, course I have dismissed pietism as fundagelical (fundamental + evangelical) Christianity and non-confessional Lutheranism. Skip, as usual, has challenged my ideas while remaining true to Lutheran doctrine.
How can awakening and God coming down be preached at the same time? Aren’t these two mutually exclusive? According to Skip, “to be awakened is to know that Jesus Christ alone is Savior and that the purpose of life is to love God and love the neighbor before satisfying the desires of the self.” In class lecture, he manages to talk about God coming down in a way that is personal.
I have found this to be true. “Unfortunately, many major Lutheran theologians writing today are unsympathetic to the heritage of Pietism. This is especially true of European Lutherans who, despite the fact that the church is in severe decline in lands such as Germany, Norway, and Sweden, continue to draw on old, narrow arguments to dismiss the Pietist critique of the church… He [Oswald Bayer] considers that movement as one of the most dangerous and destructive illusions of modern secular life, culminating in “Marxism.” This analysis, certainly typical of intellectuals in the church, is patently ridiculous.”
“Mission is what the church is called into being to do. Unless a church is in mission, it is no church.” Powerful! More over, “the mission of the church requires awakened souls. Awakened individuals and Lutheran congregations built the church in America from colonial times to the great flowering of membership after the Second World War. Since the 1960s, however, Lutherans seem to have entered 40 years (a long time in the Bible) of membership decline and doctrinal drift. Perhaps, once again it is time for our synod committees, who are charged with the responsibility for examining ministerial candidates, to ask them about their “awakening” in the faith! If our ministers and members could give personal testimony to the work of Christ, we would be in a much different place as a church.”
What are we afraid of? Why doesn’t this take place in our pews today? Is it the laity who frequently preach themselves going to God? Could it be that we are not secure in our Lutheran identity and therefore we must protect it? Is this reaction what is killing our Lutheran identity? Is this what keeps Lutherans from evangelizing? When will it be safe to open our mouths and risk saying something not “theologically sound” for the sake of Christ? When was the last time I talked about what God was doing? When will I get out of my head and into my heart? I am proposing using both mind and soul to proclaim Christ. This is radical! We have what the world needs, why can’t we share?
8.16.2005
Thoughts of the Hour
Jack Update: He is heading to rehab today or tomorrow for a few days/weeks. He is feeling much better however, in addition to his physical limitations he continues to exhibit short-term memory problems.
Other than being constantly worrying about Jack and Katelynn, life is continuing. The reality that Aaron and I will not be separated again is setting in and it’s wonderful! I’m super excited for the events of this week. Lori is in an airplane on her way to Ohio from Minnesota, tomorrow night Shannon, Amber, Laurie, Lori, Aaron and I have tickets to see the Phantom of the Opera, Thursday some of the Bradley clan, Chad, Katelynn, Lori, Aaron, Shannon and I will be playing the day away at Wyandot Lake, Friday is the Ohio reception and Mike (Aaron’s best man and Shan’s new beau) flies in and Saturday is Aaron’s 25th Bonfire Birthday Bash. All this excitement would be a lot on a normal week, however, with Jack in the hospital it adds a new dimension of tiredness and stress. I find myself not wanting to deal with details of anything – I just want to go and have things happen. Unfortunately, I am the planning type and just happened to plan all the fun things for the week. Add that to my procrastination and you’ll get a reception (80+ friends/family have RSVPed) that needs a menu created, food/drinks bought. In the end it will all work beautifully, it always does.
Other than being constantly worrying about Jack and Katelynn, life is continuing. The reality that Aaron and I will not be separated again is setting in and it’s wonderful! I’m super excited for the events of this week. Lori is in an airplane on her way to Ohio from Minnesota, tomorrow night Shannon, Amber, Laurie, Lori, Aaron and I have tickets to see the Phantom of the Opera, Thursday some of the Bradley clan, Chad, Katelynn, Lori, Aaron, Shannon and I will be playing the day away at Wyandot Lake, Friday is the Ohio reception and Mike (Aaron’s best man and Shan’s new beau) flies in and Saturday is Aaron’s 25th Bonfire Birthday Bash. All this excitement would be a lot on a normal week, however, with Jack in the hospital it adds a new dimension of tiredness and stress. I find myself not wanting to deal with details of anything – I just want to go and have things happen. Unfortunately, I am the planning type and just happened to plan all the fun things for the week. Add that to my procrastination and you’ll get a reception (80+ friends/family have RSVPed) that needs a menu created, food/drinks bought. In the end it will all work beautifully, it always does.
8.13.2005
Ohio Girls
Grandma Miller sent me this joke - as a married girl it's pretty good!
________________________________
Three men were sitting together bragging about how they had given their new wives duties. The first man had married a woman from Alabama and bragged that he had told his wife she was going to do all the dishes and house cleaning that needed to be done at their house. He said that it took a couple days, but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were all washed and put away.
The second man had married a woman from Florida. He bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. He told them that the first day he didn't see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done and he had a huge dinner on the table.
The third man had married a Ohio girl. He boasted that he told her that her duties were to keep the house clean, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything; but by the third day, most of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye -- enough to fix himself a bite to eat, load the dishwasher and telephone a lawn service.
Gotta love them Ohio Girls
________________________________
Three men were sitting together bragging about how they had given their new wives duties. The first man had married a woman from Alabama and bragged that he had told his wife she was going to do all the dishes and house cleaning that needed to be done at their house. He said that it took a couple days, but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were all washed and put away.
The second man had married a woman from Florida. He bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. He told them that the first day he didn't see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done and he had a huge dinner on the table.
The third man had married a Ohio girl. He boasted that he told her that her duties were to keep the house clean, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything; but by the third day, most of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye -- enough to fix himself a bite to eat, load the dishwasher and telephone a lawn service.
Gotta love them Ohio Girls
Jack Update
Yesterday’s surgery (this is #2 folks) went very well. Less than an hour after he returned to his room, he was sitting up in bed and eating clear liquids – both firsts since the accident! Today his goal is to sit in a chair for 4 hours. Due to the removal of a drainage tube in his back, his morphine intake has been decreased significantly. He fully participated in a 30 minute conversation with six visitors - increased concentration level with the decrease of pain medications. Aaron, Shannon and I are headed up for another day of fun at The Ohio State University Medical Center – yeah!
8.11.2005
The wedding and my brother
At noon on Saturday, the wedding ceremony began. The wedding itself and the reception afterwards was beautiful and wonderful. Check out a few of the early pictures on the Aaron ‘n’ Chris, my latest blog. However, at midnight we learned that my brother, lil Jack, was being taken by life flight to a hospital in Ohio. Mom, Jack, Chad and Grandma left at 1am to be with him. He suffered a cut in the back of his head that required staples, a few pieces of glass in his neck and vertebrae numbers 5-12 were crushed. It is a miracle that he is not paralyzed. On Tuesday, he had two metal rods put in his back. Today we learned that one of the screws is pressing on his aorta and tomorrow morning he will be back in surgery to shorten the screw. Even before today’s setback, he was looking at a lengthy recovery. Tonight Aaron and I were with his daughter/ our Goddaughter, Katelynn. She is constantly talking about her daddy, as she hasn’t seen him since Saturday. I took pictures of our evening together for Jack, and they are available on the Pics Page for you.
8.02.2005
Tomorrow
Tomorrow at this time I will be leaving for the airport to fly to Aberdeen, SD to marry Aaron. Right now, I’m at the office feeling the most unfocused I ever have. Mel just called and we ended the conversation almost crying. It’s one of those times that the friends and family I have are shining through. Saturday 25-30 women gathered to throw me a beautiful wedding shower, Sunday I preached and received more hugs than handshakes as the 180ish worshipers left the sanctuary, that night I had drinks with my brother, Jack who can’t make the trip to SD, yesterday Diane, Sarah and Casey took me to Brio for dinner and then I went to Diane’s for a glass of wine and to view Office Space. I am excited, overwhelmed and anxious. Tomorrow I get to fly to my Aaron, ahh, tomorrow.
7.30.2005
God
While writing my sermon for this week I came across this joke. Too bad it's not appropriate for church ...
A nine year old boy came to his mother with a very troubled look on his face. "Mom," he said, "is God a male or a female?"
"Well, that's a very hard question to answer," said his mom. "But the easiest way to think of it is that God is both male and female."
A troubled look swept across the boy's face. "But Mom, is God black or white?" The mother, with some concern about where this line of questions might end up, answered, "I guess you would have to say that God is both black and white."
The boy was obviously filled with tremendous confusion as he started to form his third question. The mother, by now, was becoming somewhat alarmed. She braced herself for the next question. "Mom, is God gay or straight?" She took a deep breath and said, "God is both gay and straight."
The look of total consternation melted away as the boy's face lit up. The mother sighed to herself, relieved that he finally "got it."
"Mom?" he asked. "Is God Michael Jackson?"
A nine year old boy came to his mother with a very troubled look on his face. "Mom," he said, "is God a male or a female?"
"Well, that's a very hard question to answer," said his mom. "But the easiest way to think of it is that God is both male and female."
A troubled look swept across the boy's face. "But Mom, is God black or white?" The mother, with some concern about where this line of questions might end up, answered, "I guess you would have to say that God is both black and white."
The boy was obviously filled with tremendous confusion as he started to form his third question. The mother, by now, was becoming somewhat alarmed. She braced herself for the next question. "Mom, is God gay or straight?" She took a deep breath and said, "God is both gay and straight."
The look of total consternation melted away as the boy's face lit up. The mother sighed to herself, relieved that he finally "got it."
"Mom?" he asked. "Is God Michael Jackson?"
7.28.2005
Newness
Not a very interesting photo, but how it landed here is. Well, it's not interesting as much as it is exciting. Tonight Aaron and I received a digital camera from Grandma Miller! I don't know much, but I do know it's a awesome package with a Nikon Coolpix 5600 5.0 megapixels and 518mb stick. Soon the pics will be flowing as we put this baby to work;)
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