words of life

Changed Blogs

2010-02-18T10:26:00.000-08:00

Last August I got married and changed blogs! I'll now be sharing my "words of life" through a joint blog with my husband. So if you want to keep up with me from now on I'll be blogging at: http://seanmisty.blogspot.com/
Grace and peace, Misty

My Classroom in the Year 2020

2009-07-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Blog Post #3: Describe what your classroom will be like in the year 2020.

It is difficult and, let's face it, impossible to know what the future holds. I would have never guessed that when I was staring high school in the year 2000, that 10 years from now, almost everyone I know would be on a social networking site and that email would be a primary form of communication in my life and education. That was less than 10 years ago, so who knows what the technological world will be like in another 10 years. So here's what I think might happen in my classroom in the year 2020:

When I walk into my 3rd grade classroom, I see all the kids' cubbies along the wall and sitting on top of that area is another small shelving unit that holds a personal laptop for each student with their names and numbers assigned. From the beginning of the school year, as part of the classroom routine, we practiced retrieving, handling, returning, and charging the battery on the laptops. We also routinely do interactive math lessons using the laptops while I give a presentation and instructions on a SMARTboard. Students still get excited to come up to the screen to move the images and share their thinking. In the area of language arts, as writing assignments start to be written with the keyboard instead of a pencil, I find myself having discussions with the class about why it is still important to learn how to write "the old-fashioned way." In order to keep this practice alive the students having writing journals in their desks that they write in every day.

Most days I still feel like my students know more about how to use the laptops than I do. They come across technological glitches and problems and learn to figure them out themselves and then share this knowledge with their classmates. It also helps that a Technology Teacher comes into the classroom once a week to give a lesson on features of the computer to help students problem-solve as well as introuducing different applications and tools they can use to make new creations. They learn to apply and use these for the class projects they are assinged which require the creation of powerpoint-like presentations, digital videos, and podcasts. My students also love to enjoy interacting with each other via KidChat and other online friends on the internet during free choice time. The school has been able to create a safe-online network for students to have video calls with a school in South America.

I often look around the classroom and look at the students with ear-buds in their ears and eyes fastened to the screens in front of them and wonder if this change in the look of my classroom is good or harmful. Then I remember that it is up to me as their teacher to find new ways to incorporate the personal computer as a tool for collaboration and interaction.

My Digital Story Script: First Draft

2009-06-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a podcast of the first draft of the script for my digital story. It is a little long, so guess I'll have some editing and cutting out to do. I also had some technical difficulties and made the file with the audio 3 times in a row. So it is not actually 18 minutes. The whole thing is only about 6 minutes. Oh well, it is a start.

EDS 204 Blog Response #1

2009-06-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

I have a few more courses to finish up my Education Studies teaching program this summer. EDS204 is focused on learning and using technology as a teacher. Part of the class is writing blog posts about various topics, so here's one of them:

Blog Response #1: Tell us about a classroom event this year that had an impact on your professional growth and/or vision this year.

In my last student teaching placement in a 1st grade classroom, I was working on growing in the area of classroom management. In particular I was uncomfortable with giving specific and positive reinforcement of good student behavior as well as enforcing the consequence of "signing the book" for student misbehavior. Eventually, I did start getting used to being constantly vigilant and verbal about specific student behavior. I tried to be fair and consistent with all students. However, one day I ended up having some students "sign the book" who usually have good behavior, but I felt needed that consequence after I had already set expectations about what they were to be doing. The next day, my CT ended up pulling me aside because she had heard from parents that some of their kids came home upset and crying the other day because I had them sign the book. My CT clarified that the book was to be used only after trying positive reinforcement and making sure students were give a direct verbal warning/reminder first.

Yikes! I had not idea that these students were so upset by having to sign the behavior book. To me "signing the book" was a way for me to show that I was firm and fair with my behavior expectations, but for some of the students it was no small thing. After that experience I was definitely more afraid, but also more careful and thoughtful about how I give out consequences and how that impacts students. The ironic thing about the experience is that before that incidence I had sent a few students to sign the book before, but these students took it in stride because they were used to having to sign the book and it was not as much of a shock as it was for the others. Overall, in terms of professional development, getting some parent feedback about students response to behavior consequences forced me to question whether or not I was being fair to students and realize that those consequences in the classroom may be having an impact I do not see at school. I have learned to be more thoughtful in how I do behavior consequences and the lasting impact of what I say to students.

Quetico Canoe Trip: Aug. 5 - Aug. 14

2008-09-17T21:13:00.001-07:00

Day 1: This is the whole group just before setting out on our 10 day journey in the wilderness of Quetico Park in Canada.

Day 2: Blueberries!!! Just as the rain clouds were coming we landed on Blueberry Island, unloaded the canoes, and huddled under the tarp. There were tons of blueberries and they were delicious. It was a blueberry filled birthday for me :)

Day 3: This is what lunch times generally looked like: bags, twisties, shaker bottles, and a food fest. We survived til dinner ongorp, velveeta, beef jerkey, crackers, dried fruit, PB&J and Ritz, Bakers chocolate, and hard candies. Yum yum.

Day 4: Morning fog over the lake by the campsite.

Day 5: Had to push the canoe over a small beaver dam.

Day 6: Paddling through a stretch of water lilies. Beautiful.

Day 7: Took a day trip to check out some of the waterfalls.

Day 8: Pretty chill day of paddling. We found our campsite early in the day. Our canoes were flipped over once we got into our campsite for lunch.

Day 9: A beautiful sunset to end a challenging day. We finished our last portage of the trip, checked-in at the ranger's station before leaving Canada, paddled through some rain and rocky waters, then crashed once we set up camp in the U.S.

Day 10: A sunny last day of paddling in the Boundary Waters.

We made it!!

Preacher Preference

2008-03-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has spent a long enough time in school, one comes to realize that a teacher can make or break your opinion of a class. Sometimes you can take a class on a subject you are really interested in, but if the teacher stinks, it can ruin the experience. Also, even if you do not particularly like a subject, you can still enjoy a particular class on it because the way the teacher presents the material. Furthermore, a good teacher can even change your mind about the subject that you may have not understood or appreciated before.

I realized this is also true from the church's perspective. The preacher, pastor, pope, or whatever you want to call him or her is essentially a teacher. Many people end up judging religion based on their experience in church which is highly shaped by the manner of the preacher/teacher. Just like teachers can ruin classes for students, I think preaching styles can also potentially ruin a person's experience with the church and thus with Christianity. Especially if that person has no other experience with other preaching styles, they will likely think that all churches are taught in that same manner and in the same setting.

Did you know that some churches have choirs that wear robes and the church sings traditional hymns, but that other church communities have people dance to hip hop and do spoken word in the name of Jesus? Some teachers of the Word read directly from the scripture, some speak very formally, some speak very casually, some will make jokes, some are very animated and loud, some are very mild-mannered, some wear a suit and tie, some wear t-shirt and jeans, some wear dresses, some wear robes, some will sound like they are talking to you, some will sound like they are yelling at you, some give examples in their own life of how the Word is true, and some let the scripture speak for itself. Thank God that not all churches are taught in the same style! I wish more people knew that the gospel can be presented in more than one way, in more than one setting, in more than one culture, by more than one type of teacher.

We all pick out our own favorite teachers because different teaching styles appeal to different people. In the same way, I think someone should experience church in a teaching style that appeals to them and in a setting that makes them comfortable. It is important to learn to appreciate different ways of "doing" church even if it may not be your style or culture. As long as the truth of Jesus Christ is represented, there is no right way to teach the Word or to worship our Lord. Figure out your own preacher preference so that you can ENJOY learning about your faith in a church setting!

Words on Hope

2008-03-17T21:36:00.001-07:00

"Ultimately our gift to the world around us is hope. Not blind hope that pretends everything is fine and refuses to acknowledge how things are. But the kind of hope that comes from staring pain and suffering right in the eyes and refusing to believe that this is all there is. It is what we all need - hope that comes not from going around suffering but from going through it."

pg. 170 Velvet Elvis. Rob Bell.

Hope that stares pain and suffering right in the eyes... that statement really gets me... it makes me long to have that sort of audacious hope in the face of a suffering world.

If you like good quotes and going "hmm" when you read, I highly recommend Velvet Elvis. While reading this book I stopped on nearly every page multiple times to write a quote down in my journal or just process what Bell talks about, but also the way he talks about things. If you want to know what it is about, I guess I would say it is about repainting the Christian faith. It is a fresh perspective, but is rooted in what God, Jesus, and Christianity has been about all along.

Car to Car Communication = Chaos

2008-01-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

Seriously, when the primary form of communication among cars is a horn, you're just asking for trouble. According to driver's training, car horns are supposed to be used mainly to alert other cars of dangers of unsafe situations. In practice however horns seem to be used to annoy others, take out your anger, or alert other cars that they did something stupid.

The other night, I was pulling up behind a car who was still at a light that just turned green, so I slowed down behind them first waiting for them to see the sign to "go." But then once I got up behind them I honked my horn just once to get their attention. It was my way of tapping them on the shoulder as if to say "Excuse me. The light is green, so you can go now." Plus you never know if cars behind you will realize they need to stop, so overall I figure it was safer to get the car moving for the sake of traffic. The driver quickly realized and went on it's way ahead through the light. No problem.

Then there was the driver I encountered today. It was the middle of the day this time, but basically the same situation as before. I slowed down at first and then after waiting a few seconds I gave a courtesy honk to let them know the light was green. Then the car sped up and the driver stuck his middle finger through the sun roof at me. Frankly, I was shocked, I didn't realize my one honk was so offensive to this driver. I can only assume he interpreted my honk as rudeness, impatience, or even a swear word perhaps. But I didn't respond and proceeded to follow the car through the light and turned into the parking lot I was headed for soon after that. And that was that.

I shook off the experience pretty quick, but I did ponder it for a little just trying to understand the other driver and why he got so upset. So what I have decided is that car to car communication is just inherently badly designed. For one thing, most of the time, all drivers are facing the same direction, which does obviously not lend itself to helpful face-to-face communication. Secondly, the only built-in form of "vocal" communication is the horn which makes the same sound for "excuse me," "watch out," "idiot,"and "f-you" among other things. And unfortunately the interpretation of this sound is left up to the receiving driver who will most quickly and most likely assume the worst. Plus, it doesn't help that car horns are typically so loud and offensive sounding.

For the longest time I have wished there was a sign or something on cars to communicate an "I'm sorry" to other drivers, but now I also wish there was an "excuse me" too. Anyways, car culture on a regular basis is just isolationist and frustrating in general. The majority of everyday driving is solitary, stuck in traffic, passing by so many things and so many people without a care. Driving is a privilege and I do enjoy the time it gives me to listen to the radio/music, to think, and get from one place to another. However cars are just no good in terms of relationships and communication.

Did I tell you about...

2007-10-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

When we share our lives often enough with enough people, there will be times when we wonder "did I tell you about that already?" or "have I told them yet?"

The funny thing is, that never used to be a "problem" for me. Especially when I think back on high school, there were so few people I talked to on a regular basis that I would know if I had already told them about something going on in my life. (That is if I had even cared to mention anything. ) And on several occasions I would remember having a conversation with someone who have forgotten about it; just usual simple everyday conversations that I could easily store in my uncrowded memory of social interactions.

But the random realization I came to tonight is that lately (in my college years) I do have that thought on occasion- as I went outside tonight to feed my dog and saw my car in the driveway I wondered to myself if I had told a particular friend or family member about my new car yet since the other had been totalled in an accident I was in recently. So I just smiled to myself seeing how my "social skills" and really just a relational and conversational personality has been in progress through my years in college. That part of me has really come about through my experiences in a meaningful Christian community on campus and coming to realize how relational Jesus is and how that is part of the foundation of being a witness and being in His ministry. Thank you Lord!

You are my All In All

2007-09-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

As I sat on Catalina Island at Campus By the Sea with the newly bonded Campus Team, we sang this song. At that moment I immediately flashed back to the mountain top in Tepotzlan where I sang the same song with the Global Urban Trek team that went to Mexico City for 5 weeks driven by a God who loves justice. I still get choked up watching this video and remembering what an amazing experience it was to be a part of that team. My hope now is that Campus Team will be just as amazing and filled with the love and spirit of Jesus Christ. Thank you God for the privilege it is to be in a community of people whom I can call my sisters and brothers because of you.

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name
Jesus Lamb of God worthy is your name

Taking my sin my cross my shame
Rising again I bless your name
You are my all in all

When I fall down you pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

I couldn't give a cucumber!

2007-07-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Yay for idomatic phrases :-)
Check out this one. Brought to me (and now to you) by dictionary.com, Spanish Word of the Day (Saturday, July 7, 2007)

pepino, noun
cucumber

Pepino is the Spanish word for cucumber. For example, if you’re shopping at the market, you could say:

Dos pepinos, por favor.
Two cucumbers, please.

But did you know that you can also use the expression me importa un pepino to say that you could(n’t) care less?

Me importa un pepino lo que piense.
I could(n’t) care less what he thinks. (Literally, I couldn’t give a cucumber.) :-)

A similar idiom involves rábanos - radishes; also me importa un comino

Me importa un rábano lo que la gente piense.
I could(n’t) care less what people think.

A Lower Cost of Clothes... at What Cost?

2007-07-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Made in China.
Made in Bangladesh.
Made in Vietnam.
Made in Sweatshops...?

My brother and sister took my mom clothes shopping at Kohl's today and I tagged along. However after doing a search on the internet before we left doubted I would buy anything. I came across this website: http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/scorecard.cfm. I wouldn't judge the stores listed to harshly, but I don't doubt that at least some of their merchandise comes from sweatshop labor.

Yes using international cheap labor does result in cheaper products brought to the U.S. but I wish more people would recognize at what cost we have this convenience. I can't help look at the tags on clothing and get suspicious when it is made in a third world country.

So for now my only solution is to not buy clothing. And I also plan on checking out the store American Apparel, which I've heard is all "Made in America." http://americanapparel.net/

Bill Gates and Creative Capitalism

2007-06-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Bill Gates graduated from Harvard," my mom told me the other day. "Who cares," is what I first thought. I assumed it was just another article about publicizing the lives of famous people. But then she read me some of the quotes that were printed in the article. I found it pretty interesting and thought "Wow, that is pretty cool."

In TIME Magazine, these were the quotes pulled out from Bill Gates graduation speech from Harvard:

ON HIS TIME AT THE COLLEGE
" I do have one big regret. I left Harvard with no real awareness of the awful inequities in the world-- the appalling disparities of health and wealth and opportunity that condemn millions to lives of despair."

ON POVERTY AND ECONOMY
"We can make market forces work better for the poor if we can develop a more creative capitalism-- if we can stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can profit...serving people who are suffering..."

ON FINALLY GRADUATING
"I've been waiting more than 30 years to say this: Dad, I always told you I'd come back and get my degree."

The article certainly gave me a lot more respect for Bill Gates. And it also made me wonder: Can capitalism be restructured in a way to help the people who usually get trampled by it?

You can find the full article here:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1630188,00.html

When Roosters Attack

2007-04-15T22:52:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was taking care of my neighbor's pets while they were away for the Easter holiday. One of my tasks is to feed/take care of their chickens. This requires going into the coop with the chickens. No problem, right? So it would seem, but let me tell you, it gets a whole lot more complicated when there is a rooster in their midst. When I went into the coop to put food out for them and the rooster charged to peck at my legs, I was personally offended. I mean, come on! I just want to feed them and give them water and this guy has the nerve to attack me! Needless to say, I finished my chore as quickly as possible to avoid being further assaulted. Even while I walked around the outside of the coop the rooster would follow me and peck at the wire nearest to me. In frustration I was thinking "Man...chill out!" Though the rooster's actions probably stem from a protective instinct, I was still hurt because I knew I had no intention of hurting the chickens. Though a relatively minor offense in my case, I couldn't help think about similiar injustices on a larger scale... situations where people are attacked for no good reason.

Interestingly, later that same morning of "the attack" ;-), I had some extra time before class and so read a little from Psalsms which allowed me to come across this scripture:

"See how they lie in wait for me!

Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O Lord.

I have done no wrong yet they are ready to attack me

Arise to help me; look on my plight!"

-Psalm 59:3-4

I couldn't help but go "huh." and relate this Psalm to my experience just hours before. Basically I related with the reaction of the attackee in such a situation, with sentiments such as" "that's no fair" or "I did nothing to deserve this" or "why would they do that?" The psalmist responds to his plight by depending on the fact that God is his strength in these situations of unfairness. For God sees such acts of wicked men that while not go unpunished. But as for us, as we face evil men (or roosters) we must say:
"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love: you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."

Okay, I admit it's a bit silly of me to apply the need to depend on God as my strength to my run-in with the rooster, but nevertheless, it still prompted a more significant train of thought. As hurt as a felt in this silly situation, I can't imagine what it is like for people who live in circumstances when they become victims of unfairness so often. But I do know that they need God in those situatons.

Plus, I also learned from my experience. The next time I went into the chicken coop, I came prepared wearing close toed shoes for one thing. In additon I found a small rake which I held in one hand as I went into the coop to refill the food and water. The rooster looked warily at me and the rake, but I managed to get in and out quicky without any problems.

You never know what God will use in you daily life to make you think and to apply His Word. When roosters attack, God made stop and think.

God's Extravagent Welcome

2007-04-01T00:22:00.000-07:00

I heard a similar version of this NPR story aired on the radio Friday morning:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9213698

As I listened I couldn't help myself from responding outloud in frustration to some of the comments being made about this. The fact that this church had to have a committee to decide what to do in this situation, whether or not to allow someone into their congregation, felt terribly wrong.

The general issue was "should a church welcome sex offenders?" My thoughts are, yeah, they probably should. However, whether people are willing and able to do that is not that easy. So many people have been been hurt by sex offenders and continually struggle with that pain. One of the women interviewed for the story did have a history of being sexually abused as a child, but based on her faith she felt she had to accept this man, who was a convicted sex offender, into the church community. Others, especially parents, were (to put it lamely) not so thrilled about the idea. One of the parents who spoke claimed to believe in "radical inclusion," but... and then gave her excuse; perhaps a legimate excuse out of concern for protecting her children, but an excuse nonetheless. Perhaps this seems insensitive and perhaps I would feel differently if I was a member of this church with children of my own... but still...

As hard as it may be to accept, I do believe God asks us to welcome all people into his family no matter what their past grievances and no matter how uncomfortable that is for us. Yes, certainly easier said than done, especially for people with certain connections to the issue. But the willingness of people of God to offer grace and forgiveness is what aught to set us apart as His people. Ultimately, God will not turn people away from heaven who honestly seek salvation no matter what they have done; sex offenders, murderers, liars are all welcome. What right does the church have to turn someone away who is seeking to be a part of the family of God? The women in the story (who was sexually abused) describes that allowing this man, who is a convicted sex offender, into the church as an opportunity to live out her faith. I love how she describes what she believes in as "God's Extravagent Welcome."

definition of gauche

2007-03-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

gauche \GOHSH\, adjective: Lacking social polish; tactless; awkward; clumsy.

Embrace the gauche!

Unconditional Love

2007-03-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

God loves me unconditionally. But the other day I was struck with the question: do I love God unconditionally? I have never thought about it in those terms before. I am constantly reminded to be thankful for His love and grace for me, just as I am, with all my faults. However, sometimes I forget to remember to tell God that I love Him. And I should not let my love for him change depending on my circumstances or the dire circumstances I see in other people's lives and in the world in general. Even in my sadness and frustration with such things, asking does God really care, I have to remember to love Him unconditionally, simply because he loved me first. If God can manage to love me unconditionally, what right do I have to not love him unconditionally as well? Unconditional love... what a challenge... what an experience... what a gift.

Words of Elihu

2007-03-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

"I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, no only the aged who understand what is right."
Job 32:7-9

"Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words? For God does speak-- now one way, now another-- though man may not perceive it."
Job 33:13-14

Why I chose teaching.

2007-03-09T21:29:00.000-08:00

This is a big topic for me so I'll try to keep this external processing at a reasonable length. I've been thinking a lot about whether teaching is really what I want to do with my life for God and my vocation... questioning whether I really can or should be doing it. I've been a little stressed out about it especially recently. So first I feel I should start with a little of the story behind why I chose teaching.

In first grade I remember making a little "what I want to be when I grow up" type project for which I chose that I wanted to be a first grade teacher. That was a step up from my preschool aspiration to be a ballerina. How that ever came about, I will never know. I am definately no balleriana. I don't know what I was thinking. But sadly, once I got to high school I could have made the same comment about my desire to be a teacher... what was I thinking?! Me! A teacher? Yeah right. Freshmen year of high school I was in a full swing of insecurity, quietness, and shyness. Not to mention being terrified of public speaking i.e., class presentations. So yeah, picturing myself standing in front of a classroom of students and talking all day... not so much.

Then when it came to applying for college and thinking about a major and a career, I was firmly Undecided. And so I remained Undeclared, considering pretty much anything and everything in the meantime, that was until it got too hard. But anyways, somehow God got me to join leadership with the Justice corps and to co-lead a bible study during my second year. It was really hard for me at first, but as a grew as a leader I got more comfortable leading discussions and even found some joy in it. Over winter break that year, out of nowhere the idea of "teaching" came back to me in full force. I remember my early desire for it, at an age when fear had yet to drive my decisions. So as God helped me to overcome that fear in leading a small group, I was willing to consider that he could help me overcome that fear in order to teach elementary school.

Helping kids to understand the basic skills they would need to learn and be educated really interested me. I knew how to do math in my head easy, but how do I explain that to a 2nd grader in order for them to solve that problem? When I had helped with after-school tutoring the year before, I was intrigued by this, but funny how I did not made the connection to a long-term interest in teaching. But eventually God did hit me over the head with it, and so I directed my studies onto that path.

However, I continue to doubt and get discouraged. Sure, teaching interests me and I wish to teach kids. But honestly, I do not think I am especially good at it, let alone gifted or even naturally inclined towards it. It sounds like a good idea, but when in comes to actually doing it, I'm not really all that great at it. Especially having had some experience working with kids over the summer in Mexico City and now mentoring a 5th grader for one of my classes, I deal with those thoughts a lot. The thoughts that I am boring to kids, not particularly fun to be around, I don't come up with fun things to do, etc. and the discouraging thoughts go on and on. Sometimes me and the kids do have fun together and I do manage to teach them a little something on occaison... but the discouraging thoughts always win.

I could definately go on... but I probably shouldn't. What it comes down to now is that getting better at working with kids and knowing how best to teach them will come with more time and experience. Plus, as un-gifted as I feel as a teacher, I still have a desire to teach. I do have some other thoughts of things I desire to do with my life, but realistically, I can't see myself being anything other than a teacher. Yep, I don't know for sure... but for now I am going to keep on this path God has sent me on and hope that it will continue to feel right and more secure as time goes on.

First of all...

2007-03-09T21:18:00.000-08:00

I am a terrible blogger. I think of things to write ever so often, but I still haven't gotten the hang of it. Especially because it means making the time to sit down and write something. And time is something I don't feel I have a whole lot of. Plus when I only know of one other person who will actually read my blog, I do not feel a whole lot of incentive to put write something up. Writing does help me process my thoughts though, so I hope to be better about finding the time for it. Which will lead me to my next post topic...

Don't Point! Don't Stare!

2007-02-04T22:53:00.000-08:00

... didn't your mother ever tell you that? Many of us have been heard that before. It's rude to point. It's impolite to stare. Or so we are taught. Even I have taken to joking with people about that social expectation. Doing what is expected of me to be seen as a proper and well-behaved member of society. And yeah I think it can be rude to point and it can be impolite to stare. But I really think it depends on why you are pointing and why you are staring. Perhaps we should look at it differently. The world teaches us not to point or to stare, but Jesus teaches us to pay attention and to point out the people around us... with concern and care for them. We aren't supposed to look at that poor person on the street as we pass them by, but that's exactly who God wants us to be noticing and caring for.

So maybe we shouldn't be staring, but I think we should be looking, we should be noticing those in need. And I don't think we should go around pointing at people, but we should be approaching them, with love. It is a whole lot more comfortable to do what the world expects of us: just walk by and mind your own business. The good Samaritan didn't just walk by. He stopped and looked and responded! In other words, he had compassion. True to his teaching in this parable, Jesus himself showed us what it takes to care. "When he SAW the crowds, had COMPASSION on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) In order to have compassion for people we have to LOOK in order to see their need. God help me to have the courage to look and to respond.

Always seeking Answers in America

2007-01-20T22:59:00.000-08:00

Last quarter I did a research paper on "Mary Poppins" for my Children's Lit. class which led me to discovering that the author of that famous story, P.L Travers, had some interesting things to say about her book. One of the things she had to say that caught my attention was the following:

"You know, in America, everybody thinks there’s an answer to every question. They’re always saying, “But why and how?” They always think there is a solution. There is a great fortitude in that and a great sense of optimism. In Europe, we are so old that we know there are certain things to which there is not an answer. And you will remember, in this regard, that Mary Poppins chief characteristic is that she never explains. I often wonder why people write and ask me to explain this and that. I’ll write back an say that Mary Poppins didn’t explain, so neither can I or neither will I…"
Source: The Paris Review Interviews ed. by Plimpton, George. “Women Writers at Work”. Pg. 136

This quote from Travers caught my attention because I was among the audience of readers who questioned Poppins' character and wanted an explanation for why she did this or that or why she was the way was. After reading Travers' opinion on the matter, I had to stop and say "Well I guess I can accept that." If even the author herself cannot explain the character she created then who am I to question. When she says "neither Mary Poppins didn't explain so neither can I or neither will I," I am amazed by the way she treats the character of Mary Poppins with such creative respect. Some might think this is a strange thing, but I think it is an admirable quality of a person who creates art. Much of what Travers has to say about her writing is very intriguing to me. The more I read of interviews from P.L. Travers during my reasearch the more I admired the perspectives she brought to her writing. Thus, don't be suprised if a few more of her quotes show up on a few more posts down the road.

But as for the topic at hand... After reading this quote, I had to accept that I was responding with an American culture by questioning "why and how" as Travers pointed out. She doesn't say this is an awful thing about America, however I did kind of read it as a less than desirable trait to have. Sure there is something admirable about seeking answers, but there is also something admirable in just accepting and even appreciating the unexplainable. I always appreciate seeing a new persepective on how I see things especially when it comes from someone looking in from the outside. Now I can identify my explanation-seeking part of myself as part of the culture I grew up in, but now I can also step outside of that and embrace another view that says I don't need an explanation. Of course being brought up with a faith in God has also helped me with this issue. I may often seek an explanation for things, but in that I have to accept and learn to take comfort in the fact that only God has all the answers.

Defying the Laws of Attraction

2007-01-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

When thinking about relationships, some people talk about having the right chemistry. Then there is also the popular idea that opposites attract. In the laws of phsyics and chemistry this is very true. Opposite signs attract and like-charges repel. However, when it comes to me and Sean it seems the more similiar we find ourselves to be to each other the more we attract and the closer we become. Of course we are not exactly the same in every way, but there is a lot of overlap. At first, the like-mindedness between us was striking and intriguing. And now our similiarities become a major source of comfort, understanding, and often amusement between us. This is not to say that the opposites attract thing doesn't work for some people, but as for Sean and I, being on the same wavelength is part of the beauty and perhaps harmony of our relationship. So in recognition of our 3 months as a couple... here's to defying the laws of attraction. Somehow it just works.

Gift Giving: Do you prefer to shop or to wrap?

2006-12-23T23:25:00.000-08:00

Seems like this question could be a personality test or something. I think it definitely says something about a person whether they prefer to shop for gifts or wrap them or even if a person likes to do both or would rather not do either.

The thought occured to me as I finally got to wrapping the gifts I bought for people. At which point I realized how much fun I was having getting creative with bows, ribbons, and wrapping paper getting, writing the receipient(s) name on the tag, and imaging how I will enjoy watching them receive my gift. On the other hand for me, the shopping is a much less fun process. Never knowing what to get, worrying about the cost, and other such things compound with the fact that I am really not a fan of shopping in general. So it was just funny to me to recognize how my sunny outlook on the gift-giving came in the wrapping process of the gifts rather than in the gift-buying proccess.

In this time of gift purchasing, preparing, and giving what part of the process do you or do you not look forward to and what does that say about your personality? Something interesting to think about.

"Drive home safely."

2006-12-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

How common-curtesy can go awry in the mind:

Tonight as I left work and said good-bye to my boss he said the usual curteous thing: "Have a good evening" and then "Drive home safely." I took it as kindness, said, "I will." and left to head home. It was later on as I was driving that I remember I time when I was particularly sensitive to that comment. When I first started driving and people would tell me to drive safely, I can remember feeling particularly defensive about it. They weren't just saying "Drive home safely". ..oh no... They must been implying that I was a new and inexperienced driver and needed that extra reminder to be extra safe.... I resented that at the time... figuratively rolling my eyes at the comment, though accepting it knowing that it was said out of concern.

It's funny to think back on now... Sure, some of them might have had that young-driver profile in mind as they told me to drive safely, but really most of the time it is probably just as automatic for some of them as telling me to have a good day as we parted ways. Tonight it didn't even phase me in that manner since I have been driving for a while now and am pretty confident in my ability to get myself home safely; I've got a good track-record with that :) Just interesting to think how as common a statement as "Drive home safely" can be so loaded with implications to the person that receives it depending on their point-of-view, whether the hidden-meaning was really there or not.

the value of rapport

2006-12-07T22:27:00.000-08:00

rapport \ra-POR; ruh-\, noun:
A relation, especially one characterized by sympathetic understanding, emotional affinity, or mutual trust.

God's rapport with me through his son Jesus gives me the desire to have rapport with others. I believe to have rapport to the extent it is defined is basically an ideal relationship. God exemplifies this in order to show us his love and teach us the value of rapport so that we know what kind of relationships would should strive for with each other. Rapport with God really is a beautiful thing. It's not always the easiest thing to live out, but whenever it is acheived, it is the most rewarding and blessed thing to be a part of.

Sang-froid? Qu'est-ce que c'est?

2006-08-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Allow me to translate:
"Cold-blood? What is that?"

Word of the Day from Dictionary.com

sang-froid, also sangfroid \sang-FRWAH\, noun:
Freedom from agitation or excitement of mind; coolness in
trying circumstances; calmness.

Sang-froid is from the French; it literally means "cold blood"
(sang, "blood" + froid, "cold").

In my own words, I like to think of sang-froid as the peace that God gives me in my everyday life. A peace which transcends all understanding. Philippians 4:6-7

"My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let your heart not be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

2006-08-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

Blog with a purpose?

2006-08-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure what to post about. The only reason I have this account is so I can view the MexicoCity06GlobalUrbanTrek blog - http://mexicocity06gut.blogspot.com/. Had a pretty amazing summer with God and with my team in Mexico City - want to keep in touch, keep the memories and lessons alive, and keep on trekkin' (so to speak). Yep, that's pretty much it. We'll see what happens to my page, but I know I'll be checking into my team page for sure.