Forget the missing "N" ...

What happens if I park for only 10 minutes?

Conflict of Interest

So either the Mariners win, which I always hope for (being from Seattle and a former die-hard fan reduced to fair weather following), or the Angels clinch the division. By the end it was exciting that Seattle was in the lead and all, but I really wanted to be at that clinch game. Didn't happen. But Seattle won! I guess it was a win for me either way.

reflections on my degree (not yet completed).

Several people have asked me lately about my degree and my time in school...do I feel like I need this degree? Do I ever feel like dropping out (a frequent question the first few weeks of school and "syllabus shock")? Was it the right decision to attend grad school?

When I graduate in May it will be 4.5 years. As a whole I've enjoyed my program, but I've come to the realization that I've been here for a lot more than the degree. I think God's used it to keep me here. 3 years ago at the end of an engagement, with no place to live and no job (at the end of a year-long ministry in L.A. for which I raised support), the only thing that kept me here was that I had just finished my first semester at Talbot and I really felt like I was supposed to be there. I realize now that it could have been the fact that I don't really quit anything that I've started, but God uses that too. Whatever the reason, I'd started a program, and I was going to continue in it. Gradually my heart healed, I found some great roommates and a job. Soon school will be done, and the next journey will begin.

But I really think that this time has been so much more about the other things than school. The relationships, the ministry opportunities and roles, the new skills I've learned...teaching bible study and writing curriculum...working with a professor on the notes for a new study bible...valuable friends, mentors, surrogate families :) ...and some pretty significant personal growth and learning. There's more. And the degree is valuable too. But I believe God has used the time for so much more than just school; that was in many ways the thing that kept me here for so long. (I think I'd be long gone if it weren't for that.) There have been a lot of things to learn.

So...yeah, the degree is useful; I've already used it and will definitely use it in the future. Is it absolutely essential for what I want to do? Probably not; I could have done a lot of personal study and reading on my own. But I won't ever regret having it. And I can't say the thought has ever crossed my mind to drop out, surprisingly. Finishing was never a question for me. Like I said, I think God has used that. Was it the right decision? What do you think? :)

Some California friends...on a California beach...ah California... :)

Yep...uh...that one's my roommate.

So, undoubtedly, Kristin was just minding her own business and thinking about the day ahead of her as she got out of the shower on Sunday afternoon, when suddenly I barged into her peaceful reverie by banging on her bathroom door shrieking something about cutting my hand really bad ("stabbed" is actually more accurate) and not knowing what to do. She had the piece of mind to wrap a towel around herself before opening the door, saw my hysteria (and the bloody towel), and said calmly, "I'm getting dressed, and we're going to the hospital." I screeched and wailed and cleaned up my blood and put the turkey burgers back in the freezer and ate crackers so I wouldn't pass out and in no time we were in the car, calling my mom to find out when my last tetanus shot was (10 years...dangit).

So there she is...in all her gold ringed glory, the one to have around in an emergency, and in fact my emergency contact, my roommate, Kristin. 3 cheers...

Do not attempt to break apart frozen turkey patties with a steak knife.

3 stitches, 2 numbing shots in the palm, and one tetanus shot later...guess I'm not going mountain biking this afternoon :(

hotness

what I'm learning

• i'm not feeling motivated to start doing homework again.
• it's ok to be "in process." no one expects me to have it together all the time.
• living in southern california means there are a few weeks a year where you are just going to sweat all the time. no one can remain "fresh feeling" when it's 105 degrees.
• how to be real. i think i've never really allowed myself to be real to people, sharing the good and the crap. i haven't believed people would accept me still. in fact people value me and my relationship with them more when i share my true self with them.
• unconditional love creates trust and more boldness to share myself.
• i need york peppermint patties regularly.
• i have good friends, and i have lots to learn from them.
• it's easy to fall into old habits and turn down opportunities to teach when asked! sometimes i need to just say yes to stretch myself.
• i can run a half marathon.