So there are a few winter sports that are insane. ...And they are exactly the ones I would love to be good at:
Luge: Honestly, it's illegal to go 90mph on the highway...who would want to do it on two pieces of medal on ice with nothing but a helmet for protection?
Bobsledding: same reason, only add sides to the sled.
Curling: not dangerous but allows you to be relatively out of shape, it's the coolest dorky sport in the world, and really, who wouldn't want to slide rocks on ice?
Pairs Ice Skating: (only girly sport on the list) Do you see how close those ice-skate blades come to the other guy? Do you have a death wish?
Biatholon: Legally mixing guns and skiis for the sake of a piece of medal to hang around your neck? Who wouldn't go for that? Besides, I have a great eye!
Moguls: either you hate your knees or there is some nerve damage that allows you not to feel pain. I would say that moguls must be the experience you get crossing the luge on Michigan roads.
Downhill Skiing: this is a sport strictly for the speed junkie in anyone. Crazy-as-ever
Ski Jumping: How do you land that?
Speed Skating: Again, you wipe out with that, especially if you take someone else out, and you cut an artery like a hot knife through butter. That one guy, last year, almost bled to death before they got him off the ice! Really!?! How can this be legal?
Ice Hockey: Can we say legalized international assault? We all know the Russians got together with the Knucks and came up with this one, the Americans have too much pent-up emotions, and we use the sport as an excuse to beat others up over a medal.
Smack-Talking: Okay, raise your hand if you hate the announcers!
Any I missed? Add a comment and let me know!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Torn, Oh So Torn
I signed up for this. I fully admit this. But I'm nonetheless torn.
I decided on GRTS (Grand Rapids Theological Seminary: grts.cornerstone.edu) because I didn't have very many (only two) Bible/Theology classes in my undergrad (Dordt College: www.dordt.edu) and I felt that in working with people to the extent and intensity as you do in counseling, I would be best off getting my license from a godly institution.
Just over half way through my program, I constantly question that decision. Do I really want to endure (choosing that word over others) through my Bible and theology classes when I can skate by without them at another institution?
I enjoy them. Yes, I know, that statement sort of contradicts my previous one but I do. I learn a lot and they put so much life into Sunday Sermons (really!?!). And in doing the papers and readings (and somewhat the studying - cramming - for exams) I learn so much.
But I cannot stand sitting through them sometimes. And, being a counseling student, I don't see the practical use of it to the extent that the other (MDiv) students do. I'm thankful that in this seminary, the two are set side by side because Pastors definitely need the assets that the counseling major adds but I don't think that is reciprocated except by breadth and only to some extent depth. So I struggle in taking them.
I'm torn because I do see value in them as it helps me develop my own personal stance as a therapist and my own ethical conclusions. So I want to take them.
Could I just audit???
I decided on GRTS (Grand Rapids Theological Seminary: grts.cornerstone.edu) because I didn't have very many (only two) Bible/Theology classes in my undergrad (Dordt College: www.dordt.edu) and I felt that in working with people to the extent and intensity as you do in counseling, I would be best off getting my license from a godly institution.
Just over half way through my program, I constantly question that decision. Do I really want to endure (choosing that word over others) through my Bible and theology classes when I can skate by without them at another institution?
I enjoy them. Yes, I know, that statement sort of contradicts my previous one but I do. I learn a lot and they put so much life into Sunday Sermons (really!?!). And in doing the papers and readings (and somewhat the studying - cramming - for exams) I learn so much.
But I cannot stand sitting through them sometimes. And, being a counseling student, I don't see the practical use of it to the extent that the other (MDiv) students do. I'm thankful that in this seminary, the two are set side by side because Pastors definitely need the assets that the counseling major adds but I don't think that is reciprocated except by breadth and only to some extent depth. So I struggle in taking them.
I'm torn because I do see value in them as it helps me develop my own personal stance as a therapist and my own ethical conclusions. So I want to take them.
Could I just audit???
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Hello Again
Hello again all! ...And Happy New Year a week late.
I am excited for this semester, even though it won't be starting for another two weeks (Monday). I just finished with a J-Term class in Boston called Juvenile Delinquency and it's Contributing Factors. It was a really great class and I am continually amazed at the variety of people that show up to these things. Five of us have been to all four classes so far, in this class there were two pediatricians, 8 members of various (and rival) national gangs, one assistant to the US Prosecuting Attorney who prosecutes criminal mob activity, one man from the Roman Catholic Church, a retired teacher, several street workers with Straight Ahead Ministries (www.straightahead.org) who hosts the class, and Juvenile Detention Center Chaplains. All of us, among our differences, have this two things in common, two things that allows all of us - enemies and friends - to be able to sit in that class for four and a half days in peace and that is the love we have for God and the love God has therefore given us for those young people caught up in the justice system. Class was really good but as I expected, it was super easy for me to sleep all day in preparation for the third shift I have tonight!
Don and I finally have health and dental insurance. For those of you who don't know, we've not had it since I left YFC in the middle of December 2008. We are happy, praising God for his faithfulness and sustaining us for the past year. We do still look forward to and depend on his continued sustaining us each and every day.
Don is finished with his schooling and is now working with Mel Trotter full time. He started with them last summer as an intern. At the end of that, they hired him part time for the summer and school semester and then hired him full time after his finals which ended December 17. We are really thankful for that.
I will be doing the first of three classes that give me practice with real clients and their very real problems. I am working with Tri-City Ministry Counseling in Grand Haven (www.tcmcounseling.org). They do counseling with children, teens, adults, married couples, groups, divorce recovery, grief recovery, and all other areas of counseling. I am hoping that in working with them, God will give me direction as to what He has planned for me after school. I feel sort of directionless at this point but I am resting in the confidence that I don't have to know today and that when I do, He will have planned out a way for me to go. I do have the opportunity to work with TCM for the other two parts of my hands-on learning (my two internships) following this semester's practicum requirements.
So Don and I are very much looking forward to 2010. We again hope that this year we will have the resources to go back to Fiji. We are in a better position, probably the best position of our married life, to make this a reality. Last year we put some money away in a CD and though it had little interest through the course of the year, it helped us keep our hands off it. We actually forget that it's there so it's a pleasant surprise when we actually remember. Currently, we are nearly there if you include that CD that will mature in a couple months. We are really excited about this.
We feel like 2010 is the year we're finally getting settled and are starting to work on the goals that we have so far, just been able to talk about. Thank you for your friendship and prayers during the difficult days of the year and years that God has blessed us with and thank you for also being there rejoicing in our joys.
Don and Kelly
I am excited for this semester, even though it won't be starting for another two weeks (Monday). I just finished with a J-Term class in Boston called Juvenile Delinquency and it's Contributing Factors. It was a really great class and I am continually amazed at the variety of people that show up to these things. Five of us have been to all four classes so far, in this class there were two pediatricians, 8 members of various (and rival) national gangs, one assistant to the US Prosecuting Attorney who prosecutes criminal mob activity, one man from the Roman Catholic Church, a retired teacher, several street workers with Straight Ahead Ministries (www.straightahead.org) who hosts the class, and Juvenile Detention Center Chaplains. All of us, among our differences, have this two things in common, two things that allows all of us - enemies and friends - to be able to sit in that class for four and a half days in peace and that is the love we have for God and the love God has therefore given us for those young people caught up in the justice system. Class was really good but as I expected, it was super easy for me to sleep all day in preparation for the third shift I have tonight!
Don and I finally have health and dental insurance. For those of you who don't know, we've not had it since I left YFC in the middle of December 2008. We are happy, praising God for his faithfulness and sustaining us for the past year. We do still look forward to and depend on his continued sustaining us each and every day.
Don is finished with his schooling and is now working with Mel Trotter full time. He started with them last summer as an intern. At the end of that, they hired him part time for the summer and school semester and then hired him full time after his finals which ended December 17. We are really thankful for that.
I will be doing the first of three classes that give me practice with real clients and their very real problems. I am working with Tri-City Ministry Counseling in Grand Haven (www.tcmcounseling.org). They do counseling with children, teens, adults, married couples, groups, divorce recovery, grief recovery, and all other areas of counseling. I am hoping that in working with them, God will give me direction as to what He has planned for me after school. I feel sort of directionless at this point but I am resting in the confidence that I don't have to know today and that when I do, He will have planned out a way for me to go. I do have the opportunity to work with TCM for the other two parts of my hands-on learning (my two internships) following this semester's practicum requirements.
So Don and I are very much looking forward to 2010. We again hope that this year we will have the resources to go back to Fiji. We are in a better position, probably the best position of our married life, to make this a reality. Last year we put some money away in a CD and though it had little interest through the course of the year, it helped us keep our hands off it. We actually forget that it's there so it's a pleasant surprise when we actually remember. Currently, we are nearly there if you include that CD that will mature in a couple months. We are really excited about this.
We feel like 2010 is the year we're finally getting settled and are starting to work on the goals that we have so far, just been able to talk about. Thank you for your friendship and prayers during the difficult days of the year and years that God has blessed us with and thank you for also being there rejoicing in our joys.
Don and Kelly
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
So Confused
I have a question that, in answering, will hopefully clear up some confusion I have.
So on Christmas day, this Nigerian fellow boarded a plane bound for Detroit. How he got there is a mystery. In this post-September 11 world that we live in, when he arrived at the ticket counter, he had no passport and an older Indian fellow vouched for his identity. This is after one of the September 11 Terrorists also boarded a plane without any Identification at all. This is my question that will clear up some confusion: how is it that someone can board a plane without identification? ...Or at that, an international flight, without a passport? And then, on top of this, how can we expect that newer, tougher security measures will keep us any safer when we don't even check someone's identification when they board the plane? This Nigerian fellow who boarded this plane was on the 'watch' list, not yet deemed to be on the no-fly list, but still, how would the ticket counter people know this if he had no identification when he first checked in? So anyone, on the no-fly list or not, can fly as long as they don't bring Identification with them when they check in at the ticket counter.
So I fly to Boston on Sunday, to bring ID or not to bring ID? And to go one step farther, to renew my passport next year or not? Maybe I'll save the money and just not.
So on Christmas day, this Nigerian fellow boarded a plane bound for Detroit. How he got there is a mystery. In this post-September 11 world that we live in, when he arrived at the ticket counter, he had no passport and an older Indian fellow vouched for his identity. This is after one of the September 11 Terrorists also boarded a plane without any Identification at all. This is my question that will clear up some confusion: how is it that someone can board a plane without identification? ...Or at that, an international flight, without a passport? And then, on top of this, how can we expect that newer, tougher security measures will keep us any safer when we don't even check someone's identification when they board the plane? This Nigerian fellow who boarded this plane was on the 'watch' list, not yet deemed to be on the no-fly list, but still, how would the ticket counter people know this if he had no identification when he first checked in? So anyone, on the no-fly list or not, can fly as long as they don't bring Identification with them when they check in at the ticket counter.
So I fly to Boston on Sunday, to bring ID or not to bring ID? And to go one step farther, to renew my passport next year or not? Maybe I'll save the money and just not.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tis the Season
The Godhead had so much love inside it's community that it overflowed into creation and into us, whether we are believers or not. So full of Love in fact, that despite the fact that creation turned away, Love still overflowed.
There is a lot of controversy about the consumerism of the Christmas season in the Christian communities across the nation. Rightly so, it is easier and easier each year to loose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. So let me take you inside my head as I stroll the hallways of the mall decked out with holiday sales and as I dash off here and there to get everything done.
I am overjoyed as I walk the mall, Don is too, as we shop for Christmas. We realize that have been given the greatest gift of all - that Love is still in the Trinity and that that love overflows into our lives, and thankfully in the same way, the lives of many of those around us. We give - and we are so happy and grateful to give - in remembrance of that gift.
I know that as I walk the mall, I think about what these people on my list mean to me and what I think they would like. The gifts I purchase are not simply empty items on the list they've given me, but they are things that I have seen and thought of them. Out of this, my love for them over flows and is seen, hopefully. It is the idea that I thought of them as I purchased and gave them that gift.
I do that because I believe as Christ hung dying on the cross and purchased our gift of everlasting life, that is what he thought of.
I have friends that are relatively relentless about their disgust over commercialism during December. I have friends that are frustrated that they are no longer wished a 'Merry Christmas'. I have friends that probably refuse to give gifts on Christmas day. I fit into some of those categories but I think that in the protest of the traditions (both pagan and not) they also loose sight of the opportunity to give. We have a great opportunity that the world has presented us with. This is the season of giving, no matter what we call it. As Christians, let us talk openly with those around us about that tradition, the tradition of giving.
And just to be transparent, Don and I save all year to give during this season and throughout the year, not including the tithe that we give weekly. We also spend less than 10% of that on giving gifts to ourselves.
There is a lot of controversy about the consumerism of the Christmas season in the Christian communities across the nation. Rightly so, it is easier and easier each year to loose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. So let me take you inside my head as I stroll the hallways of the mall decked out with holiday sales and as I dash off here and there to get everything done.
I am overjoyed as I walk the mall, Don is too, as we shop for Christmas. We realize that have been given the greatest gift of all - that Love is still in the Trinity and that that love overflows into our lives, and thankfully in the same way, the lives of many of those around us. We give - and we are so happy and grateful to give - in remembrance of that gift.
I know that as I walk the mall, I think about what these people on my list mean to me and what I think they would like. The gifts I purchase are not simply empty items on the list they've given me, but they are things that I have seen and thought of them. Out of this, my love for them over flows and is seen, hopefully. It is the idea that I thought of them as I purchased and gave them that gift.
I do that because I believe as Christ hung dying on the cross and purchased our gift of everlasting life, that is what he thought of.
I have friends that are relatively relentless about their disgust over commercialism during December. I have friends that are frustrated that they are no longer wished a 'Merry Christmas'. I have friends that probably refuse to give gifts on Christmas day. I fit into some of those categories but I think that in the protest of the traditions (both pagan and not) they also loose sight of the opportunity to give. We have a great opportunity that the world has presented us with. This is the season of giving, no matter what we call it. As Christians, let us talk openly with those around us about that tradition, the tradition of giving.
And just to be transparent, Don and I save all year to give during this season and throughout the year, not including the tithe that we give weekly. We also spend less than 10% of that on giving gifts to ourselves.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Almost? ...Not Yet?
I'm down to my last two exams. The first of the remaining is at 3:10 and the second at 6:00.
I always get to exams, the last one to study for in particular, and think or evaluate what my best really is. I get to that last one I have to study for and I get about half way through the material and I think, "I'm tired, exhausted, very little of this is sinking in, I gave up caring about two hours ago, and yet I have so much more to do" What is my best? Is it really that point of exhaustion? ...Should it be?
My stress comes from the fact that I get the exam back and find out how I did and regardless of whether or not it is what I expected to do, I always wonder if I could have done better (of course, being significantly more rested at that point, I usually conclude that I could have). There is nothing left that I can do at that point. I am forced into contentedness.
I've felt this way enough for it to influence my present behavior (yes, we did talk about this at some point in the semester, I can't remember if it was information on the midterm or the final or even what class it really was) but I now push myself more than I ever have before. I can do more papers, I can proof them one more time, I can do all the reading for all the classes (approximately 4500 for my four classes), I can get those papers graded on length to the maximum even tho its not that much more than if I come just a bit short, I can do... push... stay up later, wake up earlier, do just a little bit more... Then it will be my best.
I wish I could find out what my best is. Then I would know how far I have to go in order to get there. Not that I would settle, I don't care how far away my best is, just so I know. I hate seeing an 88 and wondering if a 89 or 90 would have been my best. If that is the case, then I didn't do as much as God had called me to do, I came short. ...again. I was almost. ...But not quite. Jesus meets us where I am...did I make it to that point? These things haunt me. Some days, yes, they keep me up at night...laying in bed awake, I wonder, 'Should I be reading, proofing, studying...' I take Sunday off to rest and my mind races about the load I have to carry for that week.
And it's not like I'm taking all that many classes. On the average week, I do have time to spend with family and friends - both on the weekends and during the week. I am able to go and have coffee with my mom, shopping for Christmas (I am nearly done at the moment), and I have time to fill in and do random acts of kindness and take the weekend off to go to Chicago. I just also wonder, constantly during the last few weeks of the semester, if the best that I am doing at this exact moment in time, is truly the best I am able to do. And deeper yet, if it is the best act of worship I can give God in my human, defaulted, and depraved state. If it is not, I fear I do not know what it is.
Oh, that paper that I ended up double spacing instead of single spacing, I got a 92 on it. Looking back I think I'm satisfied and am happy with the grade because I know I was exhausted at the end. I was however, hoping for a 95. The intensity of my exhaustion is currently the definition I have of whether or not I did my best.
I always get to exams, the last one to study for in particular, and think or evaluate what my best really is. I get to that last one I have to study for and I get about half way through the material and I think, "I'm tired, exhausted, very little of this is sinking in, I gave up caring about two hours ago, and yet I have so much more to do" What is my best? Is it really that point of exhaustion? ...Should it be?
My stress comes from the fact that I get the exam back and find out how I did and regardless of whether or not it is what I expected to do, I always wonder if I could have done better (of course, being significantly more rested at that point, I usually conclude that I could have). There is nothing left that I can do at that point. I am forced into contentedness.
I've felt this way enough for it to influence my present behavior (yes, we did talk about this at some point in the semester, I can't remember if it was information on the midterm or the final or even what class it really was) but I now push myself more than I ever have before. I can do more papers, I can proof them one more time, I can do all the reading for all the classes (approximately 4500 for my four classes), I can get those papers graded on length to the maximum even tho its not that much more than if I come just a bit short, I can do... push... stay up later, wake up earlier, do just a little bit more... Then it will be my best.
I wish I could find out what my best is. Then I would know how far I have to go in order to get there. Not that I would settle, I don't care how far away my best is, just so I know. I hate seeing an 88 and wondering if a 89 or 90 would have been my best. If that is the case, then I didn't do as much as God had called me to do, I came short. ...again. I was almost. ...But not quite. Jesus meets us where I am...did I make it to that point? These things haunt me. Some days, yes, they keep me up at night...laying in bed awake, I wonder, 'Should I be reading, proofing, studying...' I take Sunday off to rest and my mind races about the load I have to carry for that week.
And it's not like I'm taking all that many classes. On the average week, I do have time to spend with family and friends - both on the weekends and during the week. I am able to go and have coffee with my mom, shopping for Christmas (I am nearly done at the moment), and I have time to fill in and do random acts of kindness and take the weekend off to go to Chicago. I just also wonder, constantly during the last few weeks of the semester, if the best that I am doing at this exact moment in time, is truly the best I am able to do. And deeper yet, if it is the best act of worship I can give God in my human, defaulted, and depraved state. If it is not, I fear I do not know what it is.
Oh, that paper that I ended up double spacing instead of single spacing, I got a 92 on it. Looking back I think I'm satisfied and am happy with the grade because I know I was exhausted at the end. I was however, hoping for a 95. The intensity of my exhaustion is currently the definition I have of whether or not I did my best.
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