Something Americans don't like to talk about

Lately, as I have been filling out job applications yet again, I have had to fill out several profiling questions on various Web sites. My 11-year-old self would have checked "Other" and put in "Russian Jew," as I was extremely excited to identify myself as someone who may be of Israeli descent. But I learned that really I'm just white and nobody cares, so that's what I put. (Besides, I don't want a repeat of that previous neighbor who asked me if my parents and I speak Hebrew together... wait, what?)

After reading a particular article posted on Facebook from a church friend at Fellowship Greenville - http://www.russellmoore.com/2008/05/29/transracial-adoption-the-gospel-and-you/

...I decided to blog about something. As we church searched, I made a comment that seemed very obvious to me, but I realized that not many people think about it. I refuse to make my home church a place where I only see white people.

There are several reasons for this.

First of all, I grew up in a church that was filled with people of all different races, and so I thought all churches just loved people in all their variety, and that God does, too. Well, I was wrong about all churches - true churches, yes - but it taught me from an early age that God made variety and loves variety. I want that for my children. I grew up and would meet people and I would just know them... I didn't think "She's Hispanic, she's black, she's white, she's Asian." (With the exception of my best friend calling me orange... I knew I wasn't white and that proves it!)

Secondly, I would hate to be a part of a congregation where I couldn't bring my friend, someone who needs to hear about Jesus, or someone who's church seeking like me, because they wouldn't be welcomed. That would be so, so sad, if a difference so superficial got in the way of someone hearing God's Word and growing in His word.

And, honestly, if I bring someone who's Asian and all they see is white people, maybe it would be hard to feel connected. I think I've been to a couple of services where I've been the only white person, but I didn't really feel like that was important or on my mind, because I was welcomed, engaged, and people took the time to really have conversations with me. But I can imagine it would be nice to see someone else there that looks like me. I think that's human. (Personally, I don't think I'd care. I'm more about where God's leading me.)

So, I'm comfortable calling our new church home, and I know I might be weird for even thinking about these things, but I'm not afraid to think about any subject, or discuss it. Also, I'm not saying all churches have to be like evenly mixed or something. There are some churches that are culturally knit closer than others - I know one of my old churches had a whole congregation that met on Sunday nights that was all Spanish speaking, and another all Arabic speaking people, and I was invited to attend the Arabic services (but I was working in the nursery and could not). I just refuse to be a part of a close minded congregation that isn't focused on the Gospel and more focused on people's clothes, hair styles, skin color, makeup, weight, etc.

Oh, and one more thing... how would my sister have felt?

2007 Christmas Letter

My 2007 Christmas Letter - and by amazing I really only meant Leah:

Hi Everyone!

I've been at BJU this past semester, and took website design, English 102, intro to computer programming, college algebra, general psych, orientation, and Old Testament messages. Some of those look familiar? Yes, it was round two for me...they didn't transfer some of my credits.

I was one of two female computer science majors to complete the semester. Both of us worked in the dining commons. There were 70 tablewipers in all to cover the 21 meals a week.

I am thankful that God allowed me to go there this semester; I met some amazing people! Examples: my roommates, Leah, Amy, and Bethany. They are from Vermont, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Leah had two sisters on the hall of our dorm.

Leah's taught me so much about God. I love her like a sister and I think she treated me like one would a little sister. We're only a year apart but she is really confident about things in general and I was not most of the semester. I could talk to her about anything and she always knew something to say. She'd always get out her Bible and share one of her favorite verses. Read Psalm 91 if you get the chance.

Some of my more interesting memories include moving into the wrong building the first night, leaving my (work) shoes in the library one day, teasing Bethany for studying too much (nursing major), getting basically locked into the closet twice by Amy (I’m sure Bethany helped too), and finding notes that encouraged me and pointed me to God from Leah and random people. Talk about crazy - for 5 days, Leah was confined to the hospital because they thought she had whooping cough (she didn't). One morning, she popped the window screen with a spoon, ran along the ledge 2nd floor, in her pajamas, and said hi to everyone else....and then set her voicemail to "I'm so glad to hear from you! I'm in the Psych Ward right now and probably going on my daily walk to the bathroom or washing my hair for the 3rd time since I'm not answering the phone!"

One of my teachers, to put it short, reminded me of God, in that he was absolutely perfect in how he taught us grace. He never gave a grade to us, but he was realistic in expectations. Another teacher of mine just showed me how people do notice when one has joy despite all the hard things that may come in life, and that that joy is something others recognize as coming from God alone.

Do's and Don'ts at BJU

Don't eat RibeQ. (reprocessed meat)

Do buy scantrons off your Jr. High aged Chapel Buddies. (they get 'em cheaper)

Do sleep in until 7:35 if you have an 8 o'clock (12 minutes to get ready, 6 to get breakfast from the dining commons, and 7 to run to class and eat; it worked)

Don't get hit by a car if you aren't wearing hose on Sunday (you'll get demerits as they transport you to Barge, the on campus "hospital")

And don't go to Barge. They'll quarantine you!

Merry Christmas!

A long week

So begins a long week for me... Erik won't be able to talk again until the beginning of next week.
I have many goodbyes to say.
I have presents to finish, a meeting to attend, a presentation, and I really need to get by Brookwood, Publix, and Mr. K's Bookstore soon.
I need to wash my car, too.
So many things to do...

Lord, just keep my eyes on you.

November 1st

Today it is so gloomy outside, it looks like it should just get it over and pour already. It sprinkled enough to get the wood for my parents' deck wet, and my car as I washed it. This makes the anticipation of Erik getting here even worse for me.

In exactly a month, we'll have our last day in Greenville. In some ways, I'm so ready... just to be there instead of in between, to be with Erik daily again. In other ways, well, I don't want to leave the best city I've ever known, the people who are close to me... I know this is going to be hard. But I trust God with all my heart!

I have been working on my speeches for the upcoming 3 events, trying to finish my Christmas cards, and wrapping Christmas presents. I am getting close to being finished with a lot of those. I need to start packing for Wednesday soon, really. I want to be very organized about it!

Work For God, People Notice

You're sitting in class and the teacher gives out an assignment. Maybe you groan (at least inside) and ask yourself why you have to do this pointless paper. I'm going to tell you now, though, it isn't pointless. You may say, "But you don't even know the subject!" That's right, I don't, but there is more than just a grade at stake for those of us who follow Christ, no matter what task we are given.

There are many ways you can "work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters," as Colossians 3:23 says. For one thing, your attitude about work is called to change just by your reading that one verse! When you're working for God, you can't complain and fuss or pout. If you're the only one not complaining, you'll be noticed, and that gives you the opportunity to give God the glory! Is it worth joining in and complaining about a task when you can, instead, shine for Jesus by putting your pride aside?

Philippians 2:14-16 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life."

Also, your work ethic is important. A work ethic is the standard to which you do your work, and the manner in which you accomplish it - if you have a good work ethic, your motivation to do your best drives you to complete tasks on time, to produce quality results, and to put true effort into what you take on. You're not trying to be a teacher's pet by doing your best - you're trying to please your Creator, who's given you the abilities to succeed.

Another way you can shine is to make sure you are honest in all manners. This is especially hard for some students. It's easy to copy someone else's math problems when you "didn't have time" to do all of your homework because you were studying for another class's tests; easy, and wrong. It's easy to read something online or in a book, and seeing it is worded just so perfectly, copy that into your paper, and "just not say" it's someone else's words; easy and wrong. It's hard to do the right thing, but it's worth it.

From your thoughts to your actions to your words, you will have many opportunities every day to shine for the Lord. Will you choose to do the right thing, or will you choose the easy way out?

 

Day One - No House

So today was Day 1 of not having a house. True, most of my stuff is still in the house, but I didn't sleep there last night. And tomorrow I'll sit in that house and watch it all get packed up. But today I'm at work, finishing up two projects, and I didn't have to run the dishwasher and throw in laundry before I left, which is kind of a weird feeling. I'll still have to do laundry at some point, of course. But just saying...

If it entertains you, I kept some really funny things with me. I have all my Christmas cards and letters, all my Christmas gift bags, some Christmas gifts, 120 GGFG books, lots of snack foods, a small box of crafts and note cards, and 3 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes - none of which are going with me when I leave.

Unfortunately, I think I forgot to run the last load of dishes... and I forgot to get the placemats out of the dryer. And I need to take one last load of trash out. But I think I'm good besides that... we'll see what tomorrow brings (or breaks).

What would you do all day?

I would wake up around 8 am, eat some breakfast, and do the dishes. Half an hour and I'd be ready for the day. I could throw in a load of laundry or run the dishwasher.

I'd go to the gym, work out about 45 mins, and then take a shower. Maybe I'd run to the bank or the grocery store on the way to or from. I'd have time to return things, or pick up dry cleaning or a headlight bulb for the car. There's always some little errand that needs to be done.

I'd have lunch, and, depending on what I'm making, I'd start on dinner. I'd sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, scrub tubs and sinks and toilets, wipe down counters and clean the stove, fridge, and microwave.

I'd re-order contacts, call about appointments, and pick up things that get left undone. I'd do simple repairs and replacements. I'd volunteer at church, I'd bring someone a meal when they are sick, I'd take the time to write letters and cards. I'd call a friend.

I'd do emails for GGFG, book marketing, still would manage incoming articles and scheduling... I'd work harder on the second book.

I'd have evenings with my husband.
And I haven't even thrown in kids, yet!