WORLDS ARE FORMING

Romans 4:17.

I am reminded...we believe in the same God as Abraham:

“...the God who gives life to the dead
and calls things that are not as though they were.”

Read that a few times.  Those words SPEAK to me.  I need them.  May they stir something in you as well, friends.

Top Ten Favorite Memories of My First Trip to Disneyland.

           Elisabeth              The Crew        Elisabeth & Belle        Me & Chase

   View from room         Seriously.      Top of Ferris Wheel    Um...Just look.

1. Being with my family: Stefanie, Ryan, Elisabeth (4) & Chase (2) for four and a half days.
2. Watching Elisabeth be SO much more brave than any of us adults...going on Splash
     Mountain.  Five times, twice in the very front of the cart.  That girl is hardcore.
3. After saying "I love Chase," hearing "I love Uncle" and getting a huge hug.
4. Watching Elisabeth become mesmerized upon meeting all of the Disney princesses.
5. Watching Chase turn into a flamenco dancer (one hand in the air, the other at his side,
     snapping his fingers) upon hearing just about any music.
6. Space Mountain and Peter pan.  Best old-school rides.
7. Being on the West Coast.  Just something about it.
8. Everybody laying on a bed, laughing at our end of the day slide shows.
9. Breathing....and being reminded that there is SO much more to life than learning Hebrew.
10. Going to bed early...AND...taking two hour afternoon naps.

Yes, it was a sweet trip.  (More pictures to come.)

Out of Office Message: Worlds Are Forming at Disneyland.

Friends, I am at Disneyland until Saturday with my sister and brother in law, four year old niece and two year old nephew.  It will be great to experience it for the first time with them.  Stay tuned for pictures and some stories!  SO excited to get some West Coast air in me.  (LA smog and all.)

A Celebration of Fear & Trembling.

Happy 1st Blog Anniversary to Kellen at Fear & Trembling.  He has asked several friends to reflect on "A Life of Fear and Trembling in The Light of New Life."  My entry is here.  I love Kellen's intensity, thoughtfulness, and wit.  Keep up the good work, brother.  Check him out.

Rosa Parks.

One small act that began to change the nation...and we are still in process.  Would that more people could (would ) stand up as she did.

“Are you going to stand up?” the bus driver asked.

“No,” Parks answered.

“Well, by God, I’m going to have you arrested,” the driver said.

“You may do that,” Parks responded.

Rosa Parks died today at the age of 92.

Monday Afternoon at Princeton Cemetery.

Today, I explored the Princeton Cemetery with April, who is halfway through her trip from Washington and back.  (Check April's blog...great pictures and posts.)

This is Grover Cleveland's grave.  Cleveland's like to think we are related to this two-time (and scandalous) president of the USA.  So, here's Uncle Grover.  There are a ton of famous people buried there, too.  Beautiful old graves, beautiful epitaphs, as well.  More (and better) pictures in the Fall 2005 photo album.  A fun adventure.

Sunday Afternoon at Princeton Seminary.

Fall only lasts so long.  I'm trying to get in all the shots I can.  As I took these, I thought:
                                   "The grass withers and the flowers fade,
                           but the word of our Lord stands forever." 
                                                Isaiah 40:6

Everything is Illuminated.

"Everything is illuminated in the light of our past."  I hadn't heard much about this movie before seeing it with Adam on Saturday, and I am glad for that fact.  Apparently it is based on the novel of a Princeton U. grad.  It is a weighty movie, but doesn't collapse under its weight.  It is the story of a  young man in search of pieces of his family history.  Well acted and directed movie.  It is a true mix of drama and comedy.  Check it out.

NPR: Who's with me?

Saturday afternoons and NPR go together like...I don't know.
I just love 'em.  For a few years, I wouldn't admit that I was a fan.  "Only old people listen to NPR" I thought.  I feared the ridicule.  Right here, right now, I can proudly say that shows like Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me make me chuckle.  Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion makes me feel like a Farming Lutheran Minnesotan, hungry for a hot dish/casserole.  Oh, and World Cafe during the week has some seriously great music.  Anyone else out there a NPR fan?  I am OK if I am the only one.

CPE Applications: Done.

Finally.  My applications to do Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) next summer at a hospital are complete.  I'm applying to a three in Seattle and one in California.  Basically, it is an eleven week intensive experience, learning to be a chaplain in a hospital setting.  I am required to do it in my pursuit of ordination in the PC(USA).  I've heard CPE compared to a root canal: one of the best and worst things you can do for yourself (and most people need it at some point).  I am actually excited for this root canal.  I'll let you know what becomes of my applications.