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| Thanksgiving 2003. The plans were set...the airfare, the hotel room, and even a few of the site-seeing spots were paid for...the passport was forgotten! Marcus Van Dorn and I had been making arrangments to fly up to the London for a few days to celebrate the holiday and enjoy some non-Italian English. On the way to the airport, our friend Maurizio was telling his honeymoon story when his wife forgot her passport, creating complications I can't quite remember because as soon as I heard the word "passoporto" my mind was racing and my stomach a little nauseous. We didn't make it. By the time I had made it back to the apartment, then back to the airport, our flight had left and we were stuck in Italy. I felt small at the moment...thankfully, Marcus was gracious. Last night 2007. I pulled my first all-nighter since my glory days at OCC...not a wink of sleep (okay, maybe one little one north of Kansas City on I-35). I was heading from Joplin to Kansas City then on to Keokuk to surprise my mom for mother's day. I hadn't planned on driving through the night, but I got a phone call at midnight from the person I least expected to hear from, Brian Phillips, the groom of the wedding that had brought me to Joplin. "He's on his honeymoon...why's he calling me?" was my thought. One word: passport. He'd forgotten his and was calling to ask a favor; I was more than willing. They left the hotel for KCI Airport at 4:15; I had arrived at about 4:08. The timing was impecable, and the circumstances allowing me to "save" his honeymoon (well, at least from a major headache) were "coincidental". Thank Jesus that I was available, and sympathetic, to a friend's need. It's nice to save the day every once in a while. | | |
| Hey friends, Its been a while since I've written so here are a few words on how things have been. I'm in Keokuk at the moment. I had today and tomorrow off at the OG, so I thought I'd come down here to visit the fam and possibly pick up a new bed (queen size!). My neices just went downstairs to go to bed, but just before doing so Kacie was reading prayers out of a kids bible she recently got from a friend...it was dang cute! Work and school have been going well; I've no real complaints about either. Classical Mythology has been enjoyable and I've learned quite a bit about each of the gods (ya know, about who sleeps with who and how one god attacks another by hurting their followers and so on; its really soap-operaish but enjoyable nonetheless). For my other class, Bible and Literature, my sole paper/project of the class is going to be on C. S. Lewis, Myth, and the Bible. I've been thinking about this paper/project for a while and am hoping to get crack-a-lacken on it sometime soon. If I could get the majority of if done by the end of March, I'd be sitting pretty. Serving tables is tough work and it pays well, but I don't imagine myself doing it for much longer than I have to. I'd much rather be doing the whole bartending thing, but I'm low man on the todempole and only get scheduled one shift a week serving up nice cold beers and fruity Italian margaritas. I'm still giving a lot of thought and to what I'd like to do come this July when school is out and I'm done with the lease on my apartment. I'm considering going back to work on another Bachelor's degree, but I've also given some thought to moving overseas. Another degree in the Classics would be a nice asset along with either a minor or double major in Art. I think Iowa has a fair program in each and they'd add much to my Ozark degree (not to mention accreditation!). I know its a massive project, so I'm praying for the wisdom whether to begin or not. Things have lined-up well for me to get rooted in the Iowa City area, and I know that I'd enjoy each of those areas of study. My prayer is for God's will; would you pray likewise? In further news, I might be getting a new car...well, "new" isn't exactly the right word. There's a guy wanting to give away his car, so I'm looking into it. Of course, I don't need a new car; the one I have is perfectly fine...the car payment would be nice to get rid of though. The "new" car would be ten years older than my current car, but I think the mileage is in the same vicinity. I sent off an email tonight about it. Here's to older cars...cheers! Later friends; love to all. mch | | |
| I just have to complain real quick. One of my personal pet peeves is when someone has a runny nose and, instead of doing the sensible and curtious thing of finding a tissue and either blowing or dabbing the snot from their nose, they insist on snorting it back into their nasal cavity only to repeat the process seconds later! Quite frustrating, to put it nicely. I only say it because fellow library patron to the left of me is engaged in it as I write.
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| Psalm 103 was read in church today. Here's a part of it that gets me:
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
It just doesn't add up. 2 + 2 = 4; what goes up, must come down; for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That's what we've been told, but that's not what God is saying or how he is acting. The Divine nature acts so contrary to the deepest roots of our educational system, undermining so much our society is based on while beckoning us to live by more than reason and understanding. No wonder this call is so difficult to trust; its at odds what we've based our lives upon.
Upon this threshold, I stand,
looking out at dry, barren land.
In this home, I've dared to stay.
All the while, you've called, "Let's play!"
For some odd reason, I've prefered this couch,
with nice soft cushions where I can slouch.
Its time, though, this much is true,
to step outside where skies are blue.
The grass may not be green quite yet.
But with your help, I won't forget:
Its neglect and squander that I stand before,
but with you and your mercy, two plus two does not always equal four.
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| I was laying in bed this morning when the phone rang with an "UNAVAILABLE NUMBER" indicated on the caller ID. I usuaslly pick these calls up because I know its not going to be a solicitation on my cell phone and wrong numbers do not bother me. It was Jason Fry!!! He was calling from India some eight days away (or something time difference in that neighborhood). We talked for a good hour and a half, and I realized I sure do miss that guy. Jason, love you bro, and can't wait to see you again. In other news, my Christmas was pretty lame. I won't go into details, but next year promises to be better (at least that's the hope). I am going to take more responsibility to participate, and my parents have both stated that they want to make it a bit more meaningful. My mom is talking about taking a train ride out to California to go to the Rose Bowl! How cool would that be! My dad is also talking about getting into some of the old traditions, like giving gifts instead of money. I'm happy to hear these things after two lame Christmases in a row. On my end of the deal, though, I need to come up with some cool ideas that would capture the moment....you know, start my own traditions and stuff like that. Any ideas? | | |
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