A Crazy, Intense Week

I always say one of my favorite weeks of the school year is finals. This may seem strange until you have the college experience yourself. I have found the week before finals to be a week not for the weak or infirm of spirit. Every imaginable project comes due, not mention all the thousands of pages of reading, and of course the infamous reflection papers. The only people I pity more than a college student at this time is a college professor, although its hard to remember this at three in the morning when I'm typing the "Strange Woman" paper. I only have one paper to type, but they have upwards of twenty to grade. Bleh!!!
Some of my unique experiences of the week include losing my keys only to find them again in the trunk lock of my car two days later. Another was my first all-night study session of college. I know you may all realize what a weakling I am now or else excellent student, I'm not sure which, but Senior Worldview Seminar really takes it out of a person. Since at least Wednesday of last week, I have been in high-stress mode over this project that is worth 80% of my grade. I decided on the subject of "The Culture and How It Affects Our Children." Wow! What a loaded subject! I loved the books I found on the subject because they confirmed many of my preconceived ideas of how the culture is affecting our children. It was a powerful reminder to be vigilant in guarding the things we allow to impact our children. Dr. Glick seemed pleased my report, even though given after a sleepless night and the class enjoyed a really good discussion. Thanks to all those other slackers out there who chatted with me on Facebook and kept me from utter depression as I struggled through the wee hours of Tuesday morning!

What Can I Blog about in 10 Minutes before Supper?

The other day I almost saw my good friend Cesar Perez die.
It was a normal Sunday afternoon at Kid's Club, and on account of the awesome weather we were outside messing around, waiting for the kids to get there. Cheryl, Cesar, and I were throwing the arobie which is basically a frisbee without the middle. They fly really easily which is both cool and not good at the same time. One uncontrolled fling and the arobie will soar into a tree, house roof, etc. Cesar had terrible aim with one throw and landed it right on the church roof. Cheryl really wanted her arobie back and since Cesar was the reason it was up there, she gave him this look that said, "You better get that." Josh Williams who is somewhat of a giant at 6'5" offered to boost him onto the roof. This went pretty smoothly, and Cesar managed to shimmy up about 4 feet to grab the arobie. But by the time he reached it, he realized his hands were on FIRE! The sunny day had the shingles radiating some major heat. He gave the arobie a weak throw and managed to get it stuck in the gutter. He then started to SLIDE down the roof because his hands hurt so bad and the steep angle kept him from being able to get a foothold. It was so scary. Luckily, the gutter stopped him and Josh was able to throw some rags up to protect his hands.
The next step of this exciting event was getting Cesar off the roof in one piece. I suggested getting a truck under him so he could jump. Josh said, "If you jump, man, I'll catch you." Cesar decided to trust his roomie. After scooting as close to the edge as he could, he began to have second thoughts. "How do I jump?!" he yelled worriedly. "Are you sure you can catch me?" "I'm sure! Just jump on the count of three!" Josh said. "One, two, three.... Okay, let's try that again. One, two, three...." Finally after a couple false starts, Cesar worked up the nerve to fling himself off the roof and Josh amazingly was able to catch him with no harm to either of them. It was crazy!!!

"Turning Over a New Leaf"

That is what I write every time I have no idea what happened to the concept of balancing my checkbook. I just write in my current balance, hoping its correct, and reprimand myself by saying "Turning over a new leaf" to remind myself not to let it happen again. This now applies to blogging. It's been so long. What shall I write about to wow the world with my witticisms? (That was alliterative:)
I'm a senior this year. I think I should have some clear ideas about where I go from here. Instead, I have alot of vague fuzziness. I trust God to lead me, though, and I know He won't let me down. Its kind of like living life on the edge, this Christian walk. Many times when I've most tried to control my life, its gone pretty rottenly. The most successful times of my life have been the decisions that were sorta haphazard. My college choice was based on getting far enough away from home so that I couldn't easily return every weekend and a Christian college so I wouldn't feel like a total weirdo living in the dorm. Looking back, I can see that GBS has been one of the best things ever for me. I've grown so much here spiritually. In about 5 years, I'm gonna look back and be amazed by where all God has taken me. I can't wait!

Dead Kitty:(

I work off campus for a family as basically a laundress and part-time homework policewoman. My duties also include light housework and babysitting. The newest event of interest in the Weimeyer (identities have been changed to protect privacy:) household is the adoption of a stray cat and her new litter of 6 kittens. Unfortunately, little Sox passed away today much to the chagrin of Gretta and her friend who had planned to adopt the kitten when it was weaned. They took the little corpse to the church to have prayers for it. Gretta's friend then carried the body around all afternoon petting it like a good luck charm. After picking up the girls at the church, I asked them why they wanted to tote a dead kitty around. The concept seemed rather gross to me. Gretta informed me that, "The kitten may not be dead yet." When I gave her a single raised brow 'whatever' look, she said, "You just need to think more positively."
Well, there you have it. Never assume that a kitten which is not breathing is dead. With the power of positive thinking, anything is possible!

Are Those Ducks Real?

I brag on and on about my cute nephews and here is proof of that fact once again. When I noticed the pictures with the ducks I was like "Wow! That is so cool! How did they keep Jacob (the younger one) from squashing them to death?" I quickly noticed that the little ducks looked pretty much the same in all pictures. Then I realized how preposterous it would be to use real ducks especially around little boys:) I can be a little ditzier (is this really a word) than I like to admit sometimes.

Watching such a young family take the role of First family is quite intriguing to me for some reason. In some ways I feel like I should be worried about the lack of wrinkles and gray hair evidenced by Barack and Michelle Obama. These characteristics generally signify wisdom, experience, and security. Although I am definitely not at peace with the all the positions our new president holds, I'm still very happy for African American people across our country and what Barack Obama's swearing in signifies to them. These two aspects of Tuesday inauguration make me really curious about what will happen during Obama's term.
I watched some news clips about Mr. and Mrs. Obama's debut as Mr. and Mrs. President at a series of inaugural balls. What interested me most is the fashion statements the First Lady has been making so far. The white ball gown she wore has been a hit all around. One thing I thought was cool was how she kept her plans a secret and then chose to wear the designs of little known American desinger Jason Wu. When asked what labels she often chooses to wear she replied that J. Crew is a favorite of hers. American women love the fact that they can mimic their First lady in affordable fashions. I think it's great that she doesn't think she has to have hoity-toity labels to make her family look good.
I like the novelty of observing this young family including daughters only ages 7 and 10 take the White House. I pray they will do the best things for this country and always remember that there is a sovereign God they will have to answer to for their great responsibility.

10 Things I'm Thankful for Right Now

1. Christmas gifts especially new clothing (my closet and drawers aren't doing so well)
2. Hot drinks (coffee, tea, and hot chocolate:)
3. A really great college
4. Easy access to the Bible
5. Really really cool friends both at GBS and at home in PA
6. The ability to walk
7. A family that cares about me
8. My VW Jetta that has carried me so many miles
9. My jobs as an RA and part-time housekeeper/babysitter
10. Jean skirts- it doesn't get much more comfortable than that
*the purpose of this post is to remind me to look at the glass as half full as admonished by a good friend, namely Brittney Brander. It feels good- I like it!

In Defense of Snow

I have certain friends who do not share my passion for snow. Whenever they get all "Bah, humbug," about snow, I feel like a little child who has been told that Santa Claus does not really exist. Who can't enjoy fluffy whiteness falling from the sky and making the city and country look beautiful and clean for at least a little while? The dancing snowflakes hold stories and memories of cups of hot chocolate, families laughing around a fireplace, people whipping down slopes on skis, and many a great scene from book or movie savored from childhood. My mind always travels to the Laura Ingall Wilder series and how Laura and her sisters would do these awesome things in the snow like sledding, sleigh riding, and snowball battles. I wish I had time and enough snow to enjoy these activities myself.
The cool thing about snow is that each snowflake is different. To me that reminds me that I don't have to just savor past wintery memories. Each new winter and snowfall is a fresh chance to try some new memory-making method. I am still hoping for that chance to sing "Jingle Bells" as I'm really riding in a sleigh on some snowy evening. I hope I have convinced at least several people that snow is worth it for the fun and beauty that it provides. Now bring on the SNOW!

Friday's Musings

The effect of a rainy Friday is not near what the effect of a rainy Monday would be. Sitting here in the DOW office of GBS, I feel peaceful and happy and the rain seems only friendly and comforting. Would it be a Monday, I would feel out of sorts and depressed by such weather. When I got back from a coffee run, I noticed that the birds are singing as well even though the rain is rather cold and uncomfortable. If I were a bird I don't think I would feel that good, but it was definitely cheering to hear them singing. This made me think that I should never ignore chances to reach out and encourage others no matter what the weather of my life may be like at the time. It may mean more than I can ever realize. Others have done that for me, and it is so cool when it comes at a time that you feel totally stressed and downhearted. So go out and be an encourager even in the cold, rainy times:)

Fall! How Beautiful!

I can resist no longer! I must blog about this delightful thing called fall.
So I was walking down the steps in my GBS approved open heeled shoes, when I tripped and can you believe it, FELL.
Thoughts on this delightful time: OUCH!

The Art of Convincing People

Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch an funny interchange which turned out to be a valuable learning experience as well. Some friends, namely Sam, Melissa, and Duane invited me to go out for Chinese with them. After we jumped in the car, the usual group decision making process began. "So are we still thinking Chinese?" asked Duane. "Yeah, that will work," says Sam. Mel and I don't much care because we've already eaten. "The only thing I would be interested in is a drink or dessert," says I. "Where would you like to go, Sam?" Duane asks politely. "Well, there's a place in Clifton and that other place over in _____. There pretty authentic" Sam says. "That could work," says Duane. "How about P. F. Chang's?" I pipe up with,"I've never been there before." "Alright, I'm thinking Chang's, plus Leanna's never been there before." We all settle in for the ride, relieved that the decision has been made. My mind has begun to wander, when Duane leans over with a satisfied smile and says, "I decided on P. F. Chang's in chapel."
Moral of the story: Just let people think they have a part in decision making and all will go your way:)

Stuff I've Read Recently

1. Ninety Minutes in Heaven - This book helped me start looking forward to heaven. As a young person, I could never quite grasp that excitement that older people have when they talk about going "home." It's going to be so wonderful, and this book helped me have a much better picture of the joy and fulfillment that is so tremendously unlike anything we can experience here on earth.
2. Dear Enemy, - A compilation of the correspondences of a young woman, this book records the growth of a pampered debutante who becomes a young woman whose passions are focused on helping orphans she is responsible for. Her fiery Scotch/Irish personality make her better fitted for the job of bringing new life to an orphanage and dealing with problematic individuals who stand in the way of her newfangled ideas than she herself wants to admit. Her most consistent opponent is a doctor whose very scientific ideas about how to deal with the children conflict with Sallie's directly. Hence he is addressed as Dear Enemy, in her letters to him. This amusing book culminates in the laying down of arms between the two young people as they realize their mutual respect and love for each other.
3. Call of the Wild - I get a little emotional when I read about how Buck was mistreated in this book because (firstly) I'm a girl and (secondly) because I really like dogs. Even though London is rather bleak in his books, he is a phenomenal writer who had an uncanny ability to see into the nature of a magnificent creature such as Buck. The whole fight for survival and all that makes for a really interesting read.

Well, I'm taking advantage of the slow start into classes and am preparing to tackle a trilogy by Ted Dekker which should be very exciting!

The Familiar Halls

My return to God's Bible School and College has been a fairly smooth transition. This has definitely been a blessing from God. I was rather amazed at myself when I realized how happy coming back here made me. As I contemplated this, I began to recognize how this is a place where I've seen really good things happen. I've seen the affects not only in my own life, but in the lives of many of my friends. Sometimes I wonder if I had more spiritualized eyes, if I could see God's presence hovering over this school. Yes, I know this isn't some utopian setting, but miracles happen here.
On the more everyday level, life seems very much the same here while yet having the potential to be profoundly different. I already miss some of my graduated friends, but the change will be that I get to make new ones among this year's freshman. My sister and best friend Cheryl left me for 3rd floor where she is now the R.A. so I'm rather at loose ends about who to bug or borrow clothes from. The cool thing is that now we are once again co-workers, and she has a big, new room with an air conditioner where we can crash.
I think my classes this semester will be very enriching as I navigate my first Dr. Brown class and also take a course in Shakespeare who I love reading. Hermeneutics will teach me how to better study the Bible, and I'm not sure what I'm going to learn in Hymnology but I'm sure it will be good.
Well, picture me holding a glass of some non-alcoholic beverage and giving a toast. "Here's to a great fall semester at God's Bible School and College!"

Trucking with My Pops

I've been a trucker's daughter for my whole life and know pitifully little about this aspect of our transportation system. My dad got a new job a few years ago where they allow him to take one passenger at a time if permission is asked. With my reduced work hours this summer, I decided this was the time to take advantage of this opportunity. All in all it was a really cool experience and I just wanted to hit the high points of interest.
First, I was fascinated by trucker lingo. Try translating this:
"A bear just pulled over a hammer-down four wheeler at the 205." (What I got from it was that a police officer had pulled over a fast-moving four wheeled vehicle at mile marker 205. It sounds so much cooler the way they say it, though.)
I got to see the St. Louis Arch during the day and also night which was pretty cool. I preferred definitely the nightime view to the daytime one.
Also, I slept so much I think I was getting tired from sleeping. I was able to finish reading 3 books and spent alot of quality time with my cool dad.
It was great spending time with my dad who I don't see a whole lot since he's gone all week long. We had plenty of time to talk and I felt like I definitely got a better view of what his world is like. I'm glad I can relate better to him now.

The President's Motorcade

When I went to D.C. last Saturday, I was really excited about what I might see. High on my list of things I wanted to see was the Presidential motorcade. I know you can't exactly order up "one Presidential motorcade with lots of Secret Service men and guns, please" so I didn't have my hopes very high. As my friends and I were exiting the Washington Monument information building, I started getting really excited when I noticed police officers jumping out of their cars and blocking off the road. What would they block the road off for other than a motorcade?! I excitedly ran to the edge of the road and whipped out my handy-dandy cell phone to record this cool event. First came two policemen on motorcycles who motioned the people to get back. Next came several several dark SUV's one with windows rolled down and SS guys hanging out the window with guns ready. It was so awesome! There were several police cars with sirens going as they all flashed past. I have no proof that it was the President's motorcade I saw, but it was definitely someone important or else those policemen and SS guys were just out joyriding. It totally made my day!

Speeding Tickets

I have gotten two speeding tickets in my life for reasons that are obvious to most people who ride with me for a significant distance. This summer I think I've started to analyze why I have this compulsion to speed. I came up with at least two reasons.
The first reason I came up with was that there is little that lifts my spirits as quickly as a drive through the country on a warm summer evening. For the conditions to be right the windows must be down and some good music playing on the radio. Country roads around my house are usually fairly empty and since I drive them often I know them like the back of my hand. I know where the 90 degree turns are and the little humps that make you feel like you left your stomach behind. I hit the turns just as fast as you can safely take them without even thinking. On the straightaways, I quickly give into the temptation to hit 60 mph to have that satisfying feeling of the wind rushing in and blocking all other noises out.
The second reason I came up with is that driving and thus speeding as well is in my blood. My dad has been a truck driver for over 30 years and is very good at his profession. He also has a heavy foot although he tries not to admit to us. I don't know how many tickets he's gotten over the years but I know its quite a few. I have inherited from him the love for driving and traveling. So my claim is that speeding is also genetic.
I'm really trying to work on this problem now that I've somewhat diagnosed my problem. I try to be more deliberate about my driving and not just kick myself onto autopilot which for me tends to set the speeds too high:)

The Wisdom of a 3 Year Old

My nephew Camron who is 3 years old is quite adventurous. One day as we were eating lunch on the front porch, he started climbing the wrought iron porch post. I told him he looked like a monkey. Touching him on his back just above his rear, I jokingly told him I thought I saw a tail growing.
He looked at me indignantly and said loudly for the neighborhood to hear, "Its not a tail- its a butt!"
I love kids!

Distinctly Summer

Strawberry shortcake
Uninterrupted time to read
Mown grass
Mosquito bites
Exciting amusement parks
Road trips

Diving boards
Air conditioning
Youth camp
Songs of the insects

Summer Life

Howdy! I have been home in good old PA for a few days now. So far nothing life-changing has occured. I have realized that I have way too much clothing and it is time for a closet purge. I also have contemplated the odds of getting a decent job just for the summer. They do not seem favorable. I will be working at former employer several days a week, but unfortunately the full-time position I was hoping for evaporated since mid-winter break. Bummer! Oh, well, I think God is opening up doors for me to do some things that I've been wanting to do for a long time, including working with my little sister Amy. She is 14 years old and deaf. She has other delays that making learning difficult for her as well. My mom has born the main brunt of taking care of her over the years and I want to enable her to take on some projects she's been wanting to complete. This will be a total switch for me after being a "working girl" for the past 5 summers. My mom is also insisting that learning how to cook better is imperative so this is probably the summer it will happen. I also plan on learning to master the grocery store since I am always amazed at how long it takes me to find all the stuff on a short shopping list. I mean, with all the practice I've had with shopping, I thought it would come naturally. Apparently it doesn't so I set forth to conquer the grocery store this summer.
I just wanted to give a quick update on what my summer is looking like at this point! Please return the favor:)

Sorry for Being so Self-absorbed

I often struggle with coming up with a fresh topic to blog about. We all know most people on campus are tired of school, had a great camp meeting, and think they have the best summer plans of anyone they know. It disturbs me that I can't think of anything else significant to talk about. Why do the subjects I write about have to be related to me? That caused me to realize how often I think of things only in relation to how they affect me. This bothers me because as a follower of Jesus, I want to make others my focus. I often think of this little song we used to sing in first grade that said, "J-O-Y This must surely be, Jesus first, yourself last, and others in between." Pretty much nails it if you ask me. (I can't believed I just used a fragment but I didn't want to tack that onto the previous sentence which seemed too long already) (Wait... is that a run-on???) Anyway, I'm not sure how I can change this aspect of my life, but I also realize I can't change on my own. God will continue having to work on me to help change my mindset.

So this summer I hope to further develop my mind by reading some more intellectual material. This was Missie's suggestion for a word so to clarify I simply mean not fluffy reading but more of the classics and things that will be helpful to me as a teacher. (Wow! I must say I sound like a dreadfully boring individual) Maybe then I will be able to latch onto the secrets of the universe and mankind and have something awfully exciting to blog about. I thought about politics but that is one baby I am just not ready to tackle. I also hope to get involved in a kid's ministry back home so that would give me other noteworthy items to blog about other than "my boring, meaningless existence" (Missie Lehman). I will endeavor, though, to keep you updated on the most important personal happenings that are of possible interest to my readers.

Happy summer wishes to all!