Jodi Kendall Burnett

I've Moved

2011-07-15T09:36:00.000-04:00

You'll find me now at http://jjeburnett.wordpress.com/

See you there.

Grateful...most of the time

2011-06-15T10:59:00.005-04:00

Why can't I blog anymore? What's the block? At first it was because I didn't have any time, but now I do have some time, but the silence is hard to break. I have a problem - if I can't say something absolutely profound - I don't say anything. It keeps me isolated - it keeps people out of my life - never knowing what I am thinking or feeling. With this little girl coming soon I need people in my life; I need other Mamas to hear me and help me. So, hello again my dear mamas. Welcome back into my life.

Well, I am 37 weeks now - so anytime this little one feels like making her appearance, she can. Not that I am really all that anxious for it to happen quickly. I actually finally feel like I've got this pregnancy thing under control - 'bout time right?! Every once in a while I am seized with a temporary panic when I think about her. I'm not ready - not ready for labor, not ready to be a mother, and even selfishly, not ready to give up the life J. and I have together now.

The last few weeks have been peaceful - even though so much hangs over us, we have had lots of time together, just relaxing. When I try to insert a baby into that picture; its jarring. And I feel guilty for even thinking these things. I am the woman who cried because she wanted a baby so badly, constantly daydreaming of how wonderful it would be to be a mother. As this baby has grown, my confidence has shrunk. Now instead of daydreams of perfect days filled with fun activities I have created for Ellie and myself - I am concerned with the most convenient way to fly across the ocean with a newborn, finding somewhere to live, and then living in a new country among new people. On top of this is the concern of simply getting to this new country - legalities, stuff to sell and give away, stuff to ship, money. And then deeper inside, how do I not screw this kid up? Not just not screw her up, how do I make sure she feels loved and accepted while forming her character - how to do all this in tandem with her father and my husband. I have not even had time to think of the ministry God has put before us as pastors in this foreign land.

I realize all this is terribly negative, but its in my heart, so I'm pouring it out here. As I pour it out, I am trying to fill myself up again with the positive, with the grateful and sublime. My sweet savior has given me a husband, a baby, a ministerial position, and a chance for an adventure. One tiny step - one day at a time I am learning how to truly allow Him to guide it all. I have no problem anymore declaring that I don't know - I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING. And He's ok with that, its easier than trying to fight me. So as long as I can keep away frantic panic and just follow - He will lead. I am sure.

Girls Night Out/Waiting for Daddy

2011-03-21T12:16:00.009-04:00

We went out Saturday night, just us girls and we had a great time. We walked along the beach and then had pizza. And I realized again that as women, we have so much to offer each other - so much experience to share. I felt that we were able to really minister to each other and I am so thankful for these godly women.

This is me and my Ellie-Belly. We had a fun girls night out , but now we are excited to welcome our man home - about 4 more hours to go :)

Serious

2011-03-13T13:35:00.005-04:00

I watched the images of the destruction in Japan with tears that wouldn't stop falling. Weird for me. I am very good at delegating emotions to where they are easiest to deal with. Big stuff gets put somewhere that's not too close because I can't feel that much or I might break - I have to carry on with my life. But this time I couldn't dismiss it - couldn't stop the pain. Maybe its the child inside of me - maybe I was already emotional because Jonathan was gone, but ultimately I think it was a gift of the Holy Spirit - to share in some of the pain God feels.

It is always short-lived, this grief for tragedy far away, and maybe it has to be in order to go on with life and to deal with all these little tragedies in peoples lives around me.

And now that I am a few days removed from those feelings, now that I am able to talk about it and to put the feelings away as necessary, what I am left with is this: I know that Satan is very serious in his attempts to destroy - shouldn't I be just as serious in my own life - in my own attempts to save and to heal and to minister? There's just not enough time to do what we've always done. And while my husband is across the ocean trying to push home this truth to people in England, God is teaching me here.

My Brother

2011-03-13T13:27:00.004-04:00

I had a brother. He was born in June. He died 19 years ago in March, when I was 8. I can't remember ever crying for him - ever grieving, until this morning when I realized he would be 32 years old if he were still here. 32. He died when he was 13. I guess I didn't realize before what I had lost: and older brother.

It's worth some grieving.

The Womack's Take Alabama ;)

2011-03-07T13:46:00.017-05:00

We took a little President's weekend trip down south and decided to take along some friends. We had a great time, as you can see. Jaedon learned he was a talented fisherman (he did indeed catch that fish, not only the biggest one, but he also caught the most), Zari discovered a love affair with trampolines, they both got to feed some baby goats and discovered the joy of porch swings. And I enjoyed all this right along with them - realizing how blessed my little Ellie is to have such a place to visit Mawmaw and Pawpaw. And how very blessed she will be to have such a father. He is absolutely amazing with these children; he is so patient and always willing to play with them, to teach them new things, and to out-stubborn their stubborness if need be :)

It's A .....

2011-02-23T12:20:00.011-05:00

February 10th at 6:30 in the morning - my ultrasound was at 8:00.

"Babe, stop making signs and DRINK YOUR WATER!"(for those who may not know, a person must drink 32oz of water an hour before the ultrasound and hold it so the bladder is nice and full)

In the waiting room - we were of course the only people at the hospital taking pictures in the waiting room, everyone figured us out immediately :)

Baby getting ready for the close-up.

Yep - my sweet little girl. You can see her below. Her little hand up over her head is my favorite. It was so fun watching her moving around, the pictures really do not do it justice, it's so much clearer in real time. She is a very modest little girl, her legs were very tight together and it took a while to get a clear shot. Of course they could still be wrong ;) Exciting isn't it? But I don't think they are wrong, I really felt she was a girl and so did Jonathan.

So this is my sweet little Ellie-belly (actually this picture is her head, but you know what I mean). That's her name, Ellie. Eliayna Jade Burnett. Eliayna means "God has answered".

In other pregnancy updates, for those who are interested, I can feel her more now. Still not as much as I had hoped, but more and more each day. Especially between about 8-10 in the morning - and if there is loud music. The dreaded heart-burn has set in, but its not unbearable now. And we have started our birthing classes - I'm sure there will be more to say about that later.

5 Months

2011-02-03T16:51:00.006-05:00

I'm am almost 5 months pregnant now, and as my belly grows, so does my heart for this child. I was a little worried at first that I didn't seem to really connect with the tiny human inside, but now it's just fun! She goes everywhere I go, and I think that's wonderful! I've started talking to her - "o.k. baby we're off to work - or, did you enjoy that eggplant?" At the beginning of the pregnancy I just wanted the baby, I didn't want to wait 9 whole months, but now I'm glad she's tucked away inside, just the two of us sharing our days together. I say her but I really have no idea the sex of this baby, but I will find out in two days. I AM SO EXCITED! It feels like Christmas - the sheer anticipation of it.

So this is us at 5 months - hungry, loving our first pair of maternity pants, still able to fit into my jeans (but probably not for long), and simply enjoying each other's company.

Zari-isms

2011-01-30T16:46:00.006-05:00

Zari: (singing) look at me in the wittle red ragon, look at me in the wittle red ragon, look at me in the wittle red ragon, ah it's so much fun.

Jonathan: o.k. I've got it - like this - (he sings it the same as she - with some minor modifications)

Zari: I need to look at my Bible to see if your right or wrong. (she gets her Bible - and turns to what I assume was the appropriate passage, and determines) Nope. Your Wrong.

Jonathan then laments his situation - which elicits many giggles. Jonathan then attempts to do it "correctly" a few times (she listens very intently) - each time she diligently searches the scriptures and declares he is wrong.

Just before she leaves he asks her - what else is in your Bible? - she declares "Get thee to thy house in the rock!"

*He did eventually get a correct from Zari's Bible which was a real relief*

This is a moment of suspense before the verdict is given.

Greetings from my ever-expanding world

2011-01-24T16:34:00.003-05:00

Well my blogging friends - if there are any of you left - I am here. Feeding my soul on your words while trying to sort out my own. But I believe I am ready again, ready to share my life, ready to mingle my own experiences with all of yours.

I have been adjusting things lately, rearranging thoughts, feelings, blog templates - trying to piece things together in a way that makes me relax and breathe. And I have been growing up - I feel more like a grown-up now that I ever have before. I can feel the old, nagging unimportant things that crowd my brain dropping away....to be replaced with huge things, important things. Perhaps this child growing inside me is pushing the old out, leaving only room for the worthy.

More and more I feel the need for healing - real deep soul-scrubbing healing. Who knew all the darkness that is lurking in my heart? I certainly didn't, but I see it now and all I want is for that Light of the World to shine into the recesses and scatter all the shadows. You see, I feel like, all those shadows are taking up space that is meant to be for other people - a person needs a lot of soul-space to love. As I've been reading the Word I have found that God loves to heal, so I imbibe these promises and watch the darkness recede.

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8

13. Smores

2010-07-29T14:03:00.008-04:00

with GIGANTIC marshmallows!

14. my backyard

15. lessons in being alone

16. gladiolas

17. learning how to do things because they are right, not because of others

18. medicine for kitty allergies

19. roses on my office desk, wafting their sweet fragrance my way

20. David, the psalmist

The Mall

2010-07-29T13:47:00.010-04:00

The mall is such a strange place. So many things under one roof - teeth whitening, haircuts, pretzels, bungie-jumping. These pictures are how it feels to me - blurry, out-of-focus (they are actually this way because I was trying to snap them covertly). It even sounds blurry, no distint sounds - just echoy noise. When I walk out of a mall I always feel a little like I have been released from a dungeon. I don't like options and the mall is all about options, all about defining yourself with the stores you visit. I still, at 27, don't feel cool enough to walk in Abercrombie and Fitch. Oh dear, that makes me laugh now that I think about it.

2 years and 1 week

2010-07-27T11:49:00.008-04:00

Last week was my 2 year wedding anniversary. We went to Amish Country in Indiana, we relaxed and talked and daydreamed about what it would be like to live in the country with our own brood - making our own everything and having a horse (Jonathan felt that was appropriate for real country living). We took a carriage ride into a farm and toured around. Everyone was so kind and pleasant. It was a little weird taking a day trip into these people's lives and we debated whether they just did it for the money, or if they had a bigger purpose. While they do not openly evangelize - they do show people another way to live - they give city folks a look into a simpler time, and I think that is a ministry in itself. I've always felt within me that people just need room to breath - room for their souls to expand.

(That sticker is a lie, but he wanted to wear it anyway, so later I wrote in "soy" - just to be honest ;)

A husband 4042.33 miles away...

2010-07-23T11:12:00.005-04:00

J. left yesterday. I am mourning. It may seem a little dramatic, but mourning is simply sorrowing for a loss. And it is a loss, and my soul aches. I feel as if my heart flew over the ocean without me - how can you survive without your heart for a whole month? I want to withdraw, I don't want to see anyone - I want to stay in my little apartment, in the dark and simply wait for my heart to return. The comfort we spontaniously gave over the last couple days comes back to me now - "a month isn't that long, think how fast last month went by" - "you'll be so busy ministering you won't have a chance to miss me much" - "saying goodbye is the hardest part, after that it will be easier, I just need routine" - it's all empty words now, except for the real comfort he left me with through the Word. How did he know that was just what I needed to hear?

READ it - really read it.

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Amazing. So, I will not mourn. I will ride along this month sitting in the palm of his right hand - holding onto his thumb, knowing that He understands and He knows ....and that is enough for me. And when I wake up every morning looking for my heart - I will know....He's there, holding me.

1000 Blessings...

2010-07-12T10:26:00.002-04:00

1. a little apartment, tucked away, a little piece of seclusion
2. toddler hugs
3. sisters
4. budgets
5. grocery lists
6. gas in my jeep
7. passionate words whispered in the dark
8. a husband who fills me up to the very brink
9. playing the piano
10. kneeling before God at the alter of his grace
11. the chance to start over every single day
12. watching the Holy Spirit move through the words of my husband

Sisters

2010-07-06T08:46:00.012-04:00

I grew up in a family dominated by females. I actually had no idea how to relate to my husband as a man - I am still learning, somedays it seems like an uphill battle and I often loose - shaking my head in wonder at the end of a day, baffled by this man I married and totally unsure of how to proceed. But I am slowly coming to understand what it means to live with a man, he is not a woman - he is The Other - and I am intrigued and completely in love with him. But sometimes, like when my sisters visit, I can just let the female wash over me and I can feel myself relax a little - this I understand, I understand the unspoken needs more than the spoken. I understand as I am understood. And with sisters its a double blessing because not only do we share in the feminine, but we also share the DNA, the background. We just understand some things about each other that outsiders can't. And there isn't a constant need to question. It is like taking a deep breath of air to not have to explain myself - to be with people who understand that the groceries go onto the belt in a certain order; who know that if your ice is floating, you need more ice in your glass; who don't condem me for my love affair with barbeque chips and pickles; who know that sometimes you just change your mind, and the thing that seemed so exciting this morning may not be the same this afternoon; who know that sometimes what you say may not really be what you mean; we share facial features and the fear of change but the longing for freedom. No one else in the world has lived such a similar life to my own, and I think that is amazing.

So, here's to sisters. Here's to my sisters, I'm so glad you're mine.

Psalm 127:3-5

2010-06-29T10:46:00.009-04:00

Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!

soul infection

2010-06-08T09:42:00.005-04:00

I recently clothed and fed a homeless man. It revealed an infection in my soul.

Love your enemies...
Love your neighbor as yourself...
Whatever you did for the least of these brothers, you did for me...
Give to anyone who asks you...
Freely you have received, freely give...

I read these passages shake my wise head knowingly check, check, check, now let's move on to the hard stuff. Well, now I know. There is nothing harder. "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me." Yes, Jesus, but while you were homeless and lived a life of poverty, it was different because you weren't in the city - the city that breaks people and kills their hearts - you weren't fighting an addiction to drugs, and I'm sure you didn't smell bad, did you? And you didn't take advantage of people - you would have bought the least expensive things.

Remember that post about Extravagant love? God showed me what this actually looks like - and I have wrestled with it for days. This oil of sin has corroded my heart -I am a terminal case - Dying of selfishness. I will not make it without the healing of Christ. The grace. Thank you for showing me this Lord - I might have lived another day thinking I was good enough on my own, I might not have sought your grace today - my only hope.

vulnerable God

2010-06-08T08:45:00.004-04:00

I am currently reading Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. It's a book about helping men to understand their own hearts - their masculine hearts that God created. Jonathan just read it and he couldn't stop raving about it - so I figured if it spoke to him that much, I needed to read it. I'm only on page 42 now, but I'm really enjoying it. There's one particular paragraph I can't get out of my head. It actually has nothing to do with men, it's talking about the feminine side of God - but when I read it - it was like a splash of water on my face - that turned into tears.

Often when I am with a woman, I find myself quietly wondering, What is she telling me about God? I know he wants to say something to the world through Eve - what is it? and after years of hearing the heart-cry of women, I am convinced beyond a doubt of this: God wants to be loved. He wants to be a priority to someone. How could we have missed this? From cover to cover, from beginning to end, the cry of God's heart is, "Why won't you choose Me? It is amazing to me how humble, how vulnerble God is on this point. "You will...find me, says the Lord, when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer 29:13) In other words, look for me, pursue me - I want to you to pursue me. Amazing.

Simple right? But I had missed it. I never knew I could relate to God on that level. I know how He feels, I know what its like to long to be the most important person to someone; the yearning for love - the yearning to feel that someone thinks you are beautiful and special. And it broke my heart and made it swell at the same time. I can see the masculine God - the risk-taker, the rescuer, the lover - but I had never really understood Him completely as a friend until I realized the feminine in Him. We broke His heart - I know exactly how that feels. He crys, why don't you love me? What can I do to make you love me? While I've never used those words, everything I do expresses them - I am constantly seeking the love and affection of my husband and my friends -
love me,
love me,
love me.
Crying even now as I hear him, I have done everything, I will do anything - I just want you to love me.

wow. amazing. There is so much more to this - God has put in me clues to who He is, those deep longings are a reflection of His - I will have to ponder this some more, and in the mean-time, lavish God with the kind of love I seek.

...for glory and for beauty

2010-06-01T13:51:00.007-04:00

I like efficiency - I really like efficiency. I pride myself on my efficency - if you give me enough time I can tell you the fastest way to get your plans for the day accomplished. It has become my god in many ways. Things should be functional, economical and efficient. And I have always felt God backed me up on this - he is a God of efficiency and order - nothing wasted with him right?

The first chink in my practical armour came from this post by Femina...and again as I was listening to the Bible on CD, God was telling Moses exactly how to make the clothes for the priests and twice he says to make them for glory and for beauty. I was able to accept this - the priests were representatives of Jesus, so it made sense for them to be clad nicely. But I would be much more comfortable if they had work clothes, and the glorious get-up was just for speeches and ceremonies, clean ceremonies. But that doesn't seem to be the case - and I cringed to think about the clothes after even one day in the temple - ashes, animal hair or worse, and blood. I found myself doubting the logic of God in this - doubting his efficiency. When I find myself in a position when I think I could give God advise, I know its time to step back and take a hard look into my own thinking. And this is what I realized - God is extravagant. And I wonder now as I read the Bible how I could have ever missed it ...words like abundant and overflowing and abounding - but I guess it is the tendency of us all to give God our own characteristics.

He is NOT efficient - He cares nothing for efficiency. There is nothing stark about God - He is....the color purple and the scent of the lilacs and streets of gold and very expensive perfume used for feet - every time I read that story I echo the disciples in my mind - what a waste, what a poor use of money...to even spend that much in the first place on perfume .... and my self-righteous voice rolls on and on. And the biggest extravagance of all - a Son, glorious and beautiful, but not created, existing from eternity at the Father's side - sent to earth, covered with the filthy, oiliness of sin and trampled under the feet of filthy sinners.

And I am humbled by God's Extravagant Love. And I am inspired to live an extravegant life - pouring out my own time and love and affection without thoughts of efficency. willing to backtrack if necessary. Willing to lavish my best efforts even if only for an audience of One.

Showers of Blessings

2010-05-25T12:08:00.008-04:00

1. a borrowed air conditioner
2. a cat on each side, staving off loneliness
3. a husband who loves my family as much as I do
4. a branch hanging low over the steps, showering me with delicate pink petals
everyday

bone of my bone

2010-05-09T20:44:00.003-04:00

I can hear Adam's voice, filled with wonder and love as he stares at Eve - This is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh - and I can hear my husband's voice in my ear as he holds me tight, dread of separation gripping him - Should it be this hard?

Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh
Yes my love, yes it should be this hard.

for your viewing pleasure...

2010-04-30T12:24:00.008-04:00

Aren't these just extravegant! I love them, and I wish that I had the guts to buy them and wear them in public - as it is, I am tempted to buy at least one and wear it around my house.

Abba, Father

2010-04-23T09:00:00.003-04:00

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of daughtership. And by him we cry, "Abba,Father." Romans 8:15

I have a wonderful father - one who gave so much of himself for his daughter. He provided for me and he taught me who Jesus is - but in my mind the thing I most remember about him is simply the safety of his presence. I was never afraid when he was around, I didn't actually have to see him to feel safe, I just had to know he was there.

Sabbath Afternoon

2010-04-21T12:18:00.007-04:00

little bits of childhood

2010-04-14T16:20:00.005-04:00

As Jonathan and I were walking home the other day - I saw a little girl out in her front lawn - completely lost in her imagination. She had a small doll with a pretty pink tulle skirt that she was dancing with and talking to. I wished we could have walked by invisibly - I remembered the startle that comes when you realize there are "outsiders" - nothing shoves you sharper into real life than a stranger watching you "play". And she was startled - I just smiled at her then looked away - hoping she could quickly sink back into the world I had ripped her from, although I knew she would now be more aware of the road in front of her and who might be on it.

I saw her and I remembered - almost achingly. I used to spend hours outside - my favorites were windy days - twirling in the breeze - talking to my dolls - my cat - my dog - myself. I can't remember the conversations - even then I knew half the time they didn't make sense, I was just talking and imagining. She was at that -on the verge- age - she has only a short time left of just being a child, soon she will no longer dare to loose herself to that secret world out in the front yard where *gasp* someone might see her. She will slowly loose the inventions of her own mind and will fill it instead with the inventions of others' minds. And all I can say is - just keep twirling little girl - keep twirling - don't worry about what people think - enjoy the breeze and the company of your doll for as long as you can.

My Blessings

2010-04-08T16:28:00.015-04:00

Sometimes I get jealous of the mother blogs I read - I want to blog about my children and show pictures of the cute things they do. But, I don't have children yet, so I figure, duh Jodi, just blog about the people God has put in your life, and so here you are.....

Jonathan gave a piggy back to one, and of course the other wanted one too.
Me and my Zari

Jonathan and Jaedon. Lately Jaedon has taken to stroking Jonathan's head - I think that's what he was just doing when I snapped this - I find it hilarious. (I love his and his sister's "picture smiles" their real smiles are even better.)

This is Miss Zari on Easter in new clothes from top to bottom. I laugh so hard everytime I see this picture. She was such a little old lady - so fussy with her hat and purse. (I couldn't get it to load the flipped pic, so I gave up - just turn your head ;)

Joey and Jaedon on Easter Sabbath.

We went camping last weekend - it was windy, thus....SUPER-DESI!

I think my jeep looks good with a canoe, and there's no reason why the old girl shouldn't get some blog exposure.

camera clean up

2010-03-16T09:32:00.016-04:00

I went to get a picture off my camera and realized there were some other fun picks I had forgot about, so ...

This is the yummy carrot cake I made for Jonathan's birthday back in January.

Some small group members enjoying said yummy cake.

The guys talking after small group. I know exactly the tone of voice Jonathan is using in this picture - a little high-pitched and mocking.

These are some Valentine's cupcakes I made. (with a couple of pretty adorable helpers)

This is Nazaria (one of the above mentioned helpers) and Jonathan. We've been spending a lot of time with her and her brother - giving them rides and babysitting for their mother. Jonathan and Zari have developed the sweetest relationship. I love watching them together. The first time she said to him, "Hey friend, I want to talk to you about something" (in an incredibly cute toddler voice) she melted his heart. God help us if we have a little girl, she will have him absolutely at her mercy.

Zari is not the only little girl who enjoys time with Jonathan. There is no place Lexi would rather be than very, very close to him. He is acually praying on the right, and she decided to keep him company by perching on his back.

And this is my grand finale - the reason I wanted to get the pictutes off the camera. MY SOCK DRAWER! (cough, cough) yeah, I just wanted to share because it's so fun and colorful - I love my socks.

welcome ladies

2010-03-08T14:51:00.013-05:00

(picture on left taken in December - picture on right taken last March)

The snow is almost completely melted and it looks like Spring may be well on her way to Michigan. Spring is such a different experience here than from Alabama. Alabama Spring is impulsive and comes in with a bright green dress, bright pink lipstick and lots of loud songs. Every year she would surprise me - just one day, BOOM! there she was in all her glory, green leaves, daisys and all and I loved her - I loved her thunderstorms and her warm genial smiles and I love that almost overnight I could switch over to "summer clothes". Alabama Spring is restless, though and never stays long - summer is not far behind her.

Michigan spring is much more gradual and soft. She is a bit more shy, coming and going couple times till she finally decides to stay, and then - oh then! You can watch her grow and come into her own, watch her overcome winter slowly but definitely and I love her also - I love the promise she brings - winter does not last forever! There is hope! Hope of sun and of flowers and of tomatoes that taste like tomatoes and hope that evil will not triumph and ultimately hope of Heaven - that's what she whispers to me in her gentle winds......hope. Because of her shy and careful ways - Michigan Spring always tricks me. At the first sign of the sun and a rise in temperature - I break out the tank tops and picnic blankets - something I could do with Alabama Spring. I am usually gently rebuffed and I resign myself to a lighter jacket and am satisfied to simply watch her unfold. Never in my life have I appreciated flowers so much. I watch them in awe as they blossom - I am content to spend long periods of time just looking at them - letting them feed my soul with their beauty. (this is a pleasure I am still looking foward to this spring).

So, do your thing Spring - you are welcome, wherever you are.

The Scheme of Things

2010-02-17T08:47:00.002-05:00

Jonathan and I had an interview yesterday. A couple of reps from the South England Conference came to town. I went with him - but I said nothing more than hello and good-bye. I don't really have any feelings about this, it was just what I expected. They didn't ask me any questions, but they didn't really ask Jonathan any questions either, they already knew him and the position needs to be filled now and not in year when he finishes, so this was really more of a keeping in touch interview. But it kind of brought to the forefront the things I have been thinking. I always say "we" when I talk about "our" ministry, but sometimes I wonder how joint it will and even can be. Where does my ministry really lie - I wonder that for here and now. What does God want me to do for him? It's not the same as Jonathan; some of the things that excite him do nothing for me, but right now I spend a lot of time supporting him in his ministry, but I don't really think of it as mine. Maybe I should. Do you know what I've always wanted to do? I've always wanted to have a big house - not extravagant, but big enough to hold non-family members, and I want to take people into my home - people who need some help...young, single moms, ex-convicts, homeless people - and to take care of them and show them what it looks like to live in a family who cares about each other and what it feels like to be in a home where the Holy Spirit lives. It may be an immature and naive idea - to think someone could be changed in that way, but I believe they could. The people I believe I have reached in my life, were reached because I took them into my life and they saw another option - another way of living.

A woman - especially the woman of a minister - has such an interesting and confusing place in the scheme of things. Is it my ministry as a pastor's wife to support the pastor and make sure his "dreams and visions" from God become reality? Maybe so. I am not adverse to that at all. I believe God has given me that gift, and given me a husband who needs the kind of support I can give. I guess these ponderings have been pondered by many - but I'm working through them - trying to find my place.

Power

2010-01-29T08:36:00.004-05:00

Anyone who has read this blog at all knows that I love my husband dearly, so please don't think I am unfair when I say he is opinionated and pushy and stubborn, and this drives me insane. He finds it very difficult to accept any opinion I have that is different from his own - nigh impossible really. We have so many arguments over this - he wants us to think exactly the same about everything, sweet I guess, but I feel to be impossible and unhealthy. Sometimes I feel bullied into ideas that are not even my own - or that I don't know if they are my own yet because I haven't had the time to think about them (I need an extraordinary amount of processing time while Jonathan's processing is lightning fast). But more and more, as I know him and love him I am seeing the indecisive, unsure nature that is lurking beneath his infuriating assurity. My husband can do anything, convince anyone of anything....as long as he knows I am backing him up. If he feels I am not with him 100% on something - he will drive me crazy trying to convince me to hop on board, and I get angry and hurt because I feel that he can't allow me to "just be me". But then later, I find out that he has either dropped that activity or opinion or whatever it was. I always contributed it to his temperament - tons of ideas that come and go, but few that go into action. This is not necessarily true - if I look back, its the things that I encouraged him to do or pursue that he is now doing and pursuing. Scary - That kind of power over another. I never really thought much about the saying, "behind every great man is a woman". There may be a whole lotta truth there, and I don't think you can turn it around the other way.

The relieving thing about realizing this truth is that he doesn't think my opinions are stupid at all, which I have often accused him of - he actually holds them in higher regard than I do - they shape the way he thinks and acts. He has no idea how to express this at the time so it comes out as pushy arrogance, but at least I realize it now and instead of being offended I can be flattered - yeah, we'll see how that actually goes into practice, but I will try.

weary

2010-01-27T08:50:00.002-05:00

I feel weary. I seem to always have these bouts - when I chaff under my life. Everytime, I clearly recognize my ingratitude and I repent. God has blessed me with my job - it is a means to provide for us while Jonathan studies. It has so many other perks too, things God knew would be useful to me. He was very thoughtful in giving me this job. But to be perfectly honest, I often hate it. I hate that I spent so many years preparing to be a teacher, but I am a secretary - call it Administrative Assistant all you want. I hate that the majority of my life is spent within this building, this room. I hate that there are so many things I think about during the day that I want to do at home, but by the time I get there, I am brain and body weary and only do the bare minimum. I just never thought that my contribution to my marriage and family would be to bring home the money. I always thought that I had no problem giving of myself - I have a strong propensity to help and serve, but I'm realizing that is only true if the service comes from a place I have approved. I am usually able to keep up the pretense that this is not really what I do - I am a student and a wife and a church leader - but sometimes it catches up to me, if I look strictly at my time, I am a secretary - eight hours of everyday is spent in this office. It is only temporary I suppose, but I have this aweful dread in my heart that this may be how I have to serve my family always - even after Jonathan finishes school. So, I guess in the end, I am not grateful and I am not satisfied but I do wish that I was.

Jonathan-isms

2010-01-26T08:45:00.008-05:00

Jonathan: You know, people in the seminary are jealous of my paper bag lunches. I see them looking at them, wishing their wives did the same.

the next day

Jonathan: I think I'm starting a trend at the seminary. Another guy had a paper bag lunch today....its a good thing you put my name on it huh?

yesterday (in no connection with the paper bags)

Jonathan: You are the best wife in the world! (with a big hug) I thought about it, and it's scientifically true.

Jodi: How do you know?

Jonathan: I can feel it, like this (he hugs me tighter as if in proof).

Jodi: Have you tested your theory on others?

Jonathan: No, it's like with the counterfeit experts...you can only know the real by becoming an expert in the real - you should never study the fake ones.

well said, my love, well said.

Service

2010-01-13T10:07:00.004-05:00

The other day I told God that I felt that I wasn't doing enough for Him. I wanted to do more to serve him. The next morning while I was doing my hair He gave me a request. He asked me to help out a single mom with two kids by giving her a ride into school everyday. I did this last winter - I was always late because the mom is slow and permissive and the kids had daily tantrums and would always complain because "I WANNA WALK!!", even though it was negative degrees and when they did walk, they complained about it too. Soooo, I did this task, but not cheerfully, and was thrilled when spring returned. This winter I have been conveniently forgetting that she probably could still use a ride. Anyway, while I was getting ready, the thought popped in my head that I should resume giving them a ride - not necessarily an unusual thought, but immediately afterward this text popped in my mind too, "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40 I immediately said YES! to this request and have given them a ride every morning since. It is not any easier - they still make me late, and still have tantrums - but I am happy about these small hardships, because I feel like they make my service for God even more important. I have never experienced this before - the joy of serving God. I know that sounds ridiculous for a veteran Christian to say, but it is true. I have felt obligation to serve God, and duty, and I have felt the joy of the results of serving God, but never joy over the actual act. I love to know that I can do this small thing that He asked of me, and I am so grateful that he gave me such a tangible thing to do. When I prayed that prayer, I was expecting Him to ask me to do something really difficult and scary and close to impossible, but instead he simply asked me to show kindness to someone in need. God is gentle with me, so patient with my fears. It was kind of him to teach me what serving Him can really feel like. Every morning I look forward to picking them up because I know it makes my King happy.

brown paper lunch bag

2010-01-12T16:04:00.005-05:00

Jonathan (at the grocery store): ooooh, can we pleeeeaaaase get some brown paper bags for my lunches? I've always wanted to carry my lunch in a real brown paper bag, just like the American kids on t.v.

me: really? (not surpressing some giggles) you know, it wasn't really cool to have a brown paper bag for lunch when I was a kid. You had to have cool lunch boxes.

Jonathan: we had lunch boxes - I just always wanted a real brown paper bag lunch. can we, please?!!?

Jodi: yeah, sure.

Jonathan: and can you write my name on it? ... in big letters?...with a black marker?

Jodi: absolutely

(the next morning, after I have completed said lunch and placed it in the brown paper bag, with his name in appropriately big letters on it and placed it on the counter - we are about to leave)

Jonathan: (in a giddy voice - like he's reading a script) oooh, I better not forget my lunch. oh, which one could it be? oh here it is, with my name on it. my very own lunch with my name on it. etc. etc. etc.

I gotta say, that $1.50 was just about the best deal I've ever gotten...I would have paid significantly more for the same reaction.

child talk

2009-12-17T11:19:00.002-05:00

For those of you who do not know - I work at a child care center. I work in the office, taking care of the parents :) I do have frequent interaction with the children, though - like this morning. They missed their bus, well I guess actually we missed their bus - anyway, I was the only one who could take them to school - so off I went with what we shall call Child 1 and Child 2 - both 5 years old.

Me: O.K. guys, give me just a minute to get the seatbelt out here (stuggling with all my might with the back seat seat belt - with freezing hands)

Child 1: My mommy said I have to take off my backpack and put it in the floor.

Me: mmmhhhhmmmm. (still struggling furiously)

Child 2: (dancinig around and then jumping into the backseat where I am working)

Me: Child 2, could you please get out for a minute and let me fix this?

Child 1: My Mommy SAID I HAVE to take off my backpack and put it in the floor!!!!

Me: Yes, child 2, I understand. We will certainly take it off. (finally wrestling the seatbelt from the abyss of the backseat) Alright, in you go!

Child 1: My mommy said.....

Me: Yes! Let's get that backpack off right now.

*Driving to the school*

Child 1: I went to a baby shower with my mommy, her friend had a baby, it was fun.

Child 2: We have a baby shower and it still works! (said with much pride)

Child1: No, a baby shower is something for the mommy to get presents.

Child 2: ...and I can still use our baby shower - I fixed it and made it bigger!

*arrive at the school - about 2 feet from the drop-off point*

Me: o.k. guys go ahead and take off your seat belts

Child 1: My mommy says never to take off your seatbelt till the car stops.

Child 2: (already took his off)

Me: well, yes, but we're here....

Child 2: (about to open the door to jump out)

Me: No! not yet we have to go up a little farther.

Child 2: But I took my seat belt off!!!!

*pull up the two feet*

Me: o.k. - out you go!

Child 1: I have to put on my backpack when I get out of the car.

Me: yes, yes, bye! Have a good day!

*children exit and I drive away*

Weddings

2009-12-15T08:45:00.007-05:00

There were to be no ceremonious performances, verything was to be as natural and homelike as possible, so when Aunt March arrived, she was scandalized to see the bride come running to welcome and lead her in, to find the bridegroom fastening up a garland that had fallen down . . .

"Upon my word, here's a state of things!" cried the old lady, taking the seat of honor prepared for her, and settling the folds of her lavender moire with a great rustle. "You oughtn't to be seen till the last minute, child."

"I'm not a show, Aunty, and no one is coming to stare at me, to criticize my dress, or count the cost of my luncheon. I'm too happy to care what anyone says or things, and I'm going ot have my little wedding just as I like it. John, dear, here's your hammer." And away went Meg to help 'that man' in his highly improper employment.

Mr. Brooke didn't even say, "Thank you," but as he stopped for the unromantic tool, he kissed his little bride behind the folding door, with a look that made Aunt March whisk out her pocket handkerchief with a sudden dew in her sharp old eyes.

There was no bridal procession, but a sudden silence fell on the room as Mr. March and the young couple tool ther places under the green arch. Mother and sisters gathered close, as if loath to give Meg up. The fatherly voice broke more than once, which only seemed to make the service more beautiful and solemn. The bridegroom's hand trembled visibly, and no one heard his replies. But Meg looked straight up in her husband's eyes, and said, "I will!" with such tender trust in her own face and voice that her mother's heart rejoiced and Aunt March sniffed audibly.

I love this part of Little Women. I often wavered between this idea of the perfect wedding and the idea of a grand celebration that bordered on fairytale. All the preparations were geared toward the fairytale and making sure all the family was happy. Then a couple of weeks before the wedding we decided we didn't want the grand ball - we wanted something simple and "us", so I called some people at my home church, told them what I wanted and they did it, all of it, beautiful decorations, wonderful food, they even built a canopy to go over mine and Jonathan's table. It was perfect and beautiful.

Jonathan and I didn't get to see each other much at all the week before - we were each serving our families in different ways. The day of the wedding came crashing down on me - all the people and all the preparations - all the expectations. I had a small breakdown because I had forgotten Jonathan's boutonniere at home and I just couldn't stop crying, so Jonathan and I then went away together and prayed and had a little worship. I remember he sang "Give Me Jesus" with the words "Oh, and on our wedding day, oh and on our wedding day, oh and on our wedding day - give me Jesus." I calmed down, but was still far from Meg's innocent excitement . . . until I was all finished getting ready and I walked out onto the balcony, (we were taking pictures before the ceremony) and I looked down at all the people, dressed so very prettily, waiting for me to come down. And then I saw Jonathan, so very handsome in his tux - smiling up at me and I suddenly turned into Meg. I was absolutely estatic, I couldn't stop smiling. I no longer cared what happened, I just knew I was marrying the most wonderful man I had ever known. The rest of the day was absolutely perfect, right up to the end when we drove away together ... straight to the Piggly Wiggly to get some food because we had been too excited to eat at the reception. I've never eaten more delicious croissants and peanut butter in my life. Absolute Perfection.

Silly Woman

2009-12-14T08:32:00.003-05:00

Last Night before bed . . .

Jonathan: I have to work tomorrow.
Jodi: I know.
Jonathan: that means 7:30.
Me: I know. You work every Monday and we always have to be there by 7:30. (I didn't say it, but I was thinking, duh.)
Jonathan: o.k.

This Morning . . .
Jonathan walks in at 7:23. I am standing at the stove in my pajamas about to pour the oatmeal into the pot.

Jonathan: Babe! are you not going to work today?!
Me: ofcourse I am. I'm just making some breakfast.
Jonathan: just stares in disbelief.
*the light bulb comes on over my head*
Jodi: Oh no! I forgot.

This is not a singular incident. I am notorious for this kind of thing. I don't know, I think I just block things out that I don't like, or don't deem that important at the time. For example, Jonathan tutors every Thursday - it used to be on Monday and then I asked him to change it so we could have more time together on Mondays - because I get off work earlier. Well, I NEVER remember this change. Every Thursday I get upset when he reminds me he is tutoring - because I have inevitably made plans. goofy.

Winter Contemplation

2009-12-10T14:02:00.006-05:00

the snow clung just beautifully to this tree

Trooper paw prints on the ledge outside the window.

Winter came rather suddenly this year, and as I was waiting for my husband to come back from snow-shoveling and I was looking out my window - I got lost in a reverie. I don't do this often. I very rarely just sit and think of nothing in particular. Winter does this to me. While I was revering (fun word, no?) I thought about what the different seasons make us focus on. I am a season girl - LOVE them. I love the change from one to another. I decided that Winter is a season very much about the present, at least here in Michigan, but even at home I don't really remember making a lot of future plans in the winter. Winter is about living one day to the next. Shoveling your way to your car - trudging back home - being grateful to be inside and warm. And this season came at the perfect time - a time when God is trying to teach me how to live in the moment - how to be satisfied with right now and not puting all my hopes for happiness and fulfillment in the future. I've been enjoying my husband - as much in the moment as I can. He pointed out the other day that we are actually still newlyweds - I don't know what the cutoff point is, but I imagine 17 months still counts. So, this winter I will revel in the present - I will see what God has in store, right now, not in a couple years.

Blessed

2009-12-07T10:31:00.003-05:00

Well, remember when I said that unless something happened I would be a happy Christmas gift-giver this year? Something happened. We were about 5 minutes from home Saturday night when our Jeep began a gradual shut-down. First, the speedometer stopped working, then the radio shut off, and then the lights began getting dimmer and dimmer and dimmer, until there were no lights. I told Jonathan, "I bet God is just gonna get us home before this vehicle stops working." I was absolutely right. As soon as we turned into our driveway - she completely stopped. The altenator. One Hundred and Twenty Nine Dollars. It seems more dramatic when I write the numbers out. So, I asked myself, is God trying to tell me something about Christmas gifts? No, He's not. He's just blessing me.

1. I will get my Christmas bonus on Tuesday, just enough to cover the altenator. Just enough. Which means, we can actually drive home for Christmas, and we don't have to go into any more debt to get it repaired.

2. It went out now, before I spent the money on Christmas gifts, and not while we were hurtling down an interstate somewhere in the wee hours of the morning. It went out just as we got home.

3. My dear husband, with a ton of homework for finals week hanging over his head, repaired our jeep. He worked on it for hours and hours. He looked at his manual, and he did it. I am so proud of my little city boy. He's learned so much about mechanics through this jeep. I am so impressed with him for even trying, much more so for actually doing it! I would have taken one look at those impossible diagrams and that greasy engine and said, forget it! But he stuck with it and what was broken is now in complete working order.

So, I am grateful. Very, very grateful. Merry Christmas.

Christmas Gifts

2009-12-04T08:56:00.002-05:00

I really, really like giving Christmas gifts - really. Since I've been married and all on my own - I haven't been able to buy any Christmas gifts, and it drives me crazy - I whine and complain and feel guilty - which is certainly NOT what Christmas is all about. I realize many find the whole gift-giving thing materialistic, but I want to give gifts to my friends and family - I don't feel like its mandatory, no one is actually upset when they don't receive a gift from me, they understand and are very supportive about it. But I want to. I love wrappinig them in the perfect, beautiful paper - looking at them for weeks under the tree, knowing I found THE PERFECT gift for everyone on my list. That's the best part, finding the perfect gift, everything individualized.

ANYWAY, I think this year I may have budgeted just right, and I may have a wee amount of money to spend for said gifts. I made my list, practical and inexpensive - and I am content. YAY! Unless something unforseen happens, and it very well could, I will be a happy little gift-giver this year.

The Perfect Wife

2009-12-02T09:15:00.004-05:00

I've tried so hard to be the perfect wife. The woman who keeps things looking nice, who makes sure we have breakfast in the morning, who is supportive - my husband's biggest fan, the woman who plans and organizes - and the woman who is constantly thinking of the other ways she can improve as a wife - trying not to look like a bum at home, becoming more in control of her emotions, learning to sew, and on and on and on and on. ...and then I hear - in a sweet, concerned voice...

"but I didn't marry a 'wife', I married you."

In all of this becoming I stopped being. Does that make sense? I had to step back this morning and take a look at things - I'm trying to please someone who doesn't exsist, and in the process I don't know what my real husband wants out of our marriage, and he has a hard time telling me because I'm always "trying so hard" to do things perfectly, so whenever he mentions something that he isn't happy with - I am destroyed, completely. In my mind it means I have failed. surely it shouldn't be that way - surely I shouldn't constantly worry about failing as a wife. Where does that come from? I'm sure I need some kind of psycho-analysis, but I will save that for another time. *sigh*

Having said this, I have no idea where to go next. My "little woman" train has been derailed and I'll have to find another mode of transportation..............

maybe a roadtrip with my husband, destination unknown.

Yes, I like that image. Maybe I just need to start "being", whatever that means. I need to relax, stop being so uptight - enjoy my husband. I guess. I really have no idea what I'm saying anymore, but maybe if I keep typing it will all come together, right?

Charlie Brown Christmas

2009-12-01T09:41:00.005-05:00

Nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit like Charlie Brown. Especially the music - as soon as I hear it, I can feel Christmas - I can see the trees and the twinkly lights - smell the hot cocoa. *sigh of contentment*

It's December 1st and all is well....

2009-12-01T09:14:00.003-05:00

At least everything is in my world. Here are a few updates.

- Thanksgiving was nice. Nice is a good word. It was relaxing - we ate later than usual, and the food was especially delicious - I'd like to think this was because I made pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, stuffing and mashed potatoes, I was quite the contributor :) I got to spend a good amount of time with everyone who needed it, which is a feat, let me tell you. I got to decorate some cupcakes too - I'll put up some pics later.

- My dear friend was baptized. It was wonderful. Actually, it was perfect. I'm so glad we were able to make it so special for her, and it was special - perfectly taylored to her. God, hold on tight to her and don't let us relax and think our job is done, it is just beginning.

- I am currently listening to Christmas music! Christmas music is always so robust and full - yes, that is exactly what it is. It just has a way of filling a room and commanding attention. I love Christmas. We are getting a real tree this year - and it's going to be real fun keeping the cats out of it :)

Little Women

2009-11-16T08:48:00.004-05:00

This is one of my favorite books. I especially like Meg's story line, even though Jo's is more interesting and Beth's is more moving - I like watching the inner-workings of a new wife and mother. Now, I am completely aware of the idealism portrayed in said book, but I'm o.k. with it - there's nothing wrong with shooting for the ideal. There are two scenes that particularly touch me, one is her wedding day and the other is her first fight with her husband. I'll comment on the wedding one maybe another time. As far as the other - Meg had decided when she got married to basically be the perfect wife. She decided that she would always have the house ready for company - her husband didn't have to tell her in advance if he decided to bring someone home for dinner. Well, the day he decides to take her up on this promise is the very day she has been battling with making and canning some jam. She looses the battle and the the kitchen, as well as herself are a complete mess and there is no supper. When her husband comes home with his friend - hoping to find the usual happy wife he instead finds a sobbing girl with jam all over her, he laughs at her predicament and asks her to basically pull it together for his guest. Here's where I ask myself what I would do in this situation - when I read the book I thought I would most definitely have laughed it off and created the perfect little dinner party out of thin air, but know I know the real answer, I would do just as Meg did. I would cry and get angry and tell him to figure it out on his own - and probably feel pretty justified, I might even "pull-it-together" while the guest was there and then let my beloved know exactly how I felt about the situation after the guest left.

I discovered this this weekend. It was one of the busiest weekends I have ever had - I will not go into the lists because I realized the lists just made it worse for me, I kept re-writing and stressing over them, which is the opposite purpose of the list. Anyway, I was barely staying above the breaking point when the bomb hit - we were supposed to be having small group at someoneelse's house and there was some miscommunication, and 3 hours before small group we discovered we must figure out another option - our apartment. Because of said crazy week our apartment looked like two people lived there who basically ran in, threw things around, ran out, then ran back in, put some dirty dishes in the sink and then fell in bed - while two cats shredded anything they could find on the floor - garlic, toilet paper, paper bags. There were new people coming to the group too, new people that needed to be impressed with my housekeeping and hostess skills , obviously. New people with children, children for whom I had planned a children's program - and children whom we had no where to put in our tiny apartment. Anyway, what did I do? I got angry, and I left all the "pulling-it-together" to my husband - who happily took it in order to avoid the tears of frustration. He did pull it together, alone. When I finally came to myself I was so ashamed. I always wanted to be the kind of wife who would be a true help-meet, who would stay calm in difficult circumstances and get things done with poise and grace. I learned the truth about myself and my husband - a bittersweet realization. When things are rough I can depend on him, but it may not work the other-way around. Marriage is one of the most difficult classrooms. I have learned so much about the selfishness within myself. I now believe this is one of the purposes for marriage, to teach us who we truly are - to take away our delusions. Once the smoke screen is gone we can get down to the business of repentance and growth.

In case your curious, we borrowed our neighbors house, who has plenty of room for children, seeing as how they have 2, and who, despite one parent working and the other going to school, have a very tidy home.

I think my wife would like you....

2009-11-09T08:22:00.003-05:00

This is the first time I've ever had someone say that to me. It made me smile.
This weekend I went to a retreat called "Freedom in Jesus". It's a powerful time of getting rid of some of the nagging and strangling sins in one's life and growing spiritually. I went through it a couple years ago - so this time I was a presenter. This retreat also bonds people together like you wouldn't believe. So I made some great new friends. Anyway, one guy was there without his wife and as we were leaving he said: I'd really like for you to meet my wife - I think she would like hanging out with you. I felt so grown up and yet so much like a kid. Now many of you may be wondering why the big deal. I am fully aware that you have likely had such comments directed toward you many times in your life - I've probably directed some of them your way - not for hanging out with wives, but other friends, people you would get along with. No one has ever said such a thing to me before. It's new. I like being liked.

Lexi Love

2009-10-30T11:16:00.003-04:00

The other morning when Jonathan and I woke up - he looked at me very concerned and said seriously - I think Lexi has a crush on me. Whew, I'm still laughing. Apparently when he wakes up at night she is staring at him with her paw touching is face ever so gently. Next to him is certainly her favorite place to be - smart cat.

Graduate School

2009-10-28T09:21:00.004-04:00

I read a new Young Adult book every week for class (YA Lit). It really is quite wonderful to say - I have to do my homework now and then to plop down on the sofa with an entertaining book :) I've been enjoying this class for the most part. We just finished the book In the Name of God. The protagonist is a devout muslim girl. I liked the angles of the story - she was devoted to her religion, and also a teenage girl. It was thought-provoking and I would LOVE to teach it to a high school class - get them thinking and talking.

The other class is Sociolinguistics - a graduate seminar focusing on male/female language. Also an interesting class. The teacher has come out of retirement to teach it and I appreciate her in many ways. She knows so much - she was around when this field really starting booming in the 70's. The only problem is that she has so much information she finds it difficult to stop talking :) There hasn't been as much room for discussion as I would have liked. But the reading is facinating. And I have decided on my research paper - I'm going to explore the feminization of the Christian church. Why is the church so predominately female - when did this phenomena start - and why, linguistically, does the church seem to be attracting more females than males. I have a couple theories, but I have to see where the research leads.

Anyway, such is my academic life right now.

Happy Fall

2009-10-20T14:11:00.004-04:00

I love fall, and I was afraid I had missed it this year - we were just hurtling on toward winter. Happily, nature has taken a fall detour, at least for the moment. The sky has finally gotten that distinct blue color that only comes in autumn, and the sun is still warm though softer. And my dear friend and I are planning a fall party for this weekend! Combining two of my favorite things - planning and fall. It will be just lovely - pumpkins, popcorn balls, harvest treats, a bonfire. *contented sigh* I will make the cutest little pumpkin candle-holders and some spice cupcakes and some maple leaf-shaped cookies.

Family

2009-10-13T09:35:00.003-04:00

I'm wondering more and more if I'm supposed to be going in another direction in my life. I find that different things catch and hold my attention now. For example, I am taking graduate classes in English Literature - and I enjoy it - I enjoy reading and discussing literature. I get off about an hour and a half earlier on Mondays so that I have time to study for said classes - at one time that would have dominated my thoughts - study and research and be the best graduate student in the department. But now I find my mind instead wandering to recipes and furniture rearangement and ways to make healthy lunches ahead of time for my husband. And I enjoy it - I really enjoy it. I love that today he gets to eat stuffed green peppers for lunch instead of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich - and I love that I made enough muffins for breakfast and some black bean burgers for lunch for the next few days - and all the laundry is clean and folded - and reading over this now, it looks like a feminists nightmare come true huh? But I'm not a feminist, I am feminine though, and something inside drives me to do and enjoy such things, at least at this stage in my life. Instead of reading articles on Twain and Austen - I find myself searching out the blogs of mothers and wives - reading about their triumphs and disappointments, and taking to heart the lessons they have learned...storing them up in my mind until they are needed. And more and more everyday, I think of my child and how I will love and care for her or him.

I'm not sure what to do with such a change of heart - I work fulltime - I am not able to do these things I desire everyday, and I cannot have a baby simply to turn around a let someone else care for him or her. I do not want to become bitter that I have to work - I am going to praise God for the way He is providing, but I'm not going to stop also asking Him if there is another way - another route with an outlet to this domestic desire within me.

2009-10-13T09:04:00.002-04:00

I am Jodi Michelle Kendall Burnett. I am messed up by my culture - both family culture and societal. I am messed up by my own sense of pride and sinfulness. I am not the best in the world at anything - I am not even the best amoung my aquaintences at anything. I can usually think of at least 3 other people who would be better at any given task than I would. What, you say, is the importance of all this self-deprecating honesty? That's the same question God seems to be asking me. In His ever so subtle yet persistent way He has shown me that he doesn't care one little iota about me being the best at something. He doesn't care if there are others who can say it more elequently or decorate it prettier or lead it more perceptively. He wants me to do what He asks - me - not someone else with better skills. Even as I write this, honestly, my efficient brain is having a hard time accepting it - I may need a few more lessons.

But now I am trying to listen to what he's asking of me. I no longer refuse things based on the premise that someone else could do it better, and we'll see what happens.

2009-09-25T08:19:00.003-04:00

I have been hesitant lately to share my heart - the verse in Jeremiah comes to mind:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Indeed, I do not know my own heart - it seems to sway and change with the wind - and deceitful does seem to be the right word for it. But that's not really what's on my heart today. I've been pondering this verse lately: Each one should use whatever gift she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

This verse struck something in me - like striking a gong or one of those huge bells - the reverberations are still going. I want this - I want to administer God's grace in it's various forms - this awakens something in me, stirs me. Unfortunately I have no idea what it means. I don't know how to administer God's grace. Peter didn't really give any examples. Or, rereading, maybe he did - in the same paragraph he also says "Love one each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." Those are verses to ponder on their own, aren't they? I believe my constant complaining that my apartment is not good enough for visitors probably qualifies as grumbling. But I believe there is more to administering God's grace than just hospitality, and I am determined to let God teach me what it means and how to do it.

27

2009-08-25T10:32:00.002-04:00

that's me - 27. yep. 27. *sigh*

It seems so odd to have the number 27 attached to me - descibing me. But not completely unpleasant - I think I do 27 well. Now, 12 I had problems with - I didn't fit 12. Really anything before 16 was a little too tight. 27 is more roomy - more space to be me. I am an adult and it is o.k. to act like one.

- went camping for my 27th birthday. It rained the whole time. the WHOLE time. The first two days Jonathan and I both tried to be upbeat and positive (when Jonathan's 2nd fire got rained out he almost lost it) but it was when we both decided that it sucked and we didn't like camping in the rain that it became fun. We laughed about it - pointed out all the absurdities of siting in a tiny tent all day - and it was fun. We spent a lot of time in town doing the things we enjoy - shopping for books, eating out - it wasn't a real camping trip, but it was a trip with the two of us, and we are really all we need.

So, happy birthday to me - 28 here I come!

good choices

2009-08-25T10:27:00.002-04:00

I just got an e-mail from my advisor finalizing some stuff for me and at the end this is what she said "I think you've made good choices!" (with the exclaimation mark). That one sentence has made my day. I tend to take myself by surprise - the things that make me inexplicably happy, and apparently this is one of them. Probably this has something to do with some issues about being constantly worried about making the right choices - and to have affirmation that I did indeed make a good decision - sigh - I am content.

People are messy.

2009-08-14T08:27:00.005-04:00

They are not clean and clear and easy to direct. Just because you tell them the right answer - it doesn't mean they will listen or care. Just because you point them in the right direction and say - "go that way" - it doesn't mean they will - more than likely they will just turn around again, and perhaps even just continue turning round and round till they are dizzy and don't know where they are. Sometimes I just want out - I want away from people and their issues, but of course, then I'm still there and my issues are still there. Sometimes I feel the need to sterilize my life - make things clean - make them straight-foward and right.

I find that some of the messiest people are Christians - people who are trying desperately to know God. Because it is those people who have to fight part of themselves, but who first have to decide which part to fight - messy, complicated. And I wonder what God thinks when he looks at us fighting, stuggling, pulling ourselves down, going in circles getting dizzy, complicated and messy. If he were me he would throw up his hands and say "What's wrong with you?! It's not that hard!" and then He would walk away. But, at least from what I know and can read about Him, He instead encourages the fighting and stuggling, holds us still when we've made ourselves dizzy from going round in circles - and isn't at all phased by our messiness.

Perfect God of holiness, put a piece of yourself in me - the piece that doesn't run away from messy people, but runs toward them.

Good-bye Kayla

2009-07-27T14:35:00.002-04:00

My sister is gone back home to Alabama. I feel like there is a hole now in my life. For the past month she has been everywhere I have been and I loved it. Now, there is no one waiting for me at home at lunch time. No suitcase under the desk. No hand constantly reaching to find mine while we walk side-by-side. No sister within my reach at any given moment. And I am sad. Sadder than I or my poor husband expected me to be, but I am grateful we had a month. So grateful for the shared experiences, the inside jokes, the spiritual growth. If the cost was a day of sadness - I will gladly pay. Bye Kayla. I will see you soon - and one day we will be in Heaven, where time won't matter - and where, if we are apart for a thousand years, we will have another thousand to catch each other up on what was missed. I love you.

Kayla

2009-07-06T08:25:00.007-04:00

This is my youngest sister. She has come to stay with me for a month, and I couldn't be happier about it.

When I look at her I see so much of myself (not just physically, although that is striking as well) - she has the same fierce practicality mixed with a driving need to please everyone. I watch her sensitivity to others feelings - watch her mood fall and rise with those around her - I get nervous for her. I want to tell her to be her own person - be confident in her own happiness, because she is happy. I want to tell her not be scared of so many things - the world is not the place my grandmother has made her believe, and that in general - it's o.k. to be wrong, and its o.k. if everything you do is not perfect. But how can I teach her these things when she learned most of them from me? I am 14 years older than her - I can remember playing with her in the middle of the night when she was wide awake and every one else was asleep. I can remember singing to her - one specific lullaby that would always make her stop crying. I can remember that she said my name first.

My hope is that now she can learn some new things from me - faith, courage, perseverance, real humility - none of which I possess on my own, all of which I pray for God to show me. It helps to have her here, to feel her eyes always on me. When Jonathan gets upset - I can feel us both sinking into the depth of his unhappiness, and I have to lift my head and turn up the music and show her that it's o.k. for others to be upset sometimes - they have to work it out on their own, and in the meantime - we can dance and it is not a sin.

This is the Kayla I remember and know.

Exuberant with life. Happy. I want her to hang on to this. I don't want the world to suck it out of her - I don't want what she watched in me to become her reality.

Jonathan

2009-06-24T16:16:00.011-04:00

Since Friday my husband has washed the dishes twice (LOTS, nay MOUNTAINS of dishes), cleaned the bathroom, cleaned out the litter box every day (he says it makes him feel like he's taking care of our kittens, sweet), cooked 4 - maybe 5 meals (including a lentil soup that will know your socks off), mowed the yard, weeded some in the garden, installed a window air-conditioner (twice), changed the oil in the jeep (that's today), and hugged me every day without fail while telling me how much he loves me and what a good wife I am.

This is really not even the half of it - most importantly, he has held me together when my faith waivers - he has remained a strong spiritual (and emotional) leader and it makes me cry as I write this - thinking about how incredibly blessed I am to have him.

Father - thank you for my husband...my Jonathan. Teach me how to be a good wife for him. Amen.

Vacation Recap

2009-06-18T07:45:00.015-04:00

I have just caught up on all your lovely blogs - and decided it was about time to tell you about my little foray in Europe. It was in three parts, which fills my little organized heart with joy.

Part I - England

Lots of relaxing, a day in London, hanging out with the folks, Jonathan preaching

I've been to England twice before, and I still thoroughly enjoy it, especially London. This time we went to the British Museum,

and I discovered I am not a museum person, always good to discover new things about oneself don't you think? I had already been in Westminster Abbey, twice (it's one of my FAVORITE places) so this time we attended the Evensong worship service.

At first it was awe-inspiring to hear the choir and feel God in such a glorious place, but then I couldn't enjoy it because they kept making us stand up and sit down - stand-up and sit down - and I found it amusing that we were worshiping very near poet's corner - worshiping God next to the graves of Keats and Shelly, neither very big proponents of Christianity in its ceremonial form. Then we decided to lay out on the grass at Westminster to recover from the standing and sitting - but we couldn't stay long because apparently the bell-ringer in the tower was being electrocuted - at least that's what it sounded like, and it went on for like 20 minutes until we couldn't take it any more - so we were off again.

I got to know my family - I realized I had only met them twice, once was full of anxiety because it was the first time and then it was at the wedding, so we didn't really know each other, but now we do and I must say that they are a fun bunch of people - full of ideas of what family means - and I felt their love and support wash over me every day.

Part II - Italy

Genoa (Aquarium) - Bobbio Pelice - Waldensian sites - Religion and Science Conference

I have already blogged a little about this, but let me just say that it was marvelous. What I didn't tell you about was the first leg of the trip to Genoa. Lovely city with a distinct rhythm, much slower than London, but still faster than here - the days seem to be divided into sections - each with its appropriate meal.

I already told you how beautiful the Alps are, and for a perfect description, take a look at Harmony's blog. The conference was good, often over my head, but it gave Jonathan LOTS to think and talk about. He did an excellent job on his presentation, as always. It fills me with love and pride and security to see him up there, doing what he does, being a spokesperson for God - a receptacle of the Holy Spirit. He was so confident, never stumbling for an answer to a question; he amazes me.

Part III - Wales
Camp Meeting

Wales was lovely as well, cold, but lovely. It has a much different feel from Italy. The landscape is very gentle and easy on the eyes. Jonathan spoke for the teens at camp meeting and in the end 3 were baptized that weekend. It was awesome! I watched Jonathan's dad just bursting with pride for his son - his eldest, the first child he held in his arms and prayed with all his heart that God would take him and lead his life - it must be the most wonderful thing for a parent to see that prayer answered in their child.

Anyway, this has gotten longer than I expected, so I will stop now.

Bobbio Pellice

2009-06-07T06:40:00.006-04:00

I am at this moment staring up into the Italian Alps, and I don't know what to say. I wish I had the artistry in my mind and words to describe this place worthily. I do not, so I will not try. I am in a valley surrounded by mountains - some snowcapped. They look so close - like I could just start walking and reach them within a few hours - a delusion I'm sure. Did I mentioned we are surrounded, I think I did - I guess that's the nature of a valley huh? It was upon these mountains that so many gave up their lives for thier faith - the Waldensians - and inside this conference center (so beautifully designed to be simple, rustic and comfortable) men are still fighting for their faith, but in a very different way. Scientists and Theologians struggle with the voices inside their heads, and I am grateful that I have no difficulty believing exactly what is revealed to me through the word of God. I am so grateful to look outside and see these majestic mountains and know that the same God who created them also takes care of me and loves me - such power, such power reigned in for me and displayed for me.

Lexi and Trooper

2009-05-26T08:15:00.006-04:00

Meet Trooper

Meet Lexi

spilt water bowls, midnight toe-chewings, shredded curtains, early morning wrestling -

absolute bliss

baby teeth

2009-05-21T15:07:00.000-04:00

Do you remember the feeling of having a loose tooth as a child? I had completely forgotten that feeling - wiggling the tooth around with your toungue, that weird hole when it was gone - the taste. Do you remember?

Restart

2009-05-14T17:07:00.009-04:00

I have a very difficult time turning things off in my head. The best description of this I've ever heard comes from a marriage book called "What Women Want". The author describes a woman's brain in terms of a computer. This is pretty good. I have things that are constantly running in the background, which generally includes the happiness and wellbeing of those in my sphere. And then I have other programs and "windows" that are in use - planning for a vacation, planting a garden, baby shower gift buying which makes me think about babies and how I will be an old woman before I have any, and the conversation with my husband at lunch, what I'm going to make for lunch tomorrow, what am I going to make for potluck, do we have money for groceries this week.......it really goes on and on from there. At this moment there are at least - AT LEAST - 10 windows open in my brain. Usually its o.k. because I can handle a lot at one time, but sometimes it becomes too much and I get very overwhelmed. It's not pretty. Fortunately, God gave me a wonderful husband who helps me through these times. He sits down with me and helps me close the windows one at a time until all is managable again. It's really quite wonderful, and I am so grateful.

raindrops on tulips

2009-05-04T10:02:00.006-04:00

I have had a strange blog-block for a while; almost a phobia. Weird. Anyway, here's a few things going on in my life:

* My dear Lindsey is gone. When you live in a university-sphere, you come to expect lots of good-byes, and while they are sad - you learn an incredible about about life from each of the people you meet. Besides knitting, I learned about being an incredible wife and beautiful mother from Lindsey. She is always her husband's biggest fan and I've never heard her gain sympathy from her friends at his expense. They are a great team. And I got to watch her become a mother - with a quiet and peaceful contentment. She was amazing to watch, despite the discomforts of pregnancy and despite giving birth and despite the exhaustion of having a newborn; I never heard her complain. Not once. Thank-you Lindsey for all the lessons you didn't know you were giving.

* I finished my Medieval Romance class. I was glad to have the paper all done, but so sad the class is over. I enjoyed it so much. Ah well, on to the next one!

* My garden is growing, growing, growing. Soon it will be safe to put these sweet little sprigs of green in the ground...so they can grow to their hearts content. I never thought I would enjoy gardening, and in all actuality I haven't done any of the hard stuff yet, but I never thought I would enjoy cool soil so much....

* I have tulips growing in my backyard! These I didn't not plant - they just happened. I really have no more to say about them, but for some reason this seems like an important part of my life right now. I cut a few yellow and red ones the other day and put them in a vase in my living room - I just stared at them all evening, I couldn't take my eyes off them, it was lovely.

* I am leaving for England and Italy in 23 days! I am very excited, but I feel a strange maniac need to get new clothes for myself and my husband. I hate shopping, and we haven't bought new clothes in a long time, but for some reason it feels very important.

* and finally, I still want a baby. The longing is always there now. It used to come in go in waves and now I always feel it...the waves are just stronger longings. Life is so funny, I spent all that time and energy in school .... am still spending it, and I want to teach still, but I would give it up in a second if I could have a baby now - no questions asked.

Have a beautiful Monday my friends.

Oliver!

2009-04-14T09:51:00.011-04:00

I love the name Oliver, and now I have even more reason. My adorable husband loves the musical - specifically the 1968 version. He watched it often as a child, especially at Christmas. He was positively giddy when we found a copy. I love this, of course. It's always me who wants to re-live childhood fun. So we watched it, and I've gotta say; it was exceptional. The actors were phenomenal - the songs, well most of them, were delightful and the dancing was superb. I wished I had been one of the extras just so I could dance some of those numbers. Oddly enough, Oliver was my least favorite character, but by the end I realized that he wasn't who the musical was even about...he's really just there to provide complication for the other characters. The social commentary was very satirical and biting - made even darker by silly scenes throughout. I must admit that I am not a great fan of Dickens; therefore, I have not read Oliver Twist, and its hard for me to imagine anything he wrote in musical form, but I'm willing to bet this musical captures the feelings of the novel pretty well despite of - or maybe even because of - the singing and dancing. So, if you have a chance, watch Oliver! it's worth it. It may have even risen to the top of my favorites in the musical catagory - perhaps even topping Mary Poppins? hmmmm.

This was one of my favorite songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4CVZnGJIzQ (just try NOT to sing it...it's really not possible:)

Again! and Again! AND AGAIN!

2009-04-10T09:31:00.002-04:00

I have the need to re-create things. Re-create moments and events - trying to capture the exact feeling I once felt. When I go on vacation in the summer I want the air temperature in the hotel or cabin to be arctic because that's the way it's supposed to be...you're supposed to come in from the sweltering day and almost throw your body into shock when you walk into the refrigerator that is your temporary home. Not only do you keep the temperature the same as you remember, you go to the same place you've always gone...the smokey mountains. You MUST drive in through the long winding path that suddenly thrusts you into Gatlinburg (even though that road ALWAYS makes you carsick - but that's part of the experience), and you must ... this could really keep going, but I think only one or two of you would know what I was talking about. This problem doesn't just apply to vacations; I do this with everything. I am actually planning to do it tomorrow. My family and friends from church and I used to attend an Easter passion play every spring at a university about 2 hours away. We would load up the car with the most abundant and wonderful picnic food you can imagine (pringles in at least 4 different varieties), and we would picnic at the same spot every year before going to see the play. Well, there is a similar event happening here in Michigan tomorrow, and all I can think of is, how do I make it perfect? By this I mean, how do I recreate the good feelings I have associated with this event in the past? But as I do this I realize I am setting myself up for disappointment. It is not 2 hours away, it is 2 minutes away. My family and church friends are not here, there are only 3 of us going. Why would we need 4 cans of pringles? It is about 50 degrees instead of 70 (so no 1st sunburn of the year) sigh. sigh. sigh.

My husband tells me I need to experience things as they happen and not try to mold them to fit what I think is a good time (which reading over this I now realize includes hypothermia, car sickness, and a sun burn, hmmmm). I agree with him, and I know it's true, but . . . maybe I don't know how to live for the moment. Is that something you can learn?

a rainbow of emotions

2009-04-06T08:06:00.005-04:00

1. I am mildly amused by the fact that there is snow today...APRIL 6TH!

2. I am super excited that my dear friend had her baby; it's almost surreal, I mean, I was used to her being pregnant now, but I think I talked with her so much about the pregnancy and the birth that I just forgot to prepare my mind that she would have a BABY! A beautiful little baby that she is now the mommy of...she's a mom! Wow.

3. I am very happy that my husband loves me even when I'm whinny and crazy. I have developed this weekly depression; it begins every Sunday night when I realize the weekend's over and I have to go back to work...and I can feel myself sinking and I realize I am becoming almost unbearable to others (others being my husband). But he is so patient and good to me, and he suggested we make Monday something to look foward to by taking an extra long lunch break together (the only day we can do this) and making stir-fry. :) He's a good man.

4. I am excited about my flowers and vegetables seeds! We bought them yesterday...so in the near future we will put our little seeds into their little cups - and love them and watch them grow until they are ready to make it outside - or rather till the outside is ready to take care of them. I am especially excited about my four very beautiful pots in which I will place my four different herbs :)

Purple Pen

2009-04-01T09:40:00.002-04:00

I have a purple pen. I feel the need to tell you this. It is a simple bic pen with a lid, but I have fallen in love with it. It writes in purple too. It says "April is Month Of The Young Child". Yep. Now that I write it, it sounds like some kind of Native American phrase...like, "Michigan is land of many snow" or something like that. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about my pen. I am glad that small things can still make me happy. So here's to the small things........

Bubbles. I used to spend hours doing the dishes...making more and more bubbles...shaping them into things, blowing them around the kitchen.

A nicely made-up bed.

Kermit the frog singing "Wild Thing".

Winnie-the-Pooh.

Small children in plays and programs.

The home video of my little sister's first birthday.

Giving the perfect gift to someone.

Knowing that my long candle-lighter is always in the same place.

Planning things.

Forsythia. The name and the flower.

and purple pens that write in the perfect shade of purple.

Share what little things make you happy....maybe I want to add some to my list. :)

training

2009-03-30T11:01:00.002-04:00

Joseph, Moses, David, Elijah... I have read about these men of God and have found that each of them went through a kind of training time...some of them for many, many years. And none of them were trained in easy circumstances; Joseph was a slave, Moses a fugative shepherd, David spent a few years running for his life from a crazy-man, and Elijah was exhiled and lived with a poor widow. God had a very specific purpose for each of them, a big purpose He needed them for, but first they had to learn how to trust Him. Joseph went on to be the second-in-command in Egypt and saved many lives during a famine; Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt (after Joseph was forgotten - the Egyptians decided to make the Israelites slaves, go figure), David became the greatest king Israel ever knew, and Elijah led the people away from their idols and back to the living God by standing up to a very, very bad Jezabeel. I won't go into more detail than that, but I strongly suggest you read about these things...no small feats, let me tell you. Anyway, none of them could have accomplished these things if they had not trusted God - if they had not learn to hear His voice.

I feel like I am being trained. This part of my life is wonderful in many ways, but I feel so uncertain of my future. I work at a job that makes me feel useless and very bored. I am a teacher, or at least I feel like that's what God has always called me to, but all those doors were shut, and God seems to be keeping them shut for now. From my first thoughts I've always felt that God had a big purpose for me, I have no idea what that is, but I believe He wants to use me to do something, so I am grateful for the training. I am grateful that I never have enough money, but that God ALWAYS provides; I am grateful I actually have a job, and I'm grateful I have the one God wants me to have...I will try to learn the lessons from this job He has for me. And I am so grateful that God sent me a trainer whom I call my husband - a man whose faith rarely waivers and a man who helps me see the forest and not just the trees.

God is teaching me that following Him is enough...it is enough.

life's little ironies

2009-03-23T08:34:00.003-04:00

Jonathan and I lead a small group at our house every Thursday evening. Besides all the other blessings we receive from this; it also requires me to clean my house at least once a week :) That sounds bad...I clean my house. I guess what I mean is that - when I know people are coming over, I look at my living space with a different eye, and that's helpful. Anyway, my very sweet husband decided to help me out and do the "before small group" cleaning a couple Thursdays ago. I gave him some ideas on what needed to be done...dishes, vaccuming with smell-good stuff, general arranging and putting away of things. Unfortunately I forgot to mention the bathroom. We are not fortunate enough to have two bathrooms, so that one can always be kept in tip-top shape, with nice lotion and hand towels. Nope, just one, so it has all our stuff strewn about, and we are prolific strewners (wow, positive that is NOT a word). Nightgown, hairdyer, make-up, little toothpaste remenant in the sink, maybe a few wiskers from Jonathan's last shave...yeah, bathroom stuff. So, anyway, I usually do a quick once over in the bathroom before people come, and add nice little touches like a candle and nicely folded hand towels, and above all, I close the shower curtain! We have a very cute shower curtain, and we have one of those old tubs that never looks clean no matter how often we scrub it; and while I can learn to ignore it, the thought of someone else seeing it makes me feel unwell in my mind. (dingy bathtubs make me think of scary roach-motels) So, the first few weeks of our group I was very confident in my bathroom...almost wishing people would need to go, serving lots of juice and water; no one ever did....I mean NEVER. I'm sure you can see what's coming. Jonathan did not think about the bathroom, and I did not think to check when I came home from work, guess how many people went to the bathroom that night! JUST GUESS! Every person, every single one!!! Can you believe it?!?!? And it was timed so that I couldn't go in between to check it out, so my mind was racing..."oh dear....what did I leave out? please have at least put your undies away, did I take the garbage out recently, gasp.....the shower curtain!" After everyone had left...bladders ALL empty, I walked grimly into the bathroom; the shower curtain was wide open. Sigh. As you can imagine I redoubled my efforts for the following week, and miraculously not a single person has gone since. You've just gotta love it :)

The Perfect Day

2009-03-18T08:53:00.003-04:00

This is spring break at the university, but alas, Jonathan and I still had to work. So we decided to take a one day spring break. It was glorious and I would like to share it with you.

We woke up late, actually that's kind-of a lie. Jonathan got up at like 7 I think to start making some oven-dried tomatoes. I woke up then too, but forced myself to lay in the bed till 9 :)

Then we made pancakes and watched a pilot for a new show called Kings. Heard of it? It's really cool; it's the story of David in modern times. Very clever; the producers really did their homework.

Then we went to play tennis...and while we've done this a few times already this week...gradually becoming better and better....it's like we reverted to beginners, we were aweful. There were some old people in the court beside us (probably 70's) who were kicking our butts :) But it was fun.

Then we came home and took a shower and got our picnic ready. We had delicious sandwiches on Jonathan's homemade honey-oat bread (oh so yummy) with his fantastic sundried
tom-ah-toes...it was glorious!

We went to the beach for our picnic, with our books for reading. It was quite windy and cool at the actual beach (and I had decided to be daring and wear shorts in the 60 degree weather :), but Jonathan and I aren't big beach people anyway, so instead we enjoyed ourselves at a beautiful little park close to the beach. We layed on a blanket in the soft spring sun (have you ever noticed that the sun feels soft in the spring?) had our picnic, took a nap, read our books (I finished my Bill Bryson Notes from a Small Island...hilarious.

Then we went to the public library, got some more books, and went home to plan our garden.

Absolutely wonderful.

IT IS FINISHED

2009-03-16T08:14:00.005-04:00

I finally read through the entire Bible...finished on Friday night. I had started this project a few times but never quite got through all the minor prophets. And now that it's over, what can I say? At times while I was slogging through some of those prophets...let me just name Zachariah for one....(what in the world was he talking about?!!?)...occasionally gems of beauty and insight would leap out of the page, but those moments were rather few and far between. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, reading the Bible is important but clicking off the chapters until you're finished is not. Some of those books are not meant to just be read but to be studied. So what have I learned? When reading the Bible, speed is not important, comprehension is. I'm sure all of you have just fallen to the floor, blown away by that insightful, pertinent and not-at-all obvious statement. Call me Captain Obvious, and read your Bible; read it slowly, look up the things you don't understand, and ask God to show himself to you through it's words. I will try to follow my own advise.

My Korean Wedding

2009-03-12T10:25:00.018-04:00

I went home after my post yesterday and found my Korean pictures. So, your in for a treat friends! First, let me tell you the story. Jonathan and I thought our friends and co-workers were throwing us a regular engagement party...you know, pizza...jeans. Nope! They gave us a wedding, and truth be told some of it was nicer than our actually wedding! I came in and they put me in a Korean wedding dress (I looked very much like a pink cupcake, but they all LOVED it; kept saying I looked like a princess) and gave me a bouquet and pushed me down the aisle! It was really so very touching. Someone sang for us, one lady wrote us a poem, she then made us recite to each other (vows), then the teachers and students took turns giving little speeches about how they met us and how much they loved us, and then the pastor gave a little (well, actually it was pretty long) sermon and then we went to eat the delicious reception food! It was amazing. Enjoy the pics.

All those are real flowers, beautiful.

Yep, The cupcake and the handsome prince.

The Pastors The Teachers (can you spot the one friend who thought she was just going to an engagement party and not a wedding ;)

...and these are the lovely ladies who decorated.

Sorry, just a few more :)

My beautiful Sophia (and her now husband!) and my handsome Gil.

...And yes, that is a different dress ( I had to change for the reception...of course!)

All I can say is, I am a blessed woman.

Bogoshipboyo

2009-03-10T10:42:00.015-04:00

...which means, "I miss you" in Korean. I miss Korea. I miss my Korean friends...sometimes I miss them so much my heart feels like it's being squeezed by some large invisible hand. I lived and worked and ministered in Seoul for about a year and a half. There I met my husband and got engaged. They threw me an "engagement party," which was really a wedding! (I'll rustle up some pics and blog about it). It was just unbelievable how much time and effort they put into it. *sigh* I often wonder why God has given me so many people in my life who love me...I certainly do not deserve it, but I am so grateful for them. I just want to introduce you to a couple of the beautiful people I left in Korea.

Sophia & Gil

wonderful, quirky, enormously loving people.

Sophia adopted me as her sister, and Gil is like the coolest brother ever. They were both my students at first. Sophia was so different from the other girls I met there. She is a complete individual, very independent and so brave. She has a confident calm about her; I think she could do anything she decided to do. She is beautiful, and I believe she knows she's beautiful, and I always found that refreshing. She and I did Bible studies together for several months...she had such an honest approach to the Bible, looking at it with fresh eyes. I will never forget the day she was baptised - we both cried and laughed and cried and laughed....and then I won't forget the day I said good-bye, and then we just cried. Gil actually came with Jonathan and me to the airport when we left Korea. He was so strong; he had a peace about us leaving, he knew he would see us again even if it wasn't till Heaven. I remember first meeting Gil; he absolutely overflows with fun. He's always making goofy faces (with his mouth wide open, as you can see). He would come to our schools weekend programs (all designed to help students with English and teach them about God), and to be honest, none of us ever thought he would be the least bit interested in Christianity...

...all I can say is that it's a good thing God judges the heart and not me. It was after his baptism that I really got to know Gil, and I realized how sweet and thoughtful he was. Gil has become one of the most faithful people I know, and he continues to inspire me.

So, I miss them....I miss them a lot. It hurts my heart to think I might not see them again on this earth, but if fills me with unspeakable joy to know I will see them again, and then I will never say good-bye.

Jodi's Commentary

2009-03-05T16:20:00.007-05:00

I was excited to see all the comments on my storytime. I'm glad you all liked it, or at least had some kind of strong opinion about it. As some of you curious cats already know, (uh-hum, Harmony and Todd) this is a Medeival lais, written by Marie de France in the late 12th century. As most of you know, I am taking a medieval romance class for my Master's. First of all, I love her lais; she has 12 of them. They are all different, but all have similar themes, but I love that she is able to put a very distinct feeling behind all of them. Anyway....

When I read Eliduc I reacted the same way, and I brought my outrage with me to class and promptly declared I was not impressed with the way Guildeluec just let him off the hook. Everyone else agreed, if not quite as vehemently as me. I mean, come on, why would a beautiful, intelligent, God-fearing woman just....step aside! Give her blessing to the happy couple! But after my indignation subsided I had a thought....what was the alternative? What would I have rather she done? Yelled? Made a scene? Slapped him in the face and shouted "I wasted the best years of my life on you!"? Would I have felt better if she had fainted, (a very popular pastime for many women, trust me), wept tears of profound anguish and eventually died, either by her own hands or through pure grief? Should she have calmly told him he could not see his lover again and that she would forgive him this one time? Do we really think this cheater-face liar would have let it go at that? No, she would have just lived as a wife whose husband clearly no longer loves her and who prefers the younger model. None of these options leave us with the VINDICATED woman we wish to see. BUT, her choice does leave us with an independant woman with quite a lot of power. First of all, I believe she took control of the situation - she planned it all; she was in power. She looked at all the options and decided she didn't like any of them, so she created her own.
At that time women had little power in the home, but they had considerable power in the abbey. By requesting that her husband build her her own abbey, of which she would be the abbess, she was setting up her own little kingdom, of which she would have complete power over her decisions and the decisions of others. Not to mention that the Man she now served would never treat her in such a way.

So, in the end, I am reconciled to her decision.

There is much more to say, but perhaps it is best to leave it at that. Thanks again for tuning in for Jodi's Story-time :)

Eliduc continued...

2009-03-04T10:40:00.006-05:00

....so, our knight bends down to check on the princess....she appears to be dead, and Eliduc weeps in a torrent of anguish. When they finally reach land, Eliduc takes her to a hermitage, but finds that the holy man has died, so he simply lays Guilliadon in the chapel, planning to come back to bury her after he has erected an appropriate tomb. Every day he sneaks away from his wife to visit Guilliadon at the chapel and weep over her, strangely not decaying, body. Meanwhile, Eliduc's wife is wondering what's up with her husband; he's always so sad...really sorrowful. So one day she sends a servant to follow him and then to let her know where he's going. The servant tells her and then leads her to the hermitage, where, what should she find but a beautiful, unconcious Guilliadon. Guideleuc immediately realizes this must be her husbands lover. Strangly, she is filled with pity for this beautiful woman who died before her time and she grieves for her. Then all of a sudden two weasels appear and one weasel runs over the fair maid's body, and the servant kills it. The weasel's mate then runs out and comes back with a beautiful red flower in its mouth and places it in the mouth of his mate. The she-weasel wakes up immediately and they start to run off together. Guideleuc says, "quickly man! stop that weasel!" So he stops the weasel and retrieves the flower, which is promptly placed in Guilliadon's mouth, and - you guessed it - she wakes up. The fair maid sees Guideleuc and tells her the whole story of a worthless knight whom she loved, but who abandoned her after she discovered he was actually married. The noble wife then explains that she is that knight's wife and that he has been coming to mourn there every day. She takes the beautiful princess to her husband, and upon seeing his joy, she decides not to stand in their way. She asks her husband to build an abbey, of which, she will be the abbess. And so it is, Guideleuc becomes the abbess of her own abbey, Eliduc marries his love, and they live happily for many years. They do many good deeds, and eventually they decide they want to devote their lives to God, so Guilliadon goes to live with Guideleuc in the Abbey and Eliduc joins a monastary.

The End

Now, I really would like to make some comments here, but I will refrain till I hear what you think of the tale. :)

giving back

2009-03-03T08:48:00.013-05:00

I didn't realize how long it had been since I blogged last...I've just been enjoying everyone else's posts...it's really one of my favorite things to do in a day, to look at my dashboard and see what's new. And as I'm sitting here I still can only think about...Heather's office kitties, Desi's dreams, Ari dancing, Elizabeth coming to visit, Benjamin's morning words, Lindsey's pregnancy discomfort but beautiful spirit, Todd's chickies and a new way to make chili.

I realize, of course, it is a bit selfish to just fill myself with your news and thoughts and give nothing back, but the only things happening right now are medical things which, even if it were interesting to you, I don't think I would enjoy writing about it so much. So I will just offer this instead:

-Eliduc-

Eliduc was a knight who lived in Brittany with his faithful and intelligent wife, Guildeluec. Some other knights were jealous of Eliduc so they slandered him to the king, who promptly sent him away. Eliduc leaves his wife in charge of his lands, promises to be faithful to her, and sets off. He find a king in need of a brave knight to protect his kingdom, and Eliduc is the man for the job. It isn't long before the king's beautiful, young daughter, Guilliadon (yes, confusing I know) notices this capable and handsome knight and promptly falls in love with him - complete with sighs, fainting, and near-insanity. He is torn for a short while between loyalty to his wife and "love" of the princess , but in the end her long blonde hair, rose-red lips, and milky white skin are too much to resist and he gives his heart to Guilliadon. After only a short while with his new love Eliduc has to return to his country because his former king needs him. Guilliadon begs him to take her with him (as she knows nothing of a wife) but he convinces her to wait for him and he will return for her. Eliduc goes home to serve the first king, and his wife knows somethings up, but before she can figure out what - he leaves again with the intentions of running off with Guilliadon. While on the ship with his new lady-love there is a dangerous tempest. One of the soldiers blames Eliduc and tells him the storm is his fault because he is cheating on his dear, loyal wife (sound fishy, ha ha ha I crack myself up). Guilliadon overhears and falls to the deck, and Eliduc, in a rage, throws the perceptive sailor overboard ...

...to be continued

What adventures await our knight, Eliduc? Is the princess dead or merely taking a quick snooze? Will the loyal Guildeluec find out about the beautiful maid? Tune in next time for the exciting conclusion.

booties

2009-02-26T12:53:00.007-05:00

I did something very uncharacteristic last night. There were dishes and laundry to wash, a bathroom to clean, carpet to be vaccumed, left-over unpacking from our trip down South, and a medieval romance to read for class today. I did none of it! Not a single thing. What did I do, I knitted a bootie. Yes "A" as in singular as in ONE bootie. I've been knitting now for an embarrasing amount of time with very little skill to show for it; I've not strayed from the ever-easy scarf. So, I decided I would knit some booties as my next step on the knitting ladder. I wanted to give them to a co-worker whose having a little boy soon. I picked out some beautiful dark blue yarn and found a pattern I was pretty sure I could handle. Well, it was a lovely little bootie but it was the size of a kittens paw...really tiny, I don't know what the person who made that pattern was thinking (because I followed it perfectly). ANYWAY, I found another pattern and decided to give it another go, and characteristically I would have stopped after about the first hour and the forth re-do, but I became absolutely obsessed and I finished it! It's a beautiful little bootie, despite the few obvious flaws. So, my co-workers baby shower was today, and I gave her the one bootie with a promise of another to come and she was very grateful :)

I am torn on how I feel about my actions. On one hand, I neglected chores and homework - causing not a little stress this morning. But, I finished it. It was something hard and I stuck through to the end, which (sorry to say) I rarely do...usually if I'm not pretty good at something in a rather short amount of time - I give up. So, HERE'S TO PERSEVERANCE AND DIRTY DISHES!

back again

2009-02-25T09:52:00.003-05:00

I just got back from Alabama and my sister's wedding, and I did not have a chance to even look at a computer much less post a blog. It was a whirlwind trip, and now I'm back and loving sleeping in my own bed again. All in all, it was a good trip...a bittersweet trip. My dear jeep did a great job once again, God has really blessed me with a reliable form of transportation. I got to hang-out with my peeps more than I expected to; I found out my Daddy reads my blog, hi daddy. I got to see my friend, Melanie; I got to run a rehearsal...which I must say, wasn't so bad - oh who am I kidding - I loved it! Why try to hide my freakish tendancies? I got several complements on how smoothly everything went, which of course filled my melancholy heart with joy :) I guess I don't really want to go into the bitter parts, so we'll just leave it with the sweet shall we?

Long Live the Queen!

2009-02-17T11:18:00.002-05:00

I've always thought I would be a good Queen. I don't know why, and I'm sure there are many people who would disagree with me, never-the-less, I would like the opportunity. And not a figure-head queen, a real one, with a scepter and a crown and authority. A Queen gets to make gut-feeling decisions based on intuition, she inspires confidence in her people by being calm and steadfast(I can do that), she is never second-guessed, and never accused of being cold or unfriendly - she's a queen for goodness sakes; she can't walk around high-fiving people! Moving on ... I wouldn't be a queen of whimsy though, none of this "off with their heads" business unless absolutely necessary. I am quite good at knowing when I have no idea what I'm doing and need help, I therefore tend to surround myself with very smart and creative people who can think in ways I cannot - a useful trait for a queen, is it not? There are other reasons I am qualified for the position, but I can't explain them, only feel them - and if I were a queen you would just accept that - WOULDN'T YOU? I thought so.

Acute Viral Rhinopharyngitis

2009-02-11T14:53:00.002-05:00

......also known as The Common Cold. Common symptoms are sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing and coughing, muscle aches, fatigue, malaise, headaches, muscle weakness, and loss of appetite. Yep, that's it.

Now about this "malaise." def. Malaise is a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness, an "out of sorts" feeling.

I really couldn't have described it better myself. At this very moment it's raining, well drizzling, outside. I would like nothing better than to walk out of my office, up the stairs (I'm in a basement/1st floor type place), out the doors, past the magnolia tree, and lay down on the sidewalk....just lay there in the rain, students walking all around, just lay there. Malaise.

Project Update

2009-02-09T11:31:00.004-05:00

I thought I'd update you guys on the girlish figure rescue. Well, so far so good I guess. I turned down peanut butter M&Ms...I believe that deserves some appaulse...they are my favorite. I've been eating a big breakfast, and measley vegetable lunch and fruit for supper - I'm pretty much always hungry :) But it's not too bad, and I've never before so looked foward to breakfast. So far, my will power is hanging in there, but there is always food available where I work, ALWAYS, and good food, like today its manicotti, yeah.

So, next I must concentrate on exercise. I have a pretty strong aversion to the gym; I've always pushed through but it's never been permenant because, well I just don't like it. So, I'm trying to find an inexpensive elliptical or treadmill for the apartment, so I can get in shape and still feed my hermit-tendencies :)

Valentine's Day

2009-02-05T10:12:00.007-05:00

I can recall a time in the past in which I celebrated Valentine's Day by wearing black, lots of eye-liner and generally being as unpleasant as possible to all those "in love" (eye-roll). But, true to the psyche of all women, now that I am in love (please, no eye rolling), I embrace the holiday. I enjoy seeing all the heart-shaped paraphenelia and all the reds and pinks. So, I thought I would share a little recipe with you, which I can't use this year becuase of for-mentioned goal. Oreo Truffles, yes that's right, Oreo Truffles. They are a woman's dream and nightmare all at the same time. The chocolatey goodness is almost overwelming. A wonderful cook at church gave me the recipe before I got married. I thought you might like to share them with the loves in your life. So here you go friends,

1 package oreos

1 package cream cheese, softened (yes, an entire package...and not one of those little 3 oz ones either)

your choice of chocolate for melting (I like Baker's semi-sweet)

Seperate 9 of the cookies from the pack. Crush the rest of the cookies in a food processor, or you can do the fun way...put them in a plastic bag and beat them with a rolling pin :). Then mix those crumbs with the package of cream cheese (with your hands, embrace the gooey-goodness). Then you form them into balls, you can make them as big of small as you want. Then you melt the chocolate and dip the balls in it. Place the balls on some wax paper. Crush the 9 oreos and sprinkle them over the truffles. Then refrigerate them for a while and then try to eat just one, or maybe two.

Project Girlish Figure Rescue

2009-02-04T14:27:00.004-05:00

As I've mentioned before, I love being married. Unfortunately, being married has not been good for my waistline. I would much rather snuggle than work-out, and if I can snuggle with some tasty food my husband cooks so well...even better. I've decided it must end here! I've gained 10 pounds since I got married...10 pounds!!! That's not easy to loose, but I shall! God help me.

I will keep you updated on my progress.

Superbowl

2009-02-02T14:35:00.005-05:00

I went to a superbowl party last night, and it was really fun! I've been to superbowl parties before...ate too much junk food and suffered through the bordom, but this time I actually watched the game. I made my husband explain it to me....non-American though he be, he did a great job. I understood what was going on, and it was really exciting (and I got a lot of knitting done). Apparently it was an exciting game...not all are. I love close-up shots of the players...I like speculating on their personalities. My favorite player of last night was Larry Fitzgerald, the wide receiver for the Cardinals (hear my football vocabulary, oh yeah). He has kind eyes and an intelligent face and an amazing athletic body. I felt so sorry for him when they lost right at the last minute.

So, I'm not going so far as to say I like football, but I would not be adverse to watching an occasional game. Of course I would decide this now that the season's over :)

Mama/Mom/Mommy/Mother

2009-01-29T09:08:00.003-05:00

I really want a child...my own child. It's a new feeling and quite strong and completely impractical. My husband and I are both students...we have just enough money to feed ourselves...we live in a small one-bedroom apartment. These are just the temporal and situational considerations, now lets take a look at me. I like to be able to go where I want - when I want, I don't like to carry around a lot of things (i.e. strollers, diaper bags, etc.), I get more than a little irritated when I can't sleep through the night, I don't do well with sick things, I enjoy long periods of absolute silence, I feel entitled to lazy Sunday mornings, I complain about housework and there are only two of us to clean-up after. And yet......I really want a new little person in the world, my child.

New Roomie

2009-01-27T09:58:00.003-05:00

This morning when my hubby and I woke up he tells me he saw a mouse earlier in the morning...in the corner of the kitchen. First of all you must understand my husbands, well lets not say "fear", let's say "discomfort" with mice. He grew up in London, so maybe it's distant subconcious memories of the plague...I don't know. You've never seen a funnier sight than to see my husband even think he hears a mouse....I can see the "discomfort" sweep over his face. To his credit, he takes full responsibility for getting rid of any strange creatures in the house, despite his discomfort :) Anyway, so we get up and I hear his tense voice say "it's still there, do you think it's sick or ....gulp dead?" So I come over to take a look...non too comforted myself, and as I look closer I realize it is a popped balloon (left overs from his b'day)...I smile sweetly at him, tell him it's a balloon and go about my business. Next think I know he has the swiffer out and it trying to poke it with the handle.....he then exclaims frustrated, "that's a mouse!" I go over and reach down to pick up the BALLOON and he grabs me back heroically. By this time I'm laughing pretty hard, so I grab the end of the swiffer to show him and he grabs that from me to...so eventually, me laughing...him scolding we, together, sweep the PURPLE POPPED BALLOON into the middle of the kitchen. whew, it was great fun.

But, we do actually have a mouse in our apartment. I've heard it and Jonathan did actually see it running one night. I have no idea how it got in, we are on the second floor, but never-the-less it is there. At first Jonathan said we would get a humane trap and then drive it off at least 10 miles and dump it out....so it would not find its way back of course. :) Well, now he wants me to look up on the internet how mice survive in the winter becuase he's worried about it. He thinks maybe this is its first winter and it doesn't now how to find food and so it found our house where it stays nice and warm. He is haunted by the idea that this poor little mouse will freeze out in the snow. He even suggested we leave some food out for it! Oh, my husband is so sweet. So, if anyone knows anything about the habits of little mice in the winter...feel free to let me know so I can set his mind at ease, and still get the mouse out of my apartment :)

My Best Friend

2009-01-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

Do you remember writing assignments from elementary school? Before my time they were called "Themes". The first one of the year was the never-failing, "What I did on my summer vacation." One of my favorites was....write about your best friend. Unfortunately I didn't meet my best friend until after these assignments were no longer given, so I never got a chance to write about my best friend, so I figure.....What else are blogs for if not to give an outlet to my every whim? Without further ado...I give you,

My Best Friend

My best friend has brown hair that curls into perfectly poetics twists that are lovely to behold. Her eyes change colors, very cool, sometimes light brown sometimes green. She smells like fabric softner...the expensive kind. She is incredibly short, but doesn't like for me to mention it:) We met 14 years ago on a school bus. She likes to talk and I like to listen to her...I love to listen to her tell me about movies she's seen; I find it more satisfing than watching the movie. She makes me laugh a lot, and sometimes I make her laugh which makes me feel like I've won an award. She lets me do whatever I want...no questions asked. She trusts me. She creates beautiful, interesting things....with both her words and her hands. She loves. She loves animals, books, ideas, flip-flops, water, and mostly people. She cries when I cry. God sent her to me and without her I would....not be me.

The End

Married Goodness

2009-01-22T11:51:00.000-05:00

I enjoy being married. Really enjoy it. My very favorite part of the whole day is laying down at night with my husband and intertwinning our arms and legs and talking, and then sleeping. This moment of everyday has become my talisman.... if I ever start feeling antagonistic towards him and feel an arguement coming on...I just think of those few minutes before sleep and decide nothing is worth possibly interrupting them.

And we talk all the time...I mean constantly talk....talking, talking, talking. Well, he's usually talking and I'm listening, but I love listening and not so much talking so it works out perfectly.

Tuesday was our 6 month wedding anniversary. We ate sandwiches and chili, watched Mary Tyler Moore and went to sleep at 9:00 (don't judge, it was an extremely long day). We still don't have routines, it seems like everyday we take a different route, except for at night when we crawl in the bed...snuggling and talking.....marriage is good.

ECHO

2009-01-21T12:22:00.000-05:00

hello.

I feel like, if I type in really large font I could maybe hear an echo.

HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO

Yeah, now that I've tested that theory...let's talk about linguistics. Did you know that originally all the letters in "knight" were pronounced k-n-i-g-h-t, it's marvellous!! Don't you think? I am taking a graduate class called Medieval Romance, and yesterday was a great class...I was throwing out opinions, asking poinant questions and generally discussing like nobodies buisness. It was a scholarly show of prowess I'm telling you. ahhhhhh, education is good.

I'm a terrible geek. Yesterday I meet with a freshman I know who is on academic probation, so she needs some help getting organized...organized I can do, so we met and I helped her fill in a calander with due dates. Almost every class syllabus we looked at made me exclaim, "I wish I were taking this class!" My dear husband found me ridiculous, he likes to learn too, he is actually one of those amazing thinkers who can learn just by breathing. But GIVE ME A CLASSROOM...with a teacher who lectures.... and notebooks....and pens...and homework.....o.k. I'm fine now. Good day everyone.