You are most like Arwen. Calm and reserved, you are not given to sudden outbursts. You conduct yourself with dignity...most of the time. The rest of the time you cut loose and are totally cool. You don't really think of yourself as popular, but plenty of people like you. You are not given to needless flirting. The right person will come along some day, and you are content to wait.
Hmm... interesting. :)
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Poquito Mas (and almost there)
I am ready to be done.
No more assignments like this:
That last sentence kills me! I cringe every time I read it. Bad grammar really grates on me... as does poor sentence construction. Oh, and poorly chosen words in general.
Words were meant to be wielded masterfully! They thrive, the reader benefits, and the author succeeds at communicating!! I'm a little jealous of the perfectly-selected word or phrase, actually: to be absolutely apropos, fitting the context just-so, finding a meaningful purpose in being useful... now that's an accomplishment.
And I'm a pride-filled overachiever who just ranted a little bit.
No more assignments like this:
You would need to look back the case assignments first to see what was the component of each case for your portfolio and ask yourself, does this material reflect who I am as a teacher or career leader and appropriately present my position in the field? Did you learn anything about yourself when you were working your portfolio? Connect this experience to the question, how the learning outcome in the program contributes to your professional goals.
That last sentence kills me! I cringe every time I read it. Bad grammar really grates on me... as does poor sentence construction. Oh, and poorly chosen words in general.
Words were meant to be wielded masterfully! They thrive, the reader benefits, and the author succeeds at communicating!! I'm a little jealous of the perfectly-selected word or phrase, actually: to be absolutely apropos, fitting the context just-so, finding a meaningful purpose in being useful... now that's an accomplishment.
And I'm a pride-filled overachiever who just ranted a little bit.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Autobio
One of my recent assignments entailed writing an autobiography. The prof provided examples by Abraham Lincoln and Sir Arthur Lewis to stimulate our thinking. I hope it's not narcissistic of me to presume the story is actually interesting; I've decided to post it just for fun. Enjoy, and be encouraged. :)
I was born on October 11, 19xx at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. At the time, my father was an active-duty officer in the United States Air Force. Both my parents are children of military members—my paternal grandparents were an Air Force officer and an Army nurse, respectively, while my maternal grandfather served in the Air Force. Being part of families that have served our country has shaped my parents into who they are today, and it has influenced their personal character as well as their parenting. This impact has flowed down to me. Because of this background of military service, I have inherited a strong sense of honor, a thankful spirit toward the privileges we enjoy in America, and a desire to contribute to the well-being of others.
In their child-rearing, my parents followed in the strong Christian heritage established by their predecessors: my great-grandparents were missionaries to China, and my great-uncle was a missionary in the Philippines, while my grandmother prays by name for each of her siblings, children, and grandchildren on a daily basis, often beginning each day with a reading from the “Daily Light” Bible devotional. While they were not perfect, for no one is, my parents strove to instill in their children a sense of right and wrong, as well as a love for God and others. They displayed a committed partnership in their marriage and invested themselves in my life by spending time with me, encouraging me in my pursuits, and correcting me for my own good.
A strong educational foundation was established while I attended a Christian school for the elementary portion of my education. Here I was taught values as well as academic subjects, which supplemented the training my parents provided at home. When I was in the sixth grade, my teacher assigned an essay project for our school-wide “Famous Americans Day” celebration. My school designated a special day annually for students to dress up as famous historical figures and present projects they had completed, addressing some facet of American history. My essay was selected as the top entry in my grade, and I was asked to read it at the concluding assembly at which all grades would gather to display their best projects. This experience was the first step in realizing I enjoyed public speaking. Perhaps I did not enjoy it at that point, for I remember feeling very nervous, but it provided exposure in an area I would later come to enjoy, and in which I would gain significant experience.
When my family transitioned to home schooling in 1997, I developed self-discipline. This was invaluable preparation for my future learning at college, which I completed in three years, followed by graduate school as I pursued a graduate degree in Education. Throughout my life, I have discovered that each step serves as preparation for something in the future, whether I can anticipate it or not. I may not know which skills will come in handy, or which experiences will provide confidence for a later endeavor, but I can know that each step builds on the next. I will complete my graduate degree soon, and have been able to persevere in part because I had already begun to learn self-motivation as a high school student.
In a sense, I am following in my grandparents’ footsteps by pursuing a civilian career with the US Air Force. I find great satisfaction in contributing to a worthy mission, supporting active-duty members in their front-line responsibilities. The Air Force’s three core values—Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do— also correspond with my own personal core values. While the future is hard to predict, I am confident that the training I have received will enable me to continue to learn, contribute, and serve.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
“What a great Savior!”
Not… “What a great band!”
Amen. As someone who’s participated in leading a church through singing, many times, I loved this clip. So often I’ve searched mentally for a way to describe what we do, and why. I know it’s an important aspect of Sunday morning, but what exactly are we trying to accomplish? Are we simply following the status quo tradition of our denomination in the structure of our services? Sing five songs. Stand up, sit down. Greet the people around you. Sit down. Listen to the message. Pass the offering buckets. Sing one more song. Does the singing and playing at the beginning serve a purpose? Does it matter?
In this clip, Mr. Bob Kauflin articulately captures the essence of the task of the “worship team”—or whatever the song/praise leaders are called at your particular church. It brought tears to my eyes, resonated with my heart, because he describes the supreme passion for magnifying Christ that should be our aim. A resounding “Yes!” sounded in me, responding to the higher view, the more glorious perspective. It’s not a performance or a jam session or a concert. It’s the act of humble hearts responding to God’s gift of grace through the powerful combination of words and music; it is sinners leading other sinners to delight in the Savior. It’s a privilege.
As a simple member of the Body of Christ, I want my mind and heart to be saturated with Gospel truth… not feelings or vague sentiments or annoying repetitions. As a supporting worship leader, I want to assist ‘the congregation’—my brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow heirs, co-laborers, mentors and friends—in their task of glorifying God by reminding them of the Cross, by proclaiming the glory of Christ, by speaking the truth and modeling joy and testifying to His wondrous, undeserved grace. That’s the point of having “the band” on Sunday mornings. That’s what I want to do and be. And that’s why it matters.
Amen. As someone who’s participated in leading a church through singing, many times, I loved this clip. So often I’ve searched mentally for a way to describe what we do, and why. I know it’s an important aspect of Sunday morning, but what exactly are we trying to accomplish? Are we simply following the status quo tradition of our denomination in the structure of our services? Sing five songs. Stand up, sit down. Greet the people around you. Sit down. Listen to the message. Pass the offering buckets. Sing one more song. Does the singing and playing at the beginning serve a purpose? Does it matter?
In this clip, Mr. Bob Kauflin articulately captures the essence of the task of the “worship team”—or whatever the song/praise leaders are called at your particular church. It brought tears to my eyes, resonated with my heart, because he describes the supreme passion for magnifying Christ that should be our aim. A resounding “Yes!” sounded in me, responding to the higher view, the more glorious perspective. It’s not a performance or a jam session or a concert. It’s the act of humble hearts responding to God’s gift of grace through the powerful combination of words and music; it is sinners leading other sinners to delight in the Savior. It’s a privilege.
As a simple member of the Body of Christ, I want my mind and heart to be saturated with Gospel truth… not feelings or vague sentiments or annoying repetitions. As a supporting worship leader, I want to assist ‘the congregation’—my brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow heirs, co-laborers, mentors and friends—in their task of glorifying God by reminding them of the Cross, by proclaiming the glory of Christ, by speaking the truth and modeling joy and testifying to His wondrous, undeserved grace. That’s the point of having “the band” on Sunday mornings. That’s what I want to do and be. And that’s why it matters.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
It's a close race... and I don't mean the presidential election
Well, "Challies Dot Com" and "Desiring God blog" are tied on my Google reader for number of unread posts (47 each). It's hard to keep up, and I literally don't, because there is simply too much content out there to read it all. But I find diverse sources helpful, and I figure God can sovereignly guide which entries I actually read. I usually skim. :) At any rate, Reader is a handy way to contain the blogs on one's 'regular reading' list.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Ill News/ Tri Ride
Ill news is an ill guest...
I haven’t exercised for a week due to a cold, which has caused me to adjust my expectations for the triathlon (coming up on April 26). Maybe I’ll just choose to have fun doing it no matter how long it takes, rather than obsessively seek to obliterate my time from last year. What am I trying to prove, or to whom? I may not be any faster (shocking!). I may in fact be slower (the horror!). My goal has never been to become a professional athlete. I have too much lung scar tissue, and too many other priorities, for that to happen. But it’s a worthwhile endeavor to push yourself, condition your body. It’s neat to see your endurance increase, to see the miles (or minutes) pass more easily. But if it gets to the point of obsession, I have to wonder, why? Why am I so bent on doing this? What’s motivating me? The answer to that reveals my heart’s condition.
Tri Ride
So much for my illustrious biking career. I must say I learned much from the morning’s experiences (attempted ride, 29 March). I learned…
--being prepared is always a good idea. Beforehand, I wondered if I should choose NOT to go because I wasn’t able to pump up my tires, or if that was just a fear-based excuse to not go. Well, since I got a flat around a half-mile from home, which successfully nixed the ride, I discovered it’s wise, not pessimistic, to start out with the best possible circumstances.
--having a plan is a good idea. Because I hadn’t thought about which shoe to disconnect from my pedal clips when I needed to stop, my moment of indecision cost me in the currency of a scraped elbow and slightly-bruised pride. At the first stoplight just around the corner from my driveway, I wavered mentally-- right foot? Or left? Gaaaaah! -- and promptly lost enough speed for gravity to claim the right side of me. The guy in the red Mustang next to me hopped out exceedingly fast with an incredulous, “are you okay?!” Thankfully, I was okay. And I wasn’t as mortified as I could have been. I’d been told, after all, You will fall. Having shoes attached to your pedals takes some getting used to.
--along with being prepared and having a plan… knowing how to change a flat and having the appropriate tools to do so would also be a good idea. ‘Nuff said.
Thankfully, God is patient with us, despite our foolish pride and stubborn rebellion! I can't get over that.
I hope to learn from every experience, every decision. When I make a wise decision, I want to ask, ok, how can I replicate that? When I make a poor decision, I want to evaluate, what caused that, what led to it, and how can I do better next time? Rather than bury a mistake to minimize the awkward feeling of embarrassment, I want to throw wide the windows and let in as much light as possible to examine the choice as closely as possible, in order to learn as much as possible. Am I keeping eternity in view, or am I allowing the moment to consume my perspective? I have to ask, after listening to John Piper at the regional Desiring God conference (what a blessing!):
Good questions to consider.
I haven’t exercised for a week due to a cold, which has caused me to adjust my expectations for the triathlon (coming up on April 26). Maybe I’ll just choose to have fun doing it no matter how long it takes, rather than obsessively seek to obliterate my time from last year. What am I trying to prove, or to whom? I may not be any faster (shocking!). I may in fact be slower (the horror!). My goal has never been to become a professional athlete. I have too much lung scar tissue, and too many other priorities, for that to happen. But it’s a worthwhile endeavor to push yourself, condition your body. It’s neat to see your endurance increase, to see the miles (or minutes) pass more easily. But if it gets to the point of obsession, I have to wonder, why? Why am I so bent on doing this? What’s motivating me? The answer to that reveals my heart’s condition.
Tri Ride
So much for my illustrious biking career. I must say I learned much from the morning’s experiences (attempted ride, 29 March). I learned…
--being prepared is always a good idea. Beforehand, I wondered if I should choose NOT to go because I wasn’t able to pump up my tires, or if that was just a fear-based excuse to not go. Well, since I got a flat around a half-mile from home, which successfully nixed the ride, I discovered it’s wise, not pessimistic, to start out with the best possible circumstances.
--having a plan is a good idea. Because I hadn’t thought about which shoe to disconnect from my pedal clips when I needed to stop, my moment of indecision cost me in the currency of a scraped elbow and slightly-bruised pride. At the first stoplight just around the corner from my driveway, I wavered mentally-- right foot? Or left? Gaaaaah! -- and promptly lost enough speed for gravity to claim the right side of me. The guy in the red Mustang next to me hopped out exceedingly fast with an incredulous, “are you okay?!” Thankfully, I was okay. And I wasn’t as mortified as I could have been. I’d been told, after all, You will fall. Having shoes attached to your pedals takes some getting used to.
--along with being prepared and having a plan… knowing how to change a flat and having the appropriate tools to do so would also be a good idea. ‘Nuff said.
Thankfully, God is patient with us, despite our foolish pride and stubborn rebellion! I can't get over that.
I hope to learn from every experience, every decision. When I make a wise decision, I want to ask, ok, how can I replicate that? When I make a poor decision, I want to evaluate, what caused that, what led to it, and how can I do better next time? Rather than bury a mistake to minimize the awkward feeling of embarrassment, I want to throw wide the windows and let in as much light as possible to examine the choice as closely as possible, in order to learn as much as possible. Am I keeping eternity in view, or am I allowing the moment to consume my perspective? I have to ask, after listening to John Piper at the regional Desiring God conference (what a blessing!):
Do I so live that people could infer from my life that Jesus is more valuable than anything else? Am I so radically "happy in God" that letting go of the happiest experiences on Earth would be gain?
Good questions to consider.
Friday, March 28, 2008
TriClub Ride - 29 March
Well, I've stepped out to try something new: I've joined the Vandenberg TriClub, for swim-bike-run masochists, um, enthusiasts. Yes. I'm more of a run-run-run person, but it will be good to meet people, develop some connections, explore new territory (literally!), stretch prior boundaries past the unknown. I think I've probably biked 20 miles in one "sitting" (ha) before, but tomorrow's group ride route (below, isn't that special) is a mere 35 miles... "and we can always add more miles at the end," in case some people haven't punished themselves enough for one day. I'm a little apprehensive (and sardonic, can you tell?), but know I can do it-- I just might be really tired and sore the next few days. If you couldn't tell (all 3 dear readers), I'm at the stage of envisioning a massive gulf between a rabid, elitist, calorie-burning pro athlete... and me. See, I like to have fun when I'm doing stuff, and while I can be quite competitive, I wouldn't want to sacrifice happiness on the altar of speeding along for speed's sake. But I may be presuming. I haven't met any of these people yet-- all I'm going on is a stereotype of the temperament some athletes have. One way to find out!
I can already see several benefits to this endeavor (not just biking, but joining a group):
1) It reveals my grotesque pride (e.g. I've been worrying if they will think my sunglasses are cool?!? How shallow and ungodly. How will I measure up against others, as far as athleticism or stamina? Will they like me? Will they think I am tough, or a poser with no right to run with that crowd?) Putting myself in this situation is a great opportunity to forsake pride and choose humility, to find my calm in God and His unfathomable love, not some perceived level of personal prowess in which I can be secure.
It's a perfect opportunity to eradicate that closely-clinging sin so I might run with endurance... and be that much closer to conforming to the Son's image.
2) It loosens the grip my fear of risks has on me, and helps me grow as I discover you can take (reasonable) risks without dying. Only on the other side of stepping out do we discover the feats God can help us accomplish. Comfort does not lead to greatness.
3) It gives me another "sphere" which can be a mission field. I want to cultivate relationships and seek opportunities for Jesus to shine through me. What better way than spending time with people?
4) I can be a friend to someone who might need one. It's a great opportunity to reach out, share love, and give without expectation of receiving.
5) It holds parallels for spiritual training-- an author illustrated life as a race (Heb 12), and Paul commonly noted the value of physical and spiritual training.
And again,
Finally, a passage that's become very real to me recently:
Running is good. It's hard, but it's valuable. More on that soon! It's bedtime now. :)
I can already see several benefits to this endeavor (not just biking, but joining a group):
1) It reveals my grotesque pride (e.g. I've been worrying if they will think my sunglasses are cool?!? How shallow and ungodly. How will I measure up against others, as far as athleticism or stamina? Will they like me? Will they think I am tough, or a poser with no right to run with that crowd?) Putting myself in this situation is a great opportunity to forsake pride and choose humility, to find my calm in God and His unfathomable love, not some perceived level of personal prowess in which I can be secure.
It's a perfect opportunity to eradicate that closely-clinging sin so I might run with endurance... and be that much closer to conforming to the Son's image.
2) It loosens the grip my fear of risks has on me, and helps me grow as I discover you can take (reasonable) risks without dying. Only on the other side of stepping out do we discover the feats God can help us accomplish. Comfort does not lead to greatness.
3) It gives me another "sphere" which can be a mission field. I want to cultivate relationships and seek opportunities for Jesus to shine through me. What better way than spending time with people?
4) I can be a friend to someone who might need one. It's a great opportunity to reach out, share love, and give without expectation of receiving.
5) It holds parallels for spiritual training-- an author illustrated life as a race (Heb 12), and Paul commonly noted the value of physical and spiritual training.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Cor. 9:24-27
And again,
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Gal 5:7
...as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Phil 2:16.
Finally, a passage that's become very real to me recently:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb. 12:1-3
Running is good. It's hard, but it's valuable. More on that soon! It's bedtime now. :)
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