January
I can't remember anything noteworthy that happened in the baby months of 2011. To be honest, for quite a while I thought the year was going to be a dud.
February
Ditto.
March
I turned 23, and it was my worst birthday yet. A friend was going to come up and visit, but she got sick and had to cancel last minute. My mom took me for coffee in Peoria Heights, but mostly I sat around moping at my lack of festivities.
April
My Grandpa McGarrah died in April. He was very old, but death always seems sudden. He was the first relative of mine to die in a long time. Roy came home for the funeral, and Easter was better with him home, but all in all....well, losing a grandpa is never fun.
May
Here things took a turn for the better.
The college group and I planned the 30 Hour Famine weekend with Wendy, and I had a blast. We built a shelter outdoors with only cardboard, tarp, and duct tape. Of course, it rained that night, and as guardian of the door, I remained under my rip in the tarp the whole time. As a result, the next day I was quite soggy, but exhilarated. Adventure!
June
As Youth Services Librarian, I ran my first Summer Reading Program, to great success, to me at least. I doubled the number of programs, had some fun entertainment, and loved chatting with people about what they were reading.
This is the month Laura was my librarian helper, and what I really loved about the SRP was sitting at a table with her for eight hours, talking about God and TV and college. She introduced me to the latest love of my life, the Doctor.
July
I went to Mongolia for three weeks! I discovered that Gany really and truly is my kindred spirit. I only got homesick once. I spent the night on stranger's floors, crushed bugs that had crawled up my pants leg, and went to the bathroom in squattie potties and open fields. I visited Byamba and Sarangoo, made friends with a Mongolian youth group, and lived with orphans for three days.
I decided that if God wanted me to work at an orphanage, He would have to make it abundantly clear, because my short experience was completely overwhelming. I fell in love with Usukhbayar and Amraa, and I felt comfortable in the city of Ulaanbaatar. I decided to return before I ever left.
August
I threw my favorite library party to date. A Harry Potter extravaganza, where people were sorted into Hogwarts houses, went to Hogwarts classes, and then watched the latest HP movie. I dressed up as Dumbledore, and I'm pretty sure I had more fun than any of the kids.
September
I WENT TO HARRY POTTER WORLD. A years-long dream of Stephanie's and mine made real! We took our friends Amanda and Laura, and the four of us stayed in a condo/hotel. For a weekend we partied in Universal, constantly returning to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where I felt like I'd stepped into the pages of one of my favorite stories. Everyone should get to experience that feeling.
This month was also very sad, because my beloved puppy Misty was put to sleep after having a third seizure. Unable to live without a pet, I quickly chose a kitten from the Pouillys, named him Rory, and I have been spoiling him ever since.
October
My darling friend Ashley Pashley was married! I bridesmaided for her, made some new friends, and had an almost complete Craig 3 reunion. I got very nostalgic, and ate up every moment that Ashley, Whitney, and I had together. Now they are both married women, and my brain still does not quite comprehend!
November
I visited Jennie and Dusty to celebrate Dusty's birthday. He is quite cool, because Union threw a party that weekend including fireworks and a hot air balloon! (Or maybe it was for Union's Homecoming.) I went up in the balloon, thus completing another event from my bucket list!
December
I went to Kansas City for two college friend's wedding, got to hang out with Stephanie one last time before her move, and generally adored dancing and hanging out with my Adventure Points college friends.
To finish out the year, and ring in the new, I went to Texas (a new state for me!) to visit Liz and have many adventures and good times! Time will tell if that was accomplished.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Detroit Airport
Sometimes I feel like memories are less images that I choose to call to mind, and more sentient emotions, gut punching me when I'm not looking.
I think I was aware that the Detroit Airport was a layover from Memphis to Istanbul on that life-changing Union mission trip three years ago. But when I descended an escalator to enter the tunnel from Concourse C to Concourse A, and that airy music hit my ears and I saw the psychedelic walls changing color...it was visceral. I vividly remembered riding on the moving walkways with Brandon Lokey, Stephanie, and Sarah. We took pictures and laughed and made first steps towards deep friendships.
After the tunnel I saw the fountain near which we all sat, waiting for the plane that would take us to Turkey. Those were the trees where Chris told Erin lots of birds lived. I remember thinking she was stupid for believing they were real, until it turned out they were. And of course, six months later she would be my roommate.
This airport is a big deal to me, apparently. My brain saved a lot of events that happened here. That's fitting, I suppose, considering what a huge deal that trip was for my social life and future plans.
I think I was aware that the Detroit Airport was a layover from Memphis to Istanbul on that life-changing Union mission trip three years ago. But when I descended an escalator to enter the tunnel from Concourse C to Concourse A, and that airy music hit my ears and I saw the psychedelic walls changing color...it was visceral. I vividly remembered riding on the moving walkways with Brandon Lokey, Stephanie, and Sarah. We took pictures and laughed and made first steps towards deep friendships.
After the tunnel I saw the fountain near which we all sat, waiting for the plane that would take us to Turkey. Those were the trees where Chris told Erin lots of birds lived. I remember thinking she was stupid for believing they were real, until it turned out they were. And of course, six months later she would be my roommate.
This airport is a big deal to me, apparently. My brain saved a lot of events that happened here. That's fitting, I suppose, considering what a huge deal that trip was for my social life and future plans.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Things I Love: Ff
Final Fantasy
When I was less than 10, my brother got Final Fantasy 7 for the computer. Every time he sat down to play it, I materialized next to him. Whether he liked it or not, my eyes were glued to the screen as Cloud took down the evil Shinra corporation, battled evil Sephiroth, and remembered flashes of his hidden past.
The day finally came when Roy finished the game. It was my turn. I gleefully learned how to control the game myself, and replayed the entire 50-hour game. Since then, I've bought and played FF8, FF9, FF10, FF10-2, FF12, and FF7: Crisis Core. Not to mention the fact that I've replayed most of the games at least once, with FF7 (my favorite, partly because of nostalgia, partly because of the "WHAT WHERE DID THAT REVEAL COME FROM!?" mind-blowing plot) clocking in at at least five replays.
A huge amount of my memory space is wound around these games. I remember Tifa telling Cloud that they didn't need to wake up yet, because the sun would keep rising regardless or something, and Roy and I giggled madly, determined to use that excuse to get out of school. Every time I hear "Walkin' On the Sun" I think of sitting at the computer with the radio on. I remember Roy coming home for break when he was in college and watching me play the newest Final Fantasy game. Mom came in to talk to us, and she got mad at me for not paying attention. Finally Roy snapped, "Mom, this is really important information, and she can't pause it!" I was so pleased.
I learned how to download music because I wanted the songs from the various FF games. I learned to play several of them on the piano. I found fanfiction because I couldn't handle the end of the games meaning the end of those characters. Two of the games made me cry.
I....really like these games, okay?
Fishbowl
Lindsay introduced me to this game. It's a mix of taboo and charades, and it is always hilarious! I love playing it at the Monahan's house with a big crowd of people shouting and laughing. I love playing it in Senegal, where I will always fondly remember Mallory miming giving birth on the floor of a guest house in Dakar, surrounded by missionary families watching in horror and confusion. She was trying to get them to guess "Bourne Identity."
Fruits Basket
My first anime love. During the one semester Carah lived with my Craig 3 sisters, she let me borrow them out of curiosity. After classes, I popped the first DVD in. Whitney walked by and laughed. Five minutes later she joined me on the couch. Then Josephine returned from lab and made fun of us. After hearing us laugh out loud several times, she perched on the couch arm. A few minutes later, she had slid onto a cushion.
The three of us spent the next two days devouring the rest of the series.
I love Fruits Basket because it is charmingly absurd. A family turns into animals from the zodiac when hugged by members of the opposite sex! So many jokes to be made. But instead of sticking to strict comedy, the show delves into the tragic side--What if your mother rejected you because you were a freak? What if you could never have physical contact with people for fear of transforming in front of them?
There are three episodes in particular that make me bawl like a baby. And then the rest have me cracking up. I love that a lot of Japanese television doesn't stick to one genre. All emotions are welcome!
Fandom
Loving something is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoy being a nerd and getting obsessively excited about TV shows or movies or books. But the really great thing is finding other people who are just as passionate as I am. Sometimes that happens in real life. I call those people my kindred spirits.
But when real life won't provide what I need, the interwebs come to the rescue! It is nice to know that somewhere in the world, someone loves Doctor Who or LotR or Harry Potter as much as me. And often (okay, always) there are people who love it more! And they create fanvideos and fanart and fanfiction. I love it all! I spend many an hour enjoying creations inspired by favorite stories.
You can find the Doctor kissing the TARDIS (it's like biting, only there's a winner!), or...
Immediately after Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows was released, fandom was creating art! This time making the BBC Sherlock characters take on the gag from the American movie.
That's not even getting into fanfiction or fanvideos. Because you can waste away your life watching or reading those. The interwebs and fandoms are so vast!
Fridays
Because for me, they are Saturdays. No work! I can sleep in! If I want to travel, I automatically have a three-day weekend of time!
My job is wonderful.
When I was less than 10, my brother got Final Fantasy 7 for the computer. Every time he sat down to play it, I materialized next to him. Whether he liked it or not, my eyes were glued to the screen as Cloud took down the evil Shinra corporation, battled evil Sephiroth, and remembered flashes of his hidden past.
The day finally came when Roy finished the game. It was my turn. I gleefully learned how to control the game myself, and replayed the entire 50-hour game. Since then, I've bought and played FF8, FF9, FF10, FF10-2, FF12, and FF7: Crisis Core. Not to mention the fact that I've replayed most of the games at least once, with FF7 (my favorite, partly because of nostalgia, partly because of the "WHAT WHERE DID THAT REVEAL COME FROM!?" mind-blowing plot) clocking in at at least five replays.
A huge amount of my memory space is wound around these games. I remember Tifa telling Cloud that they didn't need to wake up yet, because the sun would keep rising regardless or something, and Roy and I giggled madly, determined to use that excuse to get out of school. Every time I hear "Walkin' On the Sun" I think of sitting at the computer with the radio on. I remember Roy coming home for break when he was in college and watching me play the newest Final Fantasy game. Mom came in to talk to us, and she got mad at me for not paying attention. Finally Roy snapped, "Mom, this is really important information, and she can't pause it!" I was so pleased.
I learned how to download music because I wanted the songs from the various FF games. I learned to play several of them on the piano. I found fanfiction because I couldn't handle the end of the games meaning the end of those characters. Two of the games made me cry.
I....really like these games, okay?
Fishbowl
Lindsay introduced me to this game. It's a mix of taboo and charades, and it is always hilarious! I love playing it at the Monahan's house with a big crowd of people shouting and laughing. I love playing it in Senegal, where I will always fondly remember Mallory miming giving birth on the floor of a guest house in Dakar, surrounded by missionary families watching in horror and confusion. She was trying to get them to guess "Bourne Identity."
Fruits Basket
My first anime love. During the one semester Carah lived with my Craig 3 sisters, she let me borrow them out of curiosity. After classes, I popped the first DVD in. Whitney walked by and laughed. Five minutes later she joined me on the couch. Then Josephine returned from lab and made fun of us. After hearing us laugh out loud several times, she perched on the couch arm. A few minutes later, she had slid onto a cushion.
The three of us spent the next two days devouring the rest of the series.
I love Fruits Basket because it is charmingly absurd. A family turns into animals from the zodiac when hugged by members of the opposite sex! So many jokes to be made. But instead of sticking to strict comedy, the show delves into the tragic side--What if your mother rejected you because you were a freak? What if you could never have physical contact with people for fear of transforming in front of them?
There are three episodes in particular that make me bawl like a baby. And then the rest have me cracking up. I love that a lot of Japanese television doesn't stick to one genre. All emotions are welcome!
Their love is epic. This scene makes me squee. I may have watched it multiple times with a roommate who would probably prefer to remain unnamed.
Also, Kyo is adorable if extremely volatile. And Tohru was sickeningly perfect at first, but I've come to really love her. I want to imitate her easygoing attitude and unconditional love for friends and family. She's pretty fantastic.
Fandom
Loving something is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoy being a nerd and getting obsessively excited about TV shows or movies or books. But the really great thing is finding other people who are just as passionate as I am. Sometimes that happens in real life. I call those people my kindred spirits.
But when real life won't provide what I need, the interwebs come to the rescue! It is nice to know that somewhere in the world, someone loves Doctor Who or LotR or Harry Potter as much as me. And often (okay, always) there are people who love it more! And they create fanvideos and fanart and fanfiction. I love it all! I spend many an hour enjoying creations inspired by favorite stories.
You can find the Doctor kissing the TARDIS (it's like biting, only there's a winner!), or...
The Broship of the Rings (oh man, look up all the pictures, they're brilliant) doing Christmas. With Legolas showing off. Or....
Immediately after Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows was released, fandom was creating art! This time making the BBC Sherlock characters take on the gag from the American movie.
That's not even getting into fanfiction or fanvideos. Because you can waste away your life watching or reading those. The interwebs and fandoms are so vast!
Fridays
Because for me, they are Saturdays. No work! I can sleep in! If I want to travel, I automatically have a three-day weekend of time!
My job is wonderful.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Winter Wonderland Christmas Fortress
Yesterday was glorious! I went to the normal Tuesday Night Dinner at the Monahan's, and it was wonderfully atypical. (I like the way it normally is, but this was a very nice change.) The whole Wineinger family was there, plus Sarah, who I have not hung out with in ages. In fact, Lindsay and Sarah and I reminisced about the time we went to see Spiderman in theaters NINE YEARS AGO, and Lindsay yelled at the screen, "Toby!" during a dramatic moment.
We ate pizza, Sarah compared which Richwoods teachers were alive, dead, or still teaching with the Monahan kids, and then we left to continue the fun at church.
When we got there, Wendy's Sunday School class: Grown Up Edition sat on the counters in the kitchen for a Circle of Complaining.
Sarah: I hate that the only thing people seem to care about is whether I'm dating someone or not!
Lindsay: I hate that the only thing people seem to care about is whether I'm pregnant or not!
Wendy: I hate that the only thing people seem to care about is whether I have a job or not!
There is no stage in your life when people will be satisfied with who you are. How....utterly sad. Note to self: stop asking about the things people are not, and start asking about who they are.
The Monahans and Wineingers went to the gym to play an epic family vs. family volleyball game, but Sarah and I opted out to 1) avoid humiliation, and 2) make a Winter Wonderland Christmas Fortress. My extended family had given me a hilariously huge slab of Rice Krispie Treats for Christmas, and Wendy donated some icing and sprinkles. Sarah and I quickly turned all of that into a masterpiece.
I haven't done something so silly and creative in a long time. We kept squirming in our seats and jumping around from the sheer awesomeness of it all.
After we had finished our creation, Sarah and I watched the last two volleyball games and made up insanely creative cheers to inspire the teams. They weren't inspired. But once the ball flew toward our "safe" spot on the sidelines, and I promptly shrieked and threw my arms over my head....including the cup of red fruit punch I was holding. Thankfully it splattered on the carpet (and came up neatly when I cleaned it) and not on me. But the point was made: this is why I do not play sports where balls fly at your face.
When they finally tired of playing, Sarah and I unveiled our masterpiece and judged people on their level of excitement. I now know who my true friends are. Lindsay then stuck her face on a tower and Josh bit off the top of each turret, and it was officially a free-for-all. Our fortress ended up losing the battle, but I like to think our stomachs won.
We ate pizza, Sarah compared which Richwoods teachers were alive, dead, or still teaching with the Monahan kids, and then we left to continue the fun at church.
When we got there, Wendy's Sunday School class: Grown Up Edition sat on the counters in the kitchen for a Circle of Complaining.
Sarah: I hate that the only thing people seem to care about is whether I'm dating someone or not!
Lindsay: I hate that the only thing people seem to care about is whether I'm pregnant or not!
Wendy: I hate that the only thing people seem to care about is whether I have a job or not!
There is no stage in your life when people will be satisfied with who you are. How....utterly sad. Note to self: stop asking about the things people are not, and start asking about who they are.
The Monahans and Wineingers went to the gym to play an epic family vs. family volleyball game, but Sarah and I opted out to 1) avoid humiliation, and 2) make a Winter Wonderland Christmas Fortress. My extended family had given me a hilariously huge slab of Rice Krispie Treats for Christmas, and Wendy donated some icing and sprinkles. Sarah and I quickly turned all of that into a masterpiece.
I haven't done something so silly and creative in a long time. We kept squirming in our seats and jumping around from the sheer awesomeness of it all.
After we had finished our creation, Sarah and I watched the last two volleyball games and made up insanely creative cheers to inspire the teams. They weren't inspired. But once the ball flew toward our "safe" spot on the sidelines, and I promptly shrieked and threw my arms over my head....including the cup of red fruit punch I was holding. Thankfully it splattered on the carpet (and came up neatly when I cleaned it) and not on me. But the point was made: this is why I do not play sports where balls fly at your face.
When they finally tired of playing, Sarah and I unveiled our masterpiece and judged people on their level of excitement. I now know who my true friends are. Lindsay then stuck her face on a tower and Josh bit off the top of each turret, and it was officially a free-for-all. Our fortress ended up losing the battle, but I like to think our stomachs won.
Friday, December 23, 2011
I Want a Magical Wardrobe
I showed The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at the library yesterday. I guess I haven't seen it for awhile, because it hit me like an emotional sledgehammer all over again. It is very nearly a perfect movie. I said this to Laura today, and she got hesitant.
Laura: Yeah, for a kid's movie.
Me: Excuse me!? And for adult movies.
Laura: But when they fight, there's no blood on the swords.
Me: Oh, well, yeah, I totally don't mind and actually like that.
If she had other unflattering opinions, she wisely kept them to herself in lieu of finding smashed potatoes flung in her water.
What I mean is, I really love that movie. It makes me feel all the emotions! And I figured out why. Obviously there is the story of Jesus, and the scene where the creepy crawlies cut off his mane and the White Witch whispers in his ear that he has failed, so despair and die....UGH. And Aslan reappearing, and yeah, that stuff is obviously fantastic to Christians.
But that is not the only story of redemption going on. This movie is about a broken family, a broken country, a broken boy symbolizing a broken humanity...and slowly, each of these things are redeemed. The sibling hug is beautiful like the kings and queens of Narnia ruling peacefully is beautiful like Edmund destroying the White Witch's magic is beautiful like Aslan dying for a traitor is beautiful.
Brokeness and redemption. That's what The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is all about.
Bonus scene. Before Peter and Susan believe that Lucy has discovered Narnia, they ask the professor about it. He asks them if she is mad, and they say no. He asks if she lies frequently, and they say no, usually she's very honest. Then the professor says, "well, if she's not a lunatic and she's not lying, we must conclude she's telling the truth."
I SEE WHUT YOU DID THAR. Way to sneak in Lewis's famous argument in defense of Jesus, proposing that by his claims, he must either be a lunatic, a liar, or telling the truth that he is Lord.
So clever.
Such a fantastic film!
Laura: Yeah, for a kid's movie.
Me: Excuse me!? And for adult movies.
Laura: But when they fight, there's no blood on the swords.
Me: Oh, well, yeah, I totally don't mind and actually like that.
If she had other unflattering opinions, she wisely kept them to herself in lieu of finding smashed potatoes flung in her water.
What I mean is, I really love that movie. It makes me feel all the emotions! And I figured out why. Obviously there is the story of Jesus, and the scene where the creepy crawlies cut off his mane and the White Witch whispers in his ear that he has failed, so despair and die....UGH. And Aslan reappearing, and yeah, that stuff is obviously fantastic to Christians.
But that is not the only story of redemption going on. This movie is about a broken family, a broken country, a broken boy symbolizing a broken humanity...and slowly, each of these things are redeemed. The sibling hug is beautiful like the kings and queens of Narnia ruling peacefully is beautiful like Edmund destroying the White Witch's magic is beautiful like Aslan dying for a traitor is beautiful.
Brokeness and redemption. That's what The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is all about.
Bonus scene. Before Peter and Susan believe that Lucy has discovered Narnia, they ask the professor about it. He asks them if she is mad, and they say no. He asks if she lies frequently, and they say no, usually she's very honest. Then the professor says, "well, if she's not a lunatic and she's not lying, we must conclude she's telling the truth."
I SEE WHUT YOU DID THAR. Way to sneak in Lewis's famous argument in defense of Jesus, proposing that by his claims, he must either be a lunatic, a liar, or telling the truth that he is Lord.
So clever.
Such a fantastic film!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
College Nostalgia
Road trips + weddings + old friends = a really awesome weekend.
This Friday, Amber and Seth became a Mr. and Mrs. They were friends of Stephanie's, and therefore became my friends during my last year at Union. With them I dressed up for Jim & Pam's TV wedding, ate lunch in Coburn, and explored forests. They got married in Kansas City, and since most of my friends were in the wedding party, I coerced Emily to come with me as my +1.
Turns out that was probably unnecessary, but I'm super glad she came with me anyway. Trading off driving and having someone to talk to makes a 7-hour drive go by much faster!
I had a new adult first when I got a hotel room by myself. Emily and I went there to change, then headed to the wedding ceremony. It was super cute, and a nice mix of funny with classy. I sat with Stephanie's mom, which was nice, since I kind of think of her as my Memphis mom.
The reception was fantastic. I caught up a bit with Kevin and Cameron. I haven't really talked to either of them since graduating, and I was surprised how quickly we fell into a silly banter conversation. Stephanie and Elizabeth didn't have to act as bridesmaids for long, so we hung out a lot, plus Amanda (who went to Harry Potter World with us) and a girl named Lauren that I kind of know.
The dancing was insane. It was definitely the most consistently crowded dance floor I've ever seen. Everyone was stupid dancing and having a brilliant time. I completely adored it all.
Stephanie and Elizabeth ended up staying the night at the hotel with Emily and I. We only had a king sized bed, so three of us shared that, and Elizabeth took the chair. I...really love that. Friendships that can spontaneously change up sleeping plans, and cram into uncomfortable situations, and not care, because we're friends.
The next morning Stephanie drove us around Kansas City, since she grew up there. It is a cool city! We stopped at the City Market, and got pastries and coffee and ate and talked. We dropped Elizabeth off at the airport, then filled up the car with gas at Quick Trip, in honor of Seth, because it is his favorite. We ate lunch at Chick-fil-a, and said goodbye to Stephanie. The next time I see her will be in Central Asia!
I haven't been very nostalgic about college lately. But this weekend....very much made me so. I guess hanging out with the kids I spent my most recent college time with was what did it. My most recent memories are with them. I spent every Thursday night in Stephanie's dorm for a semester. We had adventure points. They were the first group of people I was friends with (because before them it was my Craig 3 sisters, and we were fairly exclusive). They are so crazy and like to do crazy things!
I had a perfectly lovely time, but now I miss that life. I'm really glad I got to revisit it for a weekend.
This Friday, Amber and Seth became a Mr. and Mrs. They were friends of Stephanie's, and therefore became my friends during my last year at Union. With them I dressed up for Jim & Pam's TV wedding, ate lunch in Coburn, and explored forests. They got married in Kansas City, and since most of my friends were in the wedding party, I coerced Emily to come with me as my +1.
Turns out that was probably unnecessary, but I'm super glad she came with me anyway. Trading off driving and having someone to talk to makes a 7-hour drive go by much faster!
I had a new adult first when I got a hotel room by myself. Emily and I went there to change, then headed to the wedding ceremony. It was super cute, and a nice mix of funny with classy. I sat with Stephanie's mom, which was nice, since I kind of think of her as my Memphis mom.
The reception was fantastic. I caught up a bit with Kevin and Cameron. I haven't really talked to either of them since graduating, and I was surprised how quickly we fell into a silly banter conversation. Stephanie and Elizabeth didn't have to act as bridesmaids for long, so we hung out a lot, plus Amanda (who went to Harry Potter World with us) and a girl named Lauren that I kind of know.
The dancing was insane. It was definitely the most consistently crowded dance floor I've ever seen. Everyone was stupid dancing and having a brilliant time. I completely adored it all.
Stephanie and Elizabeth ended up staying the night at the hotel with Emily and I. We only had a king sized bed, so three of us shared that, and Elizabeth took the chair. I...really love that. Friendships that can spontaneously change up sleeping plans, and cram into uncomfortable situations, and not care, because we're friends.
The next morning Stephanie drove us around Kansas City, since she grew up there. It is a cool city! We stopped at the City Market, and got pastries and coffee and ate and talked. We dropped Elizabeth off at the airport, then filled up the car with gas at Quick Trip, in honor of Seth, because it is his favorite. We ate lunch at Chick-fil-a, and said goodbye to Stephanie. The next time I see her will be in Central Asia!
I haven't been very nostalgic about college lately. But this weekend....very much made me so. I guess hanging out with the kids I spent my most recent college time with was what did it. My most recent memories are with them. I spent every Thursday night in Stephanie's dorm for a semester. We had adventure points. They were the first group of people I was friends with (because before them it was my Craig 3 sisters, and we were fairly exclusive). They are so crazy and like to do crazy things!
I had a perfectly lovely time, but now I miss that life. I'm really glad I got to revisit it for a weekend.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Way To Be, C.S. Lewis
I just read a book of essays written by C.S. Lewis, and in one he talks about the faith of Christians in the face of contradictory evidence. Why do we believe in God, believe that He is good and loves us, when there are so many scientific and philosophical arguments to the contrary?
I love Lewis because he never explains things the way I would. Lewis explains faith like this. If Christianity were simply a philosophical idea, then yes, faith in the face of scientific or experiencial evidence would be stupid. But if Christianity is the belief in a personal God, in this God, then things are quite different. It's like that feeling of embarrassment when we get mad at a friend for being late to a party, and ten minutes later they show with an explanation for where they'd been. If only we had known them more, trusted them more, then we would have waited. We would have had faith.
Everything changes when religion is not about rules and ideas. My faith is based on a knowledge of a God who loves me, interacts with me, and takes care of me. I will trust in Him because I know Him.
I love Lewis because he never explains things the way I would. Lewis explains faith like this. If Christianity were simply a philosophical idea, then yes, faith in the face of scientific or experiencial evidence would be stupid. But if Christianity is the belief in a personal God, in this God, then things are quite different. It's like that feeling of embarrassment when we get mad at a friend for being late to a party, and ten minutes later they show with an explanation for where they'd been. If only we had known them more, trusted them more, then we would have waited. We would have had faith.
Everything changes when religion is not about rules and ideas. My faith is based on a knowledge of a God who loves me, interacts with me, and takes care of me. I will trust in Him because I know Him.
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