I absolutely love fall.

I found a way to wear my favorite orange sweater to work.

I locked myself out of my house and car and had to call to have my "land lady" bring her key to let me in the house. I found out that I was locked out when I was on the phone with my mom. She thought it was funny. It was. Funny that is.

Oct. 1 is the first day of deer season, bow hunting. Shout out to my brother. He has been looking forward to this day since the last day of deer season last year. He and I were actually at Wal Mart at the same time, but not at the same Wal Mart. He to get last minute hunting supplies. Me to get last minute baking supplies.

Here and There and What Fun

I am finally coming to a better understanding of life. I think. There will always be bad. There will always be something to counteract the good, to dampen the joy. But, one should focus on blessings and what the Lord has done, to keep things in perspective. Things are not perfect, but whenever I have a bad attitude or complain, my blessings and the Lord's goodness stare me in the face and I realize that I am being ungrateful.

I love my job. I got back from a forum on free markets put on by the college, and I had a very good time. I stayed with my exhibit and talked to people about it. I met some interesting people and had some good conversations. And, I got to stay in a nice hotel and eat good food. I also got some good sleep on a very comfortable bed. Feather pillows and down comforter. Aaah. It was also so nice to be around other people. As a student, I was used to being around a lot of people (relatively) and now I'm in a much smaller circle. I like to meet new people and have good conversations. I met a Canadian guy who says "about" like me. :-) Also, I had a good amount of down time, and one of the other workers asked me how I kept from going crazy just sitting around. I was reading a book and enjoying the solitude. I had times where I was surrounded by people and times where I could just be. And I like that. A good mix. Also, the wait staff was very kind to bring me my meals. I will have to post a pic of the first dessert. Amazing! They had chimes that they used to call people to dinner and it was the same intervals of the hymn that goes, "Almighty God, Father all glorious, oer all victorious, come and reign over us, ancient of days." The chimes went to the "Almighty God" part, and I would then sing the rest. :-) It is nice that I have a job that has a little bit of traveling to keep things interesting. :-)

Well, I'm going to eat a bit. TTFN

I am not going to be at church when superintendent Ramundo comes to preach. He has a very interesting style. He uses literary devises to the extreme. Instead, I'm going home that weekend for my mom's birthday.

This is fair week, and I went to the fair 3 times. I love fair food. Fried food is so yummy. :-) I have a weakness for fried food, as long as it's not greasy. I don't do grease well.

Not much to say. I'm doing laundry right now and I think I'll go on a walk soon.

Toodling Around

Well, a bit more than toodling. I had quite the adventure today. I went to Ann Arbor and back and survived some of the worst traffic I've ever been in and the GRE. Also getting lost. Quite the day. First off, my plan was to leave several hours before I had to take the test and go to the Shar showroom. So, my test was at 1 and I left here at 9:30. I didn't make it to Ann Arbor until 2 hours later. Uff da. There was a really bad accident on 94 East, and traffic was really backed up. I was close to an exit, so I was able to get off, but it was really backed up too. If I would have stayed on 94 I probably wouldn't have made it to the test. But, I trusted my little GPS and took a country road back way, which put me on 94 past the accident. There was no one behind me. It was strange to see a 6 lane road so empty. Then, I took the GRE and got a decent score, enough to get me into grad school. :-) Yay! Then, I got royally lost trying to find a certain park to wait for my friend. That was an ordeal, but it was such a gorgeous day and a scenic route, so I didn't mind. It was definitely the Lord today, because usually I get really frustrated and upset, but He helped me deal with the driving adventure.

Gotta go. Btw, I am getting caught up in the Yorkshire miniseries Flambards. I like it. :-)

God is Not a Warm Fuzzy

Modern Christianity likes to describe God as loving, good shepherd, kind father, meek and mild, etc. God is love. Yes, He is, but so often Christianity is painted as a warm fuzzy, a good feeling, an intimate walk with God who is always there and never runs out of love and mercy. And this is all true, but it is only half, and behind these truths is the implication that you will always feel happiness and joy, you will always feel close to God. If you think about the reactions of people who encountered God in the Bible, however, these are not the emotions evoked. Some people fell down dead. Awe. Fear and trembling. "I am undone." Encountering God is a scary thing. When I am getting closer to God, I don't necessarily feel better. This goes counter to what we often think. We throw around phrases like "refiner's fire" and "purify." These are painful words. When God works, He works against our sinful nature, and that does not feel good. Sometimes it's through circumstances and sometimes it's through our relationship with Him. Sometimes God is abrasive. Like sand paper. Or like fire, burning away the impurities. I think (and hope) that I am coming to a better understanding of how God has and is working in my life. What He does for me, and against my sinful nature. It's hard. But He also gives good times. He does give some warm fuzzies. The times when you are filled with praise and joy. And it is good. But it is not always so, and we should not expect this. Just because we don't have what we consider to be the appropriate feeling doesn't mean that God isn't there and that He isn't working. Fear and trembling. Awe. Frustration. They are powerful emotions and He can use them just as well as joy, excitement, and contentment. Fear and tremble at His might. Be frustrated with your sin and incapacity to ever be good enough.

One of the keys to the Christian faith is dealing with and realizing the reality that we will Never be good enough. It's a part of human nature to want to do things for God, to earn what He's given us, but we can't. We should want to serve Him. That is very important and shows that our faith is alive and real, but it will never be good enough. I cannot earn my way to heaven. I must simply bow at His feet, pleading for the blood of Jesus to drench my sins.

Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One

Reasons why I'm glad that I'm here:

1. The snack bar now has fried mushrooms.
2. They are doing the Messiah this December.
3. Aquila, Shakespeare theater, is doing TWO shows: The Iliad and A Comedy of Errors.
4. I have found an very good mechanic place.
5. Little brother dog: the Bean.

1. My church family.
2. Ministry and worship at church.
3. Close proximity to friends.
4. My job.
5. My co-workers and employer.

These not necessarily in order. But I am very excited that fried mushrooms are finally at the snack bar. I asked about them all last year, and now they're here! And they are very good.