Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Long Time, No Post
Well, I've finally got a break from school and I couldn't be more relieved. It is still taking me some time each day to decide what I want to do. During the last few weeks, I've been so pressed for time that every little decision had to be as efficient as possible. I have to remind myself that I don't need to do that during my break.
Anyway, I thought I'd write a little post since it's been a while.
It is odd to know that I will spend this Christmas here in Norman and next year and the year after that (barring trips to see family). Many years have past since I could expect one year to look roughly like the next. It has probably been twelve years or so. In fact, I've lived in a different place every nine months for the last nine years, except the 21 months that I lived in Lexington. By now I'm sure I've got some coping mechanisms that keep me from relating deeply to avoid the pain of leaving. Nevertheless, settling down for a few years entices me more and more.
Perhaps it seems like a given to you that we would settle down in Norman, OK for a while, and I suppose it is. But I've struggled with the question of where to plant my roots for some time. Unsurprisingly to most of you, Norman was not at the top of my list. This little town lacks so much that I long to enjoy. For instance, every time I go to San Francisco, I wonder out loud and often, "Why don't I live here?" Perfect climate, amazing cultures, architecture, history, native state, etc. etc. Not so much in Norman. The weather here is interesting at best, the culture is somewhat homogeneous, the history is brief, the architecture is unimpressive, and it isn't home... yet.
Noticing that I look down my nose at such a place (as may be obvious from what I have just written), I had to take note of my posture. Do I consider Norman a "flyover state?" The answer is yes. I don't think I like that about myself. When I look good and hard at what I believe about this earth and the Messiah, it becomes obvious to me that my feelings are out of line. Every place must be loved and every people, too. All are Jesus'. Maybe I'm being sentimental, but I see some analogy in Jesus calling me to love a place reckoned by the world to be ordinary, just because.
In any case, I've spent some time thinking about my thinking this break. Norman is becoming more home each day.
Anyway, I thought I'd write a little post since it's been a while.
It is odd to know that I will spend this Christmas here in Norman and next year and the year after that (barring trips to see family). Many years have past since I could expect one year to look roughly like the next. It has probably been twelve years or so. In fact, I've lived in a different place every nine months for the last nine years, except the 21 months that I lived in Lexington. By now I'm sure I've got some coping mechanisms that keep me from relating deeply to avoid the pain of leaving. Nevertheless, settling down for a few years entices me more and more.
Perhaps it seems like a given to you that we would settle down in Norman, OK for a while, and I suppose it is. But I've struggled with the question of where to plant my roots for some time. Unsurprisingly to most of you, Norman was not at the top of my list. This little town lacks so much that I long to enjoy. For instance, every time I go to San Francisco, I wonder out loud and often, "Why don't I live here?" Perfect climate, amazing cultures, architecture, history, native state, etc. etc. Not so much in Norman. The weather here is interesting at best, the culture is somewhat homogeneous, the history is brief, the architecture is unimpressive, and it isn't home... yet.
Noticing that I look down my nose at such a place (as may be obvious from what I have just written), I had to take note of my posture. Do I consider Norman a "flyover state?" The answer is yes. I don't think I like that about myself. When I look good and hard at what I believe about this earth and the Messiah, it becomes obvious to me that my feelings are out of line. Every place must be loved and every people, too. All are Jesus'. Maybe I'm being sentimental, but I see some analogy in Jesus calling me to love a place reckoned by the world to be ordinary, just because.
In any case, I've spent some time thinking about my thinking this break. Norman is becoming more home each day.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Oh Patty!
We walked out of the church to this at our wedding, ONE YEAR AGO!!!
This is also my ring on my phone. Love it!
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