Forgive Me, It Was Finals

Oh, hi there. I was either in the library, at Shop Rite, or at one of the kids' schools. Or en route to these places in our minivan, listening to worship music or npr. Now it is officially my summer and here's what I've been up to: -not so much read as devoured Anne Lamott's new book -enjoyed a Jennifer Weiner book with Canis Lupus at my side -vacuumed the pantry. Ahh, yes it was very juicy. -got uninterrupted face time with friends -organized kid books Grades have not come in for the Spring Semester. They have not announced the CCEF interns. I am enjoying the settled feeling after the work is over. It's like when you make pancake batter, it has to rest for a sec while all the ingredients are suspended and sliding down the sides of the mixing bowl. Things are settling and coalescing. No verdict has come down, labeling my effort with some grade. Or accepting my application. It's just me and my sense of accomplishment. And for that as my pump teacher would say, "give myself a big ol' hug." I learned a lot last semester about ways of looking at Scripture. Instead of a big scrapbook of morality tales, it is a seamless redemptive narrative. It is a living text that proves that God is loving and longs to surprise us. Also-- how to look at relationships. To quote a friend, "Sleeping with a blanket that is ten inches too short for you." This is how I looked at everything. My eyes went right to the flaw, the shortfall. I am learning how to rest in God's strength, God's purpose. My favorite comment I got from EW, "You are growing. You are becoming more okay with weakness." This was my third class with him and I was thrilled for a comparative comment. And this comment reveals how high I hold expectations. Something that's not so fun for me, nor Geoff, nor our kids-- anyone really. Favorite comment I got from my advisor, "You need a better attitude" (regarding standardized testing about Bible or Confessional). Sorry, but I don't think I will ever be in favor of standardizing tests.