Sunday, March 09, 2008

The trash tree.

This showed up at school. Actually, it was not at all surprising, since several friends of ours were instigators. This "trash tree" is an artistic display of all the paper cups accumulated over the course of one week at school. It was intended to be an encouragement for the students to bring their own mugs to the coffee shop, or to use the mugs provided there. I think it made some difference, but both of us were frustrated at the conversations we overheard is the course of the next week, as students tried (in vain) to justify and defend why they did not use reusable cups. Sad. Not to make light of the situation... it's not easy to give up conveniences which save time.

It's Lent again, and I'm learning to plan ahead. Little by little, I'm trying to change destructive habits. This year, among other things, I gave up the drier. That means there's usually a load of laundry drying on the rack in the kitchen... since that's really the only place it fits... and since we only have one rack, and it takes a couple of days for stuff to dry in our basement apartment, we really need to plan ahead, and only do one load at a time! But really, it's a very small sacrifice. It's much nicer not to have to deal with two or three loads at once. I was actually inspired by my mom, who dries stuff on the rack inside, even in the winter. :)

Well, life is good. I think Lent is a time to form new habits. I really like this not-using-the-drier thing... maybe I'll keep it up!

p.s. Incidentally, this picture was taken on the day Keith wore his tux to school to advertise for his Latin class. Doesn't he look sharp? :)

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Just an update.

Hi! I realized that I have not posted for a long time... Ilene probably thinks we're dead. We are not. We are just students, that's all. I wanted to do the "update" post today, since later today is "Taste of the World," and undoubtedly there will be pictures and stories to post.

So, what's up with us? School! I'm taking Hebrew and Exegesis this term. I've been busy translating lots of things from Hebrew to English, and it's a lot of fun! This is what I came here to do! During a moment of insanity on Wednesday, I thought maybe I would get an Old Testament degree when I'm done with my current degree... then I realized I would need three semesters of systematic theology. Never mind... I've been working with Psalm 2 for Exegesis class, and I'm really enjoying it. I just finished writing my proposal for my thesis! The end is in sight! I'll be writing on the use of instrumental music in worship, and preparing a series of worship services.

Keith is taking Greek, Hebrew, and a seminar on the book of Acts. He's done with his seminar paper, so he thinks he can coast until the end of the term (ha ha). He's also teaching a Latin class for interested students at our school.

I wanted to post some pictures a while ago. We went to North Dakota in January to visit the family and attend our nephew, Michael's baptism. He was born the day after we left on our last visit... They poured water on his head in the usual manner, and he cooed and smiled. It was very sweet. Most babies scream. Here he is at that moment with his godparents, James and Terry.


And here's the family. Both sides. EVERYONE was there.


Afterwards, Keith was holding Elizabeth, our niece, and she... um... urped. Keith found it amusing.



Anyway, I'll post more soon. There hasn't been much news. We get together with friends and talk about school. Very exciting.