Big B-Day

On this sunny, April day our yellow lab was born. We had been awaiting his arrival with great anticipation and joy. Never heard much from the mother about how difficulty or easy her labor was. She was an experienced mother though. So I am hopeful all was simple and without trama. The trama came when the mutt arrived in our lives! He tried to eat the deck. Our Duke pup got stuck under the deck. And he cried so pitifully the first few nights away from his litter that your heart broke into a trillion pieces hearing his whimpers. Months later after being house broken we took him to puppy school. Actually, I took him to puppy school. Never knew that an owner could get an A- and the pet a B+, but that is how life is with 93 pounds of fur and wiggles. Our dog has a drinking problem- he drips everywhere. Duke likes to eat Kleenex, puzzle pieces and is partial to Barbie clothes. He swallows rocks and then vomits them up during the wee hours of the night. But he has his good points too.

• When the door is open or fence gate left open- he will not bolt, but stays put until called.


• He is happy to meet new people and familiar friends.


• He does not bark unless on command.


• We think he has eaten a rabbit (not E. Bunny, but another rabbit. So our garden will grow this year.)


• He warms my feet in winter.


• Duke loves to play in Diana's summer pool.


• He is a great excuse for a family walk and some exercise.


• He intimidates strangers who come to our door.

So, Happy Birthday, Duke pup! Hard to believe you're now 28 in dog years. Can you contribute something to household other than fur?

Longing

Oh how I long for thee, my dear dark chocolate. Our parting brings me much sadness and lonliness... how many days, again, until we are reunited? Surely we are ofer halfway to Easter by now. Does my longing for you even come close to my love for Jesus? After all my abstinance is for him. To show him my love... not sure if my heart has truly 'gotten' the meaning and purpose of this fast. sigh. Maybe I should have given up the internet, Facebook, or blogging for Lent, instead of my all time favorite comfort food?! What do you think?

Confused and Doubtful

Another look at our confirmation faith statements the other day has me even more convinced that the work I do it not about me at all. Someone else is in charge. The students I have been worried about I need not have been worried. The faith statements are a fabulous reflection on how the students have taken what they've learned and applied into their own lives.

These young people again have reminded me that the Spirit of God does the work in and around (and often in spite of) the rest of us. And I needed a reminder of that.

Regarding our supposed 'atheist' in class... well after more conversations with her parents, her mentor and prayer- she is not at all interested in being an atheist. No, rather she simply has doubts and questions that for one reason or another she has not articulated to any of us adults who would be glad to listen. I am deeply saddened that we had not had this candid of a conversation earlier.

Keep her in prayer and all like her who struggle with doubts and questions regarding their belief or unbelief in God. It is more obvious to me know that she is in the grip of grace (yet does not realize it or know how to recognize it).

Spring Breakin'

Last Friday we started our Spring Break with dinner and a movie. Next morning we started off not to a sunny destination in a southern climate, but to the Children's Museum. An indoor palace of play, play and more play! We came home so tired and worn out from our fun that we collapsed on the couch.

Our coming 'vacation' days of break have been filled with not-so-exciting things like errands, shopping, piano practicing and house work... but we're managed to sprinkle in a monorail ride and lunch out with Daddy at work. She played in the 'snowstorm' yesterday in her rain boots and umbrella.

But today- today our little one goes to her Nana's. In fact she has been in a count down for this day for a week...."How many days until I go to Nana's?" she asks over and over again as she counts on her little fingers.

While she is eating all the candy she wants, watching more TV than I allow, and being treated like the royalty she is- I shall get a nap and read a good mystery novel. Ah- the little things are what bring refreshment and renewal!

Happy Spring Break!

Bleeding Duke Blue

So sad for the season to end for Noaln Smith and Kyle Singler! I am bummed for them and with them that ending the season came on a loss and not another championship. Thanks guys for 125 great wins in your four years at Duke. Your diploma from Duke will open doors for your future!

Even thought my brackets are in shreds, I shall cheer fully for Butler now!

There's An Atheist in Our Confirmation Class!

After reading the Faith Statements this morning, to my great surprise, I learned we have an atheist in class! But not a very articulate or smart one. She needs to work on her belief system if I am going to 'believe she is an atheist and not just mad at her parents for her life.'

Each of the confirmands was required to write a Faith Statement, which is a written document of a person’s beliefs. If this student does not believe in God in Jesus (I am cool with that), but then she needs to articulate her atheist belief system. The fact that she disagrees with her parent’s belief system is not enough of an acceptable answer in order to complete the confirmation program. There are a lot of reasons to not believe in God. And here are better ones that she has stated.

Therefore, she will be told to re-write her Faith Statement to tell us why she does not believe in God and how her non-God system of beliefs are shaped in order to complete the Confirmation program (yet not be baptized or confirmed).

Here are questions to get her started...

God (why you do not believe in a God who has the Trinitarian vowels?)

Jesus (why you do not believe in a God who pardons and forgives?, why this is unnecessary?)

Holy Spirit (why you do not believe in a God who invisibly shapes your life and speaks to you?)

Bible (why it is not a sacred book?; why you don’t believe it has truth for you?)

Church (why it is not an important community to shape your life and values?; why you would not want to be involved?)

I want either a believer or an articulate non-believer. If this student cannot articulate either… then we have a different problem.

Confirmands of 2011

We're on the down hill slope with our confirmands (with only six weeks left of the program) and I realized that I have not shared much about this year's class. Why, I don't know. All we have left are faith statements, interviews with each student, three classes, mentor meetings, the Craze nights, and Confirmation weekend.

Our class consists of fifteen students; nine boys and six girls. Our boys, God bless, them are so short and very squirrelly. And two of them can be very, very random in their conversations, outbursts, and answers to questions. Our girls mostly ignore the boys as they easily out-do them on group projects and points for prizes.

This weekend it was very gratifying to watch three of the boys especially 'click' with our lesson on how God saves us through Jesus!

Personally, I cannot wait to spend my Spring break week reading fifteen faith statements! Should be enlightening, challenging and a hoot!

Keep these young people in your prayers!