Hello, friends! I haven't been blogging once a week recently, because I don't think you would find a list of the books I've read while sitting around the house particularly interesting. (If you would find that interesting, I can certainly oblige you. :P) I've decided to only write a blog post when I have something interesting to write about.
Today I want to write about the abortion debate.
This will not be a blog post detailing the pro-life position, because there are plenty of those. This will also not be a blog post blasting the pro-choice position, because there are plenty of those, too. And although this blog post was inspired by the recent anti-Planned Parenthood videos, it isn't really about the videos. Instead, it's my hope that this blog post will be a reminder to both sides that we are all human, and deserving of respect.
In college, I was an active member and leader of Students for Life. I held signs outside abortion clinics. I participated in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. three times. I attended numerous conferences. I was, and still am, adamantly pro-life. However, I do not see the usefulness in attacking pro-choicers in any way. Yes, honest and open debate is useful. No, rude and abusive insults are not. I bring this up because I've seen it too many times.
In the same way, it's not useful for pro-choicers to attack pro-lifers in any way. Again, yes, honest and open debate is useful. And again, no, rude and abusive insults are not. I bring this up for the same reason that I called out pro-lifers in the previous paragraph. I've seen this happen too many times.
If we all treat each other with respect, if we are willing to listen to each other with no agendas or ulterior motives, the world could change. But as long as we insist upon treating each other like we are less than human because we disagree, the world will stay the same. No one, regardless of their views on this debate, wants nothing to change.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Reflection on Rejection
Hello, friends! I know it's not a Thursday, but I've mostly lost track of the days of the week since coming home to Urbandale. I can only tell it's a Sunday because I went to church this morning and Vacation Bible School starts tonight.
Some of you know that I spent last weekend in Colorado for an interview. Normally, I don't talk about my interviews on the Internet. I keep any conversation about them off the web unless I get the job. I think this is partly because I have no control over the outcome of interviews, but the bigger reason is that I've been rejected often. I don't like to advertise that fact. I prefer to share good news. It's much easier for me to post a Facebook status that says "I got the job!" than one that says "Rejected again."
But this interview was different, and although my status would say "Rejected again," I want to talk about it. I want you to know what happened and how a weekend in Colorado changed me.
Let me set the scene. The church had interviewed several candidates over the phone. Once they had narrowed their list down to three, they invited us all out to visit their church and the surrounding community for a weekend. This is standard protocol, except for one thing: they invited all of us out at once. Never before had I met the other candidates for a position I was interviewing for.
At first, all of us were confused. We didn't know quite what to make of the situation. But as the weekend progressed, it became clear to us that we weren't competing with each other. The church recognized the different gifts in each of us. We didn't have the same gifts, and therefore, comparing us was like comparing apples and oranges. The church wasn't picking what kind of apple they wanted. They were deciding if they wanted an apple or an orange or a pear. They understood that we were different and they wanted to see which of us would be the best fit based on our personal gifts.
This changed the weekend from an uncomfortable one to a fun one. I enjoyed getting to know the people in the congregation, and after an initial phase of awkwardness, I enjoyed getting to know the other candidates, too. I learned from them, and they learned from me. We observed that we were different and that it was okay for us to be different. Not all church workers should be, or try to be, the same. Each of us has different strengths. Each of us has been gifted by God in different ways. We should act on those strengths and gifts rather than trying to be the cookie-cutter church worker we sometimes strive to be.
Knowing the other candidates also had another effect. On Tuesday night, I received a phone call from the pastor. He informed me that I was not going to receive the call to Colorado. Instead of bursting into tears, as I normally do after a rejection, I was calm. I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to come to Colorado.
When I hung up the phone, I thought to myself, "I'm happy for whichever of the other two candidates gets the call. They will do well." Ordinarily I would have been upset with myself and angry at the other candidates, convinced that I should have gotten the call and that I did something wrong. But this time, I was content in knowing that God was not calling me there and happy for the candidate whom God was calling there. And that's really what the call process is about, isn't it? Recognizing that it's not what we do or don't do, or about a decision made by people. It's about what God has in store for each one of us.
So although I have been rejected again, I am not embarrassed or frustrated. Certainly there's still a feeling of impatience, for I do have a call to ministry -- that much I know -- and I will be anxious until I am fulfilling it. But recognizing the gifts of the other two candidates changed me. Recognizing the gifts of the other two candidates brought God's master plan into perspective.
Some of you know that I spent last weekend in Colorado for an interview. Normally, I don't talk about my interviews on the Internet. I keep any conversation about them off the web unless I get the job. I think this is partly because I have no control over the outcome of interviews, but the bigger reason is that I've been rejected often. I don't like to advertise that fact. I prefer to share good news. It's much easier for me to post a Facebook status that says "I got the job!" than one that says "Rejected again."
But this interview was different, and although my status would say "Rejected again," I want to talk about it. I want you to know what happened and how a weekend in Colorado changed me.
Let me set the scene. The church had interviewed several candidates over the phone. Once they had narrowed their list down to three, they invited us all out to visit their church and the surrounding community for a weekend. This is standard protocol, except for one thing: they invited all of us out at once. Never before had I met the other candidates for a position I was interviewing for.
At first, all of us were confused. We didn't know quite what to make of the situation. But as the weekend progressed, it became clear to us that we weren't competing with each other. The church recognized the different gifts in each of us. We didn't have the same gifts, and therefore, comparing us was like comparing apples and oranges. The church wasn't picking what kind of apple they wanted. They were deciding if they wanted an apple or an orange or a pear. They understood that we were different and they wanted to see which of us would be the best fit based on our personal gifts.
This changed the weekend from an uncomfortable one to a fun one. I enjoyed getting to know the people in the congregation, and after an initial phase of awkwardness, I enjoyed getting to know the other candidates, too. I learned from them, and they learned from me. We observed that we were different and that it was okay for us to be different. Not all church workers should be, or try to be, the same. Each of us has different strengths. Each of us has been gifted by God in different ways. We should act on those strengths and gifts rather than trying to be the cookie-cutter church worker we sometimes strive to be.
Knowing the other candidates also had another effect. On Tuesday night, I received a phone call from the pastor. He informed me that I was not going to receive the call to Colorado. Instead of bursting into tears, as I normally do after a rejection, I was calm. I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to come to Colorado.
When I hung up the phone, I thought to myself, "I'm happy for whichever of the other two candidates gets the call. They will do well." Ordinarily I would have been upset with myself and angry at the other candidates, convinced that I should have gotten the call and that I did something wrong. But this time, I was content in knowing that God was not calling me there and happy for the candidate whom God was calling there. And that's really what the call process is about, isn't it? Recognizing that it's not what we do or don't do, or about a decision made by people. It's about what God has in store for each one of us.
So although I have been rejected again, I am not embarrassed or frustrated. Certainly there's still a feeling of impatience, for I do have a call to ministry -- that much I know -- and I will be anxious until I am fulfilling it. But recognizing the gifts of the other two candidates changed me. Recognizing the gifts of the other two candidates brought God's master plan into perspective.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Iowa Girl Meets... Iowa
Hello, friends! I'm officially back in my home state. I've been playing with my dogs and bothering my cat nonstop ever since I arrived back in Urbandale, but the highlight of my time in Iowa so far was definitely meeting my two-week-old nephew on Friday. I did not die of excitement, but it was pretty close! In case you were wondering, Kylen is the cutest, ever. Hands down.
Last Thursday night was also a highlight: I got to see my friend Megan in St. Louis. We had some delicious deep-dish pizza and went out for drinks afterwards. Only the two of us would have a deep conversation about Lutheran worship over beers during karaoke.
I've pretty much been relaxing ever since I got here. The long drive wore me out. I went to Messiah on Sunday and greeted all of my friends, had lunch with my friend Melody on Tuesday and dinner with my friend Jessie on Wednesday, read a few books, and played a few video games. Interspersed in there has been unpacking and interview prep.
As you can see, now that my year in the great state of Florida is complete, I don't have too much to say in my blog. What do you guys think I should do with my blog? I originally started it to keep you informed of the goings-on in Tallahassee, but I don't have that reason anymore. If I continue writing, what would you suggest I write about? Please let me know what you think!
Last Thursday night was also a highlight: I got to see my friend Megan in St. Louis. We had some delicious deep-dish pizza and went out for drinks afterwards. Only the two of us would have a deep conversation about Lutheran worship over beers during karaoke.
I've pretty much been relaxing ever since I got here. The long drive wore me out. I went to Messiah on Sunday and greeted all of my friends, had lunch with my friend Melody on Tuesday and dinner with my friend Jessie on Wednesday, read a few books, and played a few video games. Interspersed in there has been unpacking and interview prep.
As you can see, now that my year in the great state of Florida is complete, I don't have too much to say in my blog. What do you guys think I should do with my blog? I originally started it to keep you informed of the goings-on in Tallahassee, but I don't have that reason anymore. If I continue writing, what would you suggest I write about? Please let me know what you think!
Thursday, July 2, 2015
On the Road
Hello, friends! I'm writing to you from "out there on the highway, out there on the open road," to quote Holly Williams, one of the artists my mother and I heard last night at the Grand Ole Opry. How did I end up in Nashville, you might ask? I'll tell you if you'll "roll with me, roll with me."
I'll return to song lyrics later, no doubt, but before I get there, let me tell you about my last few days in Tallahassee. I spent most of my Saturday packing, except for the few minutes I spent helping Anna jump start her car. I also took my pastels upstairs and drew some University Lutheran art. My favorite was this one, which is a symbol on the stained glass windows.
I'll return to song lyrics later, no doubt, but before I get there, let me tell you about my last few days in Tallahassee. I spent most of my Saturday packing, except for the few minutes I spent helping Anna jump start her car. I also took my pastels upstairs and drew some University Lutheran art. My favorite was this one, which is a symbol on the stained glass windows.
Sunday was my last official day as a Lutheran Campus Initiative missionary. I led the Bible study and ushered during the worship service. I was glad to be able to witness the baptisms off Wyatt and Alexa Paul, and doubly glad that the baptismal font and Christ candle survived the day. Wyatt and Alexa's two older sisters were a little too excited. :P After eating lunch at Jim & Milt's, I spent my afternoon hanging out with PJ, Liz, and Cricket. Cricket and I played with blocks for awhile before they all went home.
On Monday, I said goodbye to a few people and a few places. I volunteered for the last time at the Children's Home Society and said goodbye to Veronica and Annalise. I also visited the top of the capitol building and got some frozen yogurt from Yogurt Mountain. I did quite a bit of writing on Monday; some very nice person roasted me last week and gave me a journal, and I figured I'd start it off by recording my last few Tallahassee thoughts.
I'm going to miss that capitol view.
On Tuesday, well... I packed and packed and cleaned and packed some more. I took frequent breaks to go upstairs and say to PJ or Matt, "Hey, I don't want to pack this. Do you want this?" Around 6 o'clock we had planned to start packing up my car, but some hurricane-force wind and rain came at just that time, so we waited it out in PJ's office. I didn't mind, as this gave me the opportunity to play with my best friend Bear-dog. When the weather cleared up, PJ, Sarah, Evan, Corey and I managed to fit my giant pile of stuff into my little car. (We're now considering starting a moving company called "Five Lutherans and a Focus.") We had dinner at Cantina's, and then we had to say goodbye.
Can you believe that all fit?
On Wednesday, I said a very sad goodbye to University Lutheran and set my sights toward the Midwest. I drove my very full car to Montgomery, switching into God's time (commonly known as Central time). I picked up my mom from the Montgomery airport and we continued on to Nashville, where we caught a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Our favorite artists were Holly Williams, the Willis Clan, and Thompson Square.
This morning, we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium. Now we're out there on the highway, out there on the open road. Tonight we'll stop in St. Louis and visit my friend Megan, and tomorrow, I get to meet my nephew in person. If you don't hear from me after that, it probably means I've died from excitement.
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