the little pink house

This is the house that got me researching homebuying. I went and talked to a housing counselor who told me that I needed to work on a budget and consider taking out a student loan instead of paying for school out-of-pocket, but that otherwise I'm in good shape to look at buying a house. I'm kind of in love with it. It's got a decent-sized yard that just needs a little more fencing to make it dog-safe. It's 3 minutes from work (I checked). It has a basement (don't forget that I live in Kansas!) The inside is outdated; wood paneling and brown carpet, yuck. But that's easily fixed. Perhaps one of the best things about this place is the neighborhood. It's exactly the area I've been looking at, a nice tree-lined neighborhood close to parks, the zoo, the civic theater and work. And they just dropped the price so that it's even further within my price range. BUT in order to qualify for government assistance I have to attend a class. The next class is in November! I think there are a couple of programs that one of the local banks has that would allow me to qualify for a home loan. I'm torn on what I should do. Is it better to go ahead and try to buy something I love now, or wait and hope to find something I like just as much later?

Yesterday was a sad day at work. It began with a reunion with an old friend from church who brought in her aged dog to see us. The veterinarian determined that Pepper had an advanced stage of cancer. The decision was made to euthanize her.
Then, at the end of the day a co-worker's kitten died during surgery. The kitten had a serious heart condition and the surgery was a last-ditch attempt to correct it, but it was very sad nevertheless.

Prayer for the Animals
by Albert Schweitzer


Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals.
Especially for animals who are suffering; for any that are
hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them, we ask a
a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

it's tv premiere season!

I am way, way too excited about this. You can't tell from the promo, but Numb3rs has some of the best-written, best-acted family interaction on tv. Also lots of attractive guys.

Amy dreams

I had another Amy dream last night. In these dreams, my aunt Amy is alive and healthy and her illness and death were a mistake or cover-up or otherwise not real. They usually aren't anything dramatic. Just randomly in the middle of another dream Amy will be there and I'll feel a surge of relief and joy. I used to have them almost every night for a while. Haven't had one in a long time, actually. I wonder if I'll always have them from time to time. I don't think I'd mind, the dreams are wonderful. It's the waking up that's hard.

confessions of a seminarian

http://seminarianblog.com (you'll have to paste to your browser, for some reason the thing that makes the links isn't working for me) (also, yes I know I'm computer illiterate)

I just stumbled on this blog. It's a rational, passionate, logical and compassionate discussion of Christianity. Fascinating.

what this world needs

What this world needs
Is not another one hit wonder with another ax to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society

What this world needs
Is not another sign waving super saint who's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs
Is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them
In their time of need

A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs

What this world needs
Is for us to care more about the inside, than the outside
If we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt

What this world needs
Is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
When we blend so well
That people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free

What this world needs
Is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them
In their time of need

A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs

People aren't confused by the Gospel
They are confused by us
Jesus is the only way to God
But we are not the only way to Jesus
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie,
My denomination or my translation of the Bible
They just need Jesus
We can be passionate about what we believe
But we can't strap ourselves to the Gospel
Because we are slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way

What this world needs
Is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them
In their time of need

A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs
Jesus is our Savior
That's what this world needs
The Father's arms around you
That's what this world needs
That's what this world needs

~Casting Crowns

Here Is Love

I'm starting Disciple I bible study tonight at Lowman. I'm really looking forward to it!

I had a talk with Kevin about my decision to become a chaplain. He may be my little brother, but he is someone I look up to and I value his opinion. So I was more nervous to tell him about my calling than I have been anyone else. I was a little suprised how enthusiastic he was. We even talked in detail about the possibility of me being a military chaplain, which I haven't done with anyone.

school, church and the future

a baby bald eagle getting banded last spring

School's going well so far. I've taken 2 quizes in my Forensic Psychology class, with scores of 100% and 96%. Not bad if I do say so myself!
My first paper for History of Ideas is due near the end of the month. I've read most of the pertinent chapters of the course guidebook. Now I just have to sit down and watch the dvd lectures. It shouldn't be so bad, I mean I'll be attended my college lecture on my couch... I'm slightly frightened about my first paper. The guidelines are really loose. Now that I've read most of the assigned reading, the questions I'm to answer make a lot more sense (as one would hope, right?) but it's the form I'm more worried about. But the other students who have taken this prof's classes say that he is kind and fair, so that gives me hope.

I was officially welcomed into Lowman United Methodist Church last Saturday. The ceremony was more involved than I had thought it would be, and it was wonderful! The Pastoral Assistant (a retired pastor who usually does our Saturday service), the Senior Pastor and the Lay Leader all took part. I've been bouncing around churches for years, it's so nice to be a member of a congregation again.

I've been reading blogs of military chaplains lately. I keep telling myself that I'm not even in Seminary yet and it's far too soon to settle on anything. And could I really lay aside my freedoms (the military tells you where to live, how to dress, what you can talk about, etc.) and possibly my life? I don't know. I am definitely feeling a pull, however.
My grandfathers, father and 2 uncles served in the military. (chaplains join the military as officers, and I have to admit that I find the idea of outranking my uncles to be kind of hilarious) I have considered the idea of a military career a few times over the years, but I knew that it was not in me to learn how to kill someone. Military chaplains are never to use a gun. They are assigned chaplain's assistants who not only help the chaplain, but serve as bodyguards as well. I have such respect for the men and women who choose this life. They give up a lot, even if they never see a war zone. To be able to serve them would be a wonderful thing.