Breaks from Kaplan are always welcome, and generally rejuvenating. Such was this one, though I greatly wished I could have escaped to some warm, tropical area of the world that too me completely away from my obligations and responsibilities, but life doesn't often allow such fantasies to come true, so in VT I remain, with snow in the forecast every day this week. On the upside, a gained a little bit extra needed sleep this weekend, which was a blessing. Even more gratifying was my shopping trip with Mom and Sunday. We don't go shopping often, as a mother + daughter shopping = lots of fun, but too much $'s spent! Lots of good deals were found though, a shoppers reward :) I felt guilty afterwards, as I always do when I spend more money on myself than I do over the course of a couple months, but that is why its a treat, and it doesn't happen very often! Ok, I'll stop trying to justify it. It was fun though :)
Its amazing how a mere week off from school stress, and a new set of textbooks can renew my passion for learning. Up until last week I was so crazy from school I was pleading that graduation would come sooner than next year. Now, with Public Health and Abnormal Psychology books in hand, I am ready to start a new 10 weeks with Kaplan tomorrow. I have even read through the first chapters in each book! Dad thinks its a waste of vacation. I think its pretty interesting, mostly because at this point I "want to," not "have to." That will all change in a matter of days..... Here we go!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Week Break and Valentine's Banquet Result
Last night completed the most taxing of Kaplan terms yet. Epidemiology really pushed my limits, as it had me writing papers for it every week, along with the the other projects from my religions class, working full time, and planning the Valentine's Banquet or our youth group (which went really well!!!). Unfortunately I was not able to see my grade after completing the exam, but thanks to the Professor, if I am "average," that means a ranked among the rest of his normal students with a 50%! Talk about a way to scare your students before taking an exam! Oh well. I figured out that even if I did get a 50%, I would still have an A in the class, so I guess it all works out.
As for our Valentine's Banquet, it was awesome! We arrived at the church at noon on Sunday, and began decorating, as our amazing cook/help (Gail and Lorraine) worked in the kitchen. We all got so much done before people started arriving at 5:00. The youth group was a little disappointed that not many people form the community came, but we have great church support, and several people from neighboring churches. It was a hit! And the best part of all was that they helped us to raise $350 for ADRA to go to Haiti relief! Thanks to everyone who helped, came, and made this all happen and be a success!!!
As for our Valentine's Banquet, it was awesome! We arrived at the church at noon on Sunday, and began decorating, as our amazing cook/help (Gail and Lorraine) worked in the kitchen. We all got so much done before people started arriving at 5:00. The youth group was a little disappointed that not many people form the community came, but we have great church support, and several people from neighboring churches. It was a hit! And the best part of all was that they helped us to raise $350 for ADRA to go to Haiti relief! Thanks to everyone who helped, came, and made this all happen and be a success!!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Seeing God's Children No Matter Where They Go To Church
God has been teaching me an ongoing lesson over the past couple years. Almost two years ago, I was first asked to play for a church other than my own. It was the Federated Church in East Arlington. It is a combination of both people of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. It was a challenge for me, because it meant spending a lot more time preparing to play for church than I normally do for my own (as I know the hymnbook pretty well, as well as our layout). It was also a challenge to step outside my comfort zone into another church. As time went on, I filled in for them now and then (they paid me each time), and I got to know the people. I was blessed to meet other people from Arlington, as many of them are customers of my Dad's. I struggled with spiritual/mental challenge of being there several Sundays in a row. I knew it was "work," as I was getting paid, but it felt strange to be in church both Sabbath and Sunday. I felt like a heretic for a while, before my loving fiance' (now husband) reminded me that it was a job, and nothing more, if that was what I needed to think of it as in order to maintain my trueness to my own faith.
I worked well with this theory, and still do, but God had a bigger concept for me to grasp. I was also asked to play for the Episcopal Church in town. This was a much bigger stretch of my Christian/Adventist understanding of truth. Being brought up in the Adventist church can do a number on one's psyche. I grew up knowing the truth, but that knowledge also created a fear of those outside of the "remnant." An even greater fear lurked about the Catholic Church. As the Episcopal Church resembles the Catholic Church in many traditions, I was a bit scared to play for them. Some part of me felt like I was stepping on dangerous ground, placing myself amongst people who might lead me astray. I think many Adventists are programmed with this concept, which I learned is false. I am not saying that I would be going to their church if I was not working for them, but my point I will explain....
I have played for them many times now, and in doing so have gained some curiosities. Each week they have communion. Our church only does it once a quarter. All participants during the service wear some type of robe and/or other garment(s). Many prescribed readings accompany the service, along with a hose of other traditions much different than the Adventist Church. The culmination of this lesson God has been teaching me happened tonight.
I had the choice for this term to either take a Religions and Cultures class or some other history. I chose the Religions class, as I wanted to gain my understanding of other religions in order to understand people better. My final project required me to attend a service of a church other than my own, observe, and speak to one of the believers. Since I was playing for the Christmas Eve service anyway, I used this as my event. I email the Reverend of the church this past week, and he just sent me his reply today. God bless him for putting so much time into it. I asked him a lot of questions, and he gave me so much background information that it made me understand so much better. I am a full believer that God wants us to have knowledge about other churches. We are not to live in our Adventist shells, holding our knowledge to ourselves, criticizing everyone who isn't "in the know." Knowledge is power. It dispels fear. Also, I finally realized that the people in both of these churches I play for are just that: People. They aren't weird. Not different. Just people. More than that: They are God's Children. He died for them, just as He died for you and me. Just because they go to a different church doesn't mean we need to be afraid of them, or even disassociate from them. They are people we come in contact every day, whether we know it or not. The real question is, will we act like Jesus did when He was here, with love and kindness, even when we don't know who's watching? I hope the answer is yes.
I worked well with this theory, and still do, but God had a bigger concept for me to grasp. I was also asked to play for the Episcopal Church in town. This was a much bigger stretch of my Christian/Adventist understanding of truth. Being brought up in the Adventist church can do a number on one's psyche. I grew up knowing the truth, but that knowledge also created a fear of those outside of the "remnant." An even greater fear lurked about the Catholic Church. As the Episcopal Church resembles the Catholic Church in many traditions, I was a bit scared to play for them. Some part of me felt like I was stepping on dangerous ground, placing myself amongst people who might lead me astray. I think many Adventists are programmed with this concept, which I learned is false. I am not saying that I would be going to their church if I was not working for them, but my point I will explain....
I have played for them many times now, and in doing so have gained some curiosities. Each week they have communion. Our church only does it once a quarter. All participants during the service wear some type of robe and/or other garment(s). Many prescribed readings accompany the service, along with a hose of other traditions much different than the Adventist Church. The culmination of this lesson God has been teaching me happened tonight.
I had the choice for this term to either take a Religions and Cultures class or some other history. I chose the Religions class, as I wanted to gain my understanding of other religions in order to understand people better. My final project required me to attend a service of a church other than my own, observe, and speak to one of the believers. Since I was playing for the Christmas Eve service anyway, I used this as my event. I email the Reverend of the church this past week, and he just sent me his reply today. God bless him for putting so much time into it. I asked him a lot of questions, and he gave me so much background information that it made me understand so much better. I am a full believer that God wants us to have knowledge about other churches. We are not to live in our Adventist shells, holding our knowledge to ourselves, criticizing everyone who isn't "in the know." Knowledge is power. It dispels fear. Also, I finally realized that the people in both of these churches I play for are just that: People. They aren't weird. Not different. Just people. More than that: They are God's Children. He died for them, just as He died for you and me. Just because they go to a different church doesn't mean we need to be afraid of them, or even disassociate from them. They are people we come in contact every day, whether we know it or not. The real question is, will we act like Jesus did when He was here, with love and kindness, even when we don't know who's watching? I hope the answer is yes.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Valentine's Banquet and other busyness
Most people who read this are also on facebook, so this will not be new to you guys, but our youth group is planning a Valentine's Banquet to raise money for Haiti. We are having it at our church on Sunday, February 14, from 5-7p.m. We, the youth group members, will be serving people, and we are asking for $10/person or $15/couple. (It is love day so we wanted to give a discount for couples) :) An extra donation is asked for children. All proceeds will be donated to ADRA, for their efforts in Haiti.
In doing some research to update my event on facebook, I came across a number of pictures displaying what has happened in Haiti. It is is so sad, and even more than that, disturbing. So much pain and destruction. All that I can say is that I hope Jesus comes back soon. I have been thinking a lot lately about how wonderful that will be, and especially the time we have in heaven when the books we be gone over. There are so many things I would love to know the whole story about. Background details and interesting facts. Oh for the day when pain and suffering will be no more!
So this week is going to be pretty busy. Youth group meeting tonight and Wednesday for extra planning for the banquet. Tuesday is my Dad's birthday, so I am making supper for him, and he's coming down to our house for it. Then before youth group on Wednesday is a personal ministries meeting that I have to go to. I think Adam had some shopping he wanted to do on Thursday, so that pretty much books the week! Wow! At least I had time yesterday to write my big Epidemiology paper of the week, so that won't be prying for my attention today. I thank God that I enjoy the things that will be keeping me busy this week!
In doing some research to update my event on facebook, I came across a number of pictures displaying what has happened in Haiti. It is is so sad, and even more than that, disturbing. So much pain and destruction. All that I can say is that I hope Jesus comes back soon. I have been thinking a lot lately about how wonderful that will be, and especially the time we have in heaven when the books we be gone over. There are so many things I would love to know the whole story about. Background details and interesting facts. Oh for the day when pain and suffering will be no more!
So this week is going to be pretty busy. Youth group meeting tonight and Wednesday for extra planning for the banquet. Tuesday is my Dad's birthday, so I am making supper for him, and he's coming down to our house for it. Then before youth group on Wednesday is a personal ministries meeting that I have to go to. I think Adam had some shopping he wanted to do on Thursday, so that pretty much books the week! Wow! At least I had time yesterday to write my big Epidemiology paper of the week, so that won't be prying for my attention today. I thank God that I enjoy the things that will be keeping me busy this week!
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