the other children

As a kid, I was both the bully and the bullied. It all depended on where I lived, which kids I was with and if my parents were around. Now, as an adult, I see the issue from both sides. I'm a teacher and the Boy's Director at a summer camp. It's my job to protect kids, to help them feel safe, to show them love and help them find a place where they can belong.

I watched this video tonight and it made me so sad. This year, I've worked as a substitute teacher in public and SDA schools, teaching everything from Kindergarten to Academy Bible to 5th grade to high school colorguard to 7th grade math. I wonder what bullying has happened in bathrooms, at lunch and in the hallways, perhaps even in my classroom just out of my hearing range.

I'm now working part-time at an alternative high school. It's rough. Really rough. Today was especially difficult. A student was very disrespectful, in my face telling me that he didn't have to sit down or do what I said I wasn't his teacher (because I'm part-time and assist other teachers). He started yelling at me. I had to raise my voice. I had to send him to the office. This was his final warning from the school - next time and he'll be headed out in handcuffs (long history...).

I look at my ragtag group of students. Some fell through the cracks because they were bad at math and then stopped coming to school. Others fell into drugs. Most had little or no parental support, no one providing a safe place after school. How many of these kids were bullied early on in elementary school? These aren't the smartest or most attractive kids. And now the majority of them are going to be lucky to avoid welfare, lucky to hold a job. It's sad. It's not too late for all of them, thankfully. (Several I predict will even be quite successful!) But we need to be very intentional about bullying amongst us. We'll never fully eradicate the problem, but hopefully we can save a few kids from the emotional trauma , save them from even thinking such pain could exist. One story at a time.

At least that's why I'll go back to work tomorrow...

bell. claiborne. miller.

I feel blessed to have three pastors in my life. As I read books by Rob Bell, Shane Claiborne and Donald Miller, I find myself drawn to their refreshingly honest (each some of the most sincere writers I've read) messages. It's not that they're in perfect agreement, but I find that I relate to aspects of each.

• Bell is witty and cool, a dynamic preacher who blends history and religion in his Nooma videos, books and sermons. I dig that.
• Claiborne is a self-proclaimed radical. He preaches intentionality in all he does and is one of the leaders of a new brand of Christianity, Red Letter Christianity. I may not have dreadlocks or make my own clothes but I want his passion for the marginalized. 
• I feel like Miller is an old friend. I feel like he gets me and that we could spend a Sunday afternoon in pajamas watching football together and then talk some Jesus and grab a few burritos. 

These three writers, like many of my professors at WWU, are big reasons why I'm still a Christian. Each impacted me while I was at my lowest spiritually. I discovered Miller on a day off from camp by literally judging one of his books, Searching For God Knows What, by the cover. It fit. And it helped me with my battle against perfectionism.

I've always like Nooma, but I found Bell to be an especial encouragement while serving as a Student Missionary on the island of Pohnpei. I'd listen to his sermons on Friday nights while doing the dishes. It'd be downloading on Thursday night - all night because the internet was slow. I needed his fresh, excited approach to theology while I was mired in debates with and over our erroneous, prophecy-driven chaplain.

Claiborne was an acquired taste. I read his books out of order, beginning with Jesus For President. It angered me. I liked being a white, middle-class Republican. I liked America. A bit too much. I almost stopped reading, but I didn't. Instead, I got all his books and am inspired by his dedication. His vision for Christianity is something we all need.

I write this post because this past week I've been reminded of their impact. I'm currently reading Red Letter Revolution, a conversational book by Claiborne and his mentor, Tony Campolo. I highly recommend it. He also came to Lee University in nearby Cleveland and I was able to hear him speak. I keep running into people who loved the book Blue Like Jazz and want to see the movie. It reminded me that I was behind on reading his blog (storylineblog.com). Always a worthwhile read. I also discovered that Rob Bell is coming to Nashville in March to promote his new book, What We Talk About When We talk About God. I love being in Chattanooga. Things come to Nashville and Atlanta and each is only 2 hours away... I digress. While I discovered he was coming, I found an article (from the New Yorker) describing the grief he's had to deal with since releasing Love Wins. I'm glad he's landed on his feet, but sad that hell causes such hate-filled discussion.

a few thoughts on gun control

I'm frustrated with how divided this issue is. I'm hearing debates everywhere and most Americans seem to have a strong viewpoint, with very little room to meet in the middle. It seems to me that President Obama and Congress are the only ones trying to find common ground.

Just a few responses to what I'm hearing:

1. Assault weapons were not invented in the 1700's. Your right to have them is not clearly stated in the 2nd Amendment.
2. President Obama is not taking away all guns. That will never happen. If anything it'll just be more like Canada, with tougher regulations and punishments.
3. Why should civilians have assault rifles anyways? Aren't rifles and shotguns good enough to protect your homes? 
4. Teachers should never, EVER bring guns into the classroom. More guns in public to help. Yeah right. I'm fairly confident that overexposure to guns and psychotic behavior in movies, television and video games are teaching criminal behavior and normalizing violence. I'd like to find statistics to back me up. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find.
5. Should Christians really have this strong of views on gun rights? Seems to be missing the point.

This looks like a pretty left perspective. I'm probably a tad more moderate in reality. I'm just tired of hearing complaints from the right, though I've had that headache for 4 years now...

Not looking for a huge debate. That's Facebook these days. That's why I prefer Blogger for controversy. It's quieter here.

vischer

I've been reminded so much recently of easy it can be to lose sight of God.

Satan is so tricky.

I never go to convocation at SAU. I'm usually subbing. When I'm not, I forget about regular campus happenings such as convo. I should have today as well. I was tired from my morning reading and hours of sitting in the library. Leaving for a walk, I noticed the poster for today. Starting in 8 minutes...

Phil Vischer spoke today. You may recognize him as the founder of Big Idea Productions and the voice of half of its characters, notably Bob the Tomato.

Sure, he was entertaining, even singing the intro to "His Cheeseburger," my all-time favorite. But what got me hooked was his message: college dropout < creating Big Idea < Veggie Tales success! < MORE success < ego < slight loss of focus < bankruptcy* < wondering where God went. We don't often see the ego come in. Phil didn't. He was reminded but thought his ministry exempted him a bit. He admitted today that God wasn't always his only focus and that he needed to learn tough lessons about success and focus. His final advice to was to make God our absolute priority and to have his dreams be our dreams.

I'm not successful in a worldly sense. I'm in debt and working on a Master's degree, having never held a full-time job. But that's just it. I thought I deserved a job, a girl, success. When those didn't just happen like they were supposed to, I became discouraged. But that's just it, I was wrong. We deserve nothing. We live in a sinful world where we continually lose focus. A few years ago, I lost sight of God completely and was admittedly deist. Thankfully, I never stopped searching. Looking back, it's clear that my ego and love of self were too much for God and me to be in a relationship. So, he took a break. He's back now, especially since I'm now daily recommitting to him as never before. Because I know I deserve nothing. I have no plan now. No concrete dreams. A few ideas. But more than ever before, I just want to do whatever God wants.

God needs to be our priority over all else. Thanks, Phil Vischer. For the reminder. And for being so genuine.

* You can read what happened to Big Idea here.

nicodemus, my homeboy...

Thanks to the Gladding's back at UCA, I discovered memverse.com, a great tool for memorizing Scripture. I've been spending about twenty minutes there each morning and it's been fantastic for my devotional life.

One passage I've been memorizing is John 3:1-21. I memorized it back in high school for my senior Bible class taught by Mark Janke. I chose it by accident, thinking I had written down John 1. But I didn't and Janke encouraged me to stick with the passage because he said it it one of the most clear presentations of the gospel message. I agree and am glad I stuck with it.  Anyways, I thought I would relearn this important passage of Scripture...

I've been spending each day with this passage for the past ten day. It was starting to get boring (just shows I was reading it wrong), but this morning I read it from my Bible slowly, without focusing on memorization, and it came alive.

I think that Nicodemus is one of the most relatable of Biblical individuals to modern-day Christians. Here, we have a sincere leader of the Jews recognizing Jesus' obvious call and God's presence within (v. 2). He's a Pharisee, so he's obviously a recognized scholar. He craves knowledge. He wants to know more about this special individual sent to earth. However, his colleagues despise and fear Jesus and he himself is leery to commit to someone preaching such blasphemy (Jesus had just talked of temple destruction and a quick rebuilding project - 2:19). So, he comes by night.

Jesus realizes Nicodemus' intentions, that he wants to know without action, without belief. Nicodemus begins the discussion but Jesus immediately takes control, saying we must all be born again, "from above" (v. 3). Because once we submit to God, He will change us, and guide us in a way as unseen as the wind (v. 8). Again, Jesus points out that Nicodemus wants to simply know more about Jesus and not submit, so he asks Nicodemus "how can you believe if I tell you about earthly things" (v. 12)? He continues (and I summarize) that only the Son of Man has been to heaven and He is here to save the world, to save all who believe. Don't be the version of yourself unwilling to believe so that you might be lost. Avoid judgment, come into the light, "so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God" (v. 21).

God wants our submission. He wants to change us, to make us the best possible versions of ourselves. We need to crave more than knowledge. Too often, I have found myself like Nicodemus, coming to God alone by night wanting to know more about God and unwilling to truly let God guide me. That's been getting better, but it requires active submission. From me. From you. From our church. From all of us.

Nicodemus' story doesn't end here. He's mentioned again in John 7:50 encouraging the Pharisees to publicly question Jesus through a hearing rather than a private arrest. And in John 19:38-40, he and Joseph of Arimathea  helped with the burial of Jesus. I wish there was more, a detailed biography perhaps. But I'm glad that Nicodemus' story doesn't end there. He chose to continue learning about Jesus and show Him respect. I hope the belief came and suspect it did. That's a direction I want to continue relating. Nicodemus, my homeboy...

protests over the anti-islam film

Is the world really this pathetic? Apparently so. If you don't believe me, check out this article from BBC America.

Muslims blaming the U.S. for a private film made apparently blaspheming Muhammad. Meanwhile, countless episodes of Family Guy and South Park mock Jesus Christ. Did I like that? No. Do you see me warning my own country, threatening lives? No.

Are human lives worth such petty conflicts? We’ll never agree. Christianity vs. Islam vs. Atheism vs. the countless other religions. Democrats vs. Republicans and their neverending corporate-driven hypocritical feuds.

But this is ridiculous. Pacificism is a far greater rallying cry. So many Muslims and Christians cherish our God-ordained love and peace. While we should never support films that give way to such hatred, our response from one religion to the other, from one political party to the other, should be emblazoned with love and peace.

I think God would find that response much less pathetic.

bonhoeffer does love

I finished reading two books a couple weeks back. This is quite the accomplishment for me. You see, I was at some point in seven books at the time. And after finishing these two, I immediately started three more. It's a disease and it's nearly lethal. Precisely why I rarely visit bookstores...

The two books I finished were fantastic and it turned out fitting that I read them at the same time...

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a name I'd heard a few times. I knew he was a German theologian and that he was somehow involved in the plot against Hitler. That's it. He was those things. And far more. He was a thinker, a family man, a musician, a writer, a teacher, a spy and ultimately a martyr. He was inspiring. He was constantly looking at the words of Jesus and trying to apply them to his life. He believed in the entire Bible and wouldn't give in when the Nazis threw out the Old Testament in order to punish the Jews. He practiced equality (attending a black church while spending several months in New York City) and he wasn't ashamed to publicly defy those went against what he believed to be true. Eric Metaxas did a fantastic job of utilizing quotes from his theological works, journal entries from Bonhoeffer and others within his inner circle, and interviewing living family members who knew him best. This is a book that is essential for anyone who loves a good biography and something spiritually challenging...

Bob Goff is not your everyday individual. He refused to accept his rejection from law school and literally lived on a bench across from the dean's office. He was accepted before the first week had finished. He also wouldn't accept that his now-wife didn't want to date him. So, he played the friend card and made sure to stick around long enough for her to change her mind. He refuses to live a boring life now too, working with refugee victims in Africa, foreign leaders on peace topics. He is adamant that the duty of Christians is to love, and that love isn't just words. Love Does.

Bonhoeffer wouldn't have to be convinced. His life echoed Goff's words. Does yours? Does mine? Good goals as we surrender all we are to Christ to better showcase his love.

what could have been

A few days ago, I started thinking about what the Seattle Mariners' lineup would look like if we hadn't made such foolish trades a few years ago.

Let's take a quick look:

• Adam Jones, Chris Tillman and others to the Baltimore Orioles for Erik Bedard, the talented but oft-injured pitcher who never really helped.
• Asdrubal Cabrera to the Cleveland Indians for Eduardo Perez, a platoon first baseman...
• Shin-Soo Choo to the Cleveland Indians for Ben Broussard, the second half of the Indians' platoon...

Those trades failed. We traded future stars and received little if nothing in return.

Here's what today's lineup could look like:

1. 2B Dustin Ackley

2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera

3. CF Adam Jones

4. RF Shin-Soo Choo

5. DH Jesus Montero

6. LF Michael Saunders

7. 3B Kyle Seager

8. 1B Mike Carp

9. C John Jaso / Miguel Olivo

There. A semi-decent lineup. The three hitters we traded would be in the middle! It wouldn't make us a playoff contender overnight but it would sure strike more fear in opponents. 

This is frustrating. Please don't make more trades like these, or the all-time evil trade for Heathcliff Slocumb...

rain

Summer in TN.
No rain for one month.
Dead Grass.
Raining all week.
Greenery returns immediately.
God is good.

void

Blogging seems to have lost its trendiness.

My news feed is about as cluttered my grandmother's kitchen.

Now I can feel like I'm contributing once again. You're welcome, blogging world.

leaving christianity?

Here is a great blog entry on why young people are leaving Christianity.

It can be easy to blame college for doubts. I too first experienced serious doubt while a college student. However, I feel it had nothing to do with my professors. It had more to do with realizing how Christianity really is, with making my relationship with God even more my own (my parents and friends had encouraged that process throughout, but it really sharpened in college).

If anything, I'm a Christian today still because of college professors. One in particular realized that something was wrong and spent a tremendous amount of time in order to make sure I didn't just slip away. Other professors were also encouraging. If anything, doubt fostered stronger Christian community for me.

I didn't doubt because of college. And neither do most of my friends who struggled with Christianity. We're too often looking to pass blame elsewhere instead of first looking in the mirror. We need to be the change we wish to see in Christianity...

Thanks for sharing this link, Ryan Billington

origins

First of all, I want to say that I'm proud of The Collegian. As the student newspaper for Walla Walla University, it continues to be a place of dialogue and discourse. For years, The Collegian has published special issues (e.g. alcohol, Sabbath, sexuality, beliefs, etc.) in correlation with a survey of students.

This year's special issue centered around the topic of origins, a controversial topic to be certain. Ever since the La Sierra issue a few years back, everyone seems to be avoiding the topic. And when mentioned at all, everyone seems to be looking over their shoulder... That's why I'm proud of The Collegian. It confronted a tough subject head-on. Professionally. Tactfully. And willing to look at both sides.

A slight majority of students still hold to the SDA belief of a six literal day creation. That doesn't surprise me. It did, however, surprise Sean Pittman and his website, Educate Truth. There, he wrote an entry that simply angered me. Not only was it full of errors (both factually and stylistically), but it was simply a careless attack without merit. WWU pictures were even used without consent.

Pittman stated:

Clearly, La Sierra University is not the only Adventist school that has been challenged by the issue of origins. While LSU may have been the most blatant in attacking and undermining the Adventist position on origins, many of our other schools (with the exception of Southern Adventist University and Southwestern Adventist University where the Adventist position on origins is still strongly upheld and promoted) seem to be heading down the same path or are at least very weak in their active support of the Church on this issue.

How does he know what is taught in WWU classes? Does he know that WWU professors teach evolution? Has he polled SAU or SWAU students? Might they think similar things? As a former WWU student, I heard little talk of evolution period. Or even talk of an extended time period for creation. Anywhere on campus. By any professor. And my friends who have taken Biology courses say similar things.

The comment thread was particularly frustrating, where further attacks were unleashed without merit. Many WWU students got involved in attempt to correct, which was nice to see, but the piece is still up... If you want a frustrating read, try to make it all the way through the comment thread.  

If you want a more accurate summary of the issue, try Adventist Today. Or better yet, read through the actual issue at The Collegian's website.

And to start some fire. Why does it even matter? If creation didn't happen in 6 literal days, is God any less powerful? Aren't issues like this just widening the divide within Christianity. Discussion is good. Infighting is not. Instead, shouldn't we be focusing more on Jesus and our true mission of making Him known to the world instead of infighting over issues such as origins? Just seems like one more way to anger people into leaving Christian churches...

beardless

Students have been walking right past me today, forgetting who I am.

I know I look younger without facial hair, but wow...

Last night, I let four sophomore girls shave my beard off at Dorm Worship. It kicked off Lumberjack Week and Facial Hair February for our dormitory.

My face feels naked.

Here's the video:

disheartening political imagery

Everyone seems to be uploading random pictures to Facebook these days. Some are humorous. Some factual. Some absurd and/or angering.

This week, I found two that I had to mention. I hate getting into long, drawn-out Facebook battles with political extremists, but I had to make a comment somewhere, hence here.

First, the budget on the right is fascinating. It really is amazing what removing a few zeroes can do. It's impossible for a family to survive on such outlandish spending. I'm a firm believer in fiscal conservatism, meaning limited spending and spending within one's means. I find it amusing that the ones harping on this are Republicans who rarely realize just how much spending Reagan and George W. Bush spent. It's not simply the evil Obama. Now, I'm not one to simply quote a liberal economics blog (in fact, they can be annoying for me to read at times), but this one by Paul Krugman, a New York Times opinion contributor, was particularly relevant. Here, he briefly reminds us where we are indebted to, largely ourselves. While this is still not where anyone should want our government to be, it's less scary than it could be. While I don't support a balanced budget amendment just yet (I don't think our country could survive), I believe we need to do mass scaling back until we can live within our means. Just not all at once.

Second, this picture ANGERS me. My friends posting this are pandering to political extremism. Clinton clapping for the forgotten American? I'm not necessarily a Democrat, but aren't Democrats doing more for forgotten Americans than Republicans? Aren't Republicans arguing solely for corporations? Okay, I exaggerated there, but being a lifelong student of History, I see this as an extremely inaccurate representation. While I instantly loved seeing presidents together, I found it disheartening to see such division. This picture does correctly identify that division. However, it only increases the divide and further damages Republican and Democrat collaboration. It shows flawed and close-minded both parties are. This picture shows me a need for a third party, a party where one isn't forced to worship Obama or find him a Constitution-crushing dictator (which he is not). I really hope people stop giving credence to an artist pandering to reckless political extremism.

what i've been reading

It seems that all I blog about is what I read. It's because I almost feel as though I'm defined by what I read. It's informing me, shaping me, whether I like what I read or not. Beyond the many (often 3-5) books I read, I also read the news and am thankful for blogs. Blogs keep me informed of friends' missionary travels, world journeys and post-college life experience. Reading about the Gilbert Brothers, Tommy Poole, Jeff Andersen, Logan Villarreal, Michael Woodruff, etc. is always fulfilling.

Other blogs too reminded me of the Christmas spirit and my blessings.

Donald Miller reminded me of the miracle of Jesus coming as an infant and its spiritual ramifications...

Dave Cameron blogs about the Seattle Mariners and is one of the best baseball writers around. A few months ago, he announced that he has cancer. His Christmas blog informed readers that he just may be alright now (still awaiting final test results)... even if the Mariners aren't...

My good friend Carrie Cloke is living in a new home, and though it's different, her family and traditions are enough. My family has changed locations many times and with each change comes a change in tradition. That's hard but there's nothing like being "home" with family for the holidays...

Having Christmas Eve on the Sabbath was a blessing. I love any excuse to connect Christmas with Christianity. Christmas sermons, family discussions, reminders about what it's all about. Similarly, Ryan Billington wrote of the Sabbath and reminded me of my own childhood experience and why it is so important...

my pohnpei birthday

Technically, it's still November 1. But, in the islands, it's November 2, my birthday. My facebook profile is becoming inundated with birthday messages from my island friends. It really makes me miss my Pohnpei birthday four years ago (I can't believe it's been so long!). My friend Tim Van Arsdale's birthday was November 1 and so we did two parties, an evening potluck on Nov. 1 and a brunch at The Village on Nov. 2. The Village is an awesome hotel on the east side of Pohnpei with some of the only actually sandy beaches and their famous Banana Macadamia Nut Pancakes (so good...). Great memories.

I was on lunch supervision on my birthday. Several of my seventh-graders came and grabbed me and said there was a classroom emergency and grabbed me. So I was herded into the room to find a cake and the entire classroom. They'd made a cake for me!!! I was flabbergasted. So honored.

some of my crazy 7th graders...

This really makes me miss my island home. Walking to town in a deep sweat. Getting a hair cut from someone who couldn't speak English. Eating at Angie's, a horrible fast-food restaurant that took longer than sit-down restaurants. Explaining American History to non-Americans. Jumping off gorgeous waterfalls. Taking a skiff across the open ocean. Eating stir-fry. Having a rusty bench press on my front porch. Actually hanging out at American Embassy events. SM camaraderie. Having the best devotions of my life.

I'm glad I have a birthday tomorrow to remind me of my most special birthday yet... Pohnpei, how I miss you!

the year of living biblically

I've finally been able to up my reading ante. And that makes me happy. You see, this year I was supposed to be reading A LOT... My reading list is impressive and impossible. I have it organized by genre and author and highlight it based on completion or currently reading...

Well, the good news is that I finally finished one more, The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. I'm also happy because this is the first book I read on my "new" Kindle! Jacobs is a journalist who works for Esquire. His first book was about his quest to read the entire Encyclopedia Brittanica. He succeeded and his next quest became to live the laws of the Bible as literally as possible for an entire year. Hey, he tried.

As I began the book, I was frustrated. Jacobs is an agnostic Jew who was raised in a secular home. Though he claimed to be doing this project in an attempt to find God so that he if there was a God, he could be a better father to his infant son. However, it seemed to me to be just a book project and lack sincerity. But I was interested in the project and kept reading. Though written simply, it did not disappoint. The book was written in a blog/journal type format and was a quick and easy read but with enough depth to satisfy.

I found it interesting to see what this guy did. He wore a tunic, added tassels, threw out all clothes of mixed fibers, grew out his beard, refused to be near his wife at "less than pure times" (its amazing he's still married), respected the Sabbath, painted his door frame, etc. He contacted spiritual leaders of all religions and used them as spiritual advisors. He visited Israel, a creationist museum, Jerry Falwell's megachurch and a church that preachers snake handling. He did a lot, but what truly made me excited was the changes the year produced in his life. Being so legalistically focused on his character actually helped him tell fewer lies and be a more positive person. Though morality is a central tenet of most religions, it was comforting to see the words of the Bible overall have such an impact, even just on a guy working on a book project.

Oh, and I currently have a beard, one that is nicely trimmed at my beard trimmer's level 6. Should I at least try that part of the project...?

Overall, a great read. One I'd recommend...

crazy love

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of Francis Chan's book Crazy Love. Being an avid lover of annotating anything remotely inspirational and aha-like, I had a hard time bringing it all together. It definitely means I'll be reading it in paper one of these days. But I did learn a lot. It really brought out  the notion of what Christians are called to, selfless love. I've heard this before, but so often it's tied too much to theology or a collection of rules. This was simpler, but much more difficult.

Jesus' two commands are to love God with and to love others as you would yourself. Chan combined those to say that we should love others as much as we would love God. This is just as Jesus mentioned to his followers about treating the least of these. The book mentioned how difficult it is to actually live this way. He and his wife downsized their home so they could give more away. He spoke of a man who lives in his car so that he can make food for surfers on the beach in Newport, CA. He spoke of many elements of living a Crazy Love lifestyle, so many stories, stuff that seems so different to comfortable suburban Christians and even to a soon-to-be 25 year-old dean living amidst the wheat fields of eastern Washington.

All this brought me to my knees. Where do I need to be next year? I've been making plans and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but I continually have to ask, "God, where next? Please guide my life" and to seek out as many opportunities to serve. I'm thankful I live in a dorm. There's so much I can do to give back. Now for the outpouring of God's crazy love...

what i do

This year, I've been getting asked a lot about my year at UCA. Are you loving it? "Yes," I say. "Tell me about deaning," they ask next. I never know what to say. Deaning consumes my life. I work long hours and I have trouble recounting what I do on the fly. It's so busy and stressful all the time, but I love it.

Here's a bit of what I do:
- put kids on sick list
- give meds
- monitor desk workers
- monitor janitors
- keep dorm clean
- handle discipline
- checks. all the time. worships. study halls. etc.
- attend faculty meetings
- chat with guys (the best part!)
- talk with parents

The list may not sound like much (I'm sure there's more), but it adds up. With 96 guys in our dorm, and only 3 full-time deans, it's constant. There's always someone who needs something and I feel like many good kids slide through without much attention because they're where they need to be are getting good grades and not pantsing kids in a classroom or calling a girl a "hippo" (those are sadly real examples). It can be overwhelming.

Add to my current schedule the occasional substitute teaching and coaching both varsity and JV volleyball and I'm swamped.

But it's Sabbath. And I've had SO many good conversations lately. With my RA's. With random sophomores in the cafeteria. With fellow staff members. I have so many reasons to be thankful. But, like most times I'm asked what I do, right now I'm just thinking about my pillow... Goodnight!

deaning

I have returned to Upper Columbia Academy, this time as a dean. It's been a fantastic experience thus far. I love deep conversations with students, ranging from RA's to freshmen still adjusting to high school... I love the opportunity to coach girls' volleyball and occasionally sub for classes. Or in the case of this week, doing all three at the same time...

This week was challenging though. Someone needed to go home. And that was hard, beyond the long days I was working. It's hard because I care. About him. About each of my guys. I know this job will push me. It's already pushed me to give more of myself, to strive harder to involve God in my life and in my decisions. This is why I entered the field of education. I can't wait to see where I'll be at the end of each year...