He asked me what made me come alive. Whew. What a question, and not an everyday question either. It's a question I should probably know the answer to. But I don't. I mean, yes, Jesus makes me come alive. The Holy Spirit does, but he wanted to know what else. So I gave him an answer. It was a half-hearted answer, and more of a questioned answer than a statement.
"People?" I replied, "Um....people make me come alive. I mean, I love being around people, and when I'm with people then I'm happy and alive....."
"Does writing make you come alive?" He prompted.
"Well, yeah, but not in the way that I want it to. I don't think I do enough of it."
"You need to make a habit of it, huh?"
"Yeah, maybe, probably."
"What else?"
I struggled, "Well, grand adventures...the everyday ones and the foreign land ones. Yeah, that's what makes me come alive..."
While those are all valid answers, they don't suffice for me. I feel like I just gave the everyday answers that are programmed into my memory so I don't struggle or have to think. What makes me come alive? What makes me come alive? Not a question that we often get to answer or think about. We should, though. I thought I knew what made me come alive, but now I'm not so sure. I've changed within the past year. The things that motivate me are different from one, two, three years ago. What makes me come alive? Not just a question I can give a one word answer to. And that's what I did yesterday.
What I want to know, friends, is what makes you come alive.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Beat the heat right out of Iowa
It's hot outside. Extremely hot. So hot that I felt like melting into a puddle and wasting away into nothingness yesterday. So hot that all I wanted to do was swim. Anywhere. But I couldn't find that anywhere to swim. BUT I thought that before I got too complain-y, I should perhaps check and see what Rwanda's conditions are. I mean, we are, after all, going to be working under that African sun instead of sitting in a car in Iowa. I figured (well, after some suggestion from a wise friend) that I should maybe consider what I'm going to be doing in Rwanda before complaining about weather here.
But I can still complain.
...aaand another source:
(http://www.africaguide.com/country/rwanda/info.htm)
....aaaaand one more, just for fun.
"Elevation accounts for Rwanda's generally mild temperatures, which average 70° F (21° C) year-round at Kigali, for example, in the interior highlands."
(http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-40757/Rwanda)
Based on these extensive research findings, I conclude:
IOWA, YOU STINK!
You are waaaaay too stinking hot for your own good! You are even hotter than freaking AFRICA. Than Rwanda! 1 degree south of the EQUATOR!
I know, I know, you'll promise to get cooler soon. And that is the problem. Tomorrow it'll probably be 20 below zero out, while today it is 110 with a heat index of 157!!
Goodness gracious!
So yes, I can complain about the weather in Iowa, even though I am going to Rwanda, because, frankly, it's hotter here than there. I'm glad I'm beating the Iowa heat by going to Africa, as ironic as that statement seems (I know, I know, not all of Africa is on the equator, but people generally think of hot hot hotness when they think of Africa, so I am merely speaking of that stereotype).
*sidenote: a friend told me the other day that this is predicted to be the hottest summer on record.
I shake my fist at Iowa hotness!!!! On the other hand...I do get to go swimming today, thanks for the beautiful weather, Iowa!
But I can still complain.
- The sun shines nearly all year round, and, whatever the season, the mean daily temperature is close to 24 C (76F).
- The minimum night temperatures is around 10C (50F) and maximum daytime temperatures ranges about 34C (94F).
- During the dry seasons, which last from December to mid-March and from June to the end of August, frequent light cloud cover yields a pleasant, never stifling, temperature.
- Kigali , the capital city, is located on
...aaand another source:
(http://www.africaguide.com/country/rwanda/info.htm)....aaaaand one more, just for fun.
"Elevation accounts for Rwanda's generally mild temperatures, which average 70° F (21° C) year-round at Kigali, for example, in the interior highlands."
(http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-40757/Rwanda)
Based on these extensive research findings, I conclude:
IOWA, YOU STINK!
You are waaaaay too stinking hot for your own good! You are even hotter than freaking AFRICA. Than Rwanda! 1 degree south of the EQUATOR!
I know, I know, you'll promise to get cooler soon. And that is the problem. Tomorrow it'll probably be 20 below zero out, while today it is 110 with a heat index of 157!!
Goodness gracious!
So yes, I can complain about the weather in Iowa, even though I am going to Rwanda, because, frankly, it's hotter here than there. I'm glad I'm beating the Iowa heat by going to Africa, as ironic as that statement seems (I know, I know, not all of Africa is on the equator, but people generally think of hot hot hotness when they think of Africa, so I am merely speaking of that stereotype).
*sidenote: a friend told me the other day that this is predicted to be the hottest summer on record.
I shake my fist at Iowa hotness!!!! On the other hand...I do get to go swimming today, thanks for the beautiful weather, Iowa!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Weekend Dreams
I went in a hot-air balloon this weekend.
Okay....so I almost went in a hot-air balloon this weekend. Kat and I had near adventure after near adventure this past weekend. It was grand! Small-town and large-town festivaling. BBQ pork to spongy, squishy fields. We cursed the low clouds and cheered the excellent pizza. But best of all this weekend was hanging out with Kat and her lovely family at her grandparents' cutest house ever, making an excellent breakfast and eating it on the screened-in porch with birds singing and accompanying us in morning feasting, and watching TWO sets of fireworks with her relatives. Zipping across country roads to make the second set.
I almost went in a hot-air balloon this weekend, but that doesn't matter.
I went in a hot-air balloon this weekend.
Okay....so I almost went in a hot-air balloon this weekend. Kat and I had near adventure after near adventure this past weekend. It was grand! Small-town and large-town festivaling. BBQ pork to spongy, squishy fields. We cursed the low clouds and cheered the excellent pizza. But best of all this weekend was hanging out with Kat and her lovely family at her grandparents' cutest house ever, making an excellent breakfast and eating it on the screened-in porch with birds singing and accompanying us in morning feasting, and watching TWO sets of fireworks with her relatives. Zipping across country roads to make the second set.
I almost went in a hot-air balloon this weekend, but that doesn't matter.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A Taste of China
I FINALLY got to see Elsie last night. We talked for hours and hours about life, classes, our summer, and adventures. Amazing! Then, we inevitably moved to our favorite topic when we're together...food. We always talk about food at some point when we're together. Then, of course, we got hungry. I asked her where she likes to eat Chinese, and she told me May House. I'd always wanted to go there, but hadn't yet, so of course, we went. Oh, my, goodness! It was exactly the taste I had missed since coming back to the states almost a year ago. Sooooooo good! But the best part was being there with Elsie. She was impressed with my chopsticks skills, which made me proud. After the meal I had only finished 1/2 of my Beef Noodle Soup...the bowl was HUUUGE! (remember that dish, Kel? we had it a few times, but one of the times i remember was when we were at the place near Robert's...and yes, it had cilantro, i know how you looooved that!) YUM!
I FINALLY got to see Elsie last night. We talked for hours and hours about life, classes, our summer, and adventures. Amazing! Then, we inevitably moved to our favorite topic when we're together...food. We always talk about food at some point when we're together. Then, of course, we got hungry. I asked her where she likes to eat Chinese, and she told me May House. I'd always wanted to go there, but hadn't yet, so of course, we went. Oh, my, goodness! It was exactly the taste I had missed since coming back to the states almost a year ago. Sooooooo good! But the best part was being there with Elsie. She was impressed with my chopsticks skills, which made me proud. After the meal I had only finished 1/2 of my Beef Noodle Soup...the bowl was HUUUGE! (remember that dish, Kel? we had it a few times, but one of the times i remember was when we were at the place near Robert's...and yes, it had cilantro, i know how you looooved that!) YUM!
Monday, June 11, 2007
An Old Friend
She was a good dog. She was a good dog that we loved for almost 18 years. She was a troublesome pup, a sweet dog, a life-saver, and a loyal friend. My dad loved her and adored her. We all did. But we had to say goodbye to a dear, dear friend today.
Babe had gotten very sick the last year of her life. It was hard to see her in such pain, but she was a trooper until the end. Her many years of chasing cattle and chewing bones ended today as her tired, old body couldn't keep up with her puppy heart.
Here's a story that I wrote about Babe last fall.
* * *
It was so comfortable lying on this bench. It was Babe’s favorite spot to while away the day. There she lay, head on her front paws, her tail wagging lazily in the Iowa breeze. She gazed over the landscape before her, her eyes roving over the large, round-topped barn, plastic fence, and creaky swing set in the backyard. She let out a long sigh and closed her eyes. Babe thumped her tail on the worn, canvas bench seat. The edges were frayed from countless chewing and ripping with her claws. There was a nice worn spot in the middle cushion that was her favorite spot to lie.
Just as she was drifting off to dreams, she heard a whistle and a shout. Babe’s ears immediately perked up, and her tail began to wag furiously.
“Yeah, Babe, come on! It’s time for chores!” Brian yelled at her.
Babe sat up, her girth falling to the earth in folds beneath her as a result of gravity. She lazily slid off of the bench and slowly trotted over to the side of her master. Sitting crookedly, leaning on one paw, she gave her most pathetic brown-eyed gaze to her owner.
“Come on, girl, you won’t get off that easy today,” Brian scolded her, but softening, and giving her a pat on the head, “We’ve got a busy day today. How about you come in the truck with me?” Brian pulled open the squeaky white door of his Ford truck and patted the cracked leather seat. Babe wagged her tail, and jumped up into the truck with a wheeze and a grunt. It was getting harder to move every day. Brian slammed the door shut, climbed into the driver’s side, and gave Babe another pat on the head.
“You’re a good dog, Babe. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
* * *
We'll live without her, but she will always be missed. She holds a place in all of our hearts, as well as in our flower bed. Thanks for all of the years and memories, Babe, my babygirl!
She was a good dog. She was a good dog that we loved for almost 18 years. She was a troublesome pup, a sweet dog, a life-saver, and a loyal friend. My dad loved her and adored her. We all did. But we had to say goodbye to a dear, dear friend today.
Babe had gotten very sick the last year of her life. It was hard to see her in such pain, but she was a trooper until the end. Her many years of chasing cattle and chewing bones ended today as her tired, old body couldn't keep up with her puppy heart.
Here's a story that I wrote about Babe last fall.
* * *
It was so comfortable lying on this bench. It was Babe’s favorite spot to while away the day. There she lay, head on her front paws, her tail wagging lazily in the Iowa breeze. She gazed over the landscape before her, her eyes roving over the large, round-topped barn, plastic fence, and creaky swing set in the backyard. She let out a long sigh and closed her eyes. Babe thumped her tail on the worn, canvas bench seat. The edges were frayed from countless chewing and ripping with her claws. There was a nice worn spot in the middle cushion that was her favorite spot to lie.
Just as she was drifting off to dreams, she heard a whistle and a shout. Babe’s ears immediately perked up, and her tail began to wag furiously.
“Yeah, Babe, come on! It’s time for chores!” Brian yelled at her.
Babe sat up, her girth falling to the earth in folds beneath her as a result of gravity. She lazily slid off of the bench and slowly trotted over to the side of her master. Sitting crookedly, leaning on one paw, she gave her most pathetic brown-eyed gaze to her owner.
“Come on, girl, you won’t get off that easy today,” Brian scolded her, but softening, and giving her a pat on the head, “We’ve got a busy day today. How about you come in the truck with me?” Brian pulled open the squeaky white door of his Ford truck and patted the cracked leather seat. Babe wagged her tail, and jumped up into the truck with a wheeze and a grunt. It was getting harder to move every day. Brian slammed the door shut, climbed into the driver’s side, and gave Babe another pat on the head.
“You’re a good dog, Babe. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
* * *
We'll live without her, but she will always be missed. She holds a place in all of our hearts, as well as in our flower bed. Thanks for all of the years and memories, Babe, my babygirl!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Dog Days of Summer
The sunshine.
The fresh air.
The splashing water.
Picnicking today with good friends and an adorable dog. Burgers grilling, iced tea in plastic cups, and warm peach pie covered the picnic table. After we filled our bellies, we explored, splashing through creeks. Bailey kept us all laughing as she waded and jumped in the water. Struggling against the current, Kim tried to keep hold of her and prevent her from being swept downstream. Emerging from the water, she tried to shake her wet hair that plastered her body to get dry. She still looked like a rat. Adorable. With more energy than the rest of us, she kept us walking through tiredness, always wanting to run ahead, pulling Kim behind her. Getting back home, we all crashed for naps...even Bailey.
Beautiful summer days.
The sunshine.
The fresh air.
The splashing water.
Picnicking today with good friends and an adorable dog. Burgers grilling, iced tea in plastic cups, and warm peach pie covered the picnic table. After we filled our bellies, we explored, splashing through creeks. Bailey kept us all laughing as she waded and jumped in the water. Struggling against the current, Kim tried to keep hold of her and prevent her from being swept downstream. Emerging from the water, she tried to shake her wet hair that plastered her body to get dry. She still looked like a rat. Adorable. With more energy than the rest of us, she kept us walking through tiredness, always wanting to run ahead, pulling Kim behind her. Getting back home, we all crashed for naps...even Bailey.
Beautiful summer days.
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