As I write this, the familiar sound of a plow rumbling down the street accompanies me. All I seem to think about or dream about or see is snow, ice, snow, and more ice. I woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of snow. Why wasn't I surprised? We had gone a whole 4 days without any snow, so we were overdue. :) My self-centered side was mostly sad because I had wanted to wear a cute skirt to the opera tonight. Now I have to wear my rugged mountain-man clothes instead, like usual. Sigh...rough life.
This afternoon was somewhat productive with reading for my classes, but then I just reached a wall and couldn't read another word about public program evaluation. I tried to go on a walk, but the blowing snow in my face made me turn around in about 7 seconds.
So I ended up spending a good portion of my afternoon in the Word, looking up nearly ever verse cited in the book I'm reading called, "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free." If you're female, I highly recommend it!
One of the struggles I've had lately is contentment. I think that's been a struggle and a sin for me my whole life. I've always suspected that, and it's come out more lately in readings and conversation. For example, thoughts have crossed my mind frequently to forget this whole MPA business.
Life is comfortable here. Classes are grueling and American culture doesn't make much sense, but I have shelter, friends, food, and health. Most importantly, I have God. But Philippians 4:11-12 really convicted me today: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want."
Have I learned this? To be content in every circumstance and season of life? Whether I'm in the middle of America or the middle of Asia; whether I'm a student or a teacher; whether I'm young or old; whether I'm single or married--I want to be content in Him.
My heart literally aches for China and the close-knit community there. I want to go to the nations to tell others about Him. Meanwhile, I sometimes forget that He has sent the nations here to the IU campus! I am literally surrounded by thousands of students who have never heard of Him, and they will someday return to their countries to be the next leaders.
Ultimately, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24). I have to be mindful that I have the amazing opportunity to tell others about Him, and for now that opportunity is in Indiana. Hopefully I'll be able to return to China someday, but until then I will remember: "wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)
Alright, folks. Time to get into my mountain-man clothes with contentment in my heart! Happy Saturday!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Storm stories
The "colossal" and "historic" storm turned out to be pretty intense, but it could have been much worse! We got less than an inch of snow, but lots and lots of ice.
Yesterday I managed to skate my way to the street and got on one of the city buses that were still running. It was freezing rain, ice pellets were falling, and it was really windy, which isn't too fun. I about hit the ground several times, but always managed to right myself. Indiana has tons of old trees, and I was a little uncomfortable walking under them as they crackled under the weight of all the ice. A lot of big limbs were down at that point.
So I made it on the bus and got to school, where I discovered that classes had just been canceled! Sometimes I really wish I had an iPhone or something where I could check the Internet when I'm not at my desk in my room. Now the weather had made a turn for the worse. The freezing rain was really coming down, and everyone was slipping all over the place.
I had to wait outside for several buses to pass by before one finally stopped. They were packed with students heading for the hills, or more likely, their dorm rooms. I finally got on a bus and was so proud at how crowded it was. It was a China bus in America--complete with people coughing on you. :) Everyone seemed sort of panicky. It was like catching the last helicopter out of Vietnam or the last lifeboat on the Titanic.
By the time I slid all the way back home, I was exhausted. I cooked a big dinner and was just waiting for the power to go out because of the ice. Whenever we had big ice storms in Kansas, electricity could go out pretty quickly and forever. Thankfully most of the power lines are underground here. Smart thinking, Indianans!
Then today I couldn't go to work at city hall, because the city government was closed due to the weather. For fun, I decided to chisel my car out of the ice, figuring it wasn't going to get warmer any time soon and I would have to de-ice it at some point. It took 50 whole minutes just to get the thick ice off of my windshields. You could hear a chorus of "chink, chink, chink" as Bloomingtonians all over the city were trying to get into their cars.
So classes were canceled at IU until 1 p.m. today. Of course my classes are after 1 p.m. The streets were pretty quiet, since every office and business in town was closed, except our campus. Apparently IU thinks everyone is extremely hearty and likes to risk their lives to get to class. It was a bit treacherous. Thankfully I made it there and back in one piece!
So that's the storm of the century from a southern Indiana perspective. I know a lot of the Midwest, like Kansas, got a foot of snow and blizzard conditions. I'm not sure which I'd prefer--being encased in snow or in ice. Maybe neither. I'll choose a vacation in Florida.
And speaking of balmy Florida, yesterday was Andrea's 22nd birthday! Happy, happy birthday to my favoritest sister!
My Kansas car is on the left and is covered in solid ice. My neighbor's Missouri car is on the right. He had thought to put a tarp on his car before the storm. He was smart. I don't think I give Missourians enough credit.
Making progress on chiseling through the pure ice.
All the ice coming off my car.
Yesterday I managed to skate my way to the street and got on one of the city buses that were still running. It was freezing rain, ice pellets were falling, and it was really windy, which isn't too fun. I about hit the ground several times, but always managed to right myself. Indiana has tons of old trees, and I was a little uncomfortable walking under them as they crackled under the weight of all the ice. A lot of big limbs were down at that point.
So I made it on the bus and got to school, where I discovered that classes had just been canceled! Sometimes I really wish I had an iPhone or something where I could check the Internet when I'm not at my desk in my room. Now the weather had made a turn for the worse. The freezing rain was really coming down, and everyone was slipping all over the place.
I had to wait outside for several buses to pass by before one finally stopped. They were packed with students heading for the hills, or more likely, their dorm rooms. I finally got on a bus and was so proud at how crowded it was. It was a China bus in America--complete with people coughing on you. :) Everyone seemed sort of panicky. It was like catching the last helicopter out of Vietnam or the last lifeboat on the Titanic.
By the time I slid all the way back home, I was exhausted. I cooked a big dinner and was just waiting for the power to go out because of the ice. Whenever we had big ice storms in Kansas, electricity could go out pretty quickly and forever. Thankfully most of the power lines are underground here. Smart thinking, Indianans!
Then today I couldn't go to work at city hall, because the city government was closed due to the weather. For fun, I decided to chisel my car out of the ice, figuring it wasn't going to get warmer any time soon and I would have to de-ice it at some point. It took 50 whole minutes just to get the thick ice off of my windshields. You could hear a chorus of "chink, chink, chink" as Bloomingtonians all over the city were trying to get into their cars.
So classes were canceled at IU until 1 p.m. today. Of course my classes are after 1 p.m. The streets were pretty quiet, since every office and business in town was closed, except our campus. Apparently IU thinks everyone is extremely hearty and likes to risk their lives to get to class. It was a bit treacherous. Thankfully I made it there and back in one piece!
So that's the storm of the century from a southern Indiana perspective. I know a lot of the Midwest, like Kansas, got a foot of snow and blizzard conditions. I'm not sure which I'd prefer--being encased in snow or in ice. Maybe neither. I'll choose a vacation in Florida.
And speaking of balmy Florida, yesterday was Andrea's 22nd birthday! Happy, happy birthday to my favoritest sister!
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