Theologiggle...

Considering that this is our last week of class and next week is reading week and then finals, I'd say James and I have had some pretty fun times in the last few days. First of all, we had a dinner party at our house on Sunday with Professor Ellen Charry. We had her in class last semester and our whole class had a big party at her house at the end of the semester (she has a beautiful house!), so we decided to have her over to our place this time. We also had a few other friends over from our Sunday night dinner group, all of whom had also had her in one class or another. It was a great evening...plenty of wine to go around, interesting conversations, and lots of laughing.

And yesterday was the annual event "Theologiggle." It's basically a live SNL session based on sketches and skits relating to PTS...I was a little skeptical about going because I didn't know how funny it would be or if I would just end up leaving offended. But I have to say...almost every single sketch was hilarious! And the auditorium was packed out, so it made for a good audience. Just to get a flavor of the evening, here are a few names of the skits: America's Next Top Seminarian, Dating Jesus, Theological Barber Agency, and 7 Minutes *N Heaven. One of the great things about the evening was that it seemed to be an "equal opportunity" offender...the jokes weren't targeted at one theological perspective, and I think everyone could appreciate and understand the humor. Here is a link to the YouTube Video of 7 Minutes *N Heaven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hJcb53_d74
It features one of SPU's own, Matt Bollinger. I didn't actually think this was the funniest sketch, but it's the only one on YouTube right now. Anyhow, I am already looking forward to next year's Theologiggle...I think I'd actually like to be a part of it next year. There are only so many opportunities to contribute to such a life-time opportunity of humor.

Lynden Whirlwind

James and I played tennis against Krista and her doubles partener Julia...yep, the beat us.









James, Nicole, Jenny, and Evan all crammed together on the couch.


Jessica's lookin a little sly...



After our time in Seattle we got to pop up to Lynden for 1 1/2 days with our family. Jessica was nice enough to come pick us up from Seattle, and then we had a joint family dinner on Sunday evening. Monday was really nice - James and I slept in for the first time since we'd been home, and then I hung out with my mom all day cuz she took a day off from work. I got to watch Krista play a tennis match at Sehome High School, and she won - whoo-hoo! And Hailey and Aleah and I made some pretty sweet dandelion crowns...good times. James got to spend the day with his sister, and then we all had pizza for dinner that night and played some apples-to-apples. It was a super quick trip home, but so good to see family! Lois took a personal day on Tuesday to drive us to the airport, and we got to have a really nice long chat with her. Hopefully we'll get to come home this summer (again, crossing fingers).

3 things for the day...

Alright, James and I are back in full swing after our trip to Washington and as I was driving around like a busy maniac today there were three things on my mind:

1) Spring is FINALLY HERE!!! When James and I left for home a week ago, it was still very much winter here in Princeton...the temperature was cold, the wind had a bite to it, and all the trees were still dead in their skeletal state. But when we got back it was like there had been a glorious transformation from stagnancy to vibrancy...and PRAISE THE LORD! The cherry trees are in full bloom, the other trees are starting to get small green buds soon to burst into leafy splendor, the temperature is pleasantly sunny and hovering 70 degrees, and everybody in the world is outside humming a tune. These are some of my favorite days of the year...those first "real days" of spring when all of us sun-starved human beings join with nature in our transformation to new growth and life. And I am hoping that my ambivalent attitude towards some of my classes will also undergo a transformation with the change of skies as I gear up to finish hard for this semester. (currently crossing fingers!)

2) I don't like incisions or having blood drawn or anything dealing with that realm of medical issues. I had to have an odd-looking bump on my upper arm removed today, but when i went to the doctor's office I wasn't prepared for the all-out scissors, tweezers, gauze, blood, and stitching that I underwent. The doctor was trying to probe at me regarding why I chose to pursue religion at seminary all during his probing in my arm, including his remark that he didn't mean to be overly cynical but that he found it hard to imagine telling starving families in third-world countries about religion--apparently people with empty stomachs shouldn't be hearing about Jesus or something like that. Not really sure...all I know is that he was definitely being overly cynical to me when it was all I could do to keep from passing out as I tried not to watch. I think I was able to muster some answer about how there is great hope in the God of my religion, and particularly when we are all willing to reach out to one another. Anyways, I am very grateful to have medical insurance and that at the beat of a phone-call I can get into the doctor's office to have a potentially cancerous skin abnormality removed. I remember for the first time in my life not having health insurance for part of the year, and that is a scary place to be in. I'm also grateful that there are people like Laura and Janelle who can handle dealing with blood and gauze and all those things that most of us can't stand to glance at.

3) I think James and I just sealed the deal on a really sweet part-time job for this summer. We met with Professor Isaac for coffee this morning, and he agreed to allow us both to work for him starting next week. The work he does involves a great deal of research on human rights and peace studies, particularly in his home country of Ethiopia. He is also very involved with several organizations and groups (for example he is going to a United Nations dinner this weekend to meet with the Secretary General), and I think he could be a great door to some important connections. But mostly I am very interested in learning more about his research and human rights projects, and he has a very charismatic and "nutty-professor" charm about him. James and I are praying that this job ends up working out and that we can be as helpful to him as we are hoping he will be for us. (And the pay is better than any of our other jobs!)

In conclusion, God is very good and it's one of those days where I want to shout out his praises. Maybe that's what I'll do on my way to work.

SWEET HOME SEATTLE!!!

Looks like James wants somebody to join him on the dance floor...yep, it was me.






Tamara de Waard and I - both the supportive wives of the groomsman, and all with our roots in Lynden


Ahh...the candy buffet


The food buffet was beautiful


Bride and Grooms first dance


Too much Guitar Hero, James?



B.J. and Rachel taking thier vows




Rachel's beautiful dress!




James walking down the aisle with Rachel's friend, Kailen.




James and I at the reception hall - my dress matches his tie!


Here we are at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill...we got to watch Andy in his first big cateogry 3 bike race.






Andy's in the pack somewhere!



On sunny days in Seattle you've got to get a slurpee! (Especially if you live in Ballard...slurpees might not be as popular with the Queen Anne moms)









Just like the good ol' days of late nights in college, crashing on the couch.





James eventually crashed our party...

James and I are finally back home in the Evergreen State, and it has been a wonderful time thus far! We love being back near the mountains and the ocean, and we had a great blessing of sunshine and 70 degree weather on Saturday. It was perfect for Emily, Laura, Janelle and I to go watch Andy's bike race at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. And James said the wedding pics were great in the sunshine at Greenlake....good times all around!

Hangin' out with friends was fabulous - wine and cheese party with Kristen, Emily, Laura, and Janelle; Pancake breakfast at Jay and Trisha's house; shopping downtown and meeting Andy for lunch at Specialty's; James played a lot of guitar hero...(good thing we don't have that at home!), and we finally got to check out the new building at Bethany on Sunday.

The wedding was also beautiful - the rehearsal dinner at McCormick's and Schmicks was delightful...we haven't had good fish in far too long! And the wedding was perfectly Rachel and B.J. - we had lots of dancing and good food and laughs with friends.

Now we're home with our families - we just had a big family dinner last night, and we are currently still in our pj's at 12:00pm noon, browsing magazines and the internet and watching the crazy weather outside - it's hailing big ice balls that our bouncing off the lawn. (I thought it was April!?!?) Anyhow, I'm always so amazed everytime I come home at what wonderful friends and family we have. Laura and Emily are always so gracious in letting us stay at thier place, and driving us around and hosting us and makin' it feel like old times. And our families are so excited to spend time with us and lavish us with food and quality time and hugs. It is a good life...and in the day to day mundane moments where I feel more glum than I should I need to remember the days like today where I feel like I couldn't imagine a better life if I tried. Praise God for the wonder and beauty and excitement of good friends and family!