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.