God is....

My new favorite hymn/church song is God of the Bible from Sing the Journey. My church has been singing said hymn each Sunday this summer, and I always end up slightly misty eyed and tingling with joy by the last chorus. This Sunday, the woman who gave the sermon/homily/message (Assembly has never really clarified what we call this time) talked about a particular line in the chorus, which is as follows:

Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise,
God always faithful, You do not change

She stated that while this is true, not every morning begins the same. Thus, God DOES change. I was reminded that by attaching words to God's being, we limit what God can be. As this woman said, God is what I need God to be at that time. God is not stagnant, but God also is solid, unwavering. God cannot be one thing for all people at one time. God is not one thing for me all the time. S/he is what I need at that time. What a comforting message.

So what is God to me right now? Huh. Not really a question to be tackled in a blog entry, but I have been finding God everywhere these days. The brink of autumn is a wonderful time, one of my most joyful times of the year.

I see God in the sunshine that has arrived after a month that brought 16 inches of rain. in my housemates and friends in Goshen, who constantly remind me that I am a better person in community than I could be on my own. in the fresh faces on campus, even the girls with the makeup and styled hair (they too will be goshen-ized). in long walks in the darkness of evening. in silent prayers around dinner tables of college friends. in the support of teachers I barely know at GHS. in the hysterical laughter that brings me to tears. in the eyes of customers buying local produce and organic milk at the co-op. in the handful of students who have initiated conversation with their substitute teacher (aka me). in beautiful music and beautiful movies and beautiful friends.

God is here. And I am here.

Settling at last...

Back in Goshen! Currently typing from the computer lab b/c there's no internet in the house at this point. It is really good to be back, to finally have the satisfaction of moving the boxes into a place I will remain for at least 9 months. To be organizing kitchens and cleaning bathrooms and rearranging furniture, along with seeing some of the people I've missed all summer long. Moving into a new run down old Goshen house is always an adventure. This one involves a non-functioning bathroom sink, no outlets in the bathroom, and all sorts of other details. However, at this point, the crazy angles of the rooms and nooks and closets seem to be outweighing the problems.

Reality check: work starts tomorrow. I somehow landed a subbing job on the second day of school--same classroom for 7 days. So, of course, I am incredibly terrified. Ack. I have to remember how to be Miss rather than Emily and how to appear in control and cool at the same time. It's tricky.

PA was really a good trip. The brother and I didn't kill each other. I ate tons of good food. I saw an amazing movie, Once. I went tandem biking for the first time in my life (21 miles!). I went on a real date. Good times. However, I am now joining the real world of work and scheduling and unpacking. Ah well, things are still good.

I've eaten two peaches today already. I think it's time to go home and eat another.

Henna-ful Thoughts

I just realized that I've never hennaed during the summer. Covering your hair with a plastic bag is quite insulating, making me a bit warm as I type. I haven't had henna in my hair since graduation, and since my fingernails were almost their normal not-orange color, I figured I might as well crank up the orange factor once again.

I have many pleasant henna-related memories: Andy and I hennaing together for the first time, and Colin allowing me to [terribly] streak his white-blond hair with henna. Getting Chief ice cream with plastic bags on our heads. Cinnamon and fresh hay scented rain falling into my eyes during the rainiest camping trip ever with my May term Ecology class [the scent stays in your hair for awhile]. Hannah Jantzi and I deciding that if everyone hennaed, there'd be world peace. James' reaction upon first smelling my hennaed locks.

I haven't much to do these days, so it was nice to have a bit of a project today. Otherwise, I've been spending my time watching as many Scrubs episodes as possible, as it seems every network carries reruns these days, and attempting to get excited about packing and watching So You Think You Can Dance. I loved the show last year, but this year? Not so good [I heart Huckabees reference, anyone?]. I still watch b/c I like watching dancing, not these particular dancers. However, Mandy and her boyfriend arrive tomorrow, so we will make brownies and have campfires and attend the huge 50% off sale at the cheapest thrift store around, so that will be good. And then, suddenly, it will be Wednesday, and I will be off to PA to reunite with James after 4 long months. :) Yay, August!

My friends, the time has come.
One of the ways I often mark the stages of my life is with a new journal. I finished my last college journal while on vacation this summer.
While I returning to a location I already know and love, my life will be different.
No longer a student, I'll now be teaching classes (ok, just subbing) and working at the co-op instead of attending classes.
No longer living with my Swing house girls, I'll now be moving on to new lovely housemates.
And so, a new era and a new blog begin...