Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
and these are the days of our lives...
I am so tired of this soap opera. I am ready for a change. I am one of the few people that actually enjoys the front desk job at Zion Lodge, but I am tired of fake people. There are some people I am going to miss so much when I move next Friday, but too many people know the secret- that we are only here for a few months and we get to be whatever fantasy characters we want to be for those few months and rumors are meant to be spread because there's nothing else to talk about. I hope this is a good change for me.
I will be working at the entrance station to the park now. Yes, I have to wear the offical park ranger getup, with the ugly green pants pulled up way too high and the silly smokey the bear hat falling over my eyes. My friends here from the Lodge are going to fly past the entrance station now yelling "Traitor!" But the good side of all this... I get to have a change. I get to be a park ranger. I will be in the park service, which means I can transfer to one closer to home pretty easily. And I will be paid more than twice what I get at the lodge. The money thing was honestly the last thing I realized about this job. I never expected to make much money in life. This will be a convenient side-note... a very convenient one.
All this came about in such an odd way. A park ranger named Sam gave me an application one day, saying I'd really enjoy this job. I had never talked to Sam about my job or any desires to leave it or work for the Park Service, though I did want to get in. So I thought about filling it out, missed the due date, woke up the following Monday and decided what the heck, I'll turn in something just to say I did. I half-heartedly filled some stuff out, made some type of resume, and went to the office to turn it in. When I walked in, I changed my mind and said, "you know what? nevermind. I don't want to waste your time with this because I just realized I'd have no place to live even if you hired me. Could you just keep this till this fall maybe when you can offer housing?" A few days later I get a call saying they found housing and they need me to work now. So I debated forever and was discussing it with one of my managers one day and I told him how I just really need to know the reason why Sam gave me the application in the first place. That would help me decide. If it was just some gut feeling, I'd give all this a second look. I trust gut. I turned around and walking straight toward the desk was Sam. And the first words he says to me are, "You know Juli? I really think you need to take this job. I didn't tell you, but I just had a feeling about it. That's why I gave you the application. There was no real reason, just a gut feeling."
I took the job.
I will be working at the entrance station to the park now. Yes, I have to wear the offical park ranger getup, with the ugly green pants pulled up way too high and the silly smokey the bear hat falling over my eyes. My friends here from the Lodge are going to fly past the entrance station now yelling "Traitor!" But the good side of all this... I get to have a change. I get to be a park ranger. I will be in the park service, which means I can transfer to one closer to home pretty easily. And I will be paid more than twice what I get at the lodge. The money thing was honestly the last thing I realized about this job. I never expected to make much money in life. This will be a convenient side-note... a very convenient one.
All this came about in such an odd way. A park ranger named Sam gave me an application one day, saying I'd really enjoy this job. I had never talked to Sam about my job or any desires to leave it or work for the Park Service, though I did want to get in. So I thought about filling it out, missed the due date, woke up the following Monday and decided what the heck, I'll turn in something just to say I did. I half-heartedly filled some stuff out, made some type of resume, and went to the office to turn it in. When I walked in, I changed my mind and said, "you know what? nevermind. I don't want to waste your time with this because I just realized I'd have no place to live even if you hired me. Could you just keep this till this fall maybe when you can offer housing?" A few days later I get a call saying they found housing and they need me to work now. So I debated forever and was discussing it with one of my managers one day and I told him how I just really need to know the reason why Sam gave me the application in the first place. That would help me decide. If it was just some gut feeling, I'd give all this a second look. I trust gut. I turned around and walking straight toward the desk was Sam. And the first words he says to me are, "You know Juli? I really think you need to take this job. I didn't tell you, but I just had a feeling about it. That's why I gave you the application. There was no real reason, just a gut feeling."
I took the job.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
red rocks vs. naked bums in my face
A couple weeks ago, I was given an application for a park service job (to be a "ranger"... not the cool kind, but the mean, fee-taking, pretend you're tough but really powerless kind) because one of the rangers thought I'd really like this job. I turned it in but I told them that I was interested in a job starting after this one ends in September. Well, the other day when I went to pick up my parents from their flight to Las Vegas, my phone rang and it was the park service to let me know they want me to start on the 24th... It all depends if they can find housing for me or not, but I can't figure out what to do. It would be great money, but I'm finally getting the hang of this job at the lodge. I'm not ready to sacrifice the little social life I have here in the dorms yet either.
Speaking of the great social life in the dorms... The other night I came back to the dorm and sat around the front yard with 5 older guys that live upstairs. Sad reality... sometimes I can relate to these older men better than the college age goofs that live in the other dorm. I hope that doesn't mean I've become old and rigid and mature. But the night took a turn of excitement none of us expected when a man three doors down from me was threatening another guy with his knife collection because he had been off his medication for a couple weeks now. Soon the rangers arrived in their little ranger-cop cars and came up the hill to our dorm. All of us took off. I went to my room and locked the door. I had no clue if I should expect a series of gunfire or if I could open my door and peer down the hallway to watch the guy be taken away half-sober in handcuffs. Later that night, when I thought all of the chaos was over, I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed and almost ran right into the rangers as I came out. They were leaving without the man and without the knife collection. I wasn't surprised to hear that his roomate never came to bed that night. I think he must have slept in the hammock down by the other dorms.
On Sunday, a group of us hiked up the Narrows and alittle ways down Orderville canyon and back. It was incredible. If you've never heard of the Narrows, it is the world-famous hike here. Supposedly one of the very best hikes you can do in the US. Our guide was actually the superintendent of Zion National Park... pretty special opportunity to get to hike with the big guy. He's part of the ministry support committee here for the three of us who do the services in the park. This is the only national park where the head of the park is so involved with the Christian ministry like this. So he took us through the Narrows and taught us all kinds of things we'd never have known. Cannot wait to do the full hike someday.
That night, we went to his house and had dinner together and my parents came along. Then we headed off for Vegas, randomly. We had no real plans, except that I had Monday off and we had no place to stay for the night anyway. The night was gorgeous. Wildfires lit up the mountain as we drove away from the little town of Hurricane. We drove through a canyon and the moonlight lit up the cliffs on my right. The heat was so intense that the breeze through the window stung my eyes. Then we came over a ridge and the city just glowed golden across the horizon. The heat rising in the city made the lights flicker and glisten. We stayed in the MGM Grand. I felt very insignificant in that giant hotel, but it was worth the experience. Went and saw the strip and finally got to sleep at 4 am. Saw a magic show yesterday because it was one of the only shows minus naked bodies I was ok with seeing with my parents. Saw enough naked bodies on the trash laying on the street. Saw enough of Vegas. Sorry, I'm not a huge fan. I like being back in Zion, back where the red rocks are glowing outside my window in the rising moonlight.
Speaking of the great social life in the dorms... The other night I came back to the dorm and sat around the front yard with 5 older guys that live upstairs. Sad reality... sometimes I can relate to these older men better than the college age goofs that live in the other dorm. I hope that doesn't mean I've become old and rigid and mature. But the night took a turn of excitement none of us expected when a man three doors down from me was threatening another guy with his knife collection because he had been off his medication for a couple weeks now. Soon the rangers arrived in their little ranger-cop cars and came up the hill to our dorm. All of us took off. I went to my room and locked the door. I had no clue if I should expect a series of gunfire or if I could open my door and peer down the hallway to watch the guy be taken away half-sober in handcuffs. Later that night, when I thought all of the chaos was over, I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed and almost ran right into the rangers as I came out. They were leaving without the man and without the knife collection. I wasn't surprised to hear that his roomate never came to bed that night. I think he must have slept in the hammock down by the other dorms.
On Sunday, a group of us hiked up the Narrows and alittle ways down Orderville canyon and back. It was incredible. If you've never heard of the Narrows, it is the world-famous hike here. Supposedly one of the very best hikes you can do in the US. Our guide was actually the superintendent of Zion National Park... pretty special opportunity to get to hike with the big guy. He's part of the ministry support committee here for the three of us who do the services in the park. This is the only national park where the head of the park is so involved with the Christian ministry like this. So he took us through the Narrows and taught us all kinds of things we'd never have known. Cannot wait to do the full hike someday.
That night, we went to his house and had dinner together and my parents came along. Then we headed off for Vegas, randomly. We had no real plans, except that I had Monday off and we had no place to stay for the night anyway. The night was gorgeous. Wildfires lit up the mountain as we drove away from the little town of Hurricane. We drove through a canyon and the moonlight lit up the cliffs on my right. The heat was so intense that the breeze through the window stung my eyes. Then we came over a ridge and the city just glowed golden across the horizon. The heat rising in the city made the lights flicker and glisten. We stayed in the MGM Grand. I felt very insignificant in that giant hotel, but it was worth the experience. Went and saw the strip and finally got to sleep at 4 am. Saw a magic show yesterday because it was one of the only shows minus naked bodies I was ok with seeing with my parents. Saw enough naked bodies on the trash laying on the street. Saw enough of Vegas. Sorry, I'm not a huge fan. I like being back in Zion, back where the red rocks are glowing outside my window in the rising moonlight.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
sick
i am
so sick
of the nightly drunk people
and the way they choose
to have theological conversations with you
at midnight
yet never take a moment from
their own ramblings
for you to squeeze in a little
"I'm sorry, I'm falling asleep. I need to go to bed now."
so sick
of the nightly drunk people
and the way they choose
to have theological conversations with you
at midnight
yet never take a moment from
their own ramblings
for you to squeeze in a little
"I'm sorry, I'm falling asleep. I need to go to bed now."
Sunday, July 03, 2005
I'm in DC right now, trying to figure out something fun to do with my brother. Just got off of a long weekend in Pennsylvania with the entire family. We were having a reunion to celebrate our roots with a pretty sweet guy Judge White (all you who ever wondered about my middle name...). I have a strange family. But the weekend was without a single dull moment. Had family come from California, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Vermont, (Utah), and Sweden! And some other places I can't remember.
I think I've finally caught up on some sleep. Last weekend Jeremy and Karla came to visit me. Spent monday, tuesday, and wednesday camping out behind the dorms in Zion. I took off Wednesday to go hiking with them. Went out to eat and met up with Matt, Tim, and Phil who then stayed till Friday. It was so good to see familiar faces again. I love those guys. All of us were tripping on our own feet because we were so sleepy- Tim and Phil from driving out from Indiana, me from staying up each night with Jeremy and Karla- but we all decided Wednesday night that we needed to get a hike in before I had to leave for Pennsylvania. So at 11 pm we set out on Angel's Landing trail. One of the stupider things I've done. The moon never came out and it is pitch black out there. We'd peer over the cliff with our little headlamps and it was so far down that the light never reached anything to light up. Just darkness. And a creepy, chilly wind. But we were all to proud to ever turn around. We can say we've hiked Angel's landing, but we cannot say we've ever seen it. Got maybe an hour and a half of sleep that night before going to work at 6 am.
Caught a shuttle to Vegas after meeting the guys one last time to get some gelato. Slept a bit in my layover in Denver but was awakened and alert when I heard a Jehova's Witness try to witness to a Mormon. Was too sleepy to add my two cents. It was very interesting to listen to. I wish we could all learn to keep our ears open when someone of another faith begins to share. Instead, we argue our points even harder and shut up our minds even tighter. Didn't get any sleep on the flight to Baltimore because I met an interesting guy who I talked to for the entire 5 hours or so. He reminded me so much of Anthony Riske! Even worked at a Christian "adventure" camp. Actually, I think I tricked my mind into thinking it was Riske just because it felt so nice to talk to an old friend again. I didn't mind that I didn't get any sleep again. I made it up on this weekend.
Hope to write more often now that I'm getting internet issues worked out. I'm told there's a hotel in town I can go to to get wireless... and no annoying librarians who give me a few minutes and then roll their eyes and sigh when I ask for a couple more. Also, I'm going to figure out the picture thing... soon!
I love visitors, so if you're in the area of Utah, let me know. I'll find you a place to stay. Sorry this post is uninspiring, unenthusiastic, lacking big words and fancy philosphies, but just a story of what I've done in the past week. I'll have to get that mystical side of my brain working again soon. It's been taking a long break.
I think I've finally caught up on some sleep. Last weekend Jeremy and Karla came to visit me. Spent monday, tuesday, and wednesday camping out behind the dorms in Zion. I took off Wednesday to go hiking with them. Went out to eat and met up with Matt, Tim, and Phil who then stayed till Friday. It was so good to see familiar faces again. I love those guys. All of us were tripping on our own feet because we were so sleepy- Tim and Phil from driving out from Indiana, me from staying up each night with Jeremy and Karla- but we all decided Wednesday night that we needed to get a hike in before I had to leave for Pennsylvania. So at 11 pm we set out on Angel's Landing trail. One of the stupider things I've done. The moon never came out and it is pitch black out there. We'd peer over the cliff with our little headlamps and it was so far down that the light never reached anything to light up. Just darkness. And a creepy, chilly wind. But we were all to proud to ever turn around. We can say we've hiked Angel's landing, but we cannot say we've ever seen it. Got maybe an hour and a half of sleep that night before going to work at 6 am.
Caught a shuttle to Vegas after meeting the guys one last time to get some gelato. Slept a bit in my layover in Denver but was awakened and alert when I heard a Jehova's Witness try to witness to a Mormon. Was too sleepy to add my two cents. It was very interesting to listen to. I wish we could all learn to keep our ears open when someone of another faith begins to share. Instead, we argue our points even harder and shut up our minds even tighter. Didn't get any sleep on the flight to Baltimore because I met an interesting guy who I talked to for the entire 5 hours or so. He reminded me so much of Anthony Riske! Even worked at a Christian "adventure" camp. Actually, I think I tricked my mind into thinking it was Riske just because it felt so nice to talk to an old friend again. I didn't mind that I didn't get any sleep again. I made it up on this weekend.
Hope to write more often now that I'm getting internet issues worked out. I'm told there's a hotel in town I can go to to get wireless... and no annoying librarians who give me a few minutes and then roll their eyes and sigh when I ask for a couple more. Also, I'm going to figure out the picture thing... soon!
I love visitors, so if you're in the area of Utah, let me know. I'll find you a place to stay. Sorry this post is uninspiring, unenthusiastic, lacking big words and fancy philosphies, but just a story of what I've done in the past week. I'll have to get that mystical side of my brain working again soon. It's been taking a long break.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Zion
I only have a few minutes left to use the internet. I'm at a small cafe in Springdale, UT cause I haven't "bought" my library card yet. I live at the bottom of Zion Canyon, so I don't have internet or phone reception. So if you've tried to get ahold of me, be patient, ok? I have to ride the shuttle to the bus stop to find reception. It is my office.
I love the view here. Red rocks and cliffs and rich red dirt. It feels like home. But it's definitely been an adjustment. The people here are all very different from what I'm used to. They're not even all mormons. They're just, different. I can't figure it out yet. But it really makes me miss home and my family and friends. I never realized how normal you all were.
My job is at the main lodge in the park. I work the front desk where I answer questions I don't know the answers to and check people in and out of their rooms. And occasionally I steal a credit card or two. (on accident of course!)
I live in a dorm. It's called Overlook. It is up on a hillside in the canyon, so we get a bit of a view. My roommate is Oxana. She is from Russia. Really heavy men must live above me because they wake me up at 4 in the morning doing some ritualistic dance where they throw their shoes down from waste-high and then stomp around in circles awhile. I haven't quite figured out the beat yet. Upstairs is mostly 40 year old and up men. Downstairs it's us girls and some random guys thrown in. Very different from IWU. I'm definitely out of the bubble.
Ok, gotta go. I'll try to update this more often. Let me know what you guys are doing when you get the chance! juleschiquita@yahoo.com
juli
I love the view here. Red rocks and cliffs and rich red dirt. It feels like home. But it's definitely been an adjustment. The people here are all very different from what I'm used to. They're not even all mormons. They're just, different. I can't figure it out yet. But it really makes me miss home and my family and friends. I never realized how normal you all were.
My job is at the main lodge in the park. I work the front desk where I answer questions I don't know the answers to and check people in and out of their rooms. And occasionally I steal a credit card or two. (on accident of course!)
I live in a dorm. It's called Overlook. It is up on a hillside in the canyon, so we get a bit of a view. My roommate is Oxana. She is from Russia. Really heavy men must live above me because they wake me up at 4 in the morning doing some ritualistic dance where they throw their shoes down from waste-high and then stomp around in circles awhile. I haven't quite figured out the beat yet. Upstairs is mostly 40 year old and up men. Downstairs it's us girls and some random guys thrown in. Very different from IWU. I'm definitely out of the bubble.
Ok, gotta go. I'll try to update this more often. Let me know what you guys are doing when you get the chance! juleschiquita@yahoo.com
juli
Thursday, May 12, 2005
out in Cali
I am in Wrightwood, California right now using the computer for the 15 minutes I get, so this is just a quick update. Drury, Kara, Jeff, Ryan and I are all out in California hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Even though our trip is very short compared to the rest of these hikers we meet that are going all the way to Canada, it's been a journey for us. I went into this thinking it was all Mohave desert and glorious sunshine... but it's the rainiest season on record for California I'm told and I believe it. There's never a lack of clean water to drink though. We've had blistering hot days (not many) and we've had sleet and rain. It's been incredible how people have stepped in and helped us just when we need it. I can't wait to write about all that's happened. I told Kara I'm writing a short story. It's called "I hugged a tree and found Jesus."
Hope to catch up with everyone soon!
Hope to catch up with everyone soon!
Thursday, April 28, 2005
letting the shadows go
Disclaimer: If you can't wait to leave college, this isn't for you to read. You'll just think I'm full of crap and that I'm trying to make a huge deal out of just another reality of life. You'll think I'm being too sentimental and flowery. So do me a favor and don't read this if that's you.
I am sitting here in my room typing on a keyboard that sits alone in my top drawer with some loose change. My desk is otherwise empty. My room is empty except for the crates on the floor filled with stuff ready to take home. Katrina moved out tonight and it feels so wierd to look at her corner of the room and accept the fact that she's not coming back. We've lived together for four years now and saying goodbye this time was strange. I can't say that I'll see her next fall. I hate changes.
I laid in bed last night forcing my eyes to stay open, memorizing every corner of our room before it got all packed up and before Katrina moved out, thinking if I stayed awake and memorized it, it would never leave me. I am too easily attached. Change is exciting, but only once I get over the initial shock of losing something comfortable and familiar.
I had to write down all that I was feeling because words finally came to describe it all...
I've heard it said that some are looking forward to never looking back. As I lay here thinking about these four years, I realize I seem to be looking forward to never letting go. I wrap myself around my body pillow, my "husband" I called it freshman year, and I glance around every corner of the room.
Wild light displays slide across the ceiling from cars driving by, lighting areas of the room I missed. My eyes dart back and forth, taking still frames, capturing every piece of this memory
and holding it so it cannot get away. I memorize the familiar shadows. They've been faithful to me, remaining the same all year. When I lay on my back each night and pray, my eyes converse with the forms of this room. And these forms I will not forget.
I want to lay here till sunrise and let the sun steal the shadows away from me because I am unwilling to give them up myself. And I'm afraid to sleep because I fear memories will pack up and sneak out in the dark of the night when I'm not looking.
So I lay here, holding my husband and holding everything hostage.
Katrina sleeps in the bed beneath me. As long as I lie here awake, our last night living together after four years will never end. The sun can only steal that away from me too.
I know soon I will be drifting into sleep and this final night will sneak out. And I will be alone in this room for three days and then I will say farewell to the shadows. They will change when Katrina moves out. I bid farewell to these ones tonight and I will glance down and see Katrina sleeping in the bed below and I will say bye to her too.
But all ends are new beginnings. That's what keeps us moving. We finally learn the journey was the purpose of the destination, not the other way around. We find that once we reach any real destination, we must make new plans for another one because the destination we found only ends up being a load of crap.
The journey's been great. This destination is so sad that I've decided I need to start the next journey as soon as I can. I will go to sleep now and let the shadows go home. I'm ready to start that next journey now.
I am sitting here in my room typing on a keyboard that sits alone in my top drawer with some loose change. My desk is otherwise empty. My room is empty except for the crates on the floor filled with stuff ready to take home. Katrina moved out tonight and it feels so wierd to look at her corner of the room and accept the fact that she's not coming back. We've lived together for four years now and saying goodbye this time was strange. I can't say that I'll see her next fall. I hate changes.
I laid in bed last night forcing my eyes to stay open, memorizing every corner of our room before it got all packed up and before Katrina moved out, thinking if I stayed awake and memorized it, it would never leave me. I am too easily attached. Change is exciting, but only once I get over the initial shock of losing something comfortable and familiar.
I had to write down all that I was feeling because words finally came to describe it all...
I've heard it said that some are looking forward to never looking back. As I lay here thinking about these four years, I realize I seem to be looking forward to never letting go. I wrap myself around my body pillow, my "husband" I called it freshman year, and I glance around every corner of the room.
Wild light displays slide across the ceiling from cars driving by, lighting areas of the room I missed. My eyes dart back and forth, taking still frames, capturing every piece of this memory
and holding it so it cannot get away. I memorize the familiar shadows. They've been faithful to me, remaining the same all year. When I lay on my back each night and pray, my eyes converse with the forms of this room. And these forms I will not forget.
I want to lay here till sunrise and let the sun steal the shadows away from me because I am unwilling to give them up myself. And I'm afraid to sleep because I fear memories will pack up and sneak out in the dark of the night when I'm not looking.
So I lay here, holding my husband and holding everything hostage.
Katrina sleeps in the bed beneath me. As long as I lie here awake, our last night living together after four years will never end. The sun can only steal that away from me too.
I know soon I will be drifting into sleep and this final night will sneak out. And I will be alone in this room for three days and then I will say farewell to the shadows. They will change when Katrina moves out. I bid farewell to these ones tonight and I will glance down and see Katrina sleeping in the bed below and I will say bye to her too.
But all ends are new beginnings. That's what keeps us moving. We finally learn the journey was the purpose of the destination, not the other way around. We find that once we reach any real destination, we must make new plans for another one because the destination we found only ends up being a load of crap.
The journey's been great. This destination is so sad that I've decided I need to start the next journey as soon as I can. I will go to sleep now and let the shadows go home. I'm ready to start that next journey now.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
All good things come to an end
The following is proof that I have completed my college career. I guess a picture at graduation would be better proof, but this is all I have to offer right now. You have to start at the bottom of the pictures. I got a little carried away...
Thursday, April 21, 2005
oh no...
I figured out how to do the whole picture thingy...
Do you know what that means? It's going to be overload on the pictures. It's going to be like when you visit your granddad's girlfriend's house and she wants to show you every picture of her grandchildren's piano recitals and studio portraits. Yet you have the option of getting away.
(but I know you won't... I know you're curious to see what I put on here. Will you be in a picture? Wait and see...)
Do you know what that means? It's going to be overload on the pictures. It's going to be like when you visit your granddad's girlfriend's house and she wants to show you every picture of her grandchildren's piano recitals and studio portraits. Yet you have the option of getting away.
(but I know you won't... I know you're curious to see what I put on here. Will you be in a picture? Wait and see...)
I have a future!
It's official. I can now say with much confidence that I do have a job after graduation. The problem is, this only covers my next four months... not sure what I'll do after that.
I graduate from IWU next saturday and leave the next morning for three weeks in California on the Pacific Crest Trail with one of my professors and three other students and then I come back home for a week and then head out to Utah... to stay till September! So many amazing opportunities ahead of me that I don't deserve!
I will be working at Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah, which is in the southwest corner of the state. I'm not sure yet where they're going to place me. I could be washing dishes. I could be making beds in the lodge. I could be a waitress or a front desk worker. Whatever it is, I get to live in this beautiful place, surrounded by red rock walls and deep red dirt. There are many canyons to explore and waterfalls and streams going through them. It sounds like the most amazing place on earth. While working for the park, I am also a part of a ministry team. There will be three of us. And we hold worship services outside in the park every Sunday for visitors. We'll just be providing a place of worship for all those people who have just returned from a hike around the rocks and can't help but think of God anyway. This will be a great chance to work on preaching and leading services and... maybe singing... The other two people on my team are guys, so if there is ever a need for a female voice as we lead worship, it just might be me. Hope people don't mind if it's not the most pleasant voice. God told me it's ok. He likes it.
I'm going to try to put a picture on here if I ever get it figured out. Someone teach me, please.
I graduate from IWU next saturday and leave the next morning for three weeks in California on the Pacific Crest Trail with one of my professors and three other students and then I come back home for a week and then head out to Utah... to stay till September! So many amazing opportunities ahead of me that I don't deserve!
I will be working at Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah, which is in the southwest corner of the state. I'm not sure yet where they're going to place me. I could be washing dishes. I could be making beds in the lodge. I could be a waitress or a front desk worker. Whatever it is, I get to live in this beautiful place, surrounded by red rock walls and deep red dirt. There are many canyons to explore and waterfalls and streams going through them. It sounds like the most amazing place on earth. While working for the park, I am also a part of a ministry team. There will be three of us. And we hold worship services outside in the park every Sunday for visitors. We'll just be providing a place of worship for all those people who have just returned from a hike around the rocks and can't help but think of God anyway. This will be a great chance to work on preaching and leading services and... maybe singing... The other two people on my team are guys, so if there is ever a need for a female voice as we lead worship, it just might be me. Hope people don't mind if it's not the most pleasant voice. God told me it's ok. He likes it.
I'm going to try to put a picture on here if I ever get it figured out. Someone teach me, please.
Monday, April 11, 2005
babysitter for hire
I was sitting in front of my computer today, reading the Monday Memo as all good religion students do, and I saw this wonderful ad: (names changed... I'm attacking the concept, not the church)
Blabla Friends Church, 15 minutes east of campus, is seeking a youth pastor to attend Sunday morning worship, lead both junior high and senior high school youth groups, attend extra curricular activities of the youth and spend free time with them. 10-12 hours weekly. $850 monthly salary. Contact Mr. Blabla at (765) 628-blaa or the church (765) 628-blaa or e-mail: blablabla@blablanet.
I know they meant no harm. I know they didn't want a babysitter because they would have just said "babysitter" and not "youth pastor." But might they as well have? I know this is nothing new. I know I'm not being profound. Who needs that when we're already ignoring the truth we know? This has been an irritation to me for some time, but I just sucked it up and dealt with it. That's what youth ministry has come down to, right? The parents drop the kids off and you have to find some good ways to entertain them (they can be a tough crowd...). And you figure you might as well throw in a bit of your spiritual beliefs since you have that captive audience and all. I know, I know. There are some pretty amazing youth ministries going on right inside the church and some pretty incredible youth pastors along with some extremely devoted parents. It does happen.
But I don't want to get sucked into a babysitting job after I graduate. I just won't. If I really wanted to attend extracurricular activities and hang out with young people, I'd just rather save myself the humiliation of being called something I'm not and just do it instead on my own time.
That's my irritation with youth ministry right now. I know it's probably caused by my fears of the coming doom of graduation and practicums that were done half-heartedly because I knew they were for a season and a grade and I know God could still be calling me to youth ministry someday. But I refuse to be a babysitter. Somehow, I'll draw that line. I want to be a dreamer and I want to cause the youth to dream. I want the Church to see young people as more than a possibility, but a promise, that they can and will make the difference in this world, now and in the years to come. I want to be inspirational and I want to be inspired. (this is all just a bunch of lovely, wishy-washy words. I really don't know how to write what I want to be or how I plan on "ministering" instead of "sitting")
Does anyone else have an idea how to draw this line?
Blabla Friends Church, 15 minutes east of campus, is seeking a youth pastor to attend Sunday morning worship, lead both junior high and senior high school youth groups, attend extra curricular activities of the youth and spend free time with them. 10-12 hours weekly. $850 monthly salary. Contact Mr. Blabla at (765) 628-blaa or the church (765) 628-blaa or e-mail: blablabla@blablanet.
I know they meant no harm. I know they didn't want a babysitter because they would have just said "babysitter" and not "youth pastor." But might they as well have? I know this is nothing new. I know I'm not being profound. Who needs that when we're already ignoring the truth we know? This has been an irritation to me for some time, but I just sucked it up and dealt with it. That's what youth ministry has come down to, right? The parents drop the kids off and you have to find some good ways to entertain them (they can be a tough crowd...). And you figure you might as well throw in a bit of your spiritual beliefs since you have that captive audience and all. I know, I know. There are some pretty amazing youth ministries going on right inside the church and some pretty incredible youth pastors along with some extremely devoted parents. It does happen.
But I don't want to get sucked into a babysitting job after I graduate. I just won't. If I really wanted to attend extracurricular activities and hang out with young people, I'd just rather save myself the humiliation of being called something I'm not and just do it instead on my own time.
That's my irritation with youth ministry right now. I know it's probably caused by my fears of the coming doom of graduation and practicums that were done half-heartedly because I knew they were for a season and a grade and I know God could still be calling me to youth ministry someday. But I refuse to be a babysitter. Somehow, I'll draw that line. I want to be a dreamer and I want to cause the youth to dream. I want the Church to see young people as more than a possibility, but a promise, that they can and will make the difference in this world, now and in the years to come. I want to be inspirational and I want to be inspired. (this is all just a bunch of lovely, wishy-washy words. I really don't know how to write what I want to be or how I plan on "ministering" instead of "sitting")
Does anyone else have an idea how to draw this line?
Monday, April 04, 2005
bananas, the happy fruit!
Anyone who's known me for some time knows that I have somewhat of an obsession with the yellow fruit. My reasons? I'm not really sure, but these might be some of them...
-First of all, they are yellow. Who doesn't become instantly happy when they see things yellow?
-Second, they're just fun to eat. And when the dirty boys in 6th grade were going around asking people "which condiments do you enjoy on your weiner?" I was asking "How many times do you peel your banana?" I thought this was equally hilarious. But the person usually said "um... four?" and waited for the punch line as I walked away giggling to myself.
-Third, they are naturally shaped like a smile! (sadly, 6th grade health teachers have tainted our view of the banana shape with their instructional "demonstrations")
-And fourth: Everytime I eat a banana I get to wear that sticker for the rest of the day enjoying the respect others try to gain by wearing "I gave blood today" stickers... but the banana stickers are from such foreign places as Guatemala and Ecuador, so they're a bit cooler.
My friend Becky sent some of these facts to me and since I don't have any time to write lately, I thought I might as well share this instead... (these are just some of them)
Bananas. Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brainpower. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) (this is me): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
-First of all, they are yellow. Who doesn't become instantly happy when they see things yellow?
-Second, they're just fun to eat. And when the dirty boys in 6th grade were going around asking people "which condiments do you enjoy on your weiner?" I was asking "How many times do you peel your banana?" I thought this was equally hilarious. But the person usually said "um... four?" and waited for the punch line as I walked away giggling to myself.
-Third, they are naturally shaped like a smile! (sadly, 6th grade health teachers have tainted our view of the banana shape with their instructional "demonstrations")
-And fourth: Everytime I eat a banana I get to wear that sticker for the rest of the day enjoying the respect others try to gain by wearing "I gave blood today" stickers... but the banana stickers are from such foreign places as Guatemala and Ecuador, so they're a bit cooler.
My friend Becky sent some of these facts to me and since I don't have any time to write lately, I thought I might as well share this instead... (these are just some of them)
Bananas. Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brainpower. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) (this is me): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
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