Trying to sort it all out

I haven't posted in awhile because there's been some craziness around here! Not only is it midterms, but I've had interviews for summer internships and am trying to figure out where to do my Advanced Field Education next school year. We are also dealing with the drama of paying for David's school and daily we ask ourselves..."Was this the right thing to do???"

Then in chapel yesterday, we sang a song from "The Faith We Sing" and I had to fight back the tears:

"The Summons"
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?


Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?

Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,

Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?



I don't really believe in signs, but the timing of these words is certainly appropriate! =)

Missing Kansan Spring!

I am used to thunderstorms, hail, lightening, and tornado watches, but THIS???




AND, yesterday was in the 80's! =)

Called to the Periphery

So a couple of things have happened in the past week that led me to this post.

First, I was riding the bus to school. Every Tuesday I take the #40 down Colorado Boulevard to the Colorado Station where I transfer to the #21 that takes me to Iliff. So I'm on the 40 and a gentleman gets on the bus and starts talking to people. I'll admit I was uncomfortable and secretly hoped he would leave me alone. I'm not sure if he was homeless, differently abled, or both, but he was chatting it up with the bus driver...asking him where he went to the barber and other such questions.
There was also a man who got on, sat down across the aisle from me, and pulled out a package of bologna! He started rolling up slices of bologna and eating them whole.
And I caught myself smiling. Because it suddenly occurred to me that if we had a modern-day Jesus, he wouldn't be hanging out at Iliff with me and my theology-studying friends. He'd be hanging out on the 40 eating bologna....

And the second thing that happened was I'm reading a pheomenal book for one of my classes called, "Announcing the Reign of God" by Mortimer Arias. I absolutely adore this book and have worn out my highlighter reading it, but I thought this particular section was "blog-worthy..."

Arias writes "There are peripheries in the world and in the global economic system, and there are also peripheries in central countries and areas of the world. Wherever the periphery is, there we are called to be...to be in solidarity with the suffering people of the world. In their witness to the Kingdom of God in words and deeds the churches must dare to be present at the bleeding points of humanity and thus near those who suffer evil, even taking the risk of being counted among the wicked. No less than this is necessary if we want to announce--credibly and authentically--the kingdom as gift."

A Sunday Hike

We finally got some decent weather here so decided to take the dogs to Dinosaur Ridge for a hike. It was beautiful and a great break from studying! =)






A view of Red Rocks




I think she's tired!!!

A Prayer from Prison

A prayer for...
Friends, family, foes
Strength for those who feel weak
Guidance for those who feel lost
Love for those who feel unloved
Peace for those who feel like warring
Softening for those whose hearts are hardened
Rising for those who suffer death


This prayer was written by a female inmate at the Adams County Jail outside Denver. Iliff has a group called "The Beatitudes Society" and today at our meeting, we read the prayer concerns given to us from inmates at the Adams County Jail. Many prayers were for family members of the incarcerated persons and many expressed concern over upcoming trial dates. This prayer was the one I was given to pray with and I thought it was amazing, so I'm taking the liberty to post it.

Jelly beans, peanut butter, popcorn and some perspective

I went to pick up David from work. He had a patient die today. News like that offers perspective.

And I found some popcorn in the pantry.

Thank God for grace...

Jelly beans and peanut butter

Tonight I opened our cupboard and we had jelly beans and peanut butter. I can actually feel my body craving fruits and vegetables, but produce is expensive and I try to save it for David so he can eat it during his shifts. I miss having two incomes. I miss our house. I miss our backyard. I miss our dishwasher. I miss having produce in our fridge. Right now the cost of discipleship feels very high...