Friday, January 30, 2009
Washing Problems
Would you believe that the "mother board" on my washer is bad??? I will be without my washing machine until February 10th............not good.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New Washer and Dryer
Yeah! I finally made it into the 21st century with my new washer and dryer. I sure am going to miss that loud screeching noise my old dryer made!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Servants in Training
There is a place, off the beaten path, across the street from the Forest Theatre in Chapel Hill. The driveway and parking lot are dirt and gravel. The lawn bears signs of touch football games, volleyball matches, and sunbathers. The landscaping is casual and natural. The house sits off the main street, back in the trees with a dirt pathway to its rocker filled porch and wide front door that is rarely locked and often times stands open to the constant stream of visitors. This place is the meeting house of the Baptist Student Union of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We merely call it the “Battle House” which is some reference to its historical significance, but that escapes me now, after all these years. When I first entered this house in the fall of 1978, the furniture and décor did not seem so odd, but now as I tenderly linger over my photographs, I laugh at the garishness of orange carpet and rust armless chairs and couches. And, please someone tell me, what was the deal with those coffee tables?! No matter the design, this house became my home, and the people that gathered there became my family.
My first eighteen years were spent under the cloud of an unpredictable alcoholic. My carefully guarded life did not afford many friends or social activities. Once I became a driver, I was able to venture out to become active in a Baptist church. When I came to Chapel Hill, I was naturally drawn to the Baptist Student Union (BSU). We came together on Thursday nights for corporate worship, but the Battle House was almost always open for studying, sleeping, eating, or just hanging out. Bob Phillips and Joe Clontz were the official campus ministers, but mostly, we were peer led. I remember playing the guitar in our “folk team”. I think I knew about three cords, but I was encouraged to “jump on in”. I can still see Joe with his big bass standing in our midst. The lessons learned here were not written down or studied, they were lived. We practiced leading in committees, we cooked and served meals, we fasted for world hunger, we prayed and sang and danced our way to loving each other and loving Jesus. These lessons brought us to where we are now. I shouldn’t be surprised at what most of us became: teachers, ministers, nurses, doctors. We became caregivers of minds, bodies, and spirits. We learned this at the foot of the master, the Jesus that we saw in each other. This season of nurturing prepared us for living a life of servitude and sacrifice. The value of these lessons cannot be measured on this side of heaven.
Recently, much to the shock of my younger family members and students, I have become a member of face book. (“Aunt Theresa is on face book?”) What started out as a mere curiosity has become a life line to friends from BSU. Hours have passed unnoticed while viewing photo after photo. And of course, I have to comment on all those clothes and hair dos! I can’t wait to get my own photos posted for everyone to see.
I love my life. Sure, I’ve had my share of disappointments and struggles, but those trials have shaped me into who I am today. “I give myself to the Potter’s Hand,” to quote a popular song. Remembering the journey so far strengthens me for the journey ahead. Thank you to all my friends that have walked with me along the way. If we never see each other again, we’ll meet in heaven. Until then, there’s always face book!
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6
My first eighteen years were spent under the cloud of an unpredictable alcoholic. My carefully guarded life did not afford many friends or social activities. Once I became a driver, I was able to venture out to become active in a Baptist church. When I came to Chapel Hill, I was naturally drawn to the Baptist Student Union (BSU). We came together on Thursday nights for corporate worship, but the Battle House was almost always open for studying, sleeping, eating, or just hanging out. Bob Phillips and Joe Clontz were the official campus ministers, but mostly, we were peer led. I remember playing the guitar in our “folk team”. I think I knew about three cords, but I was encouraged to “jump on in”. I can still see Joe with his big bass standing in our midst. The lessons learned here were not written down or studied, they were lived. We practiced leading in committees, we cooked and served meals, we fasted for world hunger, we prayed and sang and danced our way to loving each other and loving Jesus. These lessons brought us to where we are now. I shouldn’t be surprised at what most of us became: teachers, ministers, nurses, doctors. We became caregivers of minds, bodies, and spirits. We learned this at the foot of the master, the Jesus that we saw in each other. This season of nurturing prepared us for living a life of servitude and sacrifice. The value of these lessons cannot be measured on this side of heaven.
Recently, much to the shock of my younger family members and students, I have become a member of face book. (“Aunt Theresa is on face book?”) What started out as a mere curiosity has become a life line to friends from BSU. Hours have passed unnoticed while viewing photo after photo. And of course, I have to comment on all those clothes and hair dos! I can’t wait to get my own photos posted for everyone to see.
I love my life. Sure, I’ve had my share of disappointments and struggles, but those trials have shaped me into who I am today. “I give myself to the Potter’s Hand,” to quote a popular song. Remembering the journey so far strengthens me for the journey ahead. Thank you to all my friends that have walked with me along the way. If we never see each other again, we’ll meet in heaven. Until then, there’s always face book!
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6
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