Excited!

This morning, I've been reading about Moses' death and it's gotten me really excited about camp this summer. That may seem like an odd correlation but let me explain.

Our theme this summer is "Bound for the Promised Land". Every day throughout the week, we are going to have a small skit about the life of Moses. We'll start with him being saved by the princess and then progress through his life. On Friday night, he will have lived the entirety of his life and the Passion play will begin with him atop Mount Nebo. It is from his eyes that the life of Christ is viewed on stage. I'm so excited! I can see it all happening as I'm reading about it in Patriarchs and Prophets! What we will touch on is powerful and I can't wait to start writing it!

I'm telling you about this because I would love it if YOU came and worked at camp this summer! It is an incredible ministry and you will grow in ways you never thought possible. Believe me, I've experienced it! Not to mention that it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous! (See the picture behind the title of my blog for an example! That's Camp Cherokee!) Some of you may have heard me talking to certain people about applying for Camp Cherokee but thought that because I hadn't talked to you specifically, that meant that you were not invited to apply. WRONG!! Please, if you have any desire to work at camp, talk to me! I would love to share with you what it's all about and get you set up with an interview with Pastor Dan when he comes down in a few weeks.

Seriously, consider my offer. I want to see you there! And not only do I want to see you there, but, even more importantly, I want to see you in the Promised Land. Never forget: that's where we're headed. Satan deceives more people by complacency and distraction than he does with outright evil.

As you enjoy your Sabbath today, I pray that you will remember that it is not about what you do or don't do, but it is about the presence of God in your life. Let His Holy Spirit enter the temple of your heart and you will be amazed at the transformation you will see.

Bound for the Promised Land,
Christy

pretty sweet

An apple, a muffin, and God's notice of the small things :)

You know, God really does answer prayers! Even the one's we don't pray!

This morning I have been working at Thatcher front desk since 4 a.m. I get pretty hungry by 5 or 6 and so usually, at 8 when I get off work, I am quite ready to go eat breakfast. But on Wednesday's I have a class so I can't go and eat. Usually I forget to bring food but I had a yogurt left over from last night's supper so I brought that. Of course, that's not enough, but at least it's something! But today, God has brought so many people with food for me! First Allie offered to bring me breakfast. I had my yogurt and she would have to go out of her way to get it for me, so I didn't take her up on the offer. But it was still really nice of her! And then Laurel walked in and, totally out of the blue, offered me an apple! Then, as Emily Fisher was walking out the door, she paused, came back, and gave me a muffin in celebration of Olivia's birthday. Now, it's almost time to go to class and I have had a wonderful, diverse, God-given breakfast.

Thanks guys!

Capacious Palaverization

Vocabulary is a funny thing. It intrigues me. By simply learning more words, we are able to concisely say exactly what we mean instead of beating around the bush with a verbiage of words that just don't quite fit! This seems to be my usual habit of things. I don't even pretend to have the eloquent parlance as some of my friends.

Today I have my Honors Seminar class. I must admit, the book we read this month has been the hardest yet. Culture and Imperialism, by Edward W. Said, has some fascinating topics but combined with unfamiliar subjects, long run-on sentences, and operose vocabulary (lol) it was quite a difficult read.

I have always had the habit of reading too fast for my own good (In the past, I futilely tried to keep up with my brother! It was a dream never realized.) and simply insinuating meaning into words that I don't know. It's worked effectively... until now. It's hard to glean meaning from a book using that method when every other word is one you don't know! I started writing down the words that I didn't know. I have listed them here, along with their definitions so that you too can expand your language skills (or just give yourself a pat on the back for knowing a lot of big words!) I apologize if some of them seem blatantly obvious!

1. insularity - dwelling or situated on an island. Detached; standing alone; isolated. Narrow-minded or illiberal. Provincial
2. hermeneutical - referring to the science of interpretation, esp. of the Scriptures.
3. pusillanimous - lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.
4. adumbration - to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch
5. tautological - needless repetition of an idea, esp. in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness, as in “widow woman.”
6. libertinage - disregard of authority or convention in sexual or religious matters.
7. ontological - the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such.
8. solipsism - the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist. Extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.
9. epigone - A second-rate imitator or follower, especially of an artist or a philosopher.
10. polemic - a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.
11. accretion - an increase by natural growth or by gradual external addition; growth in size or extent.
12. hegemony - leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation.
13. acrimony - sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, speech, disposition
14. antinomian - a person who maintains that Christians are freed from the moral law by virtue of grace as set forth in the gospel.
15. valence - the capacity of one person or thing to react with or affect another in some special way, as by attraction or the facilitation of a function or activity
16. imbroglio - a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc., of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations.
17. screed - a long discourse or essay, esp. a diatribe.
18. pedantic - ostentatious in one's learning. Overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, esp. in teaching.
19. anachronistic -referring to an error in chronology in which a person, object, event, etc., is assigned a date or period other than the correct one
20. Panglossian - characterized by or given to extreme optimism, esp. in the face of unrelieved hardship or adversity.
21. epistemology - a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge.
22. trope - any literary or rhetorical device, as metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, and irony, that consists in the use of words in other than their literal sense
23. civilistrice -idea of a civilization mission, bring civilization to those supposedly without it
    
24. posit - to lay down or assume as a fact or principle; postulate
25. atavism/atavistically - reversion to an earlier type; throwback
26. recrimination - to bring a countercharge against an accuser
27. interpellation - a procedure in some legislative bodies of asking a government official to explain an act or policy, sometimes leading, in parliamentary government, to a vote of confidence or a change of government.
28. jingoistic - the spirit, policy, or practice of a person who professes his or her patriotism loudly and excessively, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy
29. comeuppance - A punishment or retribution that one deserves; one's just deserts
30. metallurgical - the technique or science of working or heating metals so as to give them certain desired shapes or properties.

I know I scare you stiff. It's ok, it's a common reaction. Many have survived and you will too. Here are a few words of advice:

I have recently decided that the reason nobody comments on my blog anymore is because I apparently inundate everyone with my rampant and exorbitant amount of blogs. So, here is just a note from the author: I am here to tell you not to be overwhelmed by the multiplicity of my posts. I know it can get alarming. Hark! Don't be discouraged! Just keep on keeping on. Perseverance is the key!

Good luck and let the comments begin!

(Oh dear, what if this post gets no comments! :O )

A weekend in pictures

Sabbath

We completed 32 laps and finished in 5th place (I think!)

(video to come)
Notes for next year:

• higher sides
• another set of paddles to swap in when the first set gets soggy
• larger design for added stability

Sunday

I've always wondered if this could happen...

+

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Link 1

Link 2

A poem for Andrew Fisher on his birthday

Farmer Fisher
by Christy Kurtz
(Edited by Allana Westermeyer, with one line from Shama Eller and one word from Timothy George!)

Farmer fisher
Made such a picture
Perched atop that tree

Such a face
Did he make
Perched atop that tree

First he scowled
Then he howled
Perched atop that tree

“Brother Luke!
Please send a nuke!
To pitch me off this tree!

I have miles to hoe
And acres to mow
Row up row
Of wheat to sow

Horses to feed
Gardens to seed
A mother to heed
And books to read

There’s one other factor
Oh, it’s such a disaster!
When I get back, I’m gonna wack ‘er!
I’ve got to fix my tractor!

And then the hens
Have to be put in their pens
Or else they will win
And eat the twins!

So, can’t you see
I’m really in need
Perched atop this tree
Oh where, oh where, is Emily”


Elisa pondered
But there he floundered
Perched atop that tree

He ate and ate
No, he couldn’t wait
Perched atop that tree

Waiting to be set free
He called so loudly
Perched atop that tree

“My stomach’s tied in lemons!
Oh! Why did I eat all those persimmons!
Perched here atop this tree?

“I have more to say
You left me for Zimbabwe
Boy, you’re gonna pay
For letting our sisters have their way

It’s not my time!
I’m falling behind
Just give me a sign
How do I get out of this bind?

Oh please!
Set me at ease
Don’t be such a tease
I’m going to freeze!

I’ve got to get back to SAU
I haven’t found a woman to woo
One who will surely accept my suite
Oh, it would be such a hoot!

And the children we'd spawn
so beautiful and blonde..."
and then it dawned
he had the hatchet he'd pawned!

So he chopped
No, he didn't stop
From the very tippy top
To the very last lop

There he stood
Amongst all that wood
It would be so good
If only he could

Make a game to play
Let's call it croquet
That would wheel the time away
Until his next birthday!

a blameless character

Maranatha, Chap. 232 - The Pure Mark of Truth

The Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. Eze. 9:4.

"Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church.

"The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. . . .

"Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master's will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works. . . .

"Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples. .

"What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth--these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.

"Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven."

Design

I relish beauty. I value idiosyncrasy. I appreciate inventions. Here are some of my favorites from the London Design Festival and where they might look good.

I think one of these water tube coat hangers would be really cool in a country home entryway. And it would be SO easy to make!

SWEET vase! Would be awesome on a white inn-table next to a piano

Furniture designed after body organs/structures like this brain stool and spine lamp. I'm not sure what the chair is!

Chair made out of polyester fleece and resin (I think this looks kinda messy and probably wouldn't want it in my house unless it was in a kids room. However, it's pretty cool!):

This lit pitcher would look awesome hanging in a black corner!

These lamps are made out of recycled nylon stockings and PET bottles.

Wouldn't that left box look sweet on a desk!

This is classic in a modern way:

Fruit bowl made of two mirrored parts. (Would be better if in wood)

Self-explained genius:
See more at http://www.core77.com/gallery/photos_search.asp?context_id=1&album_id=73

Ice Bathing, Tomato Racing, and other odds'n'ends

Camp Cherokee in the winter is absolutely breathtaking. If only we could have camp in the winter!



My first attempt at snow-biking. (see inspiration at http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/)

Look who we found on I-81! They were going awfully slow; we had to hurry them up! ;)

A sermon I've really enjoyed lately

Radical Holiness: Steps To A Sanctified Life