Unexplained Melancholy

Does everything ever just seem really silent? It doesn't matter what's going on around you, the sounds just seem to filter into white noise. I'm not sure why, but today is like that. Eye contact is painful and a real smile seems out of the question.

"beloved listen to me
don’t believe all that you see
and don’t you ever let anyone tell you
that there’s anything that you need
but me"
-Derek Webb, Beloved

Butterfly in the sky...I can go twice as high

Today, class, we will be sharing our favorite picture books from our childhood. Here are some that I remember:

• Tacky the Penguin - "Tacky was an odd bird but a very nice bird to have around."
• "Corduroy is a bear who once lived in the toy department of a big store..."
• Curious George - "He was a good little monkey and always very curious."
• Miss Nelson is Missing! - "The kids in Room 207 were misbehaving again."
• "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk..."
• The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! - "Way back in Once Upon a Time time, I was making a birthday cake for my dear old granny."
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - "I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair..."
• Gregory the Terrible Eater - "But Gregory was not an average goat. He was a terrible eater."
• Caps! Caps for Sale! Fifty cents a cap!
  
• Meanwhile Back at the Ranch...
• Could Be Worse! - "At Grandpa's house, things were always the same..."
• "Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo"

So there are some that I could think of. Now please tell me your favorites!

Alrighty, Jeff-A-Saurus Rex

This is a survey from Jeff Tipps. It is odd because you have to answer the question 5 times. Jeff, you silly-billy-goo-goo.

If you could be any board game, what would you be?
1) Hungry Hungry Hippos
2) Twister: The Jello Edition
3) Tiddlywinks
4) Monopoly (Jeff version)
5) Any game without a spinning wheel. If I were a spinning wheel, I'd get very dizzy.

If you had a dog that lived underwater, what would you name it?
1) Jeff, the Underwater Dog
2) Stanley (he would wear goggles because even though he lives underwater, he kinda has sensitive eyes. Poor Stanley.)
3) Carrot-Top
4) Swimmy McSwimmerson
5) Paul Anka (watch Gilmore Girls!)

If you could have anything for Christmas, what would it be?
1) YBP Investigates: Where is Sharon Now? A Documentary
2) Gilmore Girls 4th Season on DVD
3) A grey long-sleeved shirt
4) A new carabiner keychain
5) A big soup pot

If you had a cat but could only name it after articles of clothing, what would you name it?
1) Sweater Vest
2) Suspenders
3) Toe Socky McSockerson (Fluffy Meowington for short)
4) Ski pants
5) Jello. (wait, what was the question again?)

Self-Righteous Service Versus True Service

The following was read in chapel last week and it is so amazing. I wish I fit in the "true service" category more, that can be so difficult! These quotes are taken from Richard Foster's book, Celebration of Discipline.

"Self-righteous service comes through human effort.
True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside.

Self-righteous service is impressed with the "big deal." It enjoys serving, especially when the service is titanic.
True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service. Where a difference is noted, the true servant is often drawn to the small service, not out of false modesty, but because he genuinely sees it as the more important task.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards. It needs to know that people see and appreciate the effort. It seeks human applause - with proper religious modesty of course.
True service rests contented in hiddenness. It does not fear the lights and blare of attention, but does not seek them either. Since it is living out of a new Center of reference, the divine nod of approval is completely sufficient.

Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. It eagerly waits to see if the person served will reciprocate in kind. It becomes bitter when the results fall below expectations.
True service is free of the need to calculate results. It delights only in the service. It can serve enemies as freely as friends.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. Sometimes the high and powerful are served because that will ensure a certain advantage. Sometimes the low and defenseless are served because that will ensure a humble image.
True service is indiscriminate in its ministry. It has heard the command of Jesus to be the "servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. It can serve only when there is a "feeling" to serve ("moved by the Spirit" as we say). Ill health or inadequate sleep controls the desire to serve.
True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need. It knows that the "feeling to serve" can often be a hindrance to true service. The service disciplines the feelings rather than allowing the feeling to control the service.

Self-righteous service is temporary. It functions only while the specific acts of service are being performed. Having served, it can rest easy.
True service is a life-style. It acts from ingrained patterns of living. It springs spontaneously to meet human need.

Self-righteous service is insensitive. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive. It demands the opportunity to help.
True service can withhold the service as freely as perform it. It can listen with tenderness and patience before acting. It can serve by waiting in silence.

Self-righteous service fractures community. In the final analysis, once all the religious trappings are removed, it centers in the glorification of the individual. Therefore it puts others into the debt and becomes one of the most subtle and destructive forms of manipulation known.
True service builds community. It quietly and unpretentiously goes about caring for the needs of others. It draws, binds, heals, builds."

Reminds Me of Rosie

Julia and I have discovered that the door knockers on UP apartments strongly resemble robots. Please check next time if you are doubting me. We named the one on Brady and Andrew's door "Roy" and the one across the walkway "Thelma". Jeff has just recently named the walkway "Hank". But back to Roy and Thelma. They spend all day just looking at each other. They are in love. I am so happy for Roy and Thelma.

...And Julia Loves Her Chainsaw

I've been meaning to post lately if that counts for anything. Here's the update of what's been going on:

• 2 Potlucks last weekend - could life be any better? (to be said like Chandler from Friends)
• I threw up at the pumpkin party - too much mucus intake
• I lost my voice
  
• Dustin says I sound like a man
• My mom says I sound like a little girl
• Other people say I sound "sultry" or "sexy"
• Andrew says, "You just sound like you are sick."

• I realized that I live pretty close to the railroad tracks
• Julia and Elanor helped me turn Dustin into a lovely Snow White
• The waitress at Texas Roadhouse didn't know how to print our checks, making Julia and I 30 minutes late to our Bible class (that we teach).
• One kindergartener from our class accidentally made the shelf come out of the wall in the classroom, causing blocks, toys, crayons, papers, and who knows what else to fall down all over the room.
• Gilmore Girls was a re-run...ugh!!!
  
• I got my car back and it's working beautifully! Yay!
• Brady (who has recently changed his name to Braedon) wants an Awful Wiorn (or a Waffle Iron)
  
• Band Retreat this weekend!
• ...And Julia loves her chainsaw