Thanksgiving stories...

Ah, it is always so refreshing to hang with my relatives over the Thanksgiving Holiday, or as my English teacher says, "The great revered holiday of brown food". No really, it was fun. For example, my grandma was telling us how she visited a nursing home a couple of days before to see someone. After her visit, she saw someone in the hallway she thought she recognized. She approached the lady in a wheelchair and said, "well, hello, do you remember who I am?" The woman replied, in all seriousness, "No honey, I sure don't. But if you'll just go up there to that desk and the nice nurses there will tell you who you are."
Another story...my great uncle managed to drive his truck into a friend's house. The friends came home a few minutes later..."Honey, did you leave those lights on?" "No...oh no, upon my word,there's a pickup truck in our living room!!"
Ah, it makes me laugh.

Lessons from a Mormon

My English class may prove to be the most annoying, though the most eye-opening class I have ever participated in. I thought I had overcome all the surprises it could throw at me, but I was proved wrong yesterday. During peer review, I was paired with a girl who also identified herself as a Christian. Once we finished reading each other's papers, we struck up a conversation on the topic of faith, which is what my paper was about.
"So, you're a christian, too?" she asked
"Yes, I am. What kind of church do you go to?"
"Actually, I'm mormon."
"Oh, really..."
"Yeah, and you?"
"well, I go to a Baptist church...don't be offended at this, but the first things I think of when I hear the word 'mormon' are Salt Lake City and polygamy, but I know these are stereotypes of something I am unfamiliar with. Would you care to explain what you believe to me?"
"Well, don't be offended, either, but when I hear 'baptist' I think of Benny Hinn and Tammy Faye Baker"
laughter...and she continued our conversation...
"well, i was raised mormon, but i've gone through a bit of a spiritual odyssey" she said.
"I keep the name, but I have discovered that Jesus Christ is God, son of God, and salvation is only found in His work on the cross, not on anything I have done, and my life is now to be lived to glorify Him.
"Wouldn't it be a perfect world if the church would just unite...stop bashing the other denominations...of course, it's important to worship with people that believe the same things as you...but I wish we could all just come together and read the Bible, that will fix our theology, the Bible, and nothing else."
As we continued, I found I agreed with her wholeheartedly. I was also able to share with her exactly what I believed. She had the right idea!
As the conversation ended, I commented,
"You know, you're not really mormon!"
"well, you aren't exactly a baptist!"
"I know...but from what I have heard from you, i know that you share the same basic beliefs as I do, and most mormons don't think the way you do."
"You're right, and you're a bit "liberal" to be a real southern baptist. But we are both Chrisians, despite our denominations."
Indeed. What a glorious day that will be, when the church does indeed come together.

So excited...

As of last night, I became the president of the Honors Program here at Armstrong. I am so excited about the opportunities I will have to make a difference at this university and on the lives of nearly 200 Honors students. So anyone who reads this, feel free to pray for me!

Ninja

"You ARE a ninja. And don't ever let anyone tell you different". These were the words of wisdom from the chef at the dining hall. I'm not sure what spurred it, nor am I certain what it means. But he just thought he'd give his employee some advice for their lives since he's leaving soon for a better position. That was mine. Ok. I'm a ninja. WHAT? Any interpretations? Well, it made me laugh, at least.