Still in progress...

...just not on this blog.

A Faith in Progess was a great help for me when I was in discernment and preparing for theological college. But all the while I've been in theological collge, I haven't had the time, energy, or, quite frankly, the interest in theo-blogging. So, it's time to shut 'er down. For now. One never knows how these things will go... ;)

Thank you for your support, your patience, and your friendship.

Jen

Look at me! I'm... Elmo?!?!

Elmo You scored 58% Organization, 80% abstract, and 59% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables. First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean. Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type. Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself. You are mostly organized, more abstract, and both introverted and extroverted. Most people either love or hate Elmo. I hope you love Elmo, because that's who you are. You are both somewhat organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Elmo has the same basic approach. His place is pretty tidy, but he doesn't spend all of his time cleaning it up. You both are abstract thinkers. You definitely are not afraid to take chances in life. You only live once. You may notice others around you playing it safe, but you are more concerned with not compromising your desires, and getting everything you can out of life. This is a very romantic approach to life, but hopefully you are also grounded enough to get by. Elmo's whole life is based on fantasy and his imagination. In the beginning he was a regular character, but now he spends most of his time in this fantasy world. You are both somewhat extroverts. Like Elmo, you probably like to have some time to yourself, but you do appreciate spending time with your friends, and you aren't scared of social situations. Elmo spends some of his time with real friends, but he also needs some time just to chat it up with his goldfish. The other possible characters are Oscar the Grouch Big Bird Cookie Monster Ernie Snuffleupagus Kermit the Frog Grover The Count Guy Smiley Bert If you enjoyed this test, I would love the feedback! Also if you want to tell me your favorite Sesame Street character, I can total them up and post them here. Perhaps your choice will win!

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on Organization You scored higher than 99% on concrete-abstra You scored higher than 99% on intro-extrovert

Link: The Your SESAME STREET Persona Test written by greencowsgomoo on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Thanks to meegiemoo for this one!

I miss my blog, Part 2

I whined about this a few months ago, then did nothing about it. I think I need to do some fiddling around with the template, format, subject matter, etc. - I want this to be about my whole life, not just my school life.

I miss my blog and the people I've met while blogging. Now I think I'm finally ready to get back at it. (Time will tell, eh?)

I miss my blog...

And I miss by blogging friends...

School is wonderful, but is it ever a lot of work! I thought I'd get a chance to catch up with the blog over Christmas, but that was a silly idea. My reading week is starting, though, so I'm going to try again.

I hope everyone is doing well. I hope we can reconnect soon.

Blessings,
Jen

It's my last day

How surreal.

Yesterday my co-workers held a little surprise gathering with cake and presents. It was lovely, and unexpected. (I thought maybe a card, 'cause we do that. But the rest was a genuine surprise.)

Last night I went out with my sister, niece, and three other good girlfriends for supper. Lots and lots of fun!

I went to bed with Harry Potter at 8:30. Asleep by 9. Must have needed it.

Today, I have to pack up (including electronically) and say my good-byes. If I thought focus was a problem before...

Tomorrow I'm taking a 6 a.m. bus to meet my beloved and load up the truck with his things; Sunday we're back here to pack up my crap. Then we're heading north for my sister's wedding (she's home now, and slowly recovering), then down to move, and then I start school!

Not sure when I'll be able to blog again after today. Until we chat again (and well beyond!), be well and blessed my friends!

Tribute to Brother Roger

Jim Taylor has a nice post about Brother Roger and the Taizé way of worship. Read it here.

Mr. Happy strikes again

While I've never really described in detail some of the stunts he's pulled, I've spoken briefly of Mr. Happy before. I've had little trouble with him lately (at least, he hasn't been turning off my power whenever the mood strikes him), but last night I heard a story from my new neighbours about his latest antics. I shake my head in wonder...

Last night the new neighbours were having trouble with the power in their apartment. (I'll admit, my first instinct was to wonder if Mr. Happy had anything to do with it, given my experiences and my knowledge that he has more control over the other apartments than a regular tenant should.) They do not have phone service yet, so they asked if I could call our landlord and ask him to investigate. I did, and he said he would ask Mr. Happy to check things out. When I relayed this information to the neighbours, the woman said, "Oh, he's the guy who keeps flushing."

I must have looked confused, because she went on to tell me that the past few days he'd been flushing the toilet repeatedly whenever she or her kids took a shower. There was a leak of some kind, and rather than having it fixed or at least letting them know, he spent his time standing in the bathroom, flushing his toilet until they got out. (This guy gets off by trying to intimidate women and kids - in this apartment he gets both.)

Again, I have to shake my head in wonder. I have moved beyond contempt for him and into pity - it must be a sad life he's leading. I also feel sorry for whoever is moving into my apartment next week...

Look at me! I'm a book!

O-kay...

You're The Guns of August!

by Barbara Tuchman

Though you're interested in war, what you really want to know is what
causes war. You're out to expose imperialism, militarism, and nationalism for what they
really are. Nevertheless, you're always living in the past and have a hard time dealing
with what's going on today. You're also far more focused on Europe than anywhere else in
the world. A fitting motto for you might be "Guns do kill, but so can
diplomats."


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Link from Lorna of see-through faith.

Blog maintenance

Last week I received my first piece of comment spam. Not a huge deal, but I don't want it to get huge. So, like other bloggers before me, I'm taking advantage of the new "word verification" feature to nip this in the bud.

Prayers to calm my racing mind

This morning I woke up around 5:30. Normally, I can get back to sleep with little difficulty - especially when I have an hour left before the alarm goes off! But the last two days have been different - I wake up with my mind racing, and I can't turn it off. Yesterday morning, I tossed and turned and drifted in and out until the alarm went off. This morning, I decided to get up, and to do something that tends to fall by the wayside when things get frantic: spend some time with God in prayer.

It was tough to quiet my racing mind and just be. To help me focus, I got up and grabbed my copy of Women Pray: Voices through the Ages, from Many Faiths, Cultures, and Traditions, edited by Monica Furlong.

I love the book, but I tend to find myself drawn to the following two prayers. This morning was no exception.

The prayer has great power
Which we pray with all our strength.
It makes an embittered heart mellow,
A sad heart joyful,
A foolish heart wise,
A weak heart strong,
A blind heart clear-seeing,
A cold heard ardent.
It draws God who is great into a heart which is small.
It drives the hungry soul up to the fullness of God.
It unites the two lovers, God and soul, in a place of bliss,
Where they converse long of love
Mechthild of Magdeburg

Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul to the glad refrain.
And, spite of old sorrows
And older sinning,
Troubles forecasted
And possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again.
Susan Coolidge