Monday, May 27, 2013

Research


This year for me has been a lot about research, so when I saw this beautiful stained glass window at Valley Forge, I had to take a picture.  =)  Only one and half more semesters of grad school!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Considering, Thinking, Reasoning




from the poem "A Short Testament" by Anne Porter

I made this image in April when signs of spring were just starting to show up in Philadelphia. I have been thinking a lot about seasons, winter, and spring recently especially in relation to community and relationships.

I generally have several thoughts running through my mind at any given time that are not quite fully formed.  And most of the time I never actually come to a conclusion.

Some days I really wish I could just turn off my thoughts and not spend so much time considering everything. Especially since grad school provides plenty of material that I must consider.

I'm so thankful for the various friends in my life who have been partners in processing and considering so many different topics including God, fractals, mystery, culture, language, community, water, and most of all, how they are related.  =)

Isaiah 1:8 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD"

"Science has explained nothing; the more we know the more fantastic the world becomes and the profounder the surrounding darkness." ~ Aldous Huxley



Friday, May 17, 2013

A Biblical View of Microfinance

During the fall and spring, realizing there were six weeks left of the semester meant it was time to buckle down and start preparing for the final projects.  The summer terms is ONLY six weeks, which makes it more like a sprint.  We start already talking about the details for the final projects/papers.

I am equally excited about the topics for the two courses I am taking this semester:

1. Introduction to Microfinance
2. Advocacy, Public Policy, and Human Rights

One of the reasons that I choose Eastern University was because even when you take a more technical course like Microfinance, it is approached from a Biblical perspective.

My first assignment is to answer the following question:

What considerations do you think are important for microfinance programs seeking to assist and empower the poor in order that they might be be designed and run Christianly? (Based on a Biblical/theological view of the Kingdom, the Church, and the Incarnation)

So after one short week in Richmond between semesters, I'm back in the rhythm of reading, considering, and writing papers.  And in about six weeks I will be leaving PA and making my way down the east coast back to FL so that, God willing, I can head back to South Sudan at the end of the summer!


Sunday, May 12, 2013

My Church Family

I am extremely thankful for my church family!

They welcomed me when I was weary after the end of my spring semester, listened to the things God has put on my heart this season, pointed me towards Jesus, and prayed for me. They also lent a traveling graduate student/missionary a car for the week. This is why I love my church.


On the day after I arrived in Richmond, WEPC had organized a night for a dear elderly couple to share stories of the 15 years they spent as missionaries to Congo.  In the photo they sit between their two daughters in front a display of family photos.  I was a BEAUTIFUL night to honor a couple who has faithfully served God for many decades.  This is why I love my church.  


There are very few physical places in the world that feel like "home" to me.  The sanctuary of WEPC is one of those places.   It is hard to express how encouraging and restorative it was to sit in front of a beautiful, familiar tapestry, hear Steve preach the gospel in a sweater vest, and sing "O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in  Thee" together with my church family.  This is why I love my church.

Of course, WEPC isn't perfect, but is my church, and I am thankful for every opportunity I have to come to Richmond and be a part of the life of the church, even if it is for only a few days. 


As a bonus, WEPC is in Richmond, which is also home to the Japanese gardens at Maymont!

I am also beyond thankful for all the wonderful friends I have in Richmond! I had so many real, honest conversations this week.  I also got to laugh and enjoy a little bit of life together with women I have known since we were all recent college graduates and new to Richmond.