New Book List

As I finish up my old list, I wanted to update you on the new list. See if you notice any changes in themes. More to come on that later.

The Unselfishness of God and How I Discovered It: Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911)
 Journey Against One Current: The Spiritual Autobiography of a Chinese Christian: Zhi-Dao "Julia" Duan
Girl Meets God: On the Path to a Spiritual Life: Lauren Winner
Robinson Crusoe: Daniel Defoe
Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey: Kelly Slater

Good reminders

I am a person for God's own possession (1 Peter 2:9)
I am God's child, and I call Him Abba (Daddy) (Romans 8:15)
I am redeemed through Christ and have forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7)
God loves me, and I am precious in His sight (Isaiah 43:4)
I am lifted and carried by God through all trials (Isaiah 63:9)

WOW!

"Surface feelings can be changed, heightened, or numbed by our surroundings and by the things we watch, read, or talk about. When we rely on our feelings of dissatisfaction to determine how we will act or think, we toss God's Word and His power aside.

"As you continue to study the Word, ask God to reveal all that's mentioned there about His loving, tender feelings toward you and then rely on those feelings."

What personality type are you?

ENTJ - "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive. 1.8% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Is the Human Soul Infinite?

I just read this about being open, transparent, "naked" according to this author, and it was very challenging to me.

Being intimate in relationship is peeling back the layers, conversation after conversation, experience after experience, year after year. It's rooted in a belief that the soul has infinite depth and you'll never get to the bottom of it.

Our understanding of what it means to be open reflects what we believe about the human soul. Is it infinite? Or can you get to the end of a person? (Sex God: Rob Bell)

It is challenging because I know exactly what it is like to say to myself, "Okay; Stop. You know enough about the details of the other person. Now just coexist and relate within those bounds." Obviously, you cannot continue to grow in relationship and understanding with more than a few close friends and family members. But I think that I dismiss people at this point of surface understanding. And for the most part I am okay with that...it's natural and healthy. But there's a part of me that thinks that those people end there...that there is no more to know or discover.

I also have to question myself: do I think that there is an end of a person? I definitely act that way, about myself and others. But I think the answer to the question is NO. I don't think you can ever get to the essence of a person. I need to act that way, and to discover that about myself as well.

God's Workmanship

Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do.

I always focused on the latter part....that we are foreordained to do certain good works. But what has captured me the last few days is that we are God's workmanship.

What significance! We are God's workmanship. He is creating, recreating, shaping, molding, tutoring, guiding, and crafting us moment by moment. Nothing happens to us outside of His strong, controlled, creative hands. He's got the steadiest hand of any surgeon or sculptor. In the end, the masterpiece of our lives will far outshine the craftsmanship of the Sistine Chapel.

Hobbies, Laughter, and Fun

My life is a bit chaotic sometimes. It is divided into segments: work, school, church, socializing. And for the most part, I keep them all separate, because I like to have different spheres in my life, a separate entrance and exit for each.

But now I really want to find out more of who I am: beyond a hard worker who is passionate about faith and life and family and friends. I know that I have a sense of humor, and I can be funny around my good friends, but I cannot define my humor, and can't even tell you something that I think is funny. So my goal is to laugh more, and to find out what makes me laugh.

I also want to have fun doing different social hobbies. But I don't know what I like that I am good at. I used to love making cards and painting and drawing and making jewelry, but now it just seems like too much work and too many "parts" and things that I don't have. I like writing, but that's what I do for work and school and for Bible study, so the pleasure's not purely for fun.

I do know that I like "treasure hunting" through shopping, going through books and magazines and replicating beautiful things. I like being outside in the sun, I like being with other people and I like cooking. I like dancing and working out. But are these hobbies?

I am in search of hobbies (that I really don't have time for) and I am in search of laughter. Laughter is important, and sometimes I am so sick of being serious!

Hipster Puppies

No hablo Espanol

Despite growing up in California's Central San Joaquin Valley, I do not speak Spanish. I do not understand Spanish. I took a few years of it in high school, but that's about it. I am mostly just familiar with Mexican Food, which I love, and I have been craving like crazy while living here in DC.

But an amazing thing just happened. Amazing. I had to take a foreign language exam as a methods requirement for my PhD Program, and I PASSED! I am so grateful and thankful to Jesus for helping me, and for directing my mind and helping me discern the answers to the reading comprehension exam. I am so happy and pleased with the results...truly, it was a shot in the dark on this one. I had no way to methodically study for it, since it could have been on anything at all.

But, Praise God, I passed this hurdle. That means that I am 100 percent done with all classes, and this is what is left:

Pass my minor area comprehensive exam in May (in American Politics subfield)
Read the literature on religion and decision making in IR
Write a proposal/prospectus for my dissertation; defend it
Write my dissertation; defend it
Go on the job market!

Wow.....that is still a huge uphill battle, but I have been diligently and faithfully ticking off boxes as I go along. By the grace of God alone. "I can do all things through God who gives me strength."

Stylin' in DC

There's some interesting things to note about being both a student at GW and a staffer on Capitol Hill. The kids on campus, boys as well as girls, are absolutely stunning. Sorry, Fresno State, but the people at this school are so much better looking as a general rule. Perhaps it is because their parents have exponentially more money, and they wear Juicy Couture PJ's, as well as all the best designer shoes, bags, jackets, etc. Their makeup and accessorizing is to a T; not to mention that 18-22 year old beauty puts the rest to shame.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, style is a manual you can buy at the office supply store. It doesn't exist. The interns look super trashy in their skimpy ensembles from the J.C.Penny's Juniors department....okay, we were all there at one time...and it seems like every time I walk into a briefing or meeting, its a flood of gray, black, and navy. I don't really ever feel inspired to wear unique clothes that appeal to me, because I don't think anyone would appreciate it-- not even me, when I am sitting at my desk, shivering because of the arctic temperatures that run throughout the federal building.

I have to admit to changing my style and my habits depending on where I am going...to work or to school. It has been good to be on campus-- despite being constantly aware of physical and material shortcomings, it has kept me on my toes of self expression through dress. And perhaps I get lazy and tired in dressing for work; the people I meet with deserve to meet with a staffer who gives 100 percent to being professional and well-dressed.

I don't have a solution yet, or even any normative thoughts on this reality...I just wanted to share. And I should also mention that the third place I dress differently for is church. It's tradition. My parents always instilled in me the desire to dress up for church, because we are "Going to God's house." And to this day, I want to "enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise." For that occassion, I will always don my partiest of party dresses. I love that.

Oh, wow. Did I just describe a psychology of dressing? Next up: the verse that talks about not worrying to wear; you know, the one about the lilies of the field.