Blog Burglar

I'm not a blog reader. I'm a blog snooper. A snooper and a stealer. I regularly peek through a favourite list of web-logs for any ideas, laughs or stories that I can snatch, smile at or retell.

I love the salad for breakfast idea from one of my recently-completed-marathon heroes.

I'm eager to attempt creating my own laundry detergent when I move into my new place.

I regularly return to the hilarious little Luke for a smile on a gloomy day.

I'm not sure if there's an Emily Post Etiquette of the web-log world - Should I leave a 'thank you for letting me snoop' comment each time I enter your world? Should I leave a 'come see my blog when you're in the area' note?

Nonetheless, in the comfort of my cozy pale blue fleece pants and an old Adidas sweatshirt I can enter your world, giggle at your children, share in your creativity and in some moments shed a tear.

So 'thank you' to all of you!

- your friendly Stalker V

Here's the church, Here's the steeple.

10.30 am, this morning found me sitting on the padded pew of a new church for me in Grandville, Michigan.

I agreed with and appreciated the minister's message more than I thought I would. He spoke rather slow which I first found annoying, but then came to the conclusion that as 82% of the congregation were born before 1945, his pace of speaking was appropriate.

As he continued, I also positively realised that his slow speech allowed me to reflect more on what he was saying...and daydream more. (Come on, be honest, you do too!)

The lady (born after 1945) responsible for the children and youth gave a little talk, but could use a little spark under her dupa to be a bit more engaging. Though I was happy to see that had a time focused on the little cherubs.

Next to me, Bill (born before 1945) had a very warm handshake and smiling eyes. It was a pleasant welcome to my first Grandville church visit.

Before exiting the church, I bought some cinnamon rolls to support the youth summer mission trip (the rolls have since vanished). I stood near the minister whilst he greeted parishioners as they left. The poor fellow was chastened by an elderly woman for the sermon not being what she expected and hoped for on Mother's Day.

I've been a part of three amazing and very unique churches - Holland, Michigan; Oak Park, Illinois; and Prague, Czech Republic - which have throughout my Christian journey guided, taught and encouraged me at very significant points. With warmth and thanksgiving I look back on them all and I'm eager to find and participate in another little family. In Grandville there are many!

Just Another Saturday

I sincerely hope Calvin decides to keep me for a while, because this little tidewater blue, hatch-backed Honda will require a bit of help from them to keep it parked in my driveway.
Yippee!

Sneak Preview

In one month, I will begin nesting down in this little neutral abode in Grandville.

Hopefully with a number of accessories and toys to make it a bit more colourful and a bit more 'Vanessa'!

For now, this is your sneak preview. Be sure to check back here 30 days from now for the real thing!

SM 126S

From 08.00 - 16.30 this is my new home: office SM 126S. Not sure what the "SM" stands for, possibly "seminary" and the "S" is likely "south" but haven't sorted that out either. I suppose it doesn't matter too much, as long as I know how to get there, get in and do the work - which so far I've done successfully for 4 days.

I've caught on to the tasks given me thus far and have felt pleased and somewhat fulfilled at the end of each working day. Though I have to admit to you that it is Spring Break, which means students are not around and many faculty and staff are working minimally. This means I have space to work on projects without interruptions which are sure to come next week and following.

I still slip up when talking about IBTS and say 'our seminary' and 'we have' when mentioning the student body in Prague. The transition will come that the 'our seminary' will be me and Calvin Theological Seminary and the 'we have' will be students studying here in West Michigan. Though I'm not entirely sure that I want it to... at least not yet.

Reflections for Easter Monday

When searching for her in a book of names you will learn that it means "butterfly". In grade school this rather embarrassed me as my friends "Listener of God" (Samantha), "Pure" (Cathy), "God's Princess" (Sarah) and many "God Saves" (Joshua) and "Gift of God"s (Jonathan) paraded around with the spiritual names; I was stuck with a bug.

Later, I learned to appreciate the beauty and fragility of this small creature, as well as its strength and resilience. Certainly not disregarding the symbolism of new life as experienced in our Christian journey.

The Baptist tradition which I grew up in did not recognise Easter Monday, apart from it being the day you did not want to have a dental appointment due to the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans which disappeared the day before.

However, for the last nine years I've lived in a Christian community which considers and celebrates this and many other events in the Christian church calendar. This Easter season began with sweet pancakes of Shrove Tuesday, sorrowful ashes of Ash Wednesday, the long travail through the Lenten journey, the warmth of memories on Mothering Sunday, rejoicing at Palm Sunday and the emotion and power of Holy Week, culminating in the victorious resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday morning.Easter Monday is a day away from the office, no classes are taught and the buses run on holiday schedule. This is the first day of a new journey, a new and fresh hope. The flower buds are showing their spring colours, the butterfly wriggles nearly ready to burst from her cocoon and all are invited to reflect on the past days and renew their vision for the future.

On my journey this butterfly will test her wings in a different field. The Lenten weeks are passed. The struggles, the frustrations and disappointments have been many, but have not broken her spirit. On this Easter Monday 2010, a fresh breeze is blowing clear a new and exciting path.

Proof

This is taken from the Staff Directory of Calvin Theological Seminary's website.

It makes me smile and also gives me the pinch of reality that actually; Yes, I do have a job and Yes, I do start on Monday and Yes, they are looking forward to my joining their team!

I can't stop smiling!

(Don't worry there are other women on staff, just not with last names that begin with "K" or "L"!)