Shoe fast?

[I realized this morning that most days I have around 5 blog entires swimming in my head. The problem, it seems, is that between those early morning (or mid-morning) thoughts and by the time I get around to having space to actually write them down, they disappear, or perhaps become not as blog-worthy. Perhaps, though, I should blog more regularly.]

This morning I was thinking about shoes. I really like shoes (I have for a while). I'm learning that I have a lot of shoes. Last week in my spiritual formation class we dicussed fasting, and what fasting accomplishes. We're supposed to take a fast as a part of the class, and our instructor challenged those of us who had done food-fasts before to fast in another way. It started me thinking - what do I need to fast from? Immediately, the thought of shoes came into my mind. Shoes? Why do I need to fast from shoes? How do I fast from shoes?

Well, my visit to Cleveland this weekend confirmed my need to fast from shoes. I bought yet another pair of shoes. Perfectly rational in my mind - they're 85% off, I don't have a pair like them, they will be perfect to wear with jeans going out next summer. Yes, they are cute summer shoes. I won't be able to wear them out of the house for at least 7 months. I instinctively bought them because I don't have a pair like them, they fit well, and they are 85% off. I thought about the fact that this is at least the third pair of shoes that I have bought in Cleveland - a city that I don't live in, and only visit several times a year. Just now I realize that I've bought shoes in Washington DC, Florida and in Russia. I went shoe-shopping in China, but couldn't find anything in my size.

Now, I know I don't worship shoes. Yet, there seems to be a disconnect when I'm shoe shopping. A disconnect between what I know will satisfy me and a desire to have a new pair of shoes. I buy (literally) into the lie that I need the shoes, and that they will fulfill some sort of purpose in my life. Lauren Winner talks about fasting from cheese (in her book that I mentioned in my last post). Lauren realized that she had eaten cheese at the last six meals, and decides to take three days off of cheese. She points out that during her fast from cheese, she begins to learn the lesson that she is not captive to this desire. She can pass up the mac and cheese. She can say nope, today I'm fasting from cheese. So, can I pass up the desire for shoes? And what does that look like, really? I mean, it's not like I can give up wearing shoes. So, how do I fast from shoes?

Confession

Confession: when I was asked to speak at EMU’s InterVarsity chapter a few weeks back one of the things that was most appealing about the invitation was the knowledge that I would be able to ‘hang out’ with Lauren Winner in the days before the talk. For those of you who haven’t heard me rave about Lauren, I’ll spare you the details (but browse through my blog from last January for a little perspective).

My topic for Tuesday is sexuality, so I’ve been skimming Lauren’s book Real Sex: the naked truth about chastity. I’ve been impressed again about Lauren’s insight, truthfulness and the fact that she's a good author! Her challenge to live in community and examine the lies that our culture and the church tell us about sex are still a breath of fresh air, even though I've read them before.

I’m hoping not to give the same-old sex talk on Tuesday. I’m also hoping (and praying) to challenge these eager students to pursue Jesus’ call to live radically as citizens of the Kingdom.

I'm off to work on my talk while Amy studies. I appreciate having a job where work can be done in a variety of contexts, and having good friends in grad school that need to study!

Currently Reading:

Questions

Today I was able to teach some newer IV staff about questions, specifically writing Bible study questions. In the past year or so, I've been dong more and more thinking about questions. I think one of my favorite quotes is true - "A good question makes all the difference between a lively discussion and an awkward staring contest." I like good questions that make me think critically and examine a text. But I've also been in situations where a bad question (and I believe that there is such a thing as a bad question) kills a lively conversation.

I also like people to ask me a lot of questions. I've found that I generally divulge information only when asked. My perspective is that if people want to know something about me, they'll ask. What I have a hard time remembering is that the opposite can be true of people (if someone wants to talk about themselves, they will). I probably don't realize the many times I think people don't want to know about me because they aren't asking, and that people think I don't want to tell them about me because I'm not revealing. Hmmmmm....

I also like asking questions of others. This summer (while in China) I asked a lot of questions. I made it a point to, but didn't fully realize how many questions I asked until the US students started pointing it out. It turned out to be a helpful way to enter into the cross-cultural relationships, and US students were challenged to continue to engage and ask questions of their language partner. I found out so much about China by asking questions!

Questions are important. And good questions are even better. Any questions?

Sad & Happy

First, the sad news. My cute purple car is officially gone. This is my last moment with it (on Wednesday). You can see in the background the house I've been staying in for the past two months. I haven't had many of you over, and I'm regretful about that! Thankfully, the staff team has frequented my house, which was a huge blessing to me (and hopefully the team).

And the happy news -snow!! I knew there was snow in the forecast last night, but I didn't think I would actually see it. It took me awhile to notice, but then I looked out the window in delight. I love the first snow. Unfortunately, my 'snow socks' were packed, so I couldn't wear them :(.

(Kat, this announcement is particularly for you. Sorry I forgot to mention the snow on the message I left. And sorry I couldn't chat today - looking forward to next week!)

I've also realized that now that I only have one car, I think I'll be more appreciative of the reliable Malibu. Even if I need to scrape the snow off of it!

Run while you can......

Already? Yup.
For those of you who know me even moderately well, you're thinking 'already? why? where is she moving to this time?'

So, I'll answer the questions for you know - yes, already (long story, immediate reason is because the people I'm housesitting for are returning more than a month earlier than they originally thought because of the situation in the Middle East), Kristina (from HHBC) and I will be living together. It's cool how that has worked out, and I'm excited to have found a new roommate at this odd time of the year!

So, if you're my friend and still live in Ann Arbor, I'd suggest making other plans for this Saturday, October 14th in the afternoon. Otherwise, I'll be asking for your help soon and you'll be stuck carrying boxes for a few hours. And if you don't live in Ann Arbor, the respose of 'I'd love to if I were in town' is still welcome :).

At least my trusty boxes aren't wearing out yet! I'll probably get another move out of them before they go....

Fall Fell

Spring has the wonderful phrase 'Spring has Sprung' to accompany its arrival. There's no such counterpart for Fall. It hit me today - probably the first beautiful day of fall, in my opinion - that fall is indeed here. I had a wonderful drive to my class with a beautiful blue sky and glowing yellow trees. I took pictures of the trees (thanks to my new camera phone), and really enjoyed being outside. So, what should we say when fall arrives??

- Fall Fell - Autumn Dropped - Autumn Arrives - Fall has Fallen -

None of the options are quite as catchy as 'Spring has Sprung'.

Regardless, I love fall (what Michigander doesn't?). I love the trees, the smell of leaves (see previous post), good apple cider (I consider myself an apple cider snob) and the crisp air. I'd like to enjoy fall this year.

Senic drive, anyone?

on Change

I realized (or, rather, God revealed to me) last week that I don't like change, or respond to change very well. I was driving back from a meeting in Ohio when I admitted that the real reason that I don't want to get rid of my car is that I'm not ready for the change. My (beloved) super-Saturn was totaled (rather, I totaled it) a week before leaving for China. The stress and all of the activity before going meant that I didn't deal with it then. I also needed some sort of transportation when I returned. (My car is in this very strange totaled but drivable state). But soon after returning I was given a new car. A car that was better than my old one. A car with half as many miles on it, a CD player, and a drivers side window that rolls down. Honestly, though, I'd rather be driving my purple Saturn. I realized that the Saturn is the only thing that has been consistent in my life in the past five years. I've had so many different roommates, apartments, close friends, small groups, family, students, relationships, even colleagues and the church I've attended. God reminded me that He has been (and will) be consistent, and that dealing with change is a way that I can trust Him more fully. So, these days I'm thinking about getting rid of my Saturn (it's in my driveway right now), and being more aware of how the changes around me affect my daily life. And I'm walking into them with a sense of God's nearness. I also had my hair cut pretty short. I'm liking that change!

I've added more pictures of China. Check them out!

Currently Reading: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer