My oldest daughter had me cut off her 18-inch-long ponytail so she could send it to Locks of Love. She got the idea when we were at the 2006 ACS Relay for Life with my dad. I'm very proud of her.
29 May, 2008
May's Beautiful Picture from Tennessee
My oldest daughter had me cut off her 18-inch-long ponytail so she could send it to Locks of Love. She got the idea when we were at the 2006 ACS Relay for Life with my dad. I'm very proud of her.
02 May, 2008
Last exam graded
N helped me grade exams today, so I got them finished in record time. Almost everyone made the grade I was expecting.
I have one student who has a note from the disability office that says I am supposed to give him extra time on the tests. Everyone else took from 45 to 75 minutes for the final exam. He took 4 hours and 20 minutes. (That's why N and I got so much grading done. We were sitting there waiting for him to finish the test.) He still scored less than 50% on the final exam. He doesn't always come to class, and he's never turned in an assignment. I kept telling him that I didn't have them, and he would always have some kind of story about his computer or my email account. I'm not at all sorry that he failed. Darin says that guys like that who know how to work the system will go far in the world. That might be true, but it doesn't mean that I have to pass them.
I had another student who had been working really hard to pull up his grade. He needed a 96 on the final to make an A in the class. (He had a C at midterm.) He made a 99 on the final. And no, Darin, he wasn't cheating.
I'm glad to be done with my first year at Belmont. I'm scheduled for 2 more sections in the Fall, and then I think I'm going to take off a semester. I'm looking forward to summer vacation also.
ttfn
I have one student who has a note from the disability office that says I am supposed to give him extra time on the tests. Everyone else took from 45 to 75 minutes for the final exam. He took 4 hours and 20 minutes. (That's why N and I got so much grading done. We were sitting there waiting for him to finish the test.) He still scored less than 50% on the final exam. He doesn't always come to class, and he's never turned in an assignment. I kept telling him that I didn't have them, and he would always have some kind of story about his computer or my email account. I'm not at all sorry that he failed. Darin says that guys like that who know how to work the system will go far in the world. That might be true, but it doesn't mean that I have to pass them.
I had another student who had been working really hard to pull up his grade. He needed a 96 on the final to make an A in the class. (He had a C at midterm.) He made a 99 on the final. And no, Darin, he wasn't cheating.
I'm glad to be done with my first year at Belmont. I'm scheduled for 2 more sections in the Fall, and then I think I'm going to take off a semester. I'm looking forward to summer vacation also.
ttfn
29 April, 2008
23 March, 2008
March's Beautiful Picture from Tennessee
Just some of the 192 plastic eggs we hid around the farm for the girls. It had been years since they had a big egg hunt. I suppose that they are getting too old for this, but they still had a great time.
06 March, 2008
Anniversary
Today is the 2-year anniversary of my fall, broken leg, and surgery. On most days, I forget my leg was even broken, and today the weather is clearing and it feels good. Sometimes when the weather changes it gets stiff, but it's very rarely sore, even after I've been hiking.
I remember that I was depressed that day --- I really didn't want to go to work and face Francois. And I remember that I was relieved, even through the pain, that I didn't have to go to work that day. But now, two years later, so much of that time seems like a dream. It seems unbelievable that we were even living in Europe, let alone that we got to go to the Italian Riviera because I broke my leg. And today I have to go to work, but I'm looking forward to practicing my French during the commute, and I'm looking forward to going over Student's t distribution with my students at Belmont. I love teaching the girls, too, and tonight is Spanish night with my high schooler.
I got out my scrapbook yesterday of the trip to the Mediterranean, just to remind myself that God really can use all things for our good, and that He does work in mysterious ways.
ttfn
I remember that I was depressed that day --- I really didn't want to go to work and face Francois. And I remember that I was relieved, even through the pain, that I didn't have to go to work that day. But now, two years later, so much of that time seems like a dream. It seems unbelievable that we were even living in Europe, let alone that we got to go to the Italian Riviera because I broke my leg. And today I have to go to work, but I'm looking forward to practicing my French during the commute, and I'm looking forward to going over Student's t distribution with my students at Belmont. I love teaching the girls, too, and tonight is Spanish night with my high schooler.
I got out my scrapbook yesterday of the trip to the Mediterranean, just to remind myself that God really can use all things for our good, and that He does work in mysterious ways.
ttfn
13 February, 2008
05 February, 2008
Super Tuesday and Anniversaries
It was 65 degrees this morning when Darin and I got up to vote at 7:00. So after we got home, we told the girls they could go play in the creek. It's been raining quite a bit, and the creek was full. It's also Mardi Gras, so it seemed appropriate to give the girls a short break from school.
Darin and I both had a time with the voting machines today. There are only two machines at our precinct, so if we are both having trouble, we can even create a line. (OK, only a line of 1 at 7:20 this morning.) Darin was trying to vote before he had reviewed everything, and his machine started beeping at him. While I was reviewing my vote, I was trying to count everyone, and I accidentally touched the screen, so it sent me back to somewhere so I could change things, and then I had to review it again. The ladies were impressed with how much fun I was having. But what are you going to do? If you make a mistake, you might as well just laugh. Cussing at the machines won't help, and I bet it would upset all those nice old ladies who are volunteering.
I'm happy that we got to go together to vote. After meeting Darin because of the Iowa caucuses, it seems like a romantic thing to do.
That reminded me that this Valentine's Day will be a big anniversary for us --- 20 years since the day we met. Well, it was the day we were introduced. I remember where we were and even what *he* was wearing (not something impressive or flattering). He shook my hand that day, but he didn’t speak to me. The first time he spoke to me was at a college Bible study the next Friday, February 19th, which happened to be my Grandma’s birthday. On that day, he said “Hello,” and he was wearing shorts (in Iowa in February), but I was much more impressed with his looks that day, though it still certainly wasn’t love at first sight for either of us. (It took him until June to actually say anything more than "hello" to me.)
There are birthdays and other anniversaries coming up (including the three year anniversary of my leaving my good government job, and the two year anniversary of my broken leg in Luxembourg). It will be an interesting few weeks.
ttfn
Darin and I both had a time with the voting machines today. There are only two machines at our precinct, so if we are both having trouble, we can even create a line. (OK, only a line of 1 at 7:20 this morning.) Darin was trying to vote before he had reviewed everything, and his machine started beeping at him. While I was reviewing my vote, I was trying to count everyone, and I accidentally touched the screen, so it sent me back to somewhere so I could change things, and then I had to review it again. The ladies were impressed with how much fun I was having. But what are you going to do? If you make a mistake, you might as well just laugh. Cussing at the machines won't help, and I bet it would upset all those nice old ladies who are volunteering.
I'm happy that we got to go together to vote. After meeting Darin because of the Iowa caucuses, it seems like a romantic thing to do.
That reminded me that this Valentine's Day will be a big anniversary for us --- 20 years since the day we met. Well, it was the day we were introduced. I remember where we were and even what *he* was wearing (not something impressive or flattering). He shook my hand that day, but he didn’t speak to me. The first time he spoke to me was at a college Bible study the next Friday, February 19th, which happened to be my Grandma’s birthday. On that day, he said “Hello,” and he was wearing shorts (in Iowa in February), but I was much more impressed with his looks that day, though it still certainly wasn’t love at first sight for either of us. (It took him until June to actually say anything more than "hello" to me.)
There are birthdays and other anniversaries coming up (including the three year anniversary of my leaving my good government job, and the two year anniversary of my broken leg in Luxembourg). It will be an interesting few weeks.
ttfn
18 January, 2008
Driving Lessons
We did it. With all my prodding to get caught up in school, my oldest finally had some time to read through the Drivers' Handbook that she needed to read before I would take her to the Department of Transportation to take her written driver's test. She did take the test on Monday, and she passed, so she now has her "graduated driver's license", what used to be called a learner's permit when I was a kid in Tennessee.
So she drove a little bit on the way home Monday, but it was getting dark by then, and she was a little bit stressed. Today we had our first real lesson other than driving down the driveway and up the driveway and into and out of the garage. She drove down our winding road, and we practiced slowing down for and accelerating out of curves. We also had to practice avoiding dogs, with three separate incidents with two separate dogs.
On the same day that my oldest took her driving test, my youngest started high-school-level algebra. It's hitting me hard that the girls are really growing up. They are making fun of me, but it's more difficult than they think.
So she drove a little bit on the way home Monday, but it was getting dark by then, and she was a little bit stressed. Today we had our first real lesson other than driving down the driveway and up the driveway and into and out of the garage. She drove down our winding road, and we practiced slowing down for and accelerating out of curves. We also had to practice avoiding dogs, with three separate incidents with two separate dogs.
On the same day that my oldest took her driving test, my youngest started high-school-level algebra. It's hitting me hard that the girls are really growing up. They are making fun of me, but it's more difficult than they think.
05 January, 2008
New job for Darin
Daddy always said to write if we got work, and blogging is the best way for me to get the word out.
Darin got a promotion at the factory. He started there officially in February after being a temp for several months. His temp job and his first job was as a press operator --- a job he hated. It was hot and messy. Then he got a job driving a fork lift --- a job he liked better. Monday he starts in the Quality Assurance department as an inspector. A lot of the promotions are based on seniority, which Darin doesn't have, but Darin does have many impressive qualities. Other people who have been in Quality Assurance don't like the job because they don't like to argue with people. Darin loves causing trouble, so this job should be right up his alley.
I'm very proud of his quick rise through the ranks.
ttfn
Darin got a promotion at the factory. He started there officially in February after being a temp for several months. His temp job and his first job was as a press operator --- a job he hated. It was hot and messy. Then he got a job driving a fork lift --- a job he liked better. Monday he starts in the Quality Assurance department as an inspector. A lot of the promotions are based on seniority, which Darin doesn't have, but Darin does have many impressive qualities. Other people who have been in Quality Assurance don't like the job because they don't like to argue with people. Darin loves causing trouble, so this job should be right up his alley.
I'm very proud of his quick rise through the ranks.
ttfn
25 December, 2007
Merry Christmas
My mom called me last week and said that she had gotten a Christmas present from my dad. She said that she heard a poem on the radio, and she believes that Daddy sent it for her. I agree.
Today, in my complete insanity, before we could open presents, I made the girls help me unpack some of the boxes in the dining room so I could find my good glasses to use for Christmas dinner. We didn't need them at Thanksgiving because we weren't at home, but I really wanted them for Christmas. We didn't have them last year either, and I was tired of waiting. So I came across a smaller box that was packed inside a big dish box. I knew it wasn't my holiday glassware, but I wanted to see what was in the smaller box.
Inside the box was a note from my dad. It was a list of things that were in the box (things that came from his mom's house), and a note at the bottom to me. I remember Daddy giving me the box and telling me what was inside, but I don't think I'd opened it before. I started crying because I'd gotten a Christmas gift from Daddy, too, and I was just insane enough to actually be opening it on Christmas morning.
I miss you, Daddy.
Merry Christmas!
Today, in my complete insanity, before we could open presents, I made the girls help me unpack some of the boxes in the dining room so I could find my good glasses to use for Christmas dinner. We didn't need them at Thanksgiving because we weren't at home, but I really wanted them for Christmas. We didn't have them last year either, and I was tired of waiting. So I came across a smaller box that was packed inside a big dish box. I knew it wasn't my holiday glassware, but I wanted to see what was in the smaller box.
Inside the box was a note from my dad. It was a list of things that were in the box (things that came from his mom's house), and a note at the bottom to me. I remember Daddy giving me the box and telling me what was inside, but I don't think I'd opened it before. I started crying because I'd gotten a Christmas gift from Daddy, too, and I was just insane enough to actually be opening it on Christmas morning.
I miss you, Daddy.
Merry Christmas!
23 December, 2007
A very emotional day
I expected that last Christmas would be the last Christmas with my dad on this side of heaven, and so I knew this Christmas season would be tough, even as far back as last Christmas season. But today was really tough.
My oldest was singing in the youth choir today at the Methodist church for both the 8:30 and the 11:00 service. So we all went to the early service, and then stayed for Sunday School and the 11:00 service, too. We sang "Hark the Herald Angels" today, and the alto part is too high, but I can't sing tenor on the hymns anymore because I think of Daddy and I start to cry. We also sang "Once in Royal David's City," which also made me think about Daddy, so that was difficult to sing also.
I went to Sunday school and enjoyed it. Pastor Carlos talked to us about Christmas traditions in Mexico, and I learned a lot about Mexico and the Spanish language. We also discussed the origins of various traditions. I like Carlos.
Then I went to the second service, which is pretty much the same service as the first service, except that there is a baby dedication in the 11:00 service. I didn't think much about it before time, but at the beginning of the dedication service, I realized that I hadn't seen a baby dedication in years. I usually go to the early service, and baby dedications seem to happen in the later services. As I listened to the parents promise to avoid sin, follow Jesus at all costs, to raise their child for the Lord, it hit me really hard that at one time Darin had promised all of those things,too. It made me really sad. Every time they said "I do" or "I will", it felt like another knife in my heart. The baby's grandfather was a minister, so after the vows had been said, the pastor let the grandfather pray the prayer and do the baptism. The grandfather's prayer just broke my heart because it reminded me so much of my dad, and how happy he was with his four granddaughters.
I've been a wreck all afternoon. I just want to be left alone, and I can't explain to the girls what is going on in my head and in my heart.
My oldest was singing in the youth choir today at the Methodist church for both the 8:30 and the 11:00 service. So we all went to the early service, and then stayed for Sunday School and the 11:00 service, too. We sang "Hark the Herald Angels" today, and the alto part is too high, but I can't sing tenor on the hymns anymore because I think of Daddy and I start to cry. We also sang "Once in Royal David's City," which also made me think about Daddy, so that was difficult to sing also.
I went to Sunday school and enjoyed it. Pastor Carlos talked to us about Christmas traditions in Mexico, and I learned a lot about Mexico and the Spanish language. We also discussed the origins of various traditions. I like Carlos.
Then I went to the second service, which is pretty much the same service as the first service, except that there is a baby dedication in the 11:00 service. I didn't think much about it before time, but at the beginning of the dedication service, I realized that I hadn't seen a baby dedication in years. I usually go to the early service, and baby dedications seem to happen in the later services. As I listened to the parents promise to avoid sin, follow Jesus at all costs, to raise their child for the Lord, it hit me really hard that at one time Darin had promised all of those things,too. It made me really sad. Every time they said "I do" or "I will", it felt like another knife in my heart. The baby's grandfather was a minister, so after the vows had been said, the pastor let the grandfather pray the prayer and do the baptism. The grandfather's prayer just broke my heart because it reminded me so much of my dad, and how happy he was with his four granddaughters.
I've been a wreck all afternoon. I just want to be left alone, and I can't explain to the girls what is going on in my head and in my heart.
11 December, 2007
Limbo
I finished all my grading for the Belmont courses. It's a relief to be finished, but I still don't know if I'm teaching next semester or not. It would be nice to teach another semester now that I have this semester under my belt, but it would also be nice to have a break. I have several people now I'm trying to convince that they should be my new clients. I'd really like to do a mailing, too, to drum up more business for my courses. Plus, I have some catching up to do for grading for the girls, and I would love to have more time to scrapbook (I still have a couple of pictures to paste in my Japan book).
On the other hand, I'm getting a lot of French done on the long commutes to Belmont. I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of sentence structure and basic verb forms. It's funny, though, what they've taught me and what they haven't. For example, I know the words for January, February, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but not the other months or the other days of the week. And we've learned the names for France, Belgium, Italy, England, and Canada. And I know how to ask about the time and the weather, but they keep making me practice asking about the weather in Canada or in England in January or February --- "Il faisait très froid au Canada en janvier et en février." And I can order coffee, beer, or wine, but I don't drink any of those, though I can order milk because they taught me that (I might need milk in my coffee). But, realistically, I do know that Diet Coke is "Coca-Cola Lite" in France, so I suppose I don't need to know anything else to drink. I've been renting French movies, and I'm really enjoying listening to the French. Maybe I'll learn the other months and some good things to eat that way.
So I haven't been doing a lot of reading, and I'm not working on scrapbooks, and now, possibly, no more long commutes to learn French. I guess I'm feeling a little bit lost tonight. I should probably review some algebra for the girls tonight, but I think I'll read Dumas instead.
ttfn
On the other hand, I'm getting a lot of French done on the long commutes to Belmont. I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of sentence structure and basic verb forms. It's funny, though, what they've taught me and what they haven't. For example, I know the words for January, February, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but not the other months or the other days of the week. And we've learned the names for France, Belgium, Italy, England, and Canada. And I know how to ask about the time and the weather, but they keep making me practice asking about the weather in Canada or in England in January or February --- "Il faisait très froid au Canada en janvier et en février." And I can order coffee, beer, or wine, but I don't drink any of those, though I can order milk because they taught me that (I might need milk in my coffee). But, realistically, I do know that Diet Coke is "Coca-Cola Lite" in France, so I suppose I don't need to know anything else to drink. I've been renting French movies, and I'm really enjoying listening to the French. Maybe I'll learn the other months and some good things to eat that way.
So I haven't been doing a lot of reading, and I'm not working on scrapbooks, and now, possibly, no more long commutes to learn French. I guess I'm feeling a little bit lost tonight. I should probably review some algebra for the girls tonight, but I think I'll read Dumas instead.
ttfn
30 November, 2007
Poison Ivy and Thanksgiving
I have had a really miserable case of poison ivy. It seems that I got it from the laundry, so even though I never go out into it, I have a rash over about a fourth of my body. Darin had better be more careful because I don't want to go through this again.
The rash made it difficult to concentrate. I also found it difficult to read before bed because I scratched too much, so I started playing computer games instead to take my mind off things and keep myself from scratching. I tried to blog a couple of times, but I just couldn't keep my mind on anything other than how completely uncomfortable I was.
I finally went to the doctor. He was grossed out, so you know that's a bad sign. He gave me a shot of cortisone and prescriptions for an oral antibiotic (it was very infected), and antibiotic cream, and an anti-itch cream. He told me also to get lots of rest and take lots of oral Benedryl. So then even after I started feeling better, I still didn't feel much like sitting at the computer, and I was too tired to lay in bed and read.
But the rash is almost gone now, and the infection is definitely cleared up.
Darin took the kids to see his parents for Thanksgiving, and I went to see my mom. While I was at my mom's, I did get some scrapbooking finished. I had gotten behind in my writing in the books because of a bad infection in my finger and under the nail. (That was before the poison ivy incident.) So I spent a lot of time writing in my big book, and I also worked on my book from the trip to Japan in 1999. I almost have the Japan book finished, but I ran out of the pink paper that matches the cherry blossoms, so I didn't get that completely finished either.
Belmont finals are the end of this week and next week, and I will have grading to do this next week.
The kids are well and working hard at school. Only two full weeks before Christmas break. I'm looking forward to their break so that we can do some fun things here in Nashville, like visiting the lights at Opryland. I'm also hoping to get to see my mom again before Christmas.
The rash made it difficult to concentrate. I also found it difficult to read before bed because I scratched too much, so I started playing computer games instead to take my mind off things and keep myself from scratching. I tried to blog a couple of times, but I just couldn't keep my mind on anything other than how completely uncomfortable I was.
I finally went to the doctor. He was grossed out, so you know that's a bad sign. He gave me a shot of cortisone and prescriptions for an oral antibiotic (it was very infected), and antibiotic cream, and an anti-itch cream. He told me also to get lots of rest and take lots of oral Benedryl. So then even after I started feeling better, I still didn't feel much like sitting at the computer, and I was too tired to lay in bed and read.
But the rash is almost gone now, and the infection is definitely cleared up.
Darin took the kids to see his parents for Thanksgiving, and I went to see my mom. While I was at my mom's, I did get some scrapbooking finished. I had gotten behind in my writing in the books because of a bad infection in my finger and under the nail. (That was before the poison ivy incident.) So I spent a lot of time writing in my big book, and I also worked on my book from the trip to Japan in 1999. I almost have the Japan book finished, but I ran out of the pink paper that matches the cherry blossoms, so I didn't get that completely finished either.
Belmont finals are the end of this week and next week, and I will have grading to do this next week.
The kids are well and working hard at school. Only two full weeks before Christmas break. I'm looking forward to their break so that we can do some fun things here in Nashville, like visiting the lights at Opryland. I'm also hoping to get to see my mom again before Christmas.
18 November, 2007
Choir again
Today was the Celebration Service for the 300th anniversary of Charles Wesley's birthday. I sang in a 150 voice choir from several area Methodist churches. We had a real orchestra, plus their incredible pipe organ and the piano. It was so much fun to sing in a big choir like that.
I loved the hymns we sang: "O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above," "Sing with Glad Anticipation," "Rejoice, the Lord is King," "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," "Thankful for our Ev'ry Blessing," "A Charge to Keep I Have," "The Vigilance Our Lord Demands," "Jesus, Lover of my Soul," and "And Can it Be?" (which is maybe my favorite hymn).
It's very different from singing in the choir at the Anglican church. I was always so conscious of getting my vowels to sound like the Britishers in the choir. The directors were very patient with me. But here, it's very different. There are more people, for one thing, but I think that there are also people from all over the country, and Elliot has trouble getting all of us to use the same vowel sounds. It's nice for me, in a way, because I don't feel so out of place, but in another way it's harder because I'm sometimes not sure of what vowel sounds to use.
The girls tease me because now when I say the Our Father, I say "trespasses" like a British person. I'm not even sure how I say it, or how I used to say it. Oh well. I'm happy that some of that wonderful church in Luxembourg has stayed with me.
I loved the hymns we sang: "O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above," "Sing with Glad Anticipation," "Rejoice, the Lord is King," "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," "Thankful for our Ev'ry Blessing," "A Charge to Keep I Have," "The Vigilance Our Lord Demands," "Jesus, Lover of my Soul," and "And Can it Be?" (which is maybe my favorite hymn).
It's very different from singing in the choir at the Anglican church. I was always so conscious of getting my vowels to sound like the Britishers in the choir. The directors were very patient with me. But here, it's very different. There are more people, for one thing, but I think that there are also people from all over the country, and Elliot has trouble getting all of us to use the same vowel sounds. It's nice for me, in a way, because I don't feel so out of place, but in another way it's harder because I'm sometimes not sure of what vowel sounds to use.
The girls tease me because now when I say the Our Father, I say "trespasses" like a British person. I'm not even sure how I say it, or how I used to say it. Oh well. I'm happy that some of that wonderful church in Luxembourg has stayed with me.
07 November, 2007
November's Beautiful Picture from Tennessee
The girls had wanted braces so badly before we moved to Luxembourg, and then while we were there, we had no idea how to make it happen. Now, after a year and a half in the States, now that we have dental insurance, and I had a part-time job to pay for them, my two older girls have their braces. Fortunately, my youngest doesn't need braces on her teeth, so that will save us some money!
After all the begging and the tears, it's so nice to finally have it taken care of.
26 October, 2007
25 October, 2007
Not quite so Lost
I did it. I figured out how to walk downhill both ways in the Belmont parking garage. (For more information on this problem, please see the previous post titled "Lost".)
Today I parked fairly close to where I was when I got lost in the parking garage. I was on the row that goes downhill between level 6 and level 5. Since the day I got lost, I also figured out that there are two elevators in the garage, one on the west side and one on the east. The row I was on goes from west to east, downhill. So I walked downhill to the east elevator and rode from level 5 down to the "pedestrian level", and when I finished teaching, I walked to the west elevator and went up to level 6, and then walked downhill to my car. It was very exciting.
Today I parked fairly close to where I was when I got lost in the parking garage. I was on the row that goes downhill between level 6 and level 5. Since the day I got lost, I also figured out that there are two elevators in the garage, one on the west side and one on the east. The row I was on goes from west to east, downhill. So I walked downhill to the east elevator and rode from level 5 down to the "pedestrian level", and when I finished teaching, I walked to the west elevator and went up to level 6, and then walked downhill to my car. It was very exciting.
07 October, 2007
Holy Spaces and a new church
My mom and I visited a new church when she came to visit in August, and I realized so much that I've been missing my church in Luxembourg.
Today, the girls decided to go with me to "the organ church" because of communion. It's World Communion Sunday, according to the Methodists, so in honor of that, they invited the choir from a Korean church. The ladies were wearing traditional dresses, and they all looked so beautiful.
After church, the girls and I went up to look at the organ. It has three keyboards (I've forgotten what they are called as a group, besides their individual names: Great, Swell, and Choir), and at least 3 octaves of pedals. The pipes and the trumpets are so beautiful, along with the really beautiful windows in that church.
A history of the project, some good photos, and specifications on the organ are on the Milnar Organ site.
Pictures of the sanctuary windows are on the First United Methodist of Murfreesboro site on their Photographs page.
In Sunday school one day at the Assembly of God church we had been (or still are?) attending, one of the ladies was saying that it was disgusting to look at all the opulence of the European cathedrals, especially in the Vatican. I think she's wrong. I think there is something to be said for holy spaces. Solomon's temple was filled with holy and opulent things. The tent of the tabernacle as well. I think that the concept of a holy space is entirely Biblical, and it makes me sad when churches have no regard for this concept at all. It's nice to be in a church again that understands the idea. Is it too much to have stained glass windows and a pipe organ if that makes the sanctuary a holy space and helps lead us all toward God? I think it's exactly the right idea.
Hopefully, we'll make it to choir practice next Sunday.
It's just so amazing to have this church in the middle of nowhere in Tennessee. I'm really starting to feel more at home.
Today, the girls decided to go with me to "the organ church" because of communion. It's World Communion Sunday, according to the Methodists, so in honor of that, they invited the choir from a Korean church. The ladies were wearing traditional dresses, and they all looked so beautiful.
After church, the girls and I went up to look at the organ. It has three keyboards (I've forgotten what they are called as a group, besides their individual names: Great, Swell, and Choir), and at least 3 octaves of pedals. The pipes and the trumpets are so beautiful, along with the really beautiful windows in that church.
A history of the project, some good photos, and specifications on the organ are on the Milnar Organ site.
Pictures of the sanctuary windows are on the First United Methodist of Murfreesboro site on their Photographs page.
In Sunday school one day at the Assembly of God church we had been (or still are?) attending, one of the ladies was saying that it was disgusting to look at all the opulence of the European cathedrals, especially in the Vatican. I think she's wrong. I think there is something to be said for holy spaces. Solomon's temple was filled with holy and opulent things. The tent of the tabernacle as well. I think that the concept of a holy space is entirely Biblical, and it makes me sad when churches have no regard for this concept at all. It's nice to be in a church again that understands the idea. Is it too much to have stained glass windows and a pipe organ if that makes the sanctuary a holy space and helps lead us all toward God? I think it's exactly the right idea.
Hopefully, we'll make it to choir practice next Sunday.
It's just so amazing to have this church in the middle of nowhere in Tennessee. I'm really starting to feel more at home.
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