Weekend Update

Unfortunately the SNL weekend updates will be slightly less exciting now that the election is decided. On the other hand... OBAMA WON! I am very excited but keeping in mind that real change, according to the gospel, is only possible through Jesus. So, while this will be surface level better for the American people and the world, it is ultimately not as important as I've made it out to be. Social reform without the realization of Christ, is merely social reform... great for people who don't believe that Jesus is God.

In any event, life here in Oxford has been excellent. Last week I substituted EVERY DAY. It was indescribably exciting for me. The students were great and I had a good time. Wednesday was difficult given the nature of Tuesday's. I was up until 3:30 and had to be at school by 7:30... it was rough. I made it through though. It was an week of Chaucer and parenthetical citation. Who thought I would ever be enthusiastic about teaching these things? I was, however, enthusiastic. Chaucer=hilarious as long as you're not reading it for Dr. Gray in the Middle English without a translation, having her correct your pronunciation. I had one student tell me that they "really didn't like that one book Charles Dickens wrote, Moby Dick." I was not rude to them but it took a lot of restraint. I also told them about my favorite literary character, Bartleby the Scrivener, who refused to do ANYTHING responding with only "I'd prefer not to."

That's all for now.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I could write more but "I'd prefer not to."

Perspective

I received a letter today from a good friend who is serving in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia. Talk about putting things in perspective. She has electricity... most of the time and running water... about every four days, and a toilet she can flush... about every four days when the water is running. WOW. I was ready to complain about my rotten egg smelling water this morning until I read the letter and I though "hmm, I have water. Hooray." In middle and upper class America we've gotten so used to having things like water and electricity that I think we forget that there are those who don't. There is so much that I could live without and I am constantly ignoring that. It's time for me to quit ignoring the blessings in my life and start sharing them.

My name is Samantha Lewis and it's time for me to change.

Jesus, camp and Mr. Joe

So, the title of this blog entry pretty much sums up everything going on in my life right now. I am reading the book Resident Aliens which is basically tackling the problem that we face as Christians living in a world where people have made Christianity into something it's not AND how we respond to the issue of both being American and being Christian. It has brought a lot of questions and challenges to everything that I think. Honestly, I think that this might be the most formative piece of literature that I've ever read. It's opened my eyes to the real call of Jesus who (I think) doesn't care as much about an individual and their "personal relationship with Jesus Christ" as he does about what the church as a body of believers is doing for the "least of these" in His name. I think that it's time the church (including me) stopped sitting around on Sundays and Wednesdays and talking about our faith and trying to make it as appealing to the world as possible, and we started going and doing what God has called us to do. Helping people, loving people. I don't really think that we can sit around anymore and ignore the problems of those around us.

Camp is extremely busy right now. Constantly going, lots to do. It's good for me to be busy. It's when I'm not that I get lonely and bored.

Mr. Joe is good. He had one of the festering wounds that he gets because of allergies but it is now all healed up. Unfortunately there is a bald spot where the sore was and it kind of looks like he has the mange.

That's about all that's going on in my life right now. Dare to lead is at camp this weekend. Should be a good time.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am ready to put faith into action.

"...a roller coaster, baby baby"

Yes, I am like a walking roller coaster. I can't seem to be able to stay at a constant. It's either up or down. Right now it's up and I'm ok with it coming down a little bit and leveling off. In fact, that would be great. I don't know what it is but I think I'm going to be able to level this out and just roll with it. I feel good today, refreshed, energized. Good.

Mr. Joe has the NASTIEST sore. Labs get these "hot spots" due to allergies and what have you. Mr. Joe's don't come up all that often, but when they do they are disgusting. It's OK though, just keeping Neosporin on it.

In other news, I am headed to Huntsville Thursday to build a fence with Dad. The one we have now is not high enough to contain our English Setter, Ben, who will pretty much jump anything he can. He's an idiot dog, but I suppose we want to keep him around.

That's all for now.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I'm leveling out.

Life Update

So, I've recently decided that I'm not nearly as intelligent as I have often wanted to give myself credit for. I cannot think on the same level as many of the people who I hang out with. I do not retain information well, I can't even talk football on their level. In fact, I can't really participate in any of their conversations. This is a major blow to my social life since I'm referring to nearly all of my Oxford friends. I like to think that once I get a masters degree I will be able to play the game but I'm still not sure. This, however, brings me to doubt whether or not I can bring people the "word" every week if I don't REALLY know how to discuss it on the next level. I know that seminary is going to help me grow exponentially but I'm just not certain that it will be enough. I'm not sure that I'm capable of that. I haven't given up hope or anything but it has certainly brought up questions. I don't want to be a sudo-intellectual. I don't want to just fake it. Perhaps I need to just stick to watching TV and reading easy, insignificant novels.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am not very intelligent.

One more and it's a streak, but let's not get ahead of ourselves

I substitute taught yesterday! This is good considering my bank account does not yet have enough money in it to pay my minimum payment on my visa card for last month. Also, in exciting news, they called me to come in TODAY also. Folks, for someone who was ready to give it all up and be homeless the rest of her life, this is a big deal.

In other matters, I would like to add that reading the blogs of others (particularly Mr. Russler and Mr. Johnson's) improves my life greatly. A little pick me up, if you will.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am going to work.

For every action...

... there is an equal and opposite reaction. A truth for many things in life, not only a scientific concept. Great day yesterday, less than mediocre day today. Not sure what is really my problem, just having trouble pulling out of a funk tonight after youth. I wasn't really pleased with the way that it went and I don't feel good about it. I think that having such a great time with Caroline yesterday made me long for Montgomery more than I have in a while. I have to remember that it took me a long time to get to know them too. It's not overnight that people begin to trust you and to be your friend. It's funny though, because I like to think of myself as one who easily makes friends but living alone has really made me long for a close friendship.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am ready to bounce back up tomorrow.