Critical Thinking

A couple of weeks ago I had a lecture about critical thinking. It was weird, because critical thinking seems like a common sense thing (...but I guess we also had a lecture about caring in that class as well...) I guess it's strange to actually be taught something that most people expect you to know how to do. During the class, I came to the realization that I'm not a good critical thinker. Unless somebody or something forces me to think about things, I won't. I would sooner sit back and let life happen and experience it, than "waste" my time thinking about things and analyzing them. I know that it's not really a waste of time, but sometimes I feel like it is. I think that I miss valuable lessons when I don't look for things in my day to learn from. On the other hand, I don't want to get so focused on that, that I forget to just live and enjoy life...I think that there should be a healthy medium. Ok, so now I feel like I'm actually a pretty good critical thinker because I've done my analyzing for the day....but I don't really think that's enough. I think that critical thinking is a lifestyle. I can't just say, "I've done my critical thinking for the day, now I can sit back and relax". I think that the part that I'm bad at is critically thinking about everything (for example, what I am being taught at school, at church, and what I watch on TV, etc...). Come to think of it, I like sitting down and analyzing things (like now)...but when it comes to the everyday things that I allow myself to be influenced by, I don't really act as if it's necessary. I think I've talked in a circle now...but that's okay, I'm trying to sort out my thoughts, and sometimes it comes out like: "the air in the tires makes the pressure increase" (with wildly waving hand gestures.) *In other words...my thoughts don't always make sense once they exit my brain.*

COF Medicine

I should write a book entitled, "Curing the Common COF". Wait, I don't have a cure...I just thought the title was catchy. I'm in the process of writing my last paper for the year! Isn't that super exciting!?! It's my German paper. It's pretty boring to write because whenever I think of something I want to write about, my professor's voice comes into my head and says, "you haven't learned how to say that yet!" I like her; she makes me laugh. Also, ich muss jetzt mein Referat schreiben. Tschuss!

Easter

The only way to describe this weekend would be that is was wonderful! On Friday, we had a Tenebrae Service in our church. The sanctuary was mostly dark with 7 candles in the front. As the crucifixion story was told, the candles were snuffed out, except for the last one, which was carried out at the end to symbolize the death of Christ. Then it was brought back in. So, it was really dark. It really made me think about death. Too often when we think about Easter we read about the torture and the death that Jesus endured and then quickly go on to the resurrection part. Of course, without the resurrection, we have no hope and no salvation. At the same time, too often we forget about the reality of death in that story. I guess that part really stuck out for me this year because the effects of death is still fresh in my mind. When I think about Britt and Jordan and Jamie, their death is real, and incredibly tragic, to me. I'm still trying to grasp the concept of Jesus being dead.....never mind Him miraculously coming back to life. Yeah, so I sang one song in that service (with others of course)...and it could have gone better...but that's okay.

I had some gatherings...or should I say family "gath's"...All my cousins are getting married in summer. well, only two of them...but still, two new addition's to the gatherings changes the dynamics a whole lot!

Then came Sunday....a much anticipated day in my opinion. To be honest, I wasn't even that overly nervous, it just felt like something I needed to do and I was there to do it. I think all of the prayers helped. Thanks for praying for me guys! In case you're confused as to what I'm referring to....Marce, Kendra, Kyla, and Melissa and I were leading singing for the service. It went really well. I made my share of mistakes on the guitar...but it was okay. I get blown away every time we sing in church. Just seeing the faces of the people worshipping God through song is the most amazing experience! It gave me such a surge of joy and excitement. It also made me think about how much more amazing heaven is going to be...with billions and billions of people singing praises to God together!!! Wow! I can't imagine.

Well, now it's back to the grind again. deadlines are looming ahead of me. I wasted so much time today! I can't believe it. I think I sat in front of the TV for 7 hours today. well, I was sleeping for part of the time...but still, that's disgusting. Sometimes I gross myself out. No more TV for me this week....well, until my papers for the week are finished.

What a funny day!

Where do I even start to explain the hilariousness of my day? I almost fear putting it into words, because it won't do it justice. But I'll try. I went to my evening class today and it was okay. I was really tired because I stayed up until 5am to finish writing a paper that was due today. (I guess it could be a possibility that everything is funny today because of my lack of sleep...anyways...) Well, I made it through class without falling asleep. I always walk to the bus with this guy from my class. Last week we got to talking about McDonalds and I mentioned that I liked eating there. So today on the way to the bus stop he started rummaging through his backpack and he said, "I have something for you." I was really confused. Then he pulled out a sheet of coupons for McDonalds! I had no words to say. I had to suppress my inner giggling, and politely said thanks. What a guy! He makes me laugh! OK, so then we waited for the bus and eventually it came. When I got on the bus I saw a friend of my cousin's (who I've met only once before). I said hi, and kept going, intending to sit with my friend from my class. Well he (Guy #2) starts talking to me and says, "Come sit here with me." I felt bad for leaving my other friend, but I went and sat with this other guy. It was really interesting to talk to him. Then, just before I had to get off the bus he asked for my email address. I didn't really know what to do, I don't really know this guy. Then I got off the bus and this strange man comes up to me and asks me directions to the nearest "theater house". So I attempted to direct him. So many weird and random things that happened to me in a matter of half an hour. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief and laughing. I hoped that the encounters of my day were at least a little entertaining for you and not too boring. I thought it was funny....but what don't I find funny? (that was a rhetorical question). Well, have a great Easter! I hope that this weekend will be a very special time for everyone!

I can strum!

I had such a great weekend! We went to watch the Prov vs. CMU ladies hockey game. I wanted to play so badly!! But it was fun to be on the other side of things too, and cheer the ladies on! Then we practiced for singing in church! Wow do my fingers have good calluses now! Derek is such an amazing guitar player! And Melissa is so amazing at the piano! They inspire me. I want to be able to play like them! Derek taught me some new strumming patterns! I just need to practice, practice, practice, and then I'm set to go!

On Sunday I went to an amazing church service! I went to a church I had never been to before and I really enjoyed it! I felt so excited to be worshipping Jesus together with so many other people even though I didn't know them.

Today my mom came and visited me. I love my mom! She brought me supper and then did the dishes for me. I told her not to do them, but she did it anyways. I felt bad because she didn't have to do my work for me. I think that her love language is service, so I should just accept her kind gesture because that is her way of showing me that she cares. I still don't know what my love language is. Maybe it's spending time with people.....I don't really know. I think that I figured it out last year, but I forgot already. I'll have to think about it some more.

a little different

I just attempted to use my technological abilities to change my template. To be honest, I didn't really know what I was doing or why I was doing it. Well, my computer did some wacky things...but eventually I think it ended up working. We'll see how this holds up. Hope you like it.

Well, my sister is coming over for night tonight. So I guess I should do some more productive things with my time before she comes...like homework and cleaning ;)

Shaking in my boots

It hit me today: I'm going to be playing guitar in church on Easter Sunday. That is a scary, yet wonderful thought. I admit, I'm not very good at guitar. I know the basic D, C, G, A chords....that's about it. Strumming?....my own made up strumming patterns are okay when I'm just playing for myself. How am I ever going to be a part of a group leading singing without REAL strumming patterns??? I don't know!! It makes me very nervous....maybe nervous enough to pull out my prestissimo version of "God of Wonders"! (ha! ha!). Don't worry girls, I'll go slower this time. I really hope that Derek can teach me something this weekend when we have our practice. But still, that means I only have one week to practice real strumming patterns...or whatever else he teaches me. I know it doesn't have to be perfect, but I know how distracted I get sometimes when worship bands aren't very together. Oh Jesus, help me not to be hung up on small details, but do everything as an act of worship to You. Thank you for using us through our weaknesses.

Lori's favorite things

So I was bowling today with 'my' seniors. Often we listen to music when we bowl, today we were listening to the Sound of Music soundtrack. I had forgotten how much I love that movie. I haven't seen it in a long time...oh for school to be done so that I can sit down and relax without feeling guilty about not doing the work I know I should be doing....Well, I was sitting here trying to write a paper and I had the "favorite things" song in my head. To get my creative juices flowing I decided to write my own verse to the tune of that song....you're right, I was just procrastinating, but maybe this will improve my linguistic excellence for my paper. (Sorry that it doesn't rhyme, I'm not that good.)

Chicken in stirfry
And bowling with seniors.
Stories from roommates
And German Professors
Taking a walk without
Wearing a toque
These are a few of my favorite things

When the wind bites,
When the (home)work's tough,
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.

just a picture on the fridge

today in my intro to nursing class we learned how to take blood pressure. i had already learned how to do it in physiology, but it was still exciting!! I can hardly wait until i get to do that for real!

the other day i was thinking about recognizing who God is. I was thinking about how last year, when my niece was learning to recognize who people were, I was gone at school. So, instead of learning who I was, whenever anyone asked her who Auntie Lori was, she pointed to my picture on the fridge. That was fine, but when I actually came over and the same question was asked, she would still point to the picture. She hadn't made the connection that Auntie Lori was a real person and that it was me. By now, she knows that I am Auntie Lori in person, but it took a while for her to catch on to that. What does this have to do with recognizing God? Well, I was thinking about how when Jesus came to earth, alot of people didn't recognize him as the Son of God. The religious people had studied the Torah. They knew all about God and who He was, but they didn't recognize that Jesus was God. Instead of pointing to a picture on the fridge, they pointed to the Torah and missed out on the fact that God wasn't restricted by the Torah. In fact the Torah was there so that they would recognize God when He came to them face to face. I don't know if that analogy makes sense to you, but it challenged me to think about the ways I put restrictions on God in my life. Would I recognize Him if He came face to face with me? I hope and pray that I would. Those are my thoughts for today.

so many things...

..but how do i put them into words? i don't think that i can put into words exactly what's going on in my head...i don't even know where to start...perhaps i need to think some more.

here is a really inspiring song that i heard on the radio. it's called "One Pure and Holy Passion" and i think that the band is called Passion (i'm not quite sure about that though). Anyways, here are the lyrics:

"Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me on magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You

To know and follow hard after you
To grow as your disciple in your truth
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing you, my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after you
Lead me on and I will run after you"

the age-old question

"Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Who defined the boundaries of the sea as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, 'Thus far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!'...Then Job replied to the Lord, 'I am nothing-how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence.'" (Job 38:1-11; 40:3-4)

I don't think I'm alone with the questions of "why?" Why does God allow bad things happen to good, godly people? I don't know. I was reading in Job today and got the overwhelming feeling that although it's okay to wonder why something happened, it's not okay to question God's authority/judgment in allowing it to happen. We aren't capable of understanding God's ways, and by questioning his authority, we are saying that OUR plan is better than His Divine Plan. Right now, Jordan, Jamie and Brittany are in the very presence of their Creator, something we can't even comprehend! Although this knowledge doesn't stop the hurt, it is reassuring to know that they are in a better place!

Oh Father in Heaven, may we be able to praise You through our hard times. May the tragedies that come our way not taint our perception of who You are, but rather allow us to see You more clearly. I pray that the Klassen and Fehr family would feel Your Presence during this time.

"Homesick" by MercyMe

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

i fell for it

i couldn't believe it. on saturday, i was working at IGA (my first 'official' supervisor shift). it was really slow, which was good, because i really didn't know what i was doing. barb was the other supervisor, and she had to go to the back and do stuff, so i was left alone with all the responsibilities of running the front end. i felt very important. so then the phone ran and i answered. some guy wanted to talk to our manager. so i successfully put the customer on hold and paged the manager that he had a phone call. then another call came in. this customer wanted to pick up 15 fruit baskets before close (which was in an hour). i figured that they were already ordered and he wanted to pick them up. i couldn't see them anywhere so i said i'd look into that. then he burst out laughing and said, "you think you're actually going to get 15 baskets done in an hour?" You see, it turns out that it was the Produce guy (the one who actually makes the fruit baskets) calling. Once he finished laughing he said, "i was actually calling to tell you that the manager went home already." I didn't think i was so gullible....actually, you know i guess i did. so that was my 'not-so-funny-for-me' story for the weekend.

my thoughts

i am reading the book, "The Knowledge of the Holy" by A.W. Tozer. Each chapter starts off with a prayer, and yesterday i read the chapter about the Trinity. It was very thought provoking. but anyways, this is the prayer that he wrote:

"God of our fathers, enthroned in light, how rich, how musical is the tongue of England! Yet when we attempt to speak forth Thy wonders, our words how poor they seem and our speech how unmelodious. When we consider the fearful mystery of Thy Triune Godhead we lay our hand upon our mouth. Before that burning bush we ask not to understand, but only that we may fitly adore Thee, One God in Persons Three. Amen."

I read that and was deeply touched. I found it so eloquent and beautiful. I read it over and over and realized that no human-made language can EVER come close to encompassing the character or attributes of God, no matter how eloquent it is. Our thoughts are limited by our language. And since our language is limited when it comes to describing something as huge as God, so are our thoughts. I found that so intriguing.

yeah so now i'm talking to marce on the phone....WE MIGHT LEAD SINGING IN CHURCH FOR EASTER!!! yeah!! so exciting!

the near future

does it ever scare you to think about how much responsibility we could potentially have in 3-4 years? I was just thinking about that today, and i got.....scared. i could be a nurse in 3 years, and that comes with tons of responsibility. No matter what your future profession may be, or even if you don't have a specific profession, you could still be a spouse, or parent, or who knows what, in a few years. That freaks me out more than anything else. In my one class today, we were talking about being socialized into our different roles in life, specifically in the workplace. There is definitely a process, and I know that I'm just at the beginning. I guess once i've been trained, and have some experience, it won't scare me as much. I guess my realization was that the slope of my learning curve will definitely increase a great deal in these next few years, and i hope it never reaches a plateau. May we all strive to be life long learners in every aspect of our lives.

i love soup!

right now i'm eating cream of celery soup with cooked veggies in it. Mmmmmm, is it ever good. i'm really distracted by it. too bad i can't type and eat soup at the same time. i guess i could type with one hand...but then i'd be here forever. so instead, i will pause in between each sentence to eat some more soup!! Yummy! OK, i finished the bowlful now. on to more exciting things. yesterday was an amazing day! i came to the city right after church with james, melissa, abe, rick, and barb. it was good to hang out with them again. it had been awhile. we went to club regent to see the walk-through fish aquarium. it was sooooooo cool. it was such a beautiful place to see. then we went out for supper at Applebee's. then we went rollarblading at a rollar rink. Barb and Abe and I even tried rollar skating. man is that difficult. i felt like my feet were going in two different directions. yeah...what a day it was. i have many thoughts, but i want to get another bowl of soup. see ya around!

"Carrie loves Jeff" and so do I!

today was not one of my better days. Last night, Kendra and I went to Prov to visit people. It was so good. It went much better than i expected...well, except for a run in with a certain over-friendly person. This morning we left around 7:30 in the morning so that I could get to work for 9:00. well, don't you know, about 10 minutes into our drive home, I lost control and spun around in circles and ended up in the ditch. Yup, sure did. So, we shoveled and pushed and nothing happened. We had taken the gravel short cut to the highway....a road that NOBODY ever drives along. So, we prayed that either we'd get out, or that some one would come and help us. Well, some dude came and gave us a ride back to Prov (he had a sticker in his car that said "Carrie loves Jeff"...thus the title). Once we got to Prov, we got a maintenance guy to pull us out with his truck. Yes Marce, it was a big Dodge truck. So, I ended up being an hour and a half late for work. but in the words of Sue (from prov) "that can happen to even the most experienced driver"! Mad Props to the two guys who helped us out and to Kendra and Morden who trusted me to drive the rest of the way home afterwards. And snap your fingers in thanks to Jesus who was looking out for us!! So, that was my day. I hope your day was far better than mine was.

Frankenstein

i feel like Frankenstein. Ok, maybe not that bad. I got two moles removed today and my first stitches ever! Now I can faintly feel the freezing wearing off. I'm scared that it's going to hurt lots. I don't want it to hurt. I want to play hockey today!! I had a good chat with the doctor though. He was telling me about South Africa (his homeland) and how medical issues, and the way they practice medicine are very different there than here. It was quite intriguing. He told me that the average lifespan for the people there was around the late 30's early 40's. Whereas here, we have alot of older people (80-100 year olds), which brings a whole different set off medical problems. Here more people have strokes and heart attacks and cancer. In South Africa, he said that alot of people have AIDS or HIV and TB. People don't get old enough there to die of cancer or heart attacks. It was quite the intense conversation for 8:00 in the morning. Well, I want to go back to sleep now. I'm tired.

the day after

well, i guess i survived another Valentine's Day. jk! I don't think it's that bad. There is something wonderful about the atmosphere of Valentines Day. It seems that people seem to overlook the worst and put it all aside and focus on the love that they have for a person. Why can't we do that every day of the year? (sorry, I promised myself i wouldn't go into my spiel about why i think Valentine's day is pointless.) But there are things that I enjoyed this year. Here are my top 5 hilights of this valentine's day.

5. I worked all evening, so I got to observe many men (and boys) come through my checkout with last minute gifts, flowers, chocolate, strawberries and whipped cream, heart-shaped cakes and cards ;) After seeing some people's purchases, I had to laugh.
4. I had some cute old men wish me a happy valentine's day. That made me happy!!
3. My friend Steve from the Produce Dept gave me a chocolate covered strawberry! That made my day!
2. I had a customer come through my checkout with a heartshaped cake that he was buying for his fiance and he said, "man, this is the worst day of the year. But I guess it could be worse." That was also pretty funny.
1. My mom bought me flowers!! Thanx Mutti you're the best!

so that wraps up another valentine's day. I love you all. and i might even tell you that again in a year if you're nice to me.

borrowed words

i'm going to play a game, (I think they do this on 'Who's Line is it Anyways?') I'm going to speak in song titles...actually no. I'm going to change the rules. I'm going to speak in lyrics from songs. I'm kind of out of words, so maybe if I borrow other people's I can put something together to portray what I'm feeling right now.

"Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin/Would look on me with love and watch me rise again" (Who am I by Casting Crowns)

"I set out on a narrow way many years ago/Hoping I would find true love along the broken road/But I got lost a time or two/Wiped my brow and kept pushing through/I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you" (Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts)

"Cause I'm not who I was/When I took my first step/And I'm clinging to the promise/You're not through with me yet" (If you want me to by Ginny Owens)

"All I need is Your love/To come and fill this heart of mine/My heart is a desert that has gone dry/And I need Your love to carry me by" (All I need by Shawn McDonald)

"In my heart I don't know/Where this path will lead me/But I know I'm letting go 'cause.../I'm tired, I'm tired of running alone/I give You everything, my heart, my hope, my dreams" (Everything by LaRue)

"And it will feel like summertime/When I'm by your side, my skies are blue/And I will feel this everytime/Like oceans wide, my love for you" (Summertime by LaRue)

Wasn't that a fun game? I thought so.