Newly metamorphed bookworm ;)

If you notice the list of books I have below, you'll also notice that it's longer than it was been and that quite a few books have been getting crossed off this summer. Woo! I'm finally able to indulge in one of my favorite luxuries-- the written word.

And it's not just novels, even though there have been a couple of those. No, my tastes are expanding to the great authors of CS Lewis (I'm almost done with Mere Christianity--can't wait to cross that one off down there!) and to books that deal with very relevant issues in our world today (Nonviolence, or Serve God Save The Planet, and others) and I love it. I just love it. I feel my worldview transforming into something that I have a better grip on. I am preparing to live a lifestyle that I've always wanted to, and it's starting to happen. Now is the right time (nearing the end of college) and the right circumstances (in a place of leadership where I am compelled to know where I stand and my own identity) that I can really dig into all of these resources and understand them. It's pretty exciting. :)

I can't read enough, either! I have such a stack of books that I would love to get to. Which brings me to this next point:

In a sermon I was listening to a few days ago, Rob Bell talked about Sabbath--the whole 6-1 rhythm. That's something I'd like to really establish for myself this coming fall. (Right now I'm getting it pretty well, with working 5 days and 2 days to do the things I love with few other obligations!) My goal (key word) is to set aside Sundays as my true day of rest. Granted, being a Barnabas, I'll always be "on-call" of a sort, but I can do so much for myself by getting reading and homework done ahead of time and taking Sunday to spend time with my friends, church or family, or--- reading!

I would love to take a few hours on Sunday just to read my favorites and to get into some new stuff. After all, the best asset a teacher can have is an attitude of continued learning. Teachers are much more interesting and seem to have more authority in the classroom when it's clear that they're in the same boat you are-- curious, working through complex ideas, and bringing in relevant ideas to contribute. :)

I am so excited about the prospect of being in a classroom. Today at work (I'm in a "shared values" orientation class) someone noted my spelling abilities (apparently) and leaned over to ask "have you ever considered tutoring?"

Well, yes. It's sort of what I want to do with the rest of my life... :) Hopefully I get a niche to volunteer this fall, too. I might look into some community development opportunities, or see if the school I am assigned for my Educ classes could use some extra voluteers. I like being plugged into a reality where people who need help are able to receive it.

I love that being a Christian is essentially a call to live an imaginative life. And not just with one creative idea, but with a lifestyle that catches other people off guard with the love and innovative ways to contribute that we can offer.

~Time to study my next discipline: Gratitude. :)

Betsy