I tried really hard to find a nice video of something or other to put up here, but I really couldn't find anything to fit the mood. Today has been an emotional rollercoaster. I think it is because everything that needs to get done is getting done slower than I had hoped, which is putting me a little bit behind schedule. I mean, I don't think I have done a solid amount of homework in about a week.
Yet, in all of this, I can't believe how amazing God is, or how He has everything in control. Trusting is always the hard part.
Word of the Day: Mounted
Quote of the Day: "I need someone to mount my shoulders...Oh wait, someone is literally mounting my shoulders!" - Andrew
Feb 12, 2011
Feb 11, 2011
One Week Away
We will be keeping a blog for family and friends, prayer partners and Redeemer community to access during and after the trip. It can be found here.
May you have a blessed weekend.
Word of the Day: Basically
Quote of the Day: "And then the scissors came out." Krisbo
May you have a blessed weekend.
Word of the Day: Basically
Quote of the Day: "And then the scissors came out." Krisbo
Feb 9, 2011
What are they teaching us?
Redeemer is under investigation by the CAUT. The article may be found here.
As a student who attends this University, I feel as though this is unfair and entirely uncalled for. What would the reaction be if CAUT was investigating a Muslim-based or Jewish-based University? What is the point of investigating Redeemer for abusing academic freedom? What do they consider academic freedom?
So, what are they teaching us here? Do I consider my school abusive of academic freedoms? Redeemer is open about the fact that their professors are required to sign a statement of faith that coincides with the school's Christian beliefs. This seems to make sense. Why on earth would we have an atheist professor teaching at a school that incorporates a Christian worldview into all classes? After all, isn't the idea of a Christian liberal arts university to educate under the assumption that God created the world, and we should, therefore learn about it (wholly), in order that we may be good stewards of the earth? Are they aware that post-secondary education is an institution developed by the Christian world?
I am just confused on their basis for this investigation. I support Dr. Krygsman, and I pray that God will guide him through this time. May CAUT see that they are being irrational, and may my education still be recognized as legitimate. I don't see why it shouldn't.
I commend the other University professors (from both Christian and non-Christian Universities) who have signed a petition against these investigations, recognizing that it isn't Freedom from Religion, but Freedom of Religion. Shame on you, CAUT.
It's an interesting conversation to have, considering that on Sunday, I attended West Highland Baptist Church. They had a guest speaker whose focus was on Christians being involved in the educational process, and that the classroom is one of the largest untapped mission fields.
Food for thought, I guess.
Word of the Day: Cude
Quote of the Day: "I shouldn't say that, I'd get it so much trouble." Dr. Loney
As a student who attends this University, I feel as though this is unfair and entirely uncalled for. What would the reaction be if CAUT was investigating a Muslim-based or Jewish-based University? What is the point of investigating Redeemer for abusing academic freedom? What do they consider academic freedom?
So, what are they teaching us here? Do I consider my school abusive of academic freedoms? Redeemer is open about the fact that their professors are required to sign a statement of faith that coincides with the school's Christian beliefs. This seems to make sense. Why on earth would we have an atheist professor teaching at a school that incorporates a Christian worldview into all classes? After all, isn't the idea of a Christian liberal arts university to educate under the assumption that God created the world, and we should, therefore learn about it (wholly), in order that we may be good stewards of the earth? Are they aware that post-secondary education is an institution developed by the Christian world?
I am just confused on their basis for this investigation. I support Dr. Krygsman, and I pray that God will guide him through this time. May CAUT see that they are being irrational, and may my education still be recognized as legitimate. I don't see why it shouldn't.
I commend the other University professors (from both Christian and non-Christian Universities) who have signed a petition against these investigations, recognizing that it isn't Freedom from Religion, but Freedom of Religion. Shame on you, CAUT.
It's an interesting conversation to have, considering that on Sunday, I attended West Highland Baptist Church. They had a guest speaker whose focus was on Christians being involved in the educational process, and that the classroom is one of the largest untapped mission fields.
Food for thought, I guess.
Word of the Day: Cude
Quote of the Day: "I shouldn't say that, I'd get it so much trouble." Dr. Loney
Feb 2, 2011
Ministry?
If you are a reader who knows me personally, you know that I have been planning a service trip to Juarez, Mexico. Well, in 17 days, myself and 22 other Redeemer students will be flying down to El Paso, Texas for a week of learning, serving, and trusting. The planning process has been incredible. I have seen God's hand move in ways I never could have imagined.
The idea popped into my head after a devotion with my dorm last January or February. I ignored it for a while, but it kept coming back. So finally, I prayed, long and hard, trying to make out what God wanted. It was pretty clear. Mexico.
It seems to be a place that keeps popping up in my life. In fact, some of my most profound moments with God have happened in the desert city of Juarez.
I am excited to see what this trip will bring. I am encouraged by the incredible group of students going down. They remind me daily that my trust is in the Lord; creator of heaven and earth, and that He loves me, and will protect me.
So, readers, I ask for your prayers. As the final few weeks before the trip, I ask that you pray that everything continues to fall into place. And I ask that you pray for us as we go down. For safety, for protection from the devil, and most of all, that we may love all people. For I continue to realize, day after day, that I am called to love and serve.
Here I am, Lord. Send me.
Word of the Day: faith
Quote of the Day: "If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world." C. S. Lewis
The idea popped into my head after a devotion with my dorm last January or February. I ignored it for a while, but it kept coming back. So finally, I prayed, long and hard, trying to make out what God wanted. It was pretty clear. Mexico.
It seems to be a place that keeps popping up in my life. In fact, some of my most profound moments with God have happened in the desert city of Juarez.
I am excited to see what this trip will bring. I am encouraged by the incredible group of students going down. They remind me daily that my trust is in the Lord; creator of heaven and earth, and that He loves me, and will protect me.
So, readers, I ask for your prayers. As the final few weeks before the trip, I ask that you pray that everything continues to fall into place. And I ask that you pray for us as we go down. For safety, for protection from the devil, and most of all, that we may love all people. For I continue to realize, day after day, that I am called to love and serve.
Here I am, Lord. Send me.
Word of the Day: faith
Quote of the Day: "If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world." C. S. Lewis
Jan 27, 2011
Get your adverbs here!
Just in case you were wondering...
Word of the Day: pompous [ly]
Quote of the Day: "That's what men did in the 19th Century. They dueled, they waxed, and they sniffed flowers." Dr. Jacobs
Jan 24, 2011
Because it's been too long...
The Crown is out.
I have done rather extensive amounts of sleeping since I have returned from my adventures to Montreal. Kristen was up this weekend. She slept on the floor.
Thank you to Erica for eagerly awaiting my next blog entry.
I wrote the editorial for this month's Crown (not to mention redesigned the layout).
I watched only the good songs from Hairspray.
Ambition to get anything done would be strongly appreciated. So if anyone has any to spare, I could use it.
Sorry that this is uninteresting.
Word of the Day: Polemical
Quote of the Day: "The one time I wanted to get screwed!" Meghan
Jan 17, 2011
Montreal to Remember
I realize I promised to post while I was on the train. My apologies (though, I don't think anyone was eagerly waiting, really). The last few days have been incredibly busy, and incredibly informative.
I have learned a few things about the Canadian University Press that were slightly overwhelming. I mean, The Crown is a fairly small paper, we publish less issues, and less copies of said issues than any other paper in the CUP. We represent one of goodness knows how many Canadian University papers/magazines that are a part of the organization. I couldn't believe just how big CUP was and how much they actually do to promote University Press.
I've had the privilege to sit and listen to some of the most interesting speakers on everything from defamation and the media, to undercover journalism, to the most effective way in which to use web advertisements. I have to admit, I was surprised by some of the other papers. I've been able to pick some of them up, and browse about their pages, to really get an idea of what Student Journalism looks like. My goal next year is very much going to involve re-designing the Crown and cleaning up the writing. I hope to have the website improved to support ads, and perhaps qualify for CUP awards next year.
I'm impressed by how much I learned. I'm impressed by the culture shock I experienced. I think I have forgotten what it is like to be a part of a secular institution. In many ways, I believe that I take my life here at Redeemer for granted. For instance, in our welcome packages, we received condoms. I can't say that was something I expected. For me, it is unnecessary. It is also a rather potent reminder that not everyone shares the values I have been brought up to hold, not to mention respect in regards to Redeemer's policy.
Who knows, I may write an article about it.
Word of the Day: Pretentious
Quote of the Day: "There is greasy lubricant on my table." A ten year old kid to his mother on the train between Montreal and Toronto
I have learned a few things about the Canadian University Press that were slightly overwhelming. I mean, The Crown is a fairly small paper, we publish less issues, and less copies of said issues than any other paper in the CUP. We represent one of goodness knows how many Canadian University papers/magazines that are a part of the organization. I couldn't believe just how big CUP was and how much they actually do to promote University Press.
I've had the privilege to sit and listen to some of the most interesting speakers on everything from defamation and the media, to undercover journalism, to the most effective way in which to use web advertisements. I have to admit, I was surprised by some of the other papers. I've been able to pick some of them up, and browse about their pages, to really get an idea of what Student Journalism looks like. My goal next year is very much going to involve re-designing the Crown and cleaning up the writing. I hope to have the website improved to support ads, and perhaps qualify for CUP awards next year.
I'm impressed by how much I learned. I'm impressed by the culture shock I experienced. I think I have forgotten what it is like to be a part of a secular institution. In many ways, I believe that I take my life here at Redeemer for granted. For instance, in our welcome packages, we received condoms. I can't say that was something I expected. For me, it is unnecessary. It is also a rather potent reminder that not everyone shares the values I have been brought up to hold, not to mention respect in regards to Redeemer's policy.
Who knows, I may write an article about it.
Word of the Day: Pretentious
Quote of the Day: "There is greasy lubricant on my table." A ten year old kid to his mother on the train between Montreal and Toronto
Jan 11, 2011
Off to Montreal!
Tomorrow morning I leave for Montreal. I have the privilege of representing The Crown and Redeemer at the Canadian University Press Conference. Needless to say, I am both excited and nervous.
Excited because:
- I have the opportunity to meet and connect with hundreds of other students involved in journalism.
- I get to be a witness of a Christian journalist, and Christian paper at a conference where the vast majority of the papers are secular and sometimes questionable in some of their printed material.
- I get to listen to some of the most prominent names in journalism speak during sessions of the week!
- I get to have a tour of Montreal by my cousin Ryan (whom I see, once a year, at Knapper Christmas)
Nervous because:
- It's snowing really hard, we are taking the train in the morning, and I'm a little nervous for travel.
- Suddenly, I am a little fish in a big pond. The Crown gives me a little bit of authority in the Redeemer world, but also responsibility. I'm nervous that I will be completely overwhelmed and not be able to adapt to the 'big pond', or have any idea as to what other papers are talking about
- Voting at Plenary is a little scary. I have the Crown's vote at CUP/NASH, involving things that don't actually affect our tiny little paper all that much, but may have a huge impact in the grand scheme of things!
On a completely different note, I would like to give you a glimpse into a conversation that occurred between myself and Meredeth (and also Joel Sjaarda, who was there at the time, but is more of a bystander, rather than an actual participant). It goes something like this:
BK: I strongly dislike you right now!
Mer: No, Brittany. You simply dislike the fact that you cannot access the extensive vocabulary which you are expected to have, given you are an English Major, which is causing you to lack any sort of legitimate response to my teasing you.
Oiy!
I'll post photos later this week. And I'm hoping to sneak a post in tomorrow while I am on the train. VIArail has become quite considerate, offering free WiFi on their trains!
Word of the Day: Incredulity
Quote of the Day: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Philipians 1: 9-11
Excited because:
- I have the opportunity to meet and connect with hundreds of other students involved in journalism.
- I get to be a witness of a Christian journalist, and Christian paper at a conference where the vast majority of the papers are secular and sometimes questionable in some of their printed material.
- I get to listen to some of the most prominent names in journalism speak during sessions of the week!
- I get to have a tour of Montreal by my cousin Ryan (whom I see, once a year, at Knapper Christmas)
Nervous because:
- It's snowing really hard, we are taking the train in the morning, and I'm a little nervous for travel.
- Suddenly, I am a little fish in a big pond. The Crown gives me a little bit of authority in the Redeemer world, but also responsibility. I'm nervous that I will be completely overwhelmed and not be able to adapt to the 'big pond', or have any idea as to what other papers are talking about
- Voting at Plenary is a little scary. I have the Crown's vote at CUP/NASH, involving things that don't actually affect our tiny little paper all that much, but may have a huge impact in the grand scheme of things!
On a completely different note, I would like to give you a glimpse into a conversation that occurred between myself and Meredeth (and also Joel Sjaarda, who was there at the time, but is more of a bystander, rather than an actual participant). It goes something like this:
BK: I strongly dislike you right now!
Mer: No, Brittany. You simply dislike the fact that you cannot access the extensive vocabulary which you are expected to have, given you are an English Major, which is causing you to lack any sort of legitimate response to my teasing you.
Oiy!
I'll post photos later this week. And I'm hoping to sneak a post in tomorrow while I am on the train. VIArail has become quite considerate, offering free WiFi on their trains!
Word of the Day: Incredulity
Quote of the Day: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Philipians 1: 9-11
Jan 9, 2011
Sadie Hawkins Dance
As a jump start to a semester (and to provide a fun celebration of the return of the schoolyear) Amanda's RA group decided to host a Sadie Hawkins Dance. A Sadie Hawkins Dance is one of those old school dances where the girls ask the guys. This particular dance was also Semi-Formal. I've included a few photos.
My good friend Jer was my date!
My lovely dorm! (Left to right: Becca, Emily, Meghan, Me, Meredeth, Christine. Front: Amanda, Jenny)
I wore Erica's dress that she left behind when she went to France. She told me it would come in handy for something! :D
My girls are just beautiful. We started dance preparations (something which Meghan refers to as the 'boyfriend routine') around 3pm. This was the nail polish part of the prep process. We sat sprawled out on the living room floor with bottles of nail polish. Mine are now painted a rather bright blue. In fact, I have a cardigan that is nearly the same colour.
This was followed by the modelling period of the day, where all the girls tried to decided what dresses to wear... all the girls except for Meredeth, who was still quite determined that she was not going to come. That changed at about 6:30pm. But I'll get there.
4pm marked makeup time. Emily did all of our makeup. Our eyes looked incredible! She received a really amazing set of eyeshadows and blush and toner. She had every colour you can imagine, and she did an awesome job! I wish we had taken photos of everyone's eyes up close, because she matched colours to dresses and skin tone.. awesome.
At the end of the make-up time, we finally coaxed Meredeth into coming. Meghan straightened Becca's hair, my hair and Emily's hair. I did my own hair, twisting it into this cute knot thing. I did Mer's hair at about 7:15pm. After everyone had decided what shoes to wear (Christine came out with two different shoes on, trying to decide which ones she liked better), Becca decided she was going to wear one of my dresses, Mer also decided she was going to wear one of my dresses, and I decided I was going to wear Erica's dress.
At 7:45 (Dance started at 8) the boys showed up. Here are some snapshots!
Josh and Meghan
Chad and Amanda
(Left to Right) Emily, Mer, Mitch, Andrew, Christine, and Becca
Everyone had a great time. Meredeth was the last one to come home. She enjoyed it more than she thought she would.
Today was spent nursing sore feet and watching Big Bang Theory in the afternoon.
Word of the Day: Bazinga
Quote of the Day: "It's okay, you can always come in for the last Bang!" Meredeth
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