Hair Cuts

Sadly, the long curly hair is gone. My perm from two years ago had grown out to the point that it was getting unmanageable, and I didn't think I'd be able to achieve the right effect by getting another perm over top of it. So, I had it all chopped off. The interesting thing is the way people comment about my new 'do. I don't mind the new look, but I liked the old one so much better. Basically, this hairstyle is just an in-between stage to facilitate growing it back out to long and curly. So, I'm not really sure how to respond to people that say, "Oh, I love your haircut. It looks so much better than before!" I know they're just trying to be complimentary, but still, I thought I looked better before. Oh well.

And then there's the question of whether it makes me look older or younger. One of the doctors where I work said, "It makes you look like a grown-up young lady!" (I don't think she knows how old I really am!) But, somebody else told me it made me look five years younger. (Wait, is that five years younger than my real age or five years younger than I used to look. In that case, I now look like I'm 12 again?) Make up your mind!

Kerith was inspired by my cut to get hers chopped, too. Hers, of course, looks highly sophisticated on her. And it definitely makes her look older. (As if she needed help looking older than her age!) So now she looks five years older than I do! And, all she has to do with hers is wash and wear! So not fair!

All that to say, "Here's a picture of our new haircuts!"

For Cryin' Out Loud, It's the Middle of April Already!

Wait, let me check the date again . . . It is April 15, right? Then why in the world did I just have to clear 2 inches of snow off my car before I could come home from work tonight? When do we get to have spring? I am so ready to move somewhere south for grad school. Pretty soon that's going to be my only requirement for where I go: no snow! Okay, enough complaining. I guess this weather will just make me appreciate spring even more . . . if it ever gets here!

A Closed Door Opening?

As you may or may not remember, I had applied to the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL) in Dallas, TX, last fall, and my application was rejected because my undergrad degree from Northland is not regionally accredited. (It is accredited, just not regionally.) I've been looking into and working on applying to several other schools since then.

A few weeks ago, Dad talked to the guy in charge of Bibles International (BI), the Bible translation wing of Baptist Mid-Missions, and asked him for some suggestions as to where I should go for Linguistics training. He advised against some of the schools I was considering, for various reasons, and recommended several more. That left me back at square one with too many options!

Mom suggested I email Dr. Connie Champeon, also from BI, and ask her for suggestions because she is currently in the field I am interested in going into. She emailed me back and said that a Bob Jones University student had also been turned away from GIAL due to accreditation. (BJU has the same accreditation Northland does.) BJU is in the process of appealing that decision. So, if GIAL decides to allow that student to attend, I should also be able to resubmit my application. I may end up in Dallas yet! Please pray with me for God's will in this matter. I'd really like to know where I'm going in the fall!

Only in America

I thought it was funny that when our college group went to Starbucks tonight after church, we had six people who came in six different cars. Only in America do we have one car per person. In Europe of Asia we would have taken public transportation, carpooled, or walked! I'm not saying one way is better than the other, I'm just making an interesting cultural observation.

I'm Dreaming of a White . . . Easter?

It's a little hard to feel "Easterish" with 6-8 inches of snow on the ground and 30 degree temperatures in the air. I definitely nixed the whole springy Easter dress tradition!

But, even so, this is a special day. This is honestly my favorite holiday of the year. I have to echo the Apostle Paul. Without the Resurrection, "then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. . . . [A]nd if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead[!] (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).

Christ is Risen Indeed! Let us celebrate and adore!

Thoughts for Good Friday

At our church's annual combined Passion Service, they sang the following song which I had never heard before. I thought the words were really powerful.

His Robes for Mine
(Anderson, Monk)

His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered 'neath God's rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I'm justified!
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

His robes for mine: My God, how can it be?
Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father's pleased?
Christ drank the dregs of God's just wrath on sin:
God is appeased; propitiation won!

His robes for mine, how terrible the cost:
Jesus forsaken; God estranged from God!
He, as though I, was banished--left alone!
I, as though He, am cherished--welcomed home!

His robes for mine: such anguish none can know:
Christ, God's beloved, judged as though His foe!
Smitten by God, and spit upon by men?
Free my salvation, yet not free to Him!

His robes for mine, what cause have I for dread?
God's daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand, with righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord's vicarious death--and life!

His robes for mine, the suffering is done:
Sin's dreadful wage was paid by God's Just Son.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own:
My praise--my all--shall be for Christ alone!


Now, go back and read this song again. It's so chock full of theology. What a salvation we have! What a Savior!