Awake

Happy Friday

This has been a varied and interesting week. Some details are not fit for public consumption, but, you know, I have Vox invites, and if you accept, I will add you to my family/friends neighborhood and you (and only you), I will provide with varied and interesting stories that are not fit for public consumption. =) That's all I will say for now. (Wink wink nod nod.) Otherwise you'll just have to call me or e-mail me for the varied and interesting details. Use the keywords "Operation Catch and Release" in your inquiry and I will set you up straightaway.

One of the highlights of my week that I am more than happy tell you about was attending a small group bible study. It has been eons since I have been to a small group bible study and I went away thoroughly encouraged by the fellowship that took place there. I am very glad that I arranged my class schedule next term so that I can continue to attend on Tuesday evenings. What a delightful surprise that was.

This group is particularly interesting because of the range of ages, gender, and cultures represented. I have always been a little sore about the church sub-cultural mores that dictate that when I am out of college I cannot fellowship with people that I have ministered with since childhood and adolescence simply because they are now married and I am not. So I have found it quite refreshing to find a group of married couples with and without kids, single men and women, young people, older people, of various social, economic and cultural backgrounds gathered together to study the bible, pray for each other, and build relationships with each other. What a concept. I absolutely love it. There's one root of bitterness now uprooted.

Also, I have recommenced volunteering as a mediator apprentice at the Beaverton Dispute Resolution Center. Last night was my first night back after a hiatus of nearly 3 months. I am very happy to be back and to be working with people in my city to help them live at peace with each other. We are increasingly dealing with conflicts of a intercultural nature, which is particularly fascinating to me because of my studies at Biola in intercultural studies. Beaverton is a much more culturally diverse city than most people realize. Values based on "rights" (i.e. I have a "right" to park here) often conflict with a deeply held expectation of respect based on age or perceived (or imposed) social roles. The nuances of these conflicts are complicated by the mixing and changing of values that comes with a change of geography and community. (For example, what was important in his community in Korea is understood at a certain level now that he lives in Beaverton, but it is overrided by what values he now deems important in this "Western" culture. So he's been "Westernized" (his words) and he carries knowledge of former cultural values, but refuses to use that understanding in his current conflict with a neighbor that shares that previous value. Confused? You should be!)

This weekend I head north to see cute babies and other family members. Brace yourself for an abudance of pictures next week.

Well that's all the news that fit to print or type. Or whatever. Happy Friday to you. And friends and family, don't forget to ask me for a Vox invite. Blogging isn't as scary or hard as you think. Plus you'll be privvy to the more varied and interesting details of my life thus far. Exciting, I know. (Try and contain yourself.)

Again I say, "Happy Friday."