There is not enough time in the day...

for me to read everything that I want to (plus all my school-related work). I think a library card was a dangerous idea. I tend to get in phases where I can't learn enough about a particular subject, so I try to read everything I possibly can about it. This usually results in lots of knowledge (and hopefully some understanding) and not so much sleep. I currently have about 5 more books on reserve at the library, just waiting for other people to finish up! Then I have a "to request" list for when I'm done with those. Can you believe they let you check out 30 items at a time? Crazy! Anyhow, lately I am desperate to learn more about the nature of salvation and how it relates to the environment, and absolutely everything around me. (I picked an easy one, right?) I think in the past I have been interested in lots of peripheral concepts and truths, but I never really worked out what salvation means at its deepest level and how it translates into every aspect of my life.

This is taking me on quite the journey, let me tell you. It's one that I'm anticipating an end to (I hope!) because I think there are always new ways to understand Jesus and redemption in the midst of everything. Anyhow, I would love some recommendations on more reading, even if it won't happen until next year! I'm hoping tonight to just give up on the reading and go to sleep. Maybe.

Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial

Uncle Dan and Aunt Debby are in town, so while Dan worked on some bids in my apartment, Aunt Debby and I visited the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial.








I barely remember the bombing, but on April 19, 1995, 168 people (19 of which were children) were killed in the first American terror attack of this scale. It was a moving display, and Debby and I listened to one of the guides tell about the bombing and how they memorialized not only the victims, but also the survivors, rescue workers, and the orphaned children whose parents were killed in the explosion.

They memorialized the victims with the field of empty chairs. It is meant to represent the chairs that will sit empty at the dinner tables of the families. The smaller chairs are for the children.

I'm really glad that I went, because I don't think I could fully appreciate the city without knowing about the event that changed it forever.

Anyway, my next post will be upbeat, I promise!

Things I Know

Thus far, these are a few of the things I know about Oklahoma:

- There are a lot of cows

- There are a lot of tornadoes

- The state flower is mistletoe (thanks, Blair!)

- Oklahoma City is home to the world's largest tube of caulk

- Most of Twister was set/shot there

- Edmond, OK (my soon to be town) was ranked 52 in CNN Money's 100 best places to live. Not bad!

Hmm...that's about it. So it seems I have a lot of learning to do, as very little of this is indicative of what Oklahoma is actually like. I'll keep you posted.