Sightings

It's back.

Competing with UFO's in Texas, the Wiener Mobile made it's second appearance on my street (and in my usual parking spot).

Night shot:

I'm mildly entertained by all the cars stopping to take pictures on their cell phones. And then I remember that I took my camera with me on a run tonight to catch this shot.

Traveling

As much as I'd like to say I'm leaving in the Wiener Mobile, I'll only be flying home tomorrow. This was on my block a few weeks ago. Very random, I must say.

I'm headed to visit my family over the next week. It feels a little like I'm stuck in a lengthy transitory phase... moving, switching jobs, starting school again, etc. And yet, I seem to thrive on this sort of thing. I can't imagine being "settled" in the sense that I can't imagine I won't want to try new challenges even when I am "settled." It's difficult to imagine what settled even looks like.

School is saturating me with theology. I'm on overload and haven't really been able to produce any fruitful thoughts to share here as of late. Perhaps a week in the cornfields with intermittent internet access will give me time to reflect. That's my hope anyway. At the least, I'll have to catch up on reading, write two papers and faithfully flip through my Hebrew flash cards.

I have to pick a topic for the research paper in my Gospels class. I wanted to do some research on the Gnostic gospels but the prof is limiting us to the Canon. So, any controversial verses out there you'd like to have researched? Suggestions so far: Matt 24:34, Mark 9:1 and Mark 13:10. Any other ideas?

Uncertainty

His secret will is no cause for doubt.

Recent changes in my life have left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. I remind myself that I’ve done work and school before, and that I really just need to take it one day or week at a time. And really, both are amazing opportunities that I’m blessed to have. As one college friend wrote, “think of all the thousands of people who just make widgets to get by. You get to do something you’ll love!” This is very, very true, and as I began to grumble over biblical Hebrew and Geerhardus Vos yesterday afternoon, I was struck with the thought that my life is in His hands.

Wow, Ryann, you’ve just now caught on to this? Yes, it is one thing to look back at situations, trials and mistakes that He’s brought me through and know that He was with me. It is a different experience to look forward, to know there will be clouds and storms, and to trust that He’ll take me there, only by His lead.

This article was passed to me, and tells of Sudanese Christians fleeing to Israel in the face of horrible circumstances. The friend who sent it marveled that many of these who Christians end up at her church still praise the Lord in the face of such tragedy. It is because they know this truth, perhaps more profoundly than we can understand in the land of good and plenty.

There are infinite uncertainties in life. Where will I find food, work or housing? How will I manage my time and finances? Will I ever be able to pay off my student loans and buy a house? Will I get married, have kids, and die old or young? (Will Apple stop making gadgets for me to covet?) And ultimately, so very little of these uncertainties matter.

And yet, He holds us in His hands. All that is uncertain to us – all the decisions we face, the curve balls life throws our way, even the fleeting thoughts of the frailness and transience of life – do not catch Him by surprise. All is certain with Him. My life will unfold exactly as it should. This reminder was a tremendous comfort and brought to mind the quote from Pierre Marcel. I originally thought this quote was speaking of faith-doubt, implying that not knowing His unrevealed will is no cause to doubt His existence in general. But there is another aspect to the wisdom here. His secret will for our lives – the uncertainty we feel – is no reason for us to doubt that He has a perfect plan in place, and that He has the power to see it to fruition, because He is the master of that plan.

Back from the Beach

Well, I wasn't there long, but I'm back. In fact, we spent more time getting there than we did on the beach, but that's ok. Water and sunshine make me happy. Just finished my Islam final, too, so now I'll have more time to post. In theory. In reality, I'd like to spend as little time inside as possible during the remaining summer months. Which may just mean posting from my balcony.

Primarily, what I've learned in the last few weeks was not an easy lesson... those always take a while longer to sort out and formulate in print. I can sum it up in two words: Disobedience and Grace. Nothing like a lazy afternoon on the sand with nothing but my own thoughts to drive those two parts home.

Small Signs of Spring

Today was the perfect day for a trip up to Great Falls. And half of the metro area thought so as well. Still got a few great shots, despite the hordes of people.

I loved this odd dip in the river.

The bird (white dot in the middle) took off about 3 seconds after I took this shot.

I caught him right then, but the shot came out blurry.

First buds of Spring.



More buds; better focus.



There were a handful of daffodils in one spot in the park.

Couldn't tell if they were planted or wild.

Didn't see a bird the whole day.

On my way out, this little guy posed for me.

Chicago Pics

A few moments from my trip...

New snow, outside V and Dave's window this morning.

Dad, this one's for you. From the Coonley House, donated by the Howlett's, no less!

My favorite painting at the Art Institute.

Doesn't that look like something you'd see in a museum? Oh, right...

Merry Christmas!

Mountain Views

Wish I had a better zoom for this. It's an old stone castle called Vikingsholm.

View of the lake from a look out point above Emerald Bay.

Island in Emerald Bay, complete with Tea House, built by the same woman who built Vikingsholm.

Harper's Ferry

Jefferson's Rock (kind of lame)

Bambi. Look closely. There were actually three deer about 15 feet away from us, but some stupid hikers made a ruckus and they ran away before I could get a better shot - I mean picutre.

From Jefferson's Rock.

In this view are West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. I have no idea which ridge is which state. :)

Pictures from the Hike

From the Picnic

What is a picnic with no potato salad? Or any form of potato for that matter. Next time, I will know what to bring.

At least it was a beautiful day.





Julie and I stumbled upon this incomplete sentance spray-painted on the parking lot blacktop.

Ok... Shayna pointed out this was kind of hard to see. It says: Im the Bes. Julie is the T. There was no one else around, or I would've made someone be the ' for I'm.

Dave has pics from his and V's wedding, too.

Recent Pics

Pictures

These are from all over: Colorado, Lake Tahoe, Monticello, and the Eastern Shore. Dad took the good ones, I took the bad ones.