Sidenote:
Matthew and I are also (thanks Northwest) starting to 'go green' in small ways of course. Currently we walk to work/school around 2-3 times a week, and are growing our own herb garden. Composting is on our list of things to do as well as investigate other easy ways to stop consuming as much. If anyone has any ideas feel free to comment below.
Halle
Monday, March 29, 2010
Newsletter
Each month Matthew sends a newsletter to churches that support him so I thought I would post it here - it briefly talks about his classes and St. Louis and it has a little of me in there too!
March 2010 - The Warmbiers in St. Louis - Matthew Warmbier
So begins a new trimester! I am taking two more classes this trimester than I was last time, so I have a much more busy school life. But, it is ok. This is what I am here for and I enjoy it. This semester I am studying homiletics (how to preach), the second of two classes about the Lutheran Confessions, a class on the first three Gospels, a class on the book of Revelation, a class studying pastoral theology in Luther’s writings, and a class where we look at and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. It is a lot of work, but the classes are very good and the professors are all very enjoyable.
Halle is continuing her work with St. Mark’s and is really enjoying it. She is also taking a class offered for free to the seminary wives on C.S. Lewis, one of her all time favorite authors. She has just finished up her application to a master’s program for teaching, so we are waiting anxiously for that. Keep her in our prayers. We all hope that she gets accepted and can spend her working years doing something she really enjoys in service of others.
Focus on a Class
My class on preaching so far has been a wonderful class. I am taking it with Dr. Meyer, who is the college president. I figured that it would be wise to take whatever classes he offers, since he teaches only once a semester (since he is so busy doing president stuff normally). It is good. I have an enormous amount of respect for him since he teaches. Many college presidents do not teach and have a minimal relationship with the students and faculty. Since Dr. Meyer teaches, he keeps the students and the teachers first in his mind when he makes decisions as the President. If any of you remember, he was the Lutheran Hour speaker for a number of years, so he knows how to speak publically.
Anyway, in the class we just finished up a discussion on literacy. It is amazing – my generation and those younger generations are actually choosing to be less literate than their parents’ generation. TV, computers, texting and the like have caused kids to leave reading behind. As a result, their brains are developing differently than previous generations who read books and listened to the radio. They are increasingly incapable of understanding more difficult complex logic and abstract thought. The result is a generation that puts off propositional logic in favor of stories. Their brains are actually wired to think in stories and word pictures rather than with solid ideas. The cure? Read your child/grandchild a book before bed! Until then, we must continue to teach them the stories of the faith.
March 2010 - The Warmbiers in St. Louis - Matthew Warmbier
So begins a new trimester! I am taking two more classes this trimester than I was last time, so I have a much more busy school life. But, it is ok. This is what I am here for and I enjoy it. This semester I am studying homiletics (how to preach), the second of two classes about the Lutheran Confessions, a class on the first three Gospels, a class on the book of Revelation, a class studying pastoral theology in Luther’s writings, and a class where we look at and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. It is a lot of work, but the classes are very good and the professors are all very enjoyable.
Halle is continuing her work with St. Mark’s and is really enjoying it. She is also taking a class offered for free to the seminary wives on C.S. Lewis, one of her all time favorite authors. She has just finished up her application to a master’s program for teaching, so we are waiting anxiously for that. Keep her in our prayers. We all hope that she gets accepted and can spend her working years doing something she really enjoys in service of others.
Focus on a Class
My class on preaching so far has been a wonderful class. I am taking it with Dr. Meyer, who is the college president. I figured that it would be wise to take whatever classes he offers, since he teaches only once a semester (since he is so busy doing president stuff normally). It is good. I have an enormous amount of respect for him since he teaches. Many college presidents do not teach and have a minimal relationship with the students and faculty. Since Dr. Meyer teaches, he keeps the students and the teachers first in his mind when he makes decisions as the President. If any of you remember, he was the Lutheran Hour speaker for a number of years, so he knows how to speak publically.
Anyway, in the class we just finished up a discussion on literacy. It is amazing – my generation and those younger generations are actually choosing to be less literate than their parents’ generation. TV, computers, texting and the like have caused kids to leave reading behind. As a result, their brains are developing differently than previous generations who read books and listened to the radio. They are increasingly incapable of understanding more difficult complex logic and abstract thought. The result is a generation that puts off propositional logic in favor of stories. Their brains are actually wired to think in stories and word pictures rather than with solid ideas. The cure? Read your child/grandchild a book before bed! Until then, we must continue to teach them the stories of the faith.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A little update now and then...
The week of February 22nd ended up being absolutely wonderful. Tuesday we flew from Stl to Pdx to come up for a friend's wedding. We spent seven great days seeing old friends, preparing a bride, and visiting family members. There were many fun stories and highlights from that week including (but not limited to) seeing the improved health of a favorite Eggert, seeing the liver girls, the dinner at red robin where two times our party elbowed the waiter in the crotch accidentally, making bachelorette plans, singing in the lobby of the church for two hours, discussions in hotel rooms, a surprise of me meeting the rest of the party of Starbucks, a BEAUTIFUL wedding and seeing my expecting sister-inlaw (Davis side). It was wonderful, beautiful and insightful.
This week has been a week of readjustment, grieving, and growing. I spoke with a dear friend Serena last night and she reminded me of something I had seemingly forgotten sometimes we need to go back to the basics. The basics meaning get out your Bible, turn to a devotional and start praying. I put a quick tab on my internet explorer for a Charles Spurgeon devotional (www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/morningandevening). If you like old language, deep thoughts, and new insights into small passages then check him out.
Sometimes being a DCE at a church has its struggles, one I have found is doing the work without the director of the author. Sometimes it seems as though I just work. Nothing will inspire me it has simply become another day to finish. Thank you Serena for reminding me of the hope that I have within me. That this jewel of love still exists with me. I love you.
Go.
This week has been a week of readjustment, grieving, and growing. I spoke with a dear friend Serena last night and she reminded me of something I had seemingly forgotten sometimes we need to go back to the basics. The basics meaning get out your Bible, turn to a devotional and start praying. I put a quick tab on my internet explorer for a Charles Spurgeon devotional (www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/morningandevening). If you like old language, deep thoughts, and new insights into small passages then check him out.
Sometimes being a DCE at a church has its struggles, one I have found is doing the work without the director of the author. Sometimes it seems as though I just work. Nothing will inspire me it has simply become another day to finish. Thank you Serena for reminding me of the hope that I have within me. That this jewel of love still exists with me. I love you.
Go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
