"QUALITY"--a misnomer.

Maybe its just Taylor. Maybe its the people i talk with.

But, if i hear the word "quality" one more time, OR if i let it slip out of my mouth, i may decide never to speak again.

Since i believe this to be a pretty localized problem, you may not understand... allow me to give you the typical instance in which this word is used...

Girl A: "I met this guy tonight at the Extra Credit Seminar. He was telling me all about his goal to be a medical missionary in Rwanda and his desire to let God direct his path, even if that is not where he's supposed to be. We got into a long conversation about God's call and what that has looked like in each of our lives..."
Girl B: "Oh girl, that boy sounds quality."

Quality? Really?

Yes, he seems like a nice boy. I'm sure he has many qualities that are admirable. But, he, not unlike every other person on the planet, is a human. Thus, he also has many qualities that are a result of his fallen and depraved nature.

Perhaps we say "quality" to try to make an assertion about a person's good qualities outweighing his bad qualities--big problem--we can't see all these qualities. So, when we use this adjective, we are saying that those qualities that can be seen are more important than those that are concealed.

Perhaps when we say "quality" we are trying to speak about a specific quality--most often a genuine heart for the Lord. Well, be more specific. Please. It seems that when we objectify people and create this "quality" persona, we fail to use Jesus's standard. We no longer see the ways that people truly reflect Christ's character, but instead we see the way that they fit this visible standard.

So is that boy quality? Is that girl quality?
NO. Jesus is quality and when people seek after Him, their lives begin to be changed. Sometimes slowly, sometimes more obvious to the human eye--but who are we to say that just because someone is more visibly advanced in this journey, that he or she can be titled quality?

I feel like this word means a lot more than we realize.

Here, though, is my fundamental problem with the word: "character with respect to fineness, or grade of excellence"--that is the definition as provided by dictionary.com. GRADE OF EXCELLENCE? How dare was make the worth of people's lives based on what they do, on what we see? How can we see what is in the hearts of people?

By using this silly word, we raise ourselves up to the level of a judge. We give OUR stamp of approval. Well, its a good thing they don't need it.

I may seem to be making a huge deal out of something rather small, out of a 7 letter word, but its not the word--its the idea. I can't remain silent about something that i feel to be SO wrong within the Christian community, even in places where the world "quality" hasn't permeated the lingo of the people.

From here on out, if you here me use this word--you may slap me.

I hope you found some QUALITY words in the post :P

Christmas Pick-A-Date+Biology Presentation=Entire Weekend

Basically, I had an incredibly stressful, Excretory system research filled weekend, with the exception of Saturday night which was spent on a fun Pick-A-Date in Indy. Samantha and I went went our dates, Brandon and Joel (and the rest of our wing) to a formal dinner in the DC, then Joel and i performed a sneaky, covert mission to hide a potent cinnamon broom in Brandon's room while Sam distracted him(Sam and i have been planting this broom in people's room because its a funny prank that causes no damage--just clears the sinuses), then we left for Indy without Brandon suspecting anything. After the Christmas music filled ride, we got to the Sports Comedy club an proceeded to watch a marginal improv show, but it was still fun. Then we drove down to the Indy circle, maybe 2 miles away, and walked around in the beautiful, freezing cold night. The Christmas tree and city scape provided a picturesque atmosphere. After walking around for a bit (which hurt my feet desperately), we walked back to the car and drove home, singing "baby its cold outside" (the ella fitzgerald edition) numerous times. Quite the night. We got home at 2ish in the pouring rain, which, luckily, was not yet ice.

Samantha and i got up at 11, and from noon yesterday until 2am, i did nothing but compile a 44 slide presentation, 40 minute speech, lesson plan, assessment questions, demonstration and 10 page paper for Biology class. That all culminated at 8am his morning. now its over. Thank the Lord God in Heaven who sustained me through that.

{CHRISTMAS CHEER}

Samantha and I dressed up and delivered our Christmas cards to some people today. We walked around in tacky scarves, vests, santa hats, and big pj pants spreading Christmas cheer to all! And in about 1 hour we leave for our Winter Formal. We are still looking like we do in this picture, sooooo i guess you could say we have a lot of work to do to look at all presentable. Pictures and descriptions about tonight to follow. :)

As we enter this Holiday Season...

Taylor students whose hearts have tasted a bit of home during Thanksgiving, are now quite ready to finish up finals and be free of the many things that the next 2 weeks entail. The hustle and the bustle has overshadowed a great project that has been going on since the beginning of the Semester. This Project is called ONEverse. ONEverse is a Bible translation ministry that fits so well with Taylor's goal for global engagement. We have committed to helping get the Bible translated into the language of the Paraguayan ACHE people. Here's the problem--we are currently trying to finish up translating Hebrews--a book, not unlike the rest of the Bible, filled with God's divine words to us. As, for some reason, ("probably because of the poor college student notion") we have stalled in the donations and thus, the translations, of Hebrews, I would like to exhort you to consider ONEverse as a possible tithe for you this month or in the upcoming months.

Each verse is $10...

This means that for only $160 dollars, the whole of Hebrews 4 could bless the ears of the ACHE people, letting them know that...

"...Since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Heb. 4:14-16)

A small price for these words.

This also means that for only $390, the whole of Hebrews 10 could make the hearts of the ACHE people aware of the imminence of their decision to follow Christ...

“...For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” (Heb. 10:37-38)

To me, it is not just about fulfilling this task, but also about fulfilling it quickly so that not a moment is lost in our command to "go and make disciples of all nations." What better way than give them the Holy and Perfect Word of our Lord?


Donations are taken in $10 increments. Think and pray about this. Obviously there are hundreds of other worthy and noble causes. This cause, however, is currently impressing its necessity on my heart--possibly because it is not a ministry in which we can see a visible return for our work--not yet that is. It is a ministry that we pour into, but that pours not much back into us, thus it is often forgotten.

You can send donations to me and our dorm is pooling its money to send into the Taylor World Outreach Offices. -OR- you can send it in directly to Taylor University's RE: TWO ONEverse. This address can be found at www.taylor.edu at the bottom of the screen.

Something to think about during the holidays--the gift of eternal life, the point of this season, lest we forget.

Prayer for Sammy

As many of you know, my dear roommate has been anxiously awaiting the results of many a blood test and MRI to discover what is causing these completely abnormal hormonal levels. Tonight she received a call telling her that she has a small tumor that is throwing off her whole system--this would have been good news if the tumor was operable, however, at this point it is too small to operate on. This is a harsh blow to her spirit as she, as any person would, just wants to be done with doctors visits and medications. Please keep my dear Samantha in your prayers, and if you think of it, email me at Annie_Dimond@taylor.edu for her address to send her something sweet to let her know you are thinking and praying for her.

Goodnight.

People and their Community

I am increasingly convinced that what people are searching for, what people so desire, is to be known. I don't mean known in the sense that people see you around, that people know you hangout with the 'right' kind of people, that people say "hi" to you wherever you go. No. I'm talking about intentional friendship. I'm talking about people taking time out of their day to find out how you REALLY are--to find out WHO you really are. And by who you really are i don't mean what foods you like, what your favorite color is, what your favorite hangout is, and what haircut looks best on you. No. I mean what your passions are, what the deepest desires of your heart are, where you are coming from, where you are, where you want to be, what you think about things, what you struggle with.

And this, is a potential problem. Because if people so desire to be truly known, and "known" really is as defined in the previous paragraph--how many people really know you? How many people do i really know?

Time does not equal frienship, as i have come to discover in the last two days. Its unfortunate really, it feels like a waste of precious moments. I walked into a room full of people i was supposed to be overjoyed to see, and i realized i had nothing to talk about with them, because i don't really know them. I don't know what they aspire to and besides the visible struggles, i don't know the temptations and struggles of their hearts. I've never kept them accountable, and they've never held that role in my life. What the heck? Why is this so overlooked in the church and Christian communities in general? What happened to vulnerability? How on earth can i rejoice with those who rejoice or mourn with those who mourn if i don't know the extent of the trial or the extent of the elation? I can't. I didn't. I wouldn't.

It is interesting/heartbreaking to realize that these people for whom i grieve so terribly, grew up in such a similar and blessed environment. Granted, our lives were not identical, but so many truthes were poured into our lives in the Westminster environment, and so few chose to hang on to them.

Individuality, the Devil's lie that tells us that we are our own person, a person who would be utterly shunned if one were to share the evils that lie in our hearts and mind, if one were to engage in true community.

sad. sad. sad. sad.

I don't cry a lot. I just don't. But i cried tonight. I cried because i want them to experience the joy that comes with bearing your pain.

At least I was able to experience and share in that joy with a few people since I've been home.


And on this eve of Thanksgiving, i am thankful for community. real community. I'm thankful for uncomfortable situations that grow me in immeasurable ways. I'm thankful for conversations in which i bear more of my soul that Satan ever intended. I'm thankful for people who are real and stop faking it. I am thankful for Samantha, Carly, and Emily with whom I daily experience fellowship as God intended. I am thankful that God has brought me from where i was to where i am, with a hope that it doesn't stop here.

Photo Chronicles of the Last Few Weeks

This picture was taken inside the auditorium before My Generation night started. Some of the best song performances were: Obadiah Parker's "Hey Ya," Sufjan Stephans, Agustana's "Boston," Alanis Morissette's "Ironic," among 8 or 9 others. It was really pretty amazing.

This was waiting ouside in line to get in the auditorium...it was probably the coldest night I've ever experienced thus far. SO COLD. We waited for about 30 minutes. It was crazy.

This was the night of Samantha's birthday. The four of us took a "christmas photo" in front of the tree at the Fort Wayne. From left to right: Me, Samantha, Carly, and Emily. Carly and Emily are two of the girls coming out to California during Interterm break.

We went to Flat Top in Fort Wayne for Sam's bday. WOW. Delicious...akin to Mongolian BBQ, where you create your own plateand they stir fry it for you.

Anyway, thought you all might enjoy some pics.

♥

THANKSGIVING BREAK.

Yes, I am truly thankful for it. Its time for a break. Samantha and I are both anxious to get home to St. Louis. It will be so nice to be in a house for few days. Wednesday night is a Pre-thanksgiving party at the Preskers' House. I CANNOT wait to see everyone. I'm really excited to see what the group dynamics are like and to see how people have changed in these few short months.

Looking back on my weekend, it was a great one. I spent a lot of time with Carly, Emily and Samantha--all together, one on one, with lots of others. It was great. Every day I am so encouraged by these girls. God has truly blessed these friendships in a period of a few short weeks.

Also this weekend, I was surprised to get an email from a boy in my Logic class who is a PA on 3rd floor Sammy Morris Hall--affectionately (but not by most) called the "Brotherhood" or BroHo. Though there are not fraternitys at Taylor, this would be the closest thing to a Frat. They have a LOT of secret traditions and some not so secret traditions. They are also a bit notorious for being very exclusive--especially of girls. Most girls steer clear of them unless they have a friend or sibling on the floor. These are all generalizations, however, because there are some really great guys on BroHo. The email that i recieved from him asked me to consider being on a panel of about 6 girls on campus to "to help educate guys. Basically our intent is to help guys understand how to be more sensitive to the hearts of women on campus and help them better edify you as women. We want to be sensitive and loving and feel that there are a lot of guys who really have no clue. We are not looking for profound thoughts. We are not hoping that you single handedly will change a guys heart, we are just wandering if you would be willing to honestly share your heart and let the Holy Spirit do the rest." I really respect that he is trying to assist a change in the hearts and attitudes of the boys on his floor, and so I said yes to being on the panel. I'm really excited, because, at Taylor, there is such an emphasis on dating as a means to marriage, that boys are often scared to get to know girls unless they want to date them seriously--because they think all girls only have marriage on their mind. NOW, this is a much better situation than bunch of guys just dating around, however, when it disallows guy/girl frienships, it becomes a problem. ALSO,it often makes for a far too intense atmosphere. Anyway, i'm the token freshman on the panel. There is one soph, 2 juniors, a senior, a married woman, and a engaged woman. A wide range for a wide perspective on all the questions that will be asked. Anyway, I felt really honored that they included me in this panel and I thought i would share that with you and ask that you would pray that the Lord leads all my words and thoughts as well as the other women on the panel.


IT IS SO COLD HERE. really, so cold....and its only November...Everyone says it gets MUCH worse than this. OH NO. I don't think I'll be able to handle much worse. :) Better than the heat though i guess.

I am getting increasingly excited for J-Term and next semester since i am thoroughly done with going to biology and to fit for life at 8am everyday. BLECH. I still can't believe I got into Basketball, Volleyball, and Leadership. What a beautiful month it will be.


Oh and family, if you wouldn't mind sending me the buttons out of my craft box at home, I am working on Christmas presents for a few of my girls on the wing. Also, I would love to have my orange and lime green big bead necklaces. Thank you thank you.

I love you all!

Its been a while...

Its been a while since i last wrote but i have SO many exciting and fun things to write about.



1. Samantha and I have been hanging out with these two sweet girls from our wing named Emily and Carly. All four of us feel mutually blessed by these relationships and everytime we are together we have inordinate amounts of fun, coupled with intelligent, thought provoking conversations. It is truly a joy to spend time with these girls. Sunday night we went to Fort Wayne to eat at Flat Top, a mongolian bbqesque place for Samantha's birthday. She is 20. We went to Barne's and Noble and hung out there for an hour and a half--suprisingly something i miss SO much now that i'm in Upland, Indiana. Sam and i bought David Copperfield by Charles Dickens to read within the next month and discuss it. We are excited about it. Very excited. We then went to Coldstone and had some delicious mixtures. Mine was Sweet Cream, graham cracker, and strawberry. DELICIOUS.



2. I have officially signed up for classes. All of the classes i wanted to take over J-term are full, so i am taking 3 one-credit hour classes--Basketball, Volleyball, and Leadership. I am so excited to have only a little work but also get done 3 credits that i need to take. Wow its going to be fun and relaxing. My next semester looks like this:

-POS 385 American Constitutional Development: Civil Rights and Liberties (3 hours)

-PHI 202 History of Philosophy II (3 hours)

-PHI 323 World Religions Eastern Tradition (3 hours)

-BIB 210 Biblical Literature II (3 hours)

-COS 104 Computer Information Concepts (2 hours)

That is only 14 hours, but i will probably add a piano class/lesson. These classes are pretty difficult and i will be the youngest in every one of them. I like taking 300 level classes though, because i feel like i can do nothing but surprise the professor, or do what they expect me to do as a freshman--which is not a lot.

3. In other news, I'm going on a pick-a-date this friday night. The boy i am going with is actually the boy that Samantha has been dating this past month. Sam couldn't go because she has to work. I think he wanted me to go with him because he knows i'm safe and he's being super considerate of Sam's feelings, which is great. It is a famous couples pick-a-date, so tomorrow we are going to pick out our couple and our outfit at the drama department's costume room. I think it will be really fun, and so low key, which is great.

Also, while on the topic of Pick-A-Dates, our wing's is coming up. I asked my friend Joel to go with me and he said yes. It is a formal, and we are going to a comedy club after a special dinner night in the Dining Commons. I think it will be really fun. Joel is just a laid back guy and I asked him to go because he will definitely not read too much into it, which is greatly appreciated.

4. Other than all of that, there has been some talk of a few girls flying out to California for our J-term break (which is only 5 days). I think it would be QUITE fun, and funny since they are all rather enthralled with Laguna Beach and The Hills, silly MTV shows. Hopefully it all works out as we have started to plan.

Alright, Its time.

Time for LogiCola excercies. Time for Aristotle's Doctrine of the Soul Paper writing. Time for Biology Take home test completing. Time to read David Copperfield to catch up with Samantha who has already read 2 chapters.

Love you all ♥

J-Term and Spring Semester Class Planning.

I love to plan my classes...too bad i will never get the classes i want.

Originally, these were my plans for classes in for the remainder of the year:

J-term: (4) Art as Experience MTWRF + a trip to Chicago to see Wicked!

Spring Semester:

(1) Leadership Class
(3) World Literature [Mook]
(3)World Religion:Eastern Traditions [Corduan]
(3)History of Philosophy II [Seeman]
(3)American Constitutional Development:Civil Rights and Liberties [Loy]
(2)Computing and Information Concepts [Cramer]
(3)Intermediate Spanis II [Chang]

NOW, the plans are going to have to be changed since all my classes are rapidly filling up, and i don't get to sign up for them until the 13th...luckily, a few days before most of the freshman.

J-Term:
(3)Interpersonal Communication [Deneau]
(1)Leadership Class

Spring Semester:
(2) Computing & Information Concepts
(3)World Religions: Eastern Tradition (ONLY BECAUSE I BEGGED HIM. the class is otherwise full already)
(3)History of Philosophy (hopefully)
(3) American Constitutional Development:Civil Rights and Liberties

Beyond those..i haveNO idea what classes to take in the Sping. The classes i want/need are not being offered or they are full. UGH.

i might have an upperclasseman sign up for the classes and reserve me a spot, and then drop them right as i need to get into them. Yes. that is what i'll do.