Lazy Saturday

1. Beautiful, absolutely gorgeous weather.

2. Listening to "Clare de Lune" and music by Satyajit Ray on "The Darjeeling Limited" soundtrack.

3. Taking a nap longer than 30 minutes (try two and a half hours!)

4. Eating a piece of triple chocolate cake from Porto's for breakfast.

5. Reading a review for David B.'s new book in the LA Times. I can't wait to go to the library...

Friday Five!

Not much to report today... but I want to make sure I post my grace in the small things for today.

1. Renting a movie from Blockbuster on a whim.
2. Sewing a button on one of my favorite shirts. The button was hanging by a thread for the four months my wrist was in a cast.
3. Making lasagna for dinner with friends later tonight.
4. Looking at cakes at Porto's, my favorite local bakery. And buying a cake for dessert tonight.
5. Watching hummingbirds at the window feeder.

Ease in my uneasyness

Part of my unease about seminary is that the material is so new to me. I didn't grow up in "the church." I didn't have a Sunday school education. But sometimes, not growing up in the church is a benefit. I'm seeing the things I learn in class as fresh and new; I have no Sunday school theology that needs dismantling. It doesn't make learning the material any easier, but it's an adventure all the same.

And now, grace in the small things on this beautiful Thursday...
1. Going to the local library branch and picking out one leisure reading book. And finishing that book later in the afternoon.
2. Getting presents for two very special boys engraved.
3. Eating a fish fillet sandwich with extra tartar sauce.
4. Getting an email/ blog comment from the friend that inspired me to find daily grace and track it.
5. Date night with the husband.

365 Days of Grace

I'm still learning a lot about being Lutheran. In my initial interview with a committee member, I was asked if I would want to get rid of my Hindu upbringing. I was overly defensive in my response. I could never forget or get rid of my Hindu upbringing. It's helped shape who I am, and it's an emotional tie I have to my family. I may have come off as a bit rabid, but I'm still adjusting to talking about something that's always been an abstract subject for me.

Part of the Lutheran education deals with grace. I hear a lot of words and phrases thrown around, like "justification by faith," and "law versus gospel," and "gospel sets us free." Phrases are nice and everything, but I'm trying to figure out what this means.

In my interviews, I've admitted that I'm naive when it comes to doctrine. I'm still learning. I'm still discerning. I'm still trying to run away from this "calling" that I cannot seem to shake.

I am embracing grace this year, through baby steps. A friend posted something on his blog, "Grace in Small Things." I will list (hopefully daily) five things that have graced my life. These things may have such a gravity words may not do justice, while others can be found in simple pleasures. Here's my first attempt...
1. Splitting a chocolate bar with my husband
2. Finishing my book review without my computer crashing
3. Laughing and talking with my brother
4. Walking to the grocery store on a beautiful day
5. Cleaning my laptop and textbooks off the dining table so my husband and I can actually dine on the table.