1. Laughing out loud in Gospels when Drew offered to cut out Acts from his Bible so he could paste it in next to the Gospel of Luke during our discussion of Luke-Acts.
2. Ben offered me a graham cracker in class. He said it was stale, but I thought it was good.
3. Getting to attend church Bible study after a long absence. Many of the people are like parents/ grandparents to me, and I've missed studying with them. And Barbara made oatmeal cookies for class!
4. The smell rain and wet concrete. Heavenly.
5. This one is set apart from the rest. I sent my application to PLTS earlier this week. I've been nervous but extremely excited about this entire process. After getting out of Gospels, I noticed I had a voicemail on my phone from the director of admissions from PLTS. He and some of his administrators are going to be in southern California at the beginning of March, and they wanted to meet with the ELCA Fuller students. This is super exciting for me, because I thought I was one of just a handful of Lutherans wandering Fuller's campus. He also wanted to let me know that most of my application forms have been submitted, which is a relief.
After that phone call, I went to Bible study at Salem, then went home. I checked my email, and was moved by the message I received.
"Hello again, Tuhina. It was a pleasure to speak with you earlier this morning.
Well, what a deep and moving "Brief Autobiography" you sent in. Thanks so much for sharing.
I personally resonate, though in different ways, with much of what you say. I also was not raised as a Christian; in fact, I was raised without religion at all. I ended up in academic philosophy, going all the way to a PhD in that discipline. I specialized in ethics--which was sort of my own religion, my own spirituality--and took that very seriously. Around the time your Lutheran journey started, 1979, mine started too--though I was in my mid-twenties by then. And my journey toward Lutheran Christian faith involved my spouse in key ways as well, my wife having been raised in the Catholic church in Cuba but wanting at the time to both return to the church and seek another denomination. I also was baptized as an adult, in 1982, at age 25. And as is the case for you, my incredible journey continues . . .
So, from your deep questionings, continuing vocational journey, serious theological engagement with the Lutheran Church and Christian faith, personal background and interfaith experiences, and so much more that shows through in your writing, it's utterly clear that you will make a splendid addition to PLTS and the Graduate Theological Union academic and faith community. I'm delighted at your application."
Wow. Just... wow. I'm still floored.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Singing with the Lutherans
I received an email from one of my dear friends. This dear friend had an active hand in changing the course of my career, and essentially, my life. I bet the two of you who are reading this are wondering, "Gosh, what did she do to Tuhina to alter the course of her life?"
Simple.
She invited me to a meal. And my life changed forever.
This dear friend forwarded me an email I would like to share with the two of you. It's odd. I can relate to part of this, but I understand most of it... and will live all of it, it seems!
SINGING WITH THE LUTHERANS
by Garrison Keillor
I have made fun of Lutherans for years - who wouldn't, if you lived in Minnesota? But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one of the main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh sweet corn.
We make fun of Lutherans for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Lutheranless place, to sing along on the chorus of Michael Row the Boat Ashore, they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Lutherans they'll smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road!
Lutherans are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony. It's a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's rib cage. It's natural for Lutherans to sing in harmony.
We're too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment.
I once sang the bass line of Children of the Heavenly Father in a room with about three thousand Lutherans in it; and when we finished, we all had tears in our eyes, partly from the promise that God will not forsake us, partly from the proximity of all those lovely voices. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other. I do believe this: People, these Lutherans, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you're dying, they'll comfort you. If you're lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!
The following list was compiled by a 20th century Lutheran who, observing other Lutherans, wrote down exactly what he saw or heard:
1. Lutherans believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.
2. Lutherans like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
3. Lutherans believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there.
4. Lutherans usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
5. Lutherans believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
6. Lutherans feel that applauding for their children's choirs would make the kids too proud and conceited.
7. Lutherans think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
8. Lutherans drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
9. Some Lutherans still believe that an ELCA bride and an LCMS groom make for a mixed marriage.
10. Lutherans feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
11. Lutherans are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
12. Lutherans think that Garrison Keillor stories are totally factual.
13. Lutherans still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and think that peas in a tuna noodle casserole adds too much color.
14. Lutherans believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.
15. You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can!
16. Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
17. The communion cabinet is open to all, but the coffee cabinet is locked up tight.
18. All your relatives graduated from a school named Concordia.
19. When you watch a "Star Wars" movie and they say, May the Force be with you, you respond, "and also with you".
20. You actually understand those folks from Lake Wobegon , MN .
And finally !! you know you're a Lutheran when: It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service. And last, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye.
Simple.
She invited me to a meal. And my life changed forever.
This dear friend forwarded me an email I would like to share with the two of you. It's odd. I can relate to part of this, but I understand most of it... and will live all of it, it seems!
SINGING WITH THE LUTHERANS
by Garrison Keillor
I have made fun of Lutherans for years - who wouldn't, if you lived in Minnesota? But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one of the main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh sweet corn.
We make fun of Lutherans for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you ask an audience in New York City, a relatively Lutheranless place, to sing along on the chorus of Michael Row the Boat Ashore, they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Lutherans they'll smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road!
Lutherans are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony. It's a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's rib cage. It's natural for Lutherans to sing in harmony.
We're too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment.
I once sang the bass line of Children of the Heavenly Father in a room with about three thousand Lutherans in it; and when we finished, we all had tears in our eyes, partly from the promise that God will not forsake us, partly from the proximity of all those lovely voices. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other. I do believe this: People, these Lutherans, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you're dying, they'll comfort you. If you're lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!
The following list was compiled by a 20th century Lutheran who, observing other Lutherans, wrote down exactly what he saw or heard:
1. Lutherans believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.
2. Lutherans like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
3. Lutherans believe their pastors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there.
4. Lutherans usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
5. Lutherans believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
6. Lutherans feel that applauding for their children's choirs would make the kids too proud and conceited.
7. Lutherans think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
8. Lutherans drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
9. Some Lutherans still believe that an ELCA bride and an LCMS groom make for a mixed marriage.
10. Lutherans feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
11. Lutherans are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
12. Lutherans think that Garrison Keillor stories are totally factual.
13. Lutherans still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and think that peas in a tuna noodle casserole adds too much color.
14. Lutherans believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.
15. You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can!
16. Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
17. The communion cabinet is open to all, but the coffee cabinet is locked up tight.
18. All your relatives graduated from a school named Concordia.
19. When you watch a "Star Wars" movie and they say, May the Force be with you, you respond, "and also with you".
20. You actually understand those folks from Lake Wobegon , MN .
And finally !! you know you're a Lutheran when: It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service. And last, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday
1. Mixed tapes from high school and college.
2. A tape deck in my car to listen to said mixed tapes.
3. Lunch with a wonderful friend.
4. Salmon pasta and minestrone soup. Yum!
5. Getting organized for next week's midterm. I usually put the pro in crastination.
2. A tape deck in my car to listen to said mixed tapes.
3. Lunch with a wonderful friend.
4. Salmon pasta and minestrone soup. Yum!
5. Getting organized for next week's midterm. I usually put the pro in crastination.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Tuesday Grace
1. Getting two loads of laundry done at once.
2. Watching old episodes of "King of the Hill."
3. Potential funding for a website I'm working on. And more funding may be in the works.
4. Watching the opening scene of "Life of Brian" in class.
5. Tap class!
2. Watching old episodes of "King of the Hill."
3. Potential funding for a website I'm working on. And more funding may be in the works.
4. Watching the opening scene of "Life of Brian" in class.
5. Tap class!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Monday, Monday
Grace in the small things for this Monday...
1. Walking almost seven miles today, giving me the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts.
2. Sending my application to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
3. Having one of my recommendations already sent to PLTS.
4. Frozen yogurt with strawberries.
5. The husband and I meeting with a financial counselor.
1. Walking almost seven miles today, giving me the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts.
2. Sending my application to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
3. Having one of my recommendations already sent to PLTS.
4. Frozen yogurt with strawberries.
5. The husband and I meeting with a financial counselor.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
"You hate people, yet you love gatherings"
In my small grace items, I mentioned that God finds a way to converse with me when I really need guidance. Especially when I am a theological dumb butt. And when I think my heart has been hardened and I can't sense what I'm supposed to do with my life. I may sound "Joan of Arc crazy," but I promise, I haven't heard voices in my head. Yet. And I really do love Jeanne d'Arc.
I've been having a rough time in seminary for a few reasons. I cannot gloss it over as a perfect, wonderful, amazing, blissful experience. I find myself in weird stages of doubt. Am I a devout doubter? I've found myself stressed and frustrated, wondering if I'm nuts for being a seminary student. I've been especially lonely, as my mentors are scattered across the country. My doubt clouded my judgment this morning as I was struggling with the idea of going to church. I went through the motions. Confession. Forgiveness of sins. Sharing of the peace. But it was the hymn of the day that could only be equated to God conversing with me:
"Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.
I've been having a rough time in seminary for a few reasons. I cannot gloss it over as a perfect, wonderful, amazing, blissful experience. I find myself in weird stages of doubt. Am I a devout doubter? I've found myself stressed and frustrated, wondering if I'm nuts for being a seminary student. I've been especially lonely, as my mentors are scattered across the country. My doubt clouded my judgment this morning as I was struggling with the idea of going to church. I went through the motions. Confession. Forgiveness of sins. Sharing of the peace. But it was the hymn of the day that could only be equated to God conversing with me:
"Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.
If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus and say, "He died for all."
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul.
Don’t ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend;
And if you lack for knowledge, He’ll never refuse to lend.
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul."
Superbowl Sunday
My five for today.
1. God finds a way to talk to me, even when I am a theological dumb butt.
2. Finishing my application essay for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
3. A funny Superbowl commercial with John Elway.
4. The husband's guacamole from scratch and homemade flour tortilla chips.
5. Yet another gorgeous LA day; perfect for a walk to church and the grocery store.
1. God finds a way to talk to me, even when I am a theological dumb butt.
2. Finishing my application essay for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
3. A funny Superbowl commercial with John Elway.
4. The husband's guacamole from scratch and homemade flour tortilla chips.
5. Yet another gorgeous LA day; perfect for a walk to church and the grocery store.
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