Sleepy in Seattle

I hope that everyone out there had a wonderful Christmas. I did. It was nice to have most of the family together. My oldest sister and her daughter weren't here this year (they have a pretty good excuse, as they live in England). The rest of us all got together on Christmas day and had a wonderful time.

It was a little bit of an adventure though. One of the breakers in the electrical panel developed a short late on Christmas eve, the circuit that powers much of the kitchen and dining room, as well as the lights in the basement. Normally, that wouldn't be that big of a deal, but we didn't have a spare, and of course there wasn't a hardware store open that late, nor would there be any open on Christmas Day. My stepdad would reset the breaker, and half of the lights would come back on. After 30-40 minutes the breaker would cool down a bit, and the other half would start working again. Then, some indeterminate amount of time later (ranging from 25 minutes to 5 hours) the breaker would flip, and the process would start all over again.

My mom was really concerned that the power would go off in the middle of cooking the roast, or maybe worse, in the middle of Christmas dinner with the whole family and other company there. But God was merciful, and the breaker held until the guests had left. We did end up playing games after dinner by candlelight. Its sobering to be reminded just how much we depend on modern technology and its conveniences in everyday life. It would be interesting to try to go through a day without using any electricity. Anyone up to the challenge?

Things like that make for good memories though. I'm sure that for years to come, we will remind one another of "blackout Christmas" - or whatever it ends up being called.

I'm in Seattle right now, and will be up here visiting my brother and his family for the rest of the week. Even though it is still technically Christmas Break, I am going to get back to work starting tomorrow. I have to get ready for teaching next semester, and also I need to get caught up on my research.

I'll try to post again before I leave for the big math conference in Atlanta next week.

Merry Christ-mas

"And the word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen His glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth."

- John 1:14(ESV)

JJ

Break Time At Last

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you know that I am safe and sound out in the Pacific Northwest. I flew into Portland today, and my travels went remarkably smoothly - which is a nice change as I've had delays and/or baggage troubles the past few times I've travelled. I am quite glad to leave behind the bitter Nebraska winter that seemed to arrive last night just in time to see me off on my travels.

I am actually across the border in Washington hanging out with my sister and brother-in-law right now. I am typing in the computer lab of the high school where my brother-in-law works. He runs the "behavior disorder" classroom here, or whatever the new politically correct term is now. He's really good at his job - I'd never be able to do it, I don't think I'd have the patience for it, but he has the right gifting for it.

I enjoyed all of the graduation parties this past week, but it was a bit sobering to see so many that I have known and ministered with so long are leaving now or at the end of the school year - hopefully myself included. But it is also exciting to think that there is so much looming on the horizon for all of us. We may be scattered to the four winds, but we will have so many opportunities to build the kingdom in new places and in new ways as we turn the page toward new seasons of life.

I'll try to write again soon, but in case I get busy with family stuff, have a blessed Christmas, and may Jesus be your life, hope, and focus in the coming days.

JJ

7 Days Makes One Weak

Howdy All,

Sorry for the lack of postage lately. Its that crazy end of the semester time of year, so its hard to find the time. If I can make it through the next seven days, I'll pretty much be done for the semester, although I'm trying to decide how much of a break I can afford to take.

That's the main bad things about being at this stage of my career. The fact that I don't have classes to go to or finals to take is nice and all, but on the other hand, my work is never done, even between semesters. Also, I am running a little behind on where I need to be to guarantee graduating in May, and I can't afford to lose momentum during Christmas break.

I am going to try to keep working hard though the end of the semester, and then find the right balance between time relaxing with family, and spending enough time on research to keep sharp, and at least be inching foreward so that I can hit the ground running at the beginning of next semester.

I am looking foreward to finding out what I will teach next semester. I put in my request earlier this week. I am also looking foreward to tomorrow. We are having a marathon 5 hour session to finish what was originally the last two weeks of the Philippians class I am taking through MIQRA this semester. It should be a good and cup filling time.

I am also looking foreward to the many Christmas and graduation parties that will fill most of my non-research/non-sleeping moments over the next 10 days, and finally, I am looking foreward to Dec 19th when I hop on a plane and head off to the great Northwest to see my family. I am going to try to post at least once more before I leave town, especially as my access may be a bit spotty while I am on the road.

I hope that y'all are at least surviving, if not thriving, and that you are able to get into the Christmas Spirit sometime in the next week or two.

JJ