This past weekend I had to incredible opportunity to meet Medal of Honor recipients. I feel like the most blessed person in the world.
They were all so kind. They were humble and real. They truly thought of themselves as people who merely did a job and were recognized for it.
I realized that I too can be like them. They were not supermen. They were people who thought beyond themselves. They were people who did their jobs when the need came up.
That takes selflessness and an understanding that there is more to life than you.

It is Good Friday and I am at home in Huntsville. Strange thing is, I really don't feel like this is home. No big deal. I will float for a while until I find a beach to land on.
Today is beautiful. But it wasn't always that way.
Last night it got pretty stormy. The thunder rolled longer and louder than I remember hearing before. But then, I was only on the brink of awareness. I figured that was it after that storm! I thought we would break the storm streak I have been having. Seems ever month I come home there is a storm and everyone is really busy. I just kindof get out of the way of the family.
I went out to get the oil changed in my car, do a little shopping, and pay my health insurance. Everything seemed fine.
When I got home I cleaned my fish tank, groomed and trimmed the dogs, and did laundry and the dishes. Everything still seemed fine.
Then when my mom came home she asked if we were watching the weather. Why? Who cared? Apparently there was an incredible storm coming. I didn't believe it.
I found out my dad and brother went out to get covers for the cars because we were going to get hail! What was this all about?
Well, we saw clouds coming up, yet I did not believe we had trouble. Mom was saying we were in for hail.
We were covering the cars and it started raining on us. The rain came harder and harder. Then the drops got bigger and bigger. And then the hail came. Small pieces of ice, then little peas. Then they got bigger until they were about the size of quarters. We were running around trying to put blankets under the covers so the hail wouldn't damage our cars when the hail started coming down. As we were running back under the garage I saw a hail stone hit dad squarely on the head. It was one of the biggest ones, too!
We have two new cars in our drive way! One is Dad's new Sonata, and the other is Ronny's Tiburon. We pulled Dad's car into the garage, and covered Ronny's car first. I was not too terribly concerned about my car. Two weeks after the first owner bought the car, it got pocked up by a major hail storm. So, I already have hail spots on my car. I rather like them as well! But it got covered in time. We also covered the Cadillac. We covered that one with cardboard because we had run out of blankets. We had to wait until the first line of storms passed because we hadn't had enough time to get it covered during the first.
Well, it is beautiful now, and I hope tomorrow will be as well. I would like to spend time outside!

<-- Hot! Okay, actually, no.

Hmm, let’s discuss wetsuits for a minute here. Yes, I do realize that if we are to extend the majority of the dives we do we have to have some kind of thermal protection. But does necessity negate mockery? Not to the ever-cynical soul such as myself.
I recall thinking that wetsuits were kind of neat at one point. When I got my first wetsuit I was so pleased. I was becoming a real diver. It was a simple two millimeter shorty and it was, well, too big for me. Most things are, as it goes- a sad state for the shorter than average citizens of this society. I can’t very well talk about most, if any, of my gear in the past tense, because I am no seasoned salt myself. If I were, I would be writing informative articles. The underinformed can only make fun- the professional has something of value to add to the silence.
When I did my first open water dive at our quarry it was still a little chilly, so I was wearing part of a farmer john suit. The dive shop was out of my size as fate would have it- did they ever actually carry my size? So I had to rent something as close to it as possible. It was a men’s medium. I felt ridiculous. There was so much extra suit at the top that the shoulders were touching my ears. Yeah, someone even took pictures. So humiliating. I looked like a linebacker. I think the worst part might have been that every time I turned my head I welcomed in a whole new rush of (very) stirring water-flow. I’m sure I am not the only unfortunate newby to experience this discomfort. But when it happens to you, you feel so very alone.
Wetsuits are a real blow to the fragile female self-image. Think about it. Every curve gets flattened and there is added, oh, how many millimeters of lycra to your measurements? It doesn’t take much, does it? My current jumpsuit has the charming addition of making my waist look astoundingly larger than it actually is. Okay, I am sway backed to begin with. Yes, I do have a bit of a ghetto booty. So, the back just makes a strait shot from my bum to the top of my back. Doesn’t even pause to curve in so you can see that I actually do have a waist at all from the side! I know what you are thinking- you looked at yourself in the mirror?! Tuh, yeah! Of course I did.
I like the way manufacturers try to make women’s wetsuits look good. They put color blocks up the torso, down the hips, across the shoulders. Yes, I always liked those hip blocks. Hey, check this out, my hips are a different color from everything else. Does that make you notice them? Did I want that? Does this make my butt look… nevermind.
My favorite aspect of women’s diving are the models in the advertisements. No, you don’t look sexy in that. Stopit. They all have dry hair, big and fluffy. It is always down and flowing all over their shoulders. I dunno about you, but when I go diving, my hair is tied back in a tight pony. Typically it is so jacked up from all the salt water or just the wave action in general that I wouldn’t even consider picking up a brush unless I had at least half a bottle of conditioner invested in the procedure. Then, as if that were not bad enough, it becomes insanely frizzy. I tame my halo with a handkerchief or do rag. Biker chic diver.
Then, of course, we must recall that wetsuits flatten curves. Yep, it doesn’t matter how far you arch that back, baby, it isn’t going to work. And those poor models try so hard. And you can see it. Take it easy, honey, you are going to strain something. Perhaps that is why most gear producers do not take a second thought about women’s anatomy when they produce BCs. They know that it just won’t matter once that wetsuit is on anyway!
Well, I guess that will do for now. The high and low of it is, don’t expect to look good in a wetsuit. If you don’t want to know that you don’t look good in a wetsuit, don’t look.

Today I attended a training session with Dauphin Island Fire and Rescue. Oh My Gosh! I am so stoked!!!!!

When I first arrived there was noone there and I felt for sure that I messed up the times or was there on the wrong weekend. I walked through the station to an open door on the far side. One of the police officers, Noal, was out back so I spoke to him about it. He radioed Ben, one of the Public Safety Officers, and Ben said it wasn't until 1 or 2. He was actually wrong, but I believed I had read the email wrong until I walked out the front door and saw the fire chief, Brad, walking up.

We first looked over all of the trucks and other random things. Then we took the two trucks and did some hose drills. It is amazing how interested folks get when they see a bunch of emergency vehicles on the move. I went to the airport and then over to a back raod instead because a large group of birders showed up at the airport marsh.

When we got to Cadillac road, we learned how to hook up the hoses, open fire hydrants, stretch the hoses out, and load them back on the truck. That was just exciting! I knocked over a traffic cone with the smaller hose.

We ordered pizza for lunch and while we were waiting for it I tried on some turnout gear. The boots fit pretty well, but the pants were too long, though they worked out for me. I will definitely need a smaller jacket because the sleeves were long and there was alot of space in the body of the jacket. Apart from those articles, I had a hood over my breathing mask, a helmet, and gloves.

When we went into the training trailer they had a simulated bed fire. It felt fairly hot after a few minutes, but I gained alot of confidence when I realized it was not unbearable. At first, I did not want to do any enterances, but now I think I can. I was concerned that I would be too scared, but the more I did the more I became comfortable with everything.

The mask I wear forms a good seal, but it is loose at the top of my face. This is a problem I have with my diving gear as well, so I was not surprised by it- just a little dismayed. I was timid to put the mask on but remembered what I have learned in diving: I always think I will not be able to do something and then when I do it I am surprised. Remembering this, I approached every task remembering that I am capable. Still, I was surprised every time at my ability. I did not fail.

Ben said he will be ordering me turnout gear that I can carry with me in a bag. I am so excited! I wish I could have gotten some pictures, but I guess that will be another time. What is best is that everyone said I did very well. They were surprised that I wanted to learn so much, that I was not concerned with getting dirty, and that I really wanted to do everything. That made me feel only that much better about it!

Well, just when I think I've got it all planned out....
So yesterday I went to the breakroom to refill my water bottle and met Sally in there. She asked me if I wanted to live rent free and get free meals... Now who doesn't want to do that? I said yes of course, waiting for the other shoe to drop. She then asked me if I wanted to be a dorm monitor during summer semester. Whoa! I immediately had flashbacks of writing my prior post about getting to sleep in my own happy room with my head cradled in my own happy pillow far away from the drunk screaming students in the dorm and my heart sank. Fact is, I NEED to live rent free right now. I NEED that stipend I will get for being a dorm monitor. I really NEED this opportunity that has been handed to me. I just don't want it. But I know I can do it. I lived in those dorms for an entire month last year. With God's grace I can do it for three this year. I know He is providing for me.

See, I am a very private person. Private compared to most, I suppose. I really love being around people. I also really love my alone time. The way I grew up (in a large family) if you wanted alone time you went to your room. Usually this didn't work. Mama hen would realize one of her hatchlings was missing and would call for you. But I found that if you had a good reason to be there you got to stay. Typically, I would clean my room. Now, cleaning for me doesn't mean dusting, vacuuming, waxing- it meant tearing everything out of every drawer, shelf, corner, closet, and piling it up in the middle of my room, on my bed and anywhere else it could go. There were entire weeks that I couldn't sleep on my bed, and had to make a path through my room because my stuff was just all over. But this is how I do my thing. It helps me see everything and assess what doesn't need to stay. It drives dad nuts. But typically I would get the whole thing clean in about a week. All this to say, when I want quiet I want it now and I get it. Well, not so in the dorms.

Still, I think that this summer will be very good. I wish I could both live in the dorms and live with my roommates. I love being with Andrea and Michelle. I really love our house. And I love my routine, with everything neatly stored where it must be. (Okay, stop laughing, girls! I know I am not the neatest!) I have alot of food that I will have to leave at the house until I can use it all, or move back in, or something. At least I have somewhere to crash if I need some quiet, right?

So, in retrospect, I am both very excited, and very nervous. I want to be a dorm sup, but I also wanted to live in the intern houses for the summer. But I think that this will be a very good summer! Besides, I'm not taking classes!

Hey, guys!
Well, I am not going to Arizona. Actually, I am kindof breathing a sigh of relief. There was alot of planning in a very little timeframe that had to be done before I could go. Besides this- summer is coming on the Island and I wanna be here for it! It will be interesting to see summer school from the outside. What am I looking forward to most? When the students get drunk and run up and down the halls banging on doors, yelling and acting the fool at 2 am, I will be peacefully sleeping in my comfy bed in my nice house far away from them. What a thrill!
Some other things I am excited about: I will be volunteering at the fire department. The first meeting I am attending is this Monday at 7. I am bringing in my application then, and I will see what it is all about and if I want to do it.
Also, I might be taking joint custody of a stray dog that one of the other lab folks is trying to find a home for. None of us can keep the dog permenantly at this time, and none of us have the time to give it all of the attention it needs, but together we will be able to care for this little girl. I'll post pictures soon. And who knows? Maybe I will find a more permenant situation and get to keep her myself? Hmm, still wish I could take one of your puppies, Aunt Marsha- Desi, specifically.
So, why am I not going to Arizona? Well, the main reason is because I found out that I was supposed to be going out on boats at dusk and dawn on the Colorado River just North of the Mexico border alone. Well, if you read the news, there is alot of human trafficing, drug trafficing, murder, theft... on the Mexico border right now. Sooooo... I don't care what kind of gun you are packing (and I would have been carrying one or both of mine) you are still not in a good situation. Besides, going out on the water alone is just irresponsible anyway. This was not something I was told I would be doing. So, I decided it was best for me to stay. Josh was so gracious when I told him I wanted to stay. I am so grateful to him.
My coworkers threw me a surprise going away party, too! Except, when I told Josh that I was staying that morning, they changed it to a Loren is staying party! They even gave me presents! I got a gun cleaning mat, earplugs, (yes, Bart is still intregued that I own guns), a really nice pocket knife, and a beach chair. You guys are awesome!
I just got back from running on the beach. I had a great time, and I am getting better at running distances, though I am woefully slow and pathetic still. I smell terrible.
Tonight I am going to go out to the docks and throw my cast net to see what I pull up. I actually caught a sea horse once! I don't expect to get one of those, but who knows what I will bring up!
Hey, Bruce! You can comment on these posts if you want to. Lets me know when you have been on! Hope you are having fun and being carefull. I miss you. alot.

I am going to Arizona!

Hi Loren,

I would be excited for you to join my field crew in AZ/CA this spring. Sorry to
make you an offer via email, but my phone access is limited right now because I
am in the field. As I mentioned on the phone, the field season officially
begins on March 9. However, due to the short notice I can be flexible on the
start date. We can discuss the start date if needed. For me, the sooner you
would be willing to start the better. We will pay for housing. Feel free to take until Friday to make your decision.
Please let me know if you have any further questions. I will check email at least once per day.

I look forward to hearing from you,

-Chris

My phone interview. 2 of 2

Wow. I have never had things get so crazy on me so quickly before.

Today I had that phone interview from the University of Arizona. I was supposed to get the call at 10:00 Arizona time. So, I drove to a good location on the island and waited for the call at 9:00 our time. Oops. After waiting about ten minutes I realized my mistake and went back to work.

When 11:00 rolled around I finally got to the interview. There are three states I might get to work in: Arizona, Alabama, and South Carolina. Chris asked if I wanted to stay in Alabama. I told him I would like to see Arizona. However, I might have squashed my chances of getting out there.

He told me what sites I would be working on if I were to stay in Alabama: Grand Bay and Weeks Bay. Well we have projects going on there, and I said that. Of course, considering that I already know the area and I am already here, surely he would put me here. To top it off, I already know the guy I would be working with out here. So, I can't imagine he would even consider sending me out to Arizona. Maybe that is a good thing, but I have wanted to go out there for a long time.

Chris said I would be living in a bunkhouse doing marsh bird surveys from mid March through late June at the earliest. We would be up before the sun and out for about four hours, then back home for the afternoon. Then we would conduct night surveys. I would have two sites, so each week I would flip flop between the two.

If I go out to Arizona I will be working in Az and California on planned burn sites. They are trying to reintroduce indigenous plant species and draw endangered species back to the areas. I would work on a team of five if I went out there. I prefer to work on teams.

So, after the interview I returned to the lab and sat with Just to talk about the discussion and my options. While we were talking Chris called for a reference. Just said he gave him a wonderful description of me- he is so generous- and Chris was very pleased. Just said we are going to plan as though I have already received the job. So, we made plans for the future. After I am done there- wherever there is- I will return here to work until the end of 2009. This is assuming they do not offer me another position that I might want to take.

So, this weekend I am going home and I am going to bring as much with me as I can. I will find out next week if I got the job. Then, if I did, the craziness begins as I scramble to get all of my stuff packed and moved out.

Maybe I have another job? 1 of 2

Well, it has been a while since I last produced a really good post for this blog. No, don't get too excited. I'm not promising anything.

Monday I applied for a new internship with the University of Arizona. I had been told about this internship some time ago. I had just never seen the listing actually make the headlines. Then an email was forwarded to me with the listing in it. Seems I had missed it being posted and now they were still looking for folks. I had wanted this internship because it is a survey of marsh birds. That is my style! I thought I had two options: Southeast or Northeast. But now I am being told that I can either go to South Carolina, Alabama, or Arizona.

Well, I have always wanted to see Texas and Arizona. I don't know why. That is just something that has been of interest to me. So, you know that I would love to take the position in Arizona. That will take me far away from my family and friends, but as I said it is an internship and will not be long- just about 3 or 4 months.
Hopefully, right after that I will return to Dauphin Island in time for the HOT season (pronounced: sunscreen, beach, and bikinis). I don't know what is in store for me when I get back, or even if there will be a position open for me to return to.
All in all, I am a little nervous about this. I had planned my spring and summer down here at the Island, but given this new turn of events, things might change- and quickly!

This position should be starting in March. March is next week! That barely gives me enough time to eat all of my perishable food! I think the term lasts until June. Not bad.

I have several concerns. First of all, I have been trying to get some of my friends down here for spring break. Now, if I took this position I will be leaving before they come, I think. I do know this much- I have told them I am not going anywhere before March 9th!

My stream of consciousness tends this way: I am going home this weekend. If I am going to Arizona soon, I had better pack a good deal of my things so I can leave them at home- you know, the stuff you don't use, but have piled up? I don't think I will be able to move out in one car load anymore! I have been bringing things down ever time I take a trip home! I need to plan for that.

Secondly, I need to make sure I have a job to come back to- and not leave them high and dry when I leave. I am their only full time intern right now! Who will get the work done?! I also want to make sure that I am not left in the cold. I don't want to wait tables if I run out of time over there and don't have anything in line.

Thirdly, I have to notify everyone that I have been making plans with. I hope that doesn't screw up their worlds.

Fourthly, there are folks here that I will be leaving. Andrea and Michelle, my heart breaks that I would lose you guys as roommates. You have spoiled me. Alvin, I was hoping to get to bike around the island this summer and see you too! It is so much better standing around and chatting when it is warm outside, right? Ryan, just when we got to live close together again, one of us is moving. But you said you will be around at least until September, so I think this may just be a little hiccup in our time together. Bruce, I am glad you are leaving first. It would be a no deal if it weren't that way. I think this is what makes this decision easiest on me. I am perfectly comfortable spending a few months on adventure. It will make the time you are gone pass by faster.

And lastly, Aunt Marsha, I really wanted one of those puppies! I have to get all of my information and find out if it will work out for me to take one with me. You know how much I want to!

I heard back from the man who is hiring. I have an interview tomorrow at 9:00! I really believe I will be offered the position. Here is why: The position was open for some time. However, as per his email, some of the positions fell through. This means that he needs people- and judging by the time line and how quickly he emailed me back, he needs them now. I will post the results of the interview tomorrow.

This being said, I spoke to Josh (my lab manager) about this and he said that he and Just (my boss) needed to talk to me. I joked that I was getting fired and Josh said, "Yes, fired, and rehired." This may mean that they were going to offer me a full time position. Oi, does it get any more sticky? Why do all of these opportunities occur at once? It always happens this way too!

So, now it is a waiting game. I have to ask the right questions tomorrow. I have to inform my lab about what is happening. I need to know if I can return here after this job. There is so much to get right, I hope I don't drop the ball and mess up someone else's plans!

"Whenever you are having a rough day,

feeling lonely,

sad,

blue,

or you think that people do not understand you,

always remember, that were I by your side,

I would be wrapping my strong arms around you,

holding you close against me,

and truly caring for you as best I can,

but since I am not,

Imagine that I am, because,

most likely, at that very moment,

regardless of whenever it might be,

chances are,

I am Imagining the same thing,

and wishing I was."

...................

Only the best love poem ever

I ran up the door, opened the stairs, said my pajamas and put on my prayers - turned off my bed, tumbled into my light, and all because he kissed me good-night!

I retook the GRE yesterday and I got the scores I needed! It is spectacular! I actually got lower on the verbal then I did last time, but I got almost a hundred points higher than I did on the quantitative last time. So now, I have the scores I needed for Auburn to look at me. But I don't have to grades I need.
Yeah, I am having a rough time of it this semester with my courses. GIS and Remote Sensing is the one that is hurting me so badly. I just can't get this stuff. I am seriously considering dropping the course because it is going to bring my grades down.

My poor dog got neutered this weekend, so he is recovering, though he did and is doing well. He is alot more clinging than he was before, sitting in my lap and falling asleep in my arms. I hope this doesn't change him too dramatically, but so far everything seems to be the same.

I'm not good at blogs. I was never good at diaries either. Not that anyone cares anyway.
Well, I am graduating in August if all goes well. That would be great.
I am still reveling in my latest victory. I got two A's and two B's in my hardest semester yet. The joy and amazement of it all absolutely blew me away. I still, as I type this, am ecstatic. I imagine some of you who are reading this are the ones who have a 3.5 at their lowest. But I struggle for every grade I make. And here I am. I worked so hard for those grades.
Well, as I said, I am graduating in August, Lord willing. After that I am trying to get to Auburn in the fall for a masters in Wildlife Sciences.
I have gotten three letters of recommendation, an application, and a GRE done already. I have also talked with one professor to try and get on a research project and get a major professor.
Well, I have run into two dilemmas. First, my GPA is not high enough. I need at least a 3.0. Well, my GPA took a great shot in the arm this semester, but it still isn't 3.0. I have calculated that I need pretty much all A's this semester to get a 3.0. I can do that. I can do that. I can do that. sigh.
My second problem? I did not get the score I needed on the GRE to get in to Auburn. I did very well on the verbal part of the test. Almost 100 points above the required number. But I got 20 points short of the cut off on the Quantitative section. I was so confused looking at some of those equations. Now I am going to retake the GRE. I can't retake it until next month at the soonest.
Oh help. It was a four hour test. It cost me $140 dollars that I don't have. I think it almost killed me too. I don't want to retake it. I have no choice.
Yup, that's my lif right now.

Chlorine Out

This is a recipe I found that really helps to remove chlorine from my hair. As I am usually in a highly chlorinated tank for a few hours each week, my hair gets pretty bad. This recipe also cleans dogs, bud vases, and about anything else you need to get really clean and didn't think you could.
I don't usually leave it on for thirty minutes. Maybe I should.

Chlorine out

1. Mix 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of mild shampoo together until well blended.
2. Wet hair and massage mixture into hair and scalp, making sure hair ends are coated.
3. Cover hair with a plastic bag, shower cap, or towel and leave on for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse hair well and shampoo as usual.

What became of the Trade Towers?

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back."

The ship's motto? "Never Forget"

Please keep this going so everyone can see what we are made of in this country!

Dept. of Trans. email reply on gas $

Loren Marino,

The following online document from the Department of Energy (DOE) discusses how gasoline prices are established, why they fluctuate, and why they differ according to region: http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/brochures/
gasolinepricesprimer/eia1_2005primerM.html

The DOE Energy and Price Trends web site is: http://www.energy.gov/pricestrends/index.htm

For additional information or guidance, your best course of action is to contact the DOE directly.

Contact information for the DOE can be found at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/contactus.html

To report gas price-gouging in your area, use the DOE's e-mail form at http://gaswatch.energy.gov/

You may also wish to contact your elected federal or state representatives.

For contact information, please see:

Elected Federal Representatives: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/legbranch/cis.html

Elected State Representatives: http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/stategov/stategov.html

Sincerely,

Reference Services
National Transportation Library
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
U. S. Department of Transportation

Ga$-contact your representatives. Here is how.

Gas prices are up and noone is saying much. So, we really need to start talking. We got to above $3.00 today. I have never seen that before.

These are the people you need to contact:

U.S. Congressman
U.S. Senator
Department of Transportation.

These are the websites to find your representatives:

http://www.senate.gov/
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.dot.gov/

This was my letter to my representatives:

Dear Sir,
I am dismayed to have seen today that the gas prices in my city are up above $3.00.

I am writing to request some information about this matter.

What is driving the prices so high?
What have you done to help bring the prices down?
What progress are you seeing in your efforts?

I am a 25 year old college student working steadily to provide for my present and future needs. But I need a champion. We all, as a nation, need to see that our authorities are standing up against these companies.
The news is full of stories of the oil companies making vast profits. What reason, then, would there be to raise the prices? It is disheartening, and discouraging.
Most people I talk to express distress, not anger, with the gas prices alone. We can not cut the cost out of our lives. Many can not even reduce the distances they are driving.

We need relief. Please address this issue for the good of the people you are representing.

Sincerely,
Loren Marino

mold anyone?

I was looking at a kitchen magazine and they had some lovely cheese tags. The picture reminded me of an anecdote from when I was younger.
I was at Bruno's waiting on my mother. She was having lunchmeats cut for us and I was looking at the cheeses as I always did. I liked to squeeze them trying to find out how soft they were. I liked Mozzarella far before I ever tried it simply because it was so soft.
Well, I found a cheese that was moldy. I was embarrassed to think that they were so careless as to let their cheeses go bad like that.
I brought the cheese to a baker and he took it with a knowing, amused, and puzzled look. It was as though he wanted to laugh at me with disdain. I thought he was arrogant not to be grateful I spared them from embarrassment.
I went back to the rack and found another. I returned to the baker and gave that one to him as well.
I did find more, and in irritation I wrote them off as ignorant and left the rest.
I bet the cheese was Blue Cheese, on further reflection.

Do you really 'hate'?

There is a statement a friend made that I was only recently reminded about. He said
"If I really hate someone I would be willing to kill them; and if I love them, I would die for them."
How often do we hear, or worse, say, "I hate (him/her)" What is worse, sometimes we entertain thoughts of disdain and consider ourselves justified, never realizing how wrong it is even though we did not externalize the thoughts.
I recall being upset about someone using foul language because they were angry. Then I realized that sometimes when I am upset I am cruel. There really is no difference. One says it while the other acts it out.
The Bible says in 1 John 3:15
'Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.'

BJU's plea for prayer

This is the email sent out to the parents BJU students.

Dear Parent:

In chapel on Thursday, March 15, I will inform our students that a gay/lesbian/bisexual/ transgender advocacy group called Soulforce Equality Riders intends to visitBob Jones University’s campus April 4. I want to summarize for you what we will be telling the students about the background and goals of this group and about the University’s position and plans for managing the event.

Founded in 1998, Soulforce initially protested religious groups holding policies on the issue of homosexuality. It first targeted educational institutions in 2005, and in 2006 organized a group called Equality Riders which traveled to 19 colleges and universities. Reaction at those schools was mixed; some schools set up forums for dialogue and others refused them access to their campuses. Knowing BJU could be a likely future target, we tracked those visits closely.

This spring, two groups of Equality Riders are targeting 33 colleges. Their stated purposes are to dialogue with administrators, faculty, and students; to make clear that the belief that homosexuality is a sickness and a sin is harmful; and to convince administrators to change policies at their institutions. The group first communicated with BJU last fall and early this year informed us they will visit BJU April 4.

Please be assured that BJU did not invite Soulforce to our campus. The reality is just the opposite. We have repeatedly told them that “given our belief that the teaching of Scripture on this subject is clear and our sense of responsibility to our students and their parents, we could not participate in any discussions or allow any access to our campus or student body.” They have informed us they are coming anyway.

There are a number of reasons we cannot give Soulforce access to our campus and students. First, as Bible-believing Christians, our faith and practice is based on Scripture, which speaks clearly and consistently about God’s boundaries for sexual expression. Second, BJU follows biblical principles for living—not singling out homosexuality in our policies but following the Bible’s teaching on the whole matter of sexuality. Third, granting access would violate a trust between you and the University. We cannot allow a group antithetical to your expectations or to the clear teaching of Scripture to come onto our campus with the expressed purpose of undermining Scripture. Finally, Soulforce’s stated goals make true dialogue impossible. It is clear that their goal is not dialogue, but one-sided arguments aimed at changing our policies.

While our objective is to keep the Equality Riders off campus, we will respond to them in a manner consistent with our stated beliefs. Our approach will be a clear and biblical statement of our position without inflammatory words or tone. As we have opportunity, we will present the Gospel and demonstrate the love of Christ.

Let me assure you that we have adequate plans and resources in place to manage the event and that your young people will be safe and secure. We will provide students logistical instructions the day before the event, and they will know what to do and how to react.

In addition, we will also use this occasion as a teaching opportunity—to make sure our students thoroughly understand what Scripture teaches about homosexuality and a biblical response to it. This generation of students will face this issue for many years to come, and they need to be grounded in the biblical perspective. And we want to help any who may be struggling with the issue in their own personal lives.

Please pray earnestly for the university family as April 4 approaches. We need the Lord’s wisdom and grace.

Sincerely,

Stephen Jones
President