Boston Bound

Boston Christmas

2010-01-02T06:32:00.001-08:00

A Very Special Thanksgiving

2009-11-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving is particularly special.

The Lord has made us rich; we have stable minds and bodies, jobs we enjoy, families who love and support us, a roof over our heads, steady income, heat, clothes, food. We are rich indeed. And looking back over our lives, it is easy to pinpoint the many ways in which we have squandered our riches. But God has chosen to continue to heap blessings upon us. And so we choose to hold onto our gifts loosely, so as to give in the gracious ways we have been given.

That said, we now have a whole new blessing in our lives: the gift of new life. And so, without further ado, we introduce to you... "Vanilla Bean."

Annual Leaf Drive and Apple Picking

2009-10-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

New Hampshire

2009-10-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Sam's parents came to visit us at the end of September. They graciously treated us to a long weekend in New Hampshire and Maine. It was so wonderful to have them!

Camping in Vermont

2009-09-13T15:36:00.001-07:00

We can finally check Vermont off our list of states to visit! We headed up to Lake Champlain this past weekend for a quick get away. The weather was perfect and we had a beautiful campsite right on the lake. Sam rocked the fire pit and we enjoyed s'mores every night. New England summers go by so quickly! Stay tuned for fall....

The Windy City

2009-08-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

My parents recently took us on a trip to Chicago. We had a great time catching up with family and seeing a new place. Thanks parents!

Old Friends, New Places

2009-07-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

Some old friends of ours recently came to town for a quick visit. Sam got to join them on the field for batting practice at Fenway Park. Bragging rights by any Bostonian's standards.

Fourth of July

2009-07-11T07:43:00.001-07:00

Last year we went to the Esplanade to watch the fireworks along with about 5 million other people. This year we were invited to watch them from a friend's roof deck. How cool is that?! The next day we took a walk down to Jamaica Pond and enjoyed the first summer weather of the season which should have arrived about six weeks ago. Oh well!

Out with the old...

2009-06-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I increased our number of moves in the last two years from 3 to 4 a few weekends ago when we moved upstairs to the vacant 2nd floor apartment. Here are pictures of our old apartment as we left it -- stay tuned for pictures of the new apartment once we finish arranging furniture and hanging pretty things.

Mexico Numbero Dos

2009-06-02T17:13:00.001-07:00

Mexico Numbero Uno

2009-06-02T17:09:00.001-07:00

East Boston and City Escape

2009-05-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

One Last North Shore Excursion

2009-05-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

Before we moved into East Boston we took the opportunity to visit a couple of places on the North Shore that have become dear to our hearts in the last year and a half.

New Apartment

2009-04-03T01:06:00.000-07:00

We are moving to East Boston this Saturday. We are really excited for the chance to live close to the city and our new church community, but also sad to leave Mill Street and all our friends here. If you are around Saturday and need something to do you are officially invited to help us move! We will feed you!

Out of the Loop

2009-02-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

Sarah apologizes for her lack of blog updates.....oh wait, this isn't facebook.

Sorry Friends (and Mom)! We have been hanging out in the low maitenence world of facebook and have neglected our blog. The winter has forced a slow down in our New England explorations, but here are a couple pictures from the last few months.

CA Shower Power

2008-08-31T06:58:00.001-07:00

I recently flew down to CA to throw a shower for my georgous sister Amy who is getting married to the awesome and talented Gabriel Wahl in October. It was a crazy couple days, but with a lot of help (thanks Mom and Marsha!) we managed to pull it off and squeeze in a Dodger game (thanks Dad & Uncle Dave!).

Wrapping up Summer

2008-08-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

The weather here has definitely started to take a turn towards fall and so we bid a fond farewell to our short summer. Yea Summer, we hardly knew ye.

Red Sox game at Fenway Park!

2008-08-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

Before Sarah left her previous job, she managed to receive some Red Sox tickets from an employer who had many outrageous demands. A few weeks ago we finally reaped those benefits. The whole time we felt like royalty (we were a few rows from the field). It really was a surreal experience.

So close! Bill Cosby threw the first pitch.

We had perfect weather, and eventually a full moon smiled down upon us.

This week's community meal

2008-08-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

At Mill Street House, one of the requirements (perks) of living together is that we share a meal once a week. Last week it was our turn to cook, and Sarah decided that we'd incorporate a little field trip as well. On Wednesdays in the summer, Boston Landmark Orchestra gives a free concert at a hatch shell in a park that nestles against the Charles River. Sadly, not everyone was able to make it (just us and the second floor), it was still a grand ole event.

Sarah made quite the feast (Ian was a bit overwhelmed with the options), which we enjoyed right in front of the hatch shell.

It's really quite a beautiful location, overlooking the Charles River and Cambridge.

Once the music started, many of us were captivated... some of us weren't... All in all, it was a great time of good company, good food, and great music!

Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted

2008-07-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

"Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, So do our minutes hasten to their end."
- William Shakespeare

Sam's grandfather passed away suddenly on Friday night at 96 years old. What a long life he was blessed with! Sam has gone to Kansas to attend the funeral and spend some time with his family. Please pray for comfort for the friends and family of Ralph Albertson and safety for all who are traveling.

Summer Funnings

2008-07-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Here's more pictures from random summer events. Enjoy!

Walden Pond -- 24 miles away! Oceanfront -- 1.2 miles away!

Our porch away from home -- .000001 miles away! Homegrown basil!

Company outing to the Zoo! Pensive gorilla.

Immodest lion. Tunky groundhog.

Boston Orchestra + Fireworks = 4th of July Boston-Style

2008-07-08T10:38:00.001-07:00

Discombobulated

2008-07-02T13:14:00.001-07:00

(This was the subject of my e-mail to Brad Harper, my dearest academic mentor and friend)

So a few things have occurred to make me academically discombobulated. Some of you may know that I recently added a Master's in Counseling to my program, mainly for "job security" upon graduation and to utilize some of my gifts that wouldn't otherwise be utilized in a strictly educational setting (there are some issues with that statement that I will let go un-addressed). I was thankful that the "what am I going to do with my life" question was starting to see some resolve.

But first I found out that Linda Cannell, a professor that I 70% came out here to sit under, will no longer be teaching here in the upcoming Fall. Although that has been hard for me to discover, it is actually a good thing for her and also this school. Yet in meeting with Steve Kang, my sole "academic mentor" out here, he told me that he felt like the counseling degree would not be good for me. What would be ideal for me, he declared, is a unique PhD program at Emory University called Person, Community, and Religious Life. After careful review, it does indeed look quite enjoyable (a good "plan B" -- or A would be this program at Vanderbilt). He told me that I would need to "straddle" my current program with another program from a school in the area, such as Boston College (MA in Applied Developmental & Educational Psychology), Boston University (MA in Human Development and Education), or Harvard (MA in Human Development and Psychology). Upon further financial consideration, I've decided that I can't do both GCTS and another program in the area -- I must choose one. He said that my theoretical interests just can't be fanned into flame at GCTS like they would elsewhere, which is dauntingly true. Speaking of daunting, I would need to learn German and French in order to even get into the program at Emory...

Sarah has been very supportive in either direction. It's been hard to be objective, so any input from cyberspace is helpful. It's hard because on the one hand, Steve knows my theoretical interests very well but not my background (and my desire for psychological healing). And yet... Brad Harper, who probably knows me best in all my mentors, strongly recommended the PhD program.

So basically we have some huge, life-altering decisions to make in the next month or two...

Prayer?

Camping!

2008-06-20T16:11:00.001-07:00

So we broke in our new camera (thanks mom and dad Beard!) by snapping some pictures of our first ever unsupervised camping trip. We had a lot of fun, even though we got rained out the second day. We got to get all perspectives of Tully Lake (western Mass): we hiked around it, we kayaked on it, and we swam in it. The mosquitos were absolutely awful, but other than that we had a blast and would do it again!

To Abridge or Not To Abridge

2008-06-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

I am a classic novel enthusiast. I love getting lost in a good story line, feeling the world around you slide away as you shift into Revolutionary France or Victorian England. I am absolutely fascinated by these artists who can transform your world with a sentence, creating characters who come alive and are as dear as an old friend.

I recently picked up a copy of the Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas and found it surprisingly thin for such an epic novel. All hail the wonders of abridgement. The translators defense of mutilating this cultural treasure was the modern person has no time to read a 1,000+ page volume. I find this a sad commentary on the state of our culture. Yes, we are busy. We live in a world of microwaves and multitasking. However, I cant help but wonder how much more time we would have if we weren't addicted to the television.

These works of art have stood the test of time. They have transported generation upon generation of readers, inspiring imaginations across the span of time and space.... until they got to us in all our efficient glory.

An author is an artist. His canvas is his paper and his brush a pen. The world would weep if anyone should ever "revise" the Mona Lisa or Starry Night. So please, hands off my Dumas and Hugo.

My Favorite Thing I Know Nothing About

2008-06-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have become overwhelmingly in love with gardening. I know almost nothing about it, never having had one of my own, but I pour over every issue of Better Homes and Gardens & Southern Living hoping it will all sink into the recess of my mind. Someday, someday. Until then, there is this awesome website that has some helpful hints for small space gardening and just some awesome down to earth advice. Balcony - get ready to be transformed!

http://www.yougrowgirl.com/index.php

Movie MeMe

2008-05-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

So before Sarah gives her update on work-related news, I must reply to my dear friend Eric's Movie MeMe challenge. And since there is no category for this, I must put in a plug for the last really good movie I've seen: Charlie Wilson's War. A bit "worldly" but very witty, very insightful, and great performances.

1. One movie that made you laugh
Hot Fuzz

2. One movie that made you cry
I Am Sam -- not because I share names with the main character. That scene where they are tearing the girl away from Sam... only heartless trolls will give no emotive response to that scene.

3. One movie you loved when you were a child
Flight of the Navigator! (Close tie with Swiss Family Robinson)

4. One movie you’ve seen more than once
Punch Drunk Love

5. One movie you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it
Toss-up between Zoolander and Baseketball

6. One movie you hated
Art School Confidential -- I want my time and money back.

7. One movie that scared you
Art School Confidential -- people got paid to make this movie. Frightening.

8. One movie that bored you
Transformers

9. One movie that made you happy
Amelie -- only heartless trolls will give no emotive response to this movie.

10. One movie that made you miserable
Last King of Scotland

11. One movie you weren’t brave enough to see
Most movies (i.e. The Ring, 28 Days Later)

12. One movie character you’ve fallen in love with
Val Kilmer's Doc Holliday in Tombstone. So good. (I just now re-read "fallen in love with" and rethought how I should respond to that... I'm a married man, so I'll have to go with the platonic "fallen in love")

13. The last movie you saw
Barton Fink

14. The next movie you hope to see
New Batman!

15. Now tag five people: I choose to end this here and now.

Movin'/Groovin'

2008-05-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hello whoever still reads this cob-webby blog. Thanks for your patience and diligence. We've had a few big events to necessitate a new post...

Our move into Mill Street House has been completed (although we are still living out of boxes a bit). As I alluded to last time, MSH is an intentional Anglican community. We heard about it when we went to a newcomer's Advent dinner last December, upon meeting Beth Maynard. Beth is a priest who sometimes officiates at our parish, sometimes teaches at Gordon-Conwell on liturgical formation, and runs -- with her husband Mark -- MSH. It's a normal apartment building, a New England triple-decker home with a kitchen and bathroom on each floor. However, there are a lot of unique elements...

1) We all meet every morning in the chapel on the second floor for Morning Prayer (following the Book of Common Prayer). This takes about 20 minutes.
B) Although more optional than morning prayer, we meet in the evenings for Compline (Evening Prayer).
III) We all meet for community meals once a week. A different "family" cooks each week.
FOUR). We all are expected to serve (in some capacity) in the local community. Mill Street is not a very nice part of town (although I wouldn't say it is necessarily dangerous either). We are to serve by being friendly neighbors and a formative -- although subtle -- voice in the community.
Appendix) We will share our floor with another couple. This means sharing everything but our room (kitchen, bathroom...). Although not exactly convenient, this is an opportunity to live our convictions about the rampant individualism of American life. We will learn together how to open ourselves to Christian community while maintaining healthy boundaries on important things like our marriage -- and the many ways our communal and individual identities overlap as Christians (trinitarian!).

So, we are quite literally diving into liturgical life. Someone recently told us that it will be exciting, difficult, confusing, revelatory; in all, an incarnational venture in that something as simple as the passing of time becomes a Christian and worshipful activity.

Also, Sarah has some news regarding her job -- but before I make it public, I better check with her on how much to reveal :-) What a good husband I am, huh? Please check back with more updates on work and school. Thanks for reading these words and being interested in our lives.

(By the way, I "stole" this picture from Beth's blog -- thanks, Beth! Our digital camera, in true Albertson fashion, is now broken)

Another Video

2008-04-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

In my researchings on latest album releases, I stumbled upon this hilarious and short video that was posted on the Island's website. Enjoy

We Finally Came Out of the Political Closet on Our Seminary Campus

2008-04-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Thought you might enjoy that as a nice appetizer to some news. Let's start with a few negative things...

- We've had some dear friends (some here, some back in Colorado) experience some unexpected tragedy. This has been bearing on our hearts as we interact with them and/or pray for them.

- Sarah's work has become very busy and difficult to manage at times. She is a trooper, though, and has come up with some great games and ways of bearing through the tough time.

- School has been unbelievably stressful lately. The end feels so far off, even as the sun shines and warms frigid New England...

But on the positive side...

+ We will be moving into the Mill Street House in a month and we are excited. The Mill Street House is an intentional community that is liturgical. That basically means we'll be living with another couple on our floor (sharing bathroom and kitchen) and having morning and evening prayers together (following the BCP). More news on this exciting gem to come...

+ I found out I was selected to be the TA for the Ed Min program director here at GCTS. I also will be doing an independent study with a great prof on "Human Development and Trinitarian Communion." That will be in the Fall and I am so excited about that.

+ We've been asked to be on a board at our church that works toward further social justice in the immediate ecclesial and global setting (called Boston Faith and Justice Network).

+ Both sets of parents (and one brother) will be visiting New England, and bringing summer with them. We are excited to see all of the aforementioned.

Support for the Mugari's

2008-04-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Friends, I will be sending out an e-mail over the next few days to raise support for some dear friends of mine. I have cut-and-pasted it into this post to kick-off my role as "fund-raiser" for our friends. Please strongly think and pray over the following info. You will also likely get an e-mail about this in the next week.

You all know that I began studying at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary last Fall. Many of you don't know, however, about some friends from Zimbabwe Sarah and I met not long after our arrival. Jorum and Evah Mugari (and their two children Adrian and Rosanne) are experiencing America for the first time, and although many Americans feel like our government is corrupt, the Mugari's can offer a much clearer definition of corrupt government. 45% of the population of Zimbabwe is malnourished, unemployment is over 85%, one in four has HIV-AIDS (350 children in Zimbabwe are orphaned every day due to the disease), and inflation is as high as 150,000% (the price of a carton of milk taken from a supermarket shelf can be higher by the time it reaches the checkout!). All this means that Zimbabwe currently has the lowest life expectancy in the world (women can expect to live to 34) and this country has the world's second highest diaspora (per capita), following only Palestine. The Zimbabwean government, led by the despised president Robert Mugabe (see a recent NYTimes article on the man and his deteriorating nation here; see current news of the state of the current elections here) who continues to maintain power through rigged elections. Recently, I saw a map of Africa detailing President Bush's visit, and Zimbabwe was in the shadow of the many other nations gaining American attention -- due to the prohibition of aid for Zimbabwe.

Our friends barely made it to the states to follow God's call of ministry through biblical leadership. Yet there "happened" to be a two-day window when the government was giving out passports, and Jorum and his entire family "happened" to each receive one (literally, a miracle). Jorum often tells me of the huge weight that is on his shoulders, having had witnessed daily atrocities of AIDS and the physical malnourishment of his people (largely because of the selfish over-nourishment on the part of a sinful government) but also to see how God has clearly brought him here to be a witness to a Kingdom which knows no corruption.

Jorum and his family plan to return to Zimbabwe in 2010. But there is one problem: his aid runs out at the end of this December. The Lord has faithfully provided for him and his family until now and they are confident He won't leave them in this foreign land. I often come home to my apartment building, my heart heavy with wondering about my own education and missing my friends and family; but then I see Jorum's always-smiling face, and I remember what he has seen and experienced. Jorum's ministry has included providing family and support for orphans of AIDS victims (he often traveled across the face of Africa to find family-members who can provide for the orphaned children of his community); he ministers to street-kids, who call him "Bass Jore" (Boss Jorum); he offers support for the Theological College of ZImbabwe; and he actively serves in his church. But his real passion is to transform a corrupt government through the power of a Peaceful Kingdom.

Jorum came to me a few weeks ago with his concern of (a) even returning to his country and (b) returning with the proper training he set out to achieve. I told him he was my dear friend, and I would do everything in my power to help him in his incredible ministries to a nation where Christianity is spreading quicker than it is deteriorating here (to hear the most amazing sermon on the future of Global Christianity, which has completely changed my perspective, click here). This brings me to the reason for this e-mail. God is working across his globe, and unfortunately we often don't get to see the fruit here in the States. The Mugari family has been a blessing to the Gordon-Conwell campus, and they have been good friends to me and Sarah. Will you consider to join the Lord in his work in Zimbabwe by supporting Jorum and his family and his profound ministry opporunities? Support will go to regular provision of necessities such as health insurance (a pain in the state of Massachussetts), groceries, schooling, and so forth. Obviously, they are in a continual process of finding ways to cut corners. Once the Lord provides for the Mugari's and they return to Zimbabwe, the continued aid will go toward the many ministries listed above. I have volunteered to be part of a team which oversees this process of fund-raising and support which will build lifelong bridges between faith communities across the States and the deteriorating country of Zimbabwe. Will you be a pillar in that bridge? Send checks (specify "Zimbabwe" in the Memo line) to:

True Sojourners

P. O Box 830

Barrington, NH 03825

More importantly, please consider supporting the Mugari's through prayer, and by frequently checking for upadates on Jorum's Blog. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Muh Hairs Gut Cut

2008-03-06T14:15:00.000-08:00

Before:

During:

After!

Living' Lah-ge

2008-02-29T14:24:00.000-08:00

My apologizes for the recent post, admittedly semi-depressing. I guess I realized I don't want to post a whole bunch of "We're doing great and life is rosey" posts, which is not a true representation of life. So, let's even things back out a bit...

Over the MLK holiday weekend, Sarah and I went into Boston and made use of the $500 gift card for the Taj Hotel (the first Ritz Carlton in Boston), which Sarah's boss gave to her for Christmas. It was such an expensive hotel that we spent the whole thing on the room, parking, and dinner and drinks in the bar. We spent some time doing minimal shopping on Newbury Street (a cross between Portland's 23rd Street and the Pearl) and exploring Chinatown.

Although we got to pamper ourselves in luxury we never see in our day-to-day experience, we both realized how empty the "living large" lifestyle truly is. We overheard sad discussions between couples and parents with their children. We felt the "you're here to suit my needs" mentality given to staff. We even tasted the temptation of craving more and more things. How deceptive that lifestyle is, and although it was nice to drink expensive drinks and have valet parking, we are happy that it was a one-time experience.

Grapevine Rd > 128 N > School St > 127 N > Singing Beach

2008-02-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a hard day. Sometimes our geographic isolation becomes too tangible for our hearts. In all, we are missing vital life-transitions in the lives of dear loved ones. We grieved together in silence for some time. This did not suffice, and the melody of Singing Beach was needed for additional comfort.Twelve minutes later, we emerged on the frozen sands of Manchester's beach. It was 5'o'clock and the sun was still fighting against the gloom of clouds filled with ice. The snow kept to itself, isolated in divots of sand. I snapped some pictures and we fell into our usual beach-gait (this time, sans coffee). The wind swept our faces, eliminating any speech that would have escaped our lips. Nature kept us silent. The sky was so eerily calming and yet isolating as we contemplated the expanse separating us from family and friends. We traversed the sands, periodically asking what the other person was thinking, and then offering limited responses. I stepped into smaller footsteps frozen from a fellow beach sojourner, with paw-prints dancing in and out. As I set into a persistent pace, I thought about the rhythmic and difficult submission of the self through the celebration of Lent. How isolation practiced with temperance inevitably brings nearness to a crucified Messiah.
The snow started to fall. Fast. Yet the sun remained, with its dependable tenacity. The flakes whipped my face and quickly made a speckled spectacle of my thick black coat. I thought of turning back, but my pace continued to match Sarah's. As soon as the frigid onslaught began, it was over. Oh how we wished for an abrupt end to our heartache as well. I admired the cold and naked fingers of the New England treetops and how they continued to reach heavenward, in urgent expectation for the glorious clothing of Spring.

Sometimes we hurt and all we can do is keep a persistent pace.

A New Semester

2008-02-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

Well, this is a busy time. I barely finished my final paper for my J Term class, only to start into a whole new schedule with a whole new set of demands. My semester actually does not look quite as daunting as I thought it was going to be, in spite of my five classes. Kyrie elesion. Feeling better situated in our new home, this semester also proves to be more along my academic trajectory with some very intriguing projects.

Sarah has had some good news at her work. She got a raise last December, accompanying a promise to move into a cubicle to better focus on her duties. This was music to Sarah's ears -- but music which never really began. But her raise finally came through recently, and on Friday she finally settled into her new cubicle. This has been a huge relief.

Church is going great. We will start a new class tomorrow called "Lazarus at the Gate." The description in the bulletin is as follows:

an economic discipleship group sponsored by the Boston Faith and Justice Network, will meet Mondays, beginning February 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Fr. Bergner’s office. The twelve sessions, will promote simple living, just consumerism, and collective giving in response to global poverty. We will study biblical themes regarding wealth and poverty, and candidly look at our own budgets, examining how we currently spend, save, and give, and then make concrete changes in those areas. At the end of the group, we will decide where to make a collective gift aiding the cause of global poverty.

So, we are eager to fellowship with some folks at our church, gathering around a very godly cause. Altogether, this will be an exciting but busy semester. The Lord continues to provide.

Genius

2008-01-10T13:02:00.000-08:00

The new Beirut album is one of many innovative albums that came out of 2007. I was somewhat reluctant to purchase the album, thinking his* sound could not really be improved upon. I was sorely mistaken. Watch the below two videos, which are so clever and well-made, matching the music.

Zach Condon, after he dropped out of high school, traveled through Europe following a group of traveling musicians, and soon became enthralled with their music and personalities. He brought this back to the States and formed Beirut.

New Year, New Transportation, New Destination

2008-01-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, and my sincerest apologies for negligence toward this meager blog of ours. Thank you to the few of you out there, and Sarah's mom, who regularly peruse our ever out-dated blog. On to the items of newness...

We got a new car! As our last vehicular child was named "Mass-Subie," our new Forester which we purchased in New Hampshire shall be called "The Hamp-ster" (thanks to Sarah's creativity for that one). We threw down a little bit more than we got back from the insurance agency in order to slightly upgrade to a model we have been ogling for months.I will be adding a Master's of Counseling to my program. Although this stretches out our stay in New England, it also gives me some more concrete options for income upon my graduation, when Sarah and I will flip-flop our economic responsibilities to make way for little Albertsons. This is relieving for me, since I have gotten used to responding to the question "What do you hope to do with that degree?" with "Uh, I dunno... me like learnings." All kidding aside, although Education is certainly still part of my long-term goals, and I am still glad to have come out here to study under Dr. Cannell and the Education Triumvirate, it is nice to have a 5-10 year settle-down plan a bit more confirmed. I feel like these areas of study feed each other well, and being a Counselor will utilize some of my gifts that Education may not be able to employ in the same ways.

So this semester I will be adding a few counseling courses (Theories of Personality and Cross-Cultural Counseling) to my lone Education class (Understanding Learners) and a few online courses (Theology Survey and sumpin' else). I am excited for my J Term class, Old Testament Ethics with Walt Kaiser, starting next Monday.

Thanks for loving us and doing such a great job of staying in touch. We miss you all. Here's a few more pictures for your enjoyment.

View of the New England winter landscape from our window
Out to eat in Salem with the love of my lifeI'm puzzling

Accessibility

2007-12-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

It's astounding how easy it is to find the e-mails of scholars! I was in the middle of reading Teaching for Faith and was struck by how much Prokope aligns with one of Richard Osmer's chapters -- so I Googled his name and got his e-mail off his faculty website and shot him an e-mail about it. As well, thanks to the World Wide Web, I will be meeting with Robert Kegan next month. Give it a try!

Next step? Becoming a stalker!

Crunch

2007-12-07T05:13:00.001-08:00

I really, really, really, really should be working on one of the many responsibilities I have due next week, but I also have some pretty big news.

Last Monday, I had my very first accident and cat scan all in one day! Don't worry: my noggin and its surrounding members are okay. Alas, the car we so lovingly came to term "Mass-Subie" is no more. It goes something like this... Sarah and I awoke to our first snowy, frosty New England morning. It was absolutely gorgeous. Growing up in Colorado, I'm used to snow-covered landscapes... but something about a frosty New England is just picturesque. Sarah and I hummed Christmas tunes as I dropped her off at the train station. Driving back, on a stretch very close to campus, an on-coming SUV started drifting into my lane with its driver side facing me. I braked, swerved. To no avail. The front driver side of our car plowed into the rear passenger side of the SUV.

For those of you who have been in an accident, you understand: the impact is very scary. I don't know why, but my immediate response was to jump out of the car (I even left the car running). Everyone in the other car was okay. The wife is pregnant, though, so she stayed motionless until the police and ambulance came. They couldn't get to her well because the car was nestled against a wall, so they had to use the "jaws of life" to get her out. We all rode to the hospital to get checked out. Again, I'm okay -- just the standard neck pains from the impact.

Right now we're juggling all the insurance stuff and accident reports, while doing finals and final papers, Christmas parties with work, car shopping, Christmas shopping, and figuring out my educational plan. A little chaotic. Your prayers are coveted. But the Lord has really been good to us... but perhaps our little Subaru felt a tinge of his wrath:

"You should see the other guy"...

Theoretical Made (a Bit) More Practical

2007-11-16T05:30:00.001-08:00

So this blog will combine some elements of New England Albertson news (purpose of the blog) with some of my recent thoughts on things (a vowed non-purpose), so bear with me...

While in Portland, OR (you need to specify Portland's last name around here) and attending Bible college, there was much talk about the need to remain (multi-)culturally aware. It became very much aware to me that the Kingdom is many-colored and that this is not accidental on God's part, but indeed reflects his own many-colored nature (or, more accurately, hypostasis) and creative breath. The more this reality became apart of my thinking, the more I desired to be part of a multi-cultural community with diverse voices and perspectives on God's multi-faceted essence.

Boston is said to be one of the most diverse cities in the United States. This was exciting for me when we decided to move to the area... but I quickly realized upon arrival that we are a little ways out of the city. Sarah gets to travel everyday to the very center of this unique city, while I remain cooped up in North Shore, a very different setting indeed. However, even remaining on this campus most of the time in a given week, I still get to interact with various ethnicities: Korean (especially), African, Brazilian, Haitian, Ukrainian, and so forth.

You see, in my beginning years at Multnomah, I was blessed enough to have a class with the notorious Domani Pothen. She had the unique skill of inviting, nay demanding, classroom engagement while sustaining an atmosphere whereby comments were heard and appreciated even if engagement sometimes necessitated constructive criticism. I am reserved by nature (which may be shocking for some), and her class was pivotal for allowing me to be more engaging in the college classroom.

In the graduate classroom, I am learning to temper and make humble my classroom voice. In my class with Linda Cannell, the multi-cultural atmosphere is not only noticed, it is utilized for further learning. I realized quickly, in a class with many Korean students, some of whom are first-generation, I mustn't be so ready to give my opinion. White males, in a global comparison, will typically have larger mouths than ears. And so, I'm finding in my touting of multi-cultural settings that I need to be more and more quiet -- and it's harder than I first thought it would be. Americans need to be okay with silence and even (what may be perceived as) awkwardness. Silence is a lost teacher in the states, and I am a stubborn student.

For further, better articulated thoughts on the Western Church's need for cultural awareness, please listen to this half hour-ish sermon from a Kenyan who spoke on our campus. It changed my life.

New Addition to the Albertson Family!

2007-11-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

We have some very exciting news to share with everyone. The story goes like this...

Sarah was at work one day and her co-workers decided she could take home one of the office plants. So she excitedly toted it on the commuter train and brought it to our apartment. It was here for a few days until Sarah looked at the plant and gasped...

A frog. Sitting on the leaf.

Well, we really have no clue where this little guy came from. My best theory is that it was a mere tadpole in the crannies of the plant (which holds water quite well), and somehow found food in the wilds of a downtown Boston office. After a few weeks, we realized that we have been made rulers over this wild beast. We are responsible for a living thing.

Ten dollars later, we had a small terrarium with a small water dish, a bag of crickets, and some freshly-picked leaves and grass blades. Froggy likes to remain hidden under the leaves now that he isn't free-roaming in our apartment (even then he stuck to the leaf crannies, only occasionally venturing out onto our window or wall). We'll see how long he can stand the Albertson household...

Our New...Parish?

2007-11-08T09:37:00.000-08:00

So in my chats with friends on the Left Coast, I have discovered that it is not fully public knowledge yet that Sarah and I have landed at a church. Similar to Imago Dei when I arrived in Portland, it was the very first church we tried. I called up Nate Baxter and asked if we could join him at his church, which is called Christ Church. It is an Episcopal church, although theologically it is Anglican (evangelical doctrine, not affirming homosexuality).

How refreshing it has been to learn about the early church and some of its practices and fathers, and then to go on Sunday and experience this in worship. The theology of the Eucharist; the liturgy's ever-present emphasis on God's nature as triune; the rhythm of liturgy and finding themes in the hymns, Scriptures (there is a reading from the OT, the epistles, and then the gospels), and practices. Sometimes we get confused or uncomfortable, but we checked out a small book from the library called "The Liturgy Explained" by Thomas Howard (who goes to the church).

All three priests are pretty great in their unique way. The rector, Father Liias (he's from Estonia), invited himself to our apartment when we met him at the visitor's meeting. Neither Sarah or I have ever experienced this at any church we've ever been to! We are so thrilled to be apart of this community, and at such a vital time in the life of the Episcopal church. It can be grievous, but the attitude of Father Liias has been encouraging: he wants to seek reconciliation rather than schism, which seems pretty bleak at this point.

As individuals who grew up low-church and now attending high-church, the process of calling Christ Church our home has been a wonderful learning experience.

Visitation Rites

2007-11-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

We've recently been blessed by the presence of so many wonderful visitors to our New England home. At the end of September, Sarah's parents came and explored the North Shore with us. It was so great to see them and show them the area.
A few weeks after that, Mike and Hannah Irvine graced us with their presence. We shuffled them all over the North Shore and the greater Boston area. The weather was pretty wet (not a foreign concept for Northwesterners), but we had a great time. My brother Matt also popped in for a few days while the Irvine's were here.
Then Mr. Eric Roorback showed a thing or two to the East Coast. He too was hustled through city and field, shore and store. Thanks to all who came through our home and made it feel even more like home again.

...For a Bruisin'

2007-10-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being so negligent to this blog of ours. We have been quite active, and as is typically the case, when I eventually post news about our lives it will be corrupt with a few weeks time. If this is unsettling, perhaps you should get your Albertson news elsewhere.

All silliness aside, and in lieu of the previously-disclosed confession, I must update our blog with some photos from our (recent-ish) cruise to Cabo San Lucas with the Beard family. Much thanks to Sarah's parents for such a grand adventure. Stay tuned for updated Albertson-tidbits.

Craigslist and Zimbabwe

2007-09-24T04:49:00.000-07:00

Well, despite the somewhat socially aloof atmosphere of seminary, we have made a few friends.

Surprisingly enough, the couple we've spent the most time with thus far were introduced to us by way of Craigslist. We e-mailed them because we were interested in their entry-way table (which we never even purchased from them). They gave us some great advice on local furniture stores and restaurants - and we decided just to meet them at a local restaurant due to their kind prompting. We've met with Chris and Dalene twice more since, and it has really been fun getting to know our "Craigslist" friends. We've made it a point to try new restaurants with them, even though we've had them over and vice-versa.Our other new friends are from Zimbabwe. Jorum and Eva, and their children Adrian and Roseanne, are so freshing and kind. Sarah has watched the kids - much to her delight - and they had us over for Eva's birthday, where they served an African dish called "Sadsa." I love hearing stories about Africa - the life of his church, his ministry to orphans, the wildlife, the heartache. He keeps saying, "I love Africa, man. You must visit" which has increasingly piqued my interest.

You, You're a History in Rust

2007-09-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

Never drive into Boston right after the Red Sox finish a game.

Sarah and I were finally able to sell our old laptop to a gentleman who donates computers to women in Thailand to give them a trade (rather than sex-trafficking). He lives in "Back Bay," and gave us directions to his place - specifically warning us to steer clear of Fenway Park since they were playing a game against the much-hated Yankees. Of course, we took a wrong turn and found ourselves nestled up against crowds of drunk Red Sox fans and behind an unending snake of brake lights. We finally broke free and moseyed toward our destination.
Upon arrival at this gentleman's apartment, we showed him the laptop - which he raved about - but stated that if the internet didn't work it would be useless to him. The internet didn't work. We clicked and rebooted and sighed and clicked some more. Finally it connected, we collected our $200, and climbed hesitantly back behind the wheel to find our next destination: the Do Make Say Think show across the river in Cambridge. Again, we got lost a few more times. When we eventually arrived at the Middle East D ownstairs, we were crabby and tense. Since we were ninety minutes early, we went to a nearby restaurant and relaxed and shared many good laughs about our evening.

We returned to the Middle East in time to see Do Make Say Think triumph the stage with all twelve of their bodies. If you have never seen/heard this seminal independent band, that needs to change. Go here.

To sum up: never drive in Boston. Period.

Productivity

2007-09-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

To answer your question, Dustin, I am working at the bookstore for Endicott College. It is a small but rapidly growing college about 10 minutes away, nestled along the coastline. It seems to draw very well-to-do students who are heavily involved in sports. Similar to myself. Cynicism aside, it is a great opportunity to interact with a people-group with whom I've had little contact. Very basic responsibilities, which is nice when I will have to read well over 6,000 pages this semester (oh, and write essays and take exams).

Sarah is working for a company called Beecher Carlson as an administrative assistant. She is thrilled to be working in the heart of downtown Boston, right near Faneuil Hall and the commute is about the same (perhaps a bit more efficient with a further distance t0 travel). The environment has proven pretty stressful for her first few days, primarily due to the high-powered personalities in the office. However, she is getting more and more accustomed to her responsibilities and beginning to "wow" them already.

Classes started last Friday. I am taking an introductory Church History class (covering Early Church-Reformation) with Garth Rosell. I am also taking Human Sexuality with Dr. Kroeger, who seems to be somewhat of an old-lady version of Byron Kehler. The Educational Ministry of the Church is my EM foundational class, although many mDiv students take it as well. Gary Parrett, my advisor, teaches that one. Last, but certainly not least, is Design for Learning with Linda Cannell. This is a class on curriculum and usually comes later in my career, but things are a bit interesting this semester (Dr. Kang is on sabbatical and Dr. Parrett will be as well in the coming months).

East Coast E.

2007-09-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

I recently sent an e-mail to a dear friend detailing certain characteristics of East Coast life in list format. I liked this idea and have expanded on it below.

I find myself wondering how most people who grew up here cannot pronounce "R"s. Not in the 5-year-old sense, but in the Kennedy sense. Lobster becomes "lobstah," Harvard becomes "Hahvad" and corner becomes "co-wnah." I like it and practice it often, but Sarah finds it distasteful.
Dunkin' Donuts is freaking Stumptown to these people. I admit, the iced coffee is much better than what Starbucks offers... But, regardless, it just doesn't have an aesthetically pleasing aura. Sarah made a good point the other day: "Where do people go when they just want to sit and meet with someone?" Perhaps the horse stables...
Beaches are very different here. Breathtakingly beautiful (and in that sense similar to the Left Coast), but very difficult to gain access to. Beach-front estates litter the coastal roads and their huge houses, trees, and walls prevent enjoyment for "normies" like Sarah and I. Yet we are slowly discovering the frugal access to God's created beauty (parking at public beaches can exceed $15).
Getting lost is way too easy on the roads here. Apparently the old carriage roads were just paved over to provide charm yet endless headaches. Roads meander, split off, and become whole new roads without telling you.
The East Coast is the place to be in Autumn. Sarah and I are looking for a Bed and Breakfast for the weekend of October 20th, and although there are hundreds of options many of them are rapidly booking up.
People aren't as mean as everyone makes them out to be. It seems this could be different closer to Boston (the times we've visited we have encountered very pleasant individuals), since we do live in a "small-town" setting. In fact, many people seem to overly involve themselves in your affairs.
Because of the difficult road system, it seems like a badge of local-honor to provide others with very detailed directions. My boss has launched into a ten minute dissertation on how to drive certain places about four times now. When I see it coming now, I have to suppress my giggles.

Settling

2007-08-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

There have been numerous occasions over the past few months when I wondered what it would be like once we had arrived at our ultimate destination. Looking at the pictures below and seeing our trip across the country documented via pictures is pretty exhilarating. Truly, it was a grand trek. Although we are mostly settled in (boxes unpacked, a car to call our own), it will take weeks before we can establish any sort of daily routine. This is the limbo in which we find ourselves.

Exploring the area has been quite positive. We've moseyed around the north end of downtown (Little Italy), seen a sliver of Harvard and Harvard Square, visited IKEA twice, explored our immediate area countless times, did some tourist-y things in Salem, and driven a bit around the shore to which we have immediate access (a 15 minute drive). This has all been a lot of fun.

What is not fun, however, is purchasing a car in Massachusetts. Everything said and done, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $800 richer and we've had to visit the RMV (that's right, the RMV) about four or five times. First, someone in Iowa by the name of Samuel Alberts with the same birth date delayed my getting a license. Once that was cleared up, they gave me a piece of paper that was my "temporary" ID until my license is sent to me in the mail. Sarah got hers already, and it expires in four years and it seems to be made with sub-par plastic. And then the car. We needed to get proof of insurance first, and apparently State Farm has limited locations in Mass and needed to mail us our paperwork. Once that came, we went in to get our plates - only to discover they only take cash or check (but took debit/credit for our licenses!?!?), and had to visit an ATM first. Finally, after having our new 98 Subaru Legacy sit in front of our apartment for about five or six days, it was deemed drivable by the state of Massachusetts (so long as we got it inspected within seven days of purchase, another $26). Long story short, do not buy an automobile in this state.

So that was the headache. We certainly could have had things worse. We are enjoying our new apartment and the area which provides seemingly endless exploration. Want to see some "after" pictures of our apartment?

Niagara Falls ---------------------------------------> Our New Home

2007-08-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

Indiana ---------------------------------------> Niagara Falls

2007-08-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

FYI: We have arrived in South Hamilton and we're settling in, but the blog is yet to catch up to our busy selves. Sorry for the lag, but hopefully there will be less pictures and more commentary very soon.

Kansas -----------------------------------------> Indiana

2007-08-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

Colorado -------------------------------------> Kansas

2007-08-12T04:43:00.001-07:00

Oregon -----------------------------------> Colorado

2007-08-06T12:57:00.001-07:00

Departure

2007-08-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who blessed us with your presence at Edgefield. Goodbyes are always hard.

Thank you to all who helped us move out of our apartment and helped cleaning. Uprooting is always hard.

Thank you to everyone who has made our Portland experience nothing short of an expression of our Lord. We will always love you and always stay in touch.

When I get a few extra minutes, I'll post some "news from the road"

We want to celebrate you

2007-07-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

The easiest way for Sarah and I to bid farewell to the many individuals, couples, and families who have formed who we are today is to invite everyone to an "open house," of sorts, at McMenamins Edgefield at 7pm on Wednesday August 1st. We will be at the "Little Red Shed," which is directly east from the main hotel building - see below for directions and a picture of the little red shed. If you are reading this and want to celebrate the life we've shared together, please come. This is an act of worship for us, to gather the people from the many various spheres of our lives and celebrate together how God has brought us together. So, please, stop by at your convenience. We'll probably be there till about 9 or 9:30.

If you can't make it, we'd love to see you the following day, Thursday, around 4pm to help us load our moving van, to be followed immdiately by pizza and beverage. Thanks, all.

Directions to Edgefield?

Choose Your Adventure

2007-07-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

I am currently creating my first post from my Macbook at the Albina Press. To summarize as briefly as possible, the week leading up to Mike and Hannah's wedding was terribly strenuous physically and emotionally. The ceremony was beautiful, and I consider myself privileged to not only be made a part of the celebration, but to be made a part of Mike and Hannah's life. After staying up till 12:30 (2:30 for me) the night of the wedding, we awoke at 6am to head down to Roseville, CA to help Sarah's sister move into her new apartment. Then our trip down the Califonia coast concluded with our arrival in Long Beach (and a sudden realization that we forgot our passports! Thanks, Rhys, for UPSing them to us!!). The cruise was completely relaxing and needed. We sat atop this building-at-sea on the first day and got seriously burnt, but we got in plenty of reading and relaxation (R&R?). We went snorkeling near Cabo and went ashore a bit later. The trip was so incredible - a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our return to pdx (last Tuesday) brought the realization that we need to schedule our "last meetings" with people and the overwhelming understanding that we need to be more packed than we are right now. Thus, by Friday (my final day at Unisource), all our social engagements and time set aside for packing has been filled. In other words, between now and next Friday morning, our free time is quite few and far between.

By the way, I just need to mention that I am facing outside right now and the entire time I've been writing, this woman has been running her hands through her boyfriend's hair. He looks as annoyed as I feel right now.

We've taken our last hike in the gorge. We've finished watching every Arrested Development episode with Adam McInturf - a venture initiated at the inception of our friendship. Today we will enjoy the new Harry Potter movie with Coleen and Julie, followed by a BBQ. So, we're having fun, grieving, panicking at moments... it's a very strange experience. Overall, it is positive. But emotionally draining. Thanks for loving us through the process.

Salut: Michael and Hannah... IRVINE!

2007-07-12T10:39:00.001-07:00

I got to know Michael Irvine under some very unique circumstances. I really can't remember how we met exactly, but I do think it involved Jim Velez. What made our progression to friendship unique was that early on in our getting to know each other, Mike found out I was forming this group that was newly titled "Prokope" - a group that sought to bring light to the issues we all deal with and encounter but never address publicly. Unless I am remembering incorrectly, he was the very first person to express serious interest in being apart of the group. We got together and I found out why he wanted to join and he found out why I would want to put together a group like this. So, although we overlapped a lot in peer groups and aesthetic interests, we found an initial deep connection through two different histories that merge at the desire to proclaim newness in Christ and a destruction of the powers that hold our stories, struggles, and inevitably our "selves" in darkness.

As Prokope grew from a "group" to a "program," Mike was a friend who offered endless counsel throughout its development. I soon witnessed his natural abilities to first put individuals at ease and second to pour tenderly yet effectively into group members. He was made facilitator when more groups were added, and inevitably (and quite naturally) became coordinator. For those of you who know Mike and I well will realize we function quite differently. This has been really valuable for both of us, I believe, and Mike has shown me the ways to address my character flaws and become a better person. I've also had the honorable position of witnessing how he has grown and developed into a mature follower of Jesus. Although we have only recently (half year or so) started intentionally hanging out purely as friends, with no talk of Prokope, we have set up our friendship from the get-go with absolutely no "off-limits" signs for one another. Mike, you have helped me become a better, more healthy person, and I will always appreciate you.

Unfortunately, I never came to know Hannah except through Mike. In the last few months my wife and I have been very blessed in getting to know her better and seeing the ways Mike and Hannah unite and balance one another. It's been great getting to know Hannah better, even if much of that process occured "via Mike." Hannah is pretty much one of my funnest friends and Sarah and I always feel so comfortable when we get to hang out with her. Mike and Hannah, you guys are such a great couple. We love you tons and we are confident in the love you continually express toward one another. Words cannot be used here to express how much we will miss you both when we move.

Three cheers for Michael and Hannah!!

An Apple a Day

2007-07-10T11:50:00.001-07:00

I apologize for not updating from that most recent, depressing post. Things have gotten much better for me and my white cells. Sarah did a phenominal job at transforming a dreary birthday into a very special day. She's great, isn't she?

Well, as far as news goes, we have begun packing like crazy. Our apartment has become quite white and scattered with boxes. I keep thinking that this is a helpful means of pushing us out and not becoming too nestled in our little abode. It has been good to us, though, and we've finally gotten a chance to connect a bit more with our neighbors. Kind of a bummer thing when we're moving in a matter of weeks. Also, we have officially joined the Apple family yesterday by throwing down $1400 and coming home with 3 items: a Macbook, Apple Care, and an Ipod Nano (we get it for free as part of their current deal for students). I'm still in the "I just spent a lot of money for a few items" mode, so I'll get excited when I start playing with it a bit more. Anybody interested in buying our old laptop? It's in decent condition, and selling it for $200 (or less).

We are looking forward quite a bit now. It seems our sadness for leaving has not dissuaded much, but our excitement is increaing. This seems healthy, does it not? Our schedules are filling quickly, saying goodbye to numerous incredible individuals. This will be hard, but we are at the cusp so it hasn't hit yet.

Finally, I have gotten around to posting pictures of graduation. This has taken me a long time with lots of frustration trying to figure out how to format. Let's see if it works...

Th' boys.

Th' new prez.

Th' gal.

Th' sweetest, bestest of friends.

Gosh, I just love this picture. L-R: Kevie, Dad, Mom.

Sam's Birthday Wishlist

2007-06-29T09:42:00.001-07:00

A viral infection that lasts over a week

Have our truck broken into and CD player/CDs stolen

Get a bad haircut

Cloudy weather

My sweet wifey be bogged down with commitments and taking care of a sick husband

I'm using up my yearly allotment of pessimism.

Reviewing

2007-06-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

This may be one of my last official posts from work, since my replacement will be starting on Monday and I will need to train her for the next four weeks. As promised, I am posting my review below. I found my flash drive and will be posting pictures from graduation next week. Enjoy the weekend.

If You Want Mediocrity

When an independent band has been pumping out records for nearly ten years, strife is bound to accompany occasions of transition (see also Velvet Teen, Q and Not U). In the last few years, Matt Pond and his cronies have strained through countless broken-down vans, the loss of multiple band members, scathing reviews (ahem), and probably much more that is unbeknownst to this simpleton from the Left Coast. These boys-and-girl seem to have been through the ringer, and yet continually seek positive attitudes and positively the finest music. Their recent EP is the first release since their exceptional full-length Several Arrows Later, which confirmed that despite the bumps and fractures, MPPA is still standing valiant.

Transition. This new EP marks somewhat of an “after-thought” to MPPA’s recent overhaul of adjustment. With a(nother) recent musician replacement, If You Want Blood serves as the interval between Several Arrows Later and a full length to release in the fall (Last Light). It opens with “Reading,” a spirited continuation from the previous full-length: although a bit redundant, the progressive chords and animated melody are a warm introduction. “Magic Boyfriend” increases the album’s buoyancy with its stippling banjo and twangy guitar hooks. Matt’s vocals shine here, and the overall song (although only under 2.5 minutes, with an abrupt end) shows MPPA expanding their boundaries (exclaim “Here here!” when you hear here).

Transition. An abrupt swing from the engagingly poppy “Magic Boyfriend,” “Everything Until the East Coast Ends” unfolds to Matt’s repetitious lyrics being sustained by meandering feedback and keyboard. Any expectations for further development are dashed by the prolonged end (the song is over 5.5 minutes). Pretty soon into “If You Live,” the listener is reminded that the newest cello player hasn’t yet gotten the boot. Matt’s vocals are certainly weakest in this song, and instrumentation doesn’t progress very far. The concluding title track offers a final burst of energy with a bold pulse and soothingly subdued verses; this seems to be how MPPA operates best. Overall the album builds a bit, staggers significantly, and then tries in the end to recover its composure. The clever album cover, with its simple beauty that I just adore, functions as a façade for music that is regrettably unsurprising (see also Efterklang’s latest EP).

Transition. The process of continually reorienting our experience to ongoing adaptation can be offsetting (yet necessary for growth). My wife and I are preparing ourselves for a move across these seemingly vast fifty states. We are shredding our identities as Northwesterners and applying the new Northeastern front. I’d like to think that listening to Matt Pond over the past few years has prepared me for the environmental shift to the Right Coast, but that would over-simplify its character. Sadly, Matt Pond’s newest EP probably won’t find its way into our road-trip music collection (however, Damien Jurado’s newest definitely will).

Salut: Ryan Smith

2007-06-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

I first met Ryan Smith at the all-school retreat in 2005. There was some mention of Every Time I Die and Sufjan Stevens (this was when I was still calling him "SUFF-JAN"), which is always relationally promising for me. However, I must admit that I was struck by Ryan's seemingly ambivalent aura. Little did I know that I had met a young gentlemen who would soon become a significant joy in my life.

The next memory I have of my little Ryan was during Dean's Chapel or something (coincidentally, Ryan's middle name - which is why he always attended them); I noticed he was wearing an NA keychain and decided to send him an e-mail informing him that we may have more in common than our taste in indie rock. We met and visited Stumptown, our conversation meandering between our favorite bands and our life experiences. He struck me as relatively serious, a perception that would become torn to shreds the more I got to know him. I also enjoyed beginning to see his many quirks and preferences that I now hold dear to my heart (soap fetish, early bedtime, preference for Pabst despite a demand for quality in everything else, and so forth).

Ryan, I will miss you. I will miss the random sitings of you at school, warming my heart at virtually every occasion. I will miss witnessing the genuine and self-giving concern you consistently showed for your peers. I will miss our endless ramblings about music, about frustrations with the various cultures with which we are involved, and the times we got to share our deepest vulnerabilities with one another. I will miss you, Ryan, but I know that regardless of the setting you find yourself in, God is going to use you for his Kingdom. Never lose touch, and let's keep the hilarious text message exchange, even if the text messages have to cross numerous states.

Three cheers for Ryan Smith!

(if you are in the Portland area tonight, Thursday the 14th, swing by Edgefield's Little Red Shed at 7pm for an official "farewell" to our friend).

Diving In

2007-06-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

My grandma told me once that there are two different kinds of people, those who dive in the pool and those who use the steps. This left me confused as to my place in the world as I stand at the deep end trying to work up the nerve to jump for about 45 minutes until someone gets sick of it and pushes me in. I dread the shock of the cold water. I know I'll get used to it eventually, but the thought of those first few frigid moments is enough to keep me from the Marco Polo game everyone else is thoroughly enjoying.

This fear of discomfort is often repeated in my life in a multitude of different ways. I often find myself missing out on opportunities to know people because I am too afraid to be transparent with them. I shake at the thought of being known as I truly am, insecurities and all. And how can I expect people to share themselves with me when I am unwilling to take the first step? This is something I have been thinking about often as we begin to transition out of life here in Portland. I reflect on those people who have mastered this skill of transparency and how blessed I have been through their honesty. I see myself reflected in the light of their love, radiant with acceptance and the mutuality of struggle. We were created for fellowship with one another, to encourage and strengthen each other as we strive to become holy as He is holy. When will I learn to humble myself before God and lay my brokeness before His feet in recognition of His healing grace?

Because of the grace I have been shown by others who bear His name, I feel like I am a step closer then I was yesterday.

Can you spot the theme of embeddedness?

2007-06-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

I was going to upload pictures from graduation today, but it appears I have misplaced my flash drive. Stink. However, I was meandering on the web and stumbled upon some potential for much wasted time: lots of music videos by some favorite artists.

Broken Social Scene is one of those bands that just do everything so freaking well. Their music is mostly flawless, their artwork is stimulating, and of course their videos are unique. Here's one of my favorite songs ("Fire Eye'd Boy"), accompanied by a seriously funny yet well-produced video.

There are a few out there who will roll their eyes at this one. I understand this. But it does not reduce my love for Every Time I Die. This is certainly one of my favorite songs by them and the video is pretty cute. If you don't like screaming, clapping, the occasional potty word, or ingenious lyrics and phenominal instrumentation, this one is not for you.

One more that is probably the best music video I have ever observed is by the very innovative band Efterklang. Dang, they are good. And definately European. Judge for yourself (note: if you hate that CD skipping sound, you may not like them. They are one of those abstract bands that turn annoying sounds into art).

These are really great videos that I just thought everyone should enjoy. On a side-note, perhaps a post-it note that could go ignored despite its neon flare, I have been thoroughly enjoying my summer-reading. I have added Henri Nouwen's Reaching Out to my list. This one is more to satisfy the soul, mostly "before-bed" reading. Yet I have been juggling all three quite well and each provides insight in such different ways. I was reading Evolving Self last night - the densest of the three - and a question for Mr. Kegan emerged from his dissertation on subject-object relations (one of the many foundations for his theory of development): How does God relate to our subject-object relations? Kegan espouses that the object is mostly in motion (ob + ject = "thrown away from"). And so, "'Object relations,' by this reasoning, might be expected to have to do with our relations to that which some motion has made separate or distinct from us, our relations to that which has been thrown from us, or the experience of this throwing itself" (76). This process of removing object from subject (differentiation), or a move out of embeddedness, allows for a stance to observe the novel object (integration). Anyway, I am wondering how this affects faith development and the observation of God as object (yet subject) and how he himself "threw us" away from himself yet remains embedded in us. I'm expecting a comment from Robert Kegan.

On a much lesser note, a post-it note that has lost its stickiness, I have purchased the EP that accompanies my profile picture. A few songs are catchy and shows some branching out for my MPPA, but it is mostly a slight disappointment. Expect a review of it on da blog next week and probably on BWC in a few weeks.

Tour de McMenamins

2007-06-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

One may recall (by scrolling down) that Sarah and I are wanting to ingest as much McMenamins as we can before our departure to an area deprived of this ecclectic and unique wonder. To celebrate our two year anniversary (June 10th), we reserved a room at Grand Lodge in Forest Grove using the Hammerhead package. This deal allows you to reserve a room, get a free dinner (via $50 credit), and a free breakfast ($20 credit). You also get access to their soaking pool and frisbee golf course.

This was one of Portland's nicest weekends thus far, and it was certainly the most relaxing weekend I've had in a very, very long time; homework, grading, and delegating have mostly subsided. With the aid of Damien Jurado's newest album (purchase it), we drifted out toward Forest Grove, without a care for timeliness or deadline. We were surprised that we could check-in so early, but this aided in our jaunt down to McMinnville to visit a different McMenamins: Hotel Oregon. I've always wanted to experience the rooftop bar, and that we did. We got minorly lost on the way and my left arm got minorly burnt while driving. But once I spotted that familiar neon Terminator logo, my heart (liver?) was warmed in a foreign town. The conversation Sarah and I had four stories heavenward will be as memorable as the views we enjoyed amidst "wine country."

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening. I surprised Sarah with a card and gift (small mp3 player) and we made our rounds to Grand Lodge's many hot-spots. We concluded the evening by sipping wine under the stars and chatting about John's theology while people were getting absolutely drunk a couple hundred feet from our picnic table. The morning was pleasant and we found ourselves quite refreshed as we packed up and departed. Sarah and I both very highly recommend investing in the Hammerhead package, which works at all Mcmenamins hotels (Kennedy School, Edgefield, Grand Lodge, etc).

Pit-tures?

Rooftop! Din-din outside!

Lit-up! Ivy-dragon!

I Hate That Song Called "Change" By David Bowie. But Then Again, I Really Don't Care for David Bowie One Bit.

2007-06-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

My friend Mike Irvine and I were getting coffee at our moms' coffee shop the other day and we were discussing the upcoming massive changes in our lives: him, marriage; me, moving. How do we anticipate change? How do you peer over the horizon at the new Self that is journeying toward you? Do you sit down and light up a cigarette and wait for it to come to you? Or do you run and embrace the new Self?

I'm currently working on curriculum for Prokope. One of our lessons is called "Memorials: Creating and applying a personal framework of growth assessment." In the context of this curriculum, the concept is to evaluate our growth not in terms of behavioral change from week to week, but striving to evaluate our growth through the wider lens of our entire development. A helpful tool is searching for "memorials" in our histories - those "chapter splits" in our stories which signify transition. For example, I am significantly healthier today than when I was a teenager and a detective was sitting on my couch when I got home from school. I don't seem much different today from yesterday perhaps, but I am significantly stronger now (by allowing my weakness to remain as a sort of filter in my life) than the day I was taking a shower and got this little idea about a group that decides to be honest about the crap we go through and how we can find Christ there with one another.

Anyway, I guess I'm wondering how we can erect memorials at the moment of our transition, so as to provide ease in cognitive retreival when looking back over how we've evolved. Other than participating in physical symbolic activities (Lord's Supper, visiting special locations, writing out thoughts and burning them), all we can do is experience the change and evaluate the connections later. That's why I love the authenticity exhibited in Prokope: you get to witness students literally making meaning of why they are. It is such a holy process, for Christ is actively redemptive there, as he was in the moment of pain and these moments of his grace-saturated embrace.

Yes, it seems like we are to allow ourselves to simply experience the change and all the joys, surprises, discomfort, relief, awkwardness, tension, ambivalence, and worship that will accompany our transition. Spending all our time in evaluation will keep us "on the sidelines" for too much of the game. I do feel like my thoughts on this issue are scattered, so forgive me. Perhaps it's because I'm trying to write a lesson about looking at our contextual histories, how to follow the biblical act of memorial-construction, and trying to incorporate Robert Kegan's concept about evolutionary truces that occur in the death of one self and inauguration of another - all while undergoing a significant change myself. Thanks for letting me try to draw connections.

Come one, Come all!

2007-05-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

I've got three hours to go before the first arrival of family members for our grand graduation celebration (granduation-ebration?). We really feel so honored to have such a tangible sign of the support in our lives. It can be overwhelming at times. The influx count is currently at 12: My parents, Sarah's parents, my brother and sister-in-law and their daughter, my aunt, my step-grandmother, Kevin Haworth and his girlfriend, and John Stepanian (thanks for the grand surprise, John - it's the best graduation gift I could ask from you!).

Everyone is welcome to join us in our festivities. In case you want to randomly show up at any event, here is a pretty rigid schedule we put together (rigidity may be uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as navigating varying opinions amidst indecisiveness). If you are going to pop in, just call me on my cellular: 503/720/0118

See you on the other side!

Thursday
9:15 – Phil and Jean arrive
10:00 – Larry and Vicki arrive
10:30 – Betty and Judy arrive
Settle in
Lunch
Shopping at NW 23rd
…or Hiking at Forest Park
Rose Gardens
…or Zoo, Japanese Gardens
Clean-up
7:00-9:00 Dinner Event @ MBC
Dessert at apartment

Friday
Stumptown Coffee!
Campus Tour
10:30 Baccalaureate Chapel
(John Stepanian joins us!)
Lunch @ Flying Pie Pizza
Multnomah Falls
(Kevin Haworth joins us!)
Free time
Appetizers at apartment
7:30 Graduation Ceremony
Dessert

Saturday
Saturday Market
1:00 – Matt and Sara depart
Powell’s Books / Pearl District
Lunch
Open time
(North Portland?
Rhodedendron Gardens?)
Dinner @ McMenamins

Sunday
Coffee @ Crema
Church

Depart

Book YouYou

2007-05-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I accept Loretta's outlandish "Book Meme" challenge, and respond with one of our own. Let's color-code this, according to cliché gender colors. Sarah, will you do the honors?

"Sure, my handsome husband. By the way, you should go out and buy some CDs right after this. Here are my answers to Loretta's questions"

1) How many books do you own?

6 moving boxes full

2) What was the last book that you read?

Robinson Crusoe

3) Name five books that mean a lot to you.

Catcher in the Rye (Salinger), Uncle Tom's Cabin (Stowe), The Velveteen Rabbit (what?), Mansfield Park (Austin), and A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens) Do we have to chose only 5? I have so many more!

My turn!!

1) How many books do you own?

Three. Oh, wait, all the rest are packed...

2) What was the last book that you read?

The operation manual for our digital camera. So good.

3) Name five books that mean a lot to you.

Three Billy Goat's Gruff (Janet Stevens), The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners (Stan Berenstain), Hardy Boys #010: What Happened At Midnight (Franklin W. Dixon), Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter), and Everyone Poops (Taro Gomi). With the exception of the latter, these had a big hand in my development.

The return-challenge to Loretta (the collective - "a," "r," and "k")? A flower meme!

1) What flowers do you own?

Bleeding Hearts, Double-blooming Impatients, Fern, Bear Grass, Verbenia, and "Spider Plant"

2) Name the last flower that you smelled, and enjoyed.

Honeysuckle

3) Name five flowers that mean a lot to you.

Tulips, Lillies, Lupen, Camillias, Magnolias (not just because of the movie).

Go!

Harvard vs. Yale

2007-05-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

While grading papers this weekend, I caught my mind wandering to summer promises of some very fine literature review with peers. For those of you in Brad Harper's Angelology/Pneumatology class, I apologize if comments on your recent book review is laced with verbage about "evolutionary truces" or "identity, otherness, and reconciliation."

This morning I read an e-mail from my brother who currently resides in Tokyo, Ohio. The ever-teasing heckler, Ben told me that I should have applied to attend Yale, where he received his Master's in Architecture and Design. Today, his jest caused me to mosey over to the Yale Divinity School website to browse the faculty. The only member known to me is Miroslav Volf, whose book Exclusion and Embrace is one of the two on the docket for literary digestion (I will be embracing A. Steward and M. Irvine in the process, and excluding everyone else who wants to read this with us. Perhaps we will feel convicted by the end?). However, a full perusal of Yale's faculty made me again question my decision of graduate schooling. I also received an automated e-mail updating me on NYU Steinhardt's name change to "Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development." I confess that it is easy for me to dismiss an education that I know to be of high quality and thoroughly personal for one that attracts the "big hitters." Perhaps for now I will need to settle for allowing these "big hitters" to continue influencing my thought by way of print rather than a classroom setting.

The other summer review will be a slight repeat for me: The Evolving Self by Robert Kegan. I read excerpts in class last year (and didn't understand much if it at the time), but now I will be re-undertaking this beast of a book with M. Block. I've already wandered in a little ways and have enjoyed absorbing Kegan's rich model that was lost on me just a year ago. I keep telling myself that perhaps I will be able to mosey into one of Kegan's classrooms at Harvard next year. He does not teach at the Divinity school (where I can take classes through the BTI), but watching Good Will Hunting makes me longingly presume that Harvard's campus is terribly accessible. I'll just need to work out a bunch, drink and cuss more, and pick up the Boston accent. Either way, I am primed for engaging some very rich theology and some thick and meaty psychology. It will be neat (and vital to my learning process) to document the many overlaps these works will have.

By the by, thank you to all who participated in the viewing of P.T. Anderson's Magnolia with us the other night. For a brilliant and theologically-revealing critique of the movie, go here (but only if you've already seen it).

Becoming an Afterglow

2007-05-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

I hope I'm not the only one getting tired of my own e-voice. I really want Sarah to begin writing some of these, but she claims that she's happy with what I post and isn't yet familiar of the blogging process (or, as I call it: blogcess). I figured I could start posting about things she doesn't like (Converge, spiders, dispensationalist premillienialism)... or teach her sometime soon. Until then, there's too much news to go undeclared. Hear ye.

Friday. We found out that we have a spot on campus at Gordon Conwell!!..............on September 1st. That would be a week before the semester starts and a month after our projected arrival date, leaving us homeless for a month. We scrambled to find some sub-leasers and only got a hold of one good option, where we could stay until August 23rd, and then try to find somewhere to land for a week before we could move into our new home. Stressful.
Sunday. We finally bought a digital camera! It's a Nikon CoolpixL12 and we got it for $149.99 from Office Depot.
Monday. Gordon Conwell housing informed us that they now have an apartment in a nicer building (a little more $$) available August 10th. We decided to jump on that option, and just delay our move for a week. Sarah's amazing boss has allowed her to "come back" for a week after our cruise between the 16th and 24th. Then, that evening I received a court summons in the mail set for August 6th - we knew I'd need to fly back to Colorado to resolve some legal issues, but we will already be there on that date. Now Sarah can come with me and we don't need to shell out $300 on a ticket. Seriously, this couldn't have worked out better if we tried. Thanks, Jesus.
Tuesday. Broke in our new camera by photo-journaling my last day of class/finals. After booyah-ing all over my Botany final, Sarah and I went out and celebrated.

I still have quite a few obligations. A few lingering assignments, lots of grading for Brad, Prokope curriculum, preparing for my family to arrive for graduation. But Portland has given us sunshine and some experienced freedom. Pictures?

The camera is introduced to a human face - Adam McInturf's, even.

The botany final is introduced to its crazed nemesis: Sam Albertson.

Edgefield is introduced to some celebration.

Our current Uni-verse

2007-04-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted anything recently, so I figured I'd go ahead and perpetuate that American fascination with novelty. I'm hoping Sarah will make her shining debut sometime soon...

News? At the ever-shifting environment that I call work (Unisource), my boss has decided to leave the company after 78 years (or something) and his assistant was fired. This has been commonplace for the past few years. I have very little job security, and it really doesn't appease my already-stressful lifestyle to come into work daily to wonder if the key to my office door won't turn or perhaps I wouldn't be able to log onto my computer. But today I had a very brief chat with my new manager and he assured me that they will be replacing me when I leave and they'll need me to train the newbie (Logan Dodds?). This is relieving, since Sarah and I are looking ahead to an almost literal wave of large financial obligations.

Latest score on schoolwork? Sam: 6 / Schoolwork: 4. Booyah. I'll be done with classes this Friday, and done with schoolwork altogether early next week. This seems unrealistic to me, but thinking of celebrating at a local McMennamins keeps me going. So does thinking about a conglomerate visit from many supportive family members in a few weeks.

One last thing. I've enjoyed standing back and watching Prokope take a stronger form and build in its effectiveness. I absolutely love our team, and watching the vision consume them has inspired me. I'm going to really miss these amazing individuals and the brave members of a group that demands authenticity and the ongoing scandalous grace that accompanies it. I've gotten to encounter Christ every Wednesday at 3:30, and for this I am humbled.

Well, I'd say my stage-3 adolescent egocentrism has been duly satisfied by this blogging experience. Pictures will be coming soon, since the purchase of a digital camera is on the horizon. This would be our largest fun-purchase in almost two years.

Thanks for caring.

Genesis of an Exodus

2007-04-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last time Sarah and I had a substantial break was probably our honeymoon and shortly after. That was nearly two years ago. Since then, our lives have been stuffed full with activity. Please don't take this as compaining, because our involvement in ministries, work, school, and the lives of amazing individuals merely displays God's blessing on us. But we are ready for another break.

I'll be graduating from Multnomah in one month from today. Originally, we planned to take a year off before devoting ourselves to grad school and a big move to the east coast. I began tentatively investigating grad schools, having had recently decided to pursue a Master's in Education (as opposed to an mDiv). By January of this year, I had two institutions in mind: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, which offers a Master's in Educational Ministry and NYU, offering a Master's in Educational Psychology. We had no plans to pursue these with any haste. Yet one night we had a long discussion and realized a few things:

Why spend time planting ourselves deeper in our community, if we know that in a year we'll need to uproot ourselves? That would make the process all the more difficult, and would be unfair to ourselves and those with whom we are in relationship.
We want to have kids. The sooner we start on grad school, the sooner this can become a reality.
Educationally, it's probably wisest to reduce the amount of time off as possible.

We decided this on a Saturday. That Monday I contacted all my references, began filling out applications to the two schools and by the end of that week I had my application out to Gordon-Conwell, and the following week my application to NYU was completed. We visited both schools and I received my acceptance letters to both within a few weeks after visitng. Although NYU was tempting to me educationally, we decided to move to South Hamilton, Massachusetts (I think that was the first time I spelled Massachusetts right on the first try!).

So here we are finishing up our responsibilities here in Portland, meeting with as many of the countless incredible people we've been blessed enough to come to know while here. This will definately be hard for us, but we are also excited for the new chapter as well. God's people are everywhere, and we are comforted by this. People in need of encountering Jesus are also everywhere, and we are challenged by this. God will meet us on the east coast (perhaps in different ways than here), and we are strengthened by this.

Here is a brief list of things we must accomplish before the big departure:

Brief trip to Colorado to cease some legal obligations.
Graduation.
Get out Sarah's résumé.
Housing and jobbing settled.
Finish Prokope curriculum and passing-off.
Plan trek across the country.
Buy digital camera and sell things on Craigslist.
Sell trucky.
Pack.
Be in Mike and Hannah's wedding.
Absorb Portland (McMennamins! Stumptown! Hiking! No sales tax!).
Absorb friends.

"Here we go!" - Emily Watson, Punch Drunk Love

2007-04-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hello friend.

Sarah and I have decided to launch a Blogspot for the purpose of keeping a public chronicle of this big transition of our lives: ending our Portland experience and beginning Boston-life. Personally, I had to overcome my absolute hatred for MySpace. Although MySpace and Blogspot are different, they are similar in the sense that I get to control many of the factors that you perceive about me right now. This is quite different from dreaded real life, where my fly might be down and my beard would most definately be thin. My voice would crack and I would probably maintain eye contact some of the time. I really think MySpace is destroying our generation. [End Soapbox]

You and I must always remember our purpose here which is to help maintain long-distance friendships via news and pictures. Please keep in touch through e-mail or phone or hanging out while we are around. We love so many people and want to maintain contact in all ways, even if that means through Blogspot. And I've always wanted to say "I just blogged in the other room" and have it be true.

Oh, and we are open to recommendations about how to make this thing prettier. We like pretty. And we may be a bit inept at blogging for awhile. Teach us. Thanks for loving us and check back to stay informed on our lives and leave comments and share some e-love.