SeizingMyDay

Alyssa's Dreams Brings Joy

I wonder if the next generation ever fully realizes how easy it is for them to make us proud. We often believe in them before they believe in themselves. So when they begin to find their own way, we get to applaud from the sidelines! Such was the case today.

Our niece, Alyssa, wrote a e-mail to Lorie today: "I got a 95% on my last test which I was really excited about, so I have an A in there. I've been thinking a lot about colleges, and I signed up for all the right classes next year. It's not going to be an easy senior year like everyone else; I'm taking Chemistry over at Moorpark, Algebra 2 at my school (I've already taken it but I didn't do very well, so I'm actually taking a step back down from this year), and Art Media for my fine art. It's going to be tough but I really want to try to get into college straight after High school and skip junior college, I'm a little nervous because I don't think I've been applying myself as much as I should have been, but I want that college experience of dorms and what not so I'm going to go for it. If I don't get it...well I didn't really lose much. Anyway I think I want to do some community service, and if it's not too late, I would like to know more about Pepperdine. It would probably look really good on my applications for next year, and I guess it can't really do anything besides benefit me. I just feel that if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gotten in on my own, and it doesn't seem fair. And I might feel ...I don't know just not like I should be there. Because I'm interested in learning leadership skills and things like that, but I'm not really all woo woo spirited! So I would like to rethink it if it's okay?"

Well, she may not be woo woo spirited, but Lorie and I are! And her e-mail just produced a joyous response from her aunt and uncle. Alyssa has such potential, and it has been exciting to watch her grow up before our very eyes. This awakening to a new desire for college life is just another step in reaching that potential. I couldn't help but write about. I do hope we can help her seize the day!

Enjoying Reunion Milestones and Memories (2-17-06)

As I scanned the crowd attending the 40th Anniversary of the Fuller Seminary Graduate School of Psychology, I was having trouble finding any colleagues I knew from when I had attended. My wife gave me a helpful hint, "Look at the people with gray hair!"

Oh how right she was. I had graduated from the school with a PhD in 1974. The primary office for the program was a renovated home. Everyone in the program at that time had worked hard to earn credibility and APA approval. As a Christian-based school, that was no easy matter. We were the first such school to earn APA approval for our graduates. Many have followed in our footsteps.

What do I remember about the program? It was a supportive community. Rather than working to make life miserable for graduates, you always felt that they were for you. They challenged you but there to provide a helping hand. To this day, many of us gather regularly to play poker. Unfortunately, God does not help me win many of those encounters.

Secondly, I remember it being a difficult time for my faith. We were a new psych school at an established evangelical seminary. We took all the core courses in theology and sustained a heavy load of psych classes. In a way, the students were a war zone for faculty who were not always comfortable with each other. There were great integration seminars, but, for us verbal students, some of us had more than our share of difficult encounters with disgruntled faculty. I also found the desire to study God a bit of challenge. Faith seemed to give way to analysis as if one could control God and put Him in a box. I came out of school less grounded in faith. I wasn't even attending church.

That has since changed. I firmly believe that God does not let us go; his Spirit works in our hearts and minds to bring us back. Thankfully, He did.

Last night, I did not celebrate that part of my experience; I celebrated the people I had not seen in years who shared that critical time in my life. We talked; we laughed; we toasted the journey!

We also had a chance to listen to Paul Rusesabagina, the five-star manager of Hotel Rwanda that courageously took a stand for life in the 1994 Rwandan conflict. As the UN and western allies refuse to intervene in the massacre of minority Tutsis and leave, Paul opens his hotel to over 1,200 refugees. With rabid militia at the gates ready to kill his guests, Paul found the words and the wits to keep them alive one more hour, one more day. His story is chronicled in the award-winning inspirational film, Hotel Rwanda. His words were not always easy to understand, but his stand was honored twice by a standing ovation by those present. I'm left wondering what I would do in the same situation? With prayer and words, can you change the path of evil? He certainly did.