What is "Good"?

I have been on the "same page" as Galen lately. While a senior in high school, I was put in a humanities class with other students bound for college. One of the major concepts that we learned that year was to be aware of semantics - the meaning and use of words. When people do not agree on the meaning of words, there is often misunderstanding and misinformation. I have been thinking about the meaning of the word, "good". If one takes the Biblical meaning out of the word, "good" then it becomes totally man's opinion. I have learned from my encounter with many cultures that people don't agree on what is "good".

During my studies in child developement, I learned that people feel secure when their lives have boundaries. Yes, we test those boundaries and find that many of them were placed there for our protection. Do I always keep The Ten Commandments? No! Why? I am a human who sins. Does God still love me? Yes! Only pride would keep me from admitting that I am often confused and am capable of making a wrong decision. Of course, I want to do right, but I fail miserably. That doesn't make me stupid. It's a great feeling to know that God doesn't expect me to be perfect all of the time, and that He is ready to forgive me. I want my children and grandchildren to know that it's alright to be human. They are loved so very much by God. That we are loved, and not condemned is the single most difficult concept to understand because we don't want to face the fact that we are not perfect. I don't want to be enslaved and captive to my pride. What does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?

A Fun Day

I'm going to get my hair styled in a few minutes, but decided to blog before I go. I taught my classes this morning and, as usual, learned as much as my students! My Brazilian young man told me about his father's ranch. He has 100 sheep, and 400 head of cattle. The older men herd while riding horses, but the younger ones ride their motorcycles. That sounds like fun! During our conversation, I mentioned that we have two sheepskins that we bought in New Zealand, and I would love to buy one of the black sheepskins that he talked about. His family puts them on the floor next to their beds.

I did a little more Christmas shopping. On Sunday, we took names of children who are fed daily at the Shawnee Mission. I bought a big blue ball, some trucks and some Mickey Mouse socks for one little boy. I also bought Bill a few gifts. He's very difficult to buy for because he buys everything he really wants during the year. Then, he says, "Surprise me!" I'm really excited about some of the gifts I bought for the grandkids, but I'll have to mention them later because my girls don't want to know yet, and they read this blog.

I was thinking about some of the gifts that I have received through the years that are cherished memories.....a doll that walks, a clock radio, an overnight case with red satin lining, a jewelry box with drawers and music, a gold chain with pearlsand diamonds alternated. Of course, the most important thing was the love and thought that went into each gift......not the cost!

Weekend Activities

Saturday evening Bill and I attended the Hanging of the Greens at Oklahoma Baptist University. It is their annual Christmas concert and time to honor the outstanding seniors of each department. Raley Chapel holds 1,000 people and was filled. The orchestra, choir and handbells were superb! The theme was Christmas through the years at OBU. My father graduated from OBU and was president of the Minister's Association. Of course, I thought of him while listening to the history. Listening to the 100 voice choir sing, "The Hallelujah Chorus" also flashed me back to Yokohama, Japan. The entire girl's high school where I taught English sang the "Hallelujah Chorus" every year in 3 part harmony. Listening to those 1,000 girls sing at the same time in the school's auditorium sounded like angels.

Sunday, my Bible study class joined the other adult class in the fellowship hall so that the choir could practice in the sanctuary at 9:30 am. We sang one song from our musical during the worship service. As I stood on the stage practicing, I realized how beautiful our church is! The sanctuary is built in the shape of a fan with the focal point being the pulpit and baptistry. The light blue decor looked especially beautiful with the bounty of red pointsettias across the stage.

Jason brought Chie Hey to church to say, "good-bye". She left today to go to Edmond to study at OCU. She has decided to be an English teacher.

Today, I taught 3 classes in the morning. I have two new students. One blond Brazilian boy who is planning to be an environmental engineer. The other is another Saudi student who plans to teach English. I heard that we have a girl from the Ivory Coast arriving Thursday. After classes, I ate a quick lunch and then headed to the University's piano practice rooms to record Christmas music. The tape will be used when our students sing.

It seems that Bill and I have spent the weekend reserving hotels. We're planning to spend Christmas in Springfield and Branson. Then, we'll go with Noel to Big Springs, Texas for New Years to see our brother, David.

Thanksgiving and Choir Pictures

The first picture was taken on Thanksgiving Day in my kitchen. From left to right is Kyle (Kirk's stepson) Mom (Gramma), me, Kelli and Kirk. The next pictures are choir members and Bill directing. I was taking the pictures.

Christmas Events

Friday was crazy with activity. We arrived at school by 8:30 a.m. to give session-end tests. We scored the listening and reading by machine, but still had to grade the essays. At noon, the teachers rode together in the school van to Red Lobster for our Christmas lunch. We stuffed ourselves on appetizers, salads, lobster, shrimp, and scallops. From there, I drove home to prepare for the next party.

At 6:00 p.m. 15 members of the New Beginnings choir arrived at our house for a potluck and Christmas concert practice. I made beef stroganoff and a cherry pie. Everyone brought enough food to feed the entire church! After tasting everyone's specialties, we began practice. (We sat up extra chairs in the familyroom so that everyone had a seat.) I took lots of pictures and will try to include some in this blog.

Yesterday, the Greenwalt family grew. My younger brother, John, became the proud grandfather of twin boys. The twins father, David, is a sheriff for Riverside County, CA.

This morning, I visited my mother. She had gone to a Christmas dinner given for pastor's and their wives and widows of pastors. While I was there, she received a phone call from a deacon in her church. He was inviting her Bible Study class to go to Gliori's Restaurant for a Christmas dinner paid for by her church this week! So nice! Christmas really is a time of joy!

Midweek Madness

Monday evening, the New Beginnings Choir sang for the Unity Hospital Lighting Ceremony as planned. Bill and I drove our cars there directly from school. I was in awe because I didn't expect so many people. There were at least 200 spectators! The hospital overhang made the perfect shell and many people said that they thought we were a CD until they saw us singing. It was a beautiful night ---a full moon, no rain and no wind. We were also surprised to see a new nativity that had been donated. I'm just waiting for some group to rule against it. Our freedoms seem to be eroding gradually.

Yesterday morning (Tuesday), I was reminded that our best precautions are not enough to keep us safe. As I approached the MacArthur intersection to go to SGU, I saw an accident that had just happened. A flatbed truck had lost one of its haybales. It hit the hood of a compact car and rolled off. The front end of the car completely smashed. Fortunately, the people were unscathed. When Bill arrived at the college he was a little shaken. He said he realized that I had just missed being hit.

Speaking of driving, one of my students is learning to drive. That took me by surprise because women don't drive in her country. I was so proud of her!

I finished teaching, "Cinderella Man" today. The movie was a bit different from the book. My students were so touched by the story that I could hear many of them sniffling. Tomorrow is day test and I have to do grades.

I'm trying to get so much done because Friday will be just a little too much fun! At noon the teachers plan to go to Red Lobster. I love shrimp, scallops and lobster!!! That evening is the choir party and practice at our house. As Ian always says, "Life is beautiful!".