Last Few Days of Biola's January Emptiness

 In a few days time, the campus will once again be filled with students and professors (and a few more staff than now). For now, the few faculty who are seen on campus are wearing play clothes. The students who are here mostly have business to attend to or are athletes. The walkways have an emptiness that is not seen in daylight hours for most of the year. The lines in the cafe are shorter (or non-existent).

I will admit that I like the emptiness, but the purpose of a university is to produce graduates and knowledge. These two things require students and faculty, in addition to the staff that are here most of the year. The university is not the place; it is the sundry persons who have a stake in its mission. It is all of us and more than us.

So, I guess I like the fullness as well.

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

The formal freedom of our connectedness

Things occur to me as I walk to and from the bus. The other day, as I passed the near barren trees at Biola's entrance, I was reminded of connectedness.

Sometimes, we think that connections are rigid things like organizational charts, with boxes and straight lines. But this is not the case. Trees are an example: their branches and twigs are connected in a way that is always treelike. We recognize the shape as if it were always the same. But in reality, each tree is different. The connections are clearly tree-type connections, but each bears its own individuality.

Our connectedness is like this. we have human-type connections, but each connection bears the uniqueness of those who are connected.

I think of our connectedness with Christ and one another and wonder, what does this look like? Do I take the time to notice?

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

The view from here: The same and different

Every course changes me, mostly with barely discernible subtlety. The course this past week, Introduction to Spiritual Formation, may be one of those; only time will tell.

What I do know today is that the usual rehearsal of tasks, reviewed upon waking was turned upward. This is not my normal practice (which has much in common with a deer in the headlights). I know that the book for review, the projects for the doctoral portfolio, and the final paper for the class are somehow connected. I know that waiting for the bus today provides time for meditation.

I know that things are the same and different. I know that I like it.

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Two Favorite Moments from 2011

In our Introduction to Spiritual Formation class this week, the prof asked us to share one favorite moment from 2011. I cheated and shared two. Both are exemplars of many life-impacting experiences. 

The first, "Becoming what the blesser sees," was an experience given as a gift, from the prof to her class. Today in class, a few of us from the June class recalled the metaphor we had been given. None of us had to stir up the memory; it was fresh for all. This experience exemplifies many life-impacting moments in the doctoral program, moments of interaction with others. Funny how these rise to the top above engagement with concepts.

The second, "The Sunset Sneak," was an experience with God's creation and exemplifies the many amazing expressions of his glory. I am constantly amazed at God's artistry.

• Becoming what the blesser sees 
• The Sunset Sneak

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

First Wait of 2012

It was a foggy morning, which was appropriate for the fuzziness of the journey. Well it's both unfortunate and good that I have class on a holiday. It's unfortunate because it's a holiday and I would rather wake up on the mountain. It's good because I get to see scholar friends I have not seen in a while and because I can take holiday rather than vacation. It also helps that the course is a topic I thoroughly enjoy, with people I enjoy even more.

I am glad the remainder of the day will be enjoyable, for the trip in was less than enjoyable, partially due to my own failure to note that metro was on holiday schedule and partially due to the nasty 210 driver who flailed his arms at us (I guess to communicate that the 710 was not running), but failed to stop and pick us up. To top it, I missed the close bus by one minute and had to take the far bus to campus, and that on a sore knee and bum foot.

Okay, enough complaining.

So, I end with a tiny reflection from the end of the day. At the end of my morning commute, as I walked in the long way (having missed my bus), Dr. Orbe picked me up and saved my sad knee and ankle more stress. The day itself, well, class was great for a first day (it's tough on the first day when we're all getting our sea legs, so to speak). Tomorrow is another long day, but the commute is better, as I'm staying near campus for the full student experience. Even more, my hotel mates are a fine bunch. It's gonna be a good week.

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(C) Laura Springer

Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.

Patio Sitting on New Years

It's a beautiful day in the mountains: sunny and warm despite small patches of snow. Given class starts tomorrow, I can think of nothing better than sitting outside in shirt sleeves, reading an article for tomorrow (especially since I so thoroughly enjoy the subject).

In a few hours, we will be on the road, back to regular life. For now, patio sitting is as good as it gets.