E'er the bleeding heart

So, the undergrad Intervarsity chapter at IU put on this pretty cool series called "Jesus and the End of (insert controversial topic)" last week on campus.  The event was geared for undergradies, but our chapter partnered up with them to provide some gradies to pair up with an undergrad IV-er and then lead discussion group for each of the five topics.  So, they had some speakers come in for each topic, then the follow-up study.  I wasn't really all about donating 1.5 hours for four weeks during the busiest time of the year--but I felt the continual prodding.  I probably would have successfully ignored it if it weren't for some encouragement from some of my fellow grad IV-ers.  Anyway,  I'm helping with the study on "Jesus and the End of Racism."  So, some things:
1.  I really liked the speaker's talk--though there were some things I think needed more "fleshing out."
2.  I'm humbled by people's questions and desire to engage the topic.
3.  My heart really breaks for this issue.  There's so much pain, hurt, and all sorts of negative stuff!
Welp, I'm glad I'm stretching my time a bit to do this.  I'm learning, people are learning, and Jesus is awe-striking.

What issues do you care about a lotty lot lot?

In the home stretch,
MJ

Bloomingtón

http://www.idsnews.com/news/multimedia/media.aspx?type=PG&id=348#!&pn=5

This sleepy midwestern state is trying to pass a bill similar to Arizona's SB 1070 bill (the one with the racial profiling, not the one where they try to eliminate ethnic studies or that one time they didn't want to observe MLK Day).  So in a protest commensurate to the size of Bloomington, I got my 1968 on (or should I say, my 2011 on?), and marched for a bit with my friends and some townies.  I told my Dad about it, 'cause he was a "Down with imperialism!" yelling university student back in his day.  He asked if we had tear gas thrown at us, and when I told him "no" he said, "well, you got off pretty easy then."  He was proud and supportive, but I'm pretty sure that compared to the 70s in Venezuela, he thought our protest was "kinda cute."  :)  That's okay, 'cause I'm not on a soapbox.  I just think immigrants want to work hard--I want to work hard, and I am an extremely fortunate immigrant with many opportunities presented to me.  I think the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is not just a US American Dream--it's a people dream.  And, we're all people, right?  Yes.

Getting my spirits up about grading papers,
MJ

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Gal 3:26-29


PS - My Dad is in no way a Latin American university student now.  I'm pretty sure he would want me to make sure that got cleared up. :)

Pre-Marital Bliss

Okay, so being engaged? Pretty flippin' awesome, except for the whole 10 months 'til the big day thing.  Being engaged long distance? Gag me on a hairy fruit loop, but don't actually gag me 'cause the light at the end of the tunnel looks "wicked awesome" as my favorite Bachelor contender, Cape Cod Chris would say.  Anyway, engagement is overall cool, but I cannot wait to be married.  Okay, enough whining, some cool stuff.  The wedding planning process has been a really big blessing in the disguise of not a blessing!  Or, well, a reminder that God is good.  That is more accurate.  I've encountered old friends in my traipsing through Denton and the DFW, I've had increasingly good luck with florists, and I've gotten to spend so much time with my mom and my sister, I love it.  Although, sometimes I forget my sunglasses and I have to wear my dad's like this:

I often do this, because I don't want to buy prescription sunglasses, so I just stack up the lenses. It works.  Also, check out this picture...

I found this in Denton today.  It was destiny. Russell L Welch, Attorney at Law! It was just too good.  I only thinly veiled my excitement about this, thought about stopping the car for a better picture.
Always hunting down treats for the bloggies,
M.J.Z
PS - One of my students told me I had a cool last name. Only 310 days of the Zambra...