straightshot

Honest thoughts on ministry,culture, and living in Utah

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Location: Logan, Utah, United States

I love diversity. I love studying the Bible. science (especially biology and astronomy),and history. I love music, the outdoors...and my family of course. They give me the greatest joy I have ever known!!

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

The Circle of Life and Dad

Our family loves The Lion King, including the music. I know many Christians make fun of the eco-tune Circle of Life, but it does paint a true picture in many ways. For instance, my dad. Tomorrow I fly home to move my parents into a new assisted living facility. My dad has cancer and is not expected to live more than a few months. So as he and my mom once did for me, I will take care of them for the next few days. I will help them dress, prepare meals, do laundry, and help them move their stuff-all things they did for me as a child. It is my turn. It will happen to many of us, and I am thankful to God I have had so many years with my parents. They have always loved me and provided for me. I can do no less for them. To be sure, it is hard. Helping an 81 year old man change a diaper is not what I would choose to do at 2 AM. But 51 years ago, he did it for me. And that is the circle of life.

If you think of it, pray for me and my family, especially my mom. Thanks.

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Among the Mormons Pt 2

I peered at the thermometer with disbelief through the frosted window.

"Miriam-this says it's 30 below zero. Is that possible?"

"Mmmmpggh..."she said sleepily as she sat up in bed. "Noooo.....can't be. It doesn't get that cold here." But it was that cold. For a solid week in January in 1989, my first Utah winter, it stayed that way. The car wouldn't start. To go across campus was a bit like the Shakelton expedition. And when we came home one day a pipe downstairs ( we have basements here!) had burst, ruining books, my record collection (the covers are what people want) and of course, the carpet.
And so, along with my earlier accounts in Pt. 1, my first years in Utah were , well, cold.

Since that time things have thawed significantly. We have never had a winter like that , although it does dip below 0 occasionally. We bought a home in another neighborhood and the neighbors were very friendly. Socially and spiritually, we have become very accepted by Mormons, or Latter Day Saints (LDS is the pc term here). In fact, our group has been treated very well by the university because we bring diversity to the campus. Unfortunately, we know that the predominate attitude is one of, "after all, we are all Christians ." In that regard, modern LDS culture here has become just as postmodern as the rest of our culture. But more on that next time....