The Confessionals needed a theme for the recent Harrison article, so here is “Rock This Town” by the Stray Cats.

A sidenote: Bishop Obare preached at Shepherd of the City during the time when the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya is entering fellowship with the Missouri Synod. The Prediger picked him up from the Sem where he was staying. From what I heard, we are the first church in Synod to have him preach and administer the Sacrament. He was impressive at the pulpit, and it was an honor to receive the Sacrament from this man. Later that day, I realized that I committed a theological faux pas: his church body has NOT yet entered full altar fellowship! (Facepalms for me.) Yet I realized that I rather be fed by this confessional giant than by the theology of glory jockeys who oversee some of our Synod’s parishes. Sometime later, one of our fieldworkers [Dennis Meeker] was ordained by Obare and now serving with his wife Lorna in Kenya.

Here is one of my favorite songs from the 80s, by Slow Children. I first heard of it years ago when KROQ played a selection of songs for the first day of Spring. And since today is the first day of Spring (actually it will start at 1:32 pm EST, 17:32 Zulu Time), I’m playing this to start off Spring.

Here is a classic Sid Davis film about the dangers of gossip. At first glance, it looked like it’s a hit piece on catty girls. Instead, the villain happened to be the popular boy who was rebuffed on his technique. Check out the flat tire trick– I lol’d.

It has been a while since I’ve posted something. I’m still alive and well, posting update at Facebook and shooting the breeze at Fark.

Part of my absence is job-hunting, looking for gigs and full-time work. Still searching, though I’ve got temp work at the end of March.

Another reason is more medical. No, it’s not cancer nor some serious stuff like heart disease or something exotic that the Mayo Clinic would analyze. Prior to February, I dread a certain time every month. (ACHTUNG: Womanly matters are mentioned.) The first few days, I cramped hard that I find myself confined to bed. After my time at Ivy Tech, I realized that these times will affect my job search and my career if I do not treat it. I asked my doctor about some options I have, and figured that some procedures will help me. After thoughtful consideration and theological consultation from my Prediger, I decided to undergo the Novasure ablation plus a tubal ligation. Actually, it was not a problem regarding the Novasure; it’s the finality of the ligation that I was concerned. Since pregnancy after the ablation is very dangerous to the woman, plus the complication will mean a definite peril to the child’s life, I said to myself: The Principle of Double Effect can be invoked. I prayed, I thought, and ultimately, I placed things in God’s hands.

I figured that this would be a short procedure, in the hospital by morning, out in the afternoon. It turned out to be a more serious matter. Bluntly, the doctor found two benign dermoid cysts, one in each ovary. One was so big that they removed my left ovary. The average size of an adult ovary is about the size of those green olives– 3cm by 1.5cm by 1.5cm. The left ovary was about 9cm by 8cm by 6cm, like a clenched fist. The right was saved, though they removed a sizable cyst. The doctor told the Prediger and my pastor that I would be in great pain later down the road if I have not been treated.

After recovery, my parents and my pastor visited me and I felt better than expected. The month came and went, without pain. It was the first time ever that I do not have such pain. I’m really looking forward to busy activities and job hunts without getting held back.

As for my sterility: I’ve made peace about it and knew that God has something in store, a role in life just for me. No kids of my own, but it is filled with days of devotion to my husband…lots of doggie kisses from “Teh Sarah”…tinkering around with Linux…and spending more time with the Church. Best of all, I’ll be the aunt who will spoil the niecelings and nephlings silly– and at the end of the day, return them to their parents. :)

So now, that’s my absence in under 500 words. Now it’s time to resume my antics.

Writing my draft for my upcoming post. I’m doing well, and so is the Prediger. Meanwhile, drop me a line at Facebook.