Census work? I’m done, unless the LCO informs me otherwise. Did not want to get in deep doo-doo and have the Bureau give me the banhammer. I did have a great time, with occasional hiccups IRT some one-celled beings. Best person I’ve met was actually an older lady at this trailer park. Will have to bring her some farm fresh veggies, as she grows green peppers.

Just think… I’ve been through three phases (GQE, NRFU, and NRFU-VDC). It helped pay for my car repairs, bills, and best of all, my trip to OSCON. I learned about the resources available for people in need in Fort Wayne. I saw the increase of foreclosures as I walked around New Haven. I’ve listened to the stories of a few neighbors whose children were grown-up and wished they can pay a visit. I saw, for better or for worse, the anti-government sentiment. I have to tell them that we’ve been doing this since 1790, with far worse intrusive questions than today.

Been reading two strictly unofficial blogs, My Two Census and LooseFemme, who has finished her NRFU gig and is now an union organiser in Oakland.

I was giddy when Matt Harrison got the nod for Synodical President. I hooked up my lappy to the telly so Preggie can watch the convention. He was excited that he can enjoy it without travelling to Houston. If we were to attend the convention, we’d be sitting in the back of the hall, watching it from a screen because GK and MH would be specks from our vantage point.

Here I am, back into the jobless limbo. I have a few new O’Reilly books from OSCON. It means between now and “you’re hired” I will have to earn a few bux doing odd jobs. I am thinking of getting a 30 watt soldering iron and practice using it. On the bright side, I succeeded in fixing my Ubuntu part of the laptop. The battery level would warn me that I have FOUR MINUTES until hibernation, despite having a full charge. Glad the updates are there.

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

Stick to what you do best– promoting the Liturgy. Allow the rest of us to be good watchful stewards as we advocate the use of energy alternatives.

This is exactly the right thing he could say to us and others who by various interventions, cannot have children. Unlike the blanket dictum that all Confessional couples must be open to children or they are less than Christian (found in one unofficial Lutheran publication), Curtis understood that God has blessed and still blesses people who do not quite measure up to the norm.

Before I went to have corrective surgery that improved my health, I sought the counsel of my pastor. He prayed for me. He visited me at the hospital. And he told me that I can still enjoy the gift of children, just by caring for people. There are many unloved people out there.

I want to say to Pr Curtis: thank you. Thank you for understanding. (And I read the article anyway. So there. :P You should too.)

At the Fort, we have 21 final-year students not receiving a call. These men are indeed faithful to our Confessions and now unfortunate– for how will they pay back their student loans? How will they support themselves and their families? And will any of them be tempted to gain courage to “curse God and die”– as if God did not care about him in the first place? How horrible was that feeling. Even with medication and psychotherapy, I still have those bouts. I am sure several men are thinking that situation would require “a really futile and stupid gesture be done on [their] part.” Full circle.

Empty platitudes and glib Scripture quoting won’t help. Remember St James? “Faith without works is dead.” No, I’m not appealing to Roman Catholic theology, putting the cart before the horse. Fellow Confessionals, we have an opportunity to express our faith in God and to strengthen these students.

You can help out by contributing to the Student Emergency Fund at CTSFW. The Brothers of John the Steadfast has all the details. Also, if you know any of the 30 men at StL and FW, plus any of the Deaconess students without assignments, offer them help. These people will need help in the basic needs (food, shelter, etc) and they need employment. Let them know that their faithfulness is not in vain.

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.

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.

Now…to the main course. Learned about how to pull off the smok(e)y eye, and realized that I needed make-up remover, especially after using the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. That stuff stays on good! After dinner, Wayne wanted me to procure some butter pecan ice cream. And I did, at WalMart. I was looking for makeup wipes when I found the Hard Candy section, replacing the Max Factor line. I did heard from Nouveau Cheap that WalMart will carry the brand, but I figured that it might only be available in select big cities like Los Angeles or New York.

A bit of nostalgia: I remember going to Bloomingdale’s in Sherman Oaks and seeing the colorful nail polish, each with a plastic ring. I prefer MAC or Urban Decay, so I passed on by. And now, it’s there where I don’t have to order stuff from out of town. Yes, the plastic rings are still on the nail polish. So, I bought two things: a lipstick and a liquid eyeliner. I’m wondering whether this stuff will hold up as good as the products at Bloomie’s.

The lipstick is a sheer matte dark purple called “Night Out” and the eyeliner is in Sugar Plum. Here are the makeup, against my skin and on my lips:

Lipstick is creamy and goes well, and I think the liner is decent but will require a second application to make a even line. Will try them on this week and write a review.