On my Way

Life has been pretty great lately. I am only teaching one class right now, so I have lots of time off. I thought that would mean that I would have TONS of things done, however, time really flies! Even if you aren't doing much! I have been busy making appointments with doctors, dentists, etc. since it's been WAY too long since I had any of those checkups. I have also been researching herbs like crazy, because I am starting to get into growing herbs for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It should be fun! I sometimes feel like a hippy though :)

The 30 day Shred exercise program is coming along. We just finished day 10(!). 1/3 of the way done. I still hate it and almost threw up again yesterday. Blegh. I can do it though! Just this stupid 30 day program and then I won't feel guilty about being fit for a whole year. I am not just going to stop trying, but I will only do pleasant things afterwards, like walks and eating healthy, etc.

Since I am having so much fun learning about herbs (I start growing them soon!), I thought I would share info on each herb that I am planning on growing, to spread knowledge of the power of herbs! I shall do one herb at a time:

Feverfew (Tanecetum parthenium)
*Parts used: Leaves and Flowers
*Benefits: helps prevent migraines, helps stop headaches, migraines, stress, etc.
*Harvesting: Harvest the fresh leaves at any time. To prevent migraines, eat one leaf per day. Will see amazing results after 2-3 months. You can also make a Tea for migraines: Pour 1 quart of boiling water over 1 ounce of feverfew leaves/flowers as well as 1 ounce of lavender. Let it steep for 20 minutes covered tightly. Strain and drink 1/4 cup of the tea every 30 minutes until headache is gone.

I am looking forward to growing feverfew, since I am hoping for a healthy remedy against my constant headaches/migraines. I am worried about the bad after-effects of taking so many pills for my headaches. I need stronger and stronger doses all the time. It can't be good for my body. Thus, I started looking for healthy, natural ways to stop my headaches. Many herbalists say that eating just one feverfew leaf a day can actually stop migraines from happening! Science researchers have been becoming more and more interested in the feverfew plant for this very reason. I hope it works! If it doesn't, at least I will have a really pretty plant to look at! :)

Spiritual Ponderings

Today we were supposed to go to our small group meeting. There, we were going to read Colossians 3:18-35, part of which states: "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly..."

I spent a good portion of my day reading the NIV Bible, Greek Bible, internet commentaries, and my wonderful book "Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementary without Hierarchy" by Ronald W. Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, to figure out some wise things to say about this notorious Bible verse for our small group meeting.

However, at the last moment, we could not go to our small group. How sad. I actually had ALOT to say about these verses. :)

Anyway, the point of this blog, is that I found something REALLY cool about the Greek words, and if I am not going to blab away about it in small group, I just HAVE to spill out my heart in this blog instead! I am sure that I have said this before, but that "Discovering Biblical Equality" book is AMAZING! It always calms me down after reading certain Biblical verses. :)

Now that I got my promotion of amazing books out of the way, I found out something on my OWN about the verse that blows my mind! The Greek word for 'submit' that is used here is "HYPOTASESTE" (it's hard to write it out in English!). While in its' crude form, it simply means 'submit', the phrasing used in this verse slightly alters this to "submit to one's lot". It is NOT the Greek phrase for "submit to one's superior". This is important. In addition, the Greek word for 'love' is "AGAPE". There are many types of love that are described using different Greek words. For example, "EROS" is passionate/lusty love. "PHILOS" is brotherly love. "AGAPE" is selfless, humble, deep love, like Christ for his people. "AGAPE" love is the most important, serious and beautiful type of love that can be described in Greek.

Some extra background information: It has been said by certain scholars (sorry, another nudge of praise for "Discovering Biblical Equality"!) that Paul's main message in this verse of Colossians and its' almost-twin verse found in Ephesians is that Christians must follow the laws/cultural values of their times AND follow God. (Basically, Paul is trying to make Christianity not look like such a rebellion and more like a welcoming new religion, etc.) Anyway, this makes sense if one looks at the "submit to one's lot" Greek word for wives. It makes this part of the verse mean more "Since it is part of our culture right now, wives, submit to your husbands because that's what you did before being a Christian". THEN you look at the next part of the verse which means "Husbands, AGAPE-love your wives...in other words, love them in the most selfless, submitting, beautiful, humble way..."

So again, the way to actually see this verse is: "Wives, as is culturally fitting at this time, submit to one's lot aka your husbands. Husbands, selflessly and humbly and completely love your wives..."

WOW. I see this verse in two different ways, and both of them take my breath away. The first way I look at this verse: Both Greek words actually mean the same thing. Wives are submitting to their husbands, not as an authority figure but actually because that's the cultural way, and husbands are submitting to their wives by trying to love them in an near-impossible (for humans) way: a selfless, humble, submissive love. The second way I looked at this verse: Men have a more enduring task! Wives only had to be submissive because it was the way of their culture. But the word "AGAPE" does NOT have temporary connotations like "HYPOTASESTE" does. Instead, "AGAPE" is an enduring, eternal love. So husbands, no matter what culture/generation, always must strive to enduringly and selflessly love their wives.

Such a beautiful discovery about this verse. Other people on their own blogs mainly argue that it about how wives must let their husbands be in charge. But I like my version much better. It either means that both wives and husbands both submit to each other OR that husbands have a great responsibility. :) If I had to choose, I like the idea that both submit to each other. In our culture today, it seems like equality and mutual love/respect/submission would produce a happy, healthy marriage.

I love researching things like this and learning from it. What do YOU think of this verse? Do you agree with my findings? Do you have a different opinion on it? I would love to hear in my comment section from anyone who takes time out of their day to read what is on my mind! :)

New Year Thoughts

Christmas Break was lovely. Paul and I spent some time in South Carolina with my parents. Our dream is that someday (probably sooner rather than later) Paul and I will live down there, and we want more than anything to have our families live near us. If my parents move down there, then maybe both of my brothers will move down there, and I can be a more active part of my nephews'/nieces' lives. :) We went hiking, saw waterfalls/lakes/mountains/cousins, etc. We fell in love. We hope to live down there by the year 2012. For now, we continue to fix up the house, pray, and research.

Anyway, I usually do a review of the year thing. This year, I don't feel like looking at the past. I was unhappy at Marquette. I left. I trusted God. I got jobs. Paul and I went fishing alot. Um...that's about it! Instead of going into review of the past year, I eagerly look forward to a future that does not include Milwaukee. I also look eagerly to the future when it comes to good habits and goals.

Thus, in an unusual manner (for me), I have some New Year resolutions. They are mainly simple things that I want to do this year. I am NOT going to obsess over them and force things to happen. But I think I can survive one more year in this terrible, terrible city if I have some fun goals to keep myself occupied:

1. I want to take more pictures this year.

I realized the other day that I have hardly any pictures of my baby/dog Athena! Yet she is an important part of my life! I need to fix this. I also have never taken pictures of the rooms in our house that we have worked so hard on. I want to fix this too. Finally, I am surrounded by a few very cool friends, and I only take pictures with them when on vacations. I love my Paul, but most of our pictures are of us with fish. I love my family, and I want more pictures of them in my house. So I am hoping to take my camera with me to places and to use it.

2. I want to finish my quilt.

I like sewing, but I hate the process of getting the sewing machine out, setting it up, getting the thread ready, etc. I recently put up an old table in our extra room, though, so I will permanently set up my sewing machine. That way, when I have the urge to work on my quilt project, it will be much easier to start.

3. I want to finish my half-knitted afghan.

Years ago, I started this beautiful afghan. Everyone compliments the parts that I have finished. However, it was a pain in the butt. After EVERY row, the yarn gets terribly tangled and I have to spend the next hour untangling it. No exaggeration. I quit my project. However, the half finished parts just keep staring at me. I now want to get it done and out of my closets! I just need to find the guidebook (possibly in our attic space?) and I will finish this and be proud.

4. I am restarting AND finishing the 30-day-shred!

There is this "amazing" exercise program that is supposed to have dramatic results in 30 days. Paul and I started it in the fall, but after two weeks of one of us being sick and then the other, we just stopped trying. We only go through 6 days of the stupid program. I hate exercising. I hate sweating, I hate routines, I hate forcing myself to do stupid exercise movements. I would rather live in South Carolina and go hiking every weekend. However, I live in this Crappy City in the cold and dark (dark at 4:30 every day), there is nothing else to do to get in shape. If you go for walks at night, you WILL get mugged. Thus, I shall do this stupid program and I better get results. Lucky for us, we have a whole bunch of friends doing it too and we are all keeping each other accountable. Blegh. 4 days done, 26 more to go...


I had other resolutions too, but I can't remember them right now. And now dinner is ready. I will write more another day. :)