Amazing Grace

In York Minster, one of the world's finest cathedrals, there is a plaque to William Wilburforce. I posed next to it. Wilburforce is burried in Westminster Abbey, famed local, near another plaque. The greatest plaque to Wilburforce, however, was the Act to Abolish slavery in the entire English empire.

Currently there are women in Iran, informing the population of the rights of women and of the current abuses, such as domestic violence. Some of these women have been given the choice to leave their homeland instead of becoming martyrs in Iranian prisons. One of them, Fariba Davoodi Mohajer, plans to return to Iran despire likely arrest.

After watching Amazing Grace, the story of "Wilbur's" journey to abolish slavery, I thought I might too be asked to know what I have believed and to act on it in love. As much as a journey to Iran seemed good, it is also something I could not do right now. I wondered aloud about what we might do to help others, such as the Iranian women. One friend suggested letting others know about these women was one thing we can do.

So meet, Fariba.

some wrinkles can only be ironed out

Grad school changes you - you don't come out the same.

I've vomitted more this year than I have at any point in the past. Last night was the most recent. I think it's mainly stress - it shows up first in my tense neck muscles, followed by a headache and drowsiness. Yesterday I didn't slow down when I should have and even after an attempted appeasal nap, my weekend trip to work on my research had to be cancelled. My stomach violently voiced approval to the cancellation and the merciful, I slept. But I was glad, for in the midst of feeling miserable I still was able to

1. wonder at the root word's connection to the meaning and
2. affirm God's character - looking out for my best despite my feelings or circumstance

I am so weak. And fear-led.

This week was such a blessing - starting at Dayton Junior High, being surrounded by daffodils and cherry blossoms and realizing with a start that this fear was what I used to guide my choices instead of remember the character of God and his children. God wants the best for me, and not just for me but for all of the world. I found myself saying outloud that God is looking out for me, God wants the best for me.

How differently I can live.