Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thank you, President Bush
Today is an historic day in the USA. A new president takes the oath of office and the American people and the world recognize how far we have come in embracing diversity and healing as a nation. I am thankful for the reality that this is true of our nation (though there will always be issues to address regarding race, I think) and can appreciate the magnitude of this event. It is a testament to the greatness of our nation as transfer of power occurs so peacefully and with such respect.
I didn't wake up this morning thinking as much about the inauguration as I did about the man leaving office. President Bush heads home to Texas today to begin his next adventure. It saddened me as I turned on the television this morning, and in reading through the headlines swooshing past on the bottom of the screen saw the media making mention of Bush's low approval ratings as he leaves office. What would have been fair? To remind the American people that our Congress has an even lower rating still, but I digress. Bush for all of his strengths and his flaws still deserves our respect and gratitude for the service he has done for our nation.
While there are people that might disagree with me on this point, I want to express my appreciation, my gratitude for President Bush who led us through an amazing eight years of life and history. His firm stance on terrorism and ensuing protection of our nation, the rights of the unborn, his choices for Supreme Court justices, assistance for those living with AIDS in Africa are some of the highlights for me from his presidency. He showed great strength when the shocking and grievous events happened on 9-11 and resolve as he shared with the American people so honestly that this war would be long-lasting and needed to be pursued.
I was recently reflecting on his first term when, because of litigation over the presidency, he had to put his appointments on hold for his administration. How amazing it is that he handled 9-11 as he did in light of the late start he experienced in getting his administration set-up. And, how easily we forget some of these things. I appreciated his Farewell Address to the nation last week, as well. He was honest, humble, hopeful and so very gracious.
The 'world' may cheer as he leaves office today, but I am sad. I pray he has a smooth transition away from Washington and a restful few weeks or months of reflection. I hope we look back in the years to come and shower him with the respect and gratitude he deserves. And, I trust that he will continue to influence and impact the lives of people wherever these next steps may take him.
Thank you so much, President Bush! May God bless you in the days ahead.
I didn't wake up this morning thinking as much about the inauguration as I did about the man leaving office. President Bush heads home to Texas today to begin his next adventure. It saddened me as I turned on the television this morning, and in reading through the headlines swooshing past on the bottom of the screen saw the media making mention of Bush's low approval ratings as he leaves office. What would have been fair? To remind the American people that our Congress has an even lower rating still, but I digress. Bush for all of his strengths and his flaws still deserves our respect and gratitude for the service he has done for our nation.
While there are people that might disagree with me on this point, I want to express my appreciation, my gratitude for President Bush who led us through an amazing eight years of life and history. His firm stance on terrorism and ensuing protection of our nation, the rights of the unborn, his choices for Supreme Court justices, assistance for those living with AIDS in Africa are some of the highlights for me from his presidency. He showed great strength when the shocking and grievous events happened on 9-11 and resolve as he shared with the American people so honestly that this war would be long-lasting and needed to be pursued.
I was recently reflecting on his first term when, because of litigation over the presidency, he had to put his appointments on hold for his administration. How amazing it is that he handled 9-11 as he did in light of the late start he experienced in getting his administration set-up. And, how easily we forget some of these things. I appreciated his Farewell Address to the nation last week, as well. He was honest, humble, hopeful and so very gracious.
The 'world' may cheer as he leaves office today, but I am sad. I pray he has a smooth transition away from Washington and a restful few weeks or months of reflection. I hope we look back in the years to come and shower him with the respect and gratitude he deserves. And, I trust that he will continue to influence and impact the lives of people wherever these next steps may take him.
Thank you so much, President Bush! May God bless you in the days ahead.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Carolina on My Mind
My friend Megan and I hit the road spontaneously last night to begin our trek to North Carolina. (Our friends Josh and Erin are getting married tomorrow!) I arrived at her place in New Haven in the mid-afternoon, grabbed Thai for lunch and as soon as we walked into her apartment realized, 'Wait, we're going to drive all day tomorrow and all day Sunday'? - our plan, or really lack thereof, was lame. Within forty minutes we'd called her relatives in D.C. making arrangements to stay with them, she packed and we were bustling out of Connecticut trying to miss as much of the ensuing NYC rush hour traffic as humanly possible.
An additional snag? She had to complete her final grad school application essays and submit them online by midnight. Needless to say, I quickly refreshed on driving a standard, she edited and typed and I drove the majority of the trip once we made a pit stop in Jersey (Praise God they pump your gas for you! It was balistically cold last night!). Later, we took a quick dinner break (essays almost done) and were able to catch President Bush as he gave his farewell address to the nation. Good timing!
Back on the road, we searched for signs of Wi-Fi (musing about the world we live in when this word is a part of our vocabulary and something we'd look for on a road trip down south). Sadly, it was after 9 PM and not a Panera to be found! Thankfully, her relatives (who are a bit older) were set up far beyond expectation and she was able to email them away after some of the most delicious apple pie I've had, courtesy of her great aunt, around 11 PM.
We made it to North Carolina today after an awesome morning with her amazingly hospitable relatives (thanks Dave and Jackie!!), Chick-Fil-A in Virginia with a really weird hand dryer in the restrooms (ask me about it - so creepy) and no major mishaps on the highways and bi-ways between D.C. and here. I'm still on the search for peanut butter M & M's (you wouldn't believe how hard they are to find!), but excited to have a reunion of sorts with friends of old and hanging out with such a fun friend.
...In my mind I've gone to Carolina... ! JT
An additional snag? She had to complete her final grad school application essays and submit them online by midnight. Needless to say, I quickly refreshed on driving a standard, she edited and typed and I drove the majority of the trip once we made a pit stop in Jersey (Praise God they pump your gas for you! It was balistically cold last night!). Later, we took a quick dinner break (essays almost done) and were able to catch President Bush as he gave his farewell address to the nation. Good timing!
Back on the road, we searched for signs of Wi-Fi (musing about the world we live in when this word is a part of our vocabulary and something we'd look for on a road trip down south). Sadly, it was after 9 PM and not a Panera to be found! Thankfully, her relatives (who are a bit older) were set up far beyond expectation and she was able to email them away after some of the most delicious apple pie I've had, courtesy of her great aunt, around 11 PM.
We made it to North Carolina today after an awesome morning with her amazingly hospitable relatives (thanks Dave and Jackie!!), Chick-Fil-A in Virginia with a really weird hand dryer in the restrooms (ask me about it - so creepy) and no major mishaps on the highways and bi-ways between D.C. and here. I'm still on the search for peanut butter M & M's (you wouldn't believe how hard they are to find!), but excited to have a reunion of sorts with friends of old and hanging out with such a fun friend.
...In my mind I've gone to Carolina... ! JT
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Life at Rest?
2009 finds me embarking on a new adventure. No, I'm not planning to move and yes, I am unsure about what I'll be doing a few months from now as I transition away from my current role (in process); but, I am on a new mission I like to call: Jessica Learns How to Rest. And, January 7th marked the beginning of my endeavor. Our winter conference behind me, I suddenly found myself staring the days and weeks ahead in the face and wondering, "Will I actually be able to do this?"
Unaccustomed to a slower pace and actively choosing to have less on my plate, I feel a bit nervous about the future. However, more than ever before in my life, I actually understand that I NEED this. The decision isn't solely a charming flash of pragmatism on my part, but perhaps more significantly appreciated as my opportunity to spread my wings and discover what is true about who I am without all of the clutter. Less is more, if you will.
I'm hopeful that this time will find me living in the "Room of Grace" not in the "Room of Good Expectations" as the authors of a tremendous book called, TrueFaced so eloquently put it. I've lived in the latter for most of my life and honestly, I need to rest from all of my 'good' work. I need the Gospel to penetrate every crevice of my life and heart. I need to experience transformation. And, I need to rest.
We'll see how it goes! I'm sure it will be challenging and surprising.
Unaccustomed to a slower pace and actively choosing to have less on my plate, I feel a bit nervous about the future. However, more than ever before in my life, I actually understand that I NEED this. The decision isn't solely a charming flash of pragmatism on my part, but perhaps more significantly appreciated as my opportunity to spread my wings and discover what is true about who I am without all of the clutter. Less is more, if you will.
I'm hopeful that this time will find me living in the "Room of Grace" not in the "Room of Good Expectations" as the authors of a tremendous book called, TrueFaced so eloquently put it. I've lived in the latter for most of my life and honestly, I need to rest from all of my 'good' work. I need the Gospel to penetrate every crevice of my life and heart. I need to experience transformation. And, I need to rest.
We'll see how it goes! I'm sure it will be challenging and surprising.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)