I don’t post as much as I used to, but I still think as much as I used to. When I post, it is a good sign. When I don’t post, I am either a bit busy or a bit disconnected (and then there was the major kerfuffle last spring that threw me for a loop and let me not knowing what to say). If you happen to be one who comes and checks out the blog on occasion to see if I’ve posted anything but don’t see anything new, I’m sorry.
I’ve been adjusting to a quiet home without Anya. I’m trying to decide if I should do the minimal dishes each day or wait until there is a reasonable amount to fill a wash tub with soapy water. I usually stream the PBS News Hour when washing dishes, so there it is good to have more than a handful of items then.
I taught all morning, but there is no heat at JTH. The technicians are called, but they aren’t available until next week. One colleague’s office is a frigid 13 degrees centigrade or about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. My office is 17 degrees centigrade, so warmer at 63 degrees. However, it is still too cold to work comfortably. So, I came home for lunch and worked from home. (I was warned that my former colleague who caused the kerfuffle was on campus by the door I exit, so I went out through another door. It is nice to have a sensitive colleague give me a heads up.)
I almost finished grading the exams from last Thursday. I only have six, 1-page essay questions left. Unfortunately, I gave two options, and this one that 6 students chose seemed to elicit student responses that uses vocabulary that I’m less familiar with. I plan to take them to my Swedish tutor on Friday to work through with him.
I don’t know of any teacher who likes grading papers, but it is even a greater challenge for me to muddle through in Swedish.
I’ve been pondering about my life as a pilgrim. In an email to a friend that I hadn’t emailed for quite a long time, was responding to her question of how life is for me here. My response included that I was encouraged seeing Anya getting in her groove in London. I continued (with a few edits):
– + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I’m adjusting to being an alone empty-nester in another country where I have shallow roots, and I don’t speak the language fluently. These past 2 years, I’ve become a pilgrim with a palpable awareness of journeying through places that are not home. Yet, I can make a sense of home on a path that keeps me dependent upon Jesus.
I am repeatedly affirmed that I am valued here and have a strategic role. There are some meaningful connections and good opportunities for me.
I will be going to Ethiopia in January to teach a 2-week intensive at the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology, pending the final scheduling. I will be in an English-speaking academic context there. The Ethiopian Lutheran church is now the largest Lutheran church body in the world, and still growing. Ethiopia was an interesting first visit 1.5 years ago, and this will be a good opportunity to connect again.