Whithersoever thou goest

The highlight of the day was meeting Tina at the bus stop and having a friend to ride into MHS. It was nice to have a distraction from the pending “mock defense”–really called a “midway evaluation” with two faculty respondents.

I arrived early to make sure my Powerpoint presentation was all set up and ready to go.

There were about a dozen present, mostly PhD students. The presentation went smoothly, and my editing down from a 30-minute presentation to a 15-minute presentation seemed to keep the important aspects without slighting the overall message.

From my perspective, the respondents were a bit harsh. Both ended up to be traditional Western scholars who don’t have much–if any–engagement with inter-disciplinary projects. I was given bits of time for clarification with the first respondent, and the second respondent used his time to ask some questions, so there was a bit more dialogue.

I took notes as they went along, partly to carefully reflect on what they said, and partly to prompt my clarifications.

Tina said that I did a great job in the dialogue and gave strong responses. It didn’t feel like it, because I soon was able to think through what I would have wanted to say. But I remained gracious, which is important, and pointed out a couple places where a clarification would help them better understand a different perspective.

Fortunately, Knut was able to meet with me immediately after the evaluation. His first question was, “Do you think they understood your project?” I replied that I don’t think they have ever read an African theologian, much less a multi-disciplinary project, so I’m not sure they know how to process my project except from a traditional exegetical project perspective.

There was an effort to have a second respondent be someone who had engaged African theologians and qualitative research for an Old Testament PhD and post-doc research. Unfortunately, she was too busy.

So, Knut helped to filter what was valid for my project. There are things to heed, glean, and adapt for my dissertation, but unfortunately it was lopsided on the traditional exegesis. There was no constructive criticism on the qualitative research methods and related content.

The encouraging word from Knut is that he clarified that this was an interdisciplinary project that those in the mainstream of biblical scholarship would see as being on the margins. But then he said, “But it is the right margin.” And then added that he wondered what is the distinction between being on the margin and being on a leading edge of research? Indeed, with the majority of Christians being in the southern hemisphere, we need to find way to build bridges of understanding integrating both the Western exegetical methods and majority world voices. I have a great future ahead of me; it is just unfortunate to be critiqued by two traditionalists.

The good news is that for the PhD defense, there will be respondents (they call them opponents then!) who will understand intercultural and multi-disciplinary research.

The afternoon was watching another PhD student go through his midway evaluation. His is a missiology project and his two respondents seemed less harsh from my perspective, but they work with similar projects and understand the the methodology.

The late afternoon was a Maasai Research Group session to reflect on last week’s seminar.

I took the bus home and found Anya eating cheese and crackers. She has just returned from a day at an amusement park. Her class had won a race (when she was sick), but the whole class got to go for the day. She had decadent fair food and developed a slight sunburn on her face.

I escaped by watching The Matrix Reloaded to distract my brain from the day.

Ok, so if I had the ability to play a movie character, I think it would be awesome to play Trinity (but not the bedroom scene!) or Yu Shu Lien, the woman in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Surprised? What movie character would you want to play!?!

With blessings,

Beth

 

Tomorrow I am the first ever at MHS to go through a midway evaluation. It is kind of like a mock disputation in an abbreviated format. I submitted my dissertation thus far (through chapter 4, section 3; of 5 planned chapters). This was given to two other faculty to read. Tomorrow at 9:00 am (midnight in Pacific Standard Time), I will give a 15 minute presentation of my research and then have a dialogue for 30 minutes with each of the two faculty. They will be critiquing my work with the goal of strengthening it. This will be in front of any who choose to attend, which will probably be mostly PhD students. They will want to see what happens in order to be prepared for their midway evaluation.

I think one professor won’t be very supportive, as he is a traditional methodology person, and this is a multi-disciplinary project. However, I wonder if Knut is strategically utilizing him here in the midway eval so he isn’t obligated to use him for the real disputation (if not even eliminated from consideration), where he may be a major opponent at the more serious engagement of the defense.

I was on campus also, working in the library. I missed the #2 bus right outside the library, though it was 2 minutes early. So, I walked a few blocks to try to catch the #8 bus to the city center, but I saw that one just about 1 minute ahead of me. So, I walked downtown, which seems about half a mile and down hill. There were two big cruise ships in the harbor.

On the water front, they are getting ready for a sand volleyball tournament.

They have closed off a road right parallel to the harbor and piled sand about 2 feel high. The athletes were practicing. I saw jerseys from Brazil on the men. The women were tall and lean.

All the women had leggings on, which was appropriate for a chilly wind. The promotional materials have them in sports-bra and a little more than bikini bottoms. I wonder what they really will play in.

It is busy at the harbor with cruise ships, volleyball players, and the peddlers of tourist wares.

I made jiaozi (steamed pot sticker dumplings) for dinner with fresh wrapper dough and thawed pork and cabbage stuffing. After a bit more work reviewing my presentation, I practiced some Swedish, trying to learn the nuances of compressed round vowels in long and short forms. (I’m humbled.) And more practice with the online Duolingo lessons. (I’m ever humbled. How come I can’t remember the first syllable for pork?) Did you know that G before a consonant or hard vowel (a, o, u, å) sounds like G as is go, but before a soft vowel (e, i, y, ä, ö) a G sounds like a Y in yes!?!

Anya was really tired tonight, but still having difficulty sleeping. I’m headed that way soon. I don’t think I’ll lose sleep over the midway evaluation. I sense that Knut has shepherded me on a good path and has warned me that I don’t need to agree with everything said tomorrow. We’ll meet afterwards to evaluate what to take away from their comments. But a good night’s sleep will be helpful.

With blessings,

Beth

Melanie and Joseph picked us up for church. This is the couple from Curaçao and Zimbabwe respectively. There was special worship, barbecue, and games right at the Himmel and Hav (Heaven and Sea) retreat center on the Sola beach.

We arrived early, because Joseph was preaching. But because Melanie is the manager of the center, she brought out some tea and Marie biscuits while we waited. She has a great gift of hospitality, which is great for managing a retreat center/hotel. This was the couple that hosted us for Easter dinner as well.

We could sit and watch waves crash against the shore, as it was a windy day on the North Sea.

While waiting, we met a family from Indonesia. They warmed up to me when I started talking about my visit in Indonesia and how it was so meaningful for me as a young adult. Unfortunately, the engineer dad has been laid off from the oil industry, so they will be returning to Jakarta at the end of the school year. Their son is just a bit younger than Anya.

The worship was in the small, old chapel. It was nice to be cozy together, as often we are too spread out in the MHS aula (chapel/auditorium). Joseph preached on the Living Hope we have in Christ.

After the service, Anya walked on the rocks and beach.

There is a rocky area on the north and south sides of the bay, with fine sand on the east side. There was an area that was just tiny, pretty sea shells.

The sandy part is where the wind/kite surfers do their thing.

We had a nice barbecue, though Anya and I ate our food in the chapel out of the wind.

Then there were picnic games, like three-legged race and sack races. Anya participated in musical chairs.

Joseph and Melanie brought us home, and I took a nice Sunday afternoon nap.

Later, the weather looked descent, so we walked to the Sandnes Ulf football (soccer) match. Two days ago, it looked like there would be rain, so I wasn’t too sure about going, but it was mostly sunny, so we went. Oda’s mom was selling tickets, and Oda was doing face painting for the kids. Tickets were cheaper if you stood beyond the end zone, so we opted for this.

Even though it was mostly sunny, it was also really windy. The stadium is only about a 15 minute walk from our house, but it is at the crest of the glacial rift (hill), so the wind coming from the west off the North Sea blows over the soccer pitch (field). I was glad I put on my long johns. Even with my rabbit fur lined gloves, my thumbs became numb. Anya asked if I was sure I wanted to move to Sweden. I’m not too eager for colder weather, but I am eager to be at a place where I’m wanted.

I did buy Anya a Sandnes Ulf jersey with some birthday money. These are also the colors of Interlake High School, where she attended last fall and probably will be again. It doesn’t seem like Anya will be able to re-join the International Spanish Academy program, where most of her friends are.

I really don’t like the wind, after growing up on the prairie in Montana during my elementary days. And this day was full of a cold wind! I’m glad to be home in a cozy, warm house–and chocolate cake for dessert!

This week ahead will be interesting. On Tuesday, there will be a “midpoint evaluation,” where my dissertation thus far will be publicly critiqued by two faculty other than my supervisor. While I’m not too concerned, it will be a significant event. It is on my mind, though I don’t think I’ll lose any sleep over it.

Check back in on Tuesday evening though!?!

With blessings,

Beth

I have come to a deep appreciation of those who have the gift of hospitality. We have been so blessed along life these past few years, and here in Norway. Tina and her family have been so hospitable. Now that I’ve figured out enough of how to do life in Norway, I’ve endeavored to share a bit of hospitality–growing in my capacity.

I prepared with some house cleaning, and clipped the lawn while the weather was nice, as rain is in the forecast. I was told that this is the wettest spring on record and coldest since the 40s or something way back. However, I think I’ve acclimatized a bit as it doesn’t seem as cold as the temperature gauge says it is.

Today, we had Tina’s family over for dessert. I made yogurt panna cotta, which is Italian cooked cream, and wonderful. It is a little humbling preparing it for an Italian, as Tina’s husband is born and raised in Italy. But it is good and hard to go wrong. We had chocolate cake too.

We brought out the Bucky ball magnets, which are great fun. The boys had a great time discovering the shapes that could be made and properties of the magnets.

Later, we brought out water color pencils, and we all drew pictures. I guess we were a hit, because the boys didn’t want to leave! They enjoyed themselves, even though I don’t speak Norsk, and the boys didn’t want to use their English. The oldest probably understood most of what we said. Anya probably understood quite a bit of the Norwegian spoken. I am the most limited one.

So, again, we are blessed by Tina and her family. I was also encouraged to hear that Tina has a contract for next year. She finished up her PhD contract at the end of July and will be able to still work in academia. While it isn’t a preferred job, it is one she will do well as an administrator at the University of Stavanger for a one-year maternity leave replacement. It will have a bit of teaching, and that is Tina’s great joy. Though it means that she will have to say no to a commentary co-authorship that was offered to Tina and me. While we’d both like to do it, life circumstances aren’t conducive for us at this point.

A friend back in the USA, relayed that she has been asked to mentor a young woman again, as she had mentored her through confirmation. Now there is newly discovered cancer in the grandma, and this is an opportunity to walk together during a difficult time. I know the grandpa from days gone by.

Before bedtime prayers, I was telling Anya of this care and support for these family and friends, Anya said, “It’s like a holistic soap-opera!” We both laughed and the metaphor. Yes, isn’t it the inverted soap-opera to see people caring and supporting each other. And we prayed for the family, and others in the cancer journey.

May you all have bits of holistic soap-opera this week.

With blessings,

Beth

Today, Anya needed a mental health day, so she stayed home from school and worked on some algebra 2. Later she went by bus to Stavanger to get a couple things she had been thinking about. I think I’ve passed on my thing for bags to her, as she bought a Fjällräven Kånken backpack. They are a Swedish company, so perhaps she’s getting geared up for Sweden!

While Anya was gone, I worked on Exod 34:6-7 and the greater context. This passage is called “the Long Name of God” as this is God’s self description.

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (ESV)

I told Anya how I chose my topic of generational curses, but I’m just so glad that the first two passages that I deal with are pretty special–the Ten Commandments and this “Long Name of God.” This passage is actually overflowing with grace. Digging into it reveals grace upon grace.

I was reading in the area of the house that Anya calls the “indoor gazebo.” This is a lovely alcove with a comfy chair. Most of the time I can’t be here, as it is not efficient for taking notes, because I need to be seated at a table for note taking on my laptop. However, my first time through a chapter with pencil notes in the margin can be done in the chair.

At the end of the work day, I walked to the grocery store. I found a new path, which make things more direct and less hilly. I always enjoy the flowers along the way.

There is also a great view along the way. How awesome to walk to the store and gaze over a fjord on the way. In the far distance are still snow-capped mountain peaks.

There was some helicopter rescue practice over the water as well. I watched for a bit and saw two people repel (?) down to the rescue raft with orange smoke flare.

Anya made pizza for dinner. Homemade pizza means that I get meat, instead of cheese pizza when eating out with Anya!

After dinner, I made yogurt panna cotta as Tina’s family is coming over for dessert tomorrow. This is wonderful topped with fresh berries. Here’s the recipe link: http://helenrennie.com/recipes/desserts/panna_cotta.html

We closed the day streaming the movie, Millions.

We both laughed out loud. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. The boy has studied the saints, and they appear to him. He then blurts out their birth and death dates. I had seen it before, so I warned Anya that the mom had died in the movie. Perhaps you haven’t noticed (but we do), there are a lot of movies where there is or was a death of a parent. Think about it: Bambi, Lion King, Sound of Music, Star Wars (the mom, later we hear “Luke, I am your father”), etc. In fact, Disney’s animated films are known to have a trope of parental death.

Cinderella – mom is dead, dad dies
Aladdin – orphan
Lilo and Stitch – orphans
The Jungle Book – orphan
The Little Mermaid – mom dies
Beauty and the Beast – motherless
Bambi – mom dies
Finding Nemo – mom dies

Fortunately, Anya is in a pretty good place about this now. Earlier it was tough.

Blessings on your weekend folks!

Beth

When I started my blog in January and named it “Whithersoever thou goest” from Joshua 1:9, I had no clue that Anya’s and my journey would be so different in just a few months. I was imagining of 6 months of sabbatical, but now it has expanded beyond Norway with pending changes: 2015-16 academic year in Bellevue, and beyond in Sweden. It is a needed reminder of God’s presence and providence.

Anya went off to school, but the Subway affect from yesterday had her feeling slightly ill. She returned just before noon. This meant that she missed out on the 5K run in the late afternoon. I did inform Subway of the issue via an online customer service submission. I hope it will prevent others from getting sick.

I stayed home to finish reading the Maasai book, typing direct quotes into Nota Bene software when there was content that relates to my dissertation. Over all, I was disappointed. He didn’t develop the Oreteti tree metaphor to even where I could connect things meaningfully with it. While I’m not Maasai, I have an understanding of the Maasai worldview that is beyond a beginning understanding, and he couldn’t even engage me. I did glean some bits, but not as much as I had hoped.

My brother-in-law, Steve, was a great help today and delivered via email what others couldn’t do. There is a 1904 early ethnography by Moritz Merker written in German, but there is an unpublished English translation that was only available on microfiche. Steve was able to get the microfiche and get me some of the text. Their microfiche machine was so old that they were not confident in getting the whole thing copied, so I got 3 chapters that related to my work. Way to go Steve!

Mid-afternoon, I took a few minutes outside in the sunshine. Then back to finish up the book and look at some Merker.

With blessings,

Beth

On June 1, I started the liminal theme. Liminal is the in-between state.

The bigger picture is that on June 1, I submitted my resignation to my boss at Trinity Lutheran College.

At the end of January and just prior to my sabbatical start, I was informed that the administration had initiated and the president had authorized a release from the faculty handbook requirement to return for one year after a one semester sabbatical; i.e., I was invited to leave. Thus, I have been engaged in a discernment process–should I stay or should I go? This is a long story, but the summary version is that I have been offered a position at Johannelunds teologiska högskola in Uppsala, Sweden, after the completion of my PhD dissertation. I accepted.

Back in early May, we made a trip there. I relayed in my blog that I was asked to share my PhD research there, as they have a long-term relationship with Tanzania. This is all true. What I didn’t say was that this was part of a job interview. The Providential bit is that Anya came along and became enamored with the opportunity.

So at this point, the plan is to finish the dissertation in the fall while enrolling in a Swedish language course, which will continue through the year. I even have a former seminary prof offering tutoring in theological Swedish! Anya will have her 10th grade year in Bellevue, and then we move to Sweden. Anya will then enroll in the English-medium International Baccalaureate program at the Katedralskol, which was founded in 1246 (!) and claims three Nobel laureates and the co-founder of Skype as alumni!

So, this will be a year of liminality and transition. I waited to post this on the blog until my resignation was received, and I was able to notify some colleagues by email.

The other news of the day is that Anya received a notification in the post that there was a package for her waiting at the post office. So after school, we went to retrieve the package.

On the walk home we stopped by Subway and shared a sandwich. However, both of us have incurred “Monte-Subway’s Revenge” this evening, so not a good sign for this location. (Because of the high cost of labor, eating out is expensive, and so not a lot of people eat out. Perhaps the turkey was a bit beyond fresh.)

But before we “ran” home, we visited a cool store and saw the rhodys in full bloom.

Then, home to open the package from Anya’s friend, Sami.

These packages are medicine for the soul, but her body still is “Sub-par.” (Marvin, are you smiling!)

So, we thank you for your prayers and support–many of you with the discernment process–and for this next year of transition. I’m figuring that we’ll need a 3-bedroom flat in Uppsala to welcome guests! My niece, Erin who visited us in April, is already saving for a visit to Sweden! I’ll share some tidbits about Uppsala over the next few days.

With blessings,

Beth

 

The crazy thing about this blog is sometimes there are many visitors from all over the world. Sometimes, there are just a few visitors from city names that I can recognize or see repeated visits. Yesterday, was one of the few visitors days and today has many unknown cities listed. I never know who is visiting, just that there are a number from Bellevue or Seattle, etc.

It was a blustery and rainy morning. I sent Anya off to school with rain pants on, as an umbrella would be frustrating against the wind and not keep her legs dry with the rain coming at an angle. It was not nice.

Today, I stayed at home and spent it reading the inter-library loan book on the Maasai. So, while I’m really done with the Maasai chapter, it is good to have a review and pick up a few more quotes and round out some concepts. His introductory chapters didn’t have much new that I need, but good to read.

I’m looking forward to the next chapters, as they will have more engagement with the Maasai worldview, not just the ethnographic descriptions. He also is using a metaphor to represent the Maasai worldview. This seems related to my “contextual, conceptual paradigm” (or lens) so I’m interested to see how he develops this. He uses the oreteti tree as a metaphor of the Maasai worldview. The oreteti tree is from the fig family. And since I have no exciting pictures of the day, enjoy the tree.

Tomorrow, I should have more on the metaphor! Hopefully, more on the liminal zone tomorrow too!

With blessings,

Beth

Today is a liminal state. Merrium-Webster’s dictionary describes it as “of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition : in-between, transitional.”

Today, I address a little liminal state with my dissertation. Tomorrow, I’ll address another larger liminal state.

With regard to my dissertation, I submitted my draft through chapter 4 subsection 3 last Friday, meeting the deadline that was set. It meant I had a great weekend after a very full week. Today this means that I don’t want to work on anything from page 1 through the end of section 4.3, because there will probably be significant feedback on what I have submitted. I don’t want to make changes and then revise my revisions. So, I wait in a liminal zone.

So, I started working intently on my next text, which is Exod 34. But I have to get my head around the larger context. So, much of the reading today was about this text. However, I am still in the liminal zone, because if my reviewers are not able to connect to the way I have been tackling my argument, then I will have to revise my current work with the generalized critique that they give. So, this Exod 34 work may not be as direct or productive as I would hope. However, I have a sense from Knut’s previous review, that I’m doing an adequate job. So, I move on in that direction.

I did make a quick trip to MHS today. An inter-library loan book came in. This book is not available on the new or used book market. So, I’m glad to have access to it. It is written by a recently deceased Roman Catholic priest from the Netherlands who worked among the Maasai for several years and then taught related topics in Roman Catholic universities. So, he’s got some insights that I want to glean and also see in context what has been quoted in other books. This will be interesting reading I think.

Anya and I did spend the evening watching the movie Young Victoria. I guess we’re on an Emily Blunt catena, as she was the baker’s wife in Into the Woods and the queen in this movie.

More liminality tomorrow!

With blessings,

Beth

It was the Asian focus worship today at the Stavanger International Church. There were songs sung by groups and us all together in multiple languages, such as Fijian, Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino. I’m sure there were more, but I couldn’t keep track. These are all representative languages of the SIC community.

The kids had a special song for us all.

After the service, there was a wonderful spread of Asian foods. I was one of the few non-Asians who ate with chopsticks. During the lunch, I talked with two Chinese. The new one I met today is from Suzhou. I was able to tell him that I had been there. Then he said he worked for a year in Singapore, and again I was able to say I was there too! How fortunate to be able to connect in a way that builds a bridge right away.

Many ate outside as it was gorgeous. We ate on the steps of the first MHS building, built in 1864.

 

It was in the mid-50s today, but I must have acclimatized a bit, because it felt like in the mid-60s to me!

Anya headed home by the bus, as I went home with Marta for a bit. My stay was a little shorter than planned, as Anya didn’t have her house key. So, Marta drove me home. So, I did get in a great Sunday afternoon nap.

Evening is dinner and a movie as we are streaming Into the Woods.

It is a new month tomorrow. Who knows what the future holds?

With blessings,

Beth