SOTOEOTP called back today

It was around 10:30 or 11:00 am, and it was on my cell phone again. And it was the exact same number. This time, though, I actually understood him. Well, sort of.

Me: Hello?
SOTOEOTP: Org, e huasay re?
Me: I'm sorry?
SOTOEOTP: Joey?
Me: I'm terribly sorry, but I believe you have dialed the wrong number.
*click*

This fellow still needs to work on his phone manners! I can't decide if someone is trying to play a joke on me or was really given the wrong number. I CAN say that I don't much care for the language of this goon.

Oh well. Too bad for this fellow, but he's messing with the wrong gal. For one thing, I'm net-savvy enough to look up his phone number, and I could already tell you the name and address of the owner of that telephone number, with its accompanying map. And much to his disappointment, my cell phone will officially be "out of service" in less than a week, and disconnected before the year's end, when our contract comes up for renewal. Shame.

telephone manners, or i-got-the-strangest-call-tonight

So I was driving home this evening when my cell phone rings. I carefully get it out of my pocket and answer the phone. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Hello?
Stranger on the other end of the phone: Mphlgh.
Me: Hello?
SOTOEOTP: Eh goap thorkenonen mphlgh.
Me: I'm sorry, you're breaking up.
SOTOEOTP: Uh?
Me, slowly and clearly: You're breaking up.
RUDE SOTOEOTP: F*** you, b****.

So whatever happened to, "I'm terribly sorry, but I think I have misdialed"?

one year ago...

Today I received a comment on my blog, on an entry that I had posted almost exactly one year ago today, in September 2005. This person, a gentleman named Kyle, posted a reply to this entry.

It's funny looking back to then. One year ago, I was just beginning my student teaching assignment. That particular entry came at a particularly low point for me. Seemed like nothing was going right in my life, and I was really wondering when things would work out for me. I also remember that, at the time of that post, I was seriously questioning whether or not I should drop out of the student teaching program, and constantly wondering how I could explain to others about the greatly unethical events that I was witnessing.

A whole lot has changed since then. A lot lot lot lot lot. It's such a comfort to look back and be reminded of God's faithfulness, even in that time of trial. I was never alone, and God never forgot about my suffering - indeed, I see now that the suffering had to happen for the blessings that followed.

Finally, a message to Kyle: Blogger won't let me view your profile, so post again, but this time leave the url for your blog or homepage!

When it comes time to die, make sure all you have to do is die.
~Jim Elliot

intensity

Last night my family watched "End of the Spear". We've had the DVD for awhile but hadn't had a chance to watch it, and the holiday provided just the opportunity.

What a sobering reminder of the sacrifices sometimes demanded from us, and the mighty works that God will bring out of our faithfulness in those sacrifices. Most of you know that this movie tells the story of five famous Christian martyrs: Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian, and of their legacy, as the faithfulness of their wives and children led to the salvation of many of the Waodani tribe in Ecuador.

The Waodani were a barbarian tribe, living in the Stone Age even in the 20th century. These 5 men made contact via airplane with the tribe, and eventually moved on to land contact. Five days after they made land contact, all five men were speared to death.

What awes me most about their story is the reaction of their families. Less than three years later, Elisabeth Elliot (Jim Elliot's widow) and Rachel Saint (sister of Nate Saint) had not only reestablished contact but had established permanent residence with the Waodani. None of the widows bore anger or bitterness towards the Waodani. This reaction was probably key in the Waodanis' reaction to accept the Gospel.

(Spoilers ahead, but come on, we all know how it ends!)

The scene in the movie that probably moved me most was at the end. Mincayani, the Waodani man who speared Nate Saint, held a spear to himself and begged Steve Saint (Nate's son) to spear him and avenge his father's death, according to tribal tradition. Steve looked at Mincayani and said "No one took my father's life. He gave it". And it was there that Mincayani changed, accepted Christ and truly left his life of barbarianism behind.

What a mighty God we serve. There are no words to describe His power and His might. All I can say is, if you haven't accepted Jesus, watch out. There's no where you can hide from His love.

I named my new Ipod Fluffernutter.

But I've never eaten a Fluffernutter.

legacy

A few days ago, I was writing an email to an old teacher and telling her about why I chose to become a teacher. Those discussions got me to thinking... because the reason I chose to become a teacher is largely the same reason I am going to Africa.

It has to do with lives. I want to teach so that I can change lives. And when I'm gone, I don't care if they say "Tidy Bowl was a really awesome person". The best legacy that I can leave is if one the people whose life I have changed, goes on to change lives as well. And may the chain continue! If we could each just impact one person in our life, plant one seed, we could have a true revival!

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
And you could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the Who's Who's and So-and-So's
That used to be the best at such and such
It wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough?
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

Don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well-traveled, not well-read
Not well-to-do, or well-bred
Just want to hear instead
Well done, good and faithful one

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

~Legacy by Nichole Nordeman

P.S. Stay tuned - Tidy Bowl will soon be revealed!