Adieu to summer

I've finished up my work in the microbiology lab for the summer (just as I've begun to develop better experimental techniques). I hope to look into repeating the wonderful experience next summer as a dental student researcher. Besides working in the lab this July, I went to the Wise County RAM health fair to assist with dental extractions/restorations. It was great to meet some upper class dental students and be a part of the effort with them. I look forward to continuing my involvement in the MOM Project dental service events. I recently participated in a local bike race and continue to enjoy thus commuting during the week. I've had the opportunity to learn how to change a flat tire, but hope such a recurrence in the future won't make me late to class. This past weekend, I was pleased to host my cousins (one of which was visiting form Germany), an aunt, and my grandmother. Showing them around Richmond gave me a settled and at-home feeling.

One of my housemates introduced the practice baggie washing and recycling but had taken the drying stand with her when she moved several weeks ago...so I put together a DIY version. I also enjoyed using my mom's recipe to make the famous Russian red beet soup Борщь (or 'borscht').

Today was the first day of orientation at the dental school. It is interesting to be one of 97 in the same thing (a dental class)...it's almost like being a twin (x 97!!). [I wonder if that is what church and being part of The Body should feel like.] Although we have all stepped in the same boat, we are quite a diverse group, coming from 18 states and many ancestral lands, boasting 3 pilots and a cancer survivor, and bringing together very diverse experiences and interests. I sense the possibility of a strongly bound class developing during these 4 years. Although I am accustomed to (and might prefer) solitude, I look forward to the challenge and reward of contributing to and being a part of the dental student community.

I have been reading "The Divine Conspiracy," by Dallas Willard, a book loaned by a friend and will mention an interesting snippet. In talking about accurately envisioning the world and experiencing God's Kingdom, Willard suggests that the 'heavens' (tou ouranou), as mentioned in Acts 11:5-9 when Peter sees the descending sheet with unclean animals, is better translated 'air' or 'atmosphere,' giving it a more intimate and omnipresent feel than 'sky' or 'heaven.' He further notes that the gospel of Matthew was authored by a Jew who used the same phrase (tou ouranou) to represent Jesus' Kingdom of Heaven, which is called the Kingdom of God in other gospels and throughout the New Testament. Willard explains that it was common Jewish practice to use a phrase for heaven (tou ouranou) in place of God's name. Thinking about the Kingdom of God/Heaven as the Kingdom that exists in the 'air' or 'atmosphere' challenges us to pay closer attention to the workings of and our involvement in it as we live our daily lives.

I'm looking forward to the rest or orientation week and starting dental classes next week. Wish me well! : )