A Christian couple in Azerbaijan, a country that is 96% Muslim, have been unable to obtain a birth certificate for their now three month old son, whom they named Ilya Eyvazov. Why? Because Ilya is the Russian version of the name Elijah. Apparently they don't take kindly to Christian names (or Jewish names, since Elijah is from the Hebrew), although some officials have said it's foreign names of which they disapprove. You can read more about this story here.
So I actually got my LSAT score last Friday (earlier than expected). I haven't posted about it yet, because I guess it seems unremarkable. I don't mean that it's not a great score, because it is, and I'm happy about it. What I mean by unremarkable is that it was about the average score that I was getting on my practice tests, but it was not as high as I was scoring the last 3 or so weeks before the test. Without further ado, my score was a 166. If you are interested, you can read more info about scores here. A 166 is in the top 6%. It is a competitive score. However, the University of Minnesota's median score is 165. The U of M is currently my first choice school. I was hoping to blow their median out of the water by scoring closer to a 170 (top 3%). And I really wanted to have that "I'm on top of the world" feeling about it, if you know what I mean. But I realized that I don't need that feeling. The other thing I realized (actually, I think I already knew this, but it was reinforced in my mind) is that I don't have to obsess about things like LSAT scores, because if God is calling me to law school, He will make my way successful. Obviously, I'm going to do my very best...then the rest is out of my hands.
The test itself...it's kinda funny how it went. On my strongest section, logical reasoning (of which there are actually two), I got more questions wrong than I usually do. My weakest section (reading comprehension) went far better than I thought it had after leaving the exam. I pretty much rocked that section. And then the logic games, which was the last (and the most difficult for most people) was my best performance (one question wrong). I'm very pleased with my performance on the games section, because three weeks before the test, I was missing at least one, if not two, out of four games, which translates into 6-14 missed questions! For some reason, I could just not get the hang of these games, despite studying the techniques extensively. I came to the end of myself, and I asked God to remove whatever was blocking my mind from understanding these games. Most of you have probably already heard this testimony. Johnathan really likes the part about the "mental block," I think. Anyway, not even a week later, I was doing much better on the games (though I think my best performance ever was on test day). I came to the end of myself, I asked God for help, and He gave it to me! The most significant part of that testimony for me is that I really didn't give God the credit for giving me the ability to ace the games. I was just so happy to get over that hump that I didn't even think about the fact that I had asked Him to help me. He brought it back to my attention, though, a week or so later, when I scored very low on a practice exam. At that point, I was thinking, What will prevent me from doing this on test day? Then I remembered that I had come to this point before. I had come to the end of my abilities, and I had to rely on Him. I hope that I will keep that perspective for these next phases of my life. Maybe the test score is part of that.
To conclude, I am very pleased with my score, and I am eager to finish my personal statement and get on with the applications. If anyone has any bright ideas for my personal statement, I would not be averse to hearing them.
"...God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)I was feeling a bit distressed by some nasty things that are going on in our country and the world right now. See the quote from Paul above, which came from the Comforter.
Thanks to Pete for bringing this to my attention.
Clampdown Parking Enforcement put a boot clamp on my car in 2003, and I had to pay over $125 to get it taken off. Granted, I was parked in a bike shop spot and was patronizing Big Mike's (n/k/a Milio's), but I clearly had no idea that I was parked in the wrong spot. Almost all of the Big Mike's spots were open; in fact, the entire parking lot was relatively empty (I say relatively, because I've been back there many a time since, and it's usually close to full). I parked in the bike shop spot because I didn't know any better (and the week before, some of us had gone to Big Mike's after church, and that's where Pete had parked). Furthermore, there was no clear marker above the parking spot to show that it was exclusively for customers of the bike shop (which had long since closed for the day; this was about 10:30 at night). So obviously I didn't know that I was parking in the wrong spot, because if I had, I would have parked in one of the several open Big Mike's spots (unless I had been intentionally trying to invite the clamp and subsequent fine upon myself). As I was walking into Big Mike's, I noticed a man sitting in a vehicle. We stared at each other for a few seconds, and then I walked into the shop (there was no one in line), ordered my sandwich, paid, and walked back out, all in the span of about a minute and a half. And what did I find upon returning to my vehicle? You guessed it; the staring man, having a smoke next to my now-clamped vehicle. I tried to reason with him. "How can you do this? I didn't know I wasn't supposed to park there! See...there's no sign. And you were looking right at me on my way in...why didn't you say something to me??" His only response was a blank stare and a reiteration of the amount that I would have to pay him to get him to take the boot clamp off of my car. I continued my plea...I cried...I locked myself in my car and called my dad, then my brother, who actually came to my rescue and tried to reason with the guy too...all to no avail. He would not be reasoned with. He was going to get his payment, because, (ha ha!) he got me! He figured out a way to capitalize on people's mistakes (although I do understand that people do purposefully park in the wrong parking spots, and in that case, I think they deserve the ticket or clamp or whatever...but some poor college freshman who has no clue? Come on).
Well, this morning, the Minneapolis City Council voted 13-0 to revoke Clampdown's license, due to its history of violations and unpaid fines. You can read more about it here. Keep in mind that the MN Daily story does not mention the outcome of the vote - I had to call the city council's office to discover that. In additon, this is an older story about the illegalization of clamping in Washington state, but interesting nonetheless...
This blog would be incomplete, however, without mentioning the silver lining in the cloud of the clamping incident. It's not as if I still think and stew about that lost $125, but I was pretty upset at the time. I remember being at a loss for what to do. I wasn't going to give up my hard-earned cash without a fight. Even after I gave the guy the money, I was still trying to think of ways to get it back, and I didn't know what to do. I wanted a solution! My brother Dave said simply, "Well, the Bible says, 'In everything give thanks.' " Wow! After having walked away from the Lord four years prior, I had just two months before yielded my life to Him. Those Scriptures that I had known my entire life were now just coming alive when I would hear them. In that moment, it was like, Wow! The Bible does say to give thanks in everything. That means that right now I can keep complaining, or I can give thanks to the Lord! I love that, when God reveals something to your heart. It's no longer just an intellectual knowing, but a heart knowing. And you're just awed by it, by how utterly simple and profound it is at the same time.
I now have my ticket to Paris! But, let me tell you, that was not easy! I booked the ticket online at one of those cheap air fare websites, and they told me that my credit card had been declined. Well, there was nothing wrong with my card, so I called the next day and asked them to try it again. For some reason, they couldn't quite figure out how to do that. Finally, after two days of this, I was able to get in touch with someone who did know what they were doing, and they charged my card. But then they never sent my confirmation, and the next day when I called, they told me that my ticket had been cancelled! Yikes! I can't tell you how frustrated that made me, not knowing whether I had a ticket or not, and knowing that my credit card had already been charged. But now, four days and about 30 phone calls and emails later, I finally have my ticket. I'm still a little nervous that when I show up at the airport, they're going to say, "I'm sorry, but we have no record of this reservation," but I think I need to just recognize that as fear and not give into it.
I can't believe I'm leaving in three and half weeks! They started interviewing people for my job this week. That's going to be weird. Once I get in the groove of doing something, it's hard for me to just up and leave it. I feel as if I'm abandoning it. It was like that at (hee hee) Dairy Queen, where I worked all through high school and my first year of college. That's why I worked there for like five years! In fact, I never actually quit. As far as I'm concerned, I still work there (although I do believe they took me off the payroll). But when I left for college and stopped working there full time, it took me a little while to come to terms with the fact that someone else was going to be decorating the log cakes...I even had to leave a little chart there as to how they should be ordered in the display case. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, that chart is still in use (correct me if I'm wrong, Heidi). At my job now, among other things, I take phone calls from defendants in cases that our firm is handling. I talk to a lot of different people in any given week, and I always think it's funny when someone calls up and says, "Hi, Deb. This is John," and it could be anyone. I have no idea who it is and have to ask for a last name or file number. And my co-worker Jeremiah and I have this thing about making people call with our file number. It just makes it easier for us to look up. But there's this one defendant that calls about once a month. All he has to say is, "Hi, Deb. This is Sama," and I totally know who it is. I don't even bother to ask him for his file number, because I know exactly who it is, and I know he won't have the number on him anyway. So I'm sure for a few weeks after I leave the firm, I'll occasionally think about those defendants who call me often and with whom I'm on a first name basis. I'm actually on friendly terms with many of the defendants, even though you'd think they wouldn't be happy with the firm that's suing or has sued them and to whom they are in debt. However, I get along pretty well with a lot of them, and I like that. I'd rather not get into phone arguments with people all day, although that does happen. Anyway, those are just some random things that I've been thinking about lately.
LSAT update: I'll get my score on Monday! Time flies...
My departure date is now officially one month away. I'll be leaving for France on Tuesday, November 14. There's a lot to do between now and then - the most pressing of items on the list is to write my personal statement. Considering I'll be submitting my law school applications within the next two weeks, I should probably get on that. I'll be going to Chicago to get my visa - although now I think I'll actually be flying, not driving, and I'm going to be touring the campuses of Northwestern University and the University of Chicago Law Schools. It always was a dream of mine to attend grad school in Chicago - although I like the idea of staying close to home. We'll see what God has in mind. But first I need to decide exactly where I'm going to apply. More updates later.
So I took the LSAT yesterday. It went really well, because the Lord was with me, and He gave me His peace. So no more studying. I really can't believe it. I've kind of been in a daze. I'm starting to remember what my life was like pre-LSAT. It's fun! I'm excited to spend the next month and a half enjoying my last few weeks with my family and friends before I depart for France. During the next few weeks, I'll be working on my personal statement and then submitting law school applications (I get my LSAT score in three weeks), but I'm going to have plenty of time to do more of what I wanted to be doing while I was studying...certain things that come to mind right now are evangelizing on the campus, spending time with the body, cleaning and organizing (sounds strange, but that's me), and going to the gym again. I guess at some point I'm going to have to move and pack and get ready to go, but I won't think about that quite yet. I think for the next few weeks, I'm just going to relish the fact that I am free!
Well, it's official. I have to go to Chicago to get my visa. So if anyone wants to hitch a ride down to Chicago, they should let me know. The visa section of the Consulate is only open from 9 am to 12:30 pm, and an appointment is required. So I'm probably going to be leaving around 4 am. I'll worry about that next week. Anyone who wants to tag along should tell me which days they have available!
I actually did it! I think I'm getting the hang of this LSAT thing. Plus, tonight I told the spirit of fear that it's not in charge; I have been given a sound mind! Aside from a few last minute preparations, I actually feel ready to take this test.
So I tried a new strategy on my practice LSAT today. It was to slow down a little in the reading comprehension section, since I tend to miss questions because I'm in a hurry. Bad idea. With 2 minutes to go, I had a passage with a scientific topic (ugh) that had 8 questions with it (as opposed to the usual 5 - 7). Needless to say, that wasn't a good strategy. I guess I'm glad I'm learning it now, rather than on test day, but I was hoping to get a very high score again today. As it is, I scored nearly perfectly on every section but the reading comprehension part, and I still only managed to achieve a 165. Live and learn.
168. I'd be happy if I got a 168 on the real thing, which is next Saturday, by the way. Then I can quit blogging about LSAT scores and move on to something more exciting (and less stressful). My last four scores have been: 167, 165, 169, 168. My average is moving up. I haven't had below a 165 in awhile. More updates later...
So I actually thought I had the coveted 170 (argh; no coveting allowed!), but it turns out that for this particular test administration, they removed one of the questions from scoring. So my score was actually a 169. But still. Now I know that I have the potential to reach 170. Updates on future scores will come later this week.
I finally broke the 166 tonight! Admittedly, it was only by one point, but you'd be surprised by how much of an encouragement that one point increase is. It gives me a reason to keep studying!
September is flying by. I'm getting nervous, because I'm taking the LSAT on the 30th. Yikes! In a few minutes, I'm going to take practice test #10. My best score so far has been about 2-4 points lower than I'd like, which, of course, doesn't seem like much. But it can make a big difference to schools. So the studying continues.
In other news, I'm about to finally be able to get the contract that I need from the French government for my visa. It's been a process, but I'm picking up my documents from my translator tomorrow. I had to have several documents translated by a certified translator for the French government. That's not cheap, let me tell you. But if you ever need a certified French translator, let me know, and I'll pass along his name! Once I send the documents to the French government, Caroline should be able to get the contract, sign it, and send it to me. Then I'll send off for my visa. But I have to do it before October 1, because after that, they're changing the rules, and all visa requests must be made in person, which would mean I'd have to go to Chicago. So if I don't get it done in time...road trip, anyone?
I'll also be buying my plane ticket, probably next week. I think I'm going to be leaving on November 14...two months from today.
All right...study time! Let's see if I can break a 166 today!
Paperwork, you ask? Yes, paperwork. I know that's not very edgy or exciting or original. But. That's what going on in my life right now. I'm still trying to muddle my way through the French bureaucracy and trying to figure out what exactly I need (various forms, etc.). It doesn't help when all your communication is by email in your non-native tongue. It's great practice, but it sure is time-consuming. And then there's letters of recommendation for law school, transcripts, personal statements, and about 15-20 hours per week of LSAT studying. Not to mention all the paperwork on my desk at work. I'll be glad when I'm finally there, in France, sans paper! Well, I'm sure there will still be some paper in my life, but hopefully much, much less.
On another note, here's a familiar passage that struck me last night (Philippians 1:12 -21):
Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in {the cause of} Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter {do it} out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but {that} with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
…for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, {that is,} through the living and enduring word of God…And this is the word which was preached to you.
I think I made the right choice when I decided to take this au pair position in France. I grappled with it a little bit, knowing that by taking the job, I was excluding myself from any other (non-au pair) position that could potentially come my way. As I've said, I felt like being an au pair (in a situation where I would be speaking French, not English) would be the best from the standpoint of a linguistic immersion. Also, I didn't know if there would be any potential internships coming my way. However, I did not hear the Lord audibly say, "Take this job." I prayed about it, asked the Lord to lead and guide me, and asked Him to close the door if this wasn't where He wanted me. And when I thought about taking this job, I felt peace. In addition, I haven't had to do very much to get this job. This family has been pursuing me. Things seem to just be falling in place. But still, there's that thought in the back of my mind, What if this isn't the right thing? What if you agree to take this job, and then something better comes along next week? That's where faith comes in, and, instead of merely rationalizing my decision with my intellect, I have to simply believe God. I need to not only believe that He's leading me and speaking to me, but also that He's not going to abandon me in France, even if I do make "the wrong choice."
Well, this morning I got what I believe is a confirmation from God. I received an email from one of my France contacts. He just got back from a vacation in France and had passed along my information to a lawyer friend of his. This friend said that occasionally they do hire interns/law clerks, but they are not paid (which, per my contact, is a common practice, as law clerks receive free training). He said, "...there'’s a possibility [and not with that firm - I'd have to find something else], but maybe not exactly what you had in mind." The email screamed (to me), "Not falling into place! Not working out!"
Decisions have never been my strong suit. My natural inclination is to intellectualize/rationalize until I'm sure that I've made the right one. I have to cover all my bases, make sure that I've thought through every angle. And it seems that I often come to that place where I've thought it through (over and over and over again), and I can't come to the "best" conclusion. I can't figure out what the right choice is. God has been teaching me that I need move forward in faith. And that faith is not in myself and in my own ability to save myself - because I can't! My faith is in God and in his saving grace. In fact, that reminds me of a Scripture. When I got born again (2/19/03), I began to devour the Scriptures. My mom gave me a Bible in the New Living Translation, and I really began to understand what the Scriptures meant. Philippians 3 was one of my favorite chapters. I especially like verse 9:
...I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God's way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.Likewise, I can't put my trust in myself and in my own ability to make the right decision. Rather, I need to trust God to save me!
Finally. I received a response from Caroline today! She answered (almost) all of my questions, and we're getting the process started now. I have to send her a host of documents tomorrow, and she'll be getting me registered at a language school. Yes, in order to obtain the au pair visa, I am obligated to prove that I'll be taking French courses while I'm there. I already have a pretty good level of French (according to the native Francophones with whom I've spoken), and I'm going to be speaking French all day with the family (yay!); you'd think that'd be enough. I'd prefer to have the free time instead, but I guess I can't change the French government's policies. Anyway, I'm extremely excited, but I don't think it has actually sunk in yet. I think I'm waiting until I get the official offer letter from her, and then I'll actually start to think it's real. I can't wait to see my friend Sarah, and I'm extremely happy that she's made a new friend there! It really is a "coincidence" that we prayed for her at church last night (early in the morning Switzerland time), and she ended up going to church that morning and meeting a new friend. God had it all planned out. He directs our steps. Praise Him!
I'm taking a short study break. I know, I know. It's only been ninety minutes. I'm going back to it right now. But first, I wanted to post something that I thought was funny. God is funny. I was thinking about peace and not being anxious, and then I read today's "My Utmost for His Highest", entitled "Are you ever disturbed?":
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." John 14:27
There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance, but when we awaken to the facts of life, inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When Our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace, His words are ever "spirit and life." Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? "My peace I give unto you" - it is a peace which comes from looking into His face and realizing His undisturbedness.
Are you painfully disturbed just now, distracted by the waves and billows of God's providential permission, and having, as it were, turned over the boulders of your belief, are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort; is all barren? Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus. Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. If you allow anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you, you are either disturbed or you have a false security.
Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace? If so, He will be a gracious benediction of peace in and through you. But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get. We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Jesus Christ the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him. Lay it all out before Him, and in the face of difficulty, bereavement and sorrow, hear Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled."
Another verse comes to mind, in light of what Chambers said in the sentence that I put in bold text:
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy."Back to studying!
-James 3:17 (contrasting wisdom from above with earthly, natural, demonic wisdom)
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