More occasional randomness

Here's what's up:

I'm editing the post to add this fascinating tidbit: my mileage total for September was 1,508. Of that, 827 miles were for internship-related travel, the other 681 was personal (mostly those four trips to St. Paul and back). Thankfully, the driving wasn't nearly as unpleasant as I had feared, though that will surely change come January.

It feels like spring and the bugs seem to agree. The box elder bugs are out of control, though they stay mostly outside. The ladybugs (or Asian beetles or whatever they are) have moved in. I am walking the line between constant and merciless crushing or just cohabiting. If they choose their location within the apartment wisely, they escape my wrath. The creepy wormy things do not. There is no escape for them.

I have a cold and I'm not happy about it. It's been about a week and a half now and it's gradually improving but it won't just go away. That's what I get for my ongoing struggles with self-care.

Last night at confirmation, my eighth-graders actually remembered a lot of what we had talked about last week! I was shocked and ecstatic. It's gratifying to know that some kernels of knowledge are sinking in even though they never stop talking and rarely appear to be paying much attention. They are a great group, though, with really good questions. Last night they came up with arguments for and against flags in the sanctuary (all on their own, prompted only by the presence of the flags). And they twisted their brains into knots trying to figure out the Trinity, also all on their own.

My friend Jennifer is beginning her journey to Liberia even as I write this. I will really miss having her around for daily check-in calls, but of course I'm delighted that she will finally get to spend time in person with the man she would have married in August had his visa been approved.

Now I have to get back to sermonizing because tomorrow I head to Underwood, Minnesota, to visit my friends Phil and Rachel. And, of course, Klaus! Our other friends, Ben and Stephanie, are planning to come too, so it's sure to be a good time!