I’m sorry I didn’t blog yesterday, but I was so tired. It’s exhausting having to be nice to people all the time, you guys. I don’t do it very often, you know.

So this seems to be what Ohio looks like pretty much all the time. Apparently it was 70 in Colorado yesterday.

We’ve spoken on the problem of evil to the Cedarville University student body the last two days. It’s been great. We’ve gotten to speak in chapel, and hang out with lots of people. The problem of evil is a difficult topic, but Axis does such a good job with breaking it down and making it understandable. There have been three of us speaking, and we switch it up a lot. No one speaks for more than 3-5 minutes at a time, and we use lots of media clips to keep it fast-paced and interesting. It’s been such an honor to speak here and get to know the faculty, staff and students here.

This is part of the Cedarville chapel. I should’ve taken a picture with some students in it, but I’m not good with the thinking ahead.

I’m realizing how much I love college, you guys. I love being on campus, I love teaching, I love chatting with students. It makes me really want to be a professor. But I’m hoping someone will just give me a doctorate or something, because I really don’t feel like doing more school. Can I just buy a diploma somewhere?

One thing I don’t love quite as much is the cafeteria food. Chuck’s Cafeteria (or Upchucks if you want to go with the clever), is fine, but fairly typical. I’m also reminded why freshmen gain weight because you have about 90,000 options for every single meal. Do I want pizza or pasta or salad or ice cream or a burger. Or all of them? I’ve been sticking with salads, but I’ve also fallen prey to the grilled cheese. (Aren’t you so glad I’m blogging again so that you can stay updated on what I’m eating? You are welcome.)

I’m so behind with this week’s media! No Bachelor, Parenthood, Parks and Rec! Sharing the gospel is really getting in the way of my TV watching. Which is a very convicting realization.

Yesterday I was speaking on evil and talking about how God could have made us robots, but he didn’t. He gave us the choice of choosing to love him, and robots can be programmed, but they can’t love. While I was speaking, I asked Siri on my iPhone if she loved me. She responded to me and the entire Cedarville audience that she wasn’t capable of love. But, you guys, even if my technology doesn’t love me, I do love it. Always and forever.

Umm, I just realized as I finished this post that today is Friday. I am so mixed up this week. So, apparently no Friday Listday. I’ll make it a super good one next week.

Have the bestest weekend, friends!

I would love it if you would pray for us today and tomorrow. We’re speaking to more than 3,000 people at Cedarville’s chapel, and we’ll be talking about the problem of evil. So, lots of people and a super difficult topic. Pray that we’d speak clearly, that the students would be interested, and that God would be glorified. OK, thanks!

Cedarville is the tiniest town, you guys. It’s pretty much just made up of the school. And a small hotel. The fancy new addition in town is a Subway. The campus is pretty amazing, though, and I’m excited to be here.

Finally, I would like you to know that I toured a poultry processing plant yesterday. For reals.

So many chickens, you guys. It’s crazy how fast they move through that place — from being trucked in to being packaged is just a matter of a few hours. Also, cutting breast meat from the bone takes some skillz. The plant was not as smelly as I thought it would be — it was actually surprisingly clean in there. I saw a lot of chicken feet. Which reminded me of Dim Sum and how one time I was out to eat with my family and my brother kept eating them in front of me while I tried not to barf. The tour was fascinating — there’s such a process to it and so many fancy machines. I felt a little sad for the chickens, but not that sad because I do like chicken. And they kill them so quickly and they calm them before they do it so that it’s a painless process. Also, chickens that are plucked look very naked and cold. Those are my fascinating observations. You’re welcome.

OK, I’m sorry for this wuss post. If you forgive me, I promise I’ll write you a nice note sometime soon. Shalom, y’all!

Get it?! I’m in Ohio, you guys. Get it? The cleverness knows no bounds.

We’re in a little town called Dalton where two of our Axis employees are from. We had a donor meeting at their church and got to present to parents about Axis and what their teenagers are hearing from the culture. We showed them this video. A lot of us are drinking sewer water.

So the other day I went to my friend Elijah’s fourth birthday party. There was a race car piñata.

The partygoers. You never know when it might rain in Colorado, so Nehemiah wore his galoshes.

Elijah may have gotten a tiny bit of frosting in his hair. Or he might just be growing green patches of hair.

I got him a tepee for his birthday. Kim texted me about what a blessing it was to get it all set up in his room. I think she really appreciated me. At least Elijah seems to be enjoying it.

So my post over at Boundless this week is about God’s grand narrative. He’s telling such a good story.

So, we were talking last night about how many students fall away from their faith when they go to college. I think we’ve spent a lot of time telling students to not drink and not have sex and not party because life will be better and happier if they don’t. Or there will be super negative consequences if they do. But some people have sex and drink and party and are perfectly happy. They don’t experience negative consequences. That’s why I don’t think this is the right way to talk about the reasons for being faithful. If we do it that way, we’re preaching a prosperity gospel.

I think we need to teach kids about God’s character and the relationship with Jesus that he’s invited us into. We need him — we need his sacrifice. There’s no way we can do it on our own. Once we’ve repented and accepted his salvation, we follow him because his way is true and right. We follow Jesus and his law and his commands because he is good and we can trust him. When we look at God’s character throughout the Scripture, we can conclude that he is compassionate, loving, merciful, good, patient and true. When we read his grand narrative, we see that he loved us so much that he sent his son for our sins. If he’s willing to do that for us, then we can trust that his way of living is best and right — whether we always get to do what sounds fun to us or not.

I think we need to rightly see and understand God. Our behavior will flow from that. It’s something I need to practice.

OK, I gotta go find a tepee to fall asleep in. Have a happy Tuesday!

First, an update. Mike, the guy I asked you to pray for on Friday, passed away this weekend. Please continue your prayers for his family. I’m so thankful he had recognized his need for Jesus’ sacrifice in his life.

In other news, I just wanted to let you know that I am in the great state of Ohio right now. It is a tad chilly here. I’m gone all this week on a speaking trip with Axis. Axis is a non-profit that was started by my friends David and Jeremiah. The Axis teams go around the country speaking to people about worldview and media. They open people’s eyes to the gospel of Jesus and the importance of consistent thinking so that we are consistent doers. I am so proud of Axis and all they do, and I’m honored to be on their board and be able to speak with them sometimes. If you guys have any connections with your churches or Christian high schools or colleges in your area, you should definitely check out the Axis website and consider having a team out. (International readers, this goes for you as well! Just make sure you demand that I get to come along on the trip so I can visit you.)

We’re speaking at a couple of Cedarville University’s chapels this week and we’ll also be speaking at a youth leadership conference later in the week. I suppose I should learn some parts so that I know what I’m supposed to say. Or maybe I’ll just wing it in front of the entire student body of Cedarville. We’ll see.

Cedarville, is this your chapel? It looks large. I'm scerd.

So in case you hadn’t heard, the Broncos lost by a teeny, tiny little margin the other night. So, the season is over. We’ll recover. Did you all see the awesome commercial Focus on the Family broadcast during the second quarter? So many people got to hear about the gift of salvation that Jesus offers to us.

Finally, I’m reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I’m on a Sherlock Holmes rampage, you guys. I’m soaking it up. He’s just so clever and good at noticing things. You know why I like it? Because I love Psych. And Shawn and Gus are just a modern-day Holmes and Watson. Of course I’d love old Sherlock.

OK, I best be going. Because of my weird schedule this week, the bloggy may be off a bit. I’ll try my best, but just cut me some slack, OK? The state of Ohio has need of my skillz. Also, they couldn’t get anyone else to come.

Happy MLK day, folks!

Love you lots!

Also, I accidentally published this post last night and then took it offline. Dear subscribers, I’m sorry if you got an email about a post I hadn’t really published yet. I’m a tease.

1. Ok, before we get into all the silliness, I have a prayer request. I used to work at David C Cook publishing, and I still work with them as a freelancer. The other day, a guy named Mike who works in the Cook building had a massive heart attack while at work. His heart stopped for 45 minutes before the medics finally were able to get it started again (pretty miraculous). The last update I heard indicated the doctors weren’t sure he had any brain activity. There are small signs — he has breathed on his own at times and had slight seizures which could indicate some activity, but no one is sure. Please be praying for him and his family. Ask God to intervene in his situation and miraculously restore him to health. Pray for peace and comfort for his family. Pray that God would be glorified. Thanks.

2. OK, back to Friday Listday. I got my cavities filled and was out of the dentist chair within an hour. So much better than last time. Except for all the painful shots and teeth drilling. They had to give me extra Novocaine, so I spent much of the day looking and drooling like I was some kind of deformed Batman villain. See?

3. I found so many good videos this week, one of which was this one from the new season of Portlandia. (Hulu won’t let me post the video directly to my blog because Hulu is mean and not as ghetto as YouTube. Rude.) If you haven’t seen Portlandia yet, make sure to check out season 1 on Netflix. (If you have any Netflix questions, please come to me. I am apparently an expert since I have become a complete and utter bum without a school schedule to keep me on track.)

4. So remember how I had found that recipe for cauliflower fried rice last week? Well, now I’ve seen one for cauliflower pizza crust! You guys, can we say “low carb”?! I haven’t tried either recipe yet because every time I go to Target I seem to forget about all of my cauliflower needs. However, I am going to be on it soon. I did make Pioneer Woman’s corn chowder with chilies for the zillionth time this week and I still love it ever so much.

5. You guys did you know, we have a big Broncos game coming up on Saturday?! I apparently did not know, because I assumed it was on Sunday. I’m going out of town this coming week, and I was all super annoyed because I thought I’d be flying over western Michigan while Tom Brady got sacked. But it’s on Saturday! Now, I do not have my hopes up for a win because it seems unlikely. Also, my philosophy in life is to expect the worst (I’m a treat to be around). Because if something good happens, like a Broncos win, I will be so pleasantly surprised! But, if I expect them to win, my heart will be broken with a loss. See how that works? Anyway, according to this undercover footage I found, Hitler was not pleased with the Broncos victory over the Steelers.

6. I get to have breakfast with my friends Kristy and Ashley today. We’re going to the Original Pancake House, which is so delish (thank you, Kelsey!). And tonight I’m going to see Mission Impossible, which I’ve heard is super great. We’ll get to see tiny little Tom Cruise jump through fire and scale glass buildings. Aren’t Fridays lovely?

7. This was my favorite video this week. Stuff (this is a kid-friendly blog) nobody says. “These CSI shows are all so different!”

And that’s our list. Please pray for Mike. Have a good weekend, friends! Love, love, love.

You guys, I have to go to the dentist today and get cavities filled. Plural. Because apparently I have lots of cavities.

Did I ever tell you the story of my last dentist visit? It was horrible. I had to find a new dentist up here in Denver, and I found a good deal at a new office over by my place. I went in thinking it would be a normal dentist visit — they would polish my teeth, I would hope they didn’t mention how I floss about once every six months (right before I go to the dentist), and I would be in and out in about 45 minutes. I was wrong.

I got there about noon and they brought me in to do some x-rays. I had never been there before, so I figured they needed to check on the state of my teeth. No worries. However, they did not just put me in the chair and take a quick four x-rays. NO, they took like 16 x-rays. I am not kidding. And, the girl who was doing them was not very good at it, because she kept putting things in my mouth, attempting to take the picture, failing to get the right angle, and retaking the picture. All-in-all we probably did 30 x-rays.

Then we went to another room where, just for fun, Miss Radiation-Fanatic decided to do more x-rays. Then she took some literal pictures of my teeth and mouth — like with a camera. After about six hours, she finally stopped snapping away. I wondered if this was just a staged dentist office for mobsters who were going to kill me and use my dental records to somehow claim my fortunes after my death. But then I remembered that I don’t have any fortunes.

Finally, I thought. Time for the cleaning. Right? Wrong.

Next the dentist came in to tell me what all my x-rays meant. By this time, most people had left for dinner, but Dr. Dentist had apparently stuck around. He came in and looked at a couple of the 400,000 pictures they had taken of my teeth, gums, baby teeth residue, nose cavity, spleen, toenails and brain cells. “You have three cavities,” he said. “Sucks to be you.”

This lady is happier than I was at the dentist. Much. Happier.

Umm, I had just been to the dentist six months previously and hadn’t had cavities in a long time. I thought it was suspicious that I suddenly had three cavities. But then I remembered that they’d taken pictures of every proton, neutron and electron of my teeth. I’m sure they had found something that would possibly turn into a cavity sometime within the next forty years. They had photographed the depths of my soul, for goodness sake.

“Fine,” I said. “Let’s get to the teeth cleaning.”

“Calm down, Speedy Gonzales!” screeched Dr. CavityHead. “Our payment specialist will come talk through your cavity finances now.”

I tried to get up to leave, but all of the x-ray radiation had weakened me. So I stayed in the chair while a woman literally came in to tell me that cavities cost money to fill and I would have to pay for them. By then I could see the stars twinkling outside of the window — the moon was full and bright that evening.

Miss X-RayElectromagneticus came back and poked around at a table behind my head. Then she drank some tea. Then she went and took a bath. Then she drove over to The Gap. Finally she came back with new skinny jeans and decided to polish my teeth.

“Umm, excuse me,” I yawned. It was past my bedtime. “Don’t you scrape at all the plaque before you do the cleaning?”

“Back it up, crazy lady!” she screamed. “I am not qualified for plaque scraping. What do I look like? A professional plaque scraper?” (She did, with the scrubs and all.) “I polish teeth. Dr. CavitiesAreMyFavorite will be the one to deal with your plaque, ma’am. He is a licensed professional, a dealer in all things plaque, a connoisseur of teeth slime.” Then she showed me his diploma on the wall. Dr. Dentist Bucktooth CavityFace, Ph.D. of Scraping Gunk Off of Your Teeth.

So, she proceeded to polish my teeth and floss them before the plaque removal. Is it just me or is that completely and totally backwards?

“OK, then,” I sighed. “Time for Dr. PlaqueExpert to come get this plaque out of here, right?”

Miss TeethPolishingIsMyMiddleName looked horrified. “It is late!” she cried. “What do you think we are, an all night dentistry of 24-hour dentists who like to stay up all night?” She handed me a Snuggie. “You can sleep in your chair. The dentist will be here in the morning.”

I snuggled down for the night.

I awoke to the birds chirping, and the sun rising golden in the east. Dr. PlaqueMandu sauntered in, apparently waiting for me to bow and clap before His Plaqueness. He sat down and checked my throat for cancer. I was clear. Then he got to scraping.

I finally left, with a sharp reminder from Mrs. PointlessFinancialWoman that cavities cost money and they would not be doing them for free.

So, I’m going back today to get two cavities filled. I’m bringing three changes of clothes, books to read, and food rations.

I may have dramatized the story a bit, but not much, you guys. I was in there for two entire hours for my teeth cleaning. And the financial lady did come talk to me. And they did polish my teeth before the plaque removal. It was so odd. Clair, is this the new trend in dentistry? I was so confused — I have never had a visit like that. So pray for me today. I’m scared. For so many reasons.

Well, I’m sorry this post happened to you. I’ve literally written 1,000 words about nothing. Have a good day not going to the dentist! I shall see you tomorrow if they haven’t overdosed me on novocaine and hatred. Bye!

Yesterday I tried to go to the Target by my house but when I got there, police cars were everywhere and the whole building was taped off with that yellow police tape that informs you that someone has been murdered! Is it bad that I just mostly felt annoyed that my Target was inaccessible and less worried about the possibly murdered person inside? After writing that out, I realize that yes that is bad.

There were even news vans outside the store, so I knew this was a big deal. Luckily I have an iPhone so I immediately looked up the news and discovered that no one was murdered but people had been shoplifting  video game systems from Target. Apparently these thieves had been casing Targets in the Denver area. They ran out of the store with their loot, sprayed a bunch of pepper spray, and they got away! The store had to be evacuated because of all the pepper spray residue. So, be on the lookout for three thieves playing video games. They’re driving a Kia with Florida plates. Dummies.

Can you think of a worse tragedy than your very own Target being shut down? Me neither. So, I drove over to Highlands Ranch to their Target. Now, Highlands Ranch is where all the rich people live, and their Target shows it. It was fancier than mine. The aisles were wider, the lighting was warmer, the vegetables were fresher. I’m not sure if any of that’s true, but it felt like it. Also, guess what I found?!?!?!

Target has teacup piglets, you guys! My friend Lindsay had informed me of this magical miracle, but now I saw it for myself. Here’s what’s puzzling: they’re on clearance. How are they not the most popular toy in the store? How did those Target thieves miss these babies on their shoplifting spree?

I almost got one, but then I realized that it talked. You could push its nose and it would say things like “hi, best friend!” Now, I  wouldn’t mind having a talking teacup piglet, but I felt that if I bought it I might be teased even more mercilessly than I already am. However, even if I don’t have a teacup piglet toy, I do have a 2012 teacup piglet calendar from Micah!

January is rodeo month, y’all!

So after all the Target adventures, I went to the gym. Then my friend Courtney and I had dinner and watched Parenthood. For the first time in forty years, it didn’t make me cry, you guys! I did get close when Adam and Crosby made up, though. Brothers.

I was reading Exodus yesterday and God was giving instructions for the building of the tabernacle and for all the priestly garments that were to be made. There was gold plating and fine linens and weaving and carving to be done. In Exodus 31, God says that he has chosen Bezalel to make artistic designs, to cut stone and work with wood. Bezalel was filled with the Holy Spirit and given wisdom and understanding specifically for these tasks. All of the workers who would assist him were given skills by God as well. This was fascinating to me because  in the Old Testament, not everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit like all believers are today. The Spirit came upon certain people — usually “big name” people like Saul or David or Elijah for certain times and tasks. God thought the artistic work of the tabernacle and priestly garments was so important that he sent his Spirit to fill Bezalel. Bezalel was one of the chosen few who was filled with the Holy Spirit for the his artistic tasks.

Not only does this confirm that God can use our skills and gifts and artistic abilities for his glory, but that he sometimes fills us for just that purpose. Kind of awesome.

Well, I best be off. I bet you’re really glad you stuck around for this post — Target and teacup piglets and tabernacle. These are the things that keep me going. Thanks for visiting!

Also, I was planning to do a whole lot of reading over my break from school. But I seem to be mainly doing a lot of TV-watching on Netflix. I finished The Hunger Games, and was so sad and unmotivated to start a new series. So I turned to British drama instead. After I finished Downton Abbey I started in on the BBC’s Sherlock. It’s so good! It’s Sherlock and Watson in modern-day London and old Holmes is as clever as ever. He just kills me.

Watson is played by "Jim" from the original British version of The Office.

So, I got suckered into buying/chose to buy a Living Social deal for a Brazilian Blowout for my hair.  I read up on them, but I feel like I still don’t quite get it. So it was probably a good purchase. Basically, it will make my hair smoother and shinier, right? I know they use some chemicals, but I used to get relaxers on my hair, which is pretty much like covering your head in flesh-eating lye and fire, so I think this milder protein solution will be OK. I guess we’ll find out when I leave the salon bald. Have any of you ladies ever done one?

So, Denver has gone insane. People literally broke into a sports store to steal a Tebow jersey because you can’t find them anywhere anymore. Special. Also, apparently Tebow threw for 316 yards on Sunday, and his favorite verse is John 3:16. Superstition veiled in Christianese abounds. However, I watched the news last night and two cool things happened: they read the entirety of John 3:16 on the news, so tons of people in Denver heard a very important piece of Scripture, and John 3:16 was the top Google search yesterday. So in spite of Christians turning the Broncos into something superstitious, people are looking into God’s Word. For that, I am grateful. Let’s pray that people dig deep and discover the truth of Jesus.

I wrote a post for Boundless the other day about how I spend so much time in a very Christian world. My friends are Christians, I go to a Christian school, I go to church. I rarely have meaningful conversations with people who do not believe the same things I do. I don’t tangibly reach out to the poor, the needy, the spiritually bankrupt. I don’t do a good job of living out the Great Commission. Do you guys? What are some ways you reach out to those in need?

OK, I best be off. Sherlock is waiting. As is my thesis proposal. Cheerio!

In other news, I watched the first season of Downton Abbey on Netflix this past week. I loved it.

First of all, it’s England in the early 1900s, and they live in a huge mansion. Childhood dream come true.

Secondly, they wear such darling clothes — dresses, hats, beads, gloves, beauty. See, look.

Third, Maggie Smith (a.k.a. Minerva McGonagall the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts) is so awesome and cranky and hilarious that the show is worth watching just for her proper, snarky comments.

Fourth, it shows the lives of a noble family and their servants. It’s fascinating how different life was according to this class system  — they all lived in the same house but experienced completely different worlds.

Season 2 premiered on PBS last night and they are in the midst of The Great War. Things are changing. Also, why is it that no one helps with war things anymore? In Downton Abbey everyone — even the lords and ladies — are volunteering at the hospital and driving tractors around fields and opening their homes to the wounded. During World War II, Americans rationed foods and women went to work in factories and everyone grew Victory Gardens.

It’s shameful to admit it, but I haven’t even spent much time thinking about the wars we’ve been in for the last decade. When the Iraq War officially ended a couple of weeks ago, I realized that nothing in my life would change as a result. Why are we citizens not more involved in things like this — what has changed? Is our participation just not needed like it used to be? Are we too selfish? Why don’t we grow Victory Gardens anymore (even when we try really hard)?

OK, I’m leaving now. I need to do some works and someone should really tell me what to write my thesis on because I have to decide within the next couple of weeks. Enjoy you some Monday, friends! Go Broncos!

Did you even know that it’s Friday?! It is. It totally is, you guys. I think that deserves a list.

1. I spent a lot of my week reading this guy’s recaps of The Bachelor/ette. I know I should be embarrassed that I watch that show sometimes, but these recaps take all that shame away. In fact, they make suffering through two hours of The Bachelor so totally worth it. I was literally crying as I read the recaps of Ashley’s Bachelorette season. Tears of pure joy. Please read them. They are the best thing that happened to me this week and I am not ashamed to admit it. Ashley, I am forever indebted to you.

2. This video killed me.

3. I got to spend time with my friends Diana and Karen last night and it was so fun. I like having a break from school, but I miss hanging out with everyone all the time. We talked about thesis/project topics, read Bachelor recaps, discussed The Hunger Games, and spent a lot of time being awesome.

4. My friend Trevor posted a link to this on my Facebook wall this week and I nearly died. This goose is wearing sandals!!!

This tiny kitten is in a tiny cup! It’s tiny!

This pug is wearing slippers … pug slippers!

There’s more where that came from. Visit the site, you guys. Visit. It.

5. I found this recipe for cauliflower fried rice on Pinterest this week. The trick is that instead of rice you use cauliflower. (Also, I had no clue how to spell cauliflower until I wrote this.) I bet it actually tastes pretty good because of the soy sauce and all. I may try it this weekend. I’ll let you know how it goes.

6. When I was home for Christmas my cousin showed me this video and I now love him so much more than before. It is my new favorite thing ever. It’s a spoof based on the movie, The Box in which a couple was faced with a choice: if they opened the box that appeared on their front doorstep, they would receive $1 million, but someone they didn’t know would die.

If you do nothing else today, watch this video. Then thank me for showing it to you.

7. I started reading the book of Exodus the other day. I love how God remembered his people, remembered his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He gave Moses his name, Yahweh, so that his people would know it was him, the God who is who he is, the God who keeps his promises, the God who would defeat Egypt and rescue his people from their slavery. He remembers; he is always faithful.

Have a great weekend and keep it real. Loves!