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Oct 5, 2013

I cried after class

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I broke down and cried after my India class. We had met the founder of HOINA, the orphanage I’ll be teaching at, and I stayed after to talk to Mrs. Large.  She won’t be in India while we are because for the first time in 25 years, she will be staying home, in the Lancaster area I believe, to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. Her daughter is turning 50.

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Mrs. Large believes God is 100% behind her in the path she took in her life. She was a teacher in the 1960’s and in 1971 she realized God intended for her to adopt children and bring them into her home. She believed he intended for her to adopt American Indian children, but on her first attempt, was completely shut down.  If she wasn’t at least a 1/3 Indian herself, she could not adopt an Indian child.  She was crushed and unclear of what her next steps should be.

In 1975 she met a gentleman named Dr. Livingston and she told him about her calling to adopt American Indian children.  Dr. Livingston told her she needed to come to India, his county, where there were thousands of children in need of homes.

Mrs. Large quit her job, and with her husband and children by her side, she traveled to India. Her husband was certain she had lost her mind, but there was no talking her out of it. On August 3, 1975, they moved to India and in a unanimous vote, they adopted a little girl.  Mrs. Large realized immediately-they needed to build an orphanage.

In 1978, Mrs. Large rented a house for $15 a month and 7 young boys lived there. All seven graduated college and have numerous personal achievements. After a fire that burned much of the village, the rented house remained but the rent was raised to a ridiculous amount of money.  So with $2,900 and a grant for $10k, they bought 1.75 acres and built an orphanage. This land became over-run with cobras. The neighboring community worshiped the cobras and regardless of how many that were killed on the orphanage property, no one was safe.  This land was sold for over a million dollars…not a bad profit.

With this money and support of churches and Christian organizations, in 1999, 24 acres was purchased.  The girl’s orphanage on a separate piece of land was sold and for the first time, children of both sexes were housed on one property.  An additional 50 acres has been purchased and now the orphanage compound is nearly 75 acres large and is occupied by 100 boys, 100 girl, staff and their family, 23 cows, 10 goats (that cause much mischief), rabbits and ducks.

Mr. & Mrs. Large (called Papa and Mom by everyone in India, even the local police) have helped raise over 4,000 orphaned or abandoned children since she first acted on the will God intended.

Mom said she knew her calling and now, after saving 4,000 children, humanity is recognizing her calling.

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I cried because last night, John said I don’t care about my daughter because I chose to take three weeks after Christmas to make this trip to India. He says I am self-centered and not considerate of others, and I don’t care about Tesla, other than to boo-hoo that I don’t have her and he does.

John would never listen long enough to understand, nor really ever comprehend, what I do.  I told him he could only wish he understood me and he should go back to his little world.

Then he claimed, “I gave you everything, I did everything for you, put up with your bullshit and all you did was stab me in the back over and over.  I can’t believe you would  think I’d even think about being nice to you again. I pray to God our daughter doesn’t grow up with the same attitude you have.”

After I stopped laughing, I said “I can only hope Tesla is more like me and least like you. I don’t care if you’re bitter.  You deserve it. I have an amazing future ahead of me, one that Tesla will be a part of…much more involved than what you allow for now.  The more you say, the more it shows how bitter you still are at our break up. Goodnight.”  (He stopped texting me after that.)

Mrs. Large said she followed where God led her and she trusted in him. I cried because John, like some of Mrs. Large family, tried to make me feel guilty for having faith in God to go to India and make a difference. Papa and Mom said they understood my emotions and I should do what I feel is right. I know this trip is important in my life.

And I really know that I am happy.  Those tears were of relief, I suppose, knowing someone else understands. Tesla and I have talked several times now about this trip.  She wants to go to India someday also.  I will find a way to show Tesla India,  and all the places she wants to see.

It doesn’t matter what John says or thinks. I don’t have to listen to him anymore.

I listen to God.

~P.

Filed Under: College, India, John, Professional Writing Class · Tagged: , , , , ,
Oct 4, 2013

Dear Bart of Springfield, son of Homer, friend of Flanders and Master to Santa’s Little Helper

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Pattie Crider

WRT 305

Response 11

October 4, 2013

BartSimpsons20

It’s About Who You Know

 

            What struck me the most in the assigned reading was the importance of “who” the writer or speaker will address. In the Principles of Letter Writing the “who” is the addressee of the letter, or in some instances of addressees, to “whom” the message is intended.  In the text Forma Praedicandi,a group is being addressed as a congregation. In this setting, the speaker must know their audience in order for the sermon to properly move them.

In this time period, letter writing was an important part of communication. It was an art form performed by the educated, for the educated; common people were not written letters. Because of this, the salutation, “an expression of greeting conveying a friendly sentiment” was important. The author was expected to properly greet the recipient with a title, give a mention of their location, drop names of associated friends, and even bestow blessing and praise. The examples of salutations and circumstances of their use were plentiful, but the main point was to secure the goodwill of the recipient first, so the remainder of the letter is read. The section on writing to an “enemy” or “against the recipient” was fascinating, perhaps a plan to piss them off into reading the remainder of the letter.

The importance of a preacher knowing their audience in order to write a sermon that will instruct and move a congregation is the focus of Forma Praedicandi. The sermons were written to address the congregation and instruct in Biblical text and proper morality. A preacher who knows the members of his (her) congregation will be prepared to write and present a sermon that will connect to the audience and produce the desire outcome. Both of the texts present the importance of addressing the person(s) in which the letter or speech is intended.

Filed Under: College, Professional Writing Class · Tagged: , ,
Oct 2, 2013

Missing Student Found in Canada

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By Taylor Gamber

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News of missing York College student Aaron Frishkorn was first released to the public on Monday, Sept. 16. Fliers with Frishkorn’s picture, description, and the Campus Safety Department’s number attached were posted around campus. Campus Safety also sent out a well-intended informative email on Tuesday, Sept. 17, which was unfortunately filed into students’ spam folders and went mostly unread.

Students immediately began posting on various social media websites about the missing senior sports management major, even if they did not know him personally.  

Kelsey Reynolds was one of many students who reached out to Twitter followers about Frishkorn. Reynolds tweeted, “It’s so sad seeing all the missing person posters this morning. #prayersforaaron #bringhimhomesafe.” Reynolds said that she made the tweet because, in addition to also being a York College student, Frishkorn is from her hometown (Elizabethtown) and she wanted to see him return safely to his friends and family.  

Frishkorn was last seen according to the York College Department of Campus Safety’s email “early Monday morning, September 16, at his campus residence.” After skipping classes and important meetings, according to the York Daily Record, Aaron was reported missing. His car was absent from campus grounds and he did not respond to those trying to reach him on his cell phone.

YCP students continued to use what connections they had to spread the word on Frishkorn’s disappearance. Even the notoriously sarcastic Twitter account, YCPProblems, used the 140 character limit to tweet a sincere and supportive “Students, Aaron Frishkorn is still missing! Please alert everyone you know and be on the lookout for him!”  

Local newspapers such as YDR began posting updates on the case every couple of hours, keeping students and the York community well informed. Several TV stations, including CBS 21 and WGAL, also ventured onto campus to cover the unfolding story.

Much to everyone’s relief, Frishkorn was found Wednesday Sept. 18—in Canada. His discovery closed the missing person’s case but created a new story: an alleged theft case.

Frishkorn had become a possible suspect in making “unauthorized withdrawals from the York College Sports Management Student Association account” according to YDR, for which he is still listed as the president. An investigation is still determining if the theft was related to his disappearance on Monday.

An abundance of support flowed from the York community and college campus during the Frishkorn disappearance last week. Students who barely knew Frishkorn reached out and expressed concern for his safety. Regardless of the alleged theft entanglement, YCP and the York community should take pride in their Good Samaritan endeavors.

 

Filed Under: College · Tagged: , ,
Oct 2, 2013

Augustine’s 3 goals will score

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Pattie Crider

WRT 305

Response  10

October 2, 2013

Augustine the party boy

Augustine the party boy

 

Augustine’s 3 goals will score

Augustine used rhetoric to achieve three goals: to instruct, to please and to persuade.  He believed in using three styles of speech, subdued, moderate and grand, to achieve his three goals.  The application of this rhetorical approach to Christian doctrine is an effective way to formulate a sermon and share with an audience. Augustine is now a saint, so he apparently knew what he was preaching about.

So does Augustine’s method work in the twenty-first century? Yes, it does, and this is how.  Augustine taught Christianity to an audience or congregation, in person, using the appropriate style to properly inform, please and persuade. Presently, preachers are doing the same, only now, they are on television or the Internet. The change of setting does not change the development process or the way the speech is delivered.

When a preacher wants to teach, they speak in a subdued tone, allowing the information to register with the listener. When a preacher wants to please an audience, such as retelling a Biblical story or passage, a more lively style of delivery is used to draw them in with their words. And when a preacher feels action from an individual is necessary, his words will be shared in grand eloquence, demanding the listening ear of the audience.

Augustine noted that the delivery of a speech seeking to achieve his goal may need to be adjusted depending on the audience. I understood that to mean, if his audience would benefit (learn) from a more or less dramatic speech, then it should be so adjusted. Preaching on television or online (and I haven’t watched much) seems to regularly be in the grand style. This could be for many reasons, possibly because the preacher knows the sermon can be viewed by an unlimited number of people.

I’m not a fan of preachers on television or the Internet because so many in the past have fallen short of being “good men” and failed miserably at having a “divine love” for God. Their motives seem driven by dramatic speeches in hopes of receiving monetary donations. Do all preachers who have a presence on television or even YouTube mean they are not “good men”? Of course not, but I would prefer to be taught, pleased or persuaded by a preacher that stands before their congregation and moves me to action in person with their language.

Filed Under: College, Professional Writing Class · Tagged: , , , ,
Oct 1, 2013

Dear John~Messenger Service

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Letters he never learns from

Letters he never learns from

Dear John,

I didn’t know what you might be calling me for as I pulled up at Tesla’s Girl Scout meeting.  I answered your call, as I usually do. (you should try it)  I can not imagine what could be SO urgent that you would call your wife that wants a divorce, to ask her to tell your girlfriend you must speak to her as soon as possible.

Let me get this straight.  When I text or call you, I might get an answer, or I might not.  I realize you only respond when you feel like it.  So it take some pretty big balls to call your wife and ask her to give your girlfriend a message to return your call.  Yep, that’s some big balls there John.  Huge.

I passed on the message and Heather got to calling you as soon as she possibly could.  She is rather busy on Monday nights as the assistant Girl Scout leader.  I really hope your need to interrupt involved something important.  But I doubt it.

Team player,

~P.

Filed Under: Divorce, Heather, John · Tagged:
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