Thursday, December 27, 2007

People You Should Know

These are some of the people at L'Abri with whom I will be working next term. They are all really wonderful and I'm excited about developing the relationships that began last term as well as starting new ones.

My good friend Valerie, whom you know from a previous post as the master of cream of spinach soup. She and Erin and I will be roommates. Val is super smart and super fun. She challenges me and keeps me in line; she encourages me and comforts me. I enjoy her friendship very much.


This is Jon, or "Jon-boy" as we [Kay] sometimes call[s] him. We have lots of fun together, especially reading, knitting, and watching Firefly with Jasie. (They knit; I read.) Jon and Val and I are partners in crime, ensuring that there's always a healthy amount of mischief about. :) I appreciate Jon in many ways, one of which being his work ethic and his unique ability to serve.


Rhett was on the same bus (and probably train come to think of it) I was on to L'Abri on day one. I remember seeing him and one other person my age and thinking, 'I bet they're both going to L'Abri too -- and sure enough. Rhett and Val and I often play chess and Scrabble together. He is fun to hang out with and talk to; he's pretty darn smart; everyone enjoys his sense of humor and his perspective on things.


Erin will be doing some editing with me as we work to prepare Greg's books for the publisher. She's super fun and very sweet and encouraging. I'm looking forward to rooming with her.


Tim, aka: Timmy Freedom (note the bandanna), is also strutting his stuff at the Really Ridiculously Good-Looking Walk-Off. Tim was a helper last term (with Val): the king of grounds crews and baked goods. (Several women proposed marriage in response to his chocolate desserts.) Tim is accepting of everyone -- really, everyone -- a quality for which I admire him.


This is John. I hope he doesn't mind my stealing this picture from his facebook. :) John was a student during a term prior to my term last fall and is returning this upcoming term as a helper. The workers are excited about him coming back, and word on the street is John is a wiz at media related work and will be doing some of that for L'Abri. I look forward to meeting him in person.


Last but not least and from left to right: Thomas, Jasie, and Kay. These brave souls work and live in Bellevue with the students. They're full-time staff at L'Abri, which means they work like crazy for little pay. Each of them cooks dinner at least once a week. Thomas and Jasie facilitate formal lunch discussions, give lectures, and have weekly tutorials with students. Jasie, as you know is my tutor and friend; I could go on and on about her. I could go on and on about each of them. Kay takes care of us all like Mom away from home. And Thomas is really passionate about, well lots of things -- he's very smart and has studied (and continues to study) much philosophy and theology and is able to relate those ideas well to students during lunches and lectures.
Now you'll know who I'm talking about in stories to come. I'll be there in 6 days, hooray!

11 comments:

valerie said...

Thanks for this.

That picture makes me look... sumthin'.

Miss you!

John said...

Maaan I feel so special to have made your blog before we even meet! Haha.

Good times shall be had. I'm excited about it!

John said...

I'd say....Val looks pensive, but also has a mischievous gleam in her eye. Jon looks like a big kid who is going to make me laugh really hard. Rhett will probably challenge me hardcore in my thinking, in a great way. Erin is probably the crazy hilarious tomboy teacher, who you never what to expect from. In a good way. Timmy is going to be a ball of fun and will be my trouble making buddy.

And the workers...well...words cannot describe them. Especially that Kay. Haha.

reneamac said...

Pensive. That's what I was going to say. Or calm -- enjoying the cool air and the fall colors.

John, you forgot to explain the look on your face.

valerie said...

More like "Renea is taking a picture of me right now... looknaturallooknaturallooknatural..."

Ashley said...

Renea-

I'm really excited that you're getting to go back. I can't wait to begin to travel. I can only imagine how beautiful it is there.

I hope you have a great New Years and talk with you soon!

reneamac said...

Thanks, Ashley for your encouragement and support. I hope you are doing well and that the new year treats you right.

John said...

Hahaha Val, classic. Sounds like a thought that would be going through my mind at that point...

Well Renea, when that picture was taken by my friend Jeff, I was thinking "Act natural. Wait, screw that. Give him the John glare." Sort of a "what the heck?" look, if you will. Whatever. You'll see it soon enough.

3 days. Wow.

valerie said...

Hey journey is the destination, check out Greg's latest post.

(I'm totally poking fun at you. I think you should get into it with him).

reneamac said...

I don't know why everyone is always trying to bait me in to fights with Greg. (I am however, very well aware of why I continue to shy away.)

You know, of course, that I agree with him: hence the subtitle. Perhaps I should change the title of this blog to: "In Process" or "The Product Is The Product of The Process" OR better yet, "The Journey And The Destination Are Related Though Distict"! :)

love you!

Anonymous said...

Glad you were able to post some pics of your friends, co-workers, co-students. Loved having you home for 3 weeks. Glad you are back. Will be praying for ya'll as you serve God together in your studies and your various duties. Love much! Mom