Saturday, January 31, 2009

Combining Math, Science, Astronomy and God

This follows from a note that Elizabeth Campbell wrote. Since I worked on my 25 random things this morning, I'm in a writing 'zone' or something, I guess. That's probably good, since school starts Monday. Before I get to my subject, perhaps part of why I'm writing is to take my mind off of what I'm in Madera to do. My friend's mom just passed and we are going through her mom's house, helping her keep what she wants, getting rid of junk, figuring out what to sell, etc. (This was part of my hoarding comments in the 25 things.) It's one of those things that must be done and which no one enjoys. I'm very grateful that I have a few days to be able to help her through this ordeal, hopefully helping her make it more manageable.

I have always seen God in the universe (and in big numbers, which directly follows for me). I think that that was/is a big part of my interest/attraction to astronomy. I feel like I have a small glimpse of what infinity means, because I have spent years contemplating the immensity of the universe.

Earth is small, as far as the universe (or even our own solar system, for that matter), goes, but it is, as far as we know yet, the only place where intelligent folks live. (I actually include dolphins in the 'folks' category. They have language, community groupings, etc.) I hope to be alive when we find other folks. We are each unique, though: number 1 in our own way. Even twins who have the same DNA are not even physically completely identical.

When I teach astronomy, I talk about the very big and the very small. Stars, immense as they are, use the energy of fusion - protons combining with protons to make Helium from Hydrogen. God is infinite, yet He knows each of us intimately. God doesn't forget anyone or anything in Her entire creation. This is actually why I think that there has to be intelligent life outside of Earth. If God truly is infinite, why would there be just one planet w/ sentient beings?

My astronomy mentor, Laurance Doyle, once gave this really great analogy to describe smallness versus uniqueness:
If all of the humans on the planet held hands and jumped into the ocean, it would rise 0.1 mm. Physically we are completely insignificant.
If you had a diamond that was the only one in a room, that might or might not be seen as important. If you had the only diamond in a city, perhaps that would be notable to some. If you had the only diamond on the planet, you would be seen as rich and special. You are the only you in the universe. You are truly blessed, interesting and important, because you are truly unique. Scripture says that the very hairs of our head are all numbered. God cares not just about us as individuals, but knows about the minutiae of our lives. God shows us what to know when we need to know it (if we're listening) and puts folks to help us along our path when we need it (often even if we're not listening).

I studied astronomy because of the glimpses of God's diversity and infinitude that it allowed me. After enough years, though, I realized that I just wanted to know God better, so I'm pursuing other paths that, I hope, will help me along that way. I still have a great deal to learn about how to go about sharing my experiences with God with others, so that they feel free to share theirs with me. I get confused about my purpose, sometimes, though, and start to try to get others to think like me. While I think that my path is right for me, who am I to try to convince someone else to take my path? (Hmm, things to ponder.)

I've got to go, but hopefully I'll come back to this subject - a bunch. It's one of my favorites, combining my two academic loves (and my soon to be two masters' - go figure).

The 25 random things (sorry, I waxed verbose)

At first when my friends tagged me on this, I thought that it was highlighting things you have done or not done (which I’m considering doing). When I started reading them, though, I was impressed about the openness and sharing that they did in these 25 things. I figured that I would try.

[The chain-letter part: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people [in the right hand corner of the app] then click publish.)]


1) I hate writing (or think I do). It’s not a passionate feeling, but enough that I continually have to talk myself into it. When I start, though, sometimes I really enjoy it. I’m not sure why I forget that. My favorite teacher in HS said to my HS class something like, ‘Writing is really difficult for Abby. When they talk about blood, sweat and tears, that’s true for her.’

2) I sometimes really enjoy lots of attention (I’ve taught lectures with 160 students at once for years and conducted church services for 3 years), but sometimes really hate it. 1) , while true, was rather excruciating to have my classmates hear. Ask me about ‘peculiar beliefs’ some time.

3) I’m not that into music, except hymns, which I have a particularly strong affection for. People always give me music and that’s usually what I like. Often, though, if there is a piece playing during an important event, I’ll have a strong emotion connected with it. That doesn’t mean necessarily that I’ll feel like I ever want to hear it again.

4) K, I’ve decided that 3) isn’t entirely true. I prefer performing music to listening to it. I like listening to live music, too. I won’t listen to jazz unless it’s live.

5) It’s too bad that I don’t have enough money to pursue many of my hobbies. I love going to concerts/musicals/plays. I’ve only ever been to the opera once, because it’s too expensive. I love skiing, too, but it’s way too expensive to do regularly.

6) My parents taught me at a very young age to save money. Somehow that turned into hoarding (money and things). I really don’t know why, but I am a terrible packrat. I’ve even seen it in much more extreme forms with some people, but I still haven’t really been able to shake it, even though you’d think that would help. Hmm.

7) I love to learn. Some of my most influential role models have been my teachers – 8th grade science, HS English (see 1) ), Pastoral Care, Intro Physics (freshman year undergrad), Grad Physics. I’m on my second master’s, which, I guess, follows.

8) I never thought that I’d make a good teacher, because I can be very impatient.

9) I have issues with missing meal-times. My sister and I are completely opposite on that. More than once, we’ve expressed chagrin that we couldn’t balance out my crankiness with not eating when I’m hungry to her complete disregard for food. She truly doesn’t get hungry. I get stomach cramps if I go too long w/o food. Lame.

10) I talk too much, when I’m comfortable, but sometimes I’m completely silent/mono-syllabic if I’m not.

11) I take openness to an extreme, same with frankness. I’m working on balancing those out. Many, many times I’ve gotten into trouble for speaking my mind too freely.

12) It’s sort of odd, given 10), that I would like to go into a profession where people share private experiences with me and I’m bound to not share any of it. Perhaps that’s why I chose seminary, even though it’s not needed, to help with the confidentiality part.

13) I used to be something of a gossip, but I’ve gotten a lot better at that (I think).

14) When people ask about favorites, occasionally I have an answer, but usually not. I like diversity – in everything. I don’t have a favorite food, because I love different kinds: Mexican, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Persian, homemade favorites – especially mashed potatoes and gravy and Baked Alaska.

15) I guess I really love food. My family has had many important times associated with food. Both sides of the family love to eat when they get together.

16) I love, love, love family. And friends that are like family. I have lots of both. I’m very blessed that way.

17) One of my friends wrote in this list that she misses people not places. I thought that that was interesting, because I’ve never thought a lot about it, but I guess that it’s true for me. I have had a list of places that I’d like to visit and Morocco was never on it. Now, though, it’s at the top of my list, because my sister lives there. (I’m going in June with my parents.)

18) Also in line with 5), I’d love to travel more. Fortunately, my parents like to take my sister and me on trips with them, so I’ve been able to see many neat things. Also, my sister will go with me, when she can, even if our parents don’t. Outside of North America, I’ve been to Costa Rica, France, England, Scotland, Jordan, Egypt, and Israel. Sometimes that seems like a lot, but usually not nearly enough. Oh, I’ve also been to all but 5 US states: Mississippi, Alabama, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

19) I definitely want to see Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia/the Philippines, Japan, Kenya, Italy, Germany, Guatemala (cool ruins). I’d also like to visit Antarctica, the Moon and Mars, but who knows? I wouldn’t go to any of these exotic places without going with someone (or several someones) who I love, though, because the places aren’t as important as the experiences of making memories and being w/ people.

20) I sometimes have a tough time going to do activities on my own, because I want to share them with others.

21) I prefer to clean other peoples’ places than my own. Perhaps I’ll work on a trade sometime.

22) I’m not afraid of many of the standard things. I let small spiders live in my room and take big ones outside. I have had lizards as pets and enjoy them. I like rodents, but prefer that wild ones stay in nature, not in my house. I LOVE heights and I’m going to do wind-tunnel sky-diving next weekend. (Again, with the money thing. I’d love to jump out of ‘a perfectly good airplane.’)

23) I’m a hugger and I think that today we don’t allow ourselves enough physical contact. It’s been a struggle as a teacher, but I try my best to be prudent and give people their space, even when I’d like less.

24) I don’t mind crowds, if they are calm. I was in the middle of the largest (perhaps) collection of Americans ever (Yeah! President Barack Obama!) and it was cool. I wanted to go more quickly to leave, when it was over, than I could, but I was extremely impressed with how amenable everyone was to the situation and to each other. I’ve literally never been so close with such a large crowd, but I got through and it was fine. OK, it was better than fine. I loved it. The inauguration itself was so great, that I even enjoyed being physically moved around by the crowd because it was so big and dense at one point.

25) Hmm, thinking about 22) and 24), I’m not claustrophobic in the usual sense, but I don’t like super-large department stores, like Ikea or Walmart, by myself. Small spaces don’t bother me, but if I can’t see an exit or a window in a building, it creeps me out. On the other hand, if I’m crawling through a cave, spelunking, and I can’t see an exit, there’s no problem.