Albert's Update 28/9/13

Albert (left) and Aaron practicing their swing
for MARS Golf outing (notice the audience)

I was the subject of a fair bit of good natured ribbing this week. Let's just say that NZ's defeat in the America's Cup did not go unnoticed at Seminary. All done in good fun of course!

This year it seems that while my workload is less, the work is harder, if that makes sense. Especially in Doctrinal studies. It feels like a real step up from what we were learning last year. But I am certainly enjoying it. I have already got a few small assignments under my belt, and I have been trying to load up my reading before I get really busy with my assignments.

My preaching in Calgary went well, and it was a good opportunity to catch up on some work on the plane flight, and on the Monday before I flew out as well. The next time I am scheduled to preach at this stage is in Des Moines Iowa, which is about 5 1/2 hours drive. We are seeing about making it a family outing.

This Semester I am taking a number of subjects.

The first is OT 214 Interpretation of the Revelation before the Monarchy

This is a big class, with it being 4 credits. It is basically Genesis to Ruth. There are a number of papers that need to be written for this class.

Tied in with this is  M0 211

This is an Applied Exegesis class. We need to write an exegesis paper, as well as preach a sermon in class.

NT 213 is Interpretation of the Gospels and Acts.

Tied in with this is  MN211

This is also an Applied Exegesis paper. Again a paper and a sermon is required here.

DS 213 is Christology. This class is taken by Dr. Venema, who many of you may have met in New Zealand last year.

For this class I will be writing a paper looking at subordination of Christ to God the Father.

DS 212 is Anthropology, the Study of Man.

For this class I am writing an exegetical paper on Romans 7, looking at what state Paul was in when he wrote this chapter.

Finally, I am taking a class on Karl Barth and his Church Dogmatics.

This paper is a formidable one. We are looking at Karl Barth's theology, and comparing it with Classic Reformed Theology. Barth is not the easiest to read, but I am enjoying the challenge.

On my bookshelf to be read at the present:

Karl Barth: Church Dogmatics: The Doctrine of God

J Mark Beach: Christ and the Covenant: Francis Turretin's Federal Theology as a Defense of the Doctrine of Grace

Donald Macleod: The Person of Christ

This afternoon I am working on an assignment for OT 214, Looking the Toledot structure of Genesis.

Have a good week,

Albert

American History - Thomas Edison

A history lesson for you.

Another Badge we did was visit the Thomas Edison Laboratory. This was very interesting and we thoroughly enjoyed looking at all his inventions. Albert enjoyed visiting his library (and maybe did some coveting!), the library was HUGE. Here is some information on him from Wikipedia:

"Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. Dubbed "The Wizard of Menlo Park",[1] he was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and large-scale teamwork to the process of invention, and because of that, he is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory.[2]Edison is the fourth most prolific inventor in history, holding 1,093 US patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He is credited with numerous inventions that contributed to mass communication and, in particular, telecommunications. These included a stock ticker, a mechanical vote recorder, a battery for an electric car, electrical power, recorded music and motion pictures.
His advanced work in these fields was an outgrowth of his early career as a telegraph operator. Edison developed a system of electric-power generation and distribution[3] to homes, businesses, and factories – a crucial development in the modern industrialized world. His first power stationwas on Pearl Street in Manhattan, New York.[3]" 

"Thomas Edison National Historical Park preserves Thomas Edison's laboratory and residence, Glenmont, in Llewellyn Park in West Orange, New Jersey. For more than forty years, the laboratory had a major impact on the lives of people worldwide. Out of the West Orange laboratories came the motion picture camera, improved phonographs, sound recordings, silent and sound movies and the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage."

The Chemistry Lab

This is where Thomas Edison did most of his experiments. One fascinating fact I think is that once he died, they closed the doors on the Lab and only opened it as an museum years later.  

His chemistry Lab

more bottles

It's hard to believe he actually worked here

This is the actual invention that made him money, a battery

All the bottles were labeled and haven't been touched
 since they closed the doors once he died, impressive!

More bottles of who know what?

Trying to make cement (in the Lab)

The lab was cleaned and they left a piece unclean.
There was no health and safety regulations in those days.

This was a replica not the original

We didn't go inside - too hot.

The following photo's are taking inside the factory, again an impressive building, most of the tools/machinery was left as it was when they closed the factory down. His factory was one of the first ones that ran on electricity powered by diesel engines. 

How about a drill Papa?

See how they powered all the machinery?

Different 'wheel's' for different speeds, clever!

Diesel generators that powered  all the electricity in the factory

One of the huge workshops

Notice how big the factory was!

The Music room

Factory on the left, Lab on the right and in
the foreground (Zara) the information center and entrance

More Machines

A 'time' machine for workers to check-in and out.

His desk in the library, this was left exactly how he had it when he died.

Notice how they make a model out of wood first (back)
and then one out of metal as a prototype

American History - Ford Mansion & Jockey Hollow

The older girls have studied early American History in their home school curriculum. Since the East is full of history we took the opportunity to explore some of these sights. One cool thing we 'discovered' that all the National Historic parks offer a junior ranger badge for free! The girls get a booklet with questions about the relevant historic site, once completed they get a ranger badge. We ended up doing six badges in total. What a great way to learn history! (Do those trip count as homeschooling field trips?)

• Ford Mansion (NJ)
• Thomas Edison (NJ)
• Federal Hall (NY)
• Presidents Park (Washington DC)
• Monuments (Washington DC)
• Independence hall (Philadelphia)

Ford Mansion where George Washington spends a winter

We were able to have tour inside the house

George Washington's 'office'

Ranger (with Kate)

Mrs Ford's bedroom, she gave up her house
to George Washington and his men

Kitchen

Servants sleeping quarters

More sleeping quarters

In front on the mansion

This badge/park consisted of several sites of interest and so we explored all the various sites. 

In the information centre

A map of Jockey Hollow. This is where George Washington's
men spend the hardest winter on record

A soldier's hut. This is how they managed
to survive the winter despite the lack of food.

This hut was actually inside the information center,
quite impressive

One of the gardens

Kate and Michaela working on their badge work

Grace

Albert and Zara, notice her badge

Supervising!

Ford Nonsense

A ford on top of a hill that was never used.

View to the town

Walking/tracing the Fort walls - Albert and Kate

Jockey Hollow - The hard winter

The actual Soldiers huts

Reading the history!

Papa, look at those fences, no nails!

In front of the hut

Bunkbeds

Kate