Oops, It's (Almost) All "Dave's Faves"
Because it's been a busy couple of weeks!
It’s been an exceptionally busy couple of weeks for me as I’ve been wrapping up summer mode and shifting into getting ready for the new academic year. I have so much I want to share with you, friends—I’ve had AI on the brain these past few weeks, as I’ve been working through copyediting and proofing for my new book (which is close to ready to be out!) I’ve written a handful of blog posts for the ACSI blog about AI for Christian educators too; I’ll share them in this newsletter as they are released. (The first two are already out; you can read them here: A Christian Imagination for AI: Scripture, Screens, and the Shape of Our Souls, and Becoming a Truth-Seeker: Reimagining AI through the Big Story of Scripture.) I’ve also been preparing for and leading some professional development opportunities related to AI for Christian educators, with both webinars and in-person workshops for Christian schools in California, Washington, and here in Iowa. I hope to have a few more things to share in this newsletter about AI as well in the coming weeks.
But for this week, it’s going to be mostly “Dave’s Faves,” because I have a lot of things I’m enjoying lately, and I want to share them with you. Without further ado…
Dave’s Faves
Here are ten things I’m absolutely loving right now that I hope you might love too…
Dave’s Fave #1: Traveling to New Places!
I love to add a new state to the list of US states I’ve visited. August meant a first-time trip for me to Alabama. Birmingham is a beautiful city!
Dave’s Fave #2: Leading professional development sessions
I went to Birmingham to lead a professional development day at Briarwood Christian School. What a fantastic group of thoughtful, engaged, passionate Christian educators!
Dave’s Fave #3: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
If you ever have the opportunity to be in Birmingham, I highly recommend a visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Birmingham was one of the central locations in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, after all—think of Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, the Children’s Crusade, and more. And they don’t pull any punches in this museum/memorial; it’s not an easy place to visit. But it is an important place to visit, and I can almost guarantee that you’ll be moved by spending some time here.
The Civil Rights Institute is right across the street from the 16th Street Baptist Church, and both are across the street from Kelly Ingram Park, where several momentous events from the 1960s occurred. Today there is a self-guided history walk through the part that is also incredibly moving, and I would encourage you to check it out if you ever have the opportunity.
Dave’s Fave #4: Dordt’s Prairie
The prairie is lovely in every season of the year, but I especially love what it looks like in late summer and early fall.
Dave’s Fave #5: S’mores Clusters from Trader Joe’s
These babies are outrageously delicious. It’s a good thing there are only about 15 of them in the bag…because I could eat an awful lot of them.
Dave’s Fave #6: This little guy…
He is just so much fun, and so good natured all the time!
Dave’s Fave #7: Getting a new refrigerator
No one wants to buy a new fridge, right? But when the old one doesn’t stay consistently cold anymore, we make choices. And I have to say, it’s pretty nice to have a new one!
Dave’s Fave #8: Random hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants
I was recently in Bellevue, Nebraska for a day, and found a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant called Happy Buddha’s. I love Americanized Chinese food, and it seems like the sketchier the place, the better the food. This place was sketchy, and so of course the food was delicious.
Dave’s Fave #9: Proofing my new book!
The editing process is complete, the book has been typeset, and now I’m reading and re-reading it for the final proofing. When I give the approval, it will go into production very shortly! I don’t have a cover to share yet, but I’m hoping to reveal it and the title here in this newsletter soon.
Dave’s Fave #10: Acoustic rock from the 90s
Spotify recently generated this playlist for me—it’s all acoustic rock from the 90s. I’ve been listening to it a lot these past couple of weeks…and I love it…which is a somewhat unsettling illustration of just how well the Spotify AI recognizes my music preferences. Maybe you’ll enjoy it too?
The Last Word!
The new school year is just around the corner for me. Perhaps for you too, dear educator? Or perhaps you’ve already launched into the new year?
I saw this word of encouragement on Instagram earlier this week, and it rings true for me. I’ll leave it with you here—blessings to you as you launch into the newness of what is to come!
