It has been a While...

I haven't posted in quite a while...but there has been a reason...most of my posts would be very depressing. You might say, "WHAT?!?!" or, "I knew it!" But whatever you say, it really doesn't matter, and here is why, God has taught me so much in the last 2 weeks. School, or should I say college, has finished up this last week, and you might think that would make me happy...but for me, this may have marked one of my biggest failures. This is probably my biggest failure because it is my first major failure (in school at least) and it was very hard to get over...mostly because it wasn't my fault. I know, I know, you've heard that a million times before...and here is why this isn't one of those times...In my last post I complained about Rent and because I did not watch the movie I had to take a hit on final papers because, "I could not fulfill the requirements of the assigned task."

But you know...its OK; it took a bit of convincing from some friends, but they finally got it though my thick head. This is kinda short, but there is so much more...and it is like 1:15 right now...so I guess this is good night or good morning or good afternoon...whenever you read this.

Early Morning Bible Study

This morning I was sitting in my dad’s truck, just reading my Bible before class. I just opened up my Bible and it fell to Hosea. Hosea was commanded to take a prostitute at wife. As I read these verses about how Hosea was to name his children, Jezreel,

" 4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, ‘Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel's bow in the Valley of Jezreel’.”

I saw this in sorts as Hosea took this harlot, in the same way as Israel was given to harlotry with other gods. I have tried to take all that I have learned and somehow apply it to my life in some way. One way that I can see this in our daily lives is when we give ourselves to things other than God. Our fleshy lusts, which command our attention from the One Who should be getting out full attention; our “gods” that take the place of Him.

Tuesday, College and Gramm's

Tuesday:
I am tired; this past week and a half I think I am up to 28 hrs of sleep. I got a total of 16 hrs of sleep Friday and Saturday nights...and 12 hrs to split up among the bed times from 2-4 only to wake up at 6. I had history, psychology, and English today; I hate these classes. They are evil, I really do mean it. So much of what is being taught is so wrong, morally. In history, America is evil, Imperialistic, found on Deism, and greed. True some of these things are correct, but there is so much more to it than that. What about the Puritans, Pilgrims, and so many more groups who came for religious freedom? They are ignored. Psychology: we are all animals with only two things in our minds, survival of ourselves: protection; and survival of our genes: procreation. WHAT?!?!? We are taught that we are animals, and there is no right or wrong; everything is chemical reactions to experiences that we have had...again I say, "WHAT?!?!?" English: study of the humanities, arts. Do we study "The Last Supper", "Christ on Calvary", or other "good" works of art by da Vinci, Raphael, Angelo, or others? No...we study crap; worthless, corrupt crap, not even worth mentioning.

Well I did go to my Gramm's house, and that was fun. Got to hang out with Erica and Cory two of my cousins. We played the game "Fact or Crap" and that was fun. I won, I got 52 tokens. The game is all about trivia from around the world in every topic imaginable. Pretty fun game.

I got hit by a car...

I haven't posted in a while and was trying to catch up. I haven't had too much time cause of my school.

So I'll tell you about something that happened to me the other day...I was walking to the college building through a parking lot, and was in kind of a hurry and I walked between two big pickup trucks and the security dude that drives a Jeep all around campus came around a corner and hit me...I saw him coming but didn't have enough time to get out of the way. So I put my arms out and jumped, and he basically hit my legs as they moved...and my leg muscles hurt...but other than that I'm fine...how are you?

No wallet, no debit card.

I can't believe it, I forgot my debit card again...I can't get my license until tomorrow...grrr!

Well I had classes today, history, psychology, and English. I think I will be able to go for certain on the 2nd. We have a meeting with the teacher in English class, my last class of Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I should be able to get home before we have to leave. That will be good. I $10 in quarters so I went to BJ's and bought some "Big League Chew" (don't worry I don't chew tobacco, for those of you who don't know what "BLC" is, it is shredded bubble gum...and also is the stuff Napoleon Dynamite is chewing in the bathroom of the school. I got the big pack (its like 10 pouches) for just under $10, which is good cause thats all the money I had. Danny really wanted some and I told him I would get it for him.

We went to my grandparents' house. We weren't gonna stay real long cause Midge didn't get a very good nap but as it turns out we didn't leave until almost 10:00...she was crabby; and my mom made me drive home, and I am still driving illegally cause you are supposed to have your license on you at all times when driving...grrr.

Lesson learned: Don't lose your wallet.

I still can't find my wallet

I CAN'T FIND MY WALLET!!!! still...I went to the DMV today to try to get another license...but found out that it cost $15...If you read my earlier posts, you already know that, I DON'T HAVE $15!...epic fail. I also forgot my debit card at home...so I couldn't pay for it that way, and I was kinda pressed for time cause I had to get home eat and then leave my house for karate (I had my weight lifting class just before I went to the DMV.) So I went home ate, filled out the replacement license form, and went to karate; government agencies are annoying... We learned some more self defense stuff in karate, its pretty fun. It tires me out.

I figured with my luck...or lack or it, I figured I would be pulled over by a police officer or get in a accident or something fun like that. But that didn't happen, thankfully. I have to go tomorrow to see if I can get it. I hate not having that stupid piece of plastic...grrrr.

The lesson I learned today was, NEVER LOSE YOUR WALLET WITH IMPORTANT STUFF IN IT!!! OK, I'm good now.

Still sick but slowly healing...

I had classes today, the first classes in history, psychology, and English since break. My cold is still pretty bad, I am on like 3 diff meds. every day. Some form of either night quill or day quill, some "Zycam" stuff (doesn't do anything), tussen, and ibuprofen, plus a menagerie of cough drops or analgesic throat spray so stop from coughing up a lung. Its pretty annoying. I think it might be because I don't get as much sleep as I have been getting, or SHOULD be getting, but I'm working on that.

I forgot how much I hate my psychology class, and the obnoxious over emphasis on evolution and evolutionary psychology, which is basic psychology...same diff I guess. Ugh! Make me sick. Wait, I already am...nevermind!

I went to my grandparents' house for dinner, like we do every Tuesday, it was fun...I took my guitar and my lil' cousin (who isn't all that little) played around with it and playing some fun riffs from stuff like: "Stairway to Heaven," "Smoke on the Water," "Sweet Child O' Mine," and "Strutter." It was a lot of fun; I love playing guitar. We stayed pretty late again tonight, around 9:00, Midge started to get cranky so we had to leave. We watched more military channel...some show called "Top Sniper" it was pretty cool, basically was a training and proving course for elite snipers.

Classes...new ones...Phys Ed.!

This weekend I was still sick, and not much really happened, other than I helped lead worship with 3 amazing people, which is a LOT of fun. Now I know why Pastor Mike liked it so much. But yeah, that is the majority of the weekend.

Today I had my first physical education classes like EVER! At my school where I attended from 2nd grade, we had gym class, but we did not get a "grade" per say but a...level of satisfaction...basically we pass no matter what, but we might get a bad mark on our report card if we don't participate. Well my class(es) today was weight lifting and karate...weight lifting is a 55 min. class and we did absolutely nothing, while karate is a 1 hr and 20 min class and we did a bunch of stuff. The teacher, Jones, is an 8th degree black belt and is the 6th step from Bruce Lee's instruction. She taught some basic punches and form; in this form the punch is made with a vertical fist and the point of contact is the first 2 knuckles. It was kinda hard to take her seriously, but I should work on that if I want to get any where in this class. There was one dude, about the same age as me that made me mad. He was there showin' off all his cool moves like some jumps kicks and stuff and the teacher, who was clearly not impressed, asked him to stop and he kept it up...unfortunately this is not a dojo and we arn't allowed to spar, cause I would PAY big money I don't have to watch the teacher show him how much he knows...I hate people who have to show off how good they think they are...

Tuesday, warm day means yard work...

Today I was so tired from skiing yesterday, it wasn't really funny. But It was warm today. I am looking to go skiing again on Thursday or Friday; and looking to take a friend...Thursday looks better.

I worked outside some today. Cutting and shaping some of the shrubbery around the house; I REALLY cut back some of the flowering shrubs too...My mom had me cut them back so far, I don't think they are going to bloom this year, which will be a bummer cause they look so cool cause there are like a million little yellow flowers on the HUGE bush. I ended up using the chainsaw to do pretty much all the work...including trimming the hedges...kinda like the Family Life Network morning show song...gotta love those guys!

I started signing up for more classes...even while on spring break I just can't seam to stay away from that whole college thing...I signed up for weight lifting, that should be an interesting class...I am taking that class on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 10:10 till 11:05, which will make me all good and tired out for my karate class on Monday and Wednesday at 3:40 till 5:00.

I went into college today to get a request to send out my transcript...that was fun, cause they didn't have power...like it kept blinking in and out. I decided to finally buy that camera today...so I walked into Walmart and bought one...but I got home...and it wasn't the one I wanted. It takes TERRIBLE pics...you Have to use the flash otherwise the pictures come out grainy and blurry. I don't like it...I HAVE to take it back...I can't stand it.

The Art of hockey...not really, I'm not that good.

Man, I was sooooo tired tonight...I just got home from playing hockey. I had my very last art class before spring break...I am so glad. One whole week of not having to go to college. My teacher let us out early today...I think she wanted a head start on spring break too...that was good. I'm glad she is nice once in a while.

I got home only to remember that today was Friday...and what do I do almost every Friday? I play hockey...I was already tired...then to go play hockey with my friends...MAJOR tiredness...no...more like General Tiredness. But anywaz, every game that we played my team won...I was just lucky to be on the winning team; I played I think 6 sets, which is best 2 out of 3...I ended up coming home early at 9:15 and the guys played another 2 sets afterward. I was so whipped. my whole body ached for Ibuprofen...I actually escaped without getting any major injuries, and for that I am thankful.

Chalk another one done.

My last full day of classes is done before spring break...I can't wait. I'm thinking about skiing next week...if there is enough snow that is...

I was completely bored in all of my classes...this is no longer out of the ordinary for me now. I handed in my paper on a not very interesting book...Separate from the World...and stayed at school until 1:00 to listen to the author tell about his book and old people debate. (Waste of time) But because I stayed for that extra little class, I don't have to do the essay on the mid-term for English. Maybe it wasn't wasted after all...more like invested. So far no one has posted on my "Question" post...maybe next week...

Trip to BBC.

I went with my parents and a good friend of mine down to BBC (Baptist Bible College, Clark Summit, PA) this morning. It was so cool...literally and figuratively (it was around 50 degrees and rainy). We wanted to leave at 4:30 so we could pick her up at 4:45...but that didn't happen, we got there just before 5:00 (this is a.m. btw) and headed off on this multi-state extravaganza! We had to be at BBC at 8:45 so we could be plugged into a 9:00 class. We made great time and would have made it there...but we got off the expressway one exit early and it took a little longer to take the back roads over to the college, but we did it, and we were only a lil' bit late! The first class we sat in was Gen. Psychology. I have been taking a secular Gen. Psy. at the community college I attend and disagree with much of what is said..."look at this as if you were an evolutionary psychologist...", to which my response is, "I can't." It was really cool to sit in the class as the subject matter was about intelligence and how 80% of intelligence is genetic..."where does our intelligence come from?" the professor asked. "Our parents." was the general response. Then the teacher said something that was awesome to me, she said, "Who made out parents?" It was awesome to have that confirmation of, "God IS a part of this school!" An accredited college that speaks of God, the true maker of all, openly and frequently! It is not just a facade that is tacked on the name of the school...it is the school!

We sat in a Cross-Cultural Communications class, and that was very cool how Coach John Jackson would show some of the video and then dissect it and get feedback throughout the film (Through Gates of Splendor the Jim Elliot and others' story). He also opened with prayer which I saw a lot of on campus...VERY encouraging!

The tour of the campus was very cool, they have a lot of "upgrades" from what i was last told about. I like the campus, college, staff...that is another thing the staff/faultily are VERY friendly, the student population is only about 530 I think this semester they said, but as we walked from Coach Jackson's class to the cafeteria (we were going to eat lunch with him so her could answer some questions, which was pretty cool to see all that he has done for God in his life) he would greet students that crossed our path, knowing their names and major. You could tell that there is definitely a professor/student relationship much better than that of a secular college.

As we were leaving my mom and dad wanted to stop by the "Underground Cafe" to get a cup of coffee, and a girl just walked up to us (we didn't have the guide with us anymore since we were in the process of leaving) and ask us if we were perspective students and greet us and just be nice to us. There was just so many nice people out there; it was just great!

Our trip home was uneventful compared to the exciting time at BBC...but that is a good thing when traveling 70 mph on the freeway...most events there are not very good, i.e. blown tire, no gas, hit a deer or another vehicle. We ate at the Outback Steakhouse and I was very unimpressed by it. (nothing special really.) We got my friend home around 9:30-ish I think, and we got home shortly after that. My parents left to get my lil' sis', Midge, at my grandparent's house cause she was still awake. After these last 2 days, of going to Yorkshire and watching the video of Mark Zook and today of sitting in the Cross-Cultural Comm. class I defiantly know that the foreign mission field is where God wants me.

In closing I ask for prayer as I will be making my decision of what college to attend (I still have one more college I want to see). The deadline is not until May, but that date is quickly approaching. I greatly appreciate it as I know that I will need it. Thank you, and please comment.

God's,
God's Student

Late night...again.

Man...I am tired. This morning...I mean yesterday morning, I was supposed to help my pastor move his stuff to Ithaca...so I woke up early...too early, I was up at 7:30. I thought that was good since I needed to be at his house at 8:30 to leave...well I got an hour I will work on my art assignment...oops! Next thing I know my pastor is calling me wondering if I was planning on coming down cause it is 9:15! RATS! So I didn't go...and I wanted too...and was very angry at myself because of that. I spent most of the rest of the day working here at home on stuff around the house and papers.

One thing I learned today was the answer to a question I have had for about 3 months now, "Why arn't my cuts healing as fats as they used too?" I would get a cut and after a day or 2 the cut would be almost completely healed...I do not cover them with band aids, use antiseptics, or other types of medication like Neosporin; but I would have no sign of being cut in 3 days...like a non-mutant Wolverine. But the answer I have come to believe is the correct one is linked directly to the amount of sleep I get. People grow the most when they are sleeping; part of this growing is the growth of new skin cells.

I think this because I have a cut from almost 2 weeks ago when I went ice skating; the cut on my finger is still scabbed over...and not closed up yet. That is the conclusion I have come too. Like all my posts feel free to comment about what you think about this correctional experiment.

Tired yet?

I am exhausted...I woke up this morning at 8:30...I slept in. It was a pretty tiring day. My dad got a big sander this morning and we worked on that for an hour before I had to go to college for my art class. My teacher was not feeling well, so she ended the class at 3:30 instead of 4:30. It was good since none of us were really feeling that well.

After class was over I headed to Wal-mart to look at cameras. I am looking to purchase one...but I also am looking to buy an electric/acoustic guitar...so I don't know...I don't want to buy both...since I can't really afford it...and I hate spending money...my one character flaw.

When I got home, my dad was finishing up sanding the large areas of the floor while I used "The Mouse" sander to do the edging. We got all the bumps and ripples out of the finish, and vacuumed up all the dust and pieces of stain that broke off of the edges.

I left at 5:45 to help my pastor move the stuff out of his office at the church and then went over to his house to help move stuff out of there. After filling the truck up I left to go back to the church where we ended up playing hockey until 10:00.

To end this I wanted to type something that I learned today, but I can't think of anything...kinda sad actually. As I sit here, I think of what I COULD have done. I could have been a better witness for Christ. I know I could have told the people I love, that I love them. I could have been nicer to everybody. But I didn't. But there is still life, and where there is life, there is still yet hope.

Freedom from the smell...for today.

Today was just another fun day in my extremely boring life. I titled the post what I did only because we did not finish the floors today...which means I can move about the house freely for once. AND IT DOESN'T STINK! I hate that smell.

I went to bed...early...around 2:00 this morning, but I forgot my pillow at my grandparents' house so I deflated a beach ball that I happened to have in the office and put it in a fleece and used that as a pillow. It hurt my neck pretty bad, but it sufficed for one night.

I got up for college at 6:00 and left the house with 16 oz. of day old coffee and a bottle of diet Pepsi Max to fuel me through my day. It was pretty rough, but I made it. My classes were very boring and nothing really interesting happened...they kinda just...existed. Very boring.

I came home and then took my mom over to my grandparents' house and then left to go to my friend's house where the three of us planned worship service for Sunday. I got to her house only to find out that the other girl's brother did not come home yet. So we drove over to her house, picked her up and returned to start planning. We practiced guitar and went over some different variations of songs trying to find the songs that were easy to play, but in a good vocal range; great fun over all...ohhhh...wait...I'm Baptist...I can't have fun. Never mind. We finished up and I drove over to pick Jeff from work before heading back to my grandparents' where I ate dinner before getting dropped off at home when she was going to quilting tonight.