Merry Christmas Eve

I just love Christmas time. :)

It's especially great this year because being at home is an extra privilege instead of just normal routine. I've been to two parties, one with my friends from high school and one with some old quizzing friends and a friend or two from Briercrest. It's so fun seeing everyone again and hanging out. It's also kind of interesting because you can totally tell we're getting to be more like adults. Our parties consist of standing around, eating food, and talking...playing a bit of games too.

Last night a few friends and I went through the enchanted forest. We paid 20 bucks to go through the forestry farm which was set up with the same displays that there has been for the past 5 years. But it was still worth it. I love Christmas lights.

Teagan and I have been wrapping presents and putting them under our tree. Our fake tree. Christmas tree branches should not be able to bend in order to have the ornaments hang better.

Tonight is the Christmas Eve service. It really is one of my favourite parts of Christmas, even though the Christmas songs that are sung are always way too high. So either I sing opera style, low and manly, or random lines of harmony that I can actually find. But, they still sound pretty, the atmosphere is always so exciting and wonderful, and it means that tomorrow is Christmas morning! Wow. It really doesn't feel like Christmas Eve. But I will welcome it anyway!

Free Like a Bird!!

I wrote my last exam this morning, took my stuff to my car, ate lunch, and headed off with Jireh for home! I'm so excited that term one is over and that I'm home for three full weeks! Three cheers for freedom!

The past week of studying, hanging out, and exam writing has been really good. I finally feel like I'm getting a consistent/core group of friends at school, and we're getting to know some of the guys on our brother hall really well, too. We went to the spa with them a couple nights ago and to BP's, and on Sun. night we were going to play board games, but that turned into sharing our testimonies, which was very cool. We've been having lots of fun girl time lately too. On Sat night we watched Stepmom and three out of the four of us were sobbing. :) On Sunday afternoon we watched Pearl Harbor, and throughout the week we've been doing some studying together. It has been a really balanced past couple of weeks regarding socializing and studying; it's been great!

On Wednesday I wrote Old Testament and Spiritual Formation. OT was brutally hard with way too many specific details and random questions. But everyone felt that way and I still think I did well, so I don't feel so bad. Spirit form. was really easy and I pretty much felt like I aced it. This morning was Pauline Epistles and I pretty much have never had to work so hard for an exam in my entire life. As far as reviewing went, the profs words were, "Anything in Paul's letters are fair game." Hah. Thanks, Carl. That totally narrows it down. He ended up giving us about 30 principle passages to know, but pretty much I had to studying every topic according to it's chapter and have a general sense of some verses that were under each heading in every letter. It was hard work, but very cool that I was just studying scripture the whole time and now I have a very good sense of what exactly is in each of Paul's letters and where to find it. It ended up being much easier than I was expecting, (I went into the exam with the impression that the prof was insane and would pull random verses out and expect us to tell him where it was - a skill that he has spent his whole life obtaining and wanting us to get in a couple of days) and I was happy with how I did (we marked the objective questions in class). However, if I would have spent some more time on some of the questions and thought more carefully/thouroughly I could have done even better.

All in all, it was a good wrap up to my first term. I said good-bye to people and was happy to be heading out of there for a good, long, relaxing Christmas break.

I love Christmas.

Countdown is On

I forgot how much I enjoy being on the go all the time and always having something to do or be involved with. The musical weekend was busy...and fantastic! So fun! I got a little sick of the songs by the end of it, but now I miss it. Everything went very smoothly and it was all in all an exciting experience. :)

On Sunday night we had a dorm date with our brother hall. We dressed like people from the 80's and then did a Richard Simmons work out video. It was hilarious. Then we made gingerbread men and just hung out for a good 3 hours. 

Tomorrow is my last day of classes and then the countdown is officially on. (Well, I guess it's been on for a while.) I started studying yesterday for my three exams that aren't until next week, then I write them, and then I'm home for 3 weeks. Heather and Matt are coming to visit me on Monday too because Matt's just getting home from BC on Saturday and he wants to see Briercrest. It should be a fun week and a half, well, it either has potential to go very slowly or very quickly. Hopefully the latter. 

Welcome to Patawash!

Monday officially started my week of Musical overload - but I'm loving it! They had a 5 hour technical rehearsal that the choir was allowed to watch since it would be the only time we would see it from the front of the cast. And then last night we had our first all out rehearsal. Tonight is the second act, tomorrow night is the whole thing, and the Friday the real games begin! I am actually so pumped! 

I finally feel like I have something to do! A friend just asked what I was doing tonight other than choir, I said, "Ha. There is no other than choir this week." It's so true. From 6:00-10:00 tonight I am in the chapel, dressed in my black and white that I just flippin' washed to have them ready for the actual thing not realizing I had to wear them all week too, sitting-standing-singing-sitting, etc., and enjoying every minute of it. :)

I am so weird. 

ps. I think the snow is finally here to stay. I woke up this morning to the sound of a snow scraper machine thingy and knew it had snowed again. It's cold today. Welcome back Saskatchewan. 

Let it Snow! And Please Let it Stay!

I woke up this lovely Sat. morning and my roommate told me I had better look out the window. So I did, and a beautiful blanket of white covered the ground and large, fluffy snowflakes covered the sky. Aw. It was so pretty. 

And my goodness, it's about time!! It's the end of November in SASKATCHEWAN and the past week has been warm enough to wear hoodies and flip flops. I was thinking that if global warming made every winter from now on like this I was going to move North. I refuse to do the Christmas season without snow. So all I have to stay is, snow, pretty pretty please stay. 

This past week since arriving back to school has gone pretty well, pretty quickly too. It has kind of been a more challenging week, though. It has been a homesick week. Not necessarily missing my house but missing the familiarness of high school, my consistent group of friends, the predictability of the routine, and yes, even my family. What has made it harder is that I have gotten all of my homework done minus the studying for exams, so I have nothing to do. I also have nothing to do with no one to do it with because they are all madly finishing up their projects and papers. So I've been lonely. It's pretty much just been me and my gilmore girls three evenings this past week. And I've been so extra sensitive for some reason. 

Yesterday was better though...and the evening before that too. We went to Madagascar 2 on Thursday night and chilled at DQ. Yesterday started off dumb b/c no one wanted to follow through on their plans to come to Regina with me. But, then I found out that some other girls on the hall were going shopping in MJ so I went with them. I ended up finding a dress for our banquet, a couple cmas presents for others, and a couple other things for myself. It turned out to be a fun and productive afternoon. Last night the vball teams were playing so I watched about 3 hours of that before my butt got so numb from the bleachers and I got so restless from doing the same thing for so long that I had to leave. 

Today I have lots of plans as well. Vball watching at 1:00, then supper in MJ with some people, then a CD release party, then a movie night. It should keep me busy. 

South (aka East?)

I drove back to school this fine Monday morning and everything went nice and smoothy. However, I think the sun was confused. Either that or I have been lied to all my life that the sun rises in the East. Or it could even have been a matter of the roads defying logic and someone getting me South of Saskatoon while facing East 95% of the way. The sun was in my eyes...the whole time. I was fine because I had sunglasses, but especially because it was just rising, it was too low to be covered by the visor. Now. I was very excited to drive back in the morning because the sun would not be in front of me (because I had to drive south, maybe a bit of southeast, and west...NOT east), however, it totally was. My question is: why? 

Chillaxin'

The rest of the week went by quickly and smoothly, and then yesterday I drove home. I guess I don't have too much to say other than that. Things have calmed down on campus and the chapel services on Tues-Thurs were really well run and there was definitely a feeling of peace. At least for me. Praise Jesus. 

I'm looking forward to two more full days and evenings at home, just relaxing, doing some homework, and hanging out with friends. Today was a productive day, but busy! Apparently some family from MB decided to come and visit so I spent the day cleaning the house, looking after Teagan, making lunch, doing my laundry, AND trying to squeeze in some homework. It made me miss having no one to worry about but myself. But it is very good to be home. I'm not driving back until Monday morning around 8:00 and then just skipping my 8:30 class. And then there are just 3 weekends in between going back to school and then coming home for 23 days of Christmas! YES!

Opportunity to Pray

Hey friends,  

So, there has been some pretty intense spiritual warfare stuff going on at Briercrest these past couple of days, and I would appreciate if you could lift our student body up in prayer. God is really working, and we all know that ultimately, he has victory. But, as God is bring his children toward freedom, he enemy is not happy. Yesterday morning, us College Singers were doing worship at the smaller Caronport church called the Gathering. God was so present and it was very powerful. We had just finished singing a song that went "You are stronger, you are stronger, sin is broken, you have saved me. It is written, Christ is risen, Jesus you are Lord of all. Let your name be lifted higher." A young man fainted and woke up with yelling until pastors attended to it backstage. A similar thing happened in chapel this morning when the boy preaching was saying a very powerful message. So, bascially, there is a young man who I think was involved with some evil and dangersous things in his past and as he, along with many students are turning to Christ and praying for freedom, the enemy is not happy.

Choir was really encouraging today as our leader was helping us process the events and we were talking about what our approach should be. He was explaining and reminding us that Christ is risen, HE is victorious, and He has ultimate power over all - protecting His children with the blood of Christ. He was helping us realize that obviously, amazing and powerful things are happening and God is working - otherwise things like what is happening with the young man would not be coming to the surface. And we should rejoice that God IS victory over all and that we get to be a part of what he is doing as He brings darkness to the surface and brings healing and salvation by His Light. So, God is at work, and I could spend another half a page giving you examples of how present He has been through all of it. If anything, it has opened all of our eyes to how important it is to stay focused on the Lord and to be in continuous prayer. It has reminded us that the Lord is power and the spiritual realm is a very real thing. And I have full confidence in and respect for all of our profs and leaders and how they are dealing with things and helping us understand things. But, a lot of us are still shaken and tense. There may be some fear rising up and a lot of things coming to the surface for a lot of people. And we are tired. The past couple days have been challenging, especially as this real aspect of Christianity is new to so many people.  

So please pray for the boy, that God would bring him complete healing from his past and freedom. Please pray for our profs and leaders, that they would have continued discernment in how they deal with and approach everything, and that they would be given immense endurance and strength. Please pray for our student body, that the Spirit would teach us how to pray and come alongside the boy and all those with deep and hidden pain, and that we would be given energy and ultimately peace about everything. That God would teach us things through this and grow each person individually. And rejoice with me that God is doing amazing and unstoppable things in the college of Briercrest.  

Blessings, Amy

New Record

This morning I slept the latest I have ever slept in before. No joke. 11:30. I know it's probably not that late to other people, but for me it's LATE! And it wasn't even like a wake up at 8:00, decide to go back to sleep, wake up at 10:00, decide to go back to sleep, etc. I slept steady right until 11:30 and then jumped out of bed to make sure I didn't miss going for brunch with my friends.

I was only up until 1:30 last night, too. A bunch of us from my hall and a couple guys from our brother hall brought a TV down to the lobby and stole a couch from downstairs to have a movie night. We watched Elf, followed by The Holiday...followed by a few of us girls chatting in a room before heading our separate ways to actually go to sleep. So, it was a very fun night -- it just must have made me pretty tired! 

This weekend is going by a little too slowly. I've been so lazy and blah. Haven't gotten much work done either, but that's probably because I don't have that much to do. If I decide to actually work tonight, it will be to get a head start on a project due in just under two weeks. But, I also want to just lay low and watch some Gilmore Girls tonight. :)

Close Enough to December

I decorated tonight. While listening to Christmas music. 

Broomball anyone?

Last night it decided to freezing rain in Caronport...and surrounding areas. This morning the ground = ice. I live in Saskatchewan, Canada and I have never seen the ground so entirely covered in ice.  I've seen skating rinks, large patches of ice, and even roads that were very very icy - but everything this morning had a smooth layer of ice over top of it. It was greatly amusing. We pretty much had to skate to class and back, and even the grass had ice crystals all over it. :) SO. I decided that I wanted to play broomball! On the sidewalks! If I actually had broomball stuff, or the time and people to get a game going, I absolutely would have. But it never happened. I did, however, have to explain to a girl from Kelowna what broomball even was. Hah. 

By afternoon the roads had cleared and I went with a friend into Moose Jaw to the clinic. She needed a bone scan done on her ankle that she injured in basketball.  So, we find the place, put our name down, and to kill time in the hour wait went for an early supper run to McDonalds. I had a craving. Mmm. Greasy, deep fried, fast food. 

For the remainder of the evening I did a little bit of procrastinating but managed to finish writing my rough draft of my first college research paper that is due on Thursday. So, everything except the intro and conclusion paragraphs are all typed out and ready to be edited. it feels good. However, it is only supposed to be like 5 pages...and I have 9. So tomorrow, on the glorious and randomly in the middle of the week holiday of NO CLASSES (which for me just consists of one...because it's Tuesday) I have some editing and condensing to do. No biggie. At least all my info is typed and put together. Yay! 

Tomorrow at midnight I also get to register for my semester 2 classes. I'm really hoping and praying that all I want to take is still available. And I decided just the other day that I would like to take Musicianship 1. It deals with advanced chording and triads and other advanced theory stuff. Oh, and ear training. Woot. However, I missed the boat on taking Intro. to musicianship this term, which is a pre-req for Mus. 1. So, in order to take it, I need to get above 75% on the theory placement exam that is offered at the beginning of every term.  Which ALSO means that over Christmas break, I have some major theory reviewing to do!! I still have my theory books, and I really want to do this class, and so that is my goal for next term. :) I'm also kind of thinking on taking guitar lessons, but those probably won't happen because they cost extra money, it would make me a bit too busy, and I can take lessons from anyone any time. 

So, yea, it's been a good past couple of days. This weekend was VERY FUN. There were tons of sports going on and I spent pretty much all of Friday and Sat. watching volleyball.  I even got to use an air horn! It was really awesome to finally get to see the girls play, and male volleyball is always entertaining to watch. Carlee's family was here for the weekend and Saturday night her sister stayed in the room with us. We watched Cars before going to bed; I ADORE that movie. Yesterday (Sunday) I just relaxed and lazed about, did a bit of homework, and then ended the night with a movie and junkfood fest. 

And I'm feeling very excited about next term, because even if Mus. 1 doesn't happen, I have a list of four other classes that I really, really want to take. I've come out of my grumpy mood that I was in toward the end of last week, this weekend I'm going on a day trip to Regina, and then the Thursday after that I'm going home for the weekend. Just because. (Those are the best reasons when it comes to going home.)

Blah

It's good to be back into the routine of things. Yesterday was crazy busy with three classes, a nice coffee with an old friend who was in Caronport, and choir - but I loved it. Today I had one class...and have spent the rest of my time being extremely productive. Until now. Right now I am sitting in the library procrastinating from actually opening up my research and planning my Old Testament paper. School is a wonderful thing.

However, I've been sick of people. All day. And then I just get sick of being sick of people. Because I really wish that I already knew more people than I do. I have never really had to go to a new place and make new friends before...because I've been at SCS all my life and have never moved cities or churches. It would be different if it was smaller and if I actually could remember the faces of those in each of my classes. And I do have friends. I love the girls on my hall and definitely have people to hang out with. 

But I've just felt so introverted. And I miss my extroverted self. 

Out of Place

I have now been home for over a week and am not planning on going back until Sunday. It has been a good week so far. I've had lots of fun opportunities to hang out at SCS and catch up with people, I paid a surprise visit to a former teacher who no longer works at SCS (so fun and so good to see her), and had supper at another former teacher's house. And from now until Sunday I have several other exciting things planned. 

But. I actually miss Briercrest. It's kind of an encouraging feeling because it makes me realize that I'm more settled in there than I think. And I have been realizing more and more this week why God brought me to Briercrest in the first place - one of the main reasons being because it is uncomfortable and unfamiliar, and therefore I will actually depend on God and grow more. I realize being home, where I'm completely in my comfort zone, that I tend not to spend as much intentional time with God...I guess I feel like I don't need to. 

It has been marvelous just relaxing and hanging out with people and watching lots of TV, but I'm actually starting to feel pretty restless at home. I don't know if that's a good things or a bad thing. Probably neither. Or both. Or it doesn't matter. But, it's just kind of interesting. I wake up every morning to an empty house; my dad is at work and my mom has dropped the sibs off at school and has also headed to work. So, I pretty much do nothing from waking up until when I have something planned, which for the past couple days has been around lunch time. And it's WEIRD. It's like a little glimpse into what life would have been if I chose to just take a year off from everything before University, which I don't think I would have EVER done, and now I realize even more why: I would go CRAZY! I think I need school to keep me sane - or at least a consistent routine of something. Not just this, 'do whatever I feel like doing' each day. If everyone was on vacation, it would be fantastic. But, I think my restlessness is because everyone around me is continuing on with their daily routine and, in turn, I am starting to crave mine. 

Three Cheers for a Break!

I arrived back at home by 4:00 on Thursday and don't have to leave until the following Sun...like in a week from tomorrow. I am so overjoyed about a whole week off from classes! In fact, yesterday I was home with my siblings all day and I was sooo bored that I actually did homework. On day TWO of break! I love this being bored, and especially when I'm at home bored. Because it's just good to be home no matter what I'm doing. But, I do definitely feel like I'm settling in even more than before. I'm enjoying the routine of classes and of whatever fun things we find to do to occupy our evenings. :)

Yesterday I took my brother to the Saskatoon Youth Quake unveiling. (Youth Quake is a huge youth conference Briercrest puts on every February.) On Wed. night they unveiled the theme, speakers, bands, etc. that are coming to YQ this Feb. to all of us in Caronport but they didn't do the full dance team show or worship.  Sp then Thurs night they did their full 'party' at a church in MJ, and last night they were at Lakeview church here. I was really impressed with the turn out, and the YQ team did SUCH a good job - so did the dance team! I am incredibly excited for YQ.  

And I'm very excited about my holiday.

Tidbits for the Day

I am in the foundations of youth ministry class and I am bored.

Profs like to talk about the same thing over and over again and say it in as many different ways as their vocabulary will allow them. 

I couldn't sleep last night, and I was so hot I was sweating.

I'm getting much better at typing out numerical references for verses in the Bible without even looking down at my keyboard. (Thank you Spiritual Formation class)

Last night I went to a restaurant that was yummy, but the grease smell was so bad my clothes still smell today. 

My spirit form. prof still looks like Buzz Saw Louis. I think that's what kept me awake in that class this morning. For some reason he felt the need to fully review the topic that has taken us the past 4 classes to get through. 

But I'm not complaining. 

Last night we had to take our hall picture for the yearbook. We were the scene of Jesus (and kind of Peter) walking on water. It was HILARIOUS.

Someone is drawing a godzilla robot on the chalkboard. Apparently it's his analogy for the elements of youth ministry. (see, I am listening)

I'm still in a very good, happy, and 'blessed-feeling' mood after yesterday in s'toon. 

I'm hungry

There are college students in my classes that do stuff that we were rebuked for/taught not to do in grade 2. Noisy hands. Mrs. Munk taught us that if we stuck our hand up in the middle of her talking or if we felt the need to wiggle it around that we had a noisy hand and she wouldn't answer us. And did you know that it is probably not a good idea to yell to the person across the room from you in the middle of class - especially during a quiz? 

Our brother dorm has planned an exciting way of asking us out on a 'dorm date'. So we're meeting them tonight. 

After our romantic 10 minutes of finding out what they have planned for us to do, I'm off to the chapel for a Youth Quake unveiling to find out what the theme is this year and what bands are coming. Details to follow! 

Class is now over, and it's supper time.

I'm coming home tomorrow!! :) :)

Home...for a few hours

Today was the day I got to go, along with our admissions advisor, a worship leader, and our student body president, to SCS for chapel. For some reason this time - even though I've been back to my high school for several visits - felt even more like home than it did on my other visits. Maybe because it was in the middle of the day and I was there for a specific purpose, as opposed to being there at the very beginning or very end of the day when everyone is everywhere. Either way, it was sooo much fun. 

It's weird, sitting here at my desk in Caronport, that I was in Saskatoon today. 

It was really great to travel with a few Briercrest people and get to know them...finally have some connections with Briercrest instead of just being a random face among 700. We had some really fun times traveling together, too; those people are FUNNY. 

Gooood day. :) And I'm home in two days for over a weeeeek! Horaaay!! 

Tonight I think I'm going to head into Moose Jaw for supper with some friends. 

And I should reaally start some homework. 

Day of Prayer

So, today was the Day of Prayer. Well, it ended at 4:00-ish...but close enough. We got up this morning and it started with a chapel service of worship (through song), silent praying, and a little bit of group praying, oh, and a tiny message too. After that we had a small break before joining with the high school for another chapel service. This time it was mostly worship, and a bit of praying/teaching time. We then had communion and were dismissed for lunch, but a lot of people, including myself, were fasting, so we just stayed in the sanctuary for a while. In the afternoon we met with our halls and then we went on a prayer walk throughout the campus in small groups. We then ended with another chapel service. It was such a good day, the atmosphere was so free and fresh, and God's presence was so evident. When we were ending the day with worship around 4:00, we were all just standing in silence after the worship team had stopped playing. Some girls started the doxology and everyone joined in. This set off a time of people just shouting out Bible verses declaring God's power and starting other songs like Amazing Grace and I Love You Lord. It was so beautiful. 

Other than that, this weekend was good. It was a nice and relaxing Sat/Sun after my long and challenging retreat on Friday. I watched a couple of movies, one being the Passion of the Christ; it was good to watch that again. Ooh. I also went to MJ for supper one night. Yay for restaurants. :)

And now, I have a little window to do some homework before small group. I need to do some memorizing, and I need to write what I'm going to say at SCS tomorrow. That's right, tomorrow! :) I have to be up pretty early to head out with the people, but I'm quite excited. Yaayy.

I'm freee!

Oh man. Yesterday was so hard. From when I woke up until I went to sleep I could not eat, talk to people, or do aannything expect pray, read the Bible, and just be. 

The first 3-ish hours went by the fastest. I journalled a ton and had a few revelations -- basically having to do with being reminded that it is more than okay to question. Because when we question, we grow. And it's good to be reminded that God is still God no matter where we are at or how we are feeling. I'm such a 'feeling' oriented person and it drives me crazy sometimes! 

But anyway. After that I went outside for a walk for like an hour and then came back in and read more of the Bible - journaling about each passage. After this is when I started to go stir crazy. It was about 4:00 and I realized I had to continue like this, completely secluded and not being allowed to do anything but pray, until I went to sleep. It was so challenging. But, somehow the time went by and I was climbing into bed. 

I woke up extremely happy that I was once again free to eat food and to socialize with people. But then I felt guilty for feeling like I needed to be free from spending time with God. But then I decided that being in seclusion yesterday was supposed to be challenging - there would be little point to the assignment if it wasn't. And I was in no way wanting to leave being in God's presence (even if that were possible) it was more wanting to get back to the world outside my dorm room while integrating His presence into every moment of my day.  I was just happy to not be restricted anymore to an assignment for a class. I would rather spend time in solitude with God on my own time and be free to do my own things...because I mean, I wasn't even allowed to listen to worship music yesterday. I was so thankful to wake up this morning and be done. 

However, I am verrrry excited for the day of prayer on Monday. Especially since it is school-wide. 

RIP Alvin

Alvin is my roommate's fish...was my roommate's fish. She left him in his bowl by our open window before she took off to Winnipeg for the weekend. I went to MJ tonight and didn't really think to close the window - I wanted to air out the room. When I got back, he was a dead -- and very frozen -- fish. It was quite traumatizing having to phone Carlee and pass on the news. (Yes, I know, it's a FISH. But there was a story behind the thing!) Poor guy. What a way to go. 

I hope I am not a fish murderer... 

Retreating

Tomorrow, for my spiritual formation class, I am 'going' on a 24 hour silent retreat. I say 'going' because I'm not actually going anywhere so much as just staying in my room alone (my roommate is gone this weekend). So from 9:00am - 9:00 Sat morning I get to just be silent and alone with God. Fasting, praying, and just chillin out. I'm really looking forward to it. 

And then on MONDAY is our day of prayer. So I get to spend another whole day in prayer with everyone else on campus. :) 

Tuesday I get to come to SCS! Some Bcrest people are going to do chapel and I am coming along. Yay!

And then Thursday early afternoon I'm coming home for just over a week!

Next week is going to be good!!

This week was too...nothing too exciting to report. It was very nice only having a three day week considering Monday was thanksgiving. I did a lot of fun things with people this week, though! A couple nights I stayed up watching movies with different people, and another night - since it was open dorms - we played cranium with a few boys. It's definitely been a very 'college-ish' week. And I like it. 

Thankful

This weekend was great. It was so good to be home for three full days, see not only my family but my Auntie, Uncle, and Gpa as well, and just relax. I definitely didn't do too much homework. I got the 'needed' stuff done, but I guess I will just have to dedicate tomorrow (as I have one class and then the full day) to get all my more futuristic work done. Because I do not feel like starting anything tonight. I just feel like relaxing, catching up with people, and getting an early sleep. :)

It is actually nice to be back, though I didn't really want to leave home...even though I am going to be back home in 9 days for modular week. Everything with my car worked out -- the alternator that they replaced it with before was defective and sucked the life out of my battery. So, all is well and we didn't even have to pay any money. All is well for now at least...I hope it stays just fine for the rest of the year as well. It was nice to drive back by myself with no company. I had a whole two hours to myself! It was a little sketchy on the half an hour on the highway from Chamberlain to Moose Jaw as it is a narrow 2 lane highway with snow in the ditches. But it was fine. 

And, yes, SNOW! I missed Caronport/Moose Jaw's first snowfall of the year! :( So when everyone is bummed about the second snowfall -- I will still be celebrating my first. Oh well. That's just the way it's going to be! Ooooh. I love snow. And my Christmas music (I sorted the playlist today) gets its official kick off on November 1st. 

So, yay for a fantastic weekend, great food, good family/relaxing time, and only two weeks of classes before coming home for a whole week!

Always be Prepared...I guess

Because of the dead state of my car, I needed booster cables to make it home today for thanksgiving. I could've just found someone here with them, but my dad decided that I needed some anyway so he sent some in the mail. Apparently he decided that I needed a lot more than just booster cables, because when I opened the package there was a briefcase sized safety kit with anything you could possibly imagine needing. It was pretty much its own hardware store. Besides the booster cables, its contents included:

- slim line air compressor

- tire gauge

- duct tape roll (I guess they say you can use duct tape for everything...)

- 8-in-1 multi tool

- metal collapsible shovel

- window mount reflective red triangle

- super-bright LED flashlight (emphasis on the super?)

- 3 AAA batteries (to make the super bright flashlight be super bright)

- disposable camera with flash (to cherish the moments)

- accident report form

- 1.5m measuring tape

- chalk and ball pen

- emergency poncho 

- emergency blanket

- pair of PVC knitted gloves (PVC?)

- pad of paper and pencil

- 10 cable ties

- tie down strap (for the hostages!)

- and a first aid kit complete with an instruction card, gauze roll, adhesive tape, alcohol cleaning pads, adherent sterile pads, 14 adhesive strips, and 20 cotton swabs.

So either it was on sale and was cheaper to buy than the booster cables alone (which my dad claims was the case), or he really has no faith in my car and wants me to be prepared. 

I thought it was quite humourous. And within 4 hours I will be heading home for a nice, long, thanksgiving weekend! So pumped.

I thought I recognized him...

So! I figured out who my Spiritual Formation prof, Cal Macfarlane, reminds me of!!

...drum roll please...

BUZZ SAW LOUIE!

And now, looking at the picture, I can see it even more. Laughing out loud. Seriously. (For those of you who have grown up being Veggie Tale deprived, this is the toy that saved Christmas on the Veggie Tale Christmas movie. Watch it. It's fantastic.) The face not so much, because Cal's eyes are pretty tiny and he is not animated. But, the body -- absolutely! Their bodies are exactly the same, bigger upper body with square, broad shoulders, and smaller legs. They even walk the same!! 

If only I knew Cal well enough to enlighten him as to his look alike.

Life is Rich

It is absolutely freezing out today. But I love it. I love the day. Life is rich, and I love it.

It seems my light and joyful mood from yesterday has carried over. :)

Nothing specific has really happened, I just love life. Yesterday with the rain and Christmas music, and today with the ... I don't know ... existence of the day? It's just great. 

It probably helps that I had an exciting meet with my admissions advisor, Ken Pike, this morning. He emailed (kind of a '1 month in follow-up') and wanted to meet for coffee. So, I went to the little coffee shop on campus to meet him this morning and he definitely had forgotten and was meeting with another girl along with the other admissions advisor. But, it worked out okay that he met more with me and left the other two to themselves. When he asked me what school I graduated from and I told him that it was SCS, he told me that they were going there for a chapel on the 22 as guest speakers. So I lit up and said, "Can I COME?!?" and his reply was equally enthusiastic, "SURE!" So we went up to us office and talked about the logistics of it. He was grateful for my input into what our chapels are like and what I think would be best. And I also had the opportunity to tell him that our theme verse for Briercrest this year is the same as our theme verse for SCS. (Micah 6:8). So yea, everything was so perfect and I'm like 99% going -- and even giving like a 5-10 min. testimony type thing...just talking to the students about my year here so far. :) :) :) Aww, I miss my home school. In a good way.

Choir was also really great today. Learned some random worship songs, and then kept trucking along with our Christmas musical stuff. Soo good! My Pauline Epistles class was kind of frustrating, mostly because of the prof. He goes on so many bunny trails and it just seems like we're listening on to the goings on of his inner brain that consists of a bunch of unfinished thoughts. And he teaches in a way that makes us do the thinking. Which, I know, I know, is the sign of a good prof...it's just frustrating. 

But I'm not going to let that get my spirits down!!!! 

:D

Oh Happy Days

Today is a perfect day. It makes my heart happy. It is raining. Church was a great start to the day. And I am just in a fantastic mood. 

I was going to go out and play in the rain, but some friends wanted to walk to the Point (the gas station/starbucks/subway/only civilization in Caronport) and play Settlers of Catan. I wanted to come too, so I just played and danced in the rain on the way. :)

The weekend was good. There was a missions conference here and so I went to the main sessions of that. But on Friday when there was breakout sessions, I did homework instead. I'm trying to get a little bit ahead so that when I am home next weekend (which I am UNBELIEVABLY excited about!) I don't have to do too much work. I have an OT paper that isn't due until middle of Nov., but I wanted to at least pick a topic and get some books together. I think I'm just going to write about how Gen 1-11 sets the foundation for the whole Pentateuch (at whole OT for that matter). But, does anyone have any better ideas? We can also choose to pick our own topic -- so really, anything that has to do with the OT would work...

Last night was really fun, too. I watched about 3.5 hours of TV shows online with Aneca (the girl across the hall) and just had a really relaxing evening. And to top it all off, a friend's brother was here with a rap group that was putting on a concert (that I had absolutely NO desire to go to) and she sent me a package of goodies with him! It was such a marvelous surprise!

Even though I am really loving life, especially today, I still have been thinking lots about the past. I know it's not good to dwell on the past -- and I really am embracing the future -- I just miss the way things were sometimes. I miss SCS high school, I miss the youth groups I was involved in and the amazing people I got to know, and I miss my friends...my high school friends. I've just been really nostalgic lately. 

But at the same time I am still waiting anxiously and passionately for what is in store for me this year -- and for my future. 

BUT. To make my day even better and my heart even happier:

I'M LISTENING TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

I think I am honestly glowing right now.

Exactly One Month

I am honestly sitting here making a list of what I did this week before I start to update. And then I realized that was a whole other level past nerd, so I'm just going to start. 

Speaking of nerd. That stuff I was talking about a few entries earlier -- the emerging church -- I have still been thinking about a lot. And I definitely am in support of the postmodern ways, but I found a book in the Bcrest bookstore (which is like my favourite place in all of campus. It's like a mini Parables...like 2 mintues away!) that was arguing against it. And I bought it. Just because I like learning. And thinking.

Anyway. It's been a month. A great month, really. I know that it's only going to get better and more exciting. I feel so passionate about life and ready for whatever. I'm getting a little restless though, as I am not used to be involved with...well...pretty much nothing. But, I discovered, after some searching, that vball inter-murals are after Christmas so I'm going to be on a team for that! It's so weird being at school during the fall and not playing vball, directly followed by bball. 

Oh well, it's also nice to have a break. It's been very relaxing, and I have had pretty much no homework all week. Each day the only things I've had to work on have been something due in like 2 weeks or more. I was going to continue to work ahead this weekend so that I won't have to do as much over thanksgiving or for mod. week when I will be at home and wanting to hang out with people and relax. But, there is a missions conference this weekend with a bunch of sessions running all day tomorrow and saturday that we are strongly urged to attend. And I want to anyway; I think it will be good.

I recited Eph 1-3 to my RA this week for the real thing. So, for 35% of my grade. It went well - I only made 3 small mistakes. But at the same time, I knew the right words and so I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't do it perfectly. 

Last night I went on my first venture since I've gotten my car back. Me and a few other girls from my hall went to BP's for supper -- a nice, real, hot meal. And tonight me and Jireh (the girl I knew from s'toon prier to school) and her roommate are going to a different restaurant for supper and then maybe to a nice park to take pictures. It is so pretty right now will all the leaves on the ground and cool colours. Maybe we'll even make a pile and jump in! :)

Here are some of the pictures we took on our picture venture from last week:

Choir today was really great...as usual. We got together with the other college choir and put our songs together for the Christmas musical. It sounded so big and so beautiful! We have one song that is a cappella, and so we went outside and sang it for people. :) 

That's pretty much all I have to say about this week. I'm pumped for a weekend. But I'm even more pumped for next Thurs. when I get to come home and eat turkey!! Hip, hip, Hooray!!

You'd Think Once Would be Enough

I made plans to have a phone date with Brianne this weekend. We talked on MSN and established that Heather and I would call her at 1:00pm, and we left it at that. So, as I'm sitting in a restaurant with my mom, Teagan, and Heather waiting for 1:00 to roll around, I suddenly realize: THERE IS A TIME CHANGE!! Luckily, though, Brianne is smarter than me and wasn't expecting the call until 3:00 her time. So then we talked to her for a bit, and it was nice to hear from her.

The weekend was good. It was fun to see Teagan and have a girl weekend. We ended up going to Regina because I've been pretty big-city-deprived. We did a little shopping and ate supper at a decent restaurant. Today we went to church, had a quick lunch, and then they left me. :(

Not even two weeks until I get to come home for thanksgiving, though!! And I have my friend the car back!

So this afternoon I've just been lazing around in my PJ's. I did 4 loads of laundry (my first time doing it here as I went home a couple weekends ago), and I got a little bit of reading done. I finally figured out what the deal is with my printer, too! The USB cable was dead...so I stole my roommate's to get caught up on printing my class notes. My dad's coming to the rescue again by sending me a new one. 

I think it'll be an early night for me. Here come another week of classes...

Bottom of the Totem Pole

Horray for another week of classes being done!! I'm very, very excited for the weekend. #1 because it's a weekend, and #2 because Heather, Teagan, and my mom are coming to visit meeeee!

This past week was okay. Well, no, it was good. I'm getting a little bored with two of my four classes. And they're both on Mon/Wed. Spiritual Formation because the prof talks about the same thing over and over again and makes it really simplified. He has also got a really soothing and monotonous voice. And Youth Ministry for pretty much the same reason: I'm not really learning anything and it's not interesting...yet. Though, the prof is a lot more attention grabbing than the first one. I am still really enjoying Pauline Epistles and OT, though. 

Well, not much else to report from the week. Pretty much every night just consisted of hanging around in the dorm and either doing homework or watching Gilmore Girls. :)

I have been realizing the past couple of days why it takes a while to get used to everything. I just finished high school in a school that I've been going to since kindergarten. By the time grade 12 rolled around (and even far before that), I knew everyone, I had my consistent groups of friends, I was involved with pretty much everything, and I was a leader in the school. Come here, It's like right back to square one -- the bottom of the totem pole coming from the extreme top. And it's not a bad thing; it's a part of life. It's just different. I am one small girl among 600-ish students, just another face to the profs, and the same level of 'friend' to pretty much everyone on the hall. Oh freshman life...

Significant Day in History

Today I became an official, registered voter. 

I am very excited to finally be able to vote. I feel so grown up! 

That's all I have to say.

Critical Thinking...(revised)

( This title is dedicated to Ms. Heather Pitman. I know how much she loves that phrase. :) )

I love Rob Bell. I have watched almost all of his Nooma videos and I have read his book, Velvet Elvis. So when my friend informed me that there was some controversy about his teachings and theology, I was shocked. I hadn't heard anything of the sort, and after a conversation with a girl on the opposite spectrum as me (she hadn't read or watched any of his stuff but had just heard and read an essay about the arguments against him, and I didn't know anything about the controversy) I decided to look into it. 

So, being the nerd that I am, I spent about 30 min on Wikipedia tonight learning about the theology that Bell uses -- the beliefs of the Emerging Church Movement.  It's basically saying that the traditional church, with the Christianese language, systematic dogma, and strict theology is not doing much for bring people of the modern world to Christ. Therefore, a new way of looking at things is to simplify the doctrine, making it more personal and making it more able to draw people to Christ. Like my mom said, basically the doctrine of the Emerging Church is to love God and love people. I don't think that in any way that belief diminishes the authority of scripture and it definitely doesn't dismiss its importance. It's just responding more to the call of loving people and making disciples of all nations. Doing it in a way that will draw them to the church instead of making them feel condemned. Living our lives in a way that is so in love with Christ that we desire to follow His example and see the world through his eyes. 

So really, why can't people just leave the servants of Christ such as Rob Bell alone instead of finding little things and picking them apart? "By their fruit you will recognize them" And Mr. Rob sure has brought a lot of people to know a loving Jesus who is our Lover and closest Friend. Sure, some things he says in his book "Velvet Elvis" I don't really agree with. But, that doesn't mean that I should just write him off entirely and not listen to anything he says. The people that do that aren't exactly disciplining themselves to think critically -- they're just taking the easy way out. As a follower of Christ in today's modern world it is so absolutely important to learn to think critically, to, "keep your head in all situations" (2 Tim 4:5) and to "test everything" (1 Thess 5:21). And it is crucial to always go back to God's Word while doing so. 

There are many different types of speakers that have many different theologies and opinions. So, yes, know what you believe, but agree to disagree. Learn some things from a speaker while disagreeing with other statements from the same guy. The church is far too willing to split up over simple arguments that mean nothing for one's salvation or even for one's life with Christ.

I love weekends here. It can get a little boring, and I realize what a huge privilege it is to have a car now that it is gone. But, for the most part, the sleeping in and having nooo structure is sweet. I slept until 11:00 both of the past mornings; I've nevvvverr been able to sleep that late. It's kind of nice, but I also feel guilty for wasting my whole morning. 

I worked, read, and studied all afternoon yesterday and all afternoon today. Right from lunch (which is more like breakfast on the weekends) until supper. It's been a really productive day, though! I finally understand what the heck went on with Paul's life. I read the book, but it makes so much more sense when I use google, maps, handouts, AND the book to make notes and put things in chronological order. 

On Friday night I talked to Matt for like an hour. And a couple days before that I got to talk to Brianne. I miss people, and I can't wait until parties during Christmas holidays!! :) Oh, funny story though. So, I told Matt to call me at 6:30. He said ok. I'm waiting in the dorm, 7:00 rolls around, and then 7:15. At 7:30 he calls and I say, "Where've you been?" He says, "What do you mean?" I say, "It's 7:30." He says, "Noooo, it's 6:30." Yea. That's right. Compleeeetely forgot about the time change. It was hilarious. 

Last night at about 1:00am some girls from our hall got dressed in black and went on a mission to find the "Slurpee Cup". Hall #2 won it during the olympics and it was just recently stolen. We didn't complete our mission, but running around outside and trying to track it down was quite enjoyable. 

Next weekend My mom, sister, and Heather are coming to visit meee! (I don't even remember if I wrote this yet...sorry if I did.) It'll be a grand weekend. And then the next time I get to come home is for Thanksgiving. Woot.

I watched my grad video last night. It was sad.

Well, it's time to pack up my stuff from the library table and head to supper. Write at ya'll later.

You can't mark my art!

I just finished my weekly reading and journal entry for my Spiritual Formation class, and I am really frustrated with that book and with the class right now. I just discovered, as I was going through like 5 different disciplines in 20 minutes in order to write a one paged journal response, that it is actually designed to do one a day and THEN at the end of the week to respond to it. 

It's written in a way that every few pages is a new 'discipline' that it goes over. (ie worship, gratitude, sabbath, celebration, etc.) It has a blurb, reflection questions, and exercises. And let me tell you, I am not about to use it as my devotions for each day. It's one of those "I'll do the dishes until you tell me I have to" type things. I would way rather do my own thing for daily devotions instead of being limited to a book that is simplistic, and way to "A-B-C-like". And what is more, at the end of the week we have to journal. So at first I was like, "Yay! No problem! I love journalling and would be doing it anyway." 

But, we're getting marked on it. We have to limit it to one page double spaced and we have to follow a certain structure. I just completed the journal entry about 5 minutes ago and was so frustrated while doing it because I wasn't allowed to let my thoughts just flow and actually let it mean something to me. I had to be too conscious about making sure that I ended it with a proper conclusion, saving the goals until the end of the page, and writing it in a way that I knew my prof would be reading it. 

You would think that in a spiritual formation class they would be encouraging us to grow sincerely and do the things that work best for us. It feels fake, forced, and routine. But I guess I'll just have to take it as a challenge to make it mean something to me anyway. To take it as it is and meet with God anyway.

Week Three

After the third week of being here (and the second week of classes) comes to an end, I'm definitely feeling settled and loving it here. I've been enjoying most of the classes, even though parts can get pretty ... uninteresting. I think the most interesting one would be Pauline Epistles. Even though it is taking a lot of effort to read the text, and the Bible, and even do some background (google) reading to figure out what's going and and to get everything in order, I love the type of things that I'm learning. The background behind all of Paul's letters and even just the basic timeline of Paul's life is some cool stuff. And, like the OT class, it helps to bring me to a better understanding that the happenings of the Bible actually, well, HAPPENED like thousands of years ago...on THIS earth. Even though hate geography, it's cool to see what happened where. 

I am absolutely loving choir. We're learning so many fun songs for the Christmas musical (which is the weekend of Dec. 4-6 if anyone is interested in coming, not because you want to see me - in the midst of a sea of people - sing, but because Briercrest always puts on a Christmas musical and it is a huugggee thing). And we're also putting together a few worship songs for leading worship at the Community church in a couple weekends. It reminds me of Seekers -- learning a ton of fun songs with different parts. I just love choir. 

I got to see Gavin (my old youth pastor) and a few other covenant pastor/leader type people on Tuesday evening. They were here for a conference/meetings to talk about ideas for our Covenant Conference. So, him and another guy I just met a month ago, and my pastor from Saskatoon, and I went to Starbucks and chatted for a while. There was another man here by the name of Phil that the Covenant Church of Canada just hired to be in charge of putting together something(s) for the college/career students. Since Covenant Bible College closed down, him and a team of people are looking at what is next for us. He wanted to meet with me (he knows my mom as she is on the board) and hear my thoughts and ideas about what we need. So I was up at the crack of dawn yesterday to meet him for breakfast before my 8:30 class. It was a good opportunity, and I was glad to have met him since he's going to our church next in s'toon and I won't be there. Obviously.

So, since I was up at 6:30 and hadn't gone to bed until 12 the night before, for the first time in my life I struggled to keep my eyes open and stay away in class. It was spiritual formation, and it definitely wasn't a very interesting class. But I was totally on the verge of falling asleep, and I'm the type of person who has noo control over staying awake when I'm at the point of trying to keep my eyes open if I'm just sitting still. (If movies are playing past dark, I'm always falling asleep during them. I think I can thank my dad for this.)

Next weekend Heather and my mom and sister are coming to visit me! Yay! Heather's going to stay with me in the dorm and my mom and sister have a room at the spa! So pumped.

Anyway, not much else to report for the week. I just had my 8:30 class this morning, am chilling out until choir at 12:20, and then it's officially my weekend! I LOOVEE this long weekend every weekend business and am not exactly looking forward to having a Friday class next term. Oh well, it's apologetics. It's worth it. 

I'm looking forward to staying here this weekend and having some fun times with the people I've met. I have a LOT of homework and reading to do and get ahead on, but so far I've been doing okay with trying to balance locking myself up in my room to work and being social/having fun. I have realized though, that no matter how badly I wish I was able to just not finish the reading for the day or just not do the homework -- I am a true perfectionist. It's in my blood.

P.s. My car cost $300 to tow it back to s'toon, but only $500 to fix. The alternator was broken. I have no idea what that means (it continually recharges the car while it's running?), but if you do, that's great. 

1 is the loneliest number -- even for a car.

After a fantastic weekend at home, relaxing, shopping (stocked up on clothes and dorm items :) ), watching TV, hanging out, and NOT doing as much reading as I should have done, I headed back for school this afternoon around 4:30. Apparently an adventure awaited me and the high school girl, Jordan-Rose, whom I gave a ride to and from S'toon this weekend.

About an hour from Saskatoon my cruise just randomly shut off. So, I tried to turn it back on again and it wouldn't stick. I called my dad to ask if there was something wrong that would affect the whole car or if it would just be the cruise. As I am talking to him on the phone my speedometer quits and shows 0km/h even though I was still going 110. My steering wheel felt stiff (still don't know if that was just a mind thing or if there was actually something wrong with it) and then the car started slowing down even though I wasn't braking. Still talking to my dad, I decided at that moment to pull over and he said I should turn off the engine. So I did -- and it definitely wouldn't start again. 

My fantastic father then got into his handy truck and made his way to where we were. We only waited for about 45 min. because my dad definitely doesn't mind speeding. And then he took us the rest of the way. We were fine the whole time, and it could've been so much worse. We could've been way farther from s'toon, we could've been in a bad place to pull over, my cell phone could have been without service, or really...my car could have exploded! :) 

So I am back at the dorm safe and sound. It's good to get settled in again and see everyone. (I do really like it here.) 

And so my car sits all by itself, on the side of the road -- spending the night all by its lonesome in the dark before it gets picked up tomorrow. Poor car.

Home Sweet Home

I am pleased to announce that I am writing this entry from my very own desk in my very own room in my very own house. :) It's so fun to be home; it's different 'visiting' for the weekend than actually living here. Though, Teagan thought that I was done college already...

So yea, I'm just hanging out this weekend. Going to get together with a few people, maybe, but basically just relaxing, reading my textbooks, and being with my family. It's nice that I'm not, not looking forward to going back. In fact, in a way I kind of am looking forward to heading back on Sun. evening because I'm getting into the swing of things there and am really enjoying my classes. The work load and trying to figure out how to balance things are definitely going to take some work, but I am so glad to be learning so many interesting things already. I'll head back on Monday for about 4 weeks and then I'll be back for Thanksgiving. Woot! Bring on the turkey! (Not right now, though, because I just had a massive home cooked supper from my...yes...father. My mom is at work.)

I do love college. I feel so old and independent. And it's just an exciting stage of life. It's more of feeling bad leaving my family, especially my sister, than being really homesick and missing them. Because honestly, I haven't been homesick since the first Monday there. I'm definitely thankful for the peace at which I've been able to settle into college life. I love classes. I love choir (we've already started preparing for the Cmas musical). I love the people I've met. I love the chapels. And I love life. 

So, I'm off to enjoy a relaxing weekend...trying to actually relax more than read my textbooks. And I'm greatly looking forward to it all. 

Hosanna in the Highest

I see the king of glory  Coming on the clouds with fire 

The whole earth shakes The whole earth shakes 

I see his love and mercy  Washing over all our sin 

The people sing The people sing  

Hosanna Hosanna Hosanna in the highest 

  I see a generation  Rising up to take their place 

With selfless faith With selfless faith 

I see a near revival  Stirring as we pray and seek 

We're on our knees We're on our knees  

Heal my heart and make it clean  

Open up my eyes to the things unseen 

Show me how to love like you have loved me 

Break my heart for what breaks yours 

Everything I am for your kingdom's cause 

As I go from nothing to  

Eternity 

Under Way

I think I have officially brought myself out of the denial that I have been in about Covenant Bible College closing down and me actually being at Briercrest. I bought a Briercrest lanyard today; my CBC one is retired. Well, not quite. Just because I bought the Briercrest one doesn't mean I will use it right away. :)

Oh, and I passed my English proficiency exam. I was sooo surprised.

My first weekend here was great! On Sat a few girls took a guy from the states to Tim Hortans for the first time. He enjoyed the iced caps and the timbits! We went to Walmart and to McD's -- and we successfully skipped out on a freshmen scavengar hunt that was happening back in Caronport. teehee. We watched some movies Sat. night too. It was pretty much just an all around great day of hanging out and relaxing. 

Yesterday (Sun.) morning I went to the Caronport Community Church that was held in Briercrest's huge chapel. It was really neat to be a part of the Caronport community -- one that is so entirely made up of this college/seminary/high school. The pastor was very welcoming and it was just all around a good morning. We sand a song that I have grown very fond of: Hosanna by Starfield. And yea, pretty much just lazed around for the rest of yesterday too. Oh! Until the welcome chapel which was SOO awesome. I was looking forward to it since I got here. The official kick off when all the students are finally here and ready to start a new year of school. Last night there were also the traditional Briercrest Olympics. It turned out to be more fun that I thought it would be, as I'm usually not a big fan of ridiculous games and preferred participation. But, it was really great.

I'm in the College Singers! Yay! We had our first rehersal/practice today and it was so fun. And bonus: we only meet Mon, Wed, Thurs at noons. No Fridays or weekends (besides the occasional...and rare...weekend performance). Basically we're just preparing for the Christmas musical. The only bummer thing about it is that on Mon and Wed I have a craaazy schedule. I have class at 8:30 and then straight to chapel. 20 minutes after chapel before my 11:00 class. Straight from there to choir and then straight from choir to my 1:20 class. After that one, I have and hour and a half (which I am currently using to blog) to eat and then head off to my 4:00 class. Definitely don't get lunch on Mon and Wed, so I have to eat a big breakfast...and snack during these rare moments of break...ish... :)

Classes were SOO good today. I'm so happy to be into the swing of things, and I feel so independent and old. mwa ha ha. Spiritual Formation was first, and I think it's the class I'm most looking forward to. Intro to Philosophy was at 11:00 -- and after today, I'm seriously considering dropping it. I am very interested in the things that I would be learning throughout the class, but the prof said numerous times today that it's typically not considered a first year course becuase the reading is so extensive and you really have to wrestle with it to figure out what's going on. I know that I could do it if I tried hard and put my mind to it, but I don't know if it's worth it. I am kind of looking at this year as a break before university just to get away with the Lord, learn about myself, take Bible courses, and be refreshed and prepared for university. If I dropped it, I would only be taking 4 courses -- but maybe that will be a really nice thing and I'll be able to enjoy the year a little more? I don't know yet. A year of just four classes a term might be a nice thing to do for myself. :) The sound of actually being able to eat lunch on Mon/Wed without having a crazy schedule also sounds pretty appealing. 

After Philosophy I went to choir, which I've already said was AWESOME. Next was my Pauline Epistles class -- another one I'm really excited for, but it will also be pretty challenging. There aren't many freshmen in that one either. And instead of doing a quiz, a small paper, and a big research paper, I'm choosing to memorize the book of Ephesians! Go me! (Gonna be a lot of work...especially on top of the verses I have to memorize for the Spiritual Form. class.) But yea, it's good because it's interesting how the writers and characters in God's Word start to be a lot more real instead of just like VeggieTale characters. Sounds lame, I know, but I'm fascinated at how my proff can look through a few verses in Acts and conclude a whole chunk of things about Paul's life and his characteristics. Things that I've never even remotely took the time to care about before. 

And now, I'm sitting here and eating and watching the computer clock tick closer to 4:00, which is when I run off to my Foundations of Youth Ministry class. I'm looking forward to that one too. And then tomorrow I have OT Literature, not even any choir practice. Homework day tomorrow!!! 

So, other than my back already killing me from carting around my laptop/textbook/clipboard bag and being extremely annoyed at the piece of wood coming around our right side that is supposed to be efficient enough for a desk, college is swell!