This is the End

The day that I had looked forward to since the day I pulled into Briercrest finally arrived. I am home. Home for the long run..at least as far as I know. And I have completely the chapters of my life in a Christian school.

This stage of life is so weird. So full of terrifying beginnings followed by either heartbreaking endings or endings that took far too long to arrive. And it's all so unknown.

I don't really have anything good to say about my year. Apart from the fact that I must have grown. I must have grown in many ways that I do not even realize yet because it was so challenging. It was so big and lonely and unfamiliar. There were some good memories and some great laughs, but I can't even say that I was tremendously sad to say goodbye to anyone. There was never that level of bonding there in the first place. I wish a lot of things were different. But there must have been a purpose for the hall that I lived in and the people I met. Hopefully. In a lot of ways, honestly, I am bitter about my year. But once I find time to relax, breathe, and process fully, that may change.

I loved the classes. They were the best part of the year. I loved learning, I loved writing papers, I loved writing exams. Some classes were pointless and unbearable at times, but academically, I loved every minute of it.

I am SOO ready for summer. It doesn't feel like 'summer holidays'. It is such a novelty that I am done school in April that it hasn't even hit me yet. I have so many fun things planned. Many movies to watch and books to read. So you think you can dance!! A trip to Phoenix with mom, auntie, and heather. A possible trip to Waskesui with friends from high school. A wedding next weekend. Working...somewhere. Picnics and river walks. Star gazing. Having absolutely noooo homework!!! And before I know it I will be starting U of S. I am very excited.

8 Days

Yup, that's right. One day less than a week until I am all cozy and settled back into my home. I have my last class tomorrow, an exam on Thursday, two exams on Friday, and then I'm actually heading home for the weekend again because I have a worship team practice. On Sunday I have to mosey on back for FOUR days!!!! I have an exam next week Tuesday and then my last one is on Thursday. This could potentially be my last post before I'm done. I've been so crazy with stress and studying lately.

I realized tonight that these last 8 days do not only mean my last 8 days of Bible college ever, but they mean the last 8 days of my life spent in Christian schools. Next fall will be the first time I set foot (apart from two months in kindergarten) into a public school. That is a weird thought.

Well, besides studying and a few sporadic hang outs I've pretty much just been lying around and anxiously anticipating the day I move back home.

Dear Spring: Welcome home

I looove this weather! It just makes my heart so happy. I love waking up in the morning to the sound of birds chirping and the sun shining through my window.

I pretty much don't have anything else to write about.
20 days until home.
I'm almost done all my assignments and got a lot of work done on my last paper this morning.
I just got back from a DQ run in Moose Jaw.
Yum.
I really want to go outside and play ball or something - I may do that tomorrow.
Ooh, tonight I think I'm going to snuggle up and watch the Sound of Music.
When I watched the Princess Diaries with Julie Andrews in it, it made me want to watch it. And then last night the Musical Theatre Workshop class put on their year end performance and did scenes from it...so now I really want to watch it.
Umm.
Tomorrow afternoon is our last rehearsal before Sunday night. Oh man, I'm scared.

Yaaaayyyyyy. I'm in a good mood.

Countdown is On

I cannot believe I have 25 days left of school! This past week went be really slowly, though. And on Wednesday night I started having a really upset stomach, which lasted all throughout Thursday and into Friday morning - until I went to the Dr. and got ant-acid pills. They seem to be working, because I have felt fine since then. I really think it was yet another side effect of stress and anxiety. I just can't wait to be home.

I went to the Serve conference that we held here this weekend and got to hear Scot McKnight at all the main sessions. It was pretty good - he is a great speaker. The seminars were also pretty good. Well, I enjoyed the last two I went to on worship leading, but the first two were all old news.

I hope this next week goes by more quickly. It should, because tomorrow I'm actually heading home for the evening and the day on Tuesday. I have an interview for a paddling pool/program leader job with the city on Tuesday morning and decided I could afford to miss a few classes. We have three last rehearsals before next weekend in preparation for our college singers classical concert, and oh my goodness, it is going to be a gong show. We are so not prepared; I guess we'll just have to pull it together...and pray. :P

Update

Oops. It has definitely been a while. It is probably a reflection of my extremely busy month - known at Briercrest (and maybe other universities, I'm not sure) as 'Miracle Month'. I haven't even written about Mexico!

Well, a week ago I was at home packing to leave for Mexico with my family. We got to the island of Cozumel Saturday evening, after a day of flying and a quick stop to the Mall of America to ride the famous ride, ate supper and went to bed. The rest of the week pretty much just consisted of laying by the pool in the beautiful, hot sun and doing a bit of bopping around the island.

One day we went on a Catamaran boat to a reef to snorkel; it was an entire day deal. I got into the water, put my head it, saw the fish swimming really close to me (and all around me...aka ones behind me where I couldn't keep my eye on them) and pretty much freaked out. No way am I going to be in this water with animals that I can pretty much touch. Sick. Gross. Not happening. This is their turf. So I swam right back to the boat, not being able to decide if I felt better about putting my head in the water so I could make sure I wasn't going to touch them or if I should keep my head out of the water where I couldn't see them and thus pretend they weren't there - desperately hoping they weren't getting ready for an attack. I think I chose the latter, or maybe a mixture of both. So, I got back to the boat and got back on, probably looking like a freak as people were still in the process of getting off. There I stayed for the rest of the afternoon, which was nice anyway because the sun was so great. It also worked out okay because I stayed with Teagan so both my parents could snorkel. And that was the famous snorkeling experience that brought me to this conclusion: Snorkeling is a lose-lose situation. If there is nothing to see, it is boring. If there is something to see, I would rather not be in the water with it in the first place.

The next day we went on the Ferry to the mainland and went to another resort of the same company for the day. We had free access because of the all-inclusivness of the resort we were staying in. We did more laying in the sun and just hanging out. Friday (our last day there) my family went to a beach close by to snorkel and swim with dolphins (Teagan actually kissed one!), but I decided A) snorkeling is of the devil, and B) I had waaay too much homework to do, including three papers to write. So I stayed behind, managed to get my whole Theology research paper written in three hours, and spent the rest of my alone time by the pool with a book. Soo nice. Saturday we flew home...back to the deep freeze.

Because of my mass amounts of papers to write, 2 due the Monday I came back to school and 1 due yesterday (Thursday), and my lack of time to do it while in Mexico, I had my first true college experience on Wednesday night. It consisted of me, Amy Keener Soubolsky, starting and finishing writing my major paper for Church Ministry on the day before it was due. Therefore, from when my classes were done until close I was at the library. From 10 pm until midnight I came to the point with friends who were also writing that paper and ate sugar to keep my awake. And from midnight until THREE IN THE MORNING. I was in the lounge finishing up. Yea, that's right. ...I actually kind of enjoyed it.

Anyway, I have just less than 5 weeks of this year left and I am so pumped. I cannot wait to come home for good and enjoy four months of summer. Hmm, I need a job. This weekend I will probably still be doing more work with a bit of actual relaxing time in between, and next week will begin with more time spend bonding with the library and apologizing to my body for sitting and doing work so much.

Tribute to Brian Regan

This little 'bit' of the comedian who pretty much passes time for us while at school with nothing else to do in Caronport brings back fond memories of elementary school.

I couldn’t spell. I remember my teacher asking me, “Brian what’s the i before e rule?”
“Umm…i before e…always.”
“What are you an idiot Brian?”
“Apparently.”
So she explained it, “No Brian, it’s i before e except after c, and when sounding like ‘ay’ as in neighbour or weigh, and on weekends, and holidays, and all throughout May, and you’ll always be wrong no matter what you say!”

embrace

Still - By Hillsong

Hide me now
Under Your wings

Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I WILL BE STILL AND KNOW YOU ARE GOD

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

Weekend With the Mama

This past weekend was really great. On Friday afternoon I went to a Sr's home for "Day of Action" and hung out with old people - awkward at first but then kind of fun. Friday evening I hung out with me, myself, and I and watched a movie, and then Saturday my mom came to see me! :)

We went to Regina, shopped around, and went to a very yummy (non-cafeteria style) restaurant! After that we just went back to the hotel, did nothing (which is my favourite thing to do in a hotel room) and then watched a movie from the Tv. I slept through part of it because I was tired...and because I always fall asleep during movies if I am comfortable and it is dark...but it was still fun. Sunday morning we had to get up early so that I could meet up with my choir at the church we were singing at. We did two services and they both went pretty well; it was also kind of fun to be at the same service twice - I learned more the second time. After church we went for another yummy lunch and then headed back to Caronport.

I would normally be more bummed about the weekend being over and being back to the routine of dirty bathrooms, cafeteria food, low pressure showers, early mornings, etc. But on Thursday I am going h-0-m-e and then on Saturday off to M-E-X-I-C-O! Boo ya.

YQ 2009!

Wow. This weekend was insane. Sooo good! Soo worth every minute of immature teenagers running around, feeling completely exhausted emotionally and physically, and having no time or space to myself. I am incredibly glad that I chose to do Here 4 U; it was so much fun. We had our own little head quarters in the library, we got to go to the front of the meal lines, we got to do a bunch of odd jobs and crowd control jobs, we got to go into the chapel whenever we wanted to, we got fed and hung out like a big family, and we pretty much just got to feel important all weekend. Even if it meant being on call 24/7, getting a maximum of 4 hours of sleep each night (mine was more like 3 each night), and spending all day in the crowds of youth groups from all across Canada. But, oh man, I would come back next year just to be able to do here 4 U again.

Friday we pretty much welcomed people and shuttled them to dorms from noon until supper. The kickoff after that was a highlight - so many teenagers excited to be here for a weekend along with a ton of college students excited to have them. For the mainstage sessions Downhere led worship. So good. And so surreal that they were like right in front of me. Jared Herd spoke and he did a great job. That night Red and Brit Nicole did a concert. It was loud and hard work to man our water stations and lasted until 2:00am, but it was exciting in its own way.

Saturday was a bunch of main sessions and option times. A group named the Flying Wallendas were here and did tightrope walking and trapeze type flying; they were amazing! Last night Downhere did a concert/praise party thing. I only saw half because I was busy taping off areas for luggage to be organized this morning, but it was great. It didn't go as late, but a friend, Nicole, and I went to the 'all-night' cafeteria from 1:30 until 3:00 with the girls that stayed in my room. We played Dutch Blitz and then chatted with Nicole for a bit. At 5:00am we both had to wake up again and do an hour of dorm patrol. That was h-a-r-d; everything in me hurt with tiredness, but again, it was all worth it.

This morning we had to meet with Here 4 U again at 8:00am and get to work at guarding luggage and taking select things down. From like 11:30 until 2:30 we were busy cleaning everything up...it went by pretty quickly and was kind of fun. I then marched back to my room and climbed into bed for 2 hours. I just had supper and I could easily fall right back asleep, but unfortunately I have 3 midterms this week. I think I'll just do a bit of studying and then go to sleep at like 8:00.

Write-Off

Yesterday afternoon I made a dumb decision.

All weekend long I was trying to find time (and motivation) to get ahead on some reading and homework because this weekend is youth quake and I doubt I will have time for anything. Didn't happen. So I came back from a relaxing and fun weekend at home and decided that yesterday I would camp at the library all afternoon. A couple of my friends were going into MJ to take one of them to the clinic and asked if I wanted to come along. I thought, sure, they would like some more company and I could take and hour or so from my study afternoon. Wrong. I've been at clinics before. Whhhyy didn't I remember that a quick stop at a clinic is NOT POSSIBLE. So after almost 2 hours at the clinic, we find out that conveniently the lab is closed. So we have to go pick up her perscription and then go to the hospital for a blood test. Another hour. BUMMER.

We proceeded to top it all off with some McD's and then head back. I had about an hour inbetween supper and 7:00 to start work on my 2 pg paper that was due this morning at 8:30. At 7:00 we had a meeting about being involved with YQ. This also lasted a good hour longer than expected. So not only did I have a barely started paper to do between 9:30 and sleep, I was also planning on working out for a bit. (Obviously didn't happen.)

I successfully finished my paper around 11:00, setting a new record for how late I have ever left anything and went to sleep. It was a good sleep. Alas...I had to wake up early and start another day.

A long day...full of classes and things to do. Maybe I will nap this afternoon.

Just Chillin'

I guess I haven't updated with normal, every-day information for a while.
Basically, school has been good.

I'm still really enjoying all the classes. They are all connecting together so well. You know you're in Bible College when the names of theologians and authors are coming up in every single class. It's kind of funny, really. And for some reason, I still have not been that busy. I have one extra class this term, two extra major papers, three extra midterms, and two extra consistent textbooks to read - and maybe it just hasn't gotten into the hard part of the term yet - but I have still been able to have a great balance between reading/paper writing and socializing.

Socially, things have been okay. I guess I'm getting to know a little more people, but ultimately it has just been good to get to know the group of friends that I have and to get to know a few other girls on the hall better. YQ is also coming up and I'll have the chance to work with different groups of people. I am sooo pumped for YQ. It should be a great weekend - and definitely worth the exhaustion and chaos.

I am going home again on Friday for vday weekend. I was kind of considering just staying here and doing some fun things, but I need to stock up on some things, get some stuff ready for Mexico in a month, and I'm driving a couple others to the city as well. I'm looking forward to it.

My 26...that's right. Not 25.

1. I enjoy doing things like this...even if I'm the 3 billionth person in this extremely long chain note, and I will probably put way too much thought into this. I'm not a rule breaker by nature, but I couldn't decide which of the last ones to use, so I thought: what the heck.

2. I just love life. And I am very blessed.

3. The world of music is becoming so much more fascinating through my musicianship class this term. So many harmonization possibilities!

4. I have learned and will continue to learn more about myself this year than I ever have before. It's a hard truth that the best way God can work is by taking you completely out of your comfort zone, ripping away your familiar, and reminding you to depend first and foremost on Him.

5. I miss Christmastime already. No time of the year can been the excitement, beauty, and wonder of December.

6. I am a true nerd and have no intentions to change. Probably no ability to either. I will always love learning and if life didn't require you to get a career to support yourself, I could stay in school forever. I am in Bible school...and am missing math classes and science labs.

7. I can be too impressionable and not critical enough. Especially when it comes to people in authoritative positions.

8. I am currently addicted to Gilmore Girls and pacman.

9. I am a leader. Whether I'm in a place where I am comfortable stepping out or a place where I lead quietly, I will lead. However, following also comes very naturally when it needs to.

10. I will admit, I have issues with pride. I will also admit, I often let fear get the best of me. It is always worst case scenario. With pretty much everything.

11. I have been seriously deprived of snowmobiling, fort-making, skiing, and skating this winter.

12. This stage of my life bugs me with all the uncertainty, change, and independence. On the other hand, every day is exciting and I love the age that I am at. I am looking forward to moving back home, getting into a routine, going to U of S, playing sports again, and being involved with my church. I may even feel guilty for how much I'm looking forward to other things after this year of Bible school.

13. Questioning things you've grown up believing 'just because' is more than okay to do. I may even come to the point this year of encouraging it.

14. My weakness is anything deep fried and delicious smelling.

15. One of my profs last term looks like Buzz Saw Louie from Veggie Tales Christmas. MM. Speaking of profs, I should be doing homework right now.

16. I love going for walks. Especially in beautiful places and in beautiful weather. I also love star-gazing...though I don't do nearly enough of it.

17. My relationship with God is not always about how I am 'feeling'. God is God no matter what my emotions are doing, and I really need to take Him out of the box and just surrender my own agenda. ..a lesson I'm continuing to learn.

18. I have cried in animated movies before. Um, sensitive? I think so.

19. My lack of sense of direction is scary sometimes. No...all the time. Maybe I'm just not paying attention to where I'm going??

20. I cannot whistle or snap my fingers.

21. It's incredible how much little things make a difference and how easy it is to send an email, text, or even a smile to someone. And yet...crazy how much more it could be done in a day.

22. I prefer profs that lecture for an hour straight and I just get to take notes to profs that want to get everyone's opinion and let discussion trail on for the whole class.

23. I need to learn to just chill. And to not think so much.

24. I have tried to acquire a taste for coffee because caffeine really affects my ability to stay awake. But, no matter how many mochas I drink, they don't taste any better.

25. It is interesting how human tendency is to think about how we are feeling and how others could be meeting our needs instead of taking care of the others around us. It's always humbling to realize that in the midst of my gloomy day, two or three of my friends around me are also struggling.

26. My life is absolutely nothing without my Heavenly Father.

Short but (maybe not so) Sweet

If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

...That is all I have to say for today.

Conclusion of the Puddle Mystery

I'm pretty sure I wrote about the smelly puddle in my room and the pipes making really weird sounds a few weeks ago. My RD came to look at it and was going to get maintenance to come and take a look, but after a few days of a very smelly room and scary sounds from the pipes behind my desk, it randomly went away.

I drove back to school this morning from a weekend at home and was met by the sight of an extremely expanded version of my friendly, smelly puddle. It was very taunting. I could almost hear it say, 'Welcome back Amy. Mwa ha. Now you have to deal with me." I had no idea how long it had been like that, or if my RAs knew, or if my roommate even knew. But, she did, and I found out that maintenance was on their way over.

So, they came, they fixed it, they left. Apparently the...air vent?...was leaking. Something was leaking. And thankfully it will do so no longer. Unfortunately I will need to remember to not go near my desk in socks for the next day or so. Dumb puddle.

My weekend at home was good. It was very unproductive and hermit-like. But it was a nice break from small town suffocation. However, since I did not do much work this weekend, that is what I am going to do now.

Probably. We'll see how long the essay-writing lasts for tonight.

The Time is Now

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."
-John 4:34-38

YQ is coming and I am so excited.
I usually tend to just see my time at Briercrest as a 'training' year.
But that is lazy.
I should be bringing God glory and doing my part as the body of Christ each day.
Every opportunity.
Every moment.

Adventures of Icy Hills and Garbages Bags

Last night was the funnest night I've had in a while.
It started with going out for supper with Jireh and doing a major grocery run and Superstore. It was good to be able to get out of Caronport...and away from caf food.

When we got back it was open dorms. Some of the Whit 3 guys came over and we played a very intense and hilarious game of Dutch Blitz. I have not laughed that hard or much in a long time. I think it was a mixture of people not knowing what was going on, chocolate and sugar, and over-tiredness.

After open dorms our RAs decided to take us out for a hall activity. We put garbage bags over our winter clothes, trudged over to the the elementary school hill, and slid down it like penguins. A couple girls had the idea to have someone lay down on her back head first and then they would push her down the hill. That was even more fun and one by one we were all sent flying down the hill in garbages bags and 11:00 at night. I guess I tested my luck when I went a second time, becasue I hit a huge bump, followed by several smaller ones. Today, my back and my bum are in pain, and I have a huge bruise to prove it.

And now, I am off to finish homework for a class that I have never left this late before.

Thinking

I freaking love Bible School!! And that's not even sarcasm! The classes are all so wonderful and they all feed off of each other and I'm learning to be both open minded and critically minded and I'm learning more about myself and I'm growing closer with all the friends and having a lot of fun socializing, and everything is so interesting and even homework is fun and theological discussions are even more fun!


Megan and I were reading our theology text books last night, and then when Nicole came in we were talking about it and the reasons it gave for why Jesus came to earth as a man instead of as a woman. It took me off-guard because I guess I never even considered that God had the choice to make the human Jesus and male or female. I always just assumed that he would obviously be male because God is always referred to as male. And so when the book was explaining that because of the patriarchal society of the time, it just would not have worked if Jesus was female. Females were not respected at all and were definitely not allowed to teach. It also pointed out that Jesus came as a male, but he brought more equalization as he served women and humbled himself even though he was in a powerful male position. (He did the same thing as a Jew, serving the Gentiles and eating with the 'sinners'.)

For some reason at first I had trouble accepting the seemingly simple reason of why Jesus was not a female. My answer would have been of course he is a male, that's the way God is and the way God made it, and it seemed unfair to put that cultural reasoning into God's mind as to why Jesus came as a male. But then I realized that thought was verrry lazy (and too far to the post-modern side of the pendulum) of me. God is a God of reason. He is a God of logic and wisdom. Of course the cultural relevance of the time played a part into God's choice; life would not make sense without reasoning.

And then I realized that I was different than I used to be. I used to be a thinker. I used to be very logical and a very rational thinker. And I still am, but I guess when it comes to spirituality I started losing some of that. Just some, definitely not all; I will always be a thinker. Maybe it just depends on the topic and even sometimes the day. But, it made me wonder if it has something to do with my time of doubting and confusion in grade 10. I went through a somewhat normal time of 'owning my own faith' where nothing made sense and it was so hard to comprehend God.

I wonder if that time scared me from reasoning out my faith and made me more the type to just want to accept things as they are and not need it to make sense scientifically. I mean, there are most certainly areas of the faith that just do not have an answer and need to just be taken by faith. But a lot of areas have sound theological reasoning and very logical answers. The gospels are full of examples of Jesus urging his disciples to use their heads and put the pieces together. He didn't say to doubting Thomas, "Dude, there are no answers, just believe and have faith." He said, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

So, like with all things, there has to be a balance. A balance between rationalizing the faith, and just living in faith without needing reasons. Both are crucial.

Odd Night

Two nights ago I realized that I trust my head too much...especially when it's in the middle of the night or in the morning when I'm just starting to become conscious. I mean, I always knew that I have nooo sense of direction. Take me on two turns downtown in the city where I've grown up and I have no idea what direction I am facing (unless I think about what street I'm on). But, apparently I have no sense of time either.

So anyway, I woke up two nights ago and just assumed that it was time to get up. I went through my morning routine of grabbing my alarm clock to make sure that if the snooze goes off I can press the button right away and lying in bed for a while trying to wake up. I turned the alarm off and started getting ready. I used my small light to pick out my clothes and then left for the laundry room with my bathroom stuff and straightener. (I can't usually do my hair in my room in the morning because Carlee sleeps late.) I plugged in my straightener and was about to start doing my hair when a girl appeared in the doorway. "What are you doing?!" she asked. I thought it was rather obvious that I was just doing my hair, but I replied anyway. She says, equally confused, "It's 2 in the morning woman!"

I told her that I thought it was time to get up, we had a laugh, and I went back to bed. I don't even know what happened. You think that maybe looking at my alarm clock while I shut it off might have told me what time it was...or maybe I just thought that the 1:30 looked like a 7:30. I was so fully convinced that it was the morning that when I looked at my watch in the hallway on my way to do my hair and it said 1:47, I got angry that my new watch was already dead.

On other news, I passed the theory placement test with flying colours and am now officially in Musicianship 1. I'm verrry excited for it. I am equally excited for my other Tues/Thurs class, Church Ministry. So, basically, it's just been a great week. Tomorrow I have my Friday class for the first time, Apologetics; I don't really know how it's going to turn out. This weekend I don't really have anything special planned. On Sat for 5 hours our choir group is meeting for a retreat of sorts to get some extra practice in on our "Requium". But other than that, I just have sports to watch, people to hang out with, and many books to read.

Back at it

Day one of term two was fantastic! I had Hermeneutics this morning and then Theology this afternoon; I think I'm going to get along just great with both of them, and I really like the profs. I was supposed to have college singers too because I'm doing that again this term, but it got canceled because the prof was sick. Tomorrow I have Church Ministry and possibly Musicianship (I have to pass a theory placement exam...which would have been no problem if I would have actually motivated myself to do some studying over my three whole weeks of break.) Fridays I have Apologetics. I'm kind of apprehensive about that one because of the prof, but I'm really interested in the subject. This term is definitely going to keep me busier than last term. I went from four classes that were really light work loads with only one paper to five classes that have consistent readings and at least 4 major papers. It will be okay, though - I got a little bored last term.

It's good to be back into the swing of things. I had, and I guess still do have, mixed feelings about coming back. After three weeks of being home, I definitely fell into the routine of things there and liked having my family and high school friends around. Even though I'm reeeaaallly excited for school this term and am feeling so much more settled in - especially socially - I actually found it just as hard to leave home yesterday afternoon as I did the first day of school. It's kind of weird. But I decided that the more comfortable and peaceful I feel here, the less I tend to depend solely on God...so I'm just going to embrace my restlessness and continue listening for His voice.

But it IS fun. Last night and today we've just been chilling out, and I even went shopping in MJ this afternoon. Tonight I have officially declared my last night of no homework before I crack open my textbooks and begin my second and final term of Bible College.

My Traditional New Year's Entry

This is my summary of 2008. :)

- bought my grad dress
- wrote my first departmentals for gr 12, term 1
- heather and brianne and I hung out together all the time and became really close friends
- a very fun Blue Mountain retreat
- basketball season with an intense coach.
- grad plans not exactly going smoothly, but getting underway just the same
- another family rough patch
- fell into a school and life slump during the second term of grade 12, feeling hopeless and like it was too much work to care
- got 1.5 hours of sleep before getting up and seeing the grade 11’s off to Bolivia
- Maui! So fun!!
- An amazing and very respected teacher had to leave SCS
- started tanning in preparation for grad
- GRAD! ceremony, pictures, and parties! (in May) and then my last days of high school and high school exams in June
- got my laptop
- got certified in CPR C and first aid
- worked over the summer as a paddling pool attendant with the city and at DQ
- Stephen Harper makes a national apology to the aboriginals and I got to witness it
- Turned 18!
- Had our after grad party at the Schmidt’s cabin and said official good-byes to our class
- Karen and Mike come home for at least the near future
- watched Gilmore Girls seasons 1-7. all of it. and then started it over again 5 days later. it is now my life.
- Brianne and I got to go to Carly’s lake over the summer. Good times.
- was promoted to supervisor at DQ
- went to visit Briercrest with my parents, check it out, and meet peopl
- went to Toronto with my family b/c Nate’s ball team made nationals; saw my first MLB game, the CN tower, and Wonderland!
- mom started work at Oaksmith Interiors with a family friend
- we called Brandon Shurr to be our pastor
- started Briercrest.
- got the gov. general award
- got to be in college singers – definitely a high light of this year
- learning about how I need to embrace questioning, wrestle with my faith, strengthen my foundation, and trust in God no matter how I feel
- started becoming close friends with Aneca and Nicole, and pretty good friends with Megan, Lauren, Tegan, Kathryn, Melissa - finally some social consistency
- Met my admissions advisor for coffee which ended up in going with him and a couple others to SCS for a chapel
- car problems. twice.
- went on a silent retreat for spiritual formation
- bcrest had a day of prayer
- got an A+ on my first college paper
- Christmas musical!
- had a really great Dec. with the girls on my hall I’m getting closer to, along with some of the Whit 3 boys.
- home for Christmas! went to a bunch of parties with my friends, and enjoyed the Christmas season
- had a new year’s eve party at home and welcomed the new year with fireworks that could give July 1 a run for their money


Oh man, I just love going over my life every year and seeing how God is constantly working in me and through me, and realizing more and more his faithfulness. I still don't really like making 'resolutions' but I do have dreams and goals. I want to go back to Briercrest open and willing and in complete surrender. Ready to embrace whatever comes my way, ready to live to the fullest and continue getting closer with the friends I've been meeting, and ready to just go with God, be joyful, and live for him. I am excited about having another term of Briercrest now that I am settled in and know what to expect. I am excited about 4 whole months of summer. I am excited about moving back home and going to the U of S next year, and I am excited about life in general.

Welcome, 2009.