Okay, so maybe I missed it by a couple of weeks...
Regardless, I'm kind of proud of the fact that I haven't totally forgotten about it and shelved it for eternity! Honestly, I've had a lot to say lately, just not enough time to say it. But, I got up early-ish today so I could accomplish some things, and those things having been accomplished, I have a little time to write!
Summer is going by far too quickly for my taste. I am ready to be back at Blue Mountain, but only to see my friends. I'd like to forget the fact that going back to school actually means going back to school. It's a good thing I'm looking at graduating this year; I'm not sure I could take this "senioritis" thing for much longer than that. Summers have changed a lot since high school; my whole family works now, so it's no longer about planning things on my dad's vacation. We have to co-ordinate four separate and drastically different work schedules to get any semblance of "family vacation." I did get to go out for ice cream with my dad a couple of weeks ago, just him and me. ^_^
Before I head to the Mountain, I'm planning to pitch a tent in the back yard, so I can say I went camping at least once this summer. That used to be our family's "thing," loading up the truck and van to camp at Rough River State Park and take the boat out on the lake. Many, many good memories up there. =] I'd also like to have a bonfire before the summer is over, but seeing as we live next to a subdivision and a fire station, I'm not sure how well that would go over.
Online classes continue to haunt my daily existence. This is week four of two eight-week classes I'm taking through Campbellsville University. Long story, but it's been a nightmare trying to get these things in order. Lots of busywork as well, which is highly irritating. My repeated mantra lately is "earlygraduationearlygraduationearlygraduation!"
Showing posts with label BMC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BMC. Show all posts
28 July 2011
26 March 2011
Days 23-27
Day 23-give pictures of five guys who are famous who you find attractive
I'm too lazy to find pictures, so I'll just list a few, okay?
1. Orlando Bloom
2. Hayden Christensen
3. Kristian Stanfill
4. Tom Welling
5. Phil Wickham
Day 24-your favorite movie and what it's about
I have many favorite movies, and am tempted just to write "Lord of the Rings; read the book," but I will refrain from snarkiness this once and choose August Rush.
August Rush is about a boy (Evan) who is separated from his parents at birth. His dad actually doesn't know he exists (it was sort of a one-night stand...) until nearly the end of the movie. Both Evan's parents (Lila and Louis) are musicians, and he has a gift for hearing music in the strangest of places. He believes that music will bring his family back together, but he's stuck in a boys' home in rural New York, so he runs away to New York City in search of his parents. You'll have to watch the movie to find out what happens. He-he. It's got a great soundtrack that you'll never tire of listening to.
Day 25-someone who fascinates you and why
Dr. Bain. Why not? Dr. Bain is one of our Biblical Studies professors at Blue Mountain. He teaches Greek, Church History, The Bible and Missions, and The Bible and Ethics, as well as other courses that escape my memory. Dr. Bain is basically brilliant. His students have given him the nickname "Greek Ninja," and I'm convinced he's this galaxy's incarnation of Yoda. The other day when I was following him to his office to make up a Greek test, I just got the weirdest feeling that this is what it would be like for a Padawan learner to follow around his Jedi Master (yes, that was my exact thought. You should already know I'm a huge nerd...judge me).
Dr. Bain is brilliant beyond what I can express here. I'm fairly certain he thinks in Greek. The stories he's told in class about hiking in the mountains and encountering bears...the man carries bear spray. Bear spray! Who needs bear spray? He's told one story about when he was carrying two cans and ran out of bear spray, so he prayed the whole way back that he wouldn't run into a bear because then he'd have to beat it with his hiking stick (which he keeps in his office, in case you were wondering).
If you thought he couldn't get any cooler...his son's nickname is Tank. I've driven by their house to see him in the back yard playing with an Indiana Jones-style whip. His son also knows a little Mando'a. (Those of you who don't know what that is are missing out. Google it and be educated.)
At the risk of sounding psycho, I'm going to stop here by saying that Dr. Bain is just plain awesome and kind of inspires my inner nerd.
Day 26-what kind of person attracts you?
acts like Jesus
confident but not arrogant
genuine and honest
compassionate but not a doormat
knows what he believes and sticks by it
gentle but not a pushover
willing to listen to me whine, then make me get on with things
patient
a leader but not a dictator
loves the Lord with his whole being
funny and kinda nerdy
Day 27-a problem that you have had
I am terribly inconsistent. I have a bad habit of starting thing that I forget about until days or weeks later (as evidenced clearly by my blogging record...), then picking them back up again for a while and leaving off again after a few weeks of actual progress. I'm this way with working out too; I'd been doing well before spring break, but since then I may have logged five miles on the treadmill.
I make excuses for my inconsistency solely to justify not feeling terribly about it. For instance, I've just started a job waitressing at the café down the hill from my school, so I've been counting that as exercise this week. Now that I feel substantially guilty about slacking in these specific areas, the frequency of my working out and my blogging will more than likely increase...at least for a little while...
I'm too lazy to find pictures, so I'll just list a few, okay?
1. Orlando Bloom
2. Hayden Christensen
3. Kristian Stanfill
4. Tom Welling
5. Phil Wickham
Day 24-your favorite movie and what it's about
I have many favorite movies, and am tempted just to write "Lord of the Rings; read the book," but I will refrain from snarkiness this once and choose August Rush.
August Rush is about a boy (Evan) who is separated from his parents at birth. His dad actually doesn't know he exists (it was sort of a one-night stand...) until nearly the end of the movie. Both Evan's parents (Lila and Louis) are musicians, and he has a gift for hearing music in the strangest of places. He believes that music will bring his family back together, but he's stuck in a boys' home in rural New York, so he runs away to New York City in search of his parents. You'll have to watch the movie to find out what happens. He-he. It's got a great soundtrack that you'll never tire of listening to.
Day 25-someone who fascinates you and why
Dr. Bain. Why not? Dr. Bain is one of our Biblical Studies professors at Blue Mountain. He teaches Greek, Church History, The Bible and Missions, and The Bible and Ethics, as well as other courses that escape my memory. Dr. Bain is basically brilliant. His students have given him the nickname "Greek Ninja," and I'm convinced he's this galaxy's incarnation of Yoda. The other day when I was following him to his office to make up a Greek test, I just got the weirdest feeling that this is what it would be like for a Padawan learner to follow around his Jedi Master (yes, that was my exact thought. You should already know I'm a huge nerd...judge me).
Dr. Bain is brilliant beyond what I can express here. I'm fairly certain he thinks in Greek. The stories he's told in class about hiking in the mountains and encountering bears...the man carries bear spray. Bear spray! Who needs bear spray? He's told one story about when he was carrying two cans and ran out of bear spray, so he prayed the whole way back that he wouldn't run into a bear because then he'd have to beat it with his hiking stick (which he keeps in his office, in case you were wondering).
If you thought he couldn't get any cooler...his son's nickname is Tank. I've driven by their house to see him in the back yard playing with an Indiana Jones-style whip. His son also knows a little Mando'a. (Those of you who don't know what that is are missing out. Google it and be educated.)
At the risk of sounding psycho, I'm going to stop here by saying that Dr. Bain is just plain awesome and kind of inspires my inner nerd.
Day 26-what kind of person attracts you?
acts like Jesus
confident but not arrogant
genuine and honest
compassionate but not a doormat
knows what he believes and sticks by it
gentle but not a pushover
willing to listen to me whine, then make me get on with things
patient
a leader but not a dictator
loves the Lord with his whole being
funny and kinda nerdy
Day 27-a problem that you have had
I am terribly inconsistent. I have a bad habit of starting thing that I forget about until days or weeks later (as evidenced clearly by my blogging record...), then picking them back up again for a while and leaving off again after a few weeks of actual progress. I'm this way with working out too; I'd been doing well before spring break, but since then I may have logged five miles on the treadmill.
I make excuses for my inconsistency solely to justify not feeling terribly about it. For instance, I've just started a job waitressing at the café down the hill from my school, so I've been counting that as exercise this week. Now that I feel substantially guilty about slacking in these specific areas, the frequency of my working out and my blogging will more than likely increase...at least for a little while...
14 January 2011
New Year, Old Lessons
I've started a new semester this week, which is a little overwhelming. There was snow (and it is still on the ground, actually) the first part of the week, so we didn't start classes until Wednesday. Spring semester always makes me twitchy for some reason. Though we've really only started winter, thoughts of springtime, sunshine, and flip-flops will start infiltrating my head in the next few weeks. After this semester, I'll be finished with English classes for the rest of my life-an exciting realization. I'm also a working girl this year, working the front desk of my dorm. I'll be looking forward to visits from my friends on the nights I work (hint, hint) as well as getting some homework done (ha-ha).
I am determined to be more focused this semester, more focused on my studies as well as my spiritual life. I'm a little over a year old now, and I've been facing some darkness lately that's spilled over from other areas of my life. I've been back in the States for about a week and a half after my first overseas trip. I learned a lot from the people in our city, and a lot about them. It was an eye-opening experience for sure. Not only that, but it was one of the most challenging. I'm learning an old lesson over and over-my joy and my strength must come from God alone. No human being-no matter how wonderful they are, how spiritual they are, how encouraging they are-can be the source of my happiness. It's so easy to have those friends from whom I draw strength and encouragement and to start relying on them to make me smile. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being with people you love, but when all that falls apart, there's got to be a solid place to stand. So often, I forget this truth and put more effort into my relationships with certain people that I do into my (much more important) relationship with the One who is strength and love and grace and mercy. He is everything I need.
One of the most difficult things I experienced on this trip was losing my Bible. The morning we left our city had already been rough for me spiritually (among other things), and I spent the majority of the plane ride in tears, questioning God's plan in all of it. I was really struggling with some very personal things, and I felt He was not being fair to me. Distracted as I was with my little pity party, I failed to realize that I'd left my Bible on the plane until we'd gotten to our hotel and were preparing to go to lunch. I was already feeling a lot of pressure and stress simply from being tired, but at that moment, I felt I was drowning. It may sound silly, but I felt my Bible was the last thing I had to cling to. Human relationships were falling short of what I needed and God felt so far away. I broke down for fully twenty minutes before I could get myself off the floor and pull together. My Bible felt like the only thing keeping me afloat in all that was trying to draw me in over my head. I know this might sound silly to some. I do realize it's a material possession that is easily replaced, but this particular Bible contained all the notes I'd taken since I got legit. It was like losing my sword, feeling unprepared to go to battle, insufficiently protected against spiritual warfare. This was when I began to see exactly how true it was that I could not go this alone. I could not draw on the people around me; I needed Him so desperately. I'm a hard-headed person, so it often takes something drastic to get my attention. Mission accomplished, God. That's all I have to say about that.
The best part of the trip was getting to share my faith. This country's government has a reputation for being very closed to the gospel, but we were able to share more openly than I'd expected. We had a bit of a scare about a week into our stay, but God was faithful in protecting and comforting all of us, and me personally, despite my lack of faith. He remains faithful and sovereign. Always. Something that struck me was how blind these people are. In some cases, it's tradition or government or some other outside factor, but some have blinded themselves. A common answer to the question of beliefs is "I believe in myself," or "I don't believe anything." Having been raised in a Christian home and environment, I was dumbstruck by these statements. I honestly didn't know what to do with them. They believe nothing? How can you believe nothing? Being that it was Christmas time, we asked our friends about their festivals and shared a lot about our Christmas traditions, which opened the door to share the gospel. Many of them had never heard the Christmas story. As many times as I told the story, I never grew tired of it. I got to be the first to tell why we celebrate Christmas and to share with them that God is not the god of the West or the god or the East or the North or the South, but He is the God of the whole world and all its people.
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord... 2 Corinthians 4:3-5a
*pray for those blinded by the god of this world
*pray for students starting a new year
*pray for me as I learn (that I would actually learn and apply)
I am determined to be more focused this semester, more focused on my studies as well as my spiritual life. I'm a little over a year old now, and I've been facing some darkness lately that's spilled over from other areas of my life. I've been back in the States for about a week and a half after my first overseas trip. I learned a lot from the people in our city, and a lot about them. It was an eye-opening experience for sure. Not only that, but it was one of the most challenging. I'm learning an old lesson over and over-my joy and my strength must come from God alone. No human being-no matter how wonderful they are, how spiritual they are, how encouraging they are-can be the source of my happiness. It's so easy to have those friends from whom I draw strength and encouragement and to start relying on them to make me smile. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being with people you love, but when all that falls apart, there's got to be a solid place to stand. So often, I forget this truth and put more effort into my relationships with certain people that I do into my (much more important) relationship with the One who is strength and love and grace and mercy. He is everything I need.
One of the most difficult things I experienced on this trip was losing my Bible. The morning we left our city had already been rough for me spiritually (among other things), and I spent the majority of the plane ride in tears, questioning God's plan in all of it. I was really struggling with some very personal things, and I felt He was not being fair to me. Distracted as I was with my little pity party, I failed to realize that I'd left my Bible on the plane until we'd gotten to our hotel and were preparing to go to lunch. I was already feeling a lot of pressure and stress simply from being tired, but at that moment, I felt I was drowning. It may sound silly, but I felt my Bible was the last thing I had to cling to. Human relationships were falling short of what I needed and God felt so far away. I broke down for fully twenty minutes before I could get myself off the floor and pull together. My Bible felt like the only thing keeping me afloat in all that was trying to draw me in over my head. I know this might sound silly to some. I do realize it's a material possession that is easily replaced, but this particular Bible contained all the notes I'd taken since I got legit. It was like losing my sword, feeling unprepared to go to battle, insufficiently protected against spiritual warfare. This was when I began to see exactly how true it was that I could not go this alone. I could not draw on the people around me; I needed Him so desperately. I'm a hard-headed person, so it often takes something drastic to get my attention. Mission accomplished, God. That's all I have to say about that.
The best part of the trip was getting to share my faith. This country's government has a reputation for being very closed to the gospel, but we were able to share more openly than I'd expected. We had a bit of a scare about a week into our stay, but God was faithful in protecting and comforting all of us, and me personally, despite my lack of faith. He remains faithful and sovereign. Always. Something that struck me was how blind these people are. In some cases, it's tradition or government or some other outside factor, but some have blinded themselves. A common answer to the question of beliefs is "I believe in myself," or "I don't believe anything." Having been raised in a Christian home and environment, I was dumbstruck by these statements. I honestly didn't know what to do with them. They believe nothing? How can you believe nothing? Being that it was Christmas time, we asked our friends about their festivals and shared a lot about our Christmas traditions, which opened the door to share the gospel. Many of them had never heard the Christmas story. As many times as I told the story, I never grew tired of it. I got to be the first to tell why we celebrate Christmas and to share with them that God is not the god of the West or the god or the East or the North or the South, but He is the God of the whole world and all its people.
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord... 2 Corinthians 4:3-5a
*pray for those blinded by the god of this world
*pray for students starting a new year
*pray for me as I learn (that I would actually learn and apply)
28 October 2010
So, it's definitely October...>_> <_<
To be honest, I journal like this too. I can't tell you the last time I sat down to write. I guess that means at least I'm not bored, right?
Anyway...midterms are now a thing of the past. Such a lovely experience that. This week, though, was shaping up to be just kicks and giggles. The Bible department synced up on testing, so I was looking at having three major tests in two days: Greek, Old Testament, and Bible & Missions. This wouldn't've been such a big deal except for the fact that as of the last class period (Tuesday), Dr. Bain hadn't yet given us a study guide for Bible & Missions, and the test was scheduled for...well, today. On Monday night, I sat in my room planning out a study/sleep/food schedule for my week through Tuesday so that I could pull this thing off. Praise be to God-in class on Tuesday, Dr. Bain realized he had, in fact, not given us the 42-question study guide and announced that he would move the test to this coming Tuesday, "Unless, of course, there is an outcry of opposition." Well, there definitely wasn't. There was a huge sigh of relief instead. So I am currently looking at two tests down, none to go. (Which makes me a pretty happy camper.)
The weather is starting to turn on the Mountain. It's much more tolerable here than at home. We went for about a week of cooler weather (by that, I mean temperatures in the 40s), but it's been consistently warmer for quite some time. I'm looking forward to what we call "hoodie weather," though. As big a fan as I am of shorts and t-shirts, I've gotta admit that there's just something about a hoodie that makes my heart happy. I've become quite the collector of them over the past few years. My current favorite is a dark grey one that my Mom bought for me at a conference in Texas (a funny place to buy something warm if you ask me).
Good grief. Why am I prattling on about the weather? The answer is procrastination. I'd best quit at this and get to reading. Five one-page summaries are due today in Bible & Missions on ten chapters of a book. Two down, three to go. Fun stuff...
Glad to be back in the swing of writing. Let's hope it continues.
Jessi <><
*pray for focus in my studies (especially Greek)
*pray for a friend having a tough time all around
*pray for the BMC students as a whole
To be honest, I journal like this too. I can't tell you the last time I sat down to write. I guess that means at least I'm not bored, right?
Anyway...midterms are now a thing of the past. Such a lovely experience that. This week, though, was shaping up to be just kicks and giggles. The Bible department synced up on testing, so I was looking at having three major tests in two days: Greek, Old Testament, and Bible & Missions. This wouldn't've been such a big deal except for the fact that as of the last class period (Tuesday), Dr. Bain hadn't yet given us a study guide for Bible & Missions, and the test was scheduled for...well, today. On Monday night, I sat in my room planning out a study/sleep/food schedule for my week through Tuesday so that I could pull this thing off. Praise be to God-in class on Tuesday, Dr. Bain realized he had, in fact, not given us the 42-question study guide and announced that he would move the test to this coming Tuesday, "Unless, of course, there is an outcry of opposition." Well, there definitely wasn't. There was a huge sigh of relief instead. So I am currently looking at two tests down, none to go. (Which makes me a pretty happy camper.)
The weather is starting to turn on the Mountain. It's much more tolerable here than at home. We went for about a week of cooler weather (by that, I mean temperatures in the 40s), but it's been consistently warmer for quite some time. I'm looking forward to what we call "hoodie weather," though. As big a fan as I am of shorts and t-shirts, I've gotta admit that there's just something about a hoodie that makes my heart happy. I've become quite the collector of them over the past few years. My current favorite is a dark grey one that my Mom bought for me at a conference in Texas (a funny place to buy something warm if you ask me).
Good grief. Why am I prattling on about the weather? The answer is procrastination. I'd best quit at this and get to reading. Five one-page summaries are due today in Bible & Missions on ten chapters of a book. Two down, three to go. Fun stuff...
Glad to be back in the swing of writing. Let's hope it continues.
Jessi <><
*pray for focus in my studies (especially Greek)
*pray for a friend having a tough time all around
*pray for the BMC students as a whole
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