I have lived at college for almost one week. I have moved into a dorm room. I've met many new people. I've enjoyed drinking a pop from the store named "The Den." And I have been to many talks during the events at Boiler Gold Rush. These talks had a wide range of topics, but most of them had a similar theme. Basically, if you want to succeed at college you have to work hard and be willing to seek out help. You can't just assume that you'll understand something.
Truthfully, I can be a very stubborn person who doesn't like to accept help from people. Obviously I am not the only person like that here. The speakers frequently reminded us to stop by and talk to professors during their office hours and contact tutoring services. Why are we so stubborn as humans? Why are we unwilling to ask others for help? Or, to ask a somewhat deeperish question, why won't we ask God for help? God created us. God loves us. Why wouldn't we want to depend on him for help? As humans we want to stand by ourselves. However, we've been designed as weak human beings for a reason. We have faults. We have these so that we have to depend upon God. Because we are weak, God can show everyone his strength through us.
At college they want you to ask for help everywhere. Not just for class but also in the libraries here. During the question and answer session after the presentation of what kinds of resources are available in the library, many kinds of questions were asked, very few got applause when the answer was stated. However, there was one particular question that was asked that received applause when answered. What was the question you may ask?
"Does the library here have The Magic Tree house Series? " And of course, being the wonderful resource that librarians most often are, the librarian did not know. However, upon looking it up it was found that the Purdue library does indeed possess The Magic Tree House series. And so, as I start classes at college on Monday I may just check out one book in The Magic Tree House series. After all, what is cooler than a magic tree house?? I mean, really...I can't think of anything except for maybe a magic tree house with laser beams...but I'll think about that another day. :P
Monday, August 25, 2014
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Thoughts of an Almost College Student
It is Friday. This will not be posted until Sunday. Tomorrow I move in to my dorm room at Purdue University. Everyone that I've run into in the past week has asked me if I'm excited. They've asked me if I'm nervous. And, to tell the simple, honest truth, I don't know. I would not say that I'm overly excited about the new responsibilities that I'm about to have to fulfill. I would say that I'm excited about having more freedom, I am not nervous about that.
So what is it that I'm feeling as I am about to start my career at Purdue University??? I, quite simply, am a little bit excited, a little bit nervous, a little bit sad, a little bit happy, and extremely curious. I'm ready for freedom. I don't feel ready for college coursework and other "real life" responsibilities. I will miss my parents. I like seeing my brother on almost every weekend. I'm happy that I'll make new friends. But most of all, I'm curious. I don't know what these next 4 years will hold.
But guess what??? I've never known what's going to happen in my life. Suddenly I realize that this point in my life is no different than any other part of my existence. When I was in fourth grade I would not have guessed that my week-long trip to Mexico would change my life forever. In eighth grade I wouldn't have guessed that I would enjoy homeschooling more than public school. In ninth grade, I wouldn't have guessed that I would be sent back to public school in eleventh grade. And in eleventh grade I wouldn't have guessed I would end up choosing a large state university instead of a private Christian college. And now, as I'm about to begin the first semester of my college career at Purdue University, the familiarity of unfamiliarity strikes me as nerve-racking. Why? Why can't I simply look back on the past 18 years of my life and see that God has always provided and will continue to provide and guide me just as He has always done. Why can't I look at everyone close to me and see the same thing? Why am I so anxious to know what is going to happen? Why can't I just choose to live the adventure that God has put me in? Why can't I choose to love the adventure?
God has put me here for a purpose. I'm going to Purdue University. I don't know what will happen there.
Quite simply, I haven't figured out life yet. However, even though I don't know God's purpose I can choose how to live my life. I choose to live the adventure. I choose to love the adventure. God has put me here for a reason. I will not pretend to understand why. However, God has a purpose for me and I will attempt to be a light that shows Christ's love to those around me. I choose to live life. I choose to love life.
So what is it that I'm feeling as I am about to start my career at Purdue University??? I, quite simply, am a little bit excited, a little bit nervous, a little bit sad, a little bit happy, and extremely curious. I'm ready for freedom. I don't feel ready for college coursework and other "real life" responsibilities. I will miss my parents. I like seeing my brother on almost every weekend. I'm happy that I'll make new friends. But most of all, I'm curious. I don't know what these next 4 years will hold.
But guess what??? I've never known what's going to happen in my life. Suddenly I realize that this point in my life is no different than any other part of my existence. When I was in fourth grade I would not have guessed that my week-long trip to Mexico would change my life forever. In eighth grade I wouldn't have guessed that I would enjoy homeschooling more than public school. In ninth grade, I wouldn't have guessed that I would be sent back to public school in eleventh grade. And in eleventh grade I wouldn't have guessed I would end up choosing a large state university instead of a private Christian college. And now, as I'm about to begin the first semester of my college career at Purdue University, the familiarity of unfamiliarity strikes me as nerve-racking. Why? Why can't I simply look back on the past 18 years of my life and see that God has always provided and will continue to provide and guide me just as He has always done. Why can't I look at everyone close to me and see the same thing? Why am I so anxious to know what is going to happen? Why can't I just choose to live the adventure that God has put me in? Why can't I choose to love the adventure?
God has put me here for a purpose. I'm going to Purdue University. I don't know what will happen there.
Quite simply, I haven't figured out life yet. However, even though I don't know God's purpose I can choose how to live my life. I choose to live the adventure. I choose to love the adventure. God has put me here for a reason. I will not pretend to understand why. However, God has a purpose for me and I will attempt to be a light that shows Christ's love to those around me. I choose to live life. I choose to love life.
Monday, August 11, 2014
VACATION
I went on vacation with my parents this week it was nice. As I've been busy doing things all week and can't choose which story, I will just give you a quick log of my vacation:
Monday:
Begin 8 hour drive. Our GPS tried to take us through Canada to get to New York near Niagara falls, so that was annoying, as we didn't want to take that route.
We hit Toledo around lunch. Toledo was officially released from its water advisory but none of the restaurants were ready to reopen yet. We drove around quite awhile before we found an open Subway.
About 5 hours into the drive we pulled over to the side of the interstate to realize that there was only one nut left on our right rear wheel. After getting a trooper who called a tow truck, we got out car disconnected from our camper so that it could be put onto the flat bed. The same tow truck company brought a separate truck to tow the camper. The tow company was willing to fix the problem, so we went to his house to fix it. He found another issue, so they fixed that as well.
Back on the road...and something still wasn't right. The steering wheel was jerking a lot in my dad's hands. We decided to find a nearby campgrounds and stay there.
Tuesday:
The next morning my dad took the car to a tire place that figured out the problem and fixed it! HURRAY!
We arrived at the campground that we had originally planned on
We then went to Niagara Falls on the U.S. side. (Yay gravity and water)
Wednesday:
My parents and I enjoyed looking at Lake Ontario from our campgrounds before heading to Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
We proceeded back to the U.S. and hiked along the Niagara River for a few hours.
Thursday:
Another 8 hour drive
About 3 hours in we had to stop to change a tire on the camper.
Upon arrival to our campgrounds we saw warnings about bears, which is not something I am used to.
After enjoying hobo pies with my dad, I went to take a shower and discovered that it was 25 cents per 5 minutes. Not a huge deal, just unexpected.
Friday:
While my dad was looking through a container in the back of our car, I attempted to aid him. It is a hatchback, so I had my knees on the bumper to get to where I could see. My knees began to hurt so I hopped down and started to walk away. As I began to walk away I hurt the container's lid shut on my dad's head. I began to laugh and he told me to help him again. While still laughing I attempted to get to where I could see again. However, as I began to lose my balance I grabbed the cooler....that has wheels! I quickly realized that this would not stabilize me and started to grab my dad's arm, but alas, it was too late. I went a tumblin' out of the car, hitting my shorts on the greasy hitch and still laughing as I hit the ground.
I also met some of my dad's cousins throughout the day which was pretty cool since I've not really met this side of the family in my memory. (I met them when I was young and only have a few memories of them)
We got to play euchre, which is something I enjoy.
Saturday:
I met the rest of the family at the reunion and enjoyed some time in my cousins pool.
We left right after supper and head back to New York, about a 5 hour drive. We got there just before midnight.
Sunday:
We experienced an uneventful 12 hour drive home and were informed by our neighbor that she had found a cottonmouth in her backyard, so we might want to be careful!
On a somewhat unrelated sidenote: I normally reread what I've written to make sure that it all makes sense. However today I'm going to wing it and hope for the best. Please ignore my terrible typos! :)
Monday:
Begin 8 hour drive. Our GPS tried to take us through Canada to get to New York near Niagara falls, so that was annoying, as we didn't want to take that route.
We hit Toledo around lunch. Toledo was officially released from its water advisory but none of the restaurants were ready to reopen yet. We drove around quite awhile before we found an open Subway.
About 5 hours into the drive we pulled over to the side of the interstate to realize that there was only one nut left on our right rear wheel. After getting a trooper who called a tow truck, we got out car disconnected from our camper so that it could be put onto the flat bed. The same tow truck company brought a separate truck to tow the camper. The tow company was willing to fix the problem, so we went to his house to fix it. He found another issue, so they fixed that as well.
Back on the road...and something still wasn't right. The steering wheel was jerking a lot in my dad's hands. We decided to find a nearby campgrounds and stay there.
Tuesday:
The next morning my dad took the car to a tire place that figured out the problem and fixed it! HURRAY!
We arrived at the campground that we had originally planned on
We then went to Niagara Falls on the U.S. side. (Yay gravity and water)
Wednesday:
My parents and I enjoyed looking at Lake Ontario from our campgrounds before heading to Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
We proceeded back to the U.S. and hiked along the Niagara River for a few hours.
Thursday:
Another 8 hour drive
About 3 hours in we had to stop to change a tire on the camper.
Upon arrival to our campgrounds we saw warnings about bears, which is not something I am used to.
After enjoying hobo pies with my dad, I went to take a shower and discovered that it was 25 cents per 5 minutes. Not a huge deal, just unexpected.
Friday:
While my dad was looking through a container in the back of our car, I attempted to aid him. It is a hatchback, so I had my knees on the bumper to get to where I could see. My knees began to hurt so I hopped down and started to walk away. As I began to walk away I hurt the container's lid shut on my dad's head. I began to laugh and he told me to help him again. While still laughing I attempted to get to where I could see again. However, as I began to lose my balance I grabbed the cooler....that has wheels! I quickly realized that this would not stabilize me and started to grab my dad's arm, but alas, it was too late. I went a tumblin' out of the car, hitting my shorts on the greasy hitch and still laughing as I hit the ground.
I also met some of my dad's cousins throughout the day which was pretty cool since I've not really met this side of the family in my memory. (I met them when I was young and only have a few memories of them)
We got to play euchre, which is something I enjoy.
Saturday:
I met the rest of the family at the reunion and enjoyed some time in my cousins pool.
We left right after supper and head back to New York, about a 5 hour drive. We got there just before midnight.
Sunday:
We experienced an uneventful 12 hour drive home and were informed by our neighbor that she had found a cottonmouth in her backyard, so we might want to be careful!
On a somewhat unrelated sidenote: I normally reread what I've written to make sure that it all makes sense. However today I'm going to wing it and hope for the best. Please ignore my terrible typos! :)
Sunday, August 3, 2014
What year is it?
I love the dresses that women wore i the 1950s and 1960s. They had the best music in the 1980s. It would be neat to see the beginning of America, to see how the culture was born and changed over time. By far, I think one of the most fantastic time periods to observe and live in would be Jesus' life and the beginning of the Church as we know it.
I would love to have seen Jesus' in physical form, teaching, healing, and loving. I would love to see how He interacted with his family and His disciples. Did He joke with them? Was He quiet and observant, only speaking when absolutely necessary? Did He always lead the conversation? What was the town of Nazareth really like? Did they shun Him and his family? It would be remarkable to see Him and have these questions answered.
To see the Church grow and expand after Jesus' ascension would be incredible. There would be many new Christians with incredible faith to be my role models. It's amazing to read what they went through and what they risked to continue serving God.
After all of this has been said, I would still choose to live in my current era with my current culture? God chose to place me here. As such, it is my responsibility to be a witness here and now.
What era would you choose? Why?
Living in Reckless Abandonment for Jesucristo,
Jo
I would love to have seen Jesus' in physical form, teaching, healing, and loving. I would love to see how He interacted with his family and His disciples. Did He joke with them? Was He quiet and observant, only speaking when absolutely necessary? Did He always lead the conversation? What was the town of Nazareth really like? Did they shun Him and his family? It would be remarkable to see Him and have these questions answered.
To see the Church grow and expand after Jesus' ascension would be incredible. There would be many new Christians with incredible faith to be my role models. It's amazing to read what they went through and what they risked to continue serving God.
After all of this has been said, I would still choose to live in my current era with my current culture? God chose to place me here. As such, it is my responsibility to be a witness here and now.
What era would you choose? Why?
Living in Reckless Abandonment for Jesucristo,
Jo
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