Back to College

Yep, I'm back. Classes start tomorrow.
I'm living off-campus (for anyone who doesn't already know) with one of my Bible profs, Dr. Woodring. His wife is a high school music teacher, who is thrilled to have some one else around. They have four cats, three dogs, two geckos, a hamster, and a mouse to keep the house from being boring. I have never had so much space to myself before! Bedroom, bathroom, and a "extra room" (a den sort of room).
Well, I think I'm going to buy books before the line gets too long. Please, keep praying for me. Please, please, let me know how I can be praying for any of you.
God bless!

Backpacking!

I figured it out...I've been on only seven backpacking trips in my lifetime. The latest one being this past week with my Dad, two youngest brothers, and two of their friends. We hiked a total of 28 miles during a three-day and two-night trip in the Great Smokey Mountains. Yes, it rained, but only after we had gotten to the shelter at Laurel Gap where we spent the first night. Basically, God gave us the perfect weather in which to enjoy His beautiful creation. Even though I went to the mountains with with a group, I still was blessed with time alone to contemplate, reflect, and talk to God. I truly am most blessed! God, the awesome artist, wise sustainer, and gentle protector, is my Father who loves me!!! God desires me to delight in Him no matter where I am, and as I look forward to this next year, that is exactly what I hope will happen. I will be living off-campus for this fall semester at LeTU, then spend Christmas break in Kansas. After that, well....God has yet to reveal the details of His plan, but as things are heading now, I will go to Uganda for the spring semester to study. Please, keep praying for me.

FYI, I plan to start writing and sending out a prayer letter every month, beginning in September. If you or anyone you know would like to be included on my list, please let me know. The letters will mostly be sent via email.

True Joy and Brothers

I really, truly enjoyed the past few days! Monday afternoon, my adopted brother, Benaiah, came to visit. On Tuesday, Benaiah went with Samuel, Philip, and I on an adventure to the Linville Gorge. We hiked down to and climbed around on Babel Tower, then down to Linville River at the bottom of the gorge where we swam. Of course, this kind of swimming includes sliding down a waterfall, splashing through rapids, and jumping off big rocks. ^_^ We picked and ate blackberries along the way. (they were splendid!) In spite of some scrapes, bruises, and sunburn, we had more than a fabulous day! After hiking back up to the car, we walked out to Wise Man's View, then drove back down the rode to where we got out and strolled down to see Linville Falls. I rather like running on hiking trails, and certainly did some, but by the end of the day.....well, let me just say, Sam and Phil ran the last stretch without me. ^_^
Wednesday, Benaiah and I drove down to JAARS to visit Adam. We had a good time hanging out and laughing together. I had my first gyro at the restaurant where we ate lunch in Waxhaw; it was quite delicious! Adam gave us a tour around JAARS, with highest concentration in the area he knows best: the airplane hanger. We saw a couple Helios, a C206, KingAirs, and three Robinson Helicopters in the maintenance hanger. Meeting a few of the mechanics was most interesting; they always have something fascinating to share. The man who heads up the research and development department showed us one of the projects currently in the works: a cargo carrier shaped like a extra fuel tank which can be attached under the wings. I very much enjoyed being immersed in an aviation environment again, even for the little time we were there. I would like to add that Adam's parents are some of the best humored people I have been around in quite a while; laughter was never so freely flowing among sober, good-natured Christians.
Well, Benaiah left this morning, and life here went back to normal. I am very glad he visited, for I needed a reminder of the joys God blesses me with when simply enjoying His creation and the company of His children. God has blessed me so very abundantly with Christian friends, many of whom are like family.....I suppose they are though! My family in Christ!! Thank you Jesus!!!