Back in Kansas!

Well, I'm back in Kansas for the Christmas break. I finished finals last Wednesday, worked all day Thursday, hung out and made dinner for friends on Friday, then ushered for fall graduation on Saturday, and got here before too late Saturday night. Oh, and I will be able to post pictures when I go to Uganda next semester (as well as now) because the wonderful Sarah let me borrow her digital camera (which she says she doesn't use anymore) to take as I go world trotting! So, here is the first picture I've used it to take:
my room at the Hawthorne's. ^_^

I am so very much exceedingly blessed!! Even in the tough times, I know God gives me exactly what I need. Right now, though, I've more than than enough. How could I ask for more comfort, joy, rest, etc. God has once more proved to me His desire for my delight in Him, whether the delight comes from watching the little birds outside my window, eating warm home-made food, laughing with friends (who are like family to me), or simply sleeping in a very comfortable bed for as long as I like. :)

Why is God so good to me? Why does He pour so much grace into my life? I can't begin to imagine th depth, height, and width of God's love for me. I once more stop in amazement.

So Much

The past week has been rather crazy, but very fun (for the most part). I just got back to the house about 30 minutes ago from Hutchinson, Kansas.
~1060 miles.
21 college/just post-college kids.
2 adopted parents.
1 house.
3 days.
so much fun!! ^_^
not enough sleep....


and I'm 21 now....
(do I really have to be responsible now?)

research

For all of you who don't know: I do not like to write papers. I like researching, finding new things, discovering different perspectives, and learning of connections between things. But I don't like writing papers....at all. So, you ask, how can I stand to write all the time? That, Watson, is an excellent question. Only by God's grace can I be in this major, where writing papers, reports, reflections, etc are a extremely common thing.
Back to the point....I just read and took notes on portions from two rather fascinating books: The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam and Encyclopedia of Hinduism. I like encyclopedias, they tell you what you what to know and make you curious about other things you didn't know you wanted to know, without adding tons of other information or wordiness to get in the way of the point. ^_^ I guess that is why i like dictionaries too.
Yep, I'm a nerd. hehehe....

Dedicated to Benjamin

I wrote a research paper this past weekend/week for my Church History class on John Knox and the Scottish Reformation. I wanted to do something I knew a little something about already, while the assignment required the paper be on a "major turning point in the history of Christianity." Thank you my older brother, Benjamin! You talked Scottish history enough I found out I actually learned something after all this time! Yes, I listened to many of his monologues on the history he was so fascinated with for so long. YaY, for having a family who liked learning so much as to make it a pass time, and I just listened and learned without putting forth any effort. WoW......so, I was like a nerd from the beginning....and didn't even realize it.....of course then I was also born a Francis.....yes, this is you reading my train of thought...while I sit here in a room on my brother floor listening to them plan their class schedules for next semester. I&M lab.... dynamics.... engineering design technology..... engineering project management.... crazy engineers!
Yes, I have grown up around nerds of some sort all my life. I so far prefer to hear them argue over whether C++ or Java is better, discuss the inter-workings of the muscles in a human knee, or explain the proof to why a straight line is in fact the shortest distance between two points than put up with the giggly small talk of girls with boyfriends......I like it when guys will just be your friend or adopted brother for the duration of college. For any guy who falls in that category, Thank you!
Okay, so I'm going to stop now...this blog is long enough..... ^_^

Friends, Food, and Singing

I wish I had a picture to post of all eleven of us gathered in the music room singing hymns. I hosted a dinner for my good friends from school: Paco, Grey, Panic, Pebble, Dozer, Copper, Synk, Tiana, Rene, Chung, and Jon (left early). After everyone had eaten their fill, Copper graciously played the piano for us as we sang for about two and half hours. ^_^ At first the animals just peeked around corners, but by the end all the cats had a lap and two of the dogs were relaxing by feet (Satey is afraid of boys, so she stayed in the other room). When throats got too tired and a couple people had already headed back to school, the guys bade far-well, and soon after, us three girls went to bed.
This morning was beautiful! Breakfast and some homework time with a couple friends, instead of the usual of being alone, was most up lifting. God pours so many blessing on me!! In Christ's love, I simply stop......unable to express how overwhelmingly grateful I am. I am once more left speechless by Him.

reflection

What do people see when a small glimpse of me strays by the edge of their vision?

Today has been one of most, extremely wonderfully exciting news! I found out I am accepted to the Program in Uganda for next semester I applied to!! I also talked on the phone with the States side director of the orphanage in South Africa where I am looking into helping at next summer, and she was happy to tell me all they hope I can do when I come!! Today was also full of reflecting for me: where is God leading me? where has God brought me from this past couple years? what am I doing at LeTourneau? what am I supposed to be focused on anyway? Earlier today I contemplated all the joyous parts that God granted my memory, which I rejoice in singing to recall. This evening after being alone at the house for a couple hours, I went back and read some old emails and letters saved on my computer, and sunk into deep ponderings of the less than up lifting memories I have tried to suppress. Complicated life I lead! So much to pray about!!

Business!!

I meant to write and send out the Laura's Lines for October already, and I should have already written my first blog entry this month. According to my paper writing schedule for myself I'm also a 1.5 weeks behind.....ahhhhh!!! Writing is everywhere in my life! I'm trying to keep up and sorta stay enough ahead I don't die the last couple weeks of this semester, but right now that's looking really hard. I only wanted to have to write one small paper over Thanksgiving Break and be able to enjoy the rest with friends and adopted family up in Kansas, but if the behindness of papers continues on this downward spiral.....I may just have to stick around the house and write all break....
Today was a bit crazy with all the Biblical Studies profs and several students over for supper. One of the profs I have now saw me trying to finish reading a book for a paper of summary/critique for his class....and he told me he didn't want me to write the paper early (it's due Oct 31). Now, I'd just like to say that totally killed my motivation to finish writing it tonight, like I had planned. In one of my classes Friday, my prof (a different one) told us in more detail what he wanted in a paper due Monday (tomorrow). I had already completed this paper, so to hear him say he was so certain no one had yet thought about the paper.....well, not what I needed to hear.......why do profs encourage students to work at the last minute? I must get some done early, so getting everything done will be possible.
Please, please, pray for my motivation level, content competence, and desire for excellence.

Heart Sick

I've been sick the past few days. Friday it started, but Sunday and Monday were the hardest days. Being sick is no fun, obviously, but that wasn't what really perturbed me those two days particularly. I didn't go to church because I didn't want to spread the yuck around anymore, so I didn't go to Prayer & Praise that evening either, then Monday I completely lost my voice for most of the day. I couldn't sing at all for two days straight! I wanted to lift up the songs that came into my mind, but if I tried, the coughing would force me to stop. Being rather isolated in my room all day Sunday and not being able to talk to much of anyone at school Monday hurt. However, the biggest struggle this sickness brought came on hard while I was in chapel. Starting with singing, the praise band lead songs I knew in chapel. I stood up initially with everyone else, but sat down within the first verse in an effort to suppress a cough. I sat, hunched over in my seat wishing I could stand and sing. I wanted it for myself. Then I realized. I was completely focused on my singing, not on lifting God up in praise, giving Him glory and honor. As those around me continued singing, I wrestled with my thoughts: why did I keep focusing on myself? why couldn't I give my voice to God, even when I had no control over it? where was my heart of worship? worship is from the heart, not the mouth. why couldn't I worship God without singing?
The conclusion of the matter was my realization of my complete selfishness, even in what I had supposed was worship to God; a renewed desire for God to control ever part of me thoroughly, wholly; and a simple plea to God to humble me more for His glory.

Weathering the Weekend

Check this out: http://www.stormpulse.com/hurricane-ike-2008 note: Longview is closest to the 32.4 N, 95.3 W location
Yep, I just saw a tropical storm up close and personal. ^_^ Formally known as Hurricane Ike, the storm was blowing and pouring on us most of Saturday. Knocked out our power at the house from about 2pm until 8pm Sunday. Unlike most big storms though, which I'm more experienced with, tropical storms are warm. So, you go walking through the rain and your don't feel cold until you go into the air conditioned buildings....silly waste of energy.... All in all, the storm was rather exciting and really not very damaging around here; just enough branches and trees down to put out power in several places, but classes were in full swing today. The result of Ike is beautiful, fall-like weather! I very much enjoyed waking up to sub-70 temperature, and it still is under 75 degrees (at 2pm)!
Besides the physical weather, I finished researching and started writing my first theology paper for Christian Doctrines 1 class. The topic is on whether or not general revelation is sufficient for salvation. Most interesting topic, and one I have contemplated significantly. Trudging through the writing is a struggle for me, but I'm glad it is on a topic which I am curious about.
I know many prayers went up for all of us down here in Texas during Ike, and on behalf of all of us who felt those, Thank you!! May God's grace abound all the more to you as well!

God did it.

So, I'm just a little curious here...how many people who read my blog did not receive my September Update today? I almost want to blog on this past weekend, but that would be rather pointless for anyone to read who already knows what God did the past few days in my life. Well, so that you didn't come to look at this post in vain....how about a picture of God's creation? I never come to an end of appreciation for the beauty God has created.