Of This, That, and the Other

This is truly going to be a hodgepodge post because life is so full and everything happens all at the same time, or so it feels. The last time I updated was almost three weeks ago and I hadn't even officially started school. Well, a lot can and does happen in three weeks especially in college. Things officially began on August 10th at the NSA 2012 Convocation Ceremony where all the Freshmen signed "the book" for the first time and were welcomed to the school by all the faculty. It was a very exciting and momentous time -- the beginning of any life changing adventure usually is. =)

We got our first assignments at Convocation as well and so the weekend (except for Sunday) consisted of some scrambling to get some reading done before classes began on Monday the 13th. Weeks one and two are behind me and in those two weeks I've met tons of people, had several lectures, taken weekly quizzes, finished two books, started 4 other books, attended Christ Church, played volleyball and frisbee, studied at Bucers, walked through the Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings, spent time with my dear siblings, played games, cooked, and attended CRF. In all that I've managed to find time to run and bike and get a good amount of sleep each night. No, really. I have been. Don't look at the time I posted this. That doesn't matter. ;-)
It's been an amazing experience so far and already stretched and pushed me. I think Latin may be my favorite class so far, but it's hard to have a favorite here. This week we have two paper abstracts due and we write our first declamations. A paper abstract is like condensed form of what your paper is going to be -- the ground work from which you launch into your paper. And declamations are roughly 200 words that we write on any given topic or with some specific guidelines that we then present to our class and teachers. I think that's going to be really fun. We'll see how it goes. Sometimes writing 200 words is harder than a 4 page paper.

So that was the "This" part of the post and now on to the "that" part and later I'll get to the "other" part. Just hang on. =)

At the end of week 1 Mr. N. D. Wilson gave a talk to the whole student body that I found particularly thought provoking. It wasn't something new, but rather something that I've been thinking and talking about with family and friends a lot recently. As college students, whether already in the middle of their college experience or beginning of freshman year, we should all stop to think about why we are here and what we are going to do with our time at college. What is our purpose/calling in being here? It's going to be different for each student, but one thing that doesn't change is that we are all making a choice ever day. Every day is an opportunity for one of two things -- we can either slide away from godliness or we can walk on the path of righteousness. We cannot simply coast along in the middle of the two for four years, or even one year, and get to the end and all of a sudden be firmly planted in the path of righteousness. Each day we are practicing who we are going to become. The little decisions we make today are a part of shaping who we will be down the road. It's no small matter. There is no decision that is of no consequence. Every action has a repercussion. It can either be a blessing or a curse, but there will be an outcome from your actions today.
This is something I've thought about a lot over the last two weeks have I've been faced with tons of choices -- when, where, and what do study, who to spend time with, when and where to hang out with people, what parties and activities to go to and what to say no to. Choices of honesty, friendships, time management, forming good study habits, etc. They are all things that taken one at a time in little doses can seem like a small matter and insignificant, but it is in the making of those little choices that my character will be shaped in one direction or another. You will reap what you sew.

The "other" part of my post is actually going to wait.... one because it's late and I have to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for class at 8, and secondly because it's about a talk that I heard tonight at the CRF meeting that I thought was really good, but I want more time to think about it before I put my thoughts out for all the world to read. So that's it for now, but hopefully I'll have time to update again soon.

P.S. Highlight of the day - a roommate bringing home a box of doughnuts after work and four girls harmonizing and praising God together before returning to homework. Life in and of itself is such a gift, but to add additional joys on top of it all is almost too much. God is so good! =)

Week Zero and Commonplaces

 My stack of books for this first 8 week term (minus a couple). 

"Week Zero", as it's called here at NSA, is coming to a close. This week was mainly pre-school classes geared to help incoming freshman get ready for the year and understand how things are going to work, what to expect, and tips on how to do well in college. I found it very helpful and overall I'm not too stressed out. =) I know it's going to be a difficult and rigorous road ahead, but with perseverance and God's grace I will survive. It's humbling to know college is not something I can do by my own strength and I have to trust God to help me. There will be times when I don't think I can stuff one more latin word in my brain or I can't keep my eyes open one minute longer, but I can't stop. I can't give up. I have to keep going and force myself to go beyond the limitations I think I have. Those limitations have been set in my mind only because I have never been pushed to go beyond them before. If I throw up my hands and give in when the going gets tough I will never succeed. I will never know how far I can push myself and I will have wasted all the time and money invested in my education.
As part of our preparation for college one of our professors assigned us a 300 page book, Thriving At College by Alex Chediak, on Tuesday to have ready to discuss by Thursday afternoon. It was really gratifying to finish the entire book Thursday morning and still have had time in the previous two days to spend time on other things. I know going into college, one of the challenges of this year will be learning to read faster.

This year as a part of our rhetoric class we are required to keep a commonplace book and have at least 10 new quotes a week. Awww shucks. =D
I've kept a commonplace book for several years now so it shouldn't be a big deal. I'm looking forward to it. =) I found a notebook that says on the front, "Some people dream of success while other wake up and work hard at it." I thought that would be fitting. =)

There are a couple quotes from Thriving at College that are going in my book and I thought I'd share them here as well.

You are in college to learn how to think so that you can, for the rest of your life, increasingly love God with a well-trained mind.

Thinking you can know God's personal will in advance magnifies the stress it claims to remove. Trusting in God's control brings peace and rest.

You can love God with all your mind by being fully present in your studies, knowing that God is preparing you for what lies ahead in ways you cannot fully comprehend.

You are serving the Lord when you faithfully attend classes, do your homework, complete course projects, and study for exams. 

Whatever you're doing be fully present in it. 

College is a temporary season of academic preparation and growth so that you can serve God more effectively with the rest of your adult life. If you've chosen to go to college, then God's plan is that college be a springboard into all that goes with responsible Christian adulthood.

A Christianity not practiced today becomes a Christianity that is absent tomorrow.

"There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior."

Momma, this is for you.

Getting Settled

I arrived in Moscow, Idaho on Thursday and got things moved into my house. Friday Mom and I spent the day shopping and getting things set up in my house to make it feel like a home and ready to live it. I am so enjoying the house and my room mates. We've spent a lot of time together and are all sitting around in the living room talking about personalities as I write. I am so excited about living with these girls for the next 9 months! I think it's going to be wonderful! 

Today, our landlord who is in town came over to see the house and figure out what things need to be fixed. Our carpet in the living room and dining room smelled really bad and after a little investigation we found there are real wood floors under the carpet. Our landlord, his sons, and a couple other guys began tearing up the carpet right away. Tomorrow they will sand the floors and then refinish them on Wednesday. We are all so excited and it already looks great and more spacious even though the floor is in a rough unfinished state. =) 

This evening we cooked dinner together and had a wonderful time of fellowship with our landlord and his family, the guys that are working on the house, and a few young ladies from school. It was so wonderful to be able to host 12+ people in our house and not feeling constrained by unfinished flooring, small spaces, not really knowing the people, etc. I can't really describe it. It feels like such simple hospitality, but it is so beautiful. I am so excited about this year and all that I will learn through it both academically and in everyday life. 

Here are some pictures of my house with the unfinished floors. I'll post some more pictures, hopefully in a couple days, when everything is finished and put back together. 

This is a picture from the front door looking into the living room and dining room

 This is also from the front door looking toward the hall and my bedroom (the door on the left).

 This is our scattered living room and our super comfy chairs that all four of us love....unfortunately there are only two. =)

And this is my bedroom, or at least my side of it. =) 

Let Go and Let God

Each day passes reminding me that I have one less day at home. This summer has flown by. I knew when I got home from the graduation/wedding trip at the beginning of June that I would have 8 weeks at home, and though I knew it would be short, I didn't realize just how short it would feel! I am down to 9 days at home. For 28 days straight we have had constant and overlapping company, which was a blast and I wouldn't trade for anything, but then when the house is quiet and our lives return to their normal routine, I realize just how little time is left.
Our last Sunday at our church. The last time I see different people. The last Bible Study. Last ladies' prayer. Last frisbee game. Last. Last. Last. . . Each one marches on no matter how much you want to hold on - to savor the moments and drag them out. They slip by. There is a season for everything, but sometimes it's hard.
I am looking forward to college, don't get me wrong. I know God has many things to teach me in many different areas of life, and for that I am excited, but at the same time it is bitter sweet. The uncertainty of the unknown lies ahead. How will I be changed? Both positive and (hopefully very little) negative. What will change at home? How long will I be called to go to NSA? What will come next? How will friendships change while I'm away. What new friendships does God have in store and how will those change me? In what ways will I be drawn closer to God through it all?
So many questions, and so far, no answers. Time will tell. I must let it rest in His hands.
One thing that comes to mind every time is that God is in control. He has a plan. He holds every day and every moment in His hands. My job is to live each day to the glory of God and let Him work out His will through me. He is the Potter, I am the clay. My life is His to mold and shape for His glory.

There is a really good quote from Kevin DeYoung's book Just Do Something that sums up our lives.

‎"So the end of the matter is this: Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you'll be walking in the will of God."

Me - a College Student????!!!!

(no, the picture has nothing to do with the post)

As most of you know I have decided to apply for college. Since my graduation last May, I have been at home helping my mom run the house in various ways, being a mother's helper to a few families we know, pursuing music and photography, sewing and reading. I have learned a lot in the past 9 months and I have been challenged in many ways. I am so thankful for the opportunity to stay at home and serve my family. When I decided last year not to apply for college, and knowing, or thinking that I knew, neither of my siblings would not be at college this next year, I thought last year would be my only opportunity to go so I figured that it just wasn't part of God's plan for me.

However just in the last few weeks things have changed. My sister has decided to stay up in Idaho for her junior year and continue taking classes. When she mentioned the possibility of staying, it got me thinking. Maybe this was my opportunity? Is this really what God wanted me to do? I spent many hours praying, talking to my parents, and thinking. Soon I felt very sure that this was the course God was leading to. I leave it in God's hands whether or not I am accepted.


There are several reasons that I want to go and for those of you who are interested in those reasons, stick around and I'll tell you. =)

-First of all my sister will be there which makes a huge difference. I don't think I would want to go without her or my brother. There is just something about having someone you know and love, who knows you so well, and who you trust to be there for you. Not to mention the fact that she's my best friend. =)

-I want to continue my education and be preparing myself to be the best wife, mother, and teacher I can be for my future family. I want to be well rounded and become a better conversationalist, be able to engage in all types of conversations about theology, politics, current events, books, and life in general. I have so much to learn in this area and I feel that the classes I can take at college will be a huge foundation and launching pad. Also, I am committed to home schooling my kids someday and to give them the best education possible, I need to be as well educated as I can be. In these single years God gives me, I want to use my time wisely and be a faithful servant. Ephesians 5: 15-17 says, "see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

-College will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It will push me out of my comfort zone, it will challenge me spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally, but "we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Rom 5:3) I want to be challenged. I want to be tested and push myself beyond what I think I can do.

-Over the last 4 years that my brother has been in Idaho at this college I have been there 4 times and have gotten to see the community, not to mention what I've heard and seen from my siblings lives up there. The small town is home to two solid churches, ample opportunities to serve, and great accountability.

-The college (New Saint Andrews in Moscow, Idaho) is a very small school with only about 200 students total which means classes are very small.
-The faculty really invests in the students and gets to know them on a personal level.
-It is a Christian college that focuses on liberal arts and culture (that is the only degree they offer). I would be taking Lordship (theology), music (which includes both music theory and concert choir), and rhetoric.
-There are no dorms so the students either live in apartments or with families around town (which is what I would be doing).