No Iced Tea For You!

     I am doing really bad at keeping up with this blog. So much has been happening here at Word of Life! Last week we finished Genesis with Dr. Whitcomb and took his exam the following Tuesday. 50 true and false questions...... I almost punched the guy who sits next to me in the face. The exam was HARD. I second guessed myself on every question. At least it's over. You'd think that after studying Genesis for over a year in Sunday School I'd have somewhat of an advantage. I got a 90, which seems really good, but according to WOLBI grading my effort equals a B+. Lame.
     After the exam I had lunch, then practice until 3. I think we are really improving. The songs are all well known, but altered with gospel flare. It's been really good for me. My range is being expanded as well as my breath control being challenged. I also love everyone in the group. They're all a lot of fun and extremely personable.
     I had work on Tuesday evening. It was unusually busy and we were out of EVERYTHING. Someone ordered a pizza and we didn't have any sauce, the cheese for our burgers was completely frozen, and the cups for coffee and tea were mysteriously "gone". At least we got out earlier than usual. After work I was thirsty so I decided to buy a drink. It was late, so trying to be good I decided on iced tea instead of soda, which is in a separate machine. Now, this machine is different because the soda comes out the side and not the bottom. There is a pole with a cup holder that catches the drink, which avoids the bottle getting shook up, slides the drink across and then drops it in the side. Well, I put my money in and didn't notice that there was another drink that had fallen to the bottom of the machine. Instead of my drink falling into the side slot it plummeted to the bottom. No drink for me.
     I spent most of yesterday sleeping and finishing up my maps for Bible Survey. Most of you know how much I hate drawing..... It was not a fun assignment. At least they are done now and I can focus on other homework that is being neglected, like reading my Hebrews book.
     Well, I have practice in an hour so I think I am going to go and eat lunch. Then after practice it's Walmart time!!!!!!! Yea for having supplies again! Enjoy the rest of your day everyone!

Singing and Snuffles

     And the cold season has officially begun. All of my roommates have been sick for about a week and now it's my turn. Blah! I would love to not go through another box of tissues today.
     It's been a nice week here at WOLBI. The weather has finally gotten better and we haven't had rain in a few days! The trees and lake look especially beautiful today. I was tempted to go and sit outside on a blanket, but the cold probably wouldn't help me very much.
     In other news, I made it into a student run gospel choir called Our Declaration. There are 11 of us. We do a lot of traveling during the school year to different churches around New England. We're hoping to sing at a church in Albany in a few weeks. We just have to keep practicing and taking care of ourselves. About four of us in the group are sick. But, I'm looking forward to an awesome year together.
     I failed a quiz on Flag Football this week.... I hate sports so much. The good news is I have a GPA if 3.6 so it didn't affect my grade very much.
     Classes have been going pretty well. We finished Personal Evangelism with Larry Moyer last week. Now I have an exam on Genesis Chapters 1-11 on Tuesday. Dr. Whitcomb taught the class. He is a very intelligent speaker, but his voice in a bit too soothing. He makes you drowsy!
     I think I am going to go and make some tea and go back to bed. I have work tonight so I'm going to be up late. Lame. I love and miss you all!!!!!!!

    

*Insert Creative Title Here*

     D points are probably the dumbest things ever created. They stink. Yesterday I was extremely tired after class so I decided to take a nap. I slept from 2-4 then woke up and read for Personal Evangelism. Well, I realized that I had missed my gym class. I have gym on Fridays for an hour in the Field House. Apparently I not only have to make up the class, but I have 5 D points. That means I have to work 2 extra hours, which is ridiculous. I'm planning on going to the Ministry Department to try and talk myself out of it. Wish me luck......
     Today has been pretty nice. Last night I worked until 11 so I came up and went right to bed. I woke up around 10 and then went to do laundry with my friend Sarah. I was in the same room as her this summer at the Inn. While our clothes were washing we ate lunch and then went back to put them in the dryer. In the meantime I went for a run and tidied up our closet. Then I went back to grab my clothes and now I am attempting to set up my printer. I feel like a call to the Boyden's is inevitable..... Why couldn't I have been good with technology?
     Enjoy the rest of your day everyone!

Snack Shack Chaos!!!!!!!

     I would have written about this last night, but I used all the energy I had left to climb up into bed. The day didn't start off badly. I took my first exam on the book of James (Wendell Calder thought this), had another boring Theology class (I just can't seem to get into the subject) and then started Personal Evangelism which Larry Moyer is teaching. I think he is one of the most talented evangelists I have ever met. His class is dripping with energy and I find myself enjoying taking notes. He has developed the "Bad News, Good News" witnessing method which is practical and very easy to learn. It was even better than the Way of the Master program I learned about in Sunday School! (I will put both links at the end of this entry). 

     The James exam was awful. I had gotten up at 5:30 in the morning (BLAH!) to eat breakfast so I would be able to focus during the test. When I got to the JWC everything seemed to go wrong. I had to go to the bathroom and was late getting to my seat, I dropped a book on the floor, and I realized I had left my umbrella at the dorm. To top it all off I had a headache. I wasn't sure of some of the answers on the test, but I did my best. (And made good educational guesses).

     After classes I went to lunch and then ran a few errands. I had to buy a hat from the bookstore because they are required for work. Then I went to the mail room to pick up a package and, SURPRISE! It was from my mommy. I found this amusing because the day before I had told her I had a package and had no idea who had sent it. She 'didn't know either'. Ha! But it was full of delicious chocolate which will make me gain the infamous freshman fifteen.......

    The rest of my day was spent in the dorm because it was pouring out. I didn't feel like ruining a pair of shoes. Dinner wasn't very good. Some sort of chicken parmesan thing. The salad was really good though. At 6:30 Study Hours began but I had to leave at 8 for work. And this is when the fun began......

     My shift starts at 8:05. For the first hour we only sold an order of fries and some candy. Then, at 9:15, after study hours ended, about 25 people showed up. Now, there was only two of us working. The third girl didn't show up and the girl who was there, her name is Jenna, had been away during training. IT WAS INSANE. We had about 7 orders for fried food and you can only make two at once. I didn't know how to make pizza because during training we had only been shown how to use the grill and frier, we couldn't find mozzarella sauce, the chocolate ice cream was as hard a a rock, we ran out of change for twenties and a shake I was making exploded when the machine was mixing it. Luckily, an RA showed up around 10 and helped us finish the orders. By 10:45 the windows were closed and we began the clean up process. I was assigned to clean the grill, which is easy enough. However, after the grill is cleaned, we are required to empty the grease tray. When I dumped it in the trash the bag leaked, so I got to clean the garbage can out too. 

     I finally made it back to the dorm at 11, jumped in the shower and then crawled into bed around 11:20. It was a fun night.... I even get to do it again on Friday! 

    Today was not a very good day. I was really tired and hadn't been able to study enough for our Theology quiz. All during classes I was fighting sleep and trying to pay attention. After class I went down to eat lunch but ended up coming back to the room to take a nap. Before going to sleep I decided to quickly check my grades online, even though I knew I wouldn't like what I saw. (I didn't mention this before, but I got a 75 on my James QUIZ, which in WOLBI's eyes is a D+). BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS!!!!!!! I got a 93 on the James class and then an 85 on today's Theology quiz, which puts my GPA at 3.4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh Happy Day!

      And now that I have shared this wonderful, wonderful news I am going to bed. 

Links to Evangelistic Websites:

http://www.evantell.org/ (Larry Moyer)

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/ (Kirk Cameron)

What I Did For Today

     And so passes another boring day at Word of Life.... Well I wouldn't say boring. Just, rather uneventful. I only had three technical classes this morning. First, we had an overview of Word of Life policies/ the Standard of Conduct. That was followed by Theology, which was followed by my walk outside where I started screaming "Why God, why?!?!?!?!?" Haha. Just kidding. But it was pretty boring. Bible Survey was AWESOME! Dr. Wicks taught us an overview of the Old Testament in 5 minutes. It was really cool. Then we had a free period so I came back to the dorm and took a nap. 
    For lunch we had taco-like things. I was able to eat with my RA Ruth and have a really nice conversation. Then I came back to the dorm, studied, cleaned my desk and listened to music. For dinner we had Shepherd's Pie. It was OK, but I like my mom's much better. 
          NOTE TO MOM: We should have that at least twice over my winter break. Please. Ha!
    After dinner I went up to the mail room and found a letter, a post card, and a slip saying that I had a package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get it. I'll probably go after classes.
     Speaking of class, I have an exam on James....... that I should probably be studying for. Well it's to the shower and then back to the books! 


Awesome Song that I listened to today: What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line 

Kiss today goodbye,

The sweetness and the sorrow.

Wish me luck, the same to you.

But I can't regret

What I did for love, what I did for love.

Look my eyes are dry.

The gift was ours to borrow.

It's as if we always knew,

And I won't forget what I did for love,

What I did for love.

Gone,

Love is never gone.

As we travel on,

Love's what we'll remember.

Kiss today goodbye,

And point me t'ward tomorrow.

We did what we had to do.

Won't forget, can't regret

What I did for

Love

[All]

What I did for

Love

[Diana]

What I did for...

[All (adding more voices each phrase)]

Love

Love is never gone

As we travel one

Love's what we'll remember

Kiss today goodbye.

[Diana]

And point me t'ward tomorrow.

[All]

Point me t'ward tomorrow

We did what we had to do.

Won't forget, can't regret

What I did for love.

What I did for love.

[Diana]

What I did for love

[All]

Love

Running the Race for Jesus

     Another weekend gone by. I wish we didn't have classes tomorrow. We aren't supposed to, but this is WOLBI. The rules and schedule change every other day.
    I had the ultimate joy of sleeping in until 10 this morning. Yes, 10 AM. It was wonderful. You can call me lazy all you want. I don't care. Anyway, after waking up I showered and blow dried my hair for once. Then I went outside with my friend Rachel because everyone at WOLBI was required to cheer for people running the Adirondack Marathon, which ran through the campus. We were out on the side lines for about half an hour and then went inside for lunch. It was pretty good. Mystery meat with mushrooms and sautéed  onions, green beans, and seasoned potatoes. I also met the sweetest old couple ever! They live in Florida, but have been on the road since May, and are currently volunteering here on the WOLBI campus. I think Rachel and I talked to them for an hour and a half!
     After lunch I worked on cleaning and organizing/ studying for our James exam. Around 6:30 we had our evening chapel at Council Hall and then I came back to the dorm and finished organizing. I also met a really nice man who's son is a second year student here. He drove around 8 hours to come and see his son run the marathon. Now THAT is devotion. I'm so thankful I have dedicated and loving parents that serve God whole heartedly. Well I should probably get to bed so I can somewhat function in the morning. Night!

-2 Timothy 4:7

To Wash or Not to Wash? That is NOT a Good Question.

     I feel like I've been here a month, even though it has only been about a week. It's like the days are all meshing together and messing up my sense of time.
     Today was boring. I woke up at 5:30 (Ugh!) because I was going to go and do laundry before class with my roommates. But no one else got up so I just sat in my bed and read until 7:30 or so. We went to the JWC to finish Source One, which ended around 11, and then raced back down to the dorm. Then we (my roommates Kayla, Rachel and I) grabbed our laundry and headed over to the laundry room before all the washers were claimed. Thankfully I was able to secure two (I hadn't been able to do a load yet due to our hectic schedule). After the clothes were clean we transferred them over to dryers and went to lunch o kill time. After we went back upstairs to the dorm and around 3 they were finally clean!!!!
     Other than that I didn't really do much today. I finished our book "Be Mature" for Dr. Calder's class, I showered, I cleaned off my desk and now I am waiting to go to work. I start at 8, so I should probably go brush my teeth etc. I might write again after work if I have time. Who knows. The life of a WOLBI student is utterly unpredictable.

True. No wait....... False?...... I DON'T KNOW OK!?!?!?!

     As you might be able to tell, today was my first quiz of the school year. It was simple enough. 20 objective questions on the book of James. Yet for some reason, I second guessed myself on all of them! Maybe it was the pressure. Maybe I was just having an off day. Who knows? I think I did well on it though. I might have gotten a couple wrong.....
     Anyhow, the first two periods of class today were Bible Survey with Dr. Wicks. I like him a lot. I don't think I have laughed so much in months. He is obsessed with Calvin and Hobbes and shared with us at least eight different comic strips. He is also a great teacher. His subject is a lot to take in, and most brains scream information overload! But he has the incredible ability to simplify a term without actually simplifying its meaning. (And I enjoy his awesome sweater vests!) But, I have to be honest. I spaced out during the last half hour of his class and read a book instead.
    The next two periods were with Mr. Calder. We took the quiz and then finished notes on the fifth chapter of James. We also did a sword drill for the second day in a row and the girls won. Again. Ha!
    Our final period was the best class I have had yet. It's called Source One. Rick Garland and Mike Calhoun are teaching it. The purpose is to teach us how to make decisions based on Biblical Principles. In other words: I GET TO LISTEN TO MUSIC AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have it again tonight and then finish it tomorrow morning.
    Other than that I haven't done much today. I went to lunch and then came back to the dorm to take a nap. I think I might write or read a little. I'd like to go outside, but it's strangely warm, so I'll have to sit in the shade. Maybe I should go check my mail too. Decisions, decisions.

The First Ever Calvin and Hobbes Comic

I'll Pass on the Papyrus

      I have officially decided that I love Study Hours. My roommates all think I'm crazy, but I don't care. If I wasn't forced to sit down and do nothing but work I'd never get anything done! Anyway..... I am amazed at the amount of work that seems to be growing and growing no matter home much of it I get done. I was going to go to the soccer game tonight, but I really don't think that would be beneficial. I hate sports anyway. 

      Classes are going very well. We finish James Chapter 5 tomorrow with a quiz and then have the exam Tuesday. Bible Survey seems interesting enough. Just like a history class. :) But THEOLOGY.................................................................................................................................. I WANT TO RUN AND SCREAM IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION! Don't get me wrong. Dr. Davis is an incredible man who loves the Lord and wants to serve him. But if I hear one more greek word I think I might puke. We spent about 20 minutes just learning about papyrus today. How is that going to help me understand the Bible?!?! Hopefully it will be better soon. 

      I started training in the Snack Shack today. I haven't even started working and I already love. I was really hoping to work their. I was worried that I would have to wake up extra early to do morning bakery or food prep. Thankfully I can continue to sleep until 7. :) God is Good.

The First Trail of Faith

      Yesterday was a bad day for me here at Word of Life. After hours of waiting the Collegians list had finally been posted! I raced to the dinning area to check the board and quickly skimmed through the list. I checked it twice. Then I looked for spelling corrections. My name wasn't on the list.
      Ever since learning I would be attending Word of Life Bible Institute Collegians was the one thing that I had looked forward to. That was my life line, my ministry to get through the school year. Now it's gone. Naturally, I was devastated. I still am a bit disappointed. But one thing is for sure. GOD made it perfectly clear that he did not want me in that group for this school year. I don't like it and I don't understand it. But I do know that God has a bigger and better plan for me, one that my boring mind could never come up with.
      Tonight I am planning to go to an informative class on a Greek Elective Course that Word of Life is offering this fall. I know that if I had done Collegians I would never have been able to take it. Maybe this is what God wants me to do. He'll make it clear. All I can do is listen, pray, trust and remember "I will not quit. By God's grace I can do it".

Sour Cream and Staying Awake

This morning at the JWC (Jack Wyrtzen Center) I had to sit through three more seminars. Now I understand that some students may not know all of the policies of Word of Life, simply because they have never been here before or haven't read the handbook. But......... I HAD TO PINCH MYSELF TO REMAIN AWAKE! I have never been so bored in my life. We were literally in a class learning about class. Gah! However, no matter how hard it seems being at Word of Life, a few words of wisdom from Wendell Calder come to mind. "I will not quit! By God's grace I can do it". Anyhow, after the three and a half hours of near comatose we were finally able to leave for lunch. Tacos and Enchiladas with extra sour cream. BEST EVER. I sat with a few friends I had met at the Inn this summer. There was also another boy I didn't know who ate the equivalent of three cows, yet somehow he had managed to remain pencil thin. At the moment I am in my dorm drinking coffee and hot chocolate with my roomies and attempting to get off of the computer............. It isn't working. I guess I'll just go on Facebook............again. 

Day Three....... I think.

      Well, this has definitely been an interesting weekend. I arrived at WOLBI on Thursday afternoon around 2:30 PM. I then went on to register, receive class notes, and take an awful ID picture. After that my parents and I drove down to my dorm and attempted to unload everything I had packed. I brought WAY too much. After somewhat setting up my room we had dinner and then went to the opening evening meeting. I then went on to my vocal audition (I find out Monday!), and eventually to bed. 

      Yesterday, I had Student Life Seminars and plenty of other meetings. It was hard to stay awake. I also purchased my school books, went to the store, and said goodbye to my parents. It's going to be weird without them. However, I am definitely ready for a change. 

Today has been nice. I slept in and skipped breakfast, yet again, which probably isn't the best idea. We had Morning Bible Hour, Morning Meetings, Student Life Orientation II, and Academic Orientation I. Right now I have a bit of free time before the campfire so I am taking advantage of the time to rest. Thank God for Facebook and Town House Crackers. :)