Theology is not the easiest of classes…

Well, I have figured out why people say that your junior year is typically the hardest. Somewhere in my 42 pages of A Theology for the Church last night, I realized that this is a tough class. I know, it only took me a month of doing such assignments to figure it out. And it didn’t help that I had to make sure that I had some Scripture memorized for a quiz today. Quite a bit of work for sure, but I am thankful for it. I am learning so much in these classes, and while it takes a great deal of time and effort to do all of the work for them, I know that God is using them to equip me for the great things that He has in store for His purposes. So, when I look at it that way how can I complain about homework?

This is a section of verses that I had to memorize for a quiz. I thought it was worth sharing. God bless.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11

Feeling the Burn, Sushi and an Olfactory Anomaly

When in Ramland, I tend to gravitate toward the library. I suppose this is not a new development in my life, but I have repeatedly found myself searching out the depths of knowledge found therein whenever I have a few spare minutes between classes.

I suppose this is inherently why I have but orbited around the athletic venues of the campus throughout my tenure here. As if I didn’t have enough fun in Golf last semester, I signed up for Weight Training this semester (oh blessed HPE requirements, why must you mock me?). After the first sit-ups, push-ups, bicep curls and other ridiculous activities of my life, I am feeling the burn. This must be what old people feel like.
I’d definitely rather be in the library.

Anyway, I’ll stop complaining now (I’m sure you’ll all be jealous when I am ripping phone books in half by the end of the semester anyway). In further development of the commuting adventures of Amy, Target sells great sushi. (And for all you residential students out there – I’ll put in a sushi request in the caf’).

Just a note to the prospective students who may have visited campus today: It doesn’t always smell like tar. That was an anomaly – promise.

I love college.

Mobile’s weather is so weird…

I returned to the UM campus from Christmas Break on January 4. It was a bit cool that evening. In the days to come, the temperature would drop down into the low 20’s. Most of the students I encountered during those cold days were miserable. To me, a Colorado native, that cold weather felt amazing. Just throw a coat on and you’re good. My fellow students disagree with me.

Anyway, I say that Mobile weather is weird for this reason: It is incredibly random. One day it was down in the 30’s, and then the next day it shot up to 65! Yesterday it got up into the 70’s. I remembered how much I dislike the warm weather when the sweat returned along with it. Oh well. With the way that things work around here I’ll probably wake up to 10 degree weather tomorrow morning. Here’s hoping…

I read this Scripture yesterday and thought I’d share it with you. God bless!

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24

Seventy Degrees in January?

Let me just first say…what is going on with this weather?! Last week I was scraping ice off of my windshield. This week I ran the air condition in my car! We’re back to the crazy Alabama weather. For most in Mobile, the seventy degree weather is an answer to prayer. I, on the other hand, really enjoy cold weather. Anyways…

It has been awhile since I’ve posted. The past two weeks of school have been very busy. Last weekend I enjoyed a break at home since we were out for MLK holiday. My Saturday consisted of lots of wedding planning for my sister and running around the city of Montgomery. It was nice to spend time with my mom and dad before my weekends become very busy with Impact soon. I drove back to Mobile Monday and began this long week on Tuesday. How come shorter weeks always seem to drag on forever? Nonetheless, only one more day until the weekend! My weekend plans include: spending time with an old friend, traveling to Tuscaloosa, and worshipping with KARI JOBE saturday night! I cannot wait to see Kari and hopefully get to meet her while I’m there. Her music is such a blessing to me. I wouldn’t mind doing exactly what she is doing now in a few years after I graduate. We’ll just see what the Lord has in store!

I would like to share a verse that really encouraged me today… I’m not sure if ya’ll struggle with this, but there are these things in life called “weaknesses,” and I usually allow them to pull on me and weigh down my spirit from time to time. They are commonly the source of a bad day for me. Well, I was experiencing just that kind of day earlier today, until I was reminded by my “Devo for Women on the Go” of a particular verse that lifted my spirit. Here, Paul explains what happens after he pleas with the Lord to take away a thorn in his flesh…

“But He (God) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I (Paul) will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

So, I might not have had to bear a significant number of persecutions and hardships in my life so far, but I sure know that there are days when I feel like I don’t match up. There are times when I feel like my weaknesses are far too great for the Lord to use me. I get caught up in my own inability without recognizing HIS ability in me. May we all take something from these verses. More of YOU God, and less of me, for you are STRONG when I am weak. Amen!

Have a blessed rest of the week!

-Hannah-

Ah, School Begins Again

My Christmas Break was just right.  It wasn’t too short and it wasn’t too long…it was “right in the groove” (if you hadn’t heard Dr. Hinson tell
this joke, you need to).  Classes started last week actually and I’ve been so busy with CAB and school work that this was the only time I could write a blog.  Talk about a ridiculous first few days of school.  So far my semester has been 2 classes, Chapel, Snowman Build (we still have ’snow’ by ram hall lol), Wal-Mart, Keri’s house, church, made pound cake, Wal-Mart, made cheesecake, popcorn thursday, 2 classes, Wal-Mart (twice) BCS Championship, class, time with Jessica and Alicia, Mighty Morphing Power Rangers in the Caf, Wal-Mart , washing dishes listening to the Office in the kitchen, Wal-Mart, Heather’s apartment (we played an awesome game called Papers…it was fun!), church,
lunch at Keri’s, church, no class until after 12 (which didn’t apply to me since I only have two morning classes on MWF) because of the power outage on campus, homework, dinner with Morgan, no Zumba, dinner with Morgan, Tiffany, and Katie, CAB directors meeting, missed breakfast and lunch only because I got in the caf during their transition…lol, 2 classes, S’mores N More, True Spin (“You idiot”-Lk. 24:25 and “What the heck were we thinking”-Lk. 24:32), and 2 classes and 2 meetings.

So that’s my exciting life so far as a second semester junior.  I probably would have stopped reading after Snowman Build…lol…but I couldn’t think of what else to talk about in my first blog of the new decade other than what I’ve done so far.  ;)  Anyway, I hope you are have a great semester so far.  And for those of you that want to come for Preview Day Friday, January 29th, it’s not to late to sign up.  You should come, we’re going to have a great time.  We’ll be playing our school rival on that Saturday, so Friday night we will be having a Badger Bash (trust me it’s not a dance, we’ll have a bon fire and other fun activities that evening).  Have a great week!

“He is Α & Ω!”

Commuting Business, Beneficence and a Global Sabbatical

I’m back, and I have decided: I want to be Irish when I grow up.

But tonight, I must resort to doing homework within the Upper Room of the Penthouse Suite (albeit while wearing my emerald green ‘Trinity College: Dublin’ hoodie. I wear it when I’m studying to earn scholar points). I must say, I’m becoming rather fond of this commuting business. The morning drive is high time for an early bird such as I, and I am videoconferencing myself into campus when I’m not there but I need to be. Oh, and Buddy the Beneficent Beagle greets me upon my arrival at the Penthouse Suite and he even eats my leftovers. That’s right, folks – the cats under the chapel have nothing in comparison to Buddy the Beneficent.

The aforementioned tonsil excommunication of Christmas vacation has come and gone fairly smoothly. I spent most of my recovery time watching marathons of Mythbusters and the History Channel. I suppose that’s why I was ready for school to start again so I can do something with my life. But I suppose the rest was a blessing (though sometimes in disguise).

By the way, global warming is on sabbatical until further notice.

Anyway, Ramland still stands. Have a happy January!

Well, I’m back in home sweet home Mobile! It’s a new year and a new semester of my first year in college. I have missed this place, but it was honestly a very good and needed break. I always enjoy time spent with family during the Christmas season, and this year was just the same. I ended up finding a job over the break at a little gift shop and children’s boutique in Montgomery. The hours and pay ended up  fitting perfectly with my schedule! It’s nice to have a whole month off with this college schedule.

Classes started Wednesday. I am taking western civilization, theory, elementary algebra,voice, piano, and a worship leadership class on Monday nights. This semester should be much more laid back than the fall.I hope to have much more free time. Impact also started Wednesday. We will be doing a lot of traveling this semester on the weekends, including a trip to Kentucky in February. I can’t wait to be used by the Lord and experience His work as we travel! I can’t believe I’m halfway through my first year as a freshman. These four years of school are going to absolutely fly by.

Well, I’m about to wrap up in a warm blanket on this cold Friday afternoon and watch the number one chick flick of all time, The Notebook. I hope everyone has a great first weekend back. Can’t wait to keep you updated in the coming weeks. God bless you!

“Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:15-16

An Irish Excursion, Afternoon Tea and the Penthouse Suite

I write today from Western Ireland, which is the altogether wonderful object of my somewhat spontaneous Christmas adventure. I don’t really have any particular reason to be here other than the lack of a particular reason not to be here. Thus, this week is spent completely on exploration, educational exploits (voluntary knowledge) and teatime. (I am becoming an even stronger believer in afternoon tea). Indeed, these days are grand.

As for the rest of Christmas break, I moved back into the penthouse suite of my parents’ abode, (actually, a few of my favorite people moved me home while I stood aside to provide the necessary project oversight). Once I am back between the shining seas, I shall promptly go into surgery (my tonsils are being excommunicated). Though I really haven’t missed Ramland yet, I’m sure that I will much rather be in Ramland than in surgery.

I would also like to announce that I, Amy of Ramland, miraculously achieved an A in Golf this semester. Thank you, I shall take a bow (but not another swing).

Anyway, I suppose this concludes my blogs for this semester. Thanks for reading, and fret not, I shall return in January! In the meantime, Merry Christmas!

Who Knew 21 Could Feel So Good? 2009 Recap

That’s right…I finally made it…I’m legal…21 years of age…¡Tengo ventiuno años!  I feel awesome!  I did great this semester grade wise (all A’s…yes indeed)…personal life (not so much)!!  All in all it was great!  I’ve had so many great opportunities to go places (Hollywood), learn new things (Social Psych and more about my friends), and even find out what God wants to do with my life (…you may not be able to handle this).  I’m so excited about 2010 that I’m already there.  Mentally, I’m in 2010 and physically, I’m in 2009.  You guys better catch up!  LOL!  I’ve been working so I hardly ever get to watch television, but the one night I did, I watched this show called Born With No Arms.  There was a girl who really caught my attention.  Her name is Jessica Cox, arm-less, and…a pilot.  How cool is that?  She can fly a plane with no arms!  I think that is awesome!  She and the guy (can’t remember his name) that can play guitar with no arms are truly blessed and they know it too!  It’s amazing how God can use people even when they don’t know they’re being used.  God’s awesome!!  This year is going to be great.  I have to opportunity to travel again, this time it’s overseas…yes that’s right…I’m going on one of the mission trips offered through UM.  I’m going to Malta!  I’m excited about everything…the preparations…the fundraising…the “doubt” period (there’s always one…prayerfully I won’t go through it)…the training…the trip itself…I’m excited!!  It’s going to be awesome!  I’m declaring it now that 2010 is going to be an AWESOME year!!  Hallelujah!  I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

“He is Α&Ω!”

What A Day!

So, I decided to pull another all nighter.  This time it was not that bad.  My all nighter began at 2 in the morning.  I went to the kitchen and turned on the Fog (the old movie) and was watching that writing my paper.  I fell asleep briefly and some comedian turned the lights off on me.  I woke up very afraid and paranoid that something was going to get me.  After that, I watched Godzilla and finished my paper around 6 that morning.  I had a final at 9:30 so I had two choices:  I could either stay up and study for that final (since I had not all week) or I could sleep for an hour and wake up and study.  I chose to sleep, but I did not sleep for an hour…no…I slept until 10 o’clock.  Another hard sleep too without the “punch in the face” pain.  I did not even hear my alarm (my roommate heard it though and said that I turned it off).  I almost missed my final.  It was ridiculous!  I was so scatter brain going into the final.  After the final, I turned in the two papers I was working on during the two all nighters.  Then I realized that I was completely done for the semester.  God is so wonderful!!  I got to see my friend Alicia, who was in Taiwan for the semester.  She is so awesome!  That afternoon, I went to Wal-Mart, and then to Light of the Village and had a blast and then to Wal-Mart again.  My friends and I had a Christmas party, where we had the best food ever.  Man, my girls can cook!  Jessica made jambalaya that her and her boyfriend came up with, Morgan made a turkey wreath, Shelley made spinach and artichoke dip, and Sarah made her famous Cunningham Snack (one word:AMAZING)!  It was all good.  I made strawberry cheesecake, but we did not get to eat it…yet!  It was a great bonding time being with them one last time before the holidays.  I love my friends!  They are really amazing and I am so grateful to have them!  God did a good job at picking them!  Thank you God!

“He is Α&Ω!”