Long time.....no post!

I have been really bad with posting this week. I guess I've just been lazy, and haven't felt like doing anything, let alone updating my blog.
Soooo.....I enjoyed having my room all to myself for several days. It was WONDERFUL!! :) It was nice to be able to hibernate in my room with my door locked and pretty much shut out the world. Sometimes I get really tired of all of the drama, and I need a break. Since I am the VPs granddaughter, I generally hear both sides of the story, it makes me want to scream at times! The break was nice!! :)
Classes went well this week, (at least I think they did, I've been in a fog a lot of the time, really tired I guess).
We didn't have class on Thursday, it was wonderful! Instead we went to Queens and did outreach. We passed out tracts and invited people to church. We went in groups of two, and they dropped us off at various places. There was always a group of 2 guys and 2 girls at every stop. They do that for safety. There were so many interesting people, some of them were REALLY weird! There was this one guy who when my partner gave him a tract he gave both of us this really funky look. It was creepy! UGH!!! I also saw a guy walking who had a kid following him, this kid was probably 14 or 15. It was almost as if he were on an invisible leash the way he was following the older guy around. I saw that pair two times. Both of the times the teenager looked scared out of his mind, and he looked like he was crying. I wanted so badly to do something, but what could I do?? Unfortunately, nothing. It broke my heart. I think that will be one face that I will never forget.
There was something cool that happened to us. Karen (my partner in crime for the day) and I were passing out the tracts and a UPS delivery man called out to us and asked for a tract. He lives on Long Island and goes to a Spanish speaking church. However he has some friends who are looking for an English speaking church on LI!!! How cool is that??!! We were able to give him both an English and a Spanish tract. Later when we were on the bus he passed us and honked and waved. :)
I think I gave my poor guardian angel a heart attack yesterday! Karen and I were some of the first people to get picked up from where we were doing outreach. Bro. Barnes decided that he wanted to get a coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. I offered to run in and get it for him. He pulled off to the side and I got out of the bus and attempted to cross the street. I really couldn't see around the bus, and the traffic coming towards me was stopped, so I assumed that it would be ok for me to cross....bad idea!!! There was a bus coming right at me! I think I stopped about a foot from it! No joke! I continued on my merry way and got coffee for him (and me too :}). When I got back into the bus Bro. Barnes was on his cell phone, but the other people on the bus told me that he was SCARED!!! After he got off the phone he told me that himself! He claims that he is going to give me lessons on how to cross the street!! :) LOL! Thankfully God protected me!
During the entire time that we were out on the streets of Queens, with so many people hurrying and scurrying everywhere, I kept thinking of the poem Lonely Voices:

Lonely Voices

Lonely voices crying in the city,
Lonely voices sounding like a child,
Lonely voices come from busy people,
Too disturbed to stop a little while.
Lonely voices fill my dreams,
Lonely voices haunt my memory.

Lonely faces looking for the sunrise,
Just to find another busy day.
Lonely faces all around the city,
Men afraid but too ashamed to pray.
Lonely faces do I see,
Lonely faces haunt my memory.

Lonely eyes, I see them in the subway,
Burdened by the worries of the day:
Men at leisure, but they're so unhappy,
Tired of foolish roles they try to play.
Lonely people do I see,
Lonely people haunt my memory.

Abundant life He came to truly give man,
Bus so few His gift of grace receive.
Lonely people live in every city,
Men who face a dark and lonely grave.
Lonely faces do I see,
Lonely voices calling out to me.
~Billie Hanks Jr.

Roommateless

Nothing terribly exciting happened yesterday except that my roommate left for several days! She along with her best friend are attending a conference in Wisconsin. They will be getting back on Thursday. I really like having my room to my self. It's soooo nice. :)
I got back my grades on the 2 tests that I took Friday. I got a 55 on the World History test! The highest grade was a 58! It was BAD! The English test grade was an 80, which is really good for English for me. :)
Weird little side note. I think this is just a girl thing cuz girls are always worried about being fat and stuff like that. Last night I noticed that one of the girls here had a really pretty ring on. I asked her if I could try it on. She let me, and I was surprised to find that it was too big (this girl is pretty small) I asked her what size ring she wore, she's a 7. I was surprised, I wear a size 6 1/2. Guess I have long fingers (Mom always called them piano fingers) but not big fingers. :) Works for me.

weelax...its the weekendI

I love weekends. They are the best thing ever! After I finish work on Fridays I don't have to work again until Sunday night! It's soooo nice.
Friday was simply wonderful. Doing absolutely nothing is the best thing in the world. I generally do that with my Friday nights, since I don't have to work Saturday, I can relax Friday. :) I love it!
Saturday I got to sleep in until 7:30. I know to some of you that doesn't sound like sleeping in, and it never used to sound like it to me, but now that I'm in college and getting up at 5 every morning, 7:30 is a WONDERFUL break! I was able to be all ready by 9, so I practiced piano for about 25 minutes. 9:30 was our bus meeting. By a little after 10 Margaret, Alyssa, Bro. Abastillas, and I were on our way to Brentwood which is where our bus route is, to call on kids to make sure they were coming to church on Sunday. On the way there we stopped at this little bakery that is run by a eastern European guy. I love stopping there cuz for $2 I can get a 16 oz coffee and a fresh pastry of some kind. I decided to get an elephant ear. It was really good! It sure beat anything that you can get at a fair! YUM!
After the coffee shop we had to go to where our bus driver was working. He owns a demolition company. It was really cool to watch him work. :)
Visiting went well. Lots of kids were planning on coming today.
After bus I walked with a friend to The Village, which is a little touristy shopping center about 1 mile from campus. It's a really nice walk, and it's great when you have friends to go with and talk to. We went to Van Hussen, which is where this friend works. They have a lot of clearance stuff right now, and I got two dresses. They were originally $80 each, they were on clearance for $5.99, then my friend gave me her discount, so I paid $7 for the two of them combined! Who can beat that??!!
Later in the afternoon I went to my grandparents house and was able to bake a honey bun cake, as well as some peanut butter brownies. It was sooooo much fun! I also cooked supper! COOL!! I made grilled chicken, baked potatoes, salad, and corn. It was sooooo good! YUM!!
Last night I was able to get a LOT of homework done. That was very nice.
I had one of the girls french braid my hair right before I went to bed last night that way I could take it out this morning and it would be wavy in the morning. :) This morning I wore one of my new dresses. It was really pretty. I can't tell you how many compliments I got today! It was crazy! Even grandpa noticed and said something! WOW!
For lunch I ate at my grandparents. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, and salad, followed by ice cream and a piece of the cake that I had made yesterday. :) It was GOOD!
This afternoon I got a lot of homework done and then I took almost an hour nap! It was wonderful!
Choir practice was at 4:30 followed by church at 6. I worked from 7:30 to 9:30 and that was pretty much my day.
I had a really nice weekend. It was AWESOME!

WOO HOO!!!! IT'S FRIDAY!!

As you can see by the title of this post, I am MORE than ready for the weekend! I have had soooo many tests and quizzes this week that I'm thrilled to not have to study for anything tomorrow!
Classes went ok today. English Composition was the same joke that it always is, nobody ever gets a thing out of the class. I think I majorly bombed the World History test that I had today. It's one of those classes that the teacher STINKS and is really hard to understand. NOBODY in that class ever gets ANYTHING out of the lessons or homework. Chapel was good, grandpa preached on Having a Good Life. I had a test in English Grammar, I actually feel really good about it! Thankfully that was the end of my exams today! New Testament Survey was, well, pretty boring. The room was really hot, and I think that grandpa was tired, cuz he was kinda droning on, I almost fell asleep! We had an extra choir practice today cuz we are going to be recording for the next college CD on March 13. We have to be ready for that! I had half an hour break to eat lunch before I had to be at work at 1:30. I worked until 5:30. I decided to skip supper cuz what they were having didn't sound very appetizing. Instead I practiced piano cuz I'm supposed to play in church on March 8.
After that, I came to my room, and only reason I left to go to dorm devos at 10:30. I'm sleeping until 7:30 tomorrow. It will be soooo nice!

Thursday

WOW!! The weather patterns changed like crazy today. This morning it was overcast and a little bit drizzly. By late morning the sun was coming out, and it was warming up. I think it was over 50 degrees. It was absolutely gorgeous, it even smelled like Spring! LOVELY! I don't quite know what happened, but at some point in time it got really cold and windy. Tonight it is windy and COLD!
Classes were ok I guess. Christian Home was sooo incredibly easy, Bro. Barnes came in, gave us an assignment that is due on Tuesday, and then left. It was WONDERFUL. I had a free period after that, so I had a nice long break, well, I didn't exactly do nothing, I had 2 tests coming up after chapel. Chapel was really good. Pastor Clark from Solid Rock Baptist Church in NJ spoke today. He spoke on Integrity from Job 1:7-8, 2:3, and gave an acrostic along with Bible verses for each letter which I will share:
Individual thing - Job 2:9, Genesis 37:2-3, I Samuel 19:1-4
No one may know that you don't have it, but you know, and eventually they will know - John 13:21
Truth - Proverbs 12:22
Everyone is effected by it - Adam and Eve
God knows - Acts 5
Right behavior ALWAYS - Daniel 1:8
Immorality destroys it - Judges 14:1, Romans 13:19
Temptation/Testing reveals it - Genesis 39:10
Your future depends on it - Proverbs 20:7

It was a really good sermon.
The first test that I had was Christian Womanhood. It was easy, and went well. The second test however, was somewhat difficult. My brain went completely blank at times. It was a pain!
Once again, I didn't work today. :) I was able to go to the store and pick up a few things, including chocolate that was on clearance after Valentines! <3
Today in my mail I got my acceptance letter from Shawnee Baptist College. I'm officially going to be a student there next year! I'm excited! I definitely know this the Lord's will for me. I will be VERY sad to leave some friends here behind, but who knows, maybe I'll get a chance to come visit sometime.
Also in my mailbox was the schedule for specials in church in March. I am on it to play the piano for an offertory. That is the first time I've ever been on for piano in church before! I'm not on for cello! Tonight I made a comment about it to Bro. Randall, he laughed, we both know why I'm not on for cello! I do believe he doesn't want to be hit in the head again. :)) LOL!!!
We did have church tonight. We had what they call "Spiritual Gifts Night." In the back of the auditorium they a table set up for every aspect of the churches ministries. Anywhere from the office to music, bus ministry to the Christian school, and lots of other areas. People could go around and see what each one does, and then sign up to volunteer, or learn more about each ministry. It's kinda cool.
Tonight I had to pick somebody up from work at 9:45. It was really cold and windy. I don't know what's up with this weather. I want spring!

I Will Be Here

Tomorrow morning if you wake
up and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
Because I will be here

I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here

I will be true to the promise I have made

To you and to the One who gave you to me

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here

~Steven Curtis Chapman

This came across this the other day, and absolutely loved it. Not only is it cool for a married couple, it's also neat to think of God being there for us, no matter what.

Such a nondescript day today. It was lovely.
I did my normal morning thing, up at 5, shower, read my Bible, study, and so on.
I had a paper due in English Composition today. It was a comparison and contrast essay. I wrote mine on "Home Schools vs. Public Schools." It was really easy for me to write since I was home schooled all of my life.
I also had a quiz in New Testament Survey. It was really easy which was AWESOME!
College choir practice was good. Either March 6 or March 13 we will be going to PA to record for the next college CD. That will be fun, except for the fact that we will have to leave at 5 in the morning! YIKES! At least we will get to skip classes. :)
I had a voice lesson today. Bro. Randall is trying to get me to stop singing from my throat and instead from my mouth, ok, I know that sounds really weird, but I can't really describe it any other way.
Thankfully, I didn't work today. YAY! Well, let me rephrase that, I didn't go to work, I still worked, only on school, not cleaning.
The weather this morning was nice and clear and cold, but by this afternoon it was cloudy and raining/snowing. It really is a blessing cuz it had been VERY dry here my hair has been STATIC heaven! UGH! It's supposed to be raining again tomorrow.

Recalling Italy

Today marks the third anniversary since my dad and I went to Italy on a missions trip! We visited with the Pieri family in Aprilia, about 40 minutes south of Rome. We were able to spend 10 days over there, they are days that I will never forget. I will treasure their memories forever.
The food was beyond delicious, mmmmm, real Italian food. I want some now! :) The European chocolate was sooooo good! I want some of that too! YUM!!
The people were cool. Many could speak English, but pretended to not be able to understand, it cracked me up! :) One story that sticks out in my mind is of the first day that dad and I were there. Faith, Joseph, and I went on a walk cuz I needed to stretch my legs after a long plane trip (I don't remember how long it was exactly). We met this lady on the street who came to the Pieris church occasionally. Faith and Jo introduced us, and interpreted a question from her to me. The question was: "Which do you like better, America or Italy?" Uuuuhhhh what do you say to that? Finally I told her that I thought Italy was gorgeous (which is the honest truth) but I liked America better just because that was where I lived. That answer satisfied her. Talk about awkward!
During one of the church services Bro. Pieri asked me to give my testimony. As I spoke he interpreted for me. As I was speaking Tonino, a BIG man in the mafia, interrupted me and asked me what in the world I had done that was bad enough to send me to hell. He couldn't believe that God would send a 15 year old girl like me to hell. It was definitely an experience, and made me REALLY nervous. But thankfully I was able to answer him, and finish. If you've never spoken through an interpreter before, it's rather difficult, and interesting.
So much has changed in these 3 years. The first big change was in 2007 when Faith graduated from high school and started attending Maranatha Baptist Bible College. We were able to see the Pieris several times during that summer while they were travelling around the mid-west. Little did we know those few precious times would be the last times we would ever see Mrs. Pieri again.
The next great change came the following year when I graduated from high school and moved to New York to attend International Bible College.
By far the most significant change began in September of 2008 when Mrs. Pieri was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Faith returned to Italy to be with her mom. In December Mrs. Pieri went home to be with her Savior. Her work on earth was complete. We'll never understand why it was that God took her, but we can rest in the fact that she was saved, and is now in the presence of the Almighty God, singing His praises.

Prayer Request

This morning I was able to IM Ray for quite a while. PLEASE pray for his salvation. While we were chatting God came up. I told him that I have no idea how he makes it cuz I have a hard enough time in college, and I have God to depend on. He told me that it was good for me, but he wasn't a religious person. I told him that I knew that and it made me sad, and it made me pray for him even more. He said that maybe it would work for him someday. I told him that I knew it would work for him NOW! His response was that people just look at it differently. Then he told me that he really appreciate the fact that I knew how he was, but didn't look down on him for what he thought. I told him that I don't look down, I pray. What I didn't tell him was that I'm asking all of you to pray for him as well. He needs God BAD. He just doesn't realize his need. He is a young, strong military guy who has already been through hell on earth previous to this, and survived, why should he need God now, or at least that is his thinking. Please pray!

Time Flies

Wow! I just realized that this semester is already a quarter of the way over! How insane is that? It seems like school just started, and now we are 3 weeks away from midterms! People have told me that time only moves faster as you get older, I can't imagine it moving any faster! YIKES!
Nothing exciting today. Classes as usual. Chapel was amazing today. Bro. Randall preached on accepting disappointments. He spoke on how not everything that you want is what God wants for your life. For examples he used David and building the temple, Joseph and being sold into Egypt, and Moses not being allowed to go into the Promised Land. He said that sometimes it is our sin that causes us to have problems, and not be able to have what we want, other times whatever we want isn't necessarily wrong, it is just not in God's will. He also talked about having joy in spite of not getting what we want. It was one of the best sermon's I've heard in my life (I say that almost every time he preaches).
Work was the same old, same old. Since it is President's day all of the faculty left after classes, so it was nice to be able to clean in relative solitude. I HATE cleaning when there are tons of people around! Bathrooms are the worst thing in the world to clean when a lot of people are hanging out. I could tell quite the stories about cleaning bathrooms.....you don't want to hear them though....believe me!
I can't think of anything else that happened today that is worth mentioning, just the same boring life that I live, well it's not really boring, I really don't know what it is....interesting I guess would be a good word for it!

Sunday

Today was an OK day. Nothing too exciting I guess.
I did make the mistake of accidentally falling asleep after my alarm went off this morning, so my time was cut off by 20 minutes. It really stank cuz my time with the Lord had to be cut short (along with everything else). Thankfully I was able to spend some extra time with Him this afternoon. :)
Choir practice started at 8:30 this morning, like normal. Everybody is sick here, half the choir was missing! It was interesting to say the least.
Church at 9. Two ladies got baptized! That was awesome. One got save 2 weeks ago, and the other got saved yesterday. SOOOOO amazing!
In Sunday school Bro. Randall has been teaching on Sanctification. Today he was in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, focusing on "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, soul, and mind." He quoted Dr. Bob Jones Sr. "What you love and what you hate reveals who you really are." That is a very thought provoking statement. What do I love that I shouldn't love? Even more important, what do I love more than Christ? Wow! It's scary.
I went to grandpa and grandma's for lunch today. We had roast, potatoes, gravy (YUM!), rolls, salad, and brownies and ice cream for dessert. It was really good. :)
I did a little bit of homework this afternoon, and then took a nap. It was WONDERFUL!
Choir practice at 4:30, and then church at 6.
After church I worked, and now I'm blogging. Not too much excitement, which is just fine with me!
I do have a prayer request. Today after church I came back to my room and checked my email. To my surprise there was an email from a son of one of my former managers back home. He is in the army. I hadn't heard from him since before I came to college in August. Somehow he had just come across my email address, and decided to send me an email. He is in Iraq right now, and will be until September! I was really shocked cuz he was just in Iraq not too long ago. Before that he was in Afghanistan for over a year! Please pray for him, his name is Ray, and he isn't saved. Pray for his safety, and Salvation. Thank you!

Valentines Day

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! <3
All day today I've been thinking about God's love to His children. God is so good to me! He is a perfect example of true love. When I think of all that Christ did in love for me it blows my mind! He came to earth and gave His life on a cross, one of the worst possible deaths, for me! How amazing is that???!!! I think of the hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," one of the verses says, "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all." What a God! John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus went even further, He laid down His life for His enemies! Talk about love! Jesus died for those people who cried, "Crucify Him!" He died for us! That's amazing grace, and amazing, perfect love! WOW! It's amazing to think about! It goes beyond my comprehension!

A boring day on the block

Today was another, ummm interesting day in classes. Mrs. Donaghue, who is the teacher for English Comp was sick, so her husband, who is also a professor filled in for her. It was a VERY interesting class to say the least! It was DUMB! I got nothing out of it. We are supposed to write a comparison and contrast essay for Wednesday. I haven't even started thinking about it, but we had to write down what our topic would be, talk about last minute thinking! I'm going to write mine on homeschooling versus public schooling, it should be an interesting topic.
The teacher for World History was also sick, EVERYBODY is sick here, we watched "Flame in the Wind," for our class. It was a nice break from the same old, same old.
I had a test in New Testament Survey. I think it went well, it seemed a lot easier than what I had been expecting. :)
After lunch I took a short nap, it was wonderful, and I needed it bad! I worked for four hours, like I normally do when I work. I ate supper, then came to my room and haven't really left it since! It's been nice to do NOTHING! I've been talking on my phone, texting, and IMing all evening. It's been wonderful.

The Way of the Cross Leads Home

I must needs go home by the way of the cross,
There’s no other way but this;
I shall ne’er get sight of the gates of light,
If the way of the cross I miss.

I must needs go on in the blood sprinkled way,
The path that the Savior trod,
If I ever climb to the heights sublime,
Where the soul is at home with God.

Then I bid farewell to the way of the world,
To walk in it never more;
For the Lord says, “Come,” and I seek my home,
Where He waits at the open door.

The way of the cross leads home,
The way of the cross leads home,
It is sweet to know as I onward go,
The way of the cross leads home.

~Jessie Pounds

I have no idea why, but for some reason this hymn has been running through my head all day long, so I though I would post it for all to read. The words and message are wonderful!

This morning the sky was absolutely GORGEOUS! I wish that I would have had a chance to take pictures on my way to classes this morning. The clouds and sun were stunning! I did take some later in the day, but the sky wasn't as pretty by then. :( Oh well.
Classes went well. No tests, quizzes, or even homework due today! YAY!! :) I did find out that I have 2 tests on Tuesday! Fun stuff! :-S I have an entire weekend to study for them, so it shouldn't be too bad. :)
I went to Target and Stop and Shop today. It was nice to get off campus. I go stir crazy after being stuck here for several days! I should be set on things that I need for a while. :)
I also did my laundry today...I know, all of you wanted to know that! hahahahahaha!!! LOL!!
Today was nerd day for spirit week. I didn't dress up, no energy to do so, but Grandpa did, and he sure fit into the part! It was funny! I wish I had gotten pictures of him cuz it was GOOD!! :)
It was really windy today, I'm talking REALLY windy!! I went on a walk with a couple of girls, by the time we were done my hair was a big, tangled knot! One thing I love is feeling the wind in my hair, whether it's just because its crazy windy, or because I'm riding a horse, or ATV, or something along those lines. It's the best feeling in the world........sigh......
Well, I've gotta study....YUCK!!!
DISCLAIMER: I'm really tired, so don't pay any attention to ANYTHING that I'm writing today! :)

o

Clash was the thing today! I love spirit week, it's so fun! I clashed, and clashed good! It took me almost an hour last night to figure out what I was going to wear today, and it still changed a little bit this morning. However, I looked, well, ummm.....rather clashy! It was fun! My roommate looked even clashier than I did! It was quite amazing! :)
Even with 2 tests and 2 quizzes my classes weren't too bad. :) That is amazing in and of itself. I think I did well with my exams....at least I hope I did. I had a voice lesson today. I really enjoy my voice lessons. I guess it's cuz i have a really good teacher. Bro. Randall, the poor guy, is my teacher. By the way, he still has a red bump on his head from where I hit him!! :)
The weather was absolutely GORGEOUS today! The temperature was around 60 degrees and sunny and gorgeous! I couldn't believe how beautiful it was! After lunch I went on a walk with a friend, we were both wearing short sleeves, and walking pretty fast and neither one of us was chilly at all. It was amazing! I loved it!
I worked today. I had a lot to do, but I managed. I vacuumed for 2 hours! That was crazy! I also cleaned several bathrooms and all of the class rooms. I got it all done in 4 1/2 hours! I have NO idea how I accomplished all of that in that short of time.
Tonight is the Valentines Banquet. Obviously I didn't go. I'm kinda sad cuz I'm in a dress up mood, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. :( Oh well, I'll survive. It was better to work anyways.
Thankfully I don't have any homework due, or any tests or quizzes tomorrow. I don't work either. It's gonna be a wonderful day! I cant wait! :) I think I'm going to run to the store later in the day, but for the most part I will just work on homework, do my laundry, and relax.

Oh the joys of my life! I could go on and on! The reason I didn't post yesterday was because my internet was being funky! It is driving me nuts! I can't get onto the internet in the dorms, neither can most of the other girls. :( GRRRRRR!!!!! I have to go elsewhere on campus to be able to get online. It's very frustrating.
Yesterday was kinda boring. Nothing exciting happened in classes. It is spirit week, and yesterday's theme was blue and gold, which are our school colors. I didn't do anything for it cuz I really don't like gold, so as a result I don't own anything that is gold. I had to work like normal. After work I had some homework to do, and then I took a nap. It lasted a little bit longer than I was intending, like and hour in a half! YIKES! I guess I needed the sleep. It was wonderful.
Today was Western Day. I did wear a plaid shirt, denim skirt, boots, and had my roommate braid my hair. Yes, my hair really was up today! Shocking, I know! I got pictures, just to prove to those of you who know how much I HATE putting my hair up, that I actually did the cursed deed! :)
I played my cello in chapel today, I played "To God be the Glory." by Fanny Crosby. I picked that song on purpose because three years ago today I gave my life to Jesus, and WOW has He changed my life! :)

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

Just in case you are wondering, I managed to make it through the entire piece without harming myself or others! YAY! As I was setting up to play Bro. Randall made some announcement, then he got off the platform, guess he was a little bit nervous! He's got a nice red bump on his head! Poor guy! I do feel really bad, but I also think it is really funny! I guess I can't believe it happened. Sometime last semester, I can't remember if it was in a sermon that he preached, or if it was in a Sunday School lesson, he said that some students come and go and nobody really remembers them. Other come and leave a mark, some good and some bad. At the time that he said that I wondered if I'd leave a mark, well now I know! I wasn't planning on leaving a bad mark, but I sure managed to do leave one quite well! I'm sure he won't be forgetting me for a long time, although he will probably want to forget me. :) :)

I have lots of studying to do today. I have 2 tests and 2 quizzes tomorrow! YIKES!! Pray for me! I normally work on Tuesdays, so I would've been really pressed for time, but tomorrow night is the Valentine's banquet, and I'm not going, but one of the other girls is, and she normally works Wednesdays, but not Tuesdays so she asked to switch days with me. I was more than happy to swap!

Today was just plain old interesting! I think it must be new moon! This afternoon everything that could, did go wrong! It was insane!
This afternoon I slept for over 2 hours! It was insane! It was nice though, but I needed to get some stuff done. I played my cello in church tonight. I went a little early to choir practice so that I could practice with my pianist. I have no idea what happened cuz the song I was supposed to play was one that I've played for a long time. Anyways, we ran through it several times, and decided that we'd pray for the best! Choir practice was just plain weird! I have no idea what was up, but there were songs that we all knew, that should've been easy for everybody that we just could not get! It was very strange.
I went to play my cello in church tonight. I sat down, and apparently moved at the exact same moment as Bro. Randall, who was sitting right behind me, I banged the scroll of my cello on his head, HARD! It knocked my cello out of tune! I had to try to tune it, and managed to get it pretty close, although it was still a half step off! Thankfully it was just one string, but I used that string a lot for this piece. Instead of it being to tuned to a D, it was tuned to and E-flat! I had to figure out how to make up for that while I was playing! It was interesting to say the least! Praise the Lord I made it through the entire song, and had a good ending! :) It really is funny, and I have laughed so much over it. It will probably be a story I tell for a long time! :)

Prayer Request

I have a rather urgent prayer request. Yesterday a friend of mine was playing with his older brother's military knife and accidentally stabbed himself in the thigh! He was in ER for several hours. The doctor had an MRI done to make sure that there was no internal bleeding! Right now he is at home, although he has not been stitched up yet because the docs want to make sure that there is no infection before they close him up. He has to go back to the hospital tonight.
This is a very traumatic experience for him. Poor guy!
PLEASE keep him in your prayers! Thank you!

1. The guys playing basketball. The blue uniforms are our guys, the white uniforms are New England's
2. A bunch of us girls having fun at the game! :)
3. CARNEGIE HALL!!!
4. This picture was actually taken this summer, but it is Alan Harrell, the friend of mine that we saw play at Carnegie Hall.
   

WOW!!! Yesterday was quite the day! It was jam packed with excitement, and laughter and good times. I don't think I will every forget it.
6:30 yesterday morning found us loading up into vans and cars to head to New England Baptist College in Connecticut. We arrived there about 9:30ish, had chapel with them, and then BASKETBALL!!!! It was a crazy game in which New England once again beat us, only this time the score was 80-65! YIKES! Oh well, it was a chance to get out, have fun, and NO classes!!
From CT, Grandpa and I went to Queens. It got a little confusing cuz grandpa missed a turn off, so we had to find our way back around. I hate city driving...it's VERY confusing! We got onto the subway at Queens, thankfully there was a really helpful lady that helped us find where we needed to change subways. The New York subway system is very confusing, and unless you know how it works, good luck! We got off the subway at 57th street and 7th avenue. Right where Carnegie hall is located! The building is GORGEOUS! I went in a bought tickets. Because I am a student I could get two $10 tickets! SOOOO COOL!! We met up with my friend, Alan Harrell, he was able to get us back stage and up onto the stage! It was amazing! So beautiful! We were able to go to dinner with him. It was fun to be able to spend time chatting, and remembering some fun MasterWorks experiences.
We parted ways around 6:45. Grandpa and I went back to Carnegie and sat inside where it was warm. We had to wait until 7:00 before the doors would open, and 7:30 before we could get to our seats. It was really cool walking around some of the halls. There are lots of cool original scores, and handwritten notes from composers on the walls.
Our seats were way up at the top in the center balcony. Thy were in the 4th row of the balcony. They really weren't bad seats, and especially not for $10 a ticket! The first piece that was played was the New York premier of George Benjamin's Duet for Piano and Orchestra. It was BAD!! Alan had told us at supper that is would was a bad piece. It was only 15 minutes, I've never heard such a short piano concerto. It was interesting to say the least! The second piece that the orchestra played was Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 60, "Leningrad" by Dmitri Shastakovich. It was stunning! I've never heard anything like it in my life! The orchestra seemed to sing. AMAZING! It was the best concert I've heard in my life!
After the concert we went around behind Carnegie and said goodbye to Alan, and then Grandpa and I went to Star Bucks. It was good and kept us awake until we got home. We got back on the subway and rode back to Queens, picked up the car, and got back to Stony Brook right at midnight. It was a wonderful trip, and I will never, ever forget it! WOW!
For some reason my internet is being funky, so I can't post any pictures right now. I will do it as soon as possible. :( Sorry about that!

Classes as usual today. Thankfully I didn't have any tests or quizzes!! YAY!! I guess it makes up for yesterday! I actually enjoyed my classes today and got stuff out of them. First thing this morning was Christian Home. I learned that there is going to be a test next Thursday in that class!! AAAAHHHHH!! Actually it shouldn't be that hard, Bro. Barnes gave us what we needed to go over, and if I study, I'll be fine. I also had Christian Womanhood today. It is a really interesting class, it covers a lot of basic stuff for young women. Today was mainly about running a household. Tips on organization, and cleaning schedules, etc. Intro to Missions was my final class of the day. I think it is going to be one of my favorite classes this semester. The topic today was on Sending missionaries. It was really interesting. Dr. Grimbilas really loves missions, so as a result it makes for a very interesting class.
The beginning of this semester 6 men from this church went to India on a missions trip. They got back last Thursday. Tonight they did a video presentation, and each of those men gave a short testimony. Then Pastor preached from Mark 16:15. It was a really good service. I learned a lot.
Tomorrow we are leaving at 6:30 in the morning to head to Connecticut and New England Baptist College. It is time for our basketball team to get their revenge!! We will beat them! GOOOOOO IBCo!!!
Following the game grandpa and I will drive directly to Queens, catch the train to Manhattan, and then take the subway to 57th St. and 7th Ave. CARNEGIE HALL!!! I'm sooooo excited, I can't wait! :)

"And of some, have compassion, MAKING A DIFFERENCE." ~Jude 22. The theme this year of International Baptist Church, which is the church that I attend, is "Making a Difference," and their theme verse is Jude 22. They also have a chorus that was written by their music director:

Make a Difference
Will you make a difference
To those who never heard?
Will you go and tell someone
The story from God's Word?
With compassion bring some sinner in
Who has wandered far astray.
Will you make a difference?
For the time will slip away.
~John Randall

I guess the theme never really hit me until last week during the revival meetings. I started to question myself about what I was doing to make a difference in life. I realized that I wasn't doing a thing. Yes I was PLANNING on teaching and making a difference in lives, but that won't be coming for another 5 1/2 years. I had been content to just let my college life go by, not really doing anything. Even though I wanted to teach and knew that God had called me to teach, I wasn't doing my best to get to that goal. Dr. Mitchell brought some really, really good sermons on what we, as college students, want with our lives. I once again surrendered my life to God, and now feel as though He is leading me to work hard, and get my Bachelor's degree in 3 to 3 1/2 years, and my Master's Degree in 1 year (I am going to aim for a Bachelor's 3 years, but with student teaching I might have to do 3 1/2, but hopefully I would be able to work on my Master's by correspondence during that extra semester). I want to make a difference, and I want to make it NOW! It will take a lot of work, but with God's help I know it is possible.
"I can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

I'm not going to even attempt to talk about classes today. They were bad, that is all I'm gonna say!
Thankfully I didn't have work today! YAY!! I love having days off.
I had my second voice lesson. I hit an A, which with still having a cold, is pretty good. :)
I did my laundry at my grandparents. For those of you here in NY, or who have been here at some point in time, I went out the back door of ICS. There is a hill that I have to go down to get to the road that takes me back to my grandparents apartment. I was in heels and dragging my laundry bag with me, and I managed to make it down the hill OK. It was very slippery, but I did it. After my voice lesson I went down to switch loads. I was still in heels, but I didn't think anything of it, I figured I'd just slide down the hill again, like I had done earlier. This time however I was not quite so fortunate! I managed to slip and fall and land perfectly on my backside! The only problem, our maintenance man, one of the college guys, plus one of the little elementary girls who were outside at that moment! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! The maintenance man had a blanket in the back of his truck and told me to see if I could ride it down the hill!! HEHEHEHEHEHE!!! I tried it didn't work. :( sigh! If there had been cardboard around I would've tried that! Oh well, it was exciting! It made my day!! :))
I cleaned out my closet this afternoon! YAY!! I can now find things, and it is half way organized! I don't have to worry about something falling on me when I open the door, or have to shove stuff in when I close the door! :)
Friday Grandpa and I are going to Carnegie Hall!! I'm soooo excited!! We are going to see the Cleveland Orchestra. I have a friend that plays the cello in the C.O. I was talking to him on the phone today and he said that since Grandpa and I were getting into Manhattan so early (Due to circumstances we will be getting in around 4:00, the concert doesn't start until 8:00), he might be able to take us into Carnegie Hall, and onto the stage, and back stage, etc!! He isn't sure about it, but still, it would be COOL!! :) I hope it works out!

At the moment I should be studying for my 3 quizzes tomorrow, but I'm having a major case of brain overload and don't really feel like studying anymore!
I have been feeling a LOT better today! I didn't have to take any drugs and I've made it through without sleeping any extra as well! Cool beans! I have a pretty bad cough, but I can deal with that, it is the stuffed up, runny nose junk that I hate.
Classes went well. Nothing thrilling happened. My teacher for Christian Home, which is my first class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, had been on a missions trip to India. He got back late Thursday morning, so this was our first class with him. It was a lot of fun.
I spent my first hour of work putting stuff in inventory. That was the first time that I had done that type of thing here (I've done it at other jobs), and I enjoyed it very much.
It's snowing here!! It started to snow around 9 or 9:30 this morning and it is still coming down!! We have several inches! It's gorgeous! I will take pictures and post them tomorrow.

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated my blog in several days. I do have a good excuse: I was/am sick! :( I woke up Saturday morning and was very dizzy and lightheaded. I almost passed out! It was NO fun. I felt terrible. I went back to bed and slept all day! I haven't slept that much since I had mono 2 years ago! Finally I woke up around 10:00 pm and found that my fever had broken. I actually felt kinda, sorta, maybe descent. It wasn't until I had taken a shower and opened a can of fruit that I actually turned on my computer. (Mom always says that she knows when I'm sick when I don't turn my computer on!) I was sick!
Sunday I still wasn't feeling very good. My head was all plugged up, and in general I felt like crap! UGH! I wanted to stay in bed soooo bad, and I probably should have done that, but I had too much to do. So much for my relaxing weekend! I worked Sunday night after church, but left about half an hour early. I came back to my dorm and crashed!
Monday morning everything took at least 2 times longer than usual to do. It was really depressing. I had absolutely NO energy! Classes were ok, I had 2 tests and got a 100% on one of them and an 80% on the other. I wasn't too upset about the 80 since I had forgotten about it until the teacher was handing out the papers!! Oops!
Work took forever as well. It was the most frustrating thing to deal with. I couldn't get anything done, and what I did get done took forever to do. Grrr!!!
After I was done with work I went to supper, ate quick and then came back to my room and slept for almost 2 hours! It was WONDERFUL!! After that nap I felt a lot better. I got a book report written and several other things done. YAY!!!
On Monday nights we have dorm devotions. Normally one of the ladies that is here on staff will come and give a devotional. Last night Mrs. Barnes was the one who spoke to us. Her topic: "What is love to us?" She had us share what we think love is, and there were some really good answers. One girl said that love is a teacher who takes the time to prepare for their class. I can't agree with that more! It drives me nuts when a teacher just reads the book instead of teaching. GRRRR!!! I guess it is a pet peeve of mine!
This morning I managed to move faster than yesterday which is a good thing. I'm still not up and at it completely. I still just want to crawl back in bed. :( Thankfully my head isn't as plugged as it was before, :) but now I have a really bad cough. :( I do feel as though I am on the mend.