Not much to report this week -- I feel like I've settled in quite nicely here. Ashley and I spent the week at the apartment of our pastor and his wife, taking care of their kitten while they were in Guayaquil. It's been cool living on our own for a week (I started to forget what it felt like), but the kitten is like a baby that likes to cry in the middle of the night and climb all over the bed. Tonight, we're cooking dinner for Carlos, Ramiro, Danny, and a couple others -- Ashley is making a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake as I write this. Yummm.
This weekend, I'm heading out of town again, this time to Mindo. Mindo is a really town where you can do all sorts of stuff -- rafting, horseback riding, ziplining, hiking up waterfalls, etc. There's even a chocolate factory where you can get a tour with free samples! Yes, I will be participating in that.
Everything is going really great! The workload is a breeze compared to last semester at UNC, and even though some of my classes are a little boring, the week flies by.
Chau!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
el vigésimo primero
I'm finally 21! And I celebrated it the best way possible . . . in South America. It was a pretty busy weekend, so I'll break it down:
FRIDAY
Some friends and I went out to dinner at Pizza SA, an excellent pizza restaurant in el Centro Histórico. It was fun hanging out with new friends, and the pizza was delicious. I went out with a couple of people to Mariscal afterward, where I officially rung in my birthday at midnight!
SATURDAY
We left for Papallacta pretty early, so we got into the town by around 10:30am. We checked into our cabanas and headed down to the balnearios (natural hot springs baths), basically all of these different-sized pools, filled with water naturally drawn from the hot springs, so the water ranged from scalding to lukewarm. I think the most commonly heard phrase for the first 2 hours was, "Is this real life? Is this really happening?"
After lunch, we headed back to our cabanas and chilled in "the cave" -- an enclosed area with a steaming hot sauna. We hung out in the baths there and just relaxed and celebrated for the rest of the night!
SUNDAY
We woke up to rain, but that didn't stop us from hanging out in the baths some more. We had a free breakfast, relaxed in the baths, and after an unsuccessful search for cheap massages, we had lunch.
We walked around, taking the beauty of Papallacta...
And then headed back to Quito on the bus. I got back home and left again to go out bowling with Ashley, Carlos, Ramiro, and Danny, where I actually got second by a few points!
Overall, an amazing weekend. I really missed being with my friends and family on my birthday, but this was so great that it made up for that!
FRIDAY
Some friends and I went out to dinner at Pizza SA, an excellent pizza restaurant in el Centro Histórico. It was fun hanging out with new friends, and the pizza was delicious. I went out with a couple of people to Mariscal afterward, where I officially rung in my birthday at midnight!
SATURDAY
We left for Papallacta pretty early, so we got into the town by around 10:30am. We checked into our cabanas and headed down to the balnearios (natural hot springs baths), basically all of these different-sized pools, filled with water naturally drawn from the hot springs, so the water ranged from scalding to lukewarm. I think the most commonly heard phrase for the first 2 hours was, "Is this real life? Is this really happening?"
After lunch, we headed back to our cabanas and chilled in "the cave" -- an enclosed area with a steaming hot sauna. We hung out in the baths there and just relaxed and celebrated for the rest of the night!
We woke up to rain, but that didn't stop us from hanging out in the baths some more. We had a free breakfast, relaxed in the baths, and after an unsuccessful search for cheap massages, we had lunch.
We walked around, taking the beauty of Papallacta...
And then headed back to Quito on the bus. I got back home and left again to go out bowling with Ashley, Carlos, Ramiro, and Danny, where I actually got second by a few points!
Overall, an amazing weekend. I really missed being with my friends and family on my birthday, but this was so great that it made up for that!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
loving life
After many hours Googling and hooking up cables and wires, I finally figured out how to get wireless Internet in my room! It was my big accomplishment of last night.
Almost done with another week of class! It's crazy how time flies by. I had my first Advanced Conversation class today with a professor named Claudia who seems really cool. I still have yet to do more homework than writing a short paragraph for my lit class, so it's definitely turning out to be a much easier semester than my last one at Carolina. Hopefully it'll stay that way!
Speaking of school, here are some pics of where I get to spend my Mondays through Thursdays...
Almost done with another week of class! It's crazy how time flies by. I had my first Advanced Conversation class today with a professor named Claudia who seems really cool. I still have yet to do more homework than writing a short paragraph for my lit class, so it's definitely turning out to be a much easier semester than my last one at Carolina. Hopefully it'll stay that way!
Speaking of school, here are some pics of where I get to spend my Mondays through Thursdays...
It's pretty easy to get distracted in class when you look out the window and see mountains and palm trees.
In other news, last night I went to Finn McCool's, an Irish pub in Mariscal. You probably don't think an Irish pub being in Ecuador, but it's actually a cool place that has a trivia night every Tuesday for (mainly) Americans. We didn't win, but it was still really fun! Tonight is another salsa dancing adventure, and this weekend....(drumroll, please).... my 21st birthday! And it just so happens that this weekend, some of us are going to Papallacta, a place a little southeast of Quito that's known for their hotsprings and spas. Apparently, it's a cool place to hang out and relax and have a good time. Oh, and it's gorgeous.
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| (not my picture, but I'm sure I'll have plenty to share next week) |
Yup. Not a shabby place to spend your birthday, right?
Friday, January 14, 2011
one school week done
"You make all things work together for my good."
One great thing about being here is that I've actually had a lot of down time to relax, read, and spend time with the Lord, something I was desperately lacking last semester. It's been great to be able to intentionally journal and pray, and I'm excited to see what God will do here this semester. I've also been reading "The Reason for God," by Tim Keller, which I highly recommend!
It's kind of crazy to think that I've been here over a week now, but at the same time, it feels like I've been here a while. I made it through my first week of class, which was actually only 2 days of class... Looks like art is going to be the hardest one to get through -- an hour and 25 minutes of straight lecturing in Spanish is not so fun, but we'll survive.
It's been a fun week, getting adjusted to campus life and family life at home. The campus is beautiful (I'll post pictures soon), and it's really fun and relaxing to just hang out on the steps and enjoy the amazing weather -- 73 and sunny has been the typical day for the past week. The food on campus is also excellent (nothing like Lenoir). The crepes station is my new favorite, and I'm determined to try every crepe on the menu -- there's even a Nutella one with kiwi and strawberries! We had another night of salsa this week, which was a bit too crowded, but still an experience. I've gotten the chance to meet lots of new people, and it'll be fun celebrating my 21st birthday next weekend with completely new friends!
And what would an experience be without injuring my ankle in some way? I've always had problems with my right ankle since I sprained it in high school and then again last spring, and anyone who was with me in Mexico this summer can attest to this. I'm pretty sure I re-rolled it every other day. But today was a bit different. We were enjoying a nice lunch at Cookie Box (new favorite lunch place, near Ashley's house), and when I got up to get a cookie, I must have gotten up too fast because I tripped and then fell down the couple of stairs that led into the restaurant. I was a little out of it for a minute, not really realizing what happened, and when I stood up, I was dizzy (which I learned is mareada in Spanish) and couldn't see well. Now, I'm feeling much better, though my ankle is a little sore, but I'm sure after spelling out the ABCs a few times (like I was supposed to do for physical therapy), it'll be back to normal!
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
- Psalm 139:16
One great thing about being here is that I've actually had a lot of down time to relax, read, and spend time with the Lord, something I was desperately lacking last semester. It's been great to be able to intentionally journal and pray, and I'm excited to see what God will do here this semester. I've also been reading "The Reason for God," by Tim Keller, which I highly recommend!
It's kind of crazy to think that I've been here over a week now, but at the same time, it feels like I've been here a while. I made it through my first week of class, which was actually only 2 days of class... Looks like art is going to be the hardest one to get through -- an hour and 25 minutes of straight lecturing in Spanish is not so fun, but we'll survive.
It's been a fun week, getting adjusted to campus life and family life at home. The campus is beautiful (I'll post pictures soon), and it's really fun and relaxing to just hang out on the steps and enjoy the amazing weather -- 73 and sunny has been the typical day for the past week. The food on campus is also excellent (nothing like Lenoir). The crepes station is my new favorite, and I'm determined to try every crepe on the menu -- there's even a Nutella one with kiwi and strawberries! We had another night of salsa this week, which was a bit too crowded, but still an experience. I've gotten the chance to meet lots of new people, and it'll be fun celebrating my 21st birthday next weekend with completely new friends!
And what would an experience be without injuring my ankle in some way? I've always had problems with my right ankle since I sprained it in high school and then again last spring, and anyone who was with me in Mexico this summer can attest to this. I'm pretty sure I re-rolled it every other day. But today was a bit different. We were enjoying a nice lunch at Cookie Box (new favorite lunch place, near Ashley's house), and when I got up to get a cookie, I must have gotten up too fast because I tripped and then fell down the couple of stairs that led into the restaurant. I was a little out of it for a minute, not really realizing what happened, and when I stood up, I was dizzy (which I learned is mareada in Spanish) and couldn't see well. Now, I'm feeling much better, though my ankle is a little sore, but I'm sure after spelling out the ABCs a few times (like I was supposed to do for physical therapy), it'll be back to normal!
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
- Psalm 139:16
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
oh right, i actually AM in school here
I had this realization today as I spent from 10am to 4pm in class. Yuck.
Today was actually a little better than it probably will be because it was the typical first-day-of-class, syllabus-handing-out day, and we got to leave some of our classes early. I may make it sound likes it's bad, but honestly, I'm sure that the work here will be a tad easier than in Chapel Hill.
My first class: Tejido (Weaving):
I'm not actually enrolled in this yet, but I hopefully will be by Thursday. Ashley and I are the only foreigners in the class, which is nice and it will hopefully give us a chance to meet some locals. What we'll do in the class kind of reminds me of something we did in like sixth grade as an enrichment, but here, it's on a bigger scale.
Next, Introducción a la Cultura Ecuatoriana (Intro to Ecuadorian Culture):
This one is meant for Americans to take, so it's full of fellow study abroad students. We'll basically be learning different things about the culture here and then practicing them with our host families. Our teacher seems pretty cool, and even though it might be a little boring, it seems like it will be pretty easy.
Then, Lengua y Literatura (Language & Literature):
Another class designed for foreigners, so it's about 8 of us Americans and a girl from Germany. The professor seems really cool -- he's from Cuba, like my host dad, so I have a little practice already understanding his accent. It's going to be a lot of reading and responding, but should be kind of cool.
Finally, Arte Colonial Latinoamericano (Colonial Latin American Art):
This class is a mix of Americans and Ecuadorians, but mainly Americans. It's about the art during the colonial time period in Mexico and the Andes region, mainly in Peru. The teacher seems really nice, and it doesn't seem like too much work. I didn't absolutely love my last art history class at UNC, but we'll see how this one goes...
Today, I was exhausted by the time I got home, so I took a little nap before dinner. Dinner tonight was breaded pork, mashed potatoes, rice (always), and "salad," which here is considered anything with green in it -- tonight it was lettuce, avocado, onion, and tomato. My mom, Lorena, worked a bunch of restaurants in the United States, so she loves American food. So, while I do get my share of Ecuadorian food, I also get a good bit of American-ish food and Cuban food. Lots of rice, but also lots of plantains (yum).
Tonight I also got to play with Leandro for actually the first time. I think it took a little time for him to adjust to having me here, but tonight we played with the little UNC soccer ball I brought him and made a game out of passing it while counting to 100.
Tomorrow is a day of no class for me, and it's salsa night... ¡Que chévere!
Today was actually a little better than it probably will be because it was the typical first-day-of-class, syllabus-handing-out day, and we got to leave some of our classes early. I may make it sound likes it's bad, but honestly, I'm sure that the work here will be a tad easier than in Chapel Hill.
My first class: Tejido (Weaving):
I'm not actually enrolled in this yet, but I hopefully will be by Thursday. Ashley and I are the only foreigners in the class, which is nice and it will hopefully give us a chance to meet some locals. What we'll do in the class kind of reminds me of something we did in like sixth grade as an enrichment, but here, it's on a bigger scale.
Next, Introducción a la Cultura Ecuatoriana (Intro to Ecuadorian Culture):
This one is meant for Americans to take, so it's full of fellow study abroad students. We'll basically be learning different things about the culture here and then practicing them with our host families. Our teacher seems pretty cool, and even though it might be a little boring, it seems like it will be pretty easy.
Then, Lengua y Literatura (Language & Literature):
Another class designed for foreigners, so it's about 8 of us Americans and a girl from Germany. The professor seems really cool -- he's from Cuba, like my host dad, so I have a little practice already understanding his accent. It's going to be a lot of reading and responding, but should be kind of cool.
Finally, Arte Colonial Latinoamericano (Colonial Latin American Art):
This class is a mix of Americans and Ecuadorians, but mainly Americans. It's about the art during the colonial time period in Mexico and the Andes region, mainly in Peru. The teacher seems really nice, and it doesn't seem like too much work. I didn't absolutely love my last art history class at UNC, but we'll see how this one goes...
Today, I was exhausted by the time I got home, so I took a little nap before dinner. Dinner tonight was breaded pork, mashed potatoes, rice (always), and "salad," which here is considered anything with green in it -- tonight it was lettuce, avocado, onion, and tomato. My mom, Lorena, worked a bunch of restaurants in the United States, so she loves American food. So, while I do get my share of Ecuadorian food, I also get a good bit of American-ish food and Cuban food. Lots of rice, but also lots of plantains (yum).
Tonight I also got to play with Leandro for actually the first time. I think it took a little time for him to adjust to having me here, but tonight we played with the little UNC soccer ball I brought him and made a game out of passing it while counting to 100.
Tomorrow is a day of no class for me, and it's salsa night... ¡Que chévere!
Monday, January 10, 2011
finally fotos!
I'm enjoying the afternoon on campus at USFQ in Cumbayá, so I finally have wireless and can put up pictures!
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| My little "neighborhood" |
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| Mi casita :) |
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| My room on the first floor |
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| View from the top of my street walking down to Ashley's |
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| Just another rain storm |
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| Quito por la noche |
Saturday, January 8, 2011
ya disfrutando quito
Last night, we had a bunch of relatives (all women) come over and hang out with the family. I met Lorena's cousin Pati, who seems really cool, and some other aunts. Lorena made quesadillas for dinner :) Good thing she loves Mexican food, just like me!
This morning, Ashley and I went on a walk around Parque Carolina, this huge, beautiful park in the middle of the city. There were a ton of kids and families out playing and enjoying the weather, and even though I got huge blisters (don't wear Converses out on a brisk walk), it was really fun and good exercise. Tonight, we're going to see "Bajo del Mismo Techo" ("Under the Same Roof"), which in the U.S. is "Life As We Know It". I'm not sure why they translate the titles so oddly in Latin America.
Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures soon!
This morning, Ashley and I went on a walk around Parque Carolina, this huge, beautiful park in the middle of the city. There were a ton of kids and families out playing and enjoying the weather, and even though I got huge blisters (don't wear Converses out on a brisk walk), it was really fun and good exercise. Tonight, we're going to see "Bajo del Mismo Techo" ("Under the Same Roof"), which in the U.S. is "Life As We Know It". I'm not sure why they translate the titles so oddly in Latin America.
Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures soon!
Friday, January 7, 2011
lluvia y sol
Today was orientation at USFQ for all of the international students that will be there this semester. I took a bus there with Lula (Lorena's mom, Ashley's host mom) -- the campus is at Cumbayá, which is about 20 minutes outside the city. The campus is absolutely beautiful. It's almost like a resort/spa type place, which trees and flowers and lakes and pagodas everywhere. It was cool learning about the university and the country of Ecuador and getting a tour of the campus.
The weather -- something that everyone asked me about before I came here. Well, I never knew for sure exactly how it was, but I am beginning to learn. Basically, you have to be prepared for anything. You leave the house, and the sun is out, and it's warm. Then, it gets chilly and starts to rain a little. And then, the sun comes back out, and it heats up again!
Last night, Ashley, Sarah, & I went out to dinner with Daniela and their friend Ramiro. We went to a place that I already forget the name of, but it had a view of the entire city lit up at night. Amazing!
Pictures are coming soon. I'm getting Internet in my room soon, which will mean I can use my own computer and upload pictures!
The weather -- something that everyone asked me about before I came here. Well, I never knew for sure exactly how it was, but I am beginning to learn. Basically, you have to be prepared for anything. You leave the house, and the sun is out, and it's warm. Then, it gets chilly and starts to rain a little. And then, the sun comes back out, and it heats up again!
Last night, Ashley, Sarah, & I went out to dinner with Daniela and their friend Ramiro. We went to a place that I already forget the name of, but it had a view of the entire city lit up at night. Amazing!
Pictures are coming soon. I'm getting Internet in my room soon, which will mean I can use my own computer and upload pictures!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
first day in the city
My first day exploring the city was a success! I was lucky enough to have Ashley (was here in Quito last semester and is back for the spring semester) and her friend Sarah (who's visiting until tomorrow) to go around the city with.
We started off with Lorena, trying to find a tienda that sold a battery for the phone Lorena gave me. We were unsuccessful, so we said goodbye to Lorena and hopped on a bus to Mariscal, where there is a Mercado Artesenial. We went up and down the aisles of scarves, touristy trinkets, jewelry, and coffee, until everything started looking the same. Then, we got a bus to go downtown to a pizza place that Ashley went to all the time last semester. It was great pizza and a really excellent place to people watch. We walked around downtown for a while, then got back on a bus to go back to my house.
We walked up to Ashley's house (about a 15 minute walk, but from my house to hers, it's almost all uphill), got ready for the night, and then took a bus back downtown. We ate dessert at a place called The Magic Cafe and people watched a little more. We went to Ladies' Night at a favorite bar called Bungalow and then went salsa dancing! I met Ashley's friend Daniela, or Dany, and she hung out with us for the night.
Today is Sarah's last day before she goes back home, so we're going to spend some more time enjoying the city! Tomorrow is orientation at USFQ, and we start classes on Monday!
Pictures, coming soon!
We started off with Lorena, trying to find a tienda that sold a battery for the phone Lorena gave me. We were unsuccessful, so we said goodbye to Lorena and hopped on a bus to Mariscal, where there is a Mercado Artesenial. We went up and down the aisles of scarves, touristy trinkets, jewelry, and coffee, until everything started looking the same. Then, we got a bus to go downtown to a pizza place that Ashley went to all the time last semester. It was great pizza and a really excellent place to people watch. We walked around downtown for a while, then got back on a bus to go back to my house.
We walked up to Ashley's house (about a 15 minute walk, but from my house to hers, it's almost all uphill), got ready for the night, and then took a bus back downtown. We ate dessert at a place called The Magic Cafe and people watched a little more. We went to Ladies' Night at a favorite bar called Bungalow and then went salsa dancing! I met Ashley's friend Daniela, or Dany, and she hung out with us for the night.
Today is Sarah's last day before she goes back home, so we're going to spend some more time enjoying the city! Tomorrow is orientation at USFQ, and we start classes on Monday!
Pictures, coming soon!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
where am I?
Before I start my first day in the city, I thought I'd share where exactly I am, in case you (like my mom) have no idea what South America looks like.
This is where the country is located...
This is where the city of Quito is located...
And this is where I am in the city!
Ver mapa más grande
This is where the country is located... This is where the city of Quito is located...Ver mapa más grande
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
ya llegué!
I finally arrived in Quito, and I already am in love with it. After a long afternoon/evening of traveling, we finally landed at the airport and it was almost midnight by the time we got through customs. Guillermo (my host dad) pìcked me up at the airport, and we took a taxi to their house.
Number one sign that this is the perfect family for me -- their Christmas tree is still up and lit in their window. Perfect.
Guillermo and his wife Lorena oriented me to my room and bathroom. I´ve got my own room, complete with a bed, bookshelves, closet with drawers, desk, and my own bathroom! I can already tell that they are going to be awesome people to live with!
I get to sleep in tomorrow and then start exploring this beautiful city!
Number one sign that this is the perfect family for me -- their Christmas tree is still up and lit in their window. Perfect.
Guillermo and his wife Lorena oriented me to my room and bathroom. I´ve got my own room, complete with a bed, bookshelves, closet with drawers, desk, and my own bathroom! I can already tell that they are going to be awesome people to live with!
I get to sleep in tomorrow and then start exploring this beautiful city!
Monday, January 3, 2011
WOW
Countdown: 13 hours.
Despite a few stressful moments, my last day in the U.S.A. (for a while) was pretty enjoyable. I worked out at the gym (for the first time...in a very long time). I ate a wonderful lunch from Chick-fil-a, one restaurant that I really just think would be better off if it went global. Finally, I ended the day at Angus Barn with my parents and my sister to celebrate my 21st birthday a few weeks early. It was delicious and fun and everything I could wish for in a 21st birthday celebration.
Seeing as my suitcase is already about to crush the scale, I'm not sure that I have anything else to pack. But I'm not sure that I'll actually be able to sleep at all tonight, so I better go find something to do! The Lonely Planet guidebook to Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands is looking like a good read...
Despite a few stressful moments, my last day in the U.S.A. (for a while) was pretty enjoyable. I worked out at the gym (for the first time...in a very long time). I ate a wonderful lunch from Chick-fil-a, one restaurant that I really just think would be better off if it went global. Finally, I ended the day at Angus Barn with my parents and my sister to celebrate my 21st birthday a few weeks early. It was delicious and fun and everything I could wish for in a 21st birthday celebration.
Seeing as my suitcase is already about to crush the scale, I'm not sure that I have anything else to pack. But I'm not sure that I'll actually be able to sleep at all tonight, so I better go find something to do! The Lonely Planet guidebook to Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands is looking like a good read...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
best gift ever.
Just had to share this one thing from my 21st birthday celebration with my family tonight:
Along with the turtle was the money to go to the Galápagos Islands for spring break! I love my mom and dad for the gift, but even better, for the creative way of giving! Pretty good 21st birthday (even if it was celebrated 20 days early).
closer & closer
I feel like I'm at the point where I can now count down in hours. So, 42 HOURS!
I am (surprisingly) almost completely packed! I of course have random little things to get together, but I'm usually at this point the night before a trip, not a full 2 nights before. It's a great feeling.
I'm sure I'm behind on this, but a new band that I'm loving right now: Mumford & Sons. I love their sound, their lyrics, everything. I was really curious, though, if the members of the band were Christian. Some of their songs had hints of something written by believers, so I googled them. This is what Marcus Mumford said in an article by Guardian:
Love it.
I am (surprisingly) almost completely packed! I of course have random little things to get together, but I'm usually at this point the night before a trip, not a full 2 nights before. It's a great feeling.
I'm sure I'm behind on this, but a new band that I'm loving right now: Mumford & Sons. I love their sound, their lyrics, everything. I was really curious, though, if the members of the band were Christian. Some of their songs had hints of something written by believers, so I googled them. This is what Marcus Mumford said in an article by Guardian:
"I think faith is something beautiful, and something real, and something universal, or it can be. We all have our separate views on religion, but I think faith is something to be celebrated. I have my own personal views, they're still real to me, and I want to write about them."I just love this line from "White Blank Page" -- "Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life."
Love it.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
If our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?
"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
- Romans 8:31-32
Happy New Year! ¡Feliz Año!
This winter break, I've been incredibly blessed to spend some really great time with my family and friends as I count down the days to my departure to Quito, Ecuador.
Last night, I brought in the New Year praying with a thousand fellow college students in Greensboro. It was the culmination of a conference called Encounter, where we attended sessions and seminars and participated in some awesome worship. Although I can admit that at times it was difficult to focus (Quito's been on my mind quite a lot lately), I really got a lot out of what was said. Last night, Richard Smith spoke on Romans 8:31. It is incredible to think, and truly grasp, that NOTHING will stop the purposes of God from being fulfilled in our lives.
And what a sweeter way to ring in the New Year than by giving it up to the Lord and then praising him in song with a ton of students?
Countdown: 3 DAYS!
- Romans 8:31-32
Happy New Year! ¡Feliz Año!
This winter break, I've been incredibly blessed to spend some really great time with my family and friends as I count down the days to my departure to Quito, Ecuador.
Last night, I brought in the New Year praying with a thousand fellow college students in Greensboro. It was the culmination of a conference called Encounter, where we attended sessions and seminars and participated in some awesome worship. Although I can admit that at times it was difficult to focus (Quito's been on my mind quite a lot lately), I really got a lot out of what was said. Last night, Richard Smith spoke on Romans 8:31. It is incredible to think, and truly grasp, that NOTHING will stop the purposes of God from being fulfilled in our lives.
And what a sweeter way to ring in the New Year than by giving it up to the Lord and then praising him in song with a ton of students?
Countdown: 3 DAYS!
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