conference

Sorry another busy couple weeks. Last week I spent the whole time that I wasn't eating food writing a paper on the Tower of Babel. This week my employer, World Orphans, is at the Global Summit on AIDS and the Church at Saddleback Church. We have a booth and our president is speaking at a couple breakout sessions, so a big chunk of the team in Colorado Springs flew down to LA, and I've been hanging out with them. Marcello and I have had a blast hanging out and goofing around. I'll be heading back to Pasadena tonight (I think!) and then I need to write a final paper for another class and study for one more final! But then I'll be heading back to the Springs! YAY! I'm really looking forward to that and I hope to catch up with as many of you as possible!

a new post cause i felt like i had to write something

I guess I haven't written anything in over a week now. There are a few factors in that. First, school has been busy and I had a midterm and paper that were taking large portions of my time. Second, there has been a lot on my mind, but its not coherent enough to write about. Yeah, I know that's never stopped me before. And third, I borrowed a friend's Nintendo Wii and started playing Zelda. But that really has nothing to do with it...

School is going well, but I'm a little frustrated that there is very little emphasis on application. We constantly have to read and I've learned a lot of interesting stuff. And so far that is really where it has stopped; we get lots of info. It seems the only point is to be able to wow your congregational with your incredible Bible Trivia abilities. Now I love random info (it's probably most of what I know!), but I really got the impression from everything Fuller said that they emphasized WHY this piece of info, was in fact, not random but important and helps to bring light to that other seemingly unconnected piece of info. There has been some of that, but it's mostly "Discuss all the evidence that leads to a likely dating of the Exodus, from the Bible, other written sources, and archaeological findings", and nothing about why the dating is important, what it means for Joe Randomdude, and how it affects the best way to understand other events in the Bible. It's like that "practical thing" doesn't really matter, when that's really ALL I care about.

In fairness, it is mid-term time, and who doesn't hate class when you are studying for a test or writing a paper. And I had the exact same complaint with UCCS when I got my Computer Science degree there. All theory, no practical. Maybe it's just the way I'm wired, but I don't really care to just think about stuff. I love thinking about stuff and learning new things, but I get stuck there and it doesn't change me or help me live differently, and what good is that? (This is actually a lot of what I have been wrestling with lately, cause I feel like I'm not really doing what I say I should be doing, cause I'm doing other stuff first, but is that what I should be doing, and does it even matter, and will I get there either way, and...) And it really has me frustrated when all I've learned is just what I can read in a book, for about 1% of the price...

So anyway. I hope to have something more interesting or exciting next time. Miss you all a lot. Hope you are enjoying the fall (for those of you who either like for or are experiencing fall). I'm sick of it being hot, smoky and fiery, and you mountain dwellers are mad cause it's already snowing...

here

Hey friends, sorry it's been a while. I am now in Pasadena and getting ready for classes. I have an 8am class (gag) tomorrow so I won't be writing much. The last few days have been full of driving, moving furniture, unpacking, school orientation, and exploring. So nothing too time consuming or stressing...

My parents drove out with me (they towed the Uhaul trailer!) and my brother flew down for a couple days, which was great! Brilliant, even. That is my new favorite adjective. I listen to a podcast of someone who uses it a lot and it stuck... Anyway, I loved having them here. It helped make the transition as smooth as possible, although yesterday and today were full of teary goodbyes as they are now gone. It is gonna be hard for a while but when I get discouraged and want to call this whole thing off (it's too late, but...) God has been faithful to meet me where I'm at and bring hope and life and a promise of things being good. I need that so much.

So if you think of me, pray that I will be able to connect with people really quickly and make good strong friendships. I can never replace the friends and family from the past, but I can't live in the past either and want to make the most of now. That is a really struggle for me, so please remember me in your prayers. The cool part is that the apartments I am living in are designed to foster community, and there are about 10 people I am already building relationships with, including my roommate Jonathon and 2 other single guys, Matt and Darrin, who live right next door. I'm excited for what could develop.

Well I have my first day of school in like 3 years, so I better get to bed. Much love.