Rain or Shine

Today is a rainy day. I like rainy days. I like sunny days, too. But I like rainy days. For English Composition, the students had to write different kinds of paragraphs. The following is my compare and contrast paragraph about rainy days and sunny days:

RAIN OR SHINE

If I were to ask a friend if she preferred rainy days or sunny days, I would be surprised if she said that she preferred rainy days. It seems that so many people prefer sunny days. Sunny days are associated with brightness and usually create an atmosphere of energy and productivity. However, sunny days can offer temptation to get outside and do things that are not necessarily on the top of the priority list. Rainy days are generally thought of as dark and usually create an atmosphere of gloominess and laziness. But rainy days also offer great opportunity to accomplish indoor tasks and projects. An emotion often used when referring to sunny days is happiness. An emotion often used when referring to rainy days is sadness. But along with the happiness and energy of a sunny day come busyness and a hurried schedule. And along with the sadness and laziness of a rainy day come contemplation and reflection. Just as the earth needs sunlight for growing and becoming healthy, humans need sunlight for physical and emotional energy. And just as the earth needs rain for refreshment, humans need rainy days for peace and a change of pace. So, I have concluded that to prefer one day over the other would be to deny the amazing and necessary benefits of each.

Game On!

I just got back from watching the KMBC/Mt. Carmel sports events. The ladies played volleyball and the gentlemen played basketball. I really get into sporting events like these. I'm a competitor, so I can't help but want to see my side win... no matter what the sport. If a family member or friend is showing their horse, you better believe I'm going to be yelling their back number and cheering for the judge to take notice of that entry. If I'm watching or listening to a basketball game, please expect to hear the words "Let's go, defense!" "Rebound!" "Come on, guys!" and "GET YOUR HEADS IN THE GAME!!" And football? Don't get me started. :-)



Do you know how when you are at a sporting event and when the other team scores, the fans of that team cheer really loudly? That makes ME want to cheer even more loudly. That makes ME want to be a support and an encouragement to the team for which I am cheering. I hate to lose. I hate to see my teams lose. So I do whatever I consider helpful. Even when I'm playing a sport, I find myself cheering for my fellow teammates, suggesting things and getting super excited when they do well.



Every day, I play on a much more serious team in a much more serious situation. This isn't just some game where the teams practice a couple times a week and then compete on Saturday evening. This is a challenge that occurs all of the time. I should be more vocally supportive of my fellow Christians. No, I don't plan on jumping up and yelling "Rebound!!" when someone mentions a prayer request in class, chapel, or church. But I would like to improve on my faithfulness to encourage others and show my support. I want to do my part to see Satan's team lose. Although we already know that our team wins in the long run (because we have one amazing Coach!), we have to keep playing until the end. AND we need to keep all of our players on our team and recruit as many people from the other team as possible. It should make my blood boil when this other team scores a point and the crowd starts to cheer. So, I want to do my part to help this team to victory. If I have to fight, I'll fight. If I have to cheer, I'll cheer. If I have to express something to the other team... I'll quote Scripture. :-)


Go! Fight! Win! Sure, as long we're on Jesus' team, we will win. But, what's the point in being on the team if we're not going to go and fight (and cheer)?

Lessons Learned

Oh dear! I'm afraid I'm not the world's best blog correspondent. I've been meaning to post a blog for a while now, but I just haven't seemed to get one finished. There are several drafts that are floating around this thing they call the dashboard, but I think I've abandoned them. Although I guess that's not exactly something I should willingly admit.


Okay, I have been at KMBC for a little more than a month and I would like to share just some of the things I have learned since coming here.

I have learned why my un-home schooled friends groaned whenever they heard the two words "pop quiz."

I have learned that the "class clown" is not a myth.

I have learned to request a dorm room as far away from the hall phone as possible.

I have learned why shin guards are necessary in soccer.

I have learned to refrain from walking swiftly through the dining hall after the floor has been mopped.

I have learned that when I hear a very high-pitched sound in the dorm, it's not just some obnoxious person running through the hall and blowing a whistle.

I have learned just how fun it can be to celebrate Constitution Day.

I have learned to be as close to the front of the line as possible on pizza night.

And my classes? Oh, I guess I've learned some stuff from them too. ;-)

This Experience Must Come

The following is the August 11th devotional from My Utmost for His Highest, written by Oswald Chambers. Things are going to change a lot for me, starting next week. This devotional has definitely been helping me as I face the coming changes.


This Experience Must Come

Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha . . . saw him no more —2 Kings 2:11-12

It is not wrong for you to depend on your "Elijah" for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, "I cannot continue without my ’Elijah.’ " Yet God says you must continue.

Alone at Your "Jordan" ( 2 Kings 2:14 ). The Jordan River represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your "Elijah." You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go— the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your "Jordan" alone.

Alone at Your "Jericho" ( 2 Kings 2:15 ). Jericho represents the place where you have seen your "Elijah" do great things. Yet when you come alone to your "Jericho," you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your "Elijah," you will receive a sign, as Elisha did, that God is with you.

Alone at Your "Bethel" ( 2 Kings 2:23 ). At your "Bethel" you will find yourself at your wits’ end but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic— don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your "Elijah"— use his mantle and pray (see 2 Kings 2:13-14 ). Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.