Freedom!!!

Hooray! Finals are done, "pack check" and White Glove are behind me, and I get to go home tomorrow! I don't have anything else to do today except organize a remnant of my belongings and attend Northland's Spring Concert tonight. Free time...what a novel idea!

The remainder of my semester went very well. I was able to pull my grade up significantly in Hebrew. I feel pretty good about the final; we'll see, though. It's so hard to tell sometimes! I did switch my major from English to Biblical Languages, so I'll be taking Greek next year in addition to second-year Hebrew. That should be an adventure!

I've been able to fit in lots of fun things lately too. Last Sunday after the morning service I got to go with some friends on a picnic lunch to Dave's Falls, which is not too far from campus. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful area - it actually reminded me a lot of home! The trees are different, and the rock isn't quite like New Hampshire granite, but the general look was very similar. Here's part of the falls.

I got lots of nice pictures of my friends - including some cute ones of a newly engaged couple - but probably my favorite picture of the day from an artistic standpoint is this one. The color against the tree caught my eye as I was walking past. I turned for a quick snapshot, and when I saw this on the computer I really liked it. I've always wondered what fish think of lures like this - when bugs are this color, doesn't it usually mean they're poisonous? Anyway, it makes for a nice picture. =)

Well, I need to pack my last few things...and then enjoy a quiet afternoon. Maybe I can do a bit of writing so I can actually talk about the theme of my blog!

I'll be home sometime tomorrow (Saturday) evening. I'm very excited to be home, back with my family and church family. I'm looking forward to a great summer - hopefully accomplishing many of the goals I've set for myself! =)

Here I am again...

Well, here's the long-ago-promised post...

School is back in swing after a fabulous Spring Break last week. I stayed on campus, did a little homework and probably wasted a fair bit of time - but it was so nice to relax! I did get a few things checked off my to-do list, anyway.

Spring is slowly battling its way forward here in Wisconsin. Much of the snow has gone; besides the drifts, there are only patches here and there. It's entirely possible that we could get another snowstorm, though - I've heard of it snowing on Graduation day before! That would be a bummer.

Classes are going pretty well. I got my midterm grades after Spring Break, and I'm pleased with everything...except Hebrew. I've been praying a lot lately that God will help me to work harder on Hebrew and pull my grades up. Today I'm thanking Him that I got an A on a vocabulary test. If you think of it, you could pray that I would have diligence in this area.

The school recently asked for photos/artwork that could be used as a background for all the school computers; we were supposed to use the school colors (forest green and white) and either their theme "Life touching life" or their acronym "HOWS." Well, I thought about it...what could be more forest green than some nice pine needles from the forest? And when we got an inch of snow last Saturday...here's what I entered (no results have been announced yet). It's kind of hard to tell in this picture that it's pine needles. Oh well. Believe it or not, this took me the better part of an hour to assemble. I still can't decide if I like it or think it looks silly. =)

In closing, I thought I'd share with you a verse that really stuck out to me from my devotions a few days ago. This is Ezekiel 18:31. "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel?"

Here God is addressing Israel in the Old Testament, but this concept of casting away the old and putting on the new is found in the New Testament as well. When I repent and return to God, my sins will be wiped away and times of refreshing will come from the Lord! (Acts 3:19)

God's forgiveness is just so amazing!

Captive Thoughts...

I was reading in II Corinthians for my devotions this morning, and I came across one of my favorite verses. "...and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
II Cor. 10:5b, NASB.

This is a tall order for a daydreamer like me! God's really been convicting me in this area lately. It's so easy to let my mind wander during class, chapel, and homework. God has me here at Northland for a reason, though, and I'm guessing it's not to be learning the delicate technique of paying attention to a sermon while at the same time developing the plot of my latest story!

Anyway, I'm having a great semester so far. All my classes are great; I'll describe them in a later post. One of my favorites is American Literature. We just finished going over the Colonial writers, and I discovered that I have an interest in early American history. I'll have to try to read more on the subject sometime.

Okay, onward to homework!

P.S. - I posted a Valentine's Day photo below. =)