It's Kinda Corny

I'm sure that all of you have been waiting on the edge of your seats for the outcome of our sweet corn festival activities! Ben was the most successful in fasting and then eating nearly six cans of corn! Likewise, Blake consumed a number of cans of the tasty fruit (yes, corn is a fruit). Under the pressure, I cracked and could not stand eating only corn. The Grad IV picnic didn't serve to encourage me any, either. So much good and free food distracted me from the task at hand, eatin' only corn. Thus, my experiment was botched. Ben, however did have some conclusive results regarding corn-filled excriment, but I'll save the details for those who really want to know.

The Grad IV large group on Friday evening was fun and really helped in introducing everyone. We gathered in smaller groups defined by our home regions and then again by our field of study. We had two answer two questions: what are two values and two truths from your region or field. After Alan and Heidi (vice pres and pres) overviewed IV's small group studies and events, we had an ice cream social. Similar to what may happen at Washburn, we were kicked out of the Union for serving a large group of people with food that was not purchased at the school's facilities. Cara B, you would have enjoyed talking with a first-year history student I met, Janine. She was encouraged and challenged at the call to be ambassadors of Christ in our departments - both personally, as well as professionally. Janine also loved the idea that history is inherently political - don't ask, you'll have to talk with her if you come and visit.

I spect Sat. morning trying to learn SAS, a statistics software. Following this I spent about three hours in Illini Grove at the IV picnic. It was here that I splurged on free food - burgers, salad, pasta, brownies, chilli, and much more! Sand volleyball helped to ward off the lethargic feeling that comes after a big meal. After the picnic, the guys and headed to the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival!

For nearly an hour we worked at the Tapestry booth trying to hand out literature and talk with "neighbors" about the new church. After picking up the booth, we made a bee-line for the sweetcorn! The butter -covered fruit was like candy to a young child. Coupled with the live funk music, you couldn't have asked for a better evening. I take that back, if Jesus' parousia had occured the evening would have been perfect! Upon returning home, the four of us sat around reading Farside books. Once someone found a really funny one we would pass it around for a good group laugh! The evening ended late as we exchanged stories with some girls from church while lounging on the porch.

Hessel Park Reformed Chruch was quite an experience. They love Christ and make His mercy and love known through a beautifully liturgic service. After a call to worship we sang two hymns. This was followed by Scripture reading - both old and new testament excerpts. A much needed prayer and song of repentance was next, followed again by another hymn. Sunday's sermon was over Romans 6:15-23 - what it means to be slaves to sin and slaves to God. Verse 22: "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." Slaves of sin in the sense that we think that the will we have created for ourselves will be to our best and for our good. This is wrong, putting the creature on the pedastool, dishonoring God. But we're now slaves of God - made for Him and his benefit, but the analagy breaks down because unlike slaves, our Master's good doesn't result in our oppression. Rather it works toward our utmost good.

I've got to head to the library before it closes!!!