Tears in my eyes

I sure do miss all of you, but that's not the reason for the tears! One of my profs has such a monotomous voice. Every class period my eyes tear up because of bordom! Nonetheless, classes are flowing well. I'm pretty sure that stats will be fairly easy, especially because it's all review. Matt, the prof from aq. eco. cons., and I get along really well. I enjoy the class material. This week we've been discussing watershed and stream geomorphology. While we don't have a textbook for the class, I've been reading some of the suggested texts in order to keep up with the terminology and general concepts. Watershed hydrology is also very interesting, but it's hard to pay attention in class.

Some highlights from the week:

Ben and I lifted weights on Tuesday. I focused on my lower body. Every day since then I have been sore. My body isn't used to squatting with 120lbs of weight on my back or dead lifting the same weight.

Marshall, the other MS student under my advisor, and I collected water samples on Monday. We were able to keep lively conversation while driving the hundred mile route south of town. We dropped one of our sample bottles in the South Fork river, and not having an extra, we were forced to get a little wet and dirty to retrieve our plastic friend. Praise God that I decided to go with Marshall, otherwise there would not have been a chance in saving the bottle!

Today Abe and I went to an awesome Mexican eating facility. Abe grew up as an MK in Argentina and can speak fluent Spanish. He's the worship leader of Tapestry and has an honest heart that is seaking after God. After dinner I attended environmental action night! I walked around the booths for about 15 minutes, gathered some material, and left. Definantly some cool stuff to get involved with: service projects thru YMCA, panel discussions at Engineers Without Borders, and prairie conservation volunteer stuff.

Saturday Blake and some of the IV guys, including myself, are going to the Illinois vs. Rutgers football game. This is my first Big 10 Football game and I'm way excited!

Spiritually speaking...

I've started reading John Patton's autobiography, which has been really encouraging. He was humble Convenantor with a heart for people, both in Scotland and abroad.

I've spent more time praying then study the Scriptures. My prayers have been broad, but have some central themes: seeking praise from God, over than from man; help in honoring godly women as God's daughters - in both my heart, mind, and in action; sharing Christ with my colleagues at school; taking a spirit of joy and affecting my brothers and sisters at IV and in the house; and, finding a church home.

Many prayers have been lifted up for all of you: TRPC - faith that leads to a loss-of-life Christian lifestyle; the Griffos; my family - Dad and Gayle - Mom, Sam and Matt - the Burks - Michelle and Mike - Grandma and Grandpa; My friends - all of you at Challenge - Swifty, Cara G. and B., Nicky, Lori, Suzette, Casie, Kristen, Big C, Kleber, Brittney, Andy B., Stones - please forgive me if I forgot to mention you! Be asured that my prayers are with you, though.

In the Scriptures, however, I have been reading out of Romans and Hebrews. The promise remains, if we will hear and hold onto our confession from the beginning, we have a foretaste of and will enter His rest (Heb 4). Exhort one another and tell, in order that others may hear with faith.

Psalm 63:8 "My soul clings to You"

In the Spirit of Jesus, go and be ambassadors!

~PB