So Sally, did you learn anything?

So, it is the last week of the semester and I’m sure you are wondering what I have learned:

• In Spanish: Bluetooth technology was named after a viking from Denmark, named Harold Bluetooth who helped open up communication among his people
• In Family Processes: the divorce rate is obtained by dividing the rate of marriage in a given year by the rate of divorces…so the 50% we all hear may be off, not necessarily one out of every 2 marriages end in divorce, there just may be twice as many marriages as divorces in a given year.
• In English: Benjamin Franklin had a huge ego and as he says: “I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue [humility], but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it.”
• In Social Problems: Well, I already know where all social problems come from and what they told us in class was NOT even close…But the professor did tell us how to smoke Marijuana*.
• In Child Development: A LOT!! But probably one of the things that stuck out to me was that when babies are learning to talk they can make the sounds for any language (called phonemes). After learning their native language(s) their brain and muscles start to forget how to make those sounds (synaptic pruning).
• In Introduction to Child Development and Family Studies: I learned how to make a resume and what the rest of my college career will look like.

Anyway, I have grown a lot this semester and have learned a lot in class and out. I have come to love my Lord Jesus more than ever. Recently I have been reading Psalm 119 verses 97-104 have encouraged me this past week.

99I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts. ~Psalm 119:99-100

*I will not disclose this information to anyone no matter the reason. Besides I really didn’t listen so I probably have it all wrong.

the Sovereignty and Goodness of God

For my English 250 class we are reading through Mary Rowlandson’s book ‘The Sovereignty and goodness of God’. This is a narration of her experiences in being held captive by Native Americans in 1676. Mary Rowlandson was a Puritan woman and relates her experiences with frequent reference to the Bible and Biblical truths.

I was surprised when I found out what kind of book this is not expecting to read about things I believe at a secular university. But alas, while I am not sure why the teacher picked this particular text, the way it is discussed seems to mock the puritan’s view and a lot of my beliefs. Never let it be said that Sally never earned her participation points, but I find that, in order not to be obnoxious in class, I must carefully choose what comments I should make and when to speak what comes to mind.

“But the Lord renewed my strength still, and carried me along, that I might see more of his Power; yea, so much that I could never have though of, had I not experienced it.” How can you expect people to read lines like this and know what the author really meant if they have not experienced the power of God in their own lives? How much can I explain to someone who doesn’t even believe God exists, that it is only through His power that I am who I am? This is something that really needs to be experienced in order to knowledgeably talk about.

Well I know that I am called to speak the truth in love. To show what I believe by the way I live.

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Rom 10:14)

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb 4:12)

Life is happening…hold on!!

Life has been a little busy and somewhat hectic. Being a part of a foster family definitely adds a little excitement every now and then. Two weeks ago a toddler was added to our number and last week her little brother came home from the hospital…now we are a family of eight, I always wanted a huge family so now my dreams are coming true. But in the middle of the night when the baby cries and wakes me up I kind of wonder what in the world I was thinking to dream such big things! It is so precious, though, to come home from school and help out with the kids. Now that I am in Early Intervention I can apply what I learn in school (at least my child development class) as soon as I get home: “David, the baby can’t see you clearly at all. You are just a big blur. At this age infants like to look at high contrast objects, black and white things. Maybe in a few months he will be more interested in the faces you make at him.”

This weekend was fall break so Beth and I took a trip to Tennessee to visit our grandparents. While we were there we also got to visit with our cousins and aunts and uncles. It was a nice trip but came at a rather inconvenient time with the baby coming while we were gone. As soon as we got home on Tuesday mom headed to bed for a much needed nap and I fixed dinner while the babies were at a visitation with their parents and Beth did some laundry.

I should better get going to church where I help with the Middle School Youth Group, that should be exciting too…Wow, so much is happening I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

1 Peter 3:13-16 (NASB)