One down, one to go.

I do not even know where to begin thinking about how I officially just completed my first year at Biola. It FLEW by! The year has been fantastic, I feel as though I have grown up in many ways (other than taking out the trash without my mom having to ask me). This year has been a blessing, challenge, and definitely made an impact on my life. I have learned what it is like to share a room with someone, not just sharing a bathroom, but a small room, its tougher than the world claims, but thankfully I did not come out with horror stories like some might. I have also discovered the beauty of paying for your own food and groceries, ummm....can I be 15 again where I cannot provide for myself? I cannot believe how expensive food is! Another discovery is the blessing of California gas prices, thank you for guzzling up my pay checks..But most of all throughout this year I have grown in my relationships with friends here as well as for the main reason of going to Biola, my relationship with God.

This semester having my theology class was life changing. Theology seemed too deep for me to grasp before Thoennes' class, however I think the things that I took out of his class are amazing. The beginning of class he spoke about how my generation is living in an "intentionally inattentive" way, always facebooking on our smart phones or texting someone three seats down from you when someone else is trying to talk to you about serious life moments. I felt convicted from the first week of class. However, one of the biggest things that I took away from his class was the image of God, and how EVERYONE bears that image. It sounds so simple and churchy, but when I started to apply that thought to the annoying customer at work that was barking orders at me in an accent that I could not comprehend while giving me death glares of disgust and anger that I couldn't do my simple job and get them a vanilla latte, I realized how much I was not viewing people in this way. It is still a challenge for me to think that even though I might not particularly care for a certain individual, they still bear the image of God. When realizing everyone who I didn't see in that way, I realized how wrong my theological outlook was on life, and gave me a bigger sense of humility in realizing that simply because someone doesn't treat me the right way, or they do not seem to be normal to the rest of the world, i am no better than them in regards to being an image bearer of God. We also discussed how that image of God is objectified in women as well as in men. And how being sinful is seen as a pleasure. I could write an insanely long blog about this class, but I feel like words cannot describe everything that I learned.

I am truly thankful for my first year at Biola. God blessed me in so many ways and with so many new friends in my life. It is weird to be leaving and going home over the summer, but its also very exciting. My university is like a community that I truly enjoy being a part of. A perfect example would be how tonight I walking to my dorm from the parking structure (since there is NEVER parking at Stewart!) carrying boxes to pack up my dorm, and two boys that live below me stopped and asked me if I wanted a ride, they wouldn't take my hesitant "no thanks" as an answer, and were so nice and drove me back. ( this is quote worthy: one of them said "where did you just come from? box land??") Their random act of kindness won them some homemade cookies that they didn't know i had, so i think it was a win for both parties. I am so thankful that my parents were willing to allow me to go to such a pricey school, I know that the experiences that I am having here would not be the same as at another university.


As always....for your viewing pleasure:

13.1

Its been awhile again, but school comes first my friends. =)

I must say that this past week has been amazing. Going home for spring break was really refreshing for me. I was getting extremely home sick after not being home for over four months. Being home and hanging out with all of my friends made me realize how blessed I am. God has not only given me an amazing new group of friends at Biola, but he has continued to bless me with the amazing people back home. I felt so loved with how many people I had to go see while I was home. Despite the extreme business, I loved every second. Even though when I was home for two years after high school and I was becoming somewhat sick of Arizona (not the people), after being gone for so long I realized how truly amazing it is. I have missed everyone there so much. I am looking forward to hanging out with my old group of friends again. Especially my lovely BFF kp, our dorky hilarious times are my favorite. I am so thankful for who God has placed in my life.

Spring Break Favs:

• New record timing for getting home, under 5 hours. I am going with the "there was absolutely no traffic" idea, rather than thinking I was breaking any laws...
• Lunch with Matt Boling followed by an epic double Savers adventure is always a good time.
  
• Karyn Puleo lies claiming she beat me in an egg hunt, there are still 2 eggs missing (real ones might I add) in my backyard, therefore it is a draw because we did not complete the hunt fest.
  
• Playing Scrabble with Vance, Karyn, and Sunshine learning new names for a pekingese dog
• During my lovely PB&J lunch date with Megan Tappan, we discovered that mascara is rumored to be made out of bat poop, however instead it actually has fish scales in it, we are still debating on our comfort level of the new discovery, its a win that bat poop is not in the vicinity of my eye ball, however fish scales isn't exactly my top choice either.
  
• Luke Wright's house is always going to be one of my favorite chill places. Love the conversations that go on there.
  
• Lunch with Erin Long, oh how I miss her.
  
• My mom and I discovered yogurtology, umm delicious
  
• coffee with Cory and listening to his horrific theology of how a platypus came into creation still is making me laugh
  
• Molly's snoring woke me up almost every morning and I couldn't have been more content.
  

Spring break was overdue and extremely needed, it made me excited to come home for the summer.

Just keep running, just keep running
Cheesy title, but you know what, I ran 13.1 miles so I get to say whatever I want. =). After training for three months, discovering muscles that I never knew could be sore, I accmoplished completing a half marathon with Abigail. Dedicating to running around five times a week, we were ready to be done with our insane decision. The race was "fun" despite my minor knee injury around mile 8. My parents were extremely excited that I finally decided I would run, (I do not know if you know me well enough but I tend to be somewhat stubborn to my parents, shocking I know due to my peachy, easy-going personality, but I refused to run simply because they were determined to get me to start running). After it is all done, I have to admit that I enjoyed it, I enjoy the feeling that I have of accomplishment as well as the soreness. I had to hobble around the library yesterday in attempts to get the materials needed for my research paper, and even though I thought I was going to cry every time I stood up, sat down or bent down to get a book of the lower shelf, I love the feeling. Stairs are still a challenge being day 2 after the race, but sadly ( and I hate to admit this in writing) I think that I am going to continue with running and run another. [ew I cannot believe I just admitted that].

For your viewing pleasure: