Well into my final semester

Hello!

Well, my final semester of college is about 1/4 of the way gone, and I'm having a hard time believing it, although I know it's true. In 88 days, I graduate, Lord willing.

So far this semester has been going pretty well academically. My classes are going pretty well - I'm understanding most of the material well, and I'm enjoying lab assisting again. I've been able to be doing a lot with my lab assisting this semester - I do a lot of discussing various aircraft fuel system components with the students and make sure they have a thorough understanding of their function. I also am doing all of the grading for this lab - 34 students - they are keeping me busy. I'm enjoying it, though.

A couple weeks ago the instructor for the lab I'm working with, Mr. Foulk, had a biopsy done and it has been confirmed since then that he has a form of cancer. As far as I know they are still figuring out his course of treatment. So if you think of it, be praying for Mr. Foulk.

Last week a good friend of mine, Rebekah Daniels, found out that her mother has cancer. Her treatment started yesterday. Please be praying for Rebekah's mom, too.

I would love to hear how I can be praying for you, and what is going on in your life. Send me an email and let me know!

Back at school

Well, I'm back in Longview - in fact, I have been since Sunday afternoon. I went to church and had dinner with my parents and grandparents on Sunday, then headed back to Longview. I got settled back into my apartment, and just relaxed. I had expected my new roommate, Jason, and his brother, Derek (who has been in my apartment since last semester) to get back Sunday, but figured they must not be coming until Monday when they hadn't showed up by 10:30 or so Sunday night. I woke up Monday morning to find Jason asleep on the couch because he hadn't wanted to disturb me when they got in at 1:30 or 2:00.

I spent Monday working on getting books, and again just taking it easy and hanging out. I have class at 7:10 AM out at the airport on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I was up early to get some breakfast from the cafeteria before catching the 6:50 bus out to the airport. Class went well, then I lab assisted for Carburetion and Fuel Systems lab and came back, working on different stuff around the apartment the rest of the day. This afternoon was class and lab, so I feel like I'm starting to get back into a schedule and a routine, which is nice. I never thought I would say this about Longview, but it feels good to be home.

Preparing to head back to Longview

Happy New Year!


What are you going to do for God this year?

I know for me, I tend to focus on selfish plans at the beginning of the new year. Plans for how to better my life, to do what I want, etc. But when it comes down to it, that's not what we should be thinking about. I've been convicted that my primary goal for this year needs to be to glorify God, and do His will - no matter the cost. I'm not comfortable with this - but I know that it is the best way to go, and I plan to live by that philosophy.

I'm getting ready to head back to Longview on Sunday to finish up my time at LeTourneau - if God wills it, I will be graduating on May 5. I have used Christmas break to start making some more contacts about possible employment after I graduate - two of the companies I contacted told me they aren't currently hiring, but to go ahead and send them my resume. One responded a couple hours later, asking for more information and references, which was encouraging. I'm not just seeking a job somewhere, I want to please God and do what He wants me to.

Let me know how I can pray for you, and ask yourself - what are you going to do for God this year? Then do it.

Christmas Break

Hello!

Once again I have fallen behind in updating my blog, and for that I apologize.

Thanksgiving break turned out to be very interesting - I had car problems in Mississippi and ended up spending Wednesday, all day Thanksgiving day, and part of Friday, in Brandon, MS. The vast majority of Wednesday, and Friday morning, I sat in a shop while my car was being worked on. Eventually i got it fixed, and returned to Longview on Friday. Saturday one of my professors invited me over for Thanksgiving leftovers, and I went over there for a delicious supper. Shortly after I got there, though, my car was backed into. Not a whole lot of damage was done, though, thankfully.

My semester finished out well - I was reasonably pleased with my grades, and was able to spend some time with friends. I finished finals on Wednesday evening, drove to Tennessee on Thursday, where I spent the night with my uncle and aunt, then Friday drove to Virginia. The following Thursday (the 15th) I went to West Virginia and picked up Becky from college after she finished her finals, then we came back down to Virginia, where my parents are still staying with my grandparents while they continue to look for work and thus a new home. Yesterday, the 19th, my parents and I took Becky to the airport in Charlotte, NC, for her to fly home to Vermont, then my parents and I spent the night with my sister Sarah. This morning we came back up to Virginia, and tomorrow morning (Wednesday) my parents and I will be driving to Tennessee to spend the night with my uncle and aunt again, then Thursday we're heading to Dallas, where I plan to spend the remainder of my Christmas break.

Let me know how I can be praying for you, and may you have a blessed Christmas.

Thanksgiving

Wow, it's been a long time since I've done this. And a fair bit has happened since then.

Since last posting, I went camping for fall break, with a group of my fellow students, and some of the leadership from my church. The time there was absolutely awesome - I got more sleep those first few nights than the last time that I can remember any other weekend. One night four of us guys decided to go sleep by the bluffs, instead of at the main camp site, so we ate supper, grabbed our gear and went to the bluffs - getting there around 7:00 PM. We talked, and I fell asleep at 9:00 - that is something that does not happen often at all. I woke up at 6:00 the next morning to the sound of heavy animal breathing - my hand was over 3/4 of the way from my hammock to my revolver when I realized that what I'd heard was a deer blowing. I smiled, pulled my hand back into my hammock, went went back to sleep for another hour. It was great.

I've spent the past few weeks doing homework, spending a little time with friends, and being amazed by how close the end of the semester is getting. Tonight I got to go see an artistic presentation called The 5 Dragon Daughter. This is an artistic presentation of the gospel that was written and everything was done for it by local people here in Longview. They are working on getting up to the point of touring the U.S. doing this presentation. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend attending.

Right now I have two days of classes left before Thanksgiving - our school only gives us Thursday and Friday off, but I have no classes on Wednesday. As a result, I will be leaving campus very early on Wednesday morning, driving to Alabama and meeting up with Tim and Beth and Annette to ride with them up to Virginia. Saturday we will return to Alabama, and Sunday I will drive the rest of the way back to Longview. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to go and spend time with my family again this Thanksgiving. I ask for prayers for safety in travel, as there are many people out traveling.

Let me know how I can be praying for you.

Almost fall break

Well, the semester is about half over, as evidenced by the midterms last week and this week, and the fact that fall break is nearly here!

For fall break this year I will be doing the same thing I did my sophomore year - going camping with a college group from my church in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. I will be there Saturday through Tuesday, out of communication with the outside world, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Please be praying that the rest of this week, including a couple of tests, go well and that I be able to focus, and for safety on fall break.

Update

Hello!

Well, I am amazed by the fact that the semester is already over 1/4 over. Classes are going well, though, as is lab assisting. I am really enjoying my job, and the paycheck that goes with it is also quite nice.

Right now I'm anxiously waiting to find out where my parents are going to live next, and to find out the next step with helping my grandfather's heart issues. Thankfully I have a light course load this semester, as my mind tends to spend a lot of time not on school, with everything going on. If you think of it, please be praying for both of these situations.

Please also be praying for the Hewitt family (Becky's family) as Mr. Hewitt's father (Becky's grandfather) went home to be with his Savior last week. While there is no doubt where he is, it is still hard for his family, especially his wife of over 60 years. So please keep them in your prayers.

How can I be praying for you?