Currently Listening Juno By Original Soundtrack see related

This post is for those of you who have been thinking or praying about my decision on which college to attend, now that I’ve finished at Garrett. I wanted to first of all say thank you for your prayers, they are a real encouragement, and I do appreciate the ways you show your support.

I feel disconnected from a lot of you, just because I’ve been so busy over the past month and a half. Literally, Christmas break filled up faster than I ever thought it would. But in case you haven’t heard, on January fourteenth (I think it was) I was accepted to Messiah, which had been my number one choice. Since that day, and for the next two weeks, I CANNOT tell you how many ups and downs I experienced. At first, my timely acceptance was elating, and I was convinced that it was a sign that God wanted to work things out for me to go there. But as the initial excitement slowly wore off, I realized the reality of the situation, and I knew that much more thought and prayer had to go into my decision. I had - - influences - - from both sides persuading me either way. So I battled over this choice for about two weeks. I decided to go to Messiah, then to go to Frostburg, then to Messiah. And, I kid you not, I made up my mind probably five times.

This past Wednesday, God showed me some things that hadn’t been known to me before. And for once, I felt a strong peace about my decision. So, I am going to Frostburg this spring. =) I’ll still be looking to work things out to go to Messiah in the fall, unless God shows me otherwise. But for now, I’m happy where I’m at and I’m looking forward to the changes and challenges that God has in store for me.

I start at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning with Spanish class.

So, that’s the quick update. If you want to know more about my life, but won’t see me in person... you probably want to go to my Facebook to talk to me.

Thanks again for everything you mean to me. I haven’t forgotten you. I hope I never will.

God bless.

Four football fans – a cowboys fan, an eagles fan, a Steelers fan, and a Patriots fan – are climbing a steep mountain and arguing about who loves his team more.

The Cowboys fan insists that he is the most loyal. “This is for the Cowboys!” he yells, and jumps off the side of the mountain.

Not to be outdone, the Eagles fan shouts, “This is for the Eagles!” and throws himself off the mountain.

The Steelers fan was next to profess his love for his team. He yells, “This is for everyone!” and pushes the Patriot fan off the mountain.

  Now obviously, there are three general Patriot fans in my life that are exempt to this brutal treatment - Carmen, Amy, and Jim - who are much too dear to literally ‘dispose of’ by pushing off a mountain. But in the context of the joke, this is truly hilarious and I give two thumbs up to the author.

  I guess while I'm actually on Xanga, I might as well give  brief update on my life. Guess what everyone (!)... I'm going to be finished with the semester at Garrett in 13 days!! I'm really excited about that. As of now, I'm still looking for God to guide me where to take the next step. I've applied to EMU, Frostburg, and Messiah, and been accepted at EMU and Frostburg. If it were up to me, I'd chose Messiah, but I am trying not to let personal prefference make the decision. I want that to be in His hands.

  Life away from school has been good. I'm getting to know more and more of what an amazing person God created Carmen to be, and her family is wonderful too. Although, Marlee tried a prank last night. Wanna hear the story? Okay, Carmen and Amy were making cookies on Tuesday night together. Carmen promised that she'd save a couple for me. So last night, she brought some over to my house. There were five cookies altogether. My dad got one first, then I tried one, and my mom had one, so there were two left. (I'm so glad I'm in college and can calculate such advanced mathematics.) Anyway, Marlee "poisoned" one of the cookies with who knows what atrosities, in an attempt to kill me. Unfortunantely for her, the cookie she poisoned, and secretly snuck into the cookies Carmen was giving to me, ended up being eaten by my little sister Evi! It was really funny. She tasted it, and instead of throwing up and expressing her dissatisfaction with Carmen's baking, she quietly disposed of the bite she had taken, and put the rest in the fridge without Carmen or I seeing. I don't know why the fridge, but who cares? I'm already plotting my actions retaliation.

I'm actually suppose to be working on a project for school right now, because it's due Sunday night, and I basically just started it this morning. I usually perform better under procrastination-caused-pressure anyway, so I'm not worried. But I might have to make a couple social sacrifices this weekend to complete it.

... such as making needless posts on Xanga. [cough] So I'm going to go work on that now. [sniff]

God bless,

Currently Watching Blood Diamond (Widescreen Edition) By Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly, Kagiso Kuypers, Arnold Vosloo see related

Confused Jessie

Studying Me

Random Pig
(got deleted because I was tired of seeing his face on my webpage)

 
Cute Sister

Pretty Sunrise

Beautiful Girlfriend

I posted. =)

Currently Listening Five Score and Seven Years Ago By Relient K I'm Taking You With Me see related

I have nothing superiorly elaborate to say to you. No endless monologue or story to relate to you. This time I will keep my post short and to the point. Not that I directly have a point... I'm just posting because it's been almost a month. And I just realized that on the bottom of my page, only 5 posts down, is the post I made when I was getting stressed out over finals week. [brow] That's pretty much a sure sign that I've become Xanga-etically pathetic.

So my short update on life is for the sake of all who care, and to clear my conscience after realizing such neglect.

I am staying fairly busy. It could be much worse, but I actually enjoy a full schedule for the most part. I'm carrying thirteen credits at Garrett, seven of which are through online courses. The online course was not ment for the average procrastinator... I'm above average. =) So that's a challenge, but so far I've been excited about trying to reach my goals and met the challenge. The on-campus classes are Monday/Wednesday, so I'm also working two days a week on construction. I thought about getting a different job for the part-time employment, but decided to stick with Mossy Horn since I've already been there for a while and have recieved a few raises. More money for my hour. [smile]

I'm really enjoying getting to know my girlfriend better, and learning the exciting aspects of God's design for a dating relationship. She's so much more than I deserve and I thank God for her all the time. Tomorrow's our one month anniversary. I'm really looking forward to see where God will take us, and how He will use each of us to mold the other into the person God wants us to be.

Basketball season is starting up, and this year could be one for the history books. My team has remained almost the same, except for the two wonderful new additions to the team, Nick Pickrel, and Ben Smith. We play our first scrimmage tomorrow night, and have our first regular season game on Saturday. It will be fun, but I'm disappointed by the fact that I might only be here for half of the season this year. Since I'm graduating with my AA from Garrett in December, I will be transferring for the Spring semester. But God's in control, eh?

My closest friends and I have started up a small Bible study group. Not that we study a small Bible, but what I mean is that the Bible study group is small. Now that I think about it, I might want to take that back. At our first meeting we had ten people, and I know of at least two more who are interested in coming to the next one. It's great. We are keeping the discussion focused on the Bible, but unlike typical Bible studies, we leave it open to ask questions that you have about passeges of Scripture, or things in the church, or even questions about everyday life. It's been good to hear other people's opinions and seeing how we can spur one another on in Christ. A meeting that was expected to bring fulfillment by recieving answers, has actually given me an even deeper hunger to know more of God's Word. To make me THINK about not just what the Bible says, but what it MEANS. So that's a new and exciting thing in my life.

Other than that... life going fine. I'm taking it one day at a time. 

I’m going to pretend that I’m not a procrastinator and that no one already knows what I am about to say. That way I can still show my excitement as I tell my story.

   Friends are wonderful gifts from God. He designed the process of learning to love and appreciate your friends for who they are, while accepting their faults and weaknesses. It’s one more way to experience how great and truly amazing His grace is in our lives, and how powerful the gift of His unconditional love really is.

   So there’s this girl... [notice the grin on his face growing as the story unfolds] I’ve known her for probably most of my life, but only started developing a friendship a few years ago. Since then, I’ve seen God shape and mold her into a young woman of God with a passion for people and a light in her eyes that can only come from the Father. As the months and years passed, God also grew our friendship. She use to be a girl I only knew, but now she’s someone I can truly call my best friend. We have shared lots of fun times and laughs, like most friends do. But when life brings struggles, and hard times; when God was teaching or stretching us, she has always been someone to talk to, who listens and cares. Being able to open up and be real with her, to share what was really going on, instead of trying to hide feelings under the surface has been a blessing I cannot take for granted.

   So there’s this girl... [smile gets bigger] as I watched the way God grew in her, and experienced the joy that she brings into my life, I developed an interest for something more than a friendship. After many prayers and much time thinking about what God’s plan was for her and I; after talking to her parents and close friends and asking for their support through prayer, I felt God telling me that it was time. On Monday night, August 20, at 10:14pm, I decided that it was time to take the next step in our relationship; to start dating! I asked her the question.... and after silence, joyous laughter, and a quick “really?”, she said yes.=)

   As I start into this new chapter of life, I’m excited as to what’s ahead. I look forward to where God might take us, individually, and as a couple. This is going to be an amazing journey, and I know that we will need the continued prayers and support from friends and family. You all mean so much to us.

   This is one of the most incredible people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. There are so many things I could say that I appreciate and respect about her, including her strong character, her fun personality, her energetic attitude, her patience [chuckle], and most importantly her ever-growing relationship with Christ. She has a smile that’s contagious, and her love for God shines through to everyone she meets. I’m so thankful that God has placed her into my life, and by His grace alone, has allowed us to grow together and come to this point. It is by His grace alone that will carry us on from here. I hope and pray that our relationship can be honoring to God, and a blessing to those around us.

   [deep breath] This is my best friend, and my amazingly wonderful girlfriend, Carmen Rome` Overholt.

“For where I fail, and come short of your expectations, I ask for patience and forgiveness. I am excited about growing closer to you as we both seek God’s direction in our lives. I hope I can be an encouragement to you, and never hold you back from reaching your dreams. If in His will, as long as God allows, I will always be there for you. I pinky promise.”