Normal College Experience

Right now I am sitting in a computer lab at Cascade Christian College in Portland, OR. I am visiting a friend for a few days, who attends here. I have been here for one day, and it has been quite an experience! I've loved it so far, and I'm looking forward to what the next couple days hold.
As I am a community college student, the "normal College experience" is very different from what I'm used to. Waking up 20min before a class, being in class for a couple hours, going to chapel, eating lunch then attending a couple more classes, hanging out in the computer lab in the evening and between all of those things being able to run back to your room which is in the next building over. Not only all that, but the class dynamics are very different. most of the students are all around the same age, whereas in community college there are students of all ages and knowledge levels. I'm familiar and comfortable with my horticulture program at community college, and I can't wait for school to start in april. But I am also thoroughly enjoying the difference here at Cascade.

Patience and Contentment

God is so amazing!

Sometimes I feel like I've just been slapped in the head with that thought. Growing up in the church... I know in my head that God is good, and amazing, and awesome, however I don't always know with my whole being that this is true. This past 6 months have been a huge learning experience for me. In a way I have been forced to trust God again. I had gone for a long time without trusting God, without leaning on God, and without listening to God. I was doing it my way without regard for God's will in my life.

One area of my life would work really well as an example: in the past few months I had become extremely frustrated with my work situation. I didn't get along with my department manager, and it got so bad that I dreaded going in to work. Because I was so frustrated I started frantically searching for a new job. I just wanted out... I didn't care where I went next, as long as the pay was good and the hours were there. out of that search came a couple phone calls and an interview. The interview went well, and they wanted to hire me. Then I actually sat down and thought about it, and realised that it was pretty much the same thing I was doing with slightly better pay. So I turned it down. Then I started getting more involved in a new church family, and really tried to focus on things that are spiritual. The important things. I kept feeling this tug on my heart that I needed to be content. Content with my job situation, with my home situation - with material life in general. So I gave in, I decided to be content with where I was working, to do everything in my power to make the situation better and leave the rest to God. A few days later... I noticed an ad for a garden store who was looking to hire people with experience. I decided to just go down to talk with them and find out exactly what they were looking for in an employee. I went in, talked a little with the receptionist, and pretty soon I was filling out an application and then sat down for an interview. The needs that they had in an employee where the same work situations I was hoping for. I left that day as a new employee.
I know that this is a long story to read, but I just had to share because this is one major instance in my life recently that showed me what patience and contentment can do. When we submit our wills and dreams and plans to God, He blesses us!

interesting thought

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint ...
What equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%.
How about achieving 101%?
What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R ST U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
and K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But, A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
AND, look how far the love of God will take you
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top.