1st Day of Class!

So I'm attempting to get better at writing on here and keeping everyone informed of what is going on. We will see how long this trend lasts before I am so bogged down with homework that I barely have time to eat. I can almost feel those days coming...but until then, I will update you as often as I can. :)

Today was the FIRST day of classes! For those of you who don't know, here at NTBI we take ALL of our morning classes (8-12 o'clock) with the same people, whatever class you entered the school with. So for me, I take all my morning classes with the newly acclaimed junior class. We started with a little over 20 and are now down to 13, which is sad, but we really like our little class. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of teachers, we have had to do a little rearranging of schedules. Our 8:00 class every block this semester is with the Senior class. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't like going from a class of 20-13 to a class of around 60-70. It's just a whole different dynamic. BUT I know that I will get used to it and I am so thankful that I am able to be here under the instruction of God's Word, so I know that it will become the new normal...even though I still think it's sad. :( However we were able to start Daniel/Revelation with the seniors today and man am I excited to get more into that class...it's the only one I haven't started homework for so far! After Dan/Rev, we started Romans. I had been marking up a copy over break...although I haven't gotten past the 10th chapter...and I went back to look at my copy again today and to make some outline divisions. However, I just got so caught up in making more markings and writing more questions and circling key words and listing what man is and who God is and sooooo much more, that I didn't even get to my outline...which is the actual assignment that I need to get cracking on. But I just get so excited with what I read!

The last class was Family Relationships. I'm really looking forward to this class. We have to write an essay (due on Wednesday) where we have to interview and get a feel for how Christians view dating and how they choose who they date, etc. It's going to be a really interesting paper. It's already made me think a lot about my own values in dating and my own mistakes as well. It's been really neat to see God continue to just grow me in areas, even though the process is sometimes incredibly painful. I'm looking forward to really digging into the Word and what HE has to say about dating and marriage relationships, because HIS truth is MY truth...I just need to find out what that is. Honestly, with some situations that have happened recently, I feel like my heart is so ready to hear these truths. I've seen how I can royally screw things up with my ideas and my thoughts toward dating, especially lately, and I am looking forward to learning. :)

I also just finished a pamphlet for that class on child-rearing. It was definitely a perspective I haven't really thought about or heard before and I'm going to do a lot more chewing on these new thoughts and ideas. It's funny to look at things in light of what culture says and in light of what you grew up with and compare it to what the Bible says...and sometimes I think it has astonishing results. Well at least it did for me. Definitely some good thoughts.

I also got to go to coffee with a good friend today. It is really neat to be able to relate stories of similar situations and frustrations and be able to both bring it back to God and the truth He has revealed to us. I was so encouraged today.

Tonight was also the first night back at youth group! I've missed those kids...they are so great! We sang and talked about Moses and had a snowball fight (out of paper snowballs because the real ones outside were more ice-balls) and just enjoyed the fellowship. Then we came home and spent an hour working out as part of my new work-out regiment...gotta get in shape for this wedding. :)

Oh, and just so you all know, Kayla and I decided to do a sugar fast UNTIL the wedding! That means more than 6 months with no sugar...what a challenge. I'm up for it though. We will have wedding cake to celebrate our victory. I can't wait for that day to come! Oh the anticipation!