Wednesday, 30 August 2006

The book of Romans... WE'RE GOIN' IN, BOYS!

So this is overdue for an update and I could probably write for hours, but that'll make it too long.

It feels like God is blessing me a lot recently. I'm not exactly sure why since I certainly don't deserve it, but I'm incredibly thankful, especially at this time of year. The last week at home was one of the best of the summer-hanging out with Will & Juliana practically every night was just plain awesome, whether at the State Park on the dunes after midnight (shh, don't tell the DNR), at the brewpub, or watching two acts of Die Walküre and getting Haydn symphonies-hurray!

Then it was time to come back and I didn't want to. I knew I wanted to come back to Hope, especially after Steven & Joanna's wedding and seeing tons of good friends. But my fluffy kittycats had to stay home (yes, I'm a sap), and so did my family.

But then I got here and I saw friends and I became happy again. I saw my room, heard the jet-engine roar of my A/C (which incidentally hasn't stopped once since I've arrived), set things up, and made it feel more like home while waiting for Jay to arrive. Chapel Choir made me even more excited-these are the people I spend time with!

Then came Sunday, which brought my roommate, our first Chapel Choir performance of the year at Convocation, a surprise visit from Ben (complete with some insight on how God worked through him this summer), and a picnic full of food!

After running home for the night to grab forgotten items, hug kittycats and family, and driving back in the rain the next afternoon, I felt now it was time to be back, and the year has now kicked off to an amazing start. Introduction to Biblical Literature might be a bit more than I bargained for, but Conducting Techniques with Dr. Richmond is going to be amazing. He's making it fun, amusing, and teaching us a pretty cool party trick-can YOU hookshot a quarter behind your head and clap your hands exactly when it lands? If you're a conductor or conductor-in-training, you can! Hearing about Chapel Choir auditions has me excited as well-my remaining vocal music ed. colleagues now have taken their rightful places in Chapel Choir and Dr. Richmond says we'll have "a to die-for tenor section."

But possibly most exciting came late in the evening. Admittedly, planning for the Bible Studs has been a little scary-am I prepared to help shepherd a small-group through a monumental book like Romans, all while trying follow the Holy Spirit's directions? After meeting with Nate, Brandon, and Pete, praying for everyone and the year together, and discussing our plan of attack, my fears have been calmed. Helping lead with three fine men of God such as them will be a pleasure, and the encouragement from Josh in front of the Keppel House was a blessing.

Well, since I have an 8:30 class awaiting and reading to do, time to look at the conducting book and then go to bed. Random note: everyone listen to this song. It's amazing-40 different vocal parts. Yeah Thomas Tallis!

Currently Listening The Renaissance In Music (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium) Spem in Alium see related