OT Survey

Sorry about taking over a month off of blogging.
I've been busy. I know, I know, no excuses.

But I love college =] for the most part. I may have my days where I complain and have to switch my bracelet a LOT, but overall it is amazing. Never before have teachers gotten to know you so well, and pray with you, and genuinely care. And the students here don't just become friends, they start to become family. I love it. Love it. =]

Old Testament Survey is my favorite class so far. It is one of the hardest, but it's so cool to learn about the bible. I don't enjoy the lecture part too much yet (maybe cause I am not used to it), but the reading is amazing. It makes think so much.

Lets start with the various views on origins.
-->Evolution. Being a Christian, we must reject this theory, but it simply states that everything started with single-celled organisms. New species have developed over billions of years. Basically God isn't needed in this theory.
-->Theistic Evolution. Brings together the basic components of the theory of evolution with the Creator. Believes that God created life, but used the process of evolution to bring the world as we see it today. Example: Adam's body was an animal that God placed an eternal soul into. Yeah, not going for this view either, unacceptable.
-->Creationism. God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing. No evolutionary process was used. What I believe =]

Okay so here is where I'd love some feedback. Within creationism, there are several viewpoints.
*The Day-Age View. Also known as the Geologic Day View. Generally holds that the days of creation in Genesis 1 were not literally 24 hours days, but long periods of time. Meaning the earth is old.
*The Ruin-Reconstruction View. Gap Theory. There is a large gap between original creation and re-creation. This view believes God created a heaven and earth that were perfect until Satan, sin, entered the universe. God destroyed the original earth leaving it "wasted and void". Time passed and God re-created the heavens and the earth. This view believes the days of Genesis 1 were literal 24 hours days, but of the re-creation, not the original creation.
*The Literal Day View. The days of Genesis 1 were literal 24 hour days of the original creation. This view believes in a young earth, not millions or billions of years old.

Here's the dilemma.
We have carbon dating that proves how old things are. How come it would date back to years where the earth didn't exist. Flaws in carbon dating?

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy
Exodus 20:11

It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.
Exodus 31:17

So... tell me what you think!!!!

I did it!

I graduated. 

As of 10:19am on June 4th, 2008.

I'm now part of the Osceola High School Alumni!

I don't feel any different.

Partyyy was amazingly fun though!

(Thanks to all that came!)

College starts in 2 1/2 months.

Time for the "real world".

Or so they say...

It still hasn't hit me.

&& I still need thousands of dollars to appear. ;]

Those were the days.

Whenever I have time to take a nice, long nap, my fansatical mind decides to not shut off. Thanks a lot mind! While I was counting sheep, or dancing chickens (that was for you, Beth!) I started thinking and thinking and thinking. In less than five months, everything will change. I mean everything. Things change all the time, but I always knew going into my next year of school I would have my friends. But what about now....

It's not that I think I'll be friendless, or lose touch with everyone, because I won't. But -- I'm afraid of this change. College. Moving (even though I am not going that far.. others are). The future.

Honestly, I thought I would never make it to this point. Some of you might know where I am coming from, but I thought I would never even have to worry about this. I was at my brother's graduation and never thought in two years, I'd be exactly where he was. A sense of accomplishment, yet fear. Bittersweet.

I know there are still seven weeks of school left, plus all of summer. But what about after that. Most of my learning and growing have happened during the past 4 years with my more-than-words-can-convey-amazing friends. There are so many memories. I never want to lose those. I never want to lose them. I know some of us will slowly drift away, that always happens. I don't want it to though! I am sad just sitting here and thinking about it. Every day that passes, it hits me harder and harder in the face. 

It's crazy to think how much has changed in four years, and why I am so scared for this change?All of us are going to different colleges. Why can't we pick them up and merge them all together? I guess that'd be too easy. 

And what about youth group. I say we extend the age limit. I know we can't, but pleeeeease? On Thursday night in Philly this whole sense of change finally hit me. This was the last trip for all of us to be together. There still is camp, but that's not the same. Don't get me wrong, I'm not downing camp.. but it's different. All the talks, the memories.. just become a grain of sand in the past. 

I love my friends. Some have become family. I thank God that He put them in my life. To hold me accountable. To laugh with. Cry with. Do stupid things with. I have learned so much from them. I'm grateful they never gave up on me. They are truly some of the most amazing people I have met.

I look forward to the future and what God has in store for me, but I'm still worried. Sad. Confused. Excited. Nervous. Thankful. Most of all, joyful. 

"Give all your worries to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will never let good people down." Psalm 55:22