UWF Orientation

The day started off very early and I was very tired, but I paid 90 bucks for transfer orientation at UWF so I had to go. I heard it was going to be a waste of time and it sure didn't disappoint. My mom was so gracious to me and went and stayed the entire time. I don't deserve someone as unselfish as her and I'm so thankful she went! It was so boring. It poured down rain on our way into the conference center. We escaped the rain and I checked in. They gave me this packet with a bunch of information that wasn't all that informative, but it kept me occupied for the 30 minute wait for the start of orientation. We sat in a room full of people and listened to three four really boring ladies talk and one kind of interesting lady talk. It should be noted that by the second boring lady talking, my stomach was growling big time! I was so hungry and waited to leave. I could tell my mom was way past ready to leave too. Finally, we got to leave and I got my student i.d. card while my mom grabbed lunch in the cafeteria. While in line to get my i.d. card, some people befriended me and started asking me a bunch of questions about myself. I was epically tired but they were just trying to be friendly so I tried to be as social as possible. One of the people was this girl that is transferring to UWF that is from New Mexico! I sure thought that was strange but it was because she wanted to live with her parents one more year and they moved to Pensacola because of the military.

After getting my i.d., I finally got to eat at the cafeteria. They pretty much had everything! I understand why people gain the freshman fifteen at UWF now! I didn't know where to go to get in line so naturally I picked the longest line which happened to be the sub line. I would have switched lines, but this one girl who I met earlier felt the need to tell me her life story. I didn't want to be rude, so I painfully endured listening to her! It was hard. I finally got my food and found my mom and ate. I got a cheeseburger too. It was so good, but that was probably because I was so hungry! After eating, my mom and I went to sign a waiver for a menegitis shot. That should release a hold on my UWF schedule going through and I got my i.d. card earlier, so it was a productive day I suppose.

I'm just glad it's over and now I can relax the rest of the week!

GOOOOOOOOAL!!!

So I just finished watching the USA's last shot at advancing to the next round of the World Cup. I woke up around 8:30 to watch the kick off coverage. Going into the game, the USA just needed to win to advance or for England to draw. The USA got robbed several times on goals with questionable calls, and for most of the game it looked hopeless as England was winning their game. After two hours of watching the game, it went into stoppage time. The officials added 4 minutes to the clock. The USA started their attack and survived a couple of close goals by Algeria. Then, in the 91st minute, the USA got a good pass from Howard (the goalie) and started their attack down field. They got really got close to the goal and shot and missed BUT Landan Donivan rebounded the miss and pounded it into the left side of the goal! After all the time invested into watching the game, I jumped up and started cheering! I felt so happy for our guys! GO USA! If the USA didn't score that goal, then they would have been eliminated from the World Cup. As it turns out the USA won the group with the victory and advances to the next round of the World Cup. This is the first time since 1930 that the USA has won their group!

I Don't Want...

It's official. When I'm all grown up and on my own, I've decided that I don't want two things. These two things are pets and a pool. Let me tell you why. Pets can be expensive and quite annoying. I have spent countless hours cleaning up after my cats and taking care of them. Sure they can be sweet sometimes, but for me it just isn't worth it! As for a swimming pool. Ha! It's so much work to take care of! You have to make sure the water level is right, put the right amount of chemicals in it, vacuum it out, and clean out the basket that filters the water. Those are just a few of the jobs that come with having a pool. I have a greater appreciation for my dad and how well he takes care of our pool since he has left for Hawaii. I'm doing the best I can in his absence. So no pets and no pool for me when I'm on my own!

Tomorrow Morning

I get to drop my parents off at the airport at 6 in the morning. I'm filled with joy just of the thought of them finally getting to have their trip. For years they have dedicated money, time, and stress on young teens off at camp. Finally, they get to have a nice relaxing trip and get to enjoy one another's company! I pray that they would make it safely and that they would have an amazing time. I'm blessed to have two great parents. God has graciously given me so much just by giving me them!

Biking

I went biking for 16 miles today. It was fun, fun, fun! I encountered many yellow flies, two snakes, tons of lizards, and even a little bunny rabbit. I should be pretty sore tomorrow, but I think I could really get into biking. The only bad thing about it is that it makes your butt really sore! Other than that, its really good exercise and it is relaxing. I'll have to do it again real soon!

Stories Behind Auburn Fans Chanting WAR EAGLE!

So when Auburn fans shout, "War Eagle" it is the same thing as saying, "Go Auburn". Like when Alabama fans say, "Roll Tide" when their mascot is an elephant. Here are some stories as to how the War Eagle chant got started:

"War Eagle" is the battle cry of Auburn University. There are several stories about the battle cry, but the most popular myth was originally published in 1960 in the Auburn Plainsman and was conceived by then-Editor Jim Phillips. Phillips told the story of the first time Auburn met Georgia on the football field in 1892 and centered the story around a spectator who was a veteran of the Civil War.

In the stands with him that day was a golden eagle the old soldier had found on a battlefield during the war. He had kept it as a pet for almost 30 years. According to the story, the eagle suddenly broke free and began majestically circling the playing field. As the eagle soared, Auburn began a steady march toward the Georgia end zone for a thrilling victory. Elated at their team's play and taking the bird's presence as an omen of success, Auburn students and fans began to yell "War Eagle" to spur on their team. At the game's end, the eagle took a sudden dive, crashed into the ground, and died, giving his spirit to the Auburn fans. The battle cry "War Eagle" lived on to become a phrase of proud Auburn spirit.

The 1914 contest with the Carlisle Indians provides another story. The toughest player on the Indians' team was a tackle named Bald Eagle. Trying to tire the big man, Auburn began to run play after play at his position. Without even huddling, the Auburn quarterback would yell "Bald Eagle," letting the rest of the team know that the play would be run at the imposing defensive man. Spectators, however, thought the quarterback was saying "War Eagle," and in unison, they began to chant the resounding cry.

Another version of the War Eagle story comes from Indian lore. Legend says "War Eagle" was the name given to the large golden eagle by the Plains Indians because the eagle furnished feathers for use in their war bonnets. The rarest but most historically likely version of the origin of the "War Eagle" cry grew from a 1913 pep rally at Langdon Hall where students had gathered the day before the Georgia football game. Cheerleader Gus Graydon told the crowd, "If we are going to win this game, we'll have to get out there and fight, because this means war." During the frenzy, another student, E. T. Enslen, dressed in his military uniform, noticed something had dropped from his hat. Bending down, he saw it was the metal emblem of an eagle that had been loosened while he cheered. Someone asked him what he had found, and Enslen loudly replied, "It's a War Eagle!" History was made as the new cry echoed throughout the stadium the next day as Auburn battled Georgia.

Another version is that two students shouting at each other at a pep rally said something that was misinterpreted to be "War Eagle" thus the birth of the battle cry.

College Expansion

Well turns out, Texas decided to stay put which means the Big 12 (now there are only 10 teams) is still intact. Nebraska is officially in the Big 10 (which has 12 teams now) and Colorado is in the Pac 10 (which now has 11 teams). Interesting stuff. The SEC had a pretty good shot at adding Texas A & M if Texas decided to leave for the Pac 10. However, Texas stayed put and the SEC didn't over react and played it's cards right. I still say the SEC is the best conference top to bottom although I do have more respect for the Big 1o now that they can have a championship game. That is all for now with talks of expansion, but things could change in the near future. War Eagle!

Mud Pies in the Slum

Why do we settle for mediocrity in the Christian life, yet we live lives of excessiveness in all other areas of our live. Think about it. We would rather overwork ourselves to make more money. Then we say "Work hard, play hard!" so we can have enough money to entertain ourselves to death. We have buffets in which we eat as much as we possibly can and get drunk with as much alcohol as we can consume. This is American culture. Everyone has a passion. We waste our passion for temporary, foolish things. The consequence on wasting your life on hobbies, sports, or whatever it may be is an unsatisfying end. This C.S. Lewis quote comes to mind:

"If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

Let's turn towards Christ and stop living as if we weren't saved from anything! I pray that I would seek Christ!

A Busy Day in Sports

USC is banned from post season play for two years, will be stripped of scholarships, and vacate wins from atleast 2004 possibly 2005. Tom Izzo (Michigan State Head Coach) is currently being wooed by the Cleveland Cavaliers and is expected to take their head coaching job. Colorado has joined the Pac 10 Conference and Nebraska is expected to accept an invitation to join the Big 10 Conference. This should completely shake up the landscape of college football and we'll start to see a series of mega conferences. This should move college football one step closer to a playoff instead of the BCS. If you care about hockey, the Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. Steven Strausburg is the real deal rookie pitcher for the Washington Nationals as he strikes out 14 batters in his first start. Lebron and other superstars could be switching teams in the NBA. Oh and speaking of the NBA, the finals are going on right now between the rival Celtics and Lakers. My thoughts on all of these stories when I get more facts. In the meantime I'll try to catch my breath....

The Lizard

If you are reading this, you probably shouldn't mention this to my mom. But yesterday, I was reading in the living room and I noticed a lizard next to the back door. Now if you know my mom, then you know: #1 She hates lizards and #2 She hates lizards in the house. So, I was just hoping to get this thing out of the house before she found out! This was quite the interesting lizard. He started changing colors to try to blend in with his surroundings. First, I tried to sick my cats on the lizard. In my cats' younger years they had been known to torture an animal or two so I thought this would work. However, now, my cats are old. So naturally they didn't want anything to do with the lizard. Next, I tried to to pick the lizard up and throw him out. But lizards are quick creatures and I wasn't able to accomplish this task. As a result, the lizard went into hiding. I kept this on the dl because my mom wouldn't have been able to sleep knowing there was a lizard in the house. Skip ahead to this morning, and I see the crafty little lizard in the same spot by the door. I quickly act and get a broom and head over to the little guy. The lizard didn't go out without a fight! In fact, he tried to go into hiding again, but I wouldn't allow it this time. I had to move a few bookcases to get to him, but I finally succeeded in sweeping the lizard out of the house! I feel quite accomplished.

Sin

I was reading a little bit of When Sinners Say I Do and it came to my attention that I tend to divide my sins as little sins and big sins. But Harvey makes a good point. All sins are against God, so all sins ARE BIG SINS. It's not that I downplay my sins, it's just that I feel worse about some sin over other sins. I need God's grace! Although by the blood of Christ on the cross I have his righteousness, I still sin. I press on though and ask forgiveness! What a merciful God I serve and what a awesome Savior! We wouldn't need a Savior if we didn't need to be saved from something. Even though I'm justified by God, I still have great sin, and it just increases my need for a great Savior!

Lest Your Deeds Be Exposed

Also while I was cutting the grass today, I noticed a snake in the yard. At first, I got real excited because I had personally never gotten the opportunity to kill a snake before. So I got an axe and made my way to the snake. It was creeping between some trees in our backyard. It looked like it was within striking distance, so I took and swing and before I could breathe again the snake crawled quickly back into the darkness of the trees. I was disappointed, but I knew he couldn't hide in there much longer. So when the snake came out I was ready..... or not! I swung and missed again. The snake crawled back into the darkness. I attempted one more time when the snake came out and missed a third time. I couldn't help but think of the garden of Eden and how the serpent deceived Adam and Eve. God created an evil, cunning, sly, and slippery snake and his creation is perfect. The snake is deceptive and I swung and missed three times, and where did the snake go? He crawled back into the darkness, so I wouldn't kill him. I know I'm going to kill the snake, when he comes into the light.

Cutting the Grass

Today, after I went to the beach, I cut the grass. As I was cutting the grass, I began thinking of of a friend who has recently made some bad decisions that I have fallen into before. I haven't talked with this friend since he went off to school. However, we have shared some good times together and we even went to the Passion Conference a few years back. I'm ashamed to say I haven't talked much about spiritual things with him much at all, but I feel like he has experienced Christ before. I was thinking about rooming with this friend and some other guys I know next year at FSU but I really feel like the Lord was telling me to go to UWF instead. Before God revealed this to me, I visited this friend and I was wondering where he went to church and I was excited to go there on the Sunday before I headed back to Pace. We stayed up really late on Saturday night and into Sunday morning and when it was time to go to church, everyone was left snoozing. I was pretty disappointed in my friend and I had noticed that his priorities were not where I had thought they were. Anyways, I think that was the point where I noticed a change in him, and it wasn't good.

As I began thinking of my friend, I really felt like God was telling me to share some words of encouragement tonight with him. I don't exactly know what I'm supposed to say to him, or if I will even get the opportunity. However, I do know that I will see him tonight. Pray that if the opportunity opens up, that I would be able to speak what God places on my heart and that I would be a light for Christ to this friend.

A Special Night for the Pepsi Guy

So in case you didn't know, I fill the Pepsi machines at Pace High School. I like my job. I like filling machines up with delicious Pepsi products. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment. However, the past weeks have been kind of disappointing. The person in charge of ordering the drinks has left me hanging and has not ordered any drinks for the machines. As a result, the machines have been empty. It brings me great sorrow to think of a kid not getting his daily Diet Sunkist for lunch. Wednesdays are typically big shipment days, so I usually work for a long time on Wednesday nights. To my joy, I finally got a big shipment of drinks today. This afternoon Bethany helped me fill up some machines for an hour. She is such a great sister! Then, after care groups tonight, I went and did two more hours worth of drinks. It is with great pleasure that I can say most of the machines are fully stocked and ready for the students tomorrow at Pace High.

Now this was a special night, but there is more to being the Pepsi guy than one would want to know. I don't like doing drinks while students are present because often kids beg me for free drinks and that is just annoying. Since I don't do drinks during the day, I have to do them at night. This usually means I'm up there all alone in the darkness and creepiness of Pace High School. There are some creepy things that go on behind the doors of Pace when no one is watching. I won't tell the horror stories on this blog post because I can honestly say I have become numb to everything that goes on there at night.

It should also be said that I have befriended the janitors and that we have a good time. That is pretty sad, but they are likable people. I know I wouldn't want to do their job, so I have respect for them.

Tonight, a new memory was added to my collection. I was filling up some machines next to the weight room, when I noticed a huge roach that looked like it was on steroids. Then suddenly, the roach started flying! I thought I was dreaming at first, but then I blinked and it really was flying! I started working a little faster and then I noticed more flying roaches coming towards me. These things were the biggest roaches I had ever seen and I was wondering why there were so many of them grouped together. To make a long story short, I was finished with the machines and was trying to make my way back but the army of flying roaches were blocking me. It was at that point that I decided it was time to release my wrath on the roaches! Crunch by crunch, I killed off the roaches. I felt like Leonidus in the movie 300. I think I even belted out, "THIS IS SPARTA!" It was a satisfying ending to a full night of drinks.

Joy Doubled in the Joy of Another

I've been slowly reading through Desiring God by John Piper and this is a quote from the end of the chapter on love.

"Love is the overflow of joy in God that meets the needs of others. The overflow is experienced consciously as the pursuit of our joy in the joy of another. We double our delight in God as we expand it in the lives of others. If our ultimate goal were anything less than joy in God, we would be idolaters and no eternal help to anyone.Therefore, the pursuit of pleasure is an essential motive for every good deed. And if you aim to abandon the pursuit of full and lasting pleasure, you cannot love people or please God."