Goats, presidents, and God

I'm now an old pro at university life. Why, I've gone for 2 entire weeks! Yeah, I know. I'm still on a milk diet, not ready for the meat. But what a feast of knowledge is spread before me! I'm a fan of learning, anyway, but I usually resent having to read what I am TOLD to read. I'm sure that comes from somewhere far, far back in my life, but the event I can remember and trace it back to, is hiding my romance novel in a textbook in class. I mean, I could read FAST. Why should I be bored and suffer while waiting on everyone else to catch up? So, while the slower readers were trudging through their assignments, I was either a kidnap victim to a swarthy pirate or to an Apache warrior with razor blade cheekbones. I really like to read.

Back to the original point, (yes, there was one) everything I had assigned to me to read, unless it was immediately interesting to me (which is most things except "sports" stories and Mathematics instruction) was a HUGE waste of my time. It was a moment reading I could spend with Johanna Lindsey or Danielle Steele (both of which I am now pretty tired of- except the occasional re-read of Johanna's- I've "known" her so long, we are on first name basis, "Warrior Woman" series or her Vikings books)

However, now that I am in a University with "Christian" in the title, it's a whole new ballgame. Typically the books are about God and Jesus. Now, would I be there were I not really interested in those subjects? No. I'm also taking Math, remedial that is,  and am now paying for very poor decision-making in my youth. I signed up for Algebra 1 just when I was supposed to, but due to a situation beyond my control, I had to drop it.  The insurmountable problem that I dropped it due to? I was assigned it during the lunch period and NONE of my friends were in there with me! There was no way I could go to lunch ALL-ALONE. I was incomplete without one or more of my friends. Only their friendship to me gave me a feeling of value. Yes, I was book-smart and dumb as a fence post, all at once. I've since learned that I am a complete person all by myself and I am NEVER alone. Imagine that!

I'm not back in school to further my career. I don't see a possibility of returning to nursing full-time ever again since Fibromyalgia moved in. Furthermore, I have enough responsibilities at home to make it more than full-time. A disabled child with mental illnesses (and did you know- that is not a dirty little secret anymore?) that we homeschool, a husband with enough health problems to earn 100% disabled veteran status, a married son and daughter-in-law who I have to give unsolicited advice to and a herd of goats that I adore, all need me. (did you somehow expect more pedestrian challenges? I adore the kids and husband, too- not JUST the goats but didn't want to you think I had any jobs I didn't do for love) Now I've added full-timed student to this list.Why?

This job of student is for me. When I'm done and much more knowledgeable about the Bible and effectively communicating it, it will be for the Lord that I have studied. Whether I end up doing what I have initially got "planned" in the back of my head, I don't know. But I will still be what I am now,  a servant of the Lord. Hopefully, I will be much more knowledgeable and more perfectly the "ME" I am designed to be. But the process to get me there- the classes I attend, the lectures I listen to and the books I read- they are all FOR ME. But in the end, I am not my own and want to always do, to His will, and NOT mine.

I guess 2nd week is still pretty much a newbie. But there are such perks to attendance at HCU. Tonight I get to go and listen to President George W. Bush speak. For a lot less than most guests,, because HCU is good to the students. We get to go for a greatly discounted rate. The flip side is that my other half can't go. But that's okay, and I think we all agree, I've earned some "Me" time.

Wherever you go and whatever you do- remember to thank the Father for the gift of life and opportunity, and the greatest gift he gave us, that of John 3:16  If He had not done so, sin would always have separated us from life in Heaven with God. So, thank Him for everything you can think of, while you are at it. 'Cause you have it all on loan, from Him.

Don't forget to go to church tomorrow!

God Bless You!