Today's weather was so lovely. In between two of my classes I was able to sit outside in the rose garden. There was an ever so slight breeze that was nice. Mostly I smelled the roses but every now and then the breeze kicked forth the smell of the ash tray near by; which was, needless to say, a very unpleasant aroma. There was a cute asian woman sitting on the bench next to me eating a tomato like an apple (which make since because tomatos are fruits, right?). Then she ate a cucumber or a pickle, I'm not sure which but it made me wish I was eating something healthier than my chicken salad on a croissant. She motioned for me to look at the birdes in the vines above us. They seemed to be happily chirping and singing and we sat in silence for a few moments and watched. We almost got going with a conversation but it didn't last. However, she said she had an extra piece of guym and offered it to me-such a sweet lady.
Sorry mom, I took cany from a stranger and I ate it too.

I'm going to Argentina in Febuary. I got an email last night and Steve called this morning letting me know I was accepted into the good program. USC had already accepted me into a different program but I was really uneasy about that one. This is going to be a growing experience for me, I can tell already

An Angel?

The other day I had this really strange occurance with a boy whoseemed to be in his twenties. For the hour and a half I studied outside in Five Points I felt a connection to this guy, but not in a "Gee you're cute. I wish I could date you" kind of way. As I left Five Points he said bye to me. The strange thing was that when I was half way up the street he came running up behind me yelling in a forgien accent "Wait, I wrote you a note." All I know about him is the following:
~He travels alot
~He use to teach at a Spanish School
~He's a writer
~He assured me that I will never see him again
Well, that's basically all I know. Below is the letter he wrote me. Keep in mind that English isn't his first language.(I'm copying the note word for word):

"Those without faith
In this, my knowledge,
shall fail to find me:"
-Gita

I hope we progress as a humanity, by learning to communicate on an individual, personal level that which most important. Though we don't know each other, I hope your life is full joy, life, and passion. Also, that you are good health. All of the moments spent spent in worry are fleeting and lead to death, but those submerged in devine truths will become the ending to death, and rebirth.

God makes life sweet

Fall break was great. I worked really hard to get my work done thursday and friday so that I could play and relax saturday and sunday. I spent alot of time with Brittany Jo which is always a blast.

I had a fun fair experience with Trisha and B Jo. Some carnie gave us a free ride and we didn't even have to flurt with him. I hadn't been to the fair in a long time but I really enjoyed myself. Other than the sad camel that BJO's heart broke for, everything was alot of fun. And let me just say, Trisha is a darn good driver and an even better parker.

Sunday was an amazing day. First of all, I brunch with the house church is always great. Although some of the family was camping, the seven of us really enjoyed ourselves. Unfortunately Hope had to go to work but the rest of us stayed together until around 9:30 that night. We went to Barnes and Noble together so that people could get work done. And since I refused to work becuase I was using my fall break for a breather, I walked around the mall for a bit. I felt like I was hanging out with God. I didn't say much to him, but it was nice going window shopping with him and just having layed back quality time with him. After reading some of Max Lucado's childrens books with Tony and Joey, I decided to go for a walk. I found a nice little neighborhood near the mall. What a great fall day it was. Then Tony unexpectedly paid for our dinner-what a good guy. But the clincher was walking around the horse shoe together (good thing Joey didn't get arrested for clumbing a light post) and all of us climbing into a tree together and talking a bit about God. I must say, I love this family that i have here. Yes, this Sunday was the best sunday in a long time.

I've been observing a LD(learning disabilities) 8th grade class this past week. I don't think that I'll be going into special ed, but its nice to visit. All of the students in this particular class are main streamed in at least one of there classes. They struggle to keep up but I'm so proud of them. One of the boys, Bailyn, wrote a poem about math in his math class. Below is part of it:

If math were the weather
it would be a hail storm. It
would be a hail storm because
it comes quick on the ground
some math comes quick in my
head but has hail storms rumble
and trumble, sometimes I forget.

So noisy...shh, listen...whoosh...just listen...but-...are you listening?...yes--silence...can you feel my peace?...its nice...I love you...i know...I love you so much...I know you do...you don't understand to what extent...?...I love you for who you are...Oh Lord-...shhh, just listen...I'm trying to...can you feel my presence?...yes...rest here a while and breathe me in...

Uhhhh...I was going to blog but I got kind of side tracked and now I don't feel like I have anything of significance to say.

Ephesians 6:10-20
When's the last time you put on the full armor of God. I think its been a while for me. I put on parts mostly everyday but not always the whole thing. And its nice to remember that we aren't fighting against flesh and blood. Thank you, Lord, that there are bigger things than school and grades. Fight the battle, Ladies and Gentlemen. And make sure you're equipped because its a hard fight. But don't make the mistake of thinking you're in it alone, because you're not. Turn to your fellow believers as well as God. People can't read minds, its hard for them to be a warrior on your behalf if you don't let them in.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Eph 6:14). Wow! We are called to stand! We aren't called to be beaten to our knees, barely holding on for dear life and out of breath at the end of the day. We have the ability to stand. The next verse begins with "Stand firm then..." We have such power in Jesus' name. Pardon the cliche but...Let's open a can of whoop ass! Strong holds aren't meant to be broken so that they can one day be put back together. Jesus came to decimate those suckers. I know that people want to characterize Christians as peace loving hippies, but we suppose to be warriors! Yeah, lets show love for our neighbors, but let's also fight for them as Satan tries everything he can to crush them.

Yes, Jesus did sacrifice his life for us. But what's more important is that he rose! Without the resurrection there'd be no point, no power. Take hold of your power that you have in Jesus' name, you Christians. Take hold and use it!