Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Praise Jesus for Financial Aid

Today I completed my last phase of registration for classes next semester. Wonderful news: I OWE NOTHING OUT OF POCKET THIS SEMESTER. Woot! Thanks to a $2,000 scholarship I recently won, my entire tuition and meal plan expenses are covered by financial aid -- with $500 extra that I can use for next semester (or use for books or something).

I've struggled with doubt as of late; doubts about my future, God, whatever. This good news doesn't necessarily cure the doubt, but it definitely improves my perspective in life and reminds me to rejoice and be thankful for my prvileged existence. I could focus on all the student loans I'm going to have to deal with; I could focus on my uncertainty about the future; I could even focus on deep theological struggles I'm having about God. But here, now, I can find joy for being well fed, clothed -- and having a $0 balance due on my Biola Bill.

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News about me:
I'm going camping with my family this weekend, and then will head back to Biola on August 14th or 15th. I get to move into my new apartment!!!!! Yay!!!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Opal Creek

I saw Oregon nature at its finest the past week. It started with a hike to Opal Creek with my friends Bethany and Mikayla, along with some students from Corban. There we found a beautiful 30-40-foot waterfall falling into an 8-foot deep, green hued and beautifully clear pool.

We also found a very, very cool natural rock waterslide. A large rock formation had been so eroded and smoothed out by the river that you're able to slide down it into a mini-pool below.

It was so cool that I came back two days later with my dad and brothers. Was just as cool the second time.