Yay!

This is my last academic post! And what do you know its about it being my last post. ha. For those of you who actually read this, (I'm thinking a handful of people) do not worry I will continue to blog after this but I cannot promise that it will be consistent or good. I've really enjoyed doing this, blogging was an entirely new experience for me and it was awesome. I just find that I'm not one of those people who blog very often and that's ok with me. I like the things I say to be really special and have some heart behind them so I will most likely wait to be extremely inspired before I dabble again in the world of blogging. But as I said earlier, don't fret. God definitely inspires me with stuff all the time, its just my willingness to put it online but I'll do it. I would hate for this thing to just end suddenly. I feel like I put too much into already to just drop it. If you read this Brett, I appreciate you making us do this, it has been fun and forcing myself to write almost weekly definitely makes it easier to write things such as essays and papers. This has been very beneficial in my opinion. Well like I said, I promise to keep blogging but it will be at a minimum so don't expect much. I would rather be honest with you guys than pretend like I'm gonna blog a lot. Wish everyone good luck on finals and hope everyone enjoys their break!

Finals

This is the week that is so bitter-sweet! Classes officially end TODAY!!! Unfortunately though, finals start this Friday. I know many of my friends already feel like there in over there heads and are very stressed out. Thankfully, I have only 2 real finals. In my other classes we just have papers that are already finished to count as finals. Its also this time of the semester that the library stays packed regardless of what day it is or the time of day. This is also the time of the semester that I'm sure coffee and energy drink sales must skyrocket! So many students pull all-nighters in the library or a study room in order to finish a huge paper or just study their butts off for an upcoming final. You know, its a shame really, that so many classes put such a huge percentage of a persons grade on a final. Many people work very hard throughout the semester but just freak out for finals and do horrible or just are bad at test taking in general. Its not good for many students to be put in that situation. I don't mind finals at all but when I see others freak out it makes me feel like I should be doing the same thing. Like I should be pulling all-nighters and studying every little chance I get. But I figure that most finals are cumulative and if I don't already know most of the material, then I failed at the whole semester. Sure I might study a little to refresh myself and sharpen myself, but hopefully I will never find myself studying night and day. Thankfully though, we have such a nice break after these coming two weeks. Basically a month off of school, I'll be working mostly but hey, my job is definitely not schoolwork and I appreciate that. Everyone looks forward to this amazing break and selling books, I hope I get like at least $100 back, that would make my day. Until this time ends, I will be seeing students cracked out on caffeine and people frantically studying there life away. Oh what a fun two weeks this will be!

Rodney Louis

This blog is dedicated to my friend Rodney Jean Louis. I first met Rodney my first year of high school before the school year even began. It was the hot summer and I had band camp. I don't remember exactly how we met but Rodney was an individual who everyone knew. He brought so much life wherever he went. He was such an outgoing person that loved to meet new people and welcome them into his life. He also brought much laughter wherever he went. There was never a silent moment with him. I remember that no matter how you felt or what your day had been like so far, Rodney could fix that. I remember how he could make any situation into a joke and even if it was about you, he did it in a way to laugh with you and not at you. He also was an amazing trombone player. He had such a talent for music. I participated in jazz band my sophomore year and Rodney and I had most of the solos, he was amazing at improv. Rodney and Brad used to give me and my friend Ben rides everywhere before we could drive and it is just simple memories like those that I will remember most. When I got the phone call about his death, I did not even know what to think or how to feel. It just did not sink in. His funeral was the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. Rodney had an amazing impact on so many people, the funeral was way overcrowded and there were people literally having to stand outside for the whole thing. But the most important thing that Rodney ever did in his whole life, was know that Jesus Christ died for him and his sin and came back to life three days later. That by Jesus only, we have eternal life with God the Father. That is the one most important thing anyone can believe in their entire life. With that knowledge of saving grace, sin and death lose their sting entirely and what would be a day of mourning, becomes a day of celebration of life.

Rodney Jean Louis was born March 2, 1988 and died from sleeping at the wheel on
November 20, 2009.

We love you.

Open Doors

So recently I have been really blind to the fact that God has been opening up evangelical doors in my life. In pretty much every aspect of my life, there have been many opportunities to just share my faith and the truth of the Gospel. From work, to class, to hobbies, He has been just opening opportunities for His glory. Tonight at bible study we had a special night that focused on just evangelizing and being preparing to share the Good News whenever to time arises. It was really cool because it just opened my eyes to all the chances I have pretty much daily to share my faith. I think though whats even more important is the chance we have as disciples of Christ at representing Him with EVERYTHING we do! That includes actions, words, and reactions to others. This all has to do with our integrity as individuals. The world is always watching who we are and what we do. Personally one of the things I need to work on is my example in the classroom. I don't cheat on work or anything but even something as simple as being late to class or talking to my neighbor shows what kind of person I am. Its a work in progress for everybody but as Christians we need to be conscious of who we are and what we represent. I'm really thankful for all the doors that God has been opening lately. I hope I take full advantage of those opportunities and fully represent Christ with my life. I hope doors keep opening and that they remain wide open!