Jumper

So last Thursday was the infamous Valentine's Day. I like to refer to it as Single's Awareness Day, however. :) Even though I did not have a Valentine of my own, it was a really great night. My best friend and I decided to go out to the movies where we ended up seeing Jumper. For those of you who do not know, the movie is basically about a guy that can 'transport' himself anywhere he wants to go... instantly. I really enjoyed the movie (science fiction/action/adventure movies are my thing), but even more so the movie got me thinking. It led me to the following question; the question that I have been asking everyone I know for the past few days.

If you could go anywhere (on Earth)... where would you go? Money, health, time, all that is taken care of. You just have to decide where you want to go. Where would it be? I'm a girl who wants to travel and have done very little of it so far in my life. This is a tough hypothetical question for me, because I literally want to go everywhere! God has created such a beautiful world for us to live on, and I want to experience and see every part of it. After thinking about this question for almost a week I think I have decided on... England. :) More specifically the Lake District. I have seen pictures and it looks like an absolutely breathtaking place. I may be going there this summer (for the Oxford C.S. Lewis course) so I may have to think of another place that I would go to. :)

Please comment on this blog and let me know where you would go to. Dream big!

You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and
produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you
whatever you ask for, using my name.

- John 15:16 (NLT)

Poetry...

This week, at least in my life, has been all about poetry. I'm taking British Literature from the 19th Century through the 21st Century and so far I am loving every minute of it. Not only is my professor fantastic, but the poems we are reading in class are amazing! I have never been much of a poetry connoisseur, however now I find myself reading poetry that is not assigned reading... and really enjoying it! I think that's because there are so many ways to interpret poetry. Each time you read something it can have a different meaning, or you can view it in a different perspective.

I bought a poetry book at a garage sale a few years ago. It has been collecting dust in my bookcase, but last night I felt the urge to take it out and read a bit. I read In Love for Long by Edwin Muir and have been thinking about it ever since. I know some people don't enjoy reading poetry... either that or they think it is "fake" and "mushy nonsense with no meaning". I think many of these attitudes have to deal with the cynicism of the world view now. These poems I have been studying lately... some were written about 200 years ago. Many of them deal with social injustices, religion, and love. The same issues that we all deal with today. There is a reason people still read them. There is a meaning in them that cannot be overlooked. Here are a few lines from the poem I mentioned above. Strip away the rose colored glasses of the world for a moment... and truly consider what these words mean to you....

This love a moment known
For what I do not know
And in a moment gone
Is like the happy doe
That keeps its perfect laws
Between the tiger's paws
And vindicates its cause.

- In Love for Long
by Edwin Muir

Dreams

I have been thinking a lot about my dreams and goals for the future lately. God has placed a few dreams very dear to my heart and one of the reasons I am here at Regent is to try and fulfill them. Last semester, since it was my very first one, I made a little "progress chart" for myself. I placed little stars next to the subject name whenever I got an A or did good on something. It really helped me stay motivated and kept me focused on achieving my ultimate goal: finishing college and working as hard as I can.

This semester I have done the same thing, however God led me to write something on my little encouragement chart that I had never thought to put on there before. He told me to write the words "DON'T GIVE UP" above my class names. Kind of scared me at first. I thought last semester was hard, now God seems to be telling me this one is going to be even harder! :) But as this first week of school winds to a close, I have found myself looking at that quote and feeling relieved. When I'm up late at night, studying biology, I glance over at God's encouragement and smile. He is always with me and He will never give me anything that I cannot handle. He wants us to fulfill our dreams and goals, because he placed them in our hearts for a reason.

Sometimes it is easy to get stressed out and worried the first week of school (trust me when I say I know how that feels). But it's always important to remember He is the one in charge... and He loves you more than words can say. I heard a song on the radio today that I found incredibly inspiring. I'll close with some lyrics of it....

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There’s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

- Set the World on Fire
by Britt Nicole

It is SO nice to meet you...

Hello everyone! My name is Mary and I'm very excited about starting this blog... and I hope you are excited to read it. Like the title says I am an English major at Regent and I am extremely happy to announce that I just finished my first semester! It felt so good turning in that very last paper. I feel like I can truly start to enjoy the Christmas season now. :)

I go to school online and in August it was a huge adjustment for me. I have been used to the "traditional" classroom, but now that I have gotten the hang of going to school online I'm liking it more and more all the time. It is especially works out great for me since I work full-time.

Well what else can I say? I live in Kansas City, Missouri and I have a wonderful cat named Miss Kitty (I'm sure her picture will be posted at some point, don't worry). I have great parents and three older brothers (don't know about putting their pictures up... unless they're embarrassing ones). :)

God is truly doing amazing things in my life and I can't wait to share them with you! Since starting school at Regent it seems like I am being pulled and stretched intellectually and spiritually. This has been an amazing and trying process, but I know it will be oh-so worth it in the end.

I think that is all for today. But don't you worry, I'll be back before you know it. :)