Learning (I guess this could be rated a PG-13 post)

Lately in class we have been talking a lot about sex and marriage. Please do remember that I am in 5 Sociology classes. That is very important in knowing why we have talked about these things. Otherwise, you might just think my classes are perverted or something. But we have talked about these things a lot recently. And quite honestly I hate it. Every time we talk about one of these topics I just leave the class discouraged. I simply can not stand the world view that is being taught or the fact that the students already have this worldview.

Here are some examples of what we have talked about, and why I am discouraged.

In my Aging class we watched a video over senior adults. I left the class. Enough said.

In my gender class we talked about fraternity parties, and how people are used. That was awkward, because no one actually wanted to talk because they all did the stuff.

In my Population and Society class we talked about fertility rates and what affects fertility rates. That was actually not really bad. But it definately relates.

Lastly there was an article on the front page of the campus newspaper about different birth control practices for students.

In my Gender class again we watched a video over divorce and how the government is trying to help lower divorce rates by offering marriage classes. I think this is a good idea except for the fact that I think it is the churches job to do that, and some of the theories being taught by the government are way off.

All of these examples, and other classes that delt with the same issue resulted in the same response from people. It is ok to have sex outside of marriage, just don't get pregnant in the meantime unless you are married and you want to.

I come away from class thinking about how morally deprived our country is all the time. People are all for sex education as long as it doesn't tell them to abstain. What a novel idea. People are ok with getting a divorce, even within the church. They don't care what the Bible says or what Christians who actually walk according to what God's word says because you can't base what you believe on the Bible only. You need to know what the world says too.

Even Pastor Tony has addressed these types of issues and how the church as a whole (not First Southern) has decided that we need to keep up with the times and accept some of the social norms. We have forgotten what Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (ESV)

God has transformed us by His Spirit, and I am so thankful for that. And to see people continually being decieved is really difficult to sit through. Fortunately I have talked a little in my Population and Society class, but in other classes I feel like I don't know what to say because I become overwhelmed with the lies that people have recieved.

So I guess what I am asking for is for God's people to pray desperately for the lost, and to speak out when we have the opportunity. I Peter 3:15 says to always be ready make a defense to anyone who asks of the hope within us, and I don't think that as a whole we are. We need to really know what God has for us and what He has commanded us so that we can do just that.

Finishing what I started

So, I think I was talking about Friends on the post below (I started a post and didn't finish it below. You should read it)

But school is ok. I am ready for the academic part of it to be over with. My Research Methods class is the worst class ever. I have to get a C in it though, so pray that I can endure. I like all of my other classes which is really good. If I didn't, I would be miserable. 

One thing that is definitely is YOU GROW. I am really enjoying doing that with Lauren and Brandon. We are seeing the students growing which is cool, and we are establishing relationships with them. Ministry is definitely what I am called to, and I stuff like this really seems to suite me. Needless to say that I am really enjoying it. 

Well, that is all for now. I will talk to you soon.

Update on Life at OU

Well things are going pretty well. School is starting to totally take over my life. Travis and I have tried to lay down some ground rules for the both of us before we start doing things that aren't important. 

The first is to not watch more than two episodes of Friends a day. Why, because we have been watching it way too much. One night we stayed up 'til 1 a.m. watching a whole disk. It has become a distraction. But we really don't have anything else to do or watch a majority of the time. We have a TV but no channels, and Travis is a huge Friends fan, and I think it is funny, most of the time. It really is a very harsh show. But when we have nothing better to do or just need a break we watch it. But then we are like, "what happens next?" so we watch it some more. But by saying only 2 episodes a day, we are trying to remove that distraction to a degree.:) Plus, we need to be active. We are 22 and 20 and somewhat lazy at times. So if we don't have any homework to do we are going to go play basketball or tennis or something other than Friends.

I am on the phone with Lauren. So, I am going to finish this later.

Engagement

Well, it has been a while since I last posted. Sorry about that. School has started, and I rarely think about things outside of school, church/ministry, Lauren, friends and family. That is pretty much my life right now, except for engagement!

Engagement is a lot of fun. I mean seriously... there is not a whole lot of things more exciting to think about that get married to the woman of my dreams! It is cool. But it also comes with its trials.

Things have not always been easy... for sure. Little things that weren't a big deal before are now. But we are both learning and trying to rejoice in the things we are learning because it is better for it to happen now than later. So we are really glad for that. 

This semester has been good so far. I desperately need and want a job. Braum's didn't work out because it was just stressful for me. I don't know why, but working fast food does not go well with my soul. I have had some things that I thought would work out fall through, and some other things be offered, but probably won't come close to what I need. So I am still looking, and hopefully by the end of the week I will have a job. At least that is the goal. Fortunately Lauren and I have and are going to donate plasma and get paid for that once a week which has helped. So pray that I get a job soon!

Classes are pretty good. My research methods class is by far the worst. But other than that one I like all of my classes. I have been able to rent books from the library for all of my classes which has been a huge blessing. 

That is just kind of the school and engagement part of my life right now. Other than the engagement stuff I didn't think you would care how everything else was going as much as what I am going to talk about now. So sorry for the brief, abrupt paragraphs.:)

God has been really good to me as far as my living and ministry. Living with Travis has been a lot of fun. I am learning the guitar, able to safe a ton of money, and have really been able to build another strong relationship. Travis is a servant, and I really appreciate that about him. Plus Todd, Aaron, and Trey come over all the time to play in our studio that Travis has made. That is one of the most fun things that I do. I love music, but in all honesty when we just are playing around... it's hilarious. We are actually kind of good at a couple of songs: Carry Me by Jars of Clay, and No One Like You by David Crowder. Those are our best ones by a mile. Travis is really good at electric guitar, and Trey does pretty well at drums. Todd is learning the base, and catching on quickly, and I sing, but I sound weird on the mic. I just need to get used to hearing myself I guess. Aaron is learning the drums. It is definately the most humorous when he plays because he bobs up and down to the beat as he plays. It is great. 

God has really blessed me with ministry this year. I am doing a Bible study with Lauren and her brother called YOU GROW. Lauren and I are teaching together, and we have 23 people in our group from the ages of 14-21. It is a really good time of fellowship, worship, and teaching. I am really excited about what God is going to do over the next year in the lives of the students as well as Lauren's and myself. 

I am discipling a guy named Andrew from YOU GROW, and that is going really well. He really wants to be discipled and do the right thing. I am really trying to be a leader and not go with the crowd. He is definately capable of doing that. I am also meeting with Preston Kunz, whom some of you know, and Kyle Burke from OU. They are both great guys, and I am really blessed to meet with them. 

I am really shocked that God has allowed my ministry to grow as much as it has. Not only am I meeting with these 3 guys one on one, but I am also getting to have lunch with other people every once in a while. I have really prayed that God will just let me be an encouragement to those who need it, and He has allowed me to do just that. 

God has really been teaching me a lot about pondering the way that is blameless. Psalm 101 talks about doing this, and I have through that chapter verse by verse and really applied them to my life. It is amazing! Memorizing some of the Psalms has really lifted my spirit and pointed me towards the path that is blameless. Today I started memorizing Psalm 119: 11, 16-17, and I have been working on Psalm 86:11-13, as well as the beattitudes. I would really encourage you all to read these verses and just praise God for all that He has done. He is truly amazing.

Job

I have a new job! I am working at Braums in Norman off of I-35 and Lindsey. I am very grateful that God has provided this job for me, even if it is not what I exactly wanted. But who cares, it pays 7.50 and hour, and they are willing to work with my hours. So I am glad.

That is all.

Later

Sometimes...

Sometimes, life is just hard. It is not full of easy decisions, or amazing moments all the time like we wish it would be. Life is not a cake walk. But usually it is the more difficult times that we can look back on and thank God for bringing us throught them. It is only because of Him that we can. It is also those times when we find who really does care and love us.

I just had to do something that I really didn't want to do, but felt like it is what God would have me to do. It wasn't easy... I have been thinking about it for quite some time now, and I didn't even tell anyone about it until last week. But it is a decision that I believe will definately be worth it in the end. The decision was not to be on a ministry team this school year.

It is a hard decision because MT was my absolute most favorite part about the BSU last year. I learned, grew spiritually, and made incredible friends. But now that I am engaged (which is amazing!) I really want to do ministry with Lauren. I had wanted to do so in the first place, but last year it wasn't as important to me as it is now, and I didn't know where we could do that. But God opens and closes doors all the time.

This year I am going to help Lauren's brother Brandon with a discipleship training program called YOU GROW. I am super excited about it! It is basically the same thing as MT only for teenagers. And I think that it is a great tool for them to learn about who God has made us to be, mature in our faith, and develope strong friendships that will last for years to come... just like MT.

In the past week I have been able to really see Brandon's heart for this ministry, and I know that Lauren has the same heart for the students who come into YOU GROW.

I guess I am learning that doing things by faith is so much more important than doing things by my own recolection. I was praying in the car about this today as I came down to OU, and God reminded me to trust in Him (proverbs 3:5-6), and that He is in control (Jer. 29:11-12).

When I talked to the people at the BSU, they were completely supportive and understanding of my decision, which really helped me. One of them who had been planning on meeting with me said he still wants to, which really really encouraged me. I didn't think they would want to do that. But I told them I still plan on making disciples here and meeting with people, I just can't do it all. And as we talked the more I realized that they supported my decision.

So the decision I made was not an easy one, but it is one that honors God and I can see Him moving in the decision already.

Praise God!

My Point of View

Lauren and I have been engaged for a week now, and I still haven't posted my version of how it all happened. So I figure I can do it now while I am actually doing nothing.

I was originally going to propose on a point of rocks just down the road from the cabin we stayed in. But considering the fact that it was under water, I couldn't. Well... I guess I could have, but it wouldn't be easy. I was talking to Mr. Werner and Brandon (Lauren's older brother) about what to do since my plan was altered. I decided to go for a boat ride and find someplace quiet and pretty where I could propose (I was telling Lauren it was for our one year aniversery. Which it was, but you know). So Mr. Werner took me out on the boat to show me how to drive it and also to show me a cove I could go to. Brandon also suggested taking her to the Marina so she would have an excuse to dress up a little bit. So that is what we did.

On Friday we went to the Marina and ate dinner. Lauren had a chicken sandwhich and I had a Reuben. As we ate I tore a piece of straw rapper into about twenty pieces, according to Lauren. She said afterword that I was acting a little weird at dinner. Which makes sense considering the fact I was about to pop the question. I don't know why I was nervous, I wasn't until that morning. But whatever.

After we ate I was like "Do you want to go for a boat ride?" and she said the usual "sure." So I called Mr. Werner to tell him we were going on a boat ride. He knew all of this all along and was going to take pictures and video footage for us. Needless to say, he was already at the spot hiding, along with my dad, Mr. Tuter, and Brandon.

We arived at the cove and as I approached the spot I saw two guys on a paddle boat. I was kind of bummed, but it turned out to be kind of funny. I turned off the boat, and we talked a little bit. Somehow we started talking about the upcoming school year, and some of my friends. Real romantic :/ But I finally started to get into what I wanted to say, and told her that we need to make our commitment to getting married official, and I proposed. :)

She said, "Yes!!!!"

We hugged, and those two guys on the paddle boat were like, "You guys aren't fishing are you?" I was quick to say "No!"

We talked a little and I told her that her dad was taking pictures of us, and all that good stuff. Then all four of them came out of hiding to congratulate us and stuff. It was really good. I am glad they were there.

We went back to the cabin and took about a thousand pictures. Lauren has some of them on her blog. And then we called some friends and had a time where our families could bless us which was really cool. I enjoyed that a lot.

Needless to say, I was tired by the end of the night and might have been the first one to be.

God has blessed me incredibly, and I can't wait for May 30th. :))