GO BUFFS!

Tuesday night was the first home guy's soccer game. There was a contest to see who had the most spirit...anyone who knows me...OBVIOUSLY i was out to win this one. So together, my RA Leah (the one in all black) and my roomie Brett, went all out: we painted the soccer socks on our legs--which turned out to really look like socks! (notice the shoelaces on my kleats hehe!) we used poster paint for our socks and faces---because leah began putting the orange FACE paint on her face--only to realize it wasn't coming off of her hands even with soap. so we decided it was better to use the washable poster paint on our faces...well except leah-it was too late and she'd already decided to put the face paint on her arms too! but don't worry, it all came off, with a little elbow grease that is. anyway, our only other competition was 4 girls who bought retro outfits from goodwill and dyed them orange. *yay, rah* their only "weapon" was they made a hat and a few headbands out of an old soccer ball. apparently that counts for originality. (psh! THEY didn't have PAINT!) so the judges (the student government committee, who we happened to be tight with :) voted and we definitely WON!! apparently it was a tough decision---but the S-P-I-R-I-T girls came through! AND the boys won their game (i think it's partially due to the magnificient sign i made w/ all the guys' names on it.) GO Milligan Buffalos! wooo!

Yee HAH!

What an awesome weekend! Yesterday, a group of about 15 of us went to Watauga Lake. One of the girls' parents own a boat and we went tubing! (Wow, my muscles ached when I woke up this morning). We laid around the lake for awhile and then came back to campus. A senior on campus was having a BBQ ::invite only:: (of course Brett and I were invited...we're known by many on campus as "The Transfers") We ate some burgers and then headed on into town to the fair. Brett, a friend: Christian, and I all went to the demolition derby. Heck yes. The picture of the man in the cowboy hat was one of the best representations of what I'm in the midst of down here: the hat, the mullet, cigarette hanging loosely from the mouth, the extra cigarette behind the ear; The only thing missing was a beer..but I don't think those were allowed at the fair. It was pretty awesome watching the derby. I must admit, it's something I had never done before but thoroughly enjoyed it!!! The three of us picked out our "winner" before the each heat began. It was soo crazy! One guy's whole rear axel came off his car!! And he kept going!?! Then of course we had to take a ride on the ferris wheel. It was a great weekend! But alas, I must bring myself back to the reality that class starts again tomorrow...so I'm off to study..or not. :)

Calculus, A Nametag and A1 sauce

HOORAY! The first week of class is OVER! It wasn't a bad week though. I'm gonna love it down here. I have 3 education classes, a family sociology class, "fitness for life"--how to stay healthy and keep off the freshman 15 i guess--, Old testament survey, and CALCULUS! I have a wide variety of professors: one eccentric lady, a funny Bible prof, and a mellowed out math prof : he called us his "little calc babies." Hah! So overall, classes went smoothly and I have an overwhelming sense of peace about this semester. God's grace is awesome! And He's definitely been blessing me.

This is a picture of my roommmate Brett and I. She's also a junior from Missouri. We get along really well! She's a photography/sociology major (I've talked about you a few times, Ash!) and is going to grad school for occupational therapy. We were sitting at our desks last night, side by side, each doing our homework. I look over at Brett who is pouring over her gigantic photography/art history book and taking detailed notes over her reading. I look back at my desk and look at my markers, scissors and construction paper I'm using to create my "nametag" for my education class. I'm preparing to teach upper elementary and then eventually junior high math. But for now I'm learning how to cut and color as Brett is learning about film quality, color contrast and camera angles. HAH! It was a pretty funny sight.

The cafeteria food here is above average. Last night was STEAK night! MMmmm! Okay so it wasn't any Texas Roadhouse, but it was pretty good. We stood in line and told them what spices we wanted on our steak, how we wanted it cooked and if we wanted onions, mushrooms or green peppers on it. Then they'd throw it on something that looked like one or two steps above the George Foreman grill. However we ran into a problem when I noticed there was no A1 sauce in the cafeteria. You can't eat steak without A1!!!! And then...I remembered! Mom bought me a little bottle of A1 before I left for college "in case I needed it." But when she told me about it, I was thinking "uh, when will I use steak sauce on campus?" MOMS ALWAYS KNOW BEST!! I was so excited to run back up to my room, grab my A1 and run back down to the cafeteria. Some people asked, "Didn't you feel weird/embarrassed walking into the cafeteria with a bottle of A1 in your hand?" My answer: "HECK no!! I held it out in front of me and let my whole table use it!" So Mom...thank you so much! My night would've been incomplete had it not been for your wisdom and instincts.

These are a just a few things happening down here. I'm sure I'll have more stories later!!

Pictures from CFC

Christ Fellowship Church

One of the biggest things about moving down here was temporarily vacating my membership at Christ Fellowship Church. This is a huge change in my life seeing as I was practically born into this church. Pastor Bill and Brenda even visited me in the hospital! I've been looking online for some non-denominational churches down here in TN and asking around for a spirit-filled church. While Dad and I were down here for our visit back in April, we were driving on the interstate and we passed a church (well we passed many churches, but this one in particular.) We couldn't believe our eyes! The sign said "Christ Fellowship Church." !!! Was it possible there was another CFC in this world? So last Sunday when the fam was still here, we went over there and checked it out. The welcoming reception was awesome! Right away, while still in the parking lot, a gentleman approached our car w/ an umbrella (it was raining) and asked us if we wanted help in. As soon as we got in the door, Mom mentioned to someone that I was beginning schooling at Milligan and right away this lady took my arm and led me around, introducing me to like 6 or 7 people who had some connection to Milligan. They also had coffee in the foyer...but nothing compared to our magnificent CAFE! The praise and worship is similar to our church: well maybe I should say the "style" is similar to our church with guitar, drums, piano, etc. AND! Jonathan...they use colored lights as well!! Pretty cool. We only sang like 3 songs though and the congregation wasn't that lively during worship.--two big differences at our church. I miss having like 7, 8, 9...songs and miss the environment of everyone raising their hands and praising (and jumping too!) When it was time for the sermon, the "Denny" of the church brought out the table (the pulpit) with the pastor's laptop on it and a stool. I leaned over and whispered to Dad, "That's what PBR needs...his laptop on the pulpit w/ him! ;) " The message was really good: he talked about obedience. Overall, it was a good experience. It's not exactly what I'm looking for..I need MORE. My roommate is also looking for a non-denominational church, so next week we're going to go visit one we both found in our search. I know there's no way I'll be able to find anything like my home CFC, like the people there, the worship atmosphere or the leadership, but I'm going to try to find something close! I love you all!

College: Take 2

How y'all doin up there? Yes, the accent is thick down here...so thick that I find myself getting caught up in it on accident. So just a forewarning: when I come back to visit, there might be a little south in my dialect, hopefully not too much. So the first couple pictures are of the drive down. We split the drive up into two days because we got a late start on our departure day. I particularly like the truck and trailer combination. It's a definite sign of Kentucky/Tennessee area. :) My college is located in the heart of the Appalachian Mtns. In fact, the Appalachian Trail is basically in our backyard...pretty cool huh? My roommate Brett is great. We get along tremendously! God has truly blessed me with a totally awesome girl. We're both excited to see what the Lord has for us. School starts on Wednesday, but until then we have beaucoup things to do: orientation, registration, team activities..you know all that fun stuff. I'll try to post tomorrow about church today: many things to say about that; plus a little more about what i'm experiencing down here: people-wise as well as other things! Thank you for all your prayers, I'm doing really well. The adjustment seems really smooth for right now anyway! I love you all!! Goodnight!

Put your hands up!

I went to Cedar Point yesterday with some buddies. This is just a glimpse of what the day was like. It rained off and on, but overall it was an awesome day. The day began a little depressing when we stood in line for the biggest rollercoaster for 30-45 minutes, only to have it shut down due to a stalling on the track. Then we headed over to the Dragster..an INSANE ride that shoots you 120mph straight up--i mean VERTICAL and then you fall back down that vertical drop. We stood there for 10 minutes or so and then realized the line wasn't moving, because that ride had been stopped as well due to "mechanical reasons" (real comforting, huh?) Pushing aside our frustration, we walked across the midway to the classic Magnum XL200. We waited maybe 10 minutes for the ride that was the world's biggest, tallest and fastest rollercoaster...in 1989. We were in the park for 11 hours, 10 of those we were standing in line. To drive 4 hours to another state, stand in line for 10 hours to experience dramatic drops, ridiculously rickety rails, crazy curves, twisting turns, soaring speeds and exhilarating excitement for 30 minutes (being generous) altogether and then to drive 4 hours home utterly exhausted, your body screaming "OUCH!", your brain turned to mush from all the headbanging, every vertebrae needing to be realigned, your eyes staying open only by sheer will-power not to fall asleep at the wheel...seems ABSURD to me, yet i've done this TWICE in the last week and i'm sure i'll do it at least once again next summer. Why? Because of the extreme adrenaline rush and the time well spent with good friends!

Bon anniversaire

A ma puce Holly: bon anniversaire a toi. je t'aime beaucoup!!!!

Happy 19th Birthday Holly Marie!! you're such a sweetheart and i'm soo glad that i met you!!! lovies!

Temporary Relief

So, summer classes are done as of today. I was bordering on the B/C line in my trig class, but God is awesome and I pulled out with a B, and did alright in my other 2 classes. I have a break until my moving date: August 18: 11 days. It's quickly approaching by the way. School at Milligan starts on August 23, so only a couple weeks without school. But for the next couple days, it's time to clean and pack and try to get some relaxing in there somewhere. I'm going to enjoy some thrilling hills, rickety tracks, loud screams, the crazy stomach feeling, the hot sun, and a long day at cedar point...uh twice that is :)
Just some thoughts on move: I'm leaving everything I've EVER known in my life: church, family, home, friends, to take on a whole new environment. My flesh says "no, don't do it" but i know that my spirit-man says, "this is what God wants for you." It's been a struggle to accept the fact that I-Miriam am going. This whole summer it's been "yeah this girl miriam, is going to tennessee..that's pretty cool, she'll have a blast!" ---as the move gets closer it's sinking in that it's ME that's leaving...not some girl. BUT alas, God is good and His plan is perfect. He has opened all the doors for it to be a smooth transition, so now I just trust and relax in Him. Obedience is better than sacrifice: so here I go!!!!!