This weekend I am heading out to my grandmother's farm with my small group guys for a hunting trip. We are spending the weekend shooting things and having guy bonding time. I am so excited it's unreal. But the fact of the matter is, this is a weekend that we all need. Even though we've been together for a semester now there is still a real need for some extended time together to further develop the trust and brotherhood that every small group needs. This weekend will hopefully do just that.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to eat steak and shoot things.

I saw the movie Glory Road the other night. I know what you're thinking..if you've seen one Disney sports movie, you've seen them all. The underdog rises up and wins it all. Well....yeah. But go see this one. It's well made and pretty thought provoking. It's $7.50 well spent for sure.

One more thing....I'm a little bitter that there are no student discounts at the movie theaters in Lubbock.

New diagnosis on the knee. I have what they call Patella Femoral Syndrom. What it means is that whenever I put pressure on my knee...my knee cap rubs against another bone in my knee causing PAIN. It took 6 doctors with a combined college career of 60 years to figure that one out. COME ON!

I finally went to the doctor about my knee that has been bothering me for the past 5 months. It turns out that when Nathan and Steve-O were down here in Lubbock in September, they witnessed me tearing my Meniscus. Stubborn as I am, I shrugged it off and waited 5 months before finding out the pain wasn't getting any lighter and a doctor should look at it. I have an appointment with Sports Medicine today. I just want it to be over with....ugh

I love those times when physical drain comes at the exact same time as spiritual refreshment. It highlights that God is in control, often unconventional, and has your every need in His radar. This weekend was one of those times. I just got very little sleep, because my house was packed with family, which means Craig sleeps on the floor, But I had a great time teaching high school sunday school at my church, and had an incredible interview for an organization that is doing so much to further the Kingdom of God. It is really an honor and a learning experience have both of those opportunities.

Nap time....

I had a professor last semester that told the class that everything was math. The walls were math, our cars were math, our lives were math. I had a professor yesterday tell the whole class that everything was history. I had a professor today tell the whole class that everything was chemistry. There seems to be a problem here, each subject can't be everything can it? If it is, then why am I taking so many different classes, and paying thousands of dollars to take 5 classes that will all teach me everything, if one class alone will teach me everything? Or maybe I would appreciate it if a professor would approach a subject as it actually is...a SUBJECT and not the only thing that matters in this world.

My chemistry professor actually said that we would be studying reality and analyzing it without applying our former beliefs. He said that he doesn't want his students to be too lazy to think for themselves so they put their beliefs in some fairytale. I can't wait until the day when reality is discovered by all.

Alright...I head back to Lubbock tomorrow morning, early. But, I head back here next friday evening for my Kanakuk interview on Sunday. AND, I'm teaching the high school class at my church while many of them are off on a retreat. My Kanakuk interview was orginally in October, click here to see the earlier post, but there was some paperwork that I needed mailed in from places like Florida, and Kansas that took a little time, so I rescheduled. This week will be quite eventful as I try and learn my class load, work a few days, as well as drive back and forth from Dallas a few times...if only I had my own personal jet.

A month off from school sure seems to go by fast.

Well, I guess I forgot to say how the wedding went. It was awesome. She was amazingly beautiful, and he didn't stop smiling the entire time we were at the church, which was about 5 hours by the time the actual ceremony started.

Now, on to this week......Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Alabama. I don't care care how big of an elephant they may have as a mascot, they will need to bring a little more than that on Monday. Tune in and watch for me on TV....

I don't know about ya'll, but I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt on Christmas day...

Tomorrow, one of my best friends gets married. Tomorrow, I am a groomsman for the first time in my life. Tomorrow, I get to stand at an alter with people that I would have never even met if it weren't for our mutual love for Christ. Tomorrow, I get to answer the question, "How do you know Jonathan?" with the answer, "I worked with him at Kanakuk, and he encouraged me in my spiritual life more than he could ever know and it's an honor to be one of his groomsmen."

I'd have to say that 90% of my closest Christian friends, I would probably not hang out with if it weren't for the ONE thing we have in common, God. And it is incredible to see how that ONE thing in common sparks the most meaningful relationships. This past week of being with my friend Jonathan and his fiance's families, I have come to understand the unity that Christians should have...at least as good as it can get in this broken world.

So, soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Cherry, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this, and I wish the best for you in your future together.

My grades came in. Funny story actually

Spanish: A
Trigonometry: A
Band : A (I think everyone gets one)
History: A (by far my hardest class)
Political Science: B


Wait a minute. Did I just get a B in my MAJOR? Haha, oh well. I can't complain because I did absolutely NO studying for that class. I'll take that 3.8 GPA, which I'm very grateful for and have a merry Christmas, hope you all will too.

Well, I'm in FloMo but this Christmas break is going to go really fast. I'm in a wedding next week so I will be spending a lot of time this upcoming week helping with that. In fact I won't be at the college Christmas party Saturday because I'll be helping my groom-to-be friend move. The day the wedding is over, I will be heading directly to my Granny's house for Christmas. After a few days out on her farm I will be heading up to northern Oklahoma to visit my other Grandmother for New Years. BUT!, I won't get to stay for New Years because I have to report on Dec. 30 for the bowl game which keeps me busy until Jan. 2. Not much of a "break" but it will be fun for sure.

My roommate left for home yesterday afternoon and left me with 2 exams and 2 days alone. Last night, however, was the best nights sleep I've had because I was alone in the room, but it still sucks being stuck here for 2 days studying when the entire student population is done with tests. There are very few sujects that have finals on wednesday of this week and political science just happens to be one of them. I guess I drew the unlucky card on that one. I'm outta here tomorrow afternoon.......

My exam on Friday went really well. Only three more to go. Today when I was supposed to be studying for my other exams, I "wasted" three hours watching the 101 most outrageous moments of Saturday Night Live. I have to say, I don't think my time could have possibly been spent any better.

Church today officially put me in the Christmas mood. Bring on the eggnog and candy canes...

I wasted most of dead day. Very little studying was done, lots of tv watching and sleeping though. I tried to study quite a bit this morning...Now I'm off to my first final.


A little scared...

DEAD DAY '05

No classes
No band rehearsal
No leaving the room
Tons of studying for finals

At least the first three seemed nice...

Wow! The coldest I've ever been in my life was about two hours ago. 7 degrees with 30 mph winds. I never really understood the true meaning of wind chill until I walked across campus in Lubbock in December. It was below 0 with the wind chill this morning. I guess the cold held off long enough.

Well it's official. I have gained 10 pounds since coming to tech. Why???? It's a combination of pizza rolls and hurting my knee so I can't wrestle...can't even run.


Not a good feeling.

Rumor has it that it will be snowing in Lubbock some time next week.

I barely even own a coat.
ugh.....