Tradition.

Tradition: One of my favorite songs from "Fiddler of the Roof" and also
a topic I would like to discuss. Tradition for me brings back vivid memories
of participating in Navy ceremonies and events. I remeber the thrill
it was to be apart of a number of official ceremonies to promote,
commission, and recognize people. I also took part in change of command
ceremonies where a new commanding officer would relieve a outgoing
commander in a time honored event. We used to call these events
"Dog and Pony" shows because we would prepare (clean) for days,
participate in them and then clean up after all the guests had departed.

Tradition in the Church is important for me as I grew up in a traditional
Church backgound. I also am aware that the times are changing to bring
a certain flash into chruch. I enjoy the lights, music, and media that has
become a part of our Church culture. I do however miss and have enjoyed
singing the hymms of yesteryear in a Church service.

Tradition has and will continue to be a important part of where I came
from and where I plan to go in my life. "Tradition" may even be the theme
song that will be played at my memorial service.

Frustration.

Is it me or I'm the only student who get's frustrated after
not finding his or her niche in school? The reason I write
this is because I finished my end of semester exams this
afternoon. I'm frustrated of a number of things but two
things gets me so mad. My frustration this week has
been taking tests and class attendance.

I'm the model student who has had near-perfect attendance
since I've been in school. I may miss a day here or a class
there but generally I attend every class. My class attendance
compared to my classmates is well beyond measure. I try
not to worry too much about my classmates showing up to
class because I'm trying my best to be on time and in my
seat at class start time. I respect my teachers and professors
but I think class attendance is not held in high esteem. I
should be considerate of my classmates and share my concern
for their attendance but boy it's has and will continue to be
a challenge to make it to class myself.

Test taking and class attendance can be related but I'll briefly
talk about test taking. This last week I had 5 exams in my
classes. The tests covered a wide variety of topics that I've
taken this semester. I've always had a rough time taking exams
and trying to make progress through them while trying to
organized my time during the actual tests. This semester
I took advantage of our Academic Resource Center having
been given a suggestion to visit according to my Math instructor.
I met with a private tutor and we went through the materials
during the sessions. That suggestion was one of the best things
I could do to help in taking tests.

I get anxiety during taking tests and find it hard to remember
and recall facts, formulas, and historical dates. This anxiety
doesn't occur in all of my classes but a few that I can remember
what exam gave me the most challenge.

I'm not frustated now after had a few hours of cooling down after
what I call a tough exam cycle. I still consider it and will be always
aware of the honor and privilege it is to be a student at George Fox.
I might take a longer time to graduate but I will be able to say this
December that I'm a college "graduate." What a added privilege
that will be to share that day with my friends and family.

Until then, I will continue to try my best in my education.

Swift words:

Invective. Speech or writing that abuses, denounces, or attacks.
It can be directed against a person, cause, idea, or system. It
employs a heavy use of negative emotive language. Example:

"I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most
pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered
to crawl upon the surface of the earth." --Swift

http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm

(Your free literature term for today)

Church topic.

Someone once wisely said, “The health of a church is not in
its seating capacity but its sending capacity”.

I believe in this quote and pray that Churches will take this message to
heart in their mission statement. The sending capacity that is spoken about
here concerns the sending of Missionaries to serve. The mission field in my
opinion is not limited to just a overseas setting but across the street
to your neighboor or across the cubicle to your co-worker. Having served
and will be serving in a overseas setting, I believe the world needs to hear
about Jesus. Missions involves a team approach and no one, including
me, should be sent out by themselves. Churches need to step up and support
their missionaries with financial, prayer, and emotional support if the
Great Commission needs to be fulfilled. In my case, the two churches I
attend have aggreed to pray for me before, during, and after my trip to
China. Several people I know (and love) have supported me with financial
donations so that I may have the honor of represetning them in a classroom
full of Chinese students. In closing, a seating capacity in a Church is a novel
idea but the sending capacity of those bodies in the seat has been the focus
of a Church membership.

Lt. John F. Kennedy

"Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction,
'I served in the United States Navy,'"

- President John F. Kennedy, August 1963.

(Received the Purple Heart and the Navy-Marine Corps Medal during World War II)

20 pounds.

During my semester of study program in Xiamen, China I lost
20 pounds. I wan't planning on losing weight during the four
months of school and travel but was happy to have lost the
extra pounds.

Several reasons behind losing the weight could be related to
several factors and they are: weather, exercise, smaller food
portions, and the Chinese diet.

The weather during our semester was warm during most of
our semester in China. It was humid in Xiamen and cool during
the evening hours. The exercise factor was related to our daily
walking times we had as a class and as individuals. We walked
everywhere both on and off campus. I enjoy walking and
appreciate the importance the Chinese have on daily exercise.
Smaller portions were both a wake up call and a means by which
most of my weight was lost. The Chinese eat their meals in smaller
food portions (plate size) whereas American's eat larger portions.

The Chinese diet consists of vegatables, meats, and rice with all
of their meals. Rice is a filler that is not served in all restuarants
in less you ask for a bowl. I appreciate the Chinese diet and I look
forward to it when I return to China this summer. The diet takes
time to get used to but when it is enjoyed I'll loose weight in the
2 months I'm in China.

Caring for others.

"In teaching as in any profession,

they won't care how much you know

until they know how much you care."

---- Anonymous ----

Two months.

Yes, I'm anxious to return to China because two months
from today I'll commence training to teach English.

I'm not only anxious about traveling but I look forward
to meeting my team members and my "future"s students
who will allow me to be their teacher.

I finish classes on Friday and then have final exams next
week. This semester has (like the others) been a challenging
time for me. Learning can be a chore but it's a privilege
to be here at George Fox while trying my best in classes.

Tornado alley

I live in a quiet neighboorhood in Newberg, Oregon. Home to
the Herbert Hoover house and a small religious school that's been
here since 1891. I live in the historical district of Newberg and in a
apartment that houses 5 guys and myself. We live in a area of town
that doesn't have too much traffic and or trouble but we do live
in tornado alley. Tornado alley is a term given to Mid-Western
U.S. states that are prone to weather systems that bring in tornadoes
and other natural events.

I live in and amongst a tornado because our living room is a victim
of a natural occurance. I won't mention any names (safety issue for
me) but our living room looks like a set from the movie "Twister."
I think "Twister" was filmed here because the production crew
used our living area as a testing ground for filming.

I enjoy living in this house with my room mates but I considered
myself a survivor for having lived through this on-going tornado.

I thought I was...

(Whitewater, Wis.) — UW Whitewater student Johnny Lechner says he's having too much fun in college to move on to the 'real world.' Lechner is wrapping up his eleventh year as an undergraduate at Whitewater. The 28-year-old has been inundated with media calls since his story went public. He says "everyone wants a piece of me right now."
Lechner is a 1994 graduate of Waukesha North High School. He has 234 college credits, about 100 more than he needs to graduate. He pays double tuition because he's exceeded a credit limit instituted this school year by the UW Board of Regents.
He promises his 12th year as an undergraduate will be his last. Lechner says he's firm on that because he's already booked the Legion Hall in Whitewater for his graduation bash.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press.)

June 20, 2005

---- 69 days (1656 Hours) ----

I leave on June 20th for Pasadena, California to begin training
for the China missions trip. This countdown seems far away but
will pass quickly with preparations and fund-raising to be done.
I'm anxious to meet my "future" students.

Heroes do exist.

The following is a citation for the Congressional Medal of Honor that was
awarded to the family of SFC Paul Ray Smith at the White House.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith United States Army.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

website: www.army.mil/medalofhonor

poignant moment's.

George Fox University students, a Jewish Synagogue, and the
death of Pope John Paul II.

The mention of these three subjects may not be familiar but yesterday
I became aware of the significance of them. Three of my classmates and
I had the unique opportunity and privilege to attend a Shabbat service
at a Portland Synagogue as part of our World Religions class. All three of
my classmates and I are students at George Fox University and were
to visit a Jewish synagoge as part of a group project.

We attended services at Havurah Shalom and enjoyed the warm
welcome of the members who welcomed us into their synagogue.
During the service, which was a fascinating introduction to Judaism,
the Rabbi included Pope John Paul II's name during a special prayer
time for people who were in the hospital or were homebound. I thought
this was really interesting as I sat there trying to absorb the service that
a Rabbi would mention the Pope in a special prayer. Later in the
afternoon, Pope John Paul has died in his Vatican apartment. The
time of death was when we were visiting the Jewish synagogue. The
whole morning brought poignant moments like this for my classmates
and I were able to witness a Shabbat service.

Here we were students of a Christian college visiting a Jewish synagogue
hearing a special prayer said for the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
God has truly blessed us as Christians to be able to try to understand the
significance of what different faith groups bring into our world. I enjoyed
the opportunity we shared yesterday and will probably have thoughts
of Saturday's service for quite some time.

The highlight of the visit to Havurah Shalom for me personally was when
the Torah was brought out to be walked around the audiance and read by
a variety of men and women. I had a few tears when the Ark was open
and the Torah was read because I thought back to the visit I had in 1990
to the city of Jerusalem, Isreal.

World Time

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/personal.html