Monday, August 22, 2005
Dun, Dun, Dun- Here’s your pun
Tonight we had our first forum devo. People- GO. If you are an OCer, don’t ever miss out on this ever again. This is a time when you can forget about everything else that bothers you and truly worship. It was outstanding, with a terrific lesson to boot.
Backtracking, OC took me and the fellow bloggers out to Abuelo’s to eat. Nice, nice food. This gig has definite perks. Dan and his wife were very hospitible, big props, and their little boy’s named Elijah and he’s adorable. Along with Stephen, the Canaidian with a sweet birthmark ON his eyeball, we had a great time walking along the canal and going to marble slab.
Now, I have told everyone on my floor about my blog and they are in love with me at the moment and they are thinking I’m going to be president of the world for tonight! Sorry Dan, I had to put one in there…
My 2nd floor boys in Reba/Harley Davisson at 12:54. Yes mom, I am going to sleep
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
What a way to begin, oh wait, THE GIRLS WIN?
Tonight, Earn Your Wings officially started, and it only reaffirmed that I am in love with this school. At most schools, upperclassmen want to flog the freshman, at OC, they form a spirtline and in essence throw a pep rally to welcome the new class. For a sports crazed dufus like myself, this was a taste of heaven. After the festivities were underway we met with our hub groups and were orientated for a while.
Then things got interesting from there. Boys and girls engaged in a rousing competition of “Mix it Up” which caused me to look like a big time idiot courtesy of my exuberance, and lose my voice due the same trait. It was going well, we were winning, and then suddenly it all went very wrong. We lost. It’s all a blur at this time, but we were ahead and having a great time and suddenly I’m dejected beyond belief at the fact we lost. It’s okay, God’s just trying to let me know that it really is just a game.
Tonight we’ve watch the WORST movie of all time and one of the best. If you enjoy The Labyrinth, wow, that’s all I have to say. Putrid is the kindest word I know to describe that movie. We also watched Hook, which is one of the best. No explanation necessary. Enough is enough and it’s time for bed! See you when I get back from Dry Gulch. Check out the extended text for some thoughts on acceptance.
Acceptance thoughts
Well….this didn’t work out how I had planned, so I have to do it like this until I talk to my boss man. So here you are-
Tonight, the speaker talked about acceptance, and there is no more pertinent topic for college freshmen. On some level, we all seek acceptance, whether it’s a club, a church or a certain group of people, we all want to feel wanted. Unfortunately, as humans we are too unintellegent at times to realize what is best for us. If we would only be ourselves and then fit in with the group that accepted us for what we were, we’d be a lot better of than trying to change who we are to fit into a certain group.
All too often when we seek the latter we find ourselves compromising our values and morals to be a part of something and that’s not what God wants at all. In fact, he demands the exact opposite, He wants us to be in the world, but not of the world. Going to OC makes this a much easier fit. Although not everyone’s a saint and not everyone promotes doing the right thing, the percentage is much greater than any other school you could attend.
If you do feel wanted, that’s outstanding. You should feel wanted because God does want us. God accepts anybody and everybody, but is in the business of changing people so he won’t ever leave you the way He found you. So if you aren’t feeling accepted or wanted, know that God wants you - all of you, in fact! He made you in his very image, so even though we may ding the image up, he is the master of banging the dings out and making us brand new. If nothing else can make you happy, take heart and know that the creator of this whole thing made all of us just like HIM! Share this with somebody
Saturday, August 27, 2005
You Mean We Really DO Have Class?
We’re back from Dry Gulch and I must say that it was one of, if not the most fulfilling times of my life. The worship there was incredible, the speakers were powerful and everyone was in a good mood. I could go through a laundry list of events, but I think it’s better to experience it for yourself as opposed to having ill-conceived notions about what to expect. That is something I’ve learned over time, if you come in with no expectations you get more than what you want, but if you come in expecting something grand there’s a good chance you’ll come away disappointed. Individually we’ve got to decide if we want to maybe only have a little but it be more than what we bargined for, or do we want to go for the whole enchilada? The second is the best choice, though falling flat on the face is almost inevitable, the journey is the best part. Moving on…
Today was party night at Davisson. We played home run derby, dodgeball, human bowling, and had some good conversations in the last two and a half hours. Most of us didn’t get in until late, so we had to wait for the party to start. Tomorrow is the closing ceremony for EYW, which is sad in a way because that means class is really going to start now. I’ll be glad when the ceremony’s over though because that means we’re off for UCO to cheer on the beloved OC soccer team. It’s their first match of the year and several of my friends have decided to go watch. See you there.
Saturdays, ahh my Saturdays!
Tonight is another amazing example of why OC is an incredible school. To end EYW the school bought every freshman and EYW staffers tickets to Frontier City. The workers there never saw anything like us, a bunch of snotty freshman running around flashing our talons like gang signs and screaming “O, C” and everytime someone in an “I’ve got both my wings and I’m a super OCer” t-shirt walked past. Then there were dorks like myself, who stood up and started OC chants in the ride lines. What a great time!
I went to my first OC sporting event today. I wsa a bit tardy, but again that’s nothing unusual in my life, right? Right. Teryn, Ryan and Kerri came too, and we were misinformed as to where the game was being played. We thought the girls and guys were playing at the same time and at UCO and OCU respectively. For obvious reasons I chose the former. Unfortunately, they weren’t playing until 6:00 PM, so we made the trek to OKC to cheer on the men. It was an extremely close game, with the Stars eeking out a close win in the final minutes. That part was not any fun, but the 50 or so OC students were fun and vocal. I was very impressed that 50 or more people came to Oklahoma City for a soccer match on a Saturday, and a hot Saturday at that! It turned out to be quite pretty actually, but that’s neither here nor there, and neither is the fact that I definitely flagged down an ice cream truck from two blocks away and SPRINTED the whole way to meet it.
Tomorrow is worship and I’m going to Memorial Road again and I can’t wait, I love the Bible Class and the worship is awesome too. Next post will have several pictures, I left my camera in a friend’s car so that’s not feasible at the moment.
Don’t forget to smile or pray!
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Pictures, woot!
I have my camera back, so here are some wonderful pictures of various objects…
Here’s my friend Megan and myself looking not tired at all at EYW’s closing ceremony.
Just laugh, it’s Canadian comedy, and yes they were hilarious.
A little after hours home run derby anyone?
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Finally, a little soccer action, and no these girls aren’t as good looking as OC girls.
Okay, I’m out like a slow kid at home plate, but don’t get distraught, I’ll be back soon.
Don’t forget to smile or pray!
Taco Bell, I Wish You Weren’t Taken
Tonight, I went to Edmond coC for worship. They were installing new elders, so there wasn’t a lesson, but the singing was really good. Now its time to sit indian style and get your ears perked up because, yes it’s true, story time is here.
I was feeling tired today so I thought that it’d be a great chance to check out the Edmond church and take a nap on the same evening. Well, I overslept and didn’t wake up until exactly 6:00 and so I had to scurry around. When I got there worship had already started obviously, and I’m not really sure where to go. I find a group of kids in the balcony and so I head for that area, but the path I’m taking leads me right past the stage where everyone can get a good look at the dork who’s 15 minutes late. Only then do I find out that the group I found was the high school group and the college group was on the other side. To make a long story short, I found the college group, sat with them, and I’m going back Wednesday to check out the college class.
Brent, Sarah and Whitney came with me to Taco Bell, and I strongly encourage everyone to be a fan of the Bell. OC students get free drinks just for being students so that makes your total meal less than three bucks. I know, amazing. Tomorrow, the fun and games end people, and the real thing that’s going to make me want to drop out is coming quickly, so be sure to pray for not only me but everyone who’s starting class tomorrow. It will be great I’m sure. Just for good measure, it’s 9:31 PM and I am going to bed.
Don’t forget to smile or pray!
Monday, August 29, 2005
It began, and I went
School started today. (That sound you hear is crickets vibrating their legs together). No, it really wasn’t that bad. In fact it wasn’t bad at all. My buddy and fellow blogger, Luke, is misinformed as to the whole 8 o’clock class thing. I didn’t wake up until 8:32 and made to my 9 o’clock class in plenty of time and was done for the day after chapel. Speaking of which…
Chapel is a very unique facet of the OC experience. We have it every weekday without fail, and today’s chapel was the epitome of the tradition that flows during this time of fellowship. We sang two songs that have been sang at every opening chapel since the school was started. We’re talking 55 years in a row of singing I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord and All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name . To some folks that may seem blah, but if you really think about it that only strengthens the continuity of the program and the school in general. So does the professor who has been here for FIFTY-TWO years. No you don’t need to go back and reread that, 52 was the correct number. I wish I could remember his name to really give him the credit that’s due him, but I have a horrible memory.
Anyway, classes were no sweat today, and tomorrow figures to be more of the same because everyone is still filing in, but Wednesday, it starts for real!
Here’s a picture of the Salt and Light ceremony performed during chapel-
Free food tonight in the conservatory at 5:30, BE THERE.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
GOAL
Tonight was the soccer games and we whipped Friends University of Witchita! Woot for us. Our boys really put the boots to them, we beat them 4-0 and the girls beat them 2-1. One thing that was really cool ws the number of guys who came to say thanks for coming out.
The spiritual opportunites here are just amazing. View 63 was last night and it was really great, well at least what I got to be a part of, I won’t get into that. Then chapel today was incredible as usual. I say as usual, I’ve only been a few times, but it is really great. Why anyone would skip is beyond me. Here are a few pics of the beautiful OC people.
Ansley and Ashley, two absolutely beautiful girls from Belton, TX enjoying the soccer game.
The OC guys huddled up after yet ANOTHER goal.
The new OC shirt I made, it is now on sale at the Bookstore, no I kid, I kid.
Well the time has come for me to stare at my eyelids and talk to the G-man. More tomorrow.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
The Truth
So when I took this job, I was told that people wanted to know what OC’s really like. My boss said people would flock from across the world to read MY blog to see what in the world goes on at this Christian university in the middle of nowhere. Let that time begin. After I take pick of roughly 15 churches of Christ to attend Bible class, I come back for a freshman fanfare meeting. FF is the time where freshman get the chance to show their stuff. Next, I’m off to the free concert that SGA put on in the student center. After that I head back to the dorm. People, don’t ever take up the chance to live off campus your first year. Dorm life at OC is the absolute best.
What the boys in Davisson Hall do is come back and wait for Joey to check our rooms. The whole time we sit and gripe about curfew, but in the end we all realize that it is a necessary evil. Then, my boy Dan pulls out the guitar. Then the fun begins! About three of them who can really pick it start getting after it. It was incredible to listen to them play for about an hour and a half all while I typed on IM. That’s what OC is about, IMing and finding out how truly talented people are. This place really, really is amazing.
Here’s Dan playing the guitar…
Well, I love Dr. Huston right now so I’m going to bed so I can be chipper for his class in the morn.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Thursday, September 01, 2005
IA Members, UNITE
It’s happened, it has really happened. I promised myself that this day would never come. I thought that I’d always be able to abstain from such a vulgar group.
Unfortunately, I’m in too deep to want out. That’s right, I’m the newest member of IA, also known as “Icees Anonymous.” I have taken complete advantage of the full meal plan here at OC and it’s true that the black strip on my ID card is almost worn off already because of the swipeage.
I have had four, yes four, icees just today. This has got to stop somewhere. I walk in and say hi to Lois, grab an Icee and go on my merry way. This turn of events is too good to be true. There is a catch somewhere. Never in any gas station is there an Icee machine that is this good, and they charge ridiculous amounts for it. I am in love. Somebody, please pray for me, and come to First Week follies OC students, it will be grand.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Titles…why?
I’m not a big fan of titles. I actually despise them at times, but that’s a long theological story that nobody wants to read. If you don’t live in Oklahoma, you are missing out. Honestly, this state is incredible. Name another state where on Friday afternoon you can be in one of the largest cities in the country, but sleep in a town an hour away that has 138? That’s if you count the animals, well the domestic ones. I had that exact experience this weekend. One of my good friends wanted me to come with him to his hometown and watch his brother play football, and then the next day go to the OSU game. To make a long story short, he didn’t check the schedule, his brother played out of town, and the OSU game wasn’t that terrific. There will be more on this at another time.
Today, I went and watched OC alumnus Lucas Ross perform at a local playhouse. When I got there, I found out that fellow freshman Stacy Driskill was in the show as well. I must say that both did an excellent job and it was worth me getting lost in north Oklahoma City. Tonight I’m going back to Edmond, they are having a back to school bash, and I was responsible Friday afternoon and did my homework so I’m free! Please, please, hold the applause (I know, it’s lame). Enough for now.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Free food
Tonight I went to Edmond and the college group did their own thing and the singing was absolutely amazing. It was really awesome, and then we had a little back to school bash. Thus the free food title. The folks there were incredibly hospitable, and had good food for us to eat. Then there was volleyball, wiffleball, and football which is always a grand time.
Then we had Freshman Fanfare meeting…(awkward silence). Not really, everyone should come see it in three weekends, but I won’t lie, practices are a hassle. The end product will be hilarious and if you see Taylor Walling, tell him he’s doing a good job because he is. Freshman Seminar homework is calling, so this must end.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Monday, September 05, 2005
Responsibility…grrr
Today, I had a Comm II quiz, and I thought I was more than prepared for it. I knew I was going to the OSU game on Saturday so Friday afternoon I read the chapter and highlighted the important aspects. Today, I went in there and took my quiz, and made a flipping 70, literally. I was shaking my screen back and forth because I was so upset. Last time, I forgot to read the chapter and made a 60, but this time I was responsible and prepared only to bomb it. My chance to turn over a new leaf and not be a procrastinator…the quiz winds kept that leaf from blowing over. No fear, it is only 10 percent of our grade so there is still time to recover.
In chapel today, they announced that a group was going on a fall break campaign to the New Orleans area. Immediately, the whole area surrounding me was pumped. They’re expecting a big number this year, and I really want to go. Right now, there’s not much we can do, but in about a month the clean up process will begin. Class is over, homework is waiting, so I must be gone.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
NEWS FLASH
Quite the development has occured on the OC campus. We now have cherry limeade Icees. I haven’t had the chance to taste this new delight, but it’s here and as soon as I have time I will repost w/ the verdict. Last night was View 63. Read very closely- DO NOT MISS VIEW ON MONDAYS AT 10:00 PM. It is a truly incredible experience where people get the chance to put everything aside and worship for a while. This year’s theme is prayer, which is a critical component in a relationship with God. So if you to draw a closer relationship with the maker of the universe by talking to him, come to View! Well now it’s off to the Bible class that I thoroughly enjoy!
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Intramurals Have Begun
Our A leauge guys played Delta in softball tonight. Let’s just say we didn’t end up victorious. It’s okay though, they had practice afterwards and Casey recruited me to help out for the rest of the year. Tonight was also Club Night, and I didn’t get to see much of it. I didn’t need to either because I’m just a feeble freshman, but if I gave out a “Justin’s Coolest Club” award I would give it to Chi because of the way the whole club dressed, the duct tape couch, and the Spring Sing trophy WITH dust all over it! I auditioned for Freshmen Fanfare emcee tonight; I won’t lie, we didn’t prepare like we should have, so don’t expect to see me hosting anything anytime soon! Just a little sidenote, check out Jenna’s blog and look at the stuff she drew, it’s stinking good! Anyway American Politics is calling so we shall meet again at another time.
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Mr. Vice President, How are you?
That’s right, by God’s amazing grace, I am the freshman class vice president. I’m uber-excited about the opportunity to serve my class in that capacity. This makes me reconsider my thoughts of being a politician, but who wants to hear that? Congrats to Nathan, Ny, Chance, and Jordan who made the other offices in our class.
I’ve learned very quickly that you can’t do everything on campus. Tonight I had an SGA meeting, Freshman Fanfare rehersals, softball intramurals, and Open Mic night (that SGA puts on, by the way.) I wanted to go to Open Mic because fellow frosh Taylor Walling was playing, but I was reminiscing with a friend and time slipped away. Taylor, if you read this, don’t worry. I got the CD and you are THE MAN! Let me be your “put your name out there guy,” because you are seriously big time.
On a side note. I am now in love with the Memorial Road church. I don’t know if that’s incredibly healthy because I know there are pros and cons with every church, but I think the pros far outweigh the cons in their situation. What I’m trying to say is I think I’ve found a church home, and I am giddy.
I will leave you with a link that will surely brighten your day…HERE IS WHERE YOU SHOULD CLICK IF YOU’D LIKE TO LAUGH
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Defeat Snatched from Victory’s Jaws
I am infatuated with OC - I really am. I strongly believe this is the best school in the state, but that fact doesn’t stop me from wanting to run away just for being a freshman. Tonight the softball boys played Sigma. I’m not exactly sure what the Sigma guys do for fun, but I think it has something to do with Barry Bonds. They have some men on that team, while the freshmen, ahh well, you know. Nonetheless, we decided we’d allow the game to be played.
We started off with a bang, scoring 7 runs, and fast forward because this is a blog and not a book. We were tied in the bottom of the 7th becuase we got jipped on a few calls, solely because we’re freshmen. (and some shotty fielding) They scored one run in the last inning on a bad throw that would’ve ended the inning, and we lost.
GRRR! Oh by the way, the whole “it’s just a game” bit I was trying out for a while is half-way out the window tonight. We were so close to being somebody, but no, we are still freshmen. However, we refuse to get our heads down and we’ve got several games left to win. Now it is time to shower and go to bed because my dad had mommy call and tell me that I’m here to go to school and not have fun. Thanks Dad!
Don’t forget to smile or pray
Friday, September 09, 2005
Frustrating Friday
I am not a complainer, nor am I an unhappy person. I’ve had too many good things in my life for an attitude such as that. However, on occasion I do vent. That’s what’s about to happen. After the softball catastrophe last night, I thought things would be better today. That’s what I get for thinking, of course.
It was the guys turn to come to the girls’ dorm, and well, that can’t be too bad! I have this great idea to buy Lindsay and Chris some pizza and go to their room. I order the pizza at about 6:50, and I do it only because I have the handy-dandy lappy. I take a power nap to get reved up for the night. When I wake from my slumber, it’s about 8 and I expect the pizza to be here. Alas, the pizza is nowhere to be found! I call Papa John’s to see where my pizza is and supposedly they never got my order so I replace. Frustration, it is beginning to begin.
I go to their dorm, and hang out for a while. At 8:45 I decide I’ll go back and wait. To make a long story short, I didn’t get my pizza until after 10 PM. Unfortunately, I still had to pay for about half of it, and it was luke warm. I still ate it because I was starving but this point. How hard is it to find Oklahoma Christian? I mean, seriously, aren’t we on the highest point in Oklahoma City? Anyway, The rest of the day was great and about half the campus is gone this weekend so it’s a little quiet.
Don’t forget to smile or pray