Mud Running (Part 1)

So I'm doing this next Saturday:

   

It is what you probably think it is. It's a mud run.

For a class, my roommate Cassie has to complete some sort of physical challenge that she has never attempted before. I was sitting at the table, doing my French grammar homework (that class is already killing me) when she asked if I would do it with her.

Running through mud, climbing over obstacles, face planting and making a fool of myself for 5 kilometers.... why not? Yup, I thought about it probably as long as it took you to read that last sentence before I agreed to it.

We registered online and then it hit me. 

WHAT DID I JUST AGREE TO DO?!?

We'll see how it goes. Prayers would be appreciated.

One Week Down, 14 More to Go

The first week of my senior fall semester has come to an end. As you can probably tell by my lack of blogging, it's been busy. Last week was RA training. I have been incredibly blessed to work with the great RA staff for this year and can't really describe how great that week was in words, so I'm going to let you interpret it through the pictures below. Enjoy.

Shopping at Hobby Lobby for decorations

Swimming in the Kentucky River

Celebrating the few strikes we got in bowling

Dodgeball Team "Eldersgate"

Sporting the Goodwill shopping spree finds

I promise we did do training-like activities. For example, the Wilmore Fire Chief did a  fire safety lesson with all the Residence Life staff and taught us how to put out fires with a fire extinguisher. Before it was my turn, I asked him if I could wear his helmet. He gave me a great big smile and placed it on my head as I stumbled to balance its weight. I could totally be in their next year's calendar.

The fun had to come to an end with the commencement of classes. Sometimes I get so caught up with everything revolving around academics that I forget that that is why I am at college. My mom just says that I enjoy it way too much. She's right, because Friday night I was, once again, part of the world's largest water balloon fight. (Check out last year's post HERE)

Saturday night followed with a dance party at CSF, which are always fun for us Asbury students who have been deprived from such fun. Sunday finished the weekend with going to a bridal show and church with friends. I hope this weekend is a sign of the fun ahead. It's my last year. I have to make the most of it.

Making Homeless Friends

I'm back, officially back at the 'bury. I'm so happy to be here. I have lots to blog about, but I had an encounter today that is more blog worthy than my week of RA training. Don't worry, I'll write about it as well.

Like the typical college student, I shop at Walmart a lot. I stopped by on my way to a local Christian high school football game to help promote Asbury. As I was walking in, I saw a lady with a small poker table and a pink sign that said, "Women's Christian Academy." She was talking to a man who just dropped a few dollars into her plastic bin about all the great service that they do. I didn't stop, but kept walking.

After grabbing things I needed and debating over which sugar dispenser I should buy for 10 minutes, picking one up and then returning it back to the shelf 5 minutes later, I headed out. As I walked out the same doors I entered, I saw three teenagers sitting outside the doors on the opposite side of the "Women's Christian Academy" lady. One guy with bright red hair was holding a sign that said, "homeless and hungry." I smiled and kept walking.

As I was walking to Ruby (my truck), I felt the need to go help the three teenagers. I just wanted to hear their story, so I went back. I walked up and said, "Hi, I'm Janah. How can I help y'all?" Almost in unison they said, "We're hungry. Any food would be great." I then asked if they wouldn't mind walking across the parking lot with me to McDonald's so I could buy them dinner. They jumped up and started following me.

I just started asking question, "What are your names? Where are y'all from? Where are y'all living? What's your story?"  They were from Lexington and all came from broken homes. *Ella's mom had recently died, *Mike's parents disowned him and *Doug had ran away, but he didn't say why. They met on the streets and banded together to help one another survive.

When we arrived at McDonald's I told them to get whatever they wanted and then come sit with me. They sat and started telling me about how they were living in an abandoned building and sleeping with some blankets and pillows that UK students had thrown out while moving in the past few days. Ella said, "They just throw out perfectly good things, because they have the money to buy new ones." Talk about feeling convicted.

There was a lull in conversation and I said, "I want you guys to know why I'm doing this." Doug interjected saying, "It's because you're religious." I wasn't quite sure how to respond, but said, "Well I wanted to demonstrate to you the love that Christ has for you. He cares and loves you, even in tough situations in life." Erik was amazed and said, "Wow, no one has ever done this for me before." I almost stated crying.
 
They started expressing their dislikes about the church and why they're not Christians. It was an AWESOME conversation, but I hurt for them. I was so sad that they had all been so hurt by the church. I wasn't sure what to say so I said, "I'm sorry." Doug smiled and said, "But at least you're not forcing it down our throat." I said, "I do not want to force it down your throat, but just want to love on you all." He responded with, "Thank you. I knew from the start that you weren't trying to."

Our conversation continued, but I had to head out to get the the football game on time. I asked if I could pray for them before I left and they all nodded yes. I prayed probably the wordiest, most nervous prayer I've ever prayed. I told them that I was really glad I met them, I loved them, they thanked me again and I headed out.

There was more to our conversation, lots of laughs and awkward silence, but it was great. I left happy and proud of myself for helping someone in need, then I realized how stupid that was and un-Christ like. I came back down to earth real quick and was humbled.

Then I was angry.

Why had so many "Christians" hurt these teenagers? What did they do that turned them away from Christ? Why didn't the Christian lady from the "Women's Christian Academy" help them? I could get on my soap box and rant about these for hours. It really frustrates me.

I don't know where Ella, Doug and Mike went after I left McDonald's. I pray that they find someone to help them and demonstrate Christ's love for them in a bigger way than I could.  

*These are not their real names. I have changed them for their safety.
    

"Hey Christian Girl"

If you've spent any amount of time on Pinterest I'm sure you've seen pictures of Ryan Gosling with captions like this:

via

Funny, no doubt, but it's gotten better.

via

 There is a blog called Hey Christian Girl and it's great. I've spent way too much time looking at it, but it's hilarious. Tim Tebow is on it and we all know how much I love Tim Tebow.

Enjoy.

Celebrating the Olympics

The Olympic games are well underway and my patriotism is bigger than ever before. Not only am I proud to support Team USA and their stylish Polo getups, but I have multiple friends and hometown heroes that I'm excited to cheer on.

During the 2008 Summer Olympics, a high school friend, Elaine Breeden rocked the 200 meter butterfly and won silver. Unfortunately she did not make the team this year, but I'm still proud.
Lexington natives Lee Kiefer and Tyson Gay are representing Team USA in fencing and track.

They aren't the only people representing the great state of Kentucky in London. There are nearly 100 Asburians there as well. They are working with the local news station WLEX writing articles, creating short videos and even keeping a blog. Of course I've been ridiculously jealous and sad that I am not there with them sharing in all the fun. Thankfully I wasn't the only one left behind. The few of us remaining decided to have an opening ceremony celebration of our own.

My friends Laura and Katie invited several of us over to watch the ceremony, so of course we ate lots of junk food like good college kids do. I made red, white and blue cupcakes with "Go USA" written on them and Zach brought the necessary ingredients for loaf.

                                                       

I was really proud and Katie was really happy

I tried to google loaf to see if I could find a better explanation for it, but it seems that the rest of the world hasn't discovered it yet. Basically, it's a cookie dough log that has been baked and is eaten with ice cream. It's best to eat it one part cookie and one part ice cream on your spoon. If you enjoy eating raw cookie dough, this is a good way to satisfy that craving without the fear of salmonella. Very sweet and very filling, but so good.

This isn't everyone that was there, but the chef and sous chefs that made loaf.

I've missed these people and am so happy and excited to be around them 24/7 again, starting Thursday. That's right, Thurday and I'm back at Asbury. It can't be here soon enough.