Trip Home.

I just realized it's almost been a full 2 weeks since I've written anything on here! Thank you Grace for reminding me to post something ;)

As most of you probably know I came home last weekend (actually homecoming weekend at Metamora!). I had a great time seeing my family and hanging out with them. Along with that I got to spend some quality time with some really great friends (..mainly Mackenzie) :). The Metamora vs. East Peoria football game was great, although during the 4th quarter you could hardly see the players on the field due to some intense fog!

Although I ended up getting a late start to a long trip home, God was watching out for us, giving Brice and I an amazing showing of lightning for the entire trip home, keeping us awake! We didn't arrive until 2:30AM.. but hey, what's college life without late nights..

As October approaches, the weather seems to get colder and colder (probably because it is..). Today was a high of 60 and really windy! It nuts how fast weather can just seem to change in an instant!

Other than that, there hasn't been a lot else happening here at Taylor.. I will be excited to see my family this weekend for parents weekend, and am excited to introduce Justin and Jordan to college life as they spend the night with me!

Hopefully I get another one up here soon.

Through Faith, Hope, and Love,

JARED

Spiritual REVIVAL!

I know this may seem long and unappealing, but you won't regret reading this one..

Story Time: Towards the beginning of this school year I had been reading through the bible about healing. I read that by simply asking in the name of Jesus to heal this or heal that.. He would answer. I began to pray to God that he would heal a wart on my hand, just completely take it away. Although it was nothing of huge pain to me, I knew God could heal it for me. As I finished praying, I was looking for immediate action, and as I looked at my wart and nothing happened I became discouraged. Feeling confused on why God didn't answer my prayer, I heard God say that once I fully gave up a certain sin I had been struggling with and gave it all to him, He would heal it for me.

Throughout this week, Taylor has had chapel services called Spiritual Renewal. On Monday night, the 14th, the service began with a talk about participation. How God doesn't need an army of people to start something.. but how simply one person can make a huge difference! Although the service was amazing, what proceeded it was astonishing. As we were all walking out, a man came up on the stage and began with this line, "Do you all want to see something beautiful". We all kind of sat back down.. not knowing what was going on. He then proceeded to explain that spiritual revival on campus cannot begin until we are all real with each other. He then poured out to us his sins, confessing his deepest and darkest secrets. After he was finished another came up, then another, and another. Pretty soon about every person there was confessing their sins to everyone! I can't place an estimate on how many people poured their lives out that night.. but it was a TON! I left at 12am to get sleep, but I heard of some people that were there until 5am!! God is doing some amazing stuff here at Taylor!

Here is where this becomes personal:

On the night of the 15th, during praise and worship, I looked down at my hand and noticed the wart was completely gone! The night before, I gave up all my sins and struggles to God. Upon realizing that God had actually healed my hand, all I could do was tear up. I now have a reassurance every time I look at my hand that God loves me and He has the power to do anything!! How amazing is that! :)

Through Faith, Hope, and LOVE,

JARED

Update

September 6th-12th Update:

I'll try to do this more often than once a week, but for now this is the best I can do. Haha. It's hard to think of things that have happened to me this week that seem significant enough to share with you, so if some things sound random.. that's why.

First of, I got a ripstik! I've been using it every so often to get to classes and the DC (dinning commons).. but only do it every once and a while because I haven't quite mastered it ;) But that's been fun.

On Thursday, every freshmen from Penthouse wore his toga to class all throughout the day. Although some decided not to participate, it was actually a really fun experience. One thing I noticed at Taylor is there are far less people who seem to judge you (probably because of the christian atmosphere). But it's really nice. I love Taylor.

Through Faith, Hope, and Love,

JARED

Labor Day Weekend.

As today hasn't really been much of an eventful day (have been doing homework all afternoon), I figured I'd have time to update you all with everything that has happened this weekend.

Thursday night I was able to attend the very first night football game in Taylor history! As is custom for our floor, us Penthouse mens wore our togas and painted our faces for the event. Little did we know the paint we used was not face paint at all, but a latex based paint. Long story short I was in the shower from 10:05pm till 11:01pm trying to get the paint off of my face! Haha. Although it was nothing like Metamora football (which I hear they lost to Washington!) it was an exciting game non the less.

Last night (Sunday night/Monday morning) we ventured off to McDonald's at 1:30am where we hung out and played apples to apples. Due to it's lateness and our tiredness, I think the game was a little more exciting than it should have been. Haha. But although it was a late night, it was fun.

We also recently rearranged our room.. I'll attach a picture. Now we only need a couch to make it complete :)

Through Faith, Hope, and Love,

JARED

Classes.

Well I've just finished my second full day of classes. For the most part, they all seem to be bearable as far as homework goes. Tuesday I have 4 classes: New Student Orientation (10-11), Discussion Group (11-12), 2D design (1-3), and Fitness for Life (3-4). So Tuesday's will be a pretty busy day for me! The Orientation Class and Discussion Group seems like a simple A, as long as I do my work I should be set. As far as 2D design goes that also seems like it will be a fun, enjoyable class. The professor is really nice and the people in my class are really cool. After that I have Fit for Life, pretty much a PE and high school Heath Ed class mixed together. Again, this is a class where it should be an easy A (our prof even told us).

Last night a group of friends and I played ultimate frisbee from 10pm to 11pm! It was great :)

Today (Wednesday) I had Drawing (8-10) and Spanish 201 (1-2). The Drawing class seems the most demanding class as of now.. we have 3 sketchbook assignments due by Monday! But lucky for me I have a friend that is also a Graphic Design major in that class, 2D and fit for life. So it'll be good to have someone to talk about work and whatnot to. This afternoon then I had my spanish class. I was so excited after getting out of that class; compared to spanish at Metamora, this seems muy facil!! We don't really speak spanish at all in this class, whereas we would get points off for saying a word in english at my class in high school! But it will still be a good learning experience I believe.

Besides classes, dorm life has been pretty amazing. I'm really connecting with the guys on this floor and it's been really cool getting to know each of them! We have a meeting tonight at 10pm (I hear togas and icy-hot is involved.) But it's been awesome :)

Saturday we have a "pick-a-date" and Community Plunge. For the "pick-a-date" we pick a date (ask a person of the female gender to go with us) and head out for unlimited pancakes in the morning and go garage-saling. This goes on from 7am-12. (yes.. 7 AM on a Saturday.. ugh)

I've really appreciated all your prayers for my transition here! It's gone so smooth I can't imagine doing this alone! I've loved hearing from you all :) feel free to call/text/e-mail me anytime!

Through Faith, Hope, and Love,

JARED