Financial Aid

I applied for Financial Aid a couple of weeks ago and received a letter from Ivy Tech stating they needed a copy of my 2006 taxes. After work I road down there to drop off a copy of my tax return. I talked with the FA advisor and she told me I qualified for some aid. Cool! It is going to cover all but $30 for the summer session plus book.

The blessings keep coming. Thank you Jesus!

Test Day

OK, I get off work a little early today so I can get to Ivy Tech before 5:30. I rush home grab a bite to eat and jump in the shower. Everything is going as planned. I leave the house at 4:40 and decide to take some "back roads" to avoid the rush hour traffic. As I turned a corner to take my shortcut I realized that a slow train was crossing. You know how it is every time you think your going to make good time something gets in the way? The train goes by and I get behind some people driving really slow. It seemed like it was taking forever to get there. I pulled into the parking lot and checked the time, 5:15. Not too bad after all.

I go to the testing room sign in and take a seat. The proctor goes over the procedure and gives us the go signal. Reading was up first, read the story, answer the questions, no problem. Next was writing. From the sample tests I had taken I thought I'd have tough time with this, but it went pretty well. Then it was time for math, Pre-algebra to be exact. The questions got harder as the test went on. It seemed like I was doing fairly well for awhile but once the Algebra kicked in I was toast.

When I was finished I taked to the proctor. I didn't realize it at first but he had been my 8th grade Science teacher. He remember my name but didn't recognize me either. I think the reason he remembered my name after all these years is because I used to get into a lot of trouble in his class. Anyway, as he went over the scores with me I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Reading: 87 Student appears to have college-level reading skills. No additional course required.
Writing: 98 College-level Freshman Composition ENG 111. Talk to your advisor.
Pre Algebra: 83 Student's computational skills are adequate. MAT 050 Basic Algebra.

I knew going in that I would do pretty well in reading and math but writing? I thought for sure I'd be in an introduction to college writing course.

Wow! I'm feeling pretty good about all of this!

Coincidence?...I think not

A little over a year ago Danny V told me about a book titled "Now, Discover Your Strengths". I read the book and took the profile test online. One of my Signature Themes is Connectedness. "People strong in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason."

Keep that in mind.

Every morning before I go to work or out for the day I read from "Still God's Man - A Daily Devotional Guide to Christlike Character". Starting Saturday and through the rest of the week the Bible reading has been Nehemiah. I carry a Bible in my work van and try to read on my lunch or between calls. I haven't read from it for a while until Monday. I opened my Bible at the bookmark and it marked the same passage I read earlier that morning. While driving to a call later in the afternoon I turned on the radio and Dr. Lester Sumrall was preaching about Nehemiah. He was talking about how Nehemiah a servant to the king became a Champion for God. A regular guy lifted to greatness.

Coincidence?

Nehemiah asked the king to go and do what God put on his heart, rebuild the the wall around Jerusalem. The king granted his request, and even sent soldiers to protect him. He rallied the people to rebuild the wall. Stood his ground to opposition, and reinstated the Law of Moses.

Will I be as great as Nehemiah? Probably not. But God has put something on my heart. If I can be as diligent, patient, wise, persistent, and courageous as Nehemiah. I will be a Champion for God too.

Nehemiah 13:31 ...Remember me with favor O my God

Compass Testing

I've been taking some sample tests and brushing up on my math, reading, and writing skills. Boy am I in trouble! HA HA. The Compass test is an assessment to assist in selection of appropriate courses. I do fairly well with math and reading but writing is where the real problem lies. In High School I skipped English class all the time and just barely got by, now I see the error of my ways. Oh well I guess it's better late than never.

Cheezborgor, Cheezeborgor, Cheezeborgor

Last Saturday Nancy and I road the South Shore Train from South Bend into Chicago. We didn't have any set plans, just to spend the day together. As we were walking up Michigan Ave. I saw a sign on a stairway to the lower street level for the Billy Goat Tavern and Grill. I told her that this was the place John Belushi modeled for the SNL skit. So we went in there for lunch. We had a ball. Belushi portrayed it perfectly. If you're ever in Chicago you have to see it for yourself.



By the way don't bother looking at the menu, you're getting a "doublecheez is the bess". Have fun!

Here I go !!!!!

Well I'm stepping out of the boat in a couple of different ways. First off I went to Ivy Tech Community College yesterday and applied to enroll in the Associate degree program in Applied Science in Human Services. So I'm very excited to go to school and study for a degree in a field that interests me. This is definitely a God thing, a few months ago I had no interest in going to school. He has blessed me in so many ways that I know in my heart that this is His will for me. Keep me in your prayers.

Second I decided to start this blog. Not sure what to post but I'll keep you informed as I head into this adventure.

Wow I must be crazy!

Kinda cool huh?