hello...

Hello to life. Hello to it.... it seems all of the sudden. It comes at you pretty hard and pretty fast. When it does come you are introduced to yourself. So.... hello to me.... it seems all of the sudden. Hello to one who is just like every body else, one who can think and eat and talk and walk and dance and run... one who can pray and listen.

the studio

Today we will proceed in making a photography studio down in the basement. I am very excited about the whole thing. For about a month I have had two studio lights that my literature teacher so generously and I mean generously gave me. With this studio there are endless creative opportunities. Did I mention that I am very excited?

the rollings around in my mind.

There has been a lot of things rolling around in my mind a lot lately, and it is piling up and so i need to write it out. here goes:( warning!! i don't think in sentences, so there might be some crazy long sentences and the occasional sentence fragment.)

I know what I want to do for college it is at Toccoa Falls.

The Cross-Cultural Adult Education major is an interdisciplinary degree that combines missiological principles with andragogical principles to prepare students to design a wide continuum of adult education programs based on cross-cultural knowledge and detailed ethnographic study. This major enables the student to enter creative access countries with marketable skill in the planning and implementation of adult education programs. Students are prepared to research, plan, and implement adult education programs. These programs can be in such areas as business training classes, health education, literacy programs, AIDS prevention training, English as a foreign language programs, computer literacy, and physical exercise classes. Students are also prepared to assist mission agencies in the planning of leadership development programs, Theological Education by Extension programs, and the development of Bible Institutes. This major prepares the student for immediate deployment as a cross-cultural adult educator. Students who minor in TESOL would find immediate opportunities available through ELIC and other English language organizations. Students are prepared to enter additional training programs in specialized fields such as community health education, relief and development, aids prevention, computer technology, physical exercise, and literacy. This major also provides a training track for students preparing to enter ethnic ministries within the United States who are seeking cross-cultural ministry training that prepares students to plan and provide viable community service within the ethnic community such as ESL or GED completion.
CROSS-CULTURAL ADULT EDUCATION MAJOR PURPOSE & OUTCOME GOALS
The Cross-Cultural Adult Education Major is designed to prepare people with a marketable skill in the planning and implementation of adult education programs in cross-cultural settings.
Students who successfully complete this major will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge of biblical, anthropological, socio-cultural, missiological, and educational principles that are applicable to developing education programs in cross-cultural environments
2. Skills in the application of andragogical knowledge to their specific cultural setting
3. The ability to develop a sound basis for making lifestyle decisions and developing attitudes and behaviors to support lifelong learning.
PROCEDURE FOR ADMISSION
A student desiring to pursue a major in the School of World Missions must submit a Declaration of Major form to the school director. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 must be attained before admission. The advisor responsible for the area of specialization for which the student has applied (or an advisor designated by the School Director) will conduct an interview. Following the interview, the entire SWM faculty will review the student's application. Upon satisfactory completion of this application procedure, the student will receive a letter of notification regarding acceptance from the School Director.
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
The School of World Missions needs to pre-approve all Study Abroad programs for its students so as to be assured that such programs include the necessary equivalency courses for graduation from the Cross-Cultural Major/Minors.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (B.A. or B.S.)
1. Fulfillment of all the "General Requirements for Graduation" (see section on "Degree Requirements")
2. Satisfactory completion of all required courses as listed in
one of the curricula below with a minimum grade of "C-" in all ANT, ESL, and ICS courses. A minimum cumulative average of 2.0 is required for the total hours necessary for graduation from the School of World Missions
3. Satisfactory completion of an application for missionary
service and a formal interview by a mission board or denomination, or a senior evaluation interview conducted by a faculty committee
4. An average grade of "C" for courses taken to fulfill requirements for a minor or concentration
5. Completion of six weeks of cross-cultural field internship in
a new culture
MINOR IN PRE-ETHNOMUSICOLOGY
The School of World Missions desires to draw attention to our students that there is a Minor in Pre-Ethnomusicology offered by the School of Music. It is well documented that "music" is an excellent "bridge" into most cultures. For SWM students interested in using their love for music as a means to gain access to a culture we recommend this Minor.
PRE-ETHNOMUSICOLOGY MINOR – 19 hours
ANT 203 Cultural Anthropology1 3
GMU 113 Introduction to Music 3
GMU 123 Introduction to World Music 3
GMU 213 U.S. Music 3
MUT 101 Fundamentals of Aural Skills 1
MUT 103 Fundamentals of Music 3
ENS 190 Multicultural Music Ensemble2 2
MGT 110 Beginning Guitar3 .05
ENS ___ Ensemble Elective .05
MRA 110 Recital Attendance4 0
1Students should check with their advisor to see if a substitution is possible for another social science elective. It is highly recommended that ANT 203 be taken by any student anticipating in ministry in a culture other than their own.
2Four consecutive semesters.
3Advanced guitar students may substitute Private Applied Guitar lessons or Guitar Ensemble. Permission of the instructor is required. Note: class applied lesson fees are charged for the guitar classes and private lesson fees are charged for Private Applied Guitar lessons. All students are required to provide their own guitar and are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from the professor as to the type of guitar needed.
4Four semesters required

I know that this is what I want to do. Lord is this what you are telling me to do? I said I was going to follow God in what He has for me. I just want this decision to be based upon God and not upon my emotions at the moment. Lord please show me. It is just the thought of getting my hands dirty in the work of God. I want to work for Him. And the minor ethnomusicology. If I was able to teach those African babies to sing, that would absolutely bring a sort of fulfillment. I would be like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. Lord please close doors if this is not what you want me to do. It seems good right now. I must admit.

I have also been thinking a lot about my husband to be. He is somewhere out there. I hope he is different, only because I am tired of how this culture does things. I want to join him in ministry. I want us to be a team. I hope he has dark eyes that are strong. I want to trust Him. Tall, dark, passionate, excited. Maybe a little outspoken only because I am not usually but he would know when to be quiet. I want him to mean what he says. I want to respect him and him me. A great big smile would be nice, and man hands, defiantly man hands. Smart, thorough thought. He needs to be able to look me in the eyeballs, and really see me. I feel a little sorry for him because I am crazy minded. He needs to be stable, grounded, so that I can lean on him. I want him to be funny and be able to laugh with me. I want him to love God with everything. I know that the Lord knows. I trust in Him.

I love God. I know that I know that I know that He has everything planned out. He has plans. He has plans. When am I going to know?

I am also just very ready for the second coming of my Lord and Saviour. More than usual. I can actually picture me there. I will be able to touch, hug, see, kiss, talk with, walk with my Saviour. I can't wait. I have to get there. I have never been this sure and excited about heaven in my whole life. I love Him. He has put up and sustained me for a long while. I wonder if right when I walk in the doors if I can just kiss Him right on the corner of the mouth. Right where I could feel His beard against me and smell His person. I am so grateful to my Saviour. You don't even know. When I finally behold Him in my tired eyes. You don't know how He reassures my soul and brings a peace. He saves some from drugs and some from physical death and you ask what He has done for me. He puts breath into me, and I finally breathe. My mind is turmoil, but He brings peace. I am absolutely grateful.

I am very Angry

I am very angry.....

Has anyone looked on the News lately? It is all about Paris Hilton, and how she is going to jail.

I usually have some patience but today i couldn't stand it. There are starving kids in Africa, but on every news channel we are looking at Paris. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. When will our priorities be in line? It is not all about us. Right?

Heart transplant

When God talks to me, my heart stands at attention. I realized this today in the car. When God speaks to me my heart becomes bold, strong, unwavering, courageous. I feel capable of what He asks me. Most of the time He asks me a question.

It all kind of tied together today. Last night I had a dream that my heart was strong and courageous in battle, a little Joan of Arc-ish. I was a soldier in an army of men. I fit right in. (hahaha) In my dream I fit right in. We were ready for battle. All of the sudden it was necessary that my heart be taken out of my body. It was taken out and I turned, along with the army, into a dinosaur looking creature. It was grey and fatal looking, nothing pretty. In this form, I fought with all my might in battle. Shortly after the battle a few soldiers and I stood together in a circle, when I realized that I wanted my heart back. I panned back and saw myself. Someone checked my chest and I was not breathing. I had become a non-breathing fighting machine. I panned back and someone broke through the crowd and pressed my heart back into my chest. It felt like more of a pressing. Only then could I breathe again, and I turned into a human again.

As I thought about this dream, I thought about the bold hearts of old. Joan of Arc, for example, it was said that she was burned at the stake, but her heart wouldn't burn. I also think of Paul. He seemed unwavering, passionate, with nothing holding him back from the prize. I think of David, who was after God's own heart. I think of many valiant Native Americans, such as Sitting Bull. All of these examples had there heart set on one thing and held it precious and sacred, and when put to the test died protecting it.

I sit here, and just to be honest, am ashamed at what I see in my own heart. I feel weak hearted. Some say that a Christian cannot feel weak hearted, but some days I just do. I can't lie, and say I don't. I want to be among the Strong in heart, the bold, the unwavering. I am tired of the undecided.

" God, make my heart bold as You see fit.

I want to be strong in battle.

Lord it is hard to strive after something here in the world.

so many waver and are swayed between trivial earthly things

that won't even matter in the end.

Lord make me strong of heart

even in these crazy times.

God if anything, I know that You are able

when I am finished here I want to be among the bold

in heart, nothing holding me back

Lord change my heart.

I know this won't be the last time I will need it.

I love you Lord.

You make my life good, You bring peace, You chase away fear, You speak

to the deepest places in my heart.

You give those deepest places rest and cool drink and shade.

You sustain me. "

deep calls to deep

Deep calls to deep

as You put me to sleep

I sleep in Your grace and peace

I am frantic to do right

But You put me to bed at night

I realize that it is not my right deeds that I become close to Thee,

but Your great love that sets me free.

-Katie Libramento

Her Pink Feathery Crown

She finished up her coloring her rainbow as she suddenly began.
"You know my mommy was sad..." "Really?" I answered hesitantly. "Yeah." she stated, not taking her eyes off her wonderful rainbow with a beautiful pony grazing on the bright green grass. My heart sank as this little girl (couldn't be more than 5) described to me a fight her parents had in the past. I had known of some of the family's problems but when this little girl described her view, which was very quaint and brief, I realized that it was a bigger issue than I thought. Throughout the night the girl and I became good friends. I was honored to see what she was learning in ballet class, which consisted of a few taps of the toe to the left and then to the right. I was able to play pretend with her. She of course was the beautiful princess with a pink dress and a pink feathery crown. We had quite a night together. However,when she left my heart felt like a heavy sponge. I understood that all this girl wanted was to be a princess and play pretend and enter into her world of ponies and rainbows,but (not by choice) she has to live among the hatred and the lies of this world. My heart and arms reach out to this girl, and to all the other children that think hate and divorce a normal thing.
I often think about what a blessed life I have, I have a great family that loves God, a house, food, clothes, etc, and I almost feel bad for being blessed. However, I realize that I am very wrong in thinking that. I have come to the realization that if everyone had horrible family experiences and trauma, there would be no one to tell of something better. There would be none to stand and say, " what you are going through is not normal!" More and more this world desensitizes themselves to so many horrible things such as divorce. They define it as a "part of life", when in fact it is absolutely a tragic event. I feel that because God has blessed me so, I have a responsibility to speak out against what the world calls "normal". I can say," no, that is not normal and it is horrible, but turn your eyes to Jesus." I am happy....... honored that I can say this with confidence.

I love my little friend. She is truly that beautiful princess with a feathery crown.