Aaron - Journal 7

December 17, 2003

"One semester down, seven to go"

December 13, 2003 (Wallace Ranch) - One of the first things I did when I returned home was go for a walk with my brother and my dad to Wallace Ranch.

Whew. One semester down, seven to go. These have been the most exciting and the most fun three months of my life so far. And it doesn't look like it's about to end, either. Although I'm back home in Alaska, I've been keeping up with friends and getting ready for next semester's excitement.

Academically speaking, I have made great strides in my mathematical ability, improved my writing, broadened my experience in Ruling Ideas, learned more German, and enhanced my understanding of computer science. Living away from home has forced me to grow up a little more and take responsibility for my life. My college experience has also fostered friendships I know will last a lifetime. But most importantly, my walk with the Lord has been strengthened since I came to EMU.

On a chilly wintry night we huddled up watching a movie in the Elmwood lounge.

Finals week was heralded by several inches of snow blanketing Harrisonburg. On the first snowy evening, a proposal was made to go Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood around campus. The response was enthusiastic, and the evening's plans quickly centered around caroling. We bundled ourselves up to face the snow and made our way laughing and singing out into the wintery wonderland. We graced a few households near the center of town, then headed north of campus. The living room lights were on in first house at the top of the hill, so we decided to sing to whoever happened to be home. Much to our surprise, Professor Jay B. Landis opened the door after a few bars of "Joy to the World." Looking past him, I saw my English Professor, My German Professor, and the other members of the Language and Literature department with their spouses. As it turned out, we had just interrupted the Lang & Lit Christmas party. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and we made our way back to campus with light hearts and laughter in the air.

When I arrived back in Alaska, everything was so familiar, it was like I had never left. Nothing had really changed very much; my family was the same, the house was the same, Eagle River was the same, my friends were the same... yet I was not. Even though my heart and home are in Alaska, I have a whole new life several thousand miles away. Until January, that life will be put on hold while I enjoy my life at home. I will be spending Christmas break relaxing, doing odd jobs around the house, catching up with friends from home, and keeping in touch with friends from school.

Thank you Lord for Instant Messenger...