More of Joel

School Update

Hey all, here is a little update on where I am at with school. My self defense class is over, and I have a class (Language Aquisition) that starts on the 10th. Next semester I am probably taking: Native American History, English Linguistics, Foundations and Assesment of Ed, World Regional Geography, and Teaching Health and Phys. Ed. I am looking forward to starting these classes, though it is nice to have not had any homework :)

Introducing....

...Joel Christopher Morrison my newest baby brother! My mom and Joel are both doing great.

Summer

My summer so far has been great. It is nice to have a break from a full-time school schedule. I have been able to spend time reading, sleeping in, going to Busch Gardens, going to the beach, etc. My self-defense class is over now; I am disappointed that it is already over, but I will be able to still go there and practice (my teacher said we could come for free on certain days). It won't be the same as a class, but I hope to still have fun. :) My other summer class starts on the 10th of July. This one will require some actual homework :).

The other day, I went to Ashley and Ray's wedding! It was a beautiful wedding, I had a lot of fun, and I am so happy for them!

As of now, my little brother or sister has not been born yet, but I hope that that occurs very soon! I cannot wait to hold him or her, and see what he or she looks like.

I hope everyone else is enjoying their summer as well!

Any day now...

...I will be holding a little brother or sister! I cannot wait to meet him or her!

Beach

Sunday night was Access Commnity Groups. All the groups met together, and we went to the beach! It was a lot of fun. I went in the water a little bit and it was surprisingly warm. We played ultimate frisbee, ate Dairy Queen, and spent some time worshiping, and then had a time for people to share about what God was doing in their lives (especially through Next). I ended up getting home really late that night (by the time we dropped some people off back at the church, and then drove another girl back to her house), but it was a wonderful time!

10 Random Memories From When I Was Little

1. I remember having a birthday party with clowns

2. I remember when Alexandra and I would play doll house for days on end.

3. When we played doll house it almost always ended up with the humans finding out the pets could talk and/or the humans having to leave for some reason, and the animals taking over the house. : )

4. I remember getting a Bible and a stuffed Barney for "graduation" (probably from Kindergarten).

5. I remember going to Florida for Christmas, and my Dad having to go to the thrift store to buy us some cooler clothes!

6. I remember playing with my siblings that we were "dogs", "wolves", or some other kind of animal.

7. I remember actually getting a real snow fall : ) and making real snowmen (and one time having some neighborhood boy whom we didn't even know knock the head off of our snowman!)

8. I remember going to the park and then to Sonic for milkshakes (yummy!)

9. I remember when I hated chocolate (my tastes have changed by now though : )

10. I remember having a baby doll who I think I named "Jonah"

Now its your turn! On your blog (or in the comments section if you don't have a blog) write your own 10 random memories from when you were little.

Self Defense

I thought I would give you all a little update on my self defense class that I am taking at school. It is going really well and I am having a lot of fun, but one thing is sure; it is a workout! The first day of class wasn't bad, but the morning after my second class I was so sore it hurt to move! : )
We have learned a lot of stuff. Three types of hits, three kicks, and this whole series of movements (that included getting to flip our instructors :) to do if someone were to try to grab you from behind. We have also learned break falls (so if we are pushed down or against something we don't hit our head and get knocked out) and other miscellaneous stuff. Like I said, it is a lot of fun, but boy am I tired by the end of class! : )

Pictures from NEXT '09

These are not really in any order, but I hope you enjoy!

Me and my roomates' room; way up on the top floor!

We could see the Orioles baseball stadium from our room!

Roomates + Debbie

We got to meet Joshua Harris!

Down by the harbor

Laura and I

We decorated the Suburban (who we also dubbed Big Bertha, or BB for short)

Our Navigator

Busy, Busy, Busy

This past weekend was busy, but fun. My friend Laura came over on Friday, and we both went to see Kaitlin's gradutation (congratulations friend!), then Laura spent the night both that night and Saturday night. Saturday was the Access Coffee House/Open Mike Night. It was fun and there were many wonderful performances. Sunday after church, Laura, Liz, Alexandra, and I went out to lunch at Firehouse subs (yummy), and then Laura, Alexandra, and I went to Wal-Mart to buy some snacks to take to NEXT. I can hardly believe it; only 6 more days!

This coming week is going to be busy as well. My self-defense class at school (for PE credit) starts tomorrow so I have that tomorrow and Wednesday. I work Tuesday and Thursday as usual, and Wednesday is Ladies Meeting. Then on Friday some of the girls in our carpool will be spending the night, and on Saturday morning we leave for NEXT!

Zoo Pics

John Piper on the President's view of abortion

Watch this video; it is so good, and also a reminder to not just disaprove of wrong beliefs/actions in our leaders, but to pray for change in our leaders.

http://twentytwowords.com/2009/05/13/john-piper-addresses-president-obama-on-abortion/

WhooHoo!

As of last Thursday, I am done with school! That is, until next Monday when my Self Defense class starts :)

Summer...

...is almost here! Today is my last day of class and then I have a final on Friday. Next week I have a final on Monday and one on Thursday and then I am done with the semester! I am taking two summer classes this year, but those do not start until June so I have a little bit of a break which I am looking forward to very much.

Summer weather is also here! I have so enjoyed the hot temperatures. Saturday I went to the beach for several hours. I didn't go all the way into the water, but even though it was freezing it was still nice to get my legs wet and enjoy the hot outside temperatures and the beach itself. Yesterday was the church picnic and it was great (although hot) weather for it. I had a lot of fun there, and came home worn out. :)

Anyway, that's all for now. I will hopefully post some pictures soon.

Gorgeous

As I write this the weather is absolutely gorgeous outside! I wish that I could be going out there instead of heading to History class in a few minutes. I am hoping the weather is great tomorrow. A few days ago was my brother Simeon's 6th birthday and as his gift I am taking him to the zoo tomorrow!

School is winding down. It is so nice to see my mental list of projects and homework assignments get smaller and smaller; slowly but surely. My last day of finals is on May 10th; it's not that far away! Just a little over 4 weeks and I will be d-o-n-e with the semester!

Next

Hello all, I am getting so excited for Next! I am already registered and signed up for my hotel room. I just want to let you all know that the deadline to get the early-bird rate for the conference ($150 for a single and $225 for a married couple) has been extended to April 20th! So its not too late to register and get the cheaper rate. What are you waiting for? :)

Spring, Summer, Next Semester

I am getting so excited about Next! I am already registered and will be signing up for the hotel on Sunday! The only problem is that Alexandra has yet to find a room so if you could be in prayer for that (the deadline is April 4th) that would be great. And also if you or someone you know needs a roomate please give Alexandra or I a call!

It is so hard to believe that this semester is already beginning to near its end; and I am already considering classes for next semester! I already met with my advisor and went over which classes I wanted to take. I will be taking 2 this summer and then 5 next semester. Hopefully next semester I can get on a Tues/Thurs schedule as I will also have to make time to observe in an elementary school! That will be fun.

I will try to update the blog more often; things just get so busy :)

Valentine's Day Girls' Night

Some Pictures I Took Just For Fun

This sign made me laugh; I mean do they really need to specify what size the button is?

Busy

Just a quick update on my life. Things are going well. School is good, and it is almost half-way done with the semester! I am working and doing Church things. Volleyball is really fun (even though my team is in like 5th place out of 6 currently).
Next week I have a project due Monday, a test Monday, and a midterm on Wednesday! So that will be keeping me pretty busy!

Hope you are all doing well.

Next Video

Out of the mouth of babes (or in this case a 13 yr old)

Psalms

For this week's Care Group, my Care Group leader asked us to read our favorite Psalm out loud. I do not really have a favorite, but when I got his email letting us know that that is what we were going to be doing, I flipped quickly through Psalms and this is one that stood out to me, and the one that I shared at Care Group

Psalm 139
"O LORD, you have searched me and
known me!
You know when I sit down and when I
rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying
down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it
altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your
presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are
there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the
sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall
cover me,
and the light about me be night,'
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my
mother's womb.
I praise you for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the
earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of
them,
the days that were formed for me
when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts
O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I could count them, they are more
than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
...

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way
in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!"

SALE!

This is from www.worshipmatters.com (Bob Kauflin's blog).

"

27 Jan, 2009
Crazy Sovereign Grace Music and Book Sale
Posted by: Bob Kauflin In: —Books —Sovereign Grace Music

We’re doing it again. Having a ridiculous sale, that is.
Last year, during the month of February, we reduced the prices of our CDs and books. The response was overwhelming. So we decided to repeat the lunacy. Here’s the deal:
From February 1–28, at the Sovereign Grace store, you’ll find these prices:
Sovereign Grace books (23 of them, including Worship Matters, Worldliness, and Living the Cross Centered Life): $7 each
all CDs produced by Sovereign Grace Music (including Together for the Gospel Live, Psalms, Come Weary Saints, Awesome God, In a Little While, and Valley of Vision): $6 each
all books in our Pursuit of Godliness series (Why Small Groups, This Great Salvation, and others): $4 each
But wait…there’s more!
During February, we’re offering our normal free shipping in the continental US (library rate). But on all international orders we’re offering a discount of 50% on USPS First Class International shipping.
Why are we doing this? Well, we figure that most of us have been affected by the present economic crisis. We want to do whatever we can to make it easier for people to benefit from what we produce. We want to serve churches and individuals by providing biblically informed, gospel-centered resources at a low cost. And we’d really like to give it all away, but for now, that’s not financially feasible…
So we offer the February sale. Enjoy.
And feel free to tell your friends.
"

What's Next?

http://www.thisisnext.org

It is the new name for New Attitude! All the conference and registration info is now on the website!

Quick Update

School is still going well; it has not been too hard yet :). I pretty much like all of my professors except for the fact that my Asian History professor is, while a nice lady, not the best of teachers (still ok though). Life is kept pretty busy between school, homework, work, church things, and all the other things that seem to pop up. I am enjoying it though, and it is nice not to be bored :). This year I am playing volleyball at the church. Our first game is on Feb 8th and I am so excited for that; this will be my 1st year playing. Well that is all for now; hopefully I will have something interesting to write about or post pictures of soon!

First Week of School

Hello all, today was my first class of the spring semester. I am taking Statistics, Geography, Political Science (American politics), Asian history, and Technology in the Classroom (an education course for my major). So far things seem to be going well and I think that I will like my professors (I have not met my STAT professor yet as we have a sub for the 1st week). It does look like some of my classes have some assignments that will take a lot of work, but hopefully nothing too terrible :). I do not think I have very many papers to write (which is a good thing), but I do have some projects for my Tech course that will take some time.
I have a pretty easy schedule this semester (unlike what I though it was going to be!) I am at school 9-2 and I have an online class.

Later this week, I am looking forward to care group and singles' meeting! It feels like it has been so long since we had a care group what with Christmas and all; it will be nice to have it again.

Hope you all have a great week!

New Year and Beyond

On New Year's Eve, my grandparents (the ones that live in town) came over for a night of food, watching "It's a Wonderful Life" and staying up till midnight to watch the ball drop in Times Square. It was fun, but I was sooooo tired and ended up falling asleep during the movie and waking up when the movie was over. On New Year's day, I took Moriah to the mall to do some shopping for a couple of her friends (they have birthday parties this month). Then we came home, and my mom made a yummy ham dinner.

I have been enjoying my time off from school. Last Friday, I slept over at a friend's house because she invited me to come over when her sister was having a party (her sister is one of the girls who Moriah was buying gifts for). Yesterday was community groups for Access. This month, they just said for everyone to meet at the church for volleyball and games. Not many showed up (at least relative to a corporate Access meeting), but it was still a fun time.

School starts one week from today for me. I have one of my books already, two more are on their way, and the last, well I ordered it, but it may be the wrong book! It wouldn't be my fault though (ordered it through the school) and my professor is checking on it today so I should have it all figured out soon.

Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year's!

Christmas at Our House

We all had a wonderful day on Christmas this year. My Grandparents came in town and the Grandparents that live in town came to the Christmas Eve service with us and came over and spent all of Christmas day with us. I got up about 9 am on Christmas morning. We all gathered in the living room and my Dad read the story of the 1st Christmas from Luke. Then the opening of gifts began! With a family the size of ours, there is a mountain of gifts to open! It took us over two hours! We like to open them one at a time so we can see what each other gets and see the person's reaction to the gifts we gave them. This year, I got 3 Cds by Fernando Ortega, an Itunes giftcard, a couple of books (yay for books that arn't textbooks!), and several other smaller gifts including chocolate and a 2009 calender. The biggest gift was my parents gave our family a Wii!

That afternoon we all spent a lot of time taking turns on the Wii. It is so much fun both to play and to watch others playing. Then we sat down to a yummy dinner that included ham, mashed potatoes, salad, and more! Then we cleaned up, played more wii, visited, and had dessert (cheesecake and pumpkin pie). Eventually we all went to bed.

The time since Christmas has been fun as well. The day after, my Grandma and I went to lunch at Baker's Crust with a gift card that I won at the single's Christmas party. I got the Sa,nta Fe salad witch was very yummy. Today, my Grandma, Alexandra, and I went to Barnes and Nobles; when we got back we and Simeon went for a walk since the weather was nice.

Anyway, here are some pictures. They are not in order and some were taken before Christmas. Enjoy!