There Really is an End in Sight

So today was my last day of classes! I have officially finished my first semester of (all) college classes…now for the exams! My schedule for next week is: Math and Biology exams Monday, Chemistry exam Wednesday, and Health exam on Friday. I’m planning on going out with a bang (and a few good exam grades too…hopefully 4 to be specific!) This past week was pretty busy with classes wrapping up, and exam preparation stuff already starting – glad to be able to focus on one thing…STUDYING!

I haven’t really said much about what I have been reading recently in God’s Word and I feel like I should more often. When I am home I have been going to Daniel Dulaney’s sunday school class (which is great!) and we have been going through Acts and looking at the early church and the ministry of Paul. Well I have been reading ahead on my own and things aren’t getting any easier for Paul as he tries to follow God’s plan for his life. Everywhere he goes many people are trying to stop his ministry and some are even trying to kill him. Right now life stinks for Paul. But I got to something today that really caught my attention – “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul…” (Acts 23:11). The Message puts it plainly (for them less edumacated folks) “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to turn out for the best…” Hello! If God tells you that and it doesn’t fire you up and get you going again, as the Preacher would say “your wood’s wet!” I was just thinking about how this applies to many of our lives (I know it does mine), we go through times that are really difficult and are very testing. In the midst of those times it is so easy to just give up and quit, but God comes and comforts us and tells us its going to be alright. WOW! Its so cool that God takes time to help us in difficult times. So…DON’T GIVE UP! Remember that God is right there with you. I know this is an old example and probably everyone has heard it but here it goes anyway – God always walks with us and when times get tough we think He has left us but in reality He is carrying us through the hard times.

So just remember…look to God cause He’s always there!

Ok on a lighter note…I went to the Clemson-Illinois game. Well Clemson lost but to be completely honest it was fun just to see some really good basketball!

Well, continue to pray for me as I finish out this semester with these 4 exams! Hope everyone has a great week! O yea and see you guys in a week! Yes Christmas break in 6 days (I consider today to be pretty much over!)

“This Team Is Your Family”

So first day back at school was slow. Class in the morning and then just doing some work this afternoon. Had a great time during Thanksgiving break! Did a lot of fun stuff and just enjoyed being in Florence with family and friends. Enjoyed putting up Christmas decorations, shopping with Mom, going to the movies with the family, and going to the Carolina-Clemson game.

I was able to finally leave Tuesday afternoon and head back to Florence. That night I went to BCM at FMU and got to hang out with them. Then we went and ate at Venus and after that we went and played some games. The next day Dad had a few classes so Mom and I went up to the church and helped make food baskets for families who wouldn’t have much during Thanksgiving. (I always enjoy being a part of that – always really cool!) Then Thursday was Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for! Just to name a few: Family, friends, school, (yes I said school!) health, and so many people that are praying for me! Enjoyed having lunch with the Vinson’s. (Now thats some good food!) After that we went home and started putting up the Christmas stuff! I always love spending time with my parents putting things up and making it look all “nice”. Friday was a good day of relaxing. Got a little work done that afternoon. (because I’m just a good little student – haha)

Then we headed out to the movies to see Blind Side. The plan was to go to the 2:00 movie but when we got there it was sold out, so we went ahead and bought tickets for the 4:00 movie. We went over to the mall to “waste” some time before the movie started. Well to put it simply we had an experience at the mall. (Let me know if you wanna hear that whole story…all I have to say is there are some CRAZY people in Florence!) Finally made it to the movie and it was GREAT!

Then came Saturday got up and headed to Columbia for the Carolina-Clemson game! I’m gonna go ahead and say it – I was wearing a Carolina shirt…and a Clemson shirt. (the Carolina shirt was visible!) This was my first Carolina-Clemson game and it was so much fun!

If we are all going to be honest – I was cheering for the Gamecocks. I can’t be a fan for 10 yrs. and just switch teams in 3 months. My new slogan: I’m a Clemson student, but a Carolina fan!

Sunday was great because I got to see a lot of people that just make “home” that much better! I really enjoy my new Sunday School class! We were reminded that we always need to remember the real reason of Christmas. I don’t think I will look at a nativity scene the same again. Enjoy the season but don’t forget what its really all about! CHRISTmas!

In case you haven’t heard it already…as of now there are only 10 days left before I am done with my first semester of college! It has been tough but I have learned so much – not only book stuff, but a lot about myself too! I have really seen how important having daily time with the Lord and how He helps me through everyday!

Please pray for me over the next 2 weeks cause they are jam packed with work. Planning on having a great couple of weeks – gonna end well! Hope everyone has a great week!

Basketball!

Well in my last post I said all about my great weekend and failed to mention that Clemson basketball has started. Last Friday night the Tigers hosted…of all people…FMU (from Florence for those who don’t know)! So of course (for no other reason) I went out to see the good ‘ol Patriots. I have been to plenty of their games with my Dad but none when they were away. It was a lot of fun and its looking like basketball season is going to be a lot of fun too! It helps when Clemson starts out ranked #24 in the country (or it at least adds some meaning to the games!) Here are a few pictures from the game the other night.

After the game I was a little disappointed because I realized that the team was going back to Florence that night and I wasn’t. I thought hmmm I want to go back too but I couldn’t. O well I still enjoyed it. Very busy day today so hopefully I can do good on all my work and get everything done. Looking forward to the weekend! Hope everyone has a great one!

What a Weekend!

I know its been a few days since the last post, but it has been a fun few days! Had a really productive rest of the week. Surprised how well it went and looking forward to another Great week! Saturday was a good day, finally had a little time to breathe! Met with my Grandparents to hang out a little bit and then had some lunch. I really enjoy being able to see them every so often. After that I went back to the apartment and hung out for a while before game time.

This is what our apartment consisted of Saturday afternoon – (the light on the big TV is the reflection from the door…it felt that good!)

Then it was time for the game…it was the first night game this season in Death Valley and it was a big ACC game! I was really excited about the game being at night and being on ESPN. My goal for the night was to get on ESPN…so I figured I had to be down front on the fence. Well I got there an hour and a half before the game and there were already a ton of people there. Once they opened the gates it was a mad rush to the hill. I wasn’t able to get on the fence then, but there is always a chance to get on the gate after they run down the hill. I had to fight for it but I did get in front on the gate! YEAH! It was a great game!

So the ESPN guy kept walking by and I was thinking just once get me on TV!! Then I thought there are so many more people painted up and dressed crazy there is no way I will get on. Well I was wrong…I got on TWICE!!

Yup thats me in the lightning shirt with the blue Clemson hat! I was so surprised when I heard that a couple people had seen me! The game was so much fun…even if it was freezing cold! Clemson won 40-24 so that was good too! Everyone rush the field after the game (5 seconds early too!) It was great!

So needless to say it was a late night Saturday (really late!). I don’t normally sleep late but I didn’t wake up till 12:30 on Sunday morning. I did some work yesterday after I got up and then went to NewSpring @ 6. That was really good – I always enjoy listening to Pastor P (Perry Noble).

Today has been a good day and I’m gonna go ahead and say that its gonna be a Great week too! Looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me in the coming days! Hope everyone has a great week as well!

Its Looking Good

I’m gonna go ahead and get this out of the way…I don’t like the Yankees! I could start a team and call them the Rednecks and pay enough good players to come play for my team and we would win the World Series too. Honestly, whoever wins I really enjoy watching the celebrations after the game. A camera on every player…thats good stuff! I really enjoy it when a player gives some credit to the Lord and prayers (Andy Pettitte!). I will go to a World Series game one day!

Another good day. Nothing really new today. Finally finished my Biology lab report last night at about 12:30…man am I tired! Chemistry quiz this morning was good too. This afternoon (after lab) is going to be very busy! Math assignment and more importantly a Public Health test in the morning. That’s gonna require pretty much my whole afternoon, but thats ok its just part of it now. After this test I won’t have so much to do for a couple days…but there will still be plenty to do.

Thanks for continuing to read my blog. I was afraid that since I stopped writing new posts I lost the “newness” factor. Hope its still a little interesting and beneficial. Be praying for my grandfather (Pop). He is in the hospital right now with some problems and they aren’t sure whats causing them. They are planning on keeping him to watch him closely and try to figure out the problem. But please include him in your prayers…I will keep you updated on what I find out.

Tomorrow is Friday…hope everyone has a great weekend!

Doing Good!

So Monday was a pretty “blah” day but so far the rest of the week has been much better! I feel like I have been getting things done when I need to and not wasting time (not as much time at least). Its going to be a very busy afternoon today: Biology lab report, math online homework, and a chemistry quiz in the morning. So I am going to have plenty to do for a while. The chemistry quiz and the math homework don’t concern me as much as the lab report…I have had some trouble figuring out how to do those and meet all the teacher’s standards.

Read about Saul’s conversion this morning..WOW! I hope we can all say that we would stop everything we are doing in our lives and start following the will of the Father like Saul/Paul did. It was amazing to see how far away Saul was from the Lord and with one encounter the Lord had Paul (Saul after conversion) doing the perfect will of the Lord and leading many to his saving power. Paul’s life was so much better once he started doing the will of the Lord…so stop running! – walking with the Lord is a lot better (and besides walking is always better than running!)

I can’t tell all the stuff I have heard about this weekends game! Its gonna be a fun one thats for sure! SOLID ORANGE! Its gonna be crazy! Im going to do my best to be down front on the fence and TRY to get on ESPN – so everybody that won’t be at the game should look for me…or DVR it and I will tell you where to look later!

Well I need to get to work! Enjoy the rest of your week! (Wednesday is over…it can only get better!)

Back at It

The start of a new week. Had a great weekend with family and friends! Looking forward to having a great week and getting back at it! Tests coming up this week and the next few weeks. Plenty to do for a few weeks.

Random Thought of the Day: Excited about the holidays coming up pretty soon!

Good devotion this morning in Acts 6-7…Stephen was a man full of God’s grace and power…we need to strive to live a life that way. Even until death Stephen prayed for those that were stoning him. Wow – what a legacy to live up to!

Big game this weekend…Florida State! Finally got a night game – 7:45 so that will be a lot of fun! (They aren’t ranked 22 but it was a cool picture!)

Well I gotta get to class now! Hope everyone has a great week!

I think I can..I think I can

Just a quick update. This week has been much better! I feel like I am figuring out the college life a little bit more. Not only has it been hard getting used to living away and all the other things that come with college life, the school work has been surprisingly difficult as well. After this week though I feel much more confident about the school work and being able to just do it. (I felt like I should have been on a Nike commercial saying that!) I am still struggling some with managing my time like I should, but I have definitely not gotten as behind like before.

Last week was the Wake Forest game and as most of you probably already know I had amazing seats! I was on the hill and was able to get right on the inside of the ropes as they ran down the hill. After the team runs down we are able to fill up the empty space. I wanted to do my best to get as close to the front as I could…and I did! Right in front on the fence behind the goal post!! (Luckily not directly behind the goal post…that would have been a bit of a problem!) Really a fun game to be at although it was very cold! – Be looking for pictures soon!

Looking at one test this week – not too bad! Heading back to Florence this weekend to just hang out and get away! Looking forward to hanging out with the family and some friends! Thank you all for the prayers! I hope to hear from some of you this week. Feel free to e-mail me (aclabo@g.clemson.edu) or send me a text (843-687-7552)…whatever floats your boat! Hope everyone has a GREAT week!

Family Weekend/TCU

So here are the pictures from family weekend…finally!

Did I mention it was wet!

The next week was the TCU game! First time on the hill.

Then out on the field after the game…somewhere around this time is when my phone got messed up! (If you can’t tell by all the wet people!)

Busy…

No post in a while I know, but I have been very busy! Have really been planning on writing a new post, but having trouble finding time. I’m going to be putting some pictures on here soon…whenever I get my new phone (more to come…). Getting more comfortable with the whole “college” thing. Still very difficult and taking some time to manage my time better. Have really enjoyed the football games! Proud of myself for going to all 4 of the first 4 games!

Still loving BCM and and Bible Study! Starting to find some people that I enjoy hanging out with, and have the same thinking about stuff. The game this weekend was so wet! It was so much fun to sit on the hill…for the first time! Really a great time…looking forward to the next game!

Fall break is next weekend (Oct. 9-Oct.12). Looking forward to that – it will be a lot of fun! So the story about the phone. At the game Saturday I had my phone (in my pocket!) and we got so wet that my phone got wet in my pocket. When I got back to the room none of the buttons worked (Ahhh!). Tried to let it dry out over night…next day…still nothing! So I have been without a phone since Sat. night. Getting my new phone tomorrow…can’t wait! – no really I can’t!

Sorry it has been so long…be looking for pictures soon!