Consider it Pure Joy..Argh

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter trials of many kinds, knowing that the tesing of your faith produces perseverance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4

Ashton Paraphrase: "Consider it all joy, my poor college students, when you encounter tests and projects of many kinds, knowing that the testing of your knowledge produces a cultural awareness that will change your life. And let endurance have its perfect straight A results, so that you may be smart and well-rounded, lacking in nothing."

That's right, my friends. It's finals week. I am taking a brain break from my World Christian online bible class study guide answer search. He gave us all these random questions with not even a map on how to find them, which means I am spending hours searching through a 1000 page book and the whole online cyberspace that might house the answer.

We are all pretty overwhelmed right now. Sometimes I don't even know where to begin. I know that, like the Bible verse says, things will soon be over and I will look back with a sigh of relief. Until then though, I am frantically trying to fill out study guides and do projects. We are spending our final days in Greece confined. I did get out and play some basketball today and shot around with Sarabeth's dad who played ball in college. But other than that- the boring life of a hermit.

Ok, my whinefest is over. :-) Let's pull out a blessing here to put things in perspective. Today, the lady who taught us how to cook a Greek meal came back and spoke in chapel. She took a trip to Nigeria to teach the ladies there how to better preserve food. It was a neat presentation and I think that is such a great ministry, one that I would have never thought of. She's not a missionary, she's a cook-- but she can use that to further God's kingdom! I really want to go to Africa someday-- add that to my "bucket list." Alana talks all the time about her little African babies and it makes me really want to go and help out over there.

So, many people here have exerted their independence in recent days. We have 3 tattoos, 2 nose piercings and lots of bungee jumpers. I am writing this here to test the whole "In 30 years.." hypothesis that is often thrown at us youngins. I went around with all these people as they did their cool, rebellious things and I really wanted to do it as well. While nose-piercing isn't for me, it looks really cute on Alana and Danielle. I did, however, want a small agapo tattoo on my foot. After running it by the parentals, 4 e-mails and one that simply read, "Dear Ashton, No tattoo. Love, Dad" pretty much stomped on my dreams. Though I don't think it is a whim, I decided to respect their wishes. (I know all of you other family members just breathed a sigh of relief..) I gave them a hard time about once again restraining me from "coolness," but Dad was quick to remind me that my rebellion occurred when I was 4. I was quite the terror. If I read this paragraph in 30 years and a tear falls down my cheek because I still want it, I'll call up the girls and we'll head to the tattoo shop. Until then, I will continue to draw it on with a Sharpie. :-) Luckily, the man at the tattoo shop gave me a sticker with a skull on it to make up for the fact that I'm a loser. Haha. I'm sure I will get lots of comments on this particular blog. Take it easy on me, people-- I didn't do it.

Love, the uncool Tattoo-less girl who has never even dyed her hair or snuck out a day in her life.