5 Things: So Much Joy

1.) 10,360 people attended Breakaway last week at Kyle Field, meaning nearly a fourth of the Texas A&M campus heard the Gospel.  At the end of the night, we stood together and sang the Doxology: "Praise God form whom all blessings flow..." with great joy, praying that the rest of our campus would hear us praising Jesus and yearn to know Him more.

It brings me so much joy and excitement to know that so many thousands of my fellow students want to know more about the Lord.  I have chills when I think about how many people heard the Gospel last night.  Whether we have heard the Gospel a million times or never before, it carries power and encouragement.  It is beautiful.

I do see the stirrings of revival igniting on my campus, but when I see things like this, my heart breaks.  Continue to pray for my university.

2.) Do I have any longboarding readers?  Longboarding is my favorite hobby of the moment.  I have several friends who longboard and several who are eager to learn and try it out.  It's fun.  It's easier than skateboarding and much better than walking.  I enjoy my new hobby so much.

I received a package in the mail on Saturday from my mom.  This is what it contained:

 This is probably a sign.

My friends and I sure enjoy longboarding.  There is always fun to be had.

3.) September 10 was Suicide Prevention Day.  Days like this bring me so many mixed emotions.  Hearing so much discussion about suicide breaks my heart and reminds me of the loss of my good friend Gatlin to suicide nearly five years ago.  Even though so many years have passed, I still miss him and wish he was still alive today.  I wish I could have stopped him from ending his life.

On the other hand, I feel so much joy that this day raises awareness about the devastation suicide brings.  If even one person is discouraged from taking his or her own life, this day is so worth it.  But it's still a bit rough.  It still hurts my heart.

4.) September 14 was Ring Day at Texas A&M University.  All of the seniors at my school got their rings.  It's a big deal and one of the many traditions at A&M is Ring Dunk.  In most cases, seniors put their rings at the bottom of large pitchers of beer and chug until they catch the ring in their mouth, but within the "Christian bubble" at my university, you'll find Ring Dunks involving orange juice, tea, or lemonade.  They are much more fun, in my opinion.

5.) I saw The Little Mermaid for the first time on Friday night.  It was wonderful.