I love volleyball. In fact, I just played it for three hours straight at Late Nights. I must admit, however, that concrete is not as soft as sand (my favorite turf on which to play). Let's just say, my knees will be the size of a watermelon tomorrow. Just in time for us to go out on a choir trip this weekend. Great... In other news, RuthAnn Glasier was up this weekend! I know her from way back. She actually taught at the school when I went to Holiness Christian. We all went out to LaRosa's for Jenny Fikes' birthday. My sides ached from laughter by the end of the night! Good times. Well, I have a little under 2,000 pictures to sort, and edit tonight, so I think I'll get started on it. Sleep? Who needs it?!

Ryan

Tags: Volleyball, Relax

Those of you who have ever been enrolled in college (or some such experience) know that one of the greatest joys you can experience is receiving a package from home or family. I was privileged to receive both in one day! I walked in the mail room this morning and happened to glance at the boxes and saw my name leaping off of the brown cardboard box on which it reposed. I quickly searched for a return address, and found that it was from my Aunt Kathie. I took the box up to my office, and opened it excitedly. I was greeted by a wonderful assortment of my favorite things (Wheat Thins, writing utensils, beef jerky!, crackers, mints, etc.). It lifted my spirits on an otherwise humdrum day. But probably some of my favorite contents were the letters and notes I found inside, one from my aunt, and each of my four cousins. I took them outside by the fountain to read them. People looked quite strangely as I smiled uncontrollably while carefully reading each hand written word. That was this morning. This evening I received my second package from my Mom. I wasn't expecting anything more than some necessary items she was sending for the Christmas play (e.g. items for my costume), but I was elated to discover that she had also sent me some 'goodies' including Wheat Thins (can you tell I like Wheat Thins?), a white board and some markers (which I have been wanting), SUNDAY COMICS (it's my secret vice), gift certificates to my favorite eateries, and my new Passport (more about that in a later post). Today, was a good day.

I was thinking about this long before today, but I am truly blessed with a rich heritage of family. I have always been surrounded by people who loved me, encouraged me, and cheered me on. I get calls every week from family members telling me that they love me, are proud of me, and are praying for me. I am blessed with heritage! One of my most deeply held goals is to pass on to my children the great heritage of family that I have been blessed with!

Ryan

P.S. This is one of my favorite items from my Aunt Kathie's care package. You bump it and it says, "I'm the coolest!" It makes me smile every time

Tags: Care

It all began on a hurried descent from my room, down the 76 steps to Classroom A where my Greek 2 quiz over infinitives was already in progress. I needed my cameras for an event later in the day, so in an attempt to save time (and stairs) I grabbed both of my cameras while departing my room. I made it out of my room, locked the door, and had just crested the first stair when...it happened. Unbeknownst to me, the lens on my faithful Canon Digital Rebel was not fully attached, and with a sickening, gut wrenching groan I watched my camera hurtling toward the concrete steps, the lens still firmly clasped in my hand. My heart sank a little with each thud of the camera as it struck nearly every stair on the way down before sliding across the landing, smashing into the wall, and finally coming to rest. Now, some of you may be thinking, "It's just a camera. Yeah, it's expensive, but easily replaceable." To that I respond, as sentimental as this may sound, this camera was the catalyst into my love of photography. I have taken literally hundreds of thousands of photos with this camera. It is essentially an extension of my arm. Maybe that will give you a sense of the emptiness I experienced. But, I digress, I rushed over to the camera and carefully picked it up. No broken pieces. No apparent gouges or cracks. I flip the "On" switch. It comes to life. I take a picture, a horrendous, bone-chilling whine, and a blank screen. ... ... I continued on to Greek class, and took my quiz. Let's just say, I'm glad he gave this one as a "practice". My mind was far from the Greek uses of infinitives (not that it was ever close, but, that's beside the point). After the quiz, I once again remove the lens from the camera, and look at the shutter. For those of you who don't know, the shutter looks like a small mirror inside the camera, and opens and closes which takes the picture. I notice that the shutter was a little crooked. I figured, 'What have I got to loose?' I carefully took my index finger, guessed on which side needed to be adjusted, and pushed. I soon heard a snap, and it was once again, even. I turned the camera on, and pressed the shutter button. "Snap!" Relief flooded over me. I quickly reattached the lens and tried again. A picture appeared on the back of the screen! Another wave of relief washed over me.

I'm so grateful that God cares about what matters to us! He was under no obligation to intervene in this situation. He was not required to help me. But He knew how much this camera meant to me, and worked a small miracle for me. But, I would be amiss if I were to leave it there. I strongly believe that my desires were not the only reason He intervened (though they may have been a part of it). My ultimate purpose is to bring glory to my Creator, and, apparently, He still wishes me to use this camera to do it. Everything I own is sanctified (set apart) for His use, so, in essence, this is His camera. It's like Dr. Phil said, 'Isn't it nice when God wants us to use the same things we want to use.' One of my favorite instruments to bring glory to God is my camera, maybe its different for you. But if I might encourage you, look around at the things in your life. What do you enjoy doing? Stop looking at these things as 'insignificant'. Instead, view them as tools to bring glory to your Creator, and personal gifts from Him. If you do, I have a feeling things will change.

Ryan

Tags: Photography, Nightmare

Thursday evening, I came back to school to find Isaac setting up some lights for making a movie. I couldn't resist helping out, and some unexpected things happened. Let's just say, after the production of this movie, I literally laid on the floor laughing hysterically!! For a very fun (and short) ad-lib video, involving Isaac, Sam, and I, go to Isaac's blog here, and watch the "Shoulder Angels" video. Let me know what you think.

Ryan

Tags: fun, Politics, Movie

We had a surprise birthday party for my Mom yesterday at my Grandpa and Grandma's house in Waynesfield, OH. I will gracefully brush past the potentially uncouth age question, and simply state that it involved black balloons. It was a lot of fun. My brothers both came down/over for the event, as well as other family members. I got to see my newest neice, Jayla, for the first time! She is so cute. It runs in the family just kidding. I was able to take a few snapshots of my family as well. The product of said snapshots is evidenced below.

Missionary Convention started tonight with Don Richardson, author of Peace Child. It was fascinating! I was spellbound. If only I could speak like that (as I hear echoes of 2 Cor. 10:12 telling me not to compare myself). It should be a really good convention!

For those of you, who would be so kind, please pray that I can get caught up on my homework. This week is going to be extremely busy, and I am 6' under before I even start. I could really use some divine enabling!

Ryan

Tags: Family, fun, Photography

Life is confusing. There are times when you feel like you have it all together, and then some seemingly small incident will occur, and you feel like you know nothing, or never did. There are times when I wish life was governed by pure logic, and then there are times I wished it existed without it. They can seem to almost be at war, and your future rides on the victor. Lest some of you think ill of me, I know we were created to be emotional beings, because God is emotional. I've often heard the cliche, "Enjoy the journey," and to that I would say, the only way you can enjoy the journey is if you're not driving. I'll do my best to be a wonderful passenger, but my designated driver is Jesus Christ. If I were the one plotting my course, I could never "Enjoy the journey." I could never be guaranteed that I would get it right. But with my Best Friend leading the way, I can enjoy the scenery and conversation with Him along the way. I can trust in Him. That's such a bold statement, and must be used carefully. Yes, we can on one hand have the utmost confidence in God's sovereign power to accomplish His will, but that doesn't mean I always "feel" absolutely safe and secure. Feelings are fickle. Some may think me heretical at this point, but I don't believe that trust will always eliminate every remnant feeling of apprehension or uncertainty. However, I do believe that trust is a conscience choice, and one that I have made. And even if my world does cave in around me, I know the One plotting my course, will be there to walk by my side through it all.

Ryan

Tags: Random

Ahhh... you gotta love that feeling as layer after layer of skin gets peeled off your nose as you keep it to the grindstone! The semester is definitely back with a vengeance. It seems no matter how much I plan, or how hard I work, I am destined to never again see my pillow until at least midnight. Although, I am to the point where at a quarter till midnight, I just shut things down no matter where I'm at. Having to get up at 6:00am every morning simply will not allow for late nights. Which, by the way, brings me to my next point. I have been exercising every morning at 6am for the past three weeks. I thought I was supposed to feel some great "lift" in energy, and "focusing" of mind. *sigh* "I'm waiting!!" Oh well, it is making me healthier. To sum it up, things are going OK. Classes are good. I'm learning a lot (small digression - It continues to strike me just how blessed, and honored I am to be here, learning these things. When I consider that my brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering, being tortured, and dying every day for His Name, it humbles me). I'm going to be an uncle again soon! My brother Andy and his wife are expecting their third child. Hopefully I can get up there soon. Well, it's late, and the morning will soon enough be knocking at my door. So, I bid thee adieu.

Ryan

P.S. I walked about 1.5-2 miles on this trail one time, only to run across this sign and have to turn back.

Tags: School, Busy, Life

We just ended the annual Fall Revival here at GBS. But in reality, should we really say that it's ended? Shouldn't revival be something that continues long after the special speaker as said his final word, and the lights have been turned off? I like what this years speaker, Travis Johnson, said at the last service Friday morning, "The success of this revival will not be the tears that were shed...but the lives that will be lived out" (paraphrase). I have been overwhelmed lately with just how much trust I can put in God. I find myself reaffirming to God nearly every time I talk to Him just how much I trust Him "because You are good."

I love Sundays! They are definitely the pinnacle of the week, or as Dr. Brown calls it, "the Queen of the week." I love being able to go to church and worship my God while serving those around me. I love the freedom that we have to be vocal about our faith, and to try and lead others into the same relationship we have with Him. I also love the fact that we are actually Biblically mandated to rest! Rest! A word that's nearly foreign in our overly ambitious and production oriented country today. It's a wonderful feeling just to let your guard down for a while, spend some time reading a good book, take a nap, listen to some funny old time radio shows, and, most importantly, spend some time alone with God and be refreshed in His presence. I did a brief study of the Biblical idea of the Sabbath (here), and I believe that the Christian Sabbath is another great example of the fact that God cares for the needs of His people.


One of the "good books" that I'm reading is John Eldridge's Waking the Dead. The title comes from a quote by St. Irenaeus, "The glory of God is a man fully alive." I'm only up to chapter three, but it's fascinating so far. I recommend it.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Ryan

Tags: Revival, Reading, Relax

I write this sitting at a Starbucks on the outskirts of Cincinnati. Besides myself, there are only two other customers in the place. But it still seems to be excessively noisy (I never noticed this about Starbucks until tonight). My thoughts have been hither, thither, and yon lately. Some positive, some negative. Some ordinary, some lofty. I guess I could be best described as contemplative. This is partly due to a recent listening of the audio dramatization of The Hiding Place, the story of Corrie ten Boom. I was convicted as I listened to this fascinating, and, at times, shocking story. I was inspired by their mindset. It was...convicting, to see their perspective on the situation. To them, it didn't matter so much if they were living comfortably in their home in Harlam, Holland, or at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp in Germany, they just wanted to serve others. Instead of questioning why God had allowed this horrible event to occur in their lives, they simply found joy in the fact that God had allowed them to serve so many people in the camp. It reminds me of a quote that I read:

“I think we have lost the old knowledge that happiness is overrated—that, in a way, life is overrated. We have lost, somehow, a sense of mystery—about us, our purpose, our meaning, our role. Our ancestors believed in two worlds, and understood this to be the solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short one. We are the first generations of man that actually expected to find happiness here on earth, and our search for it has caused such—unhappiness. The reason: If you do not believe in another, higher world, if you believe only in the flat material world around you, if you believe that this is your only chance at happiness—if that is what you believe, then you are not disappointed when the world does not give you a good measure of its riches, you are despairing.” ~ Peggy Noonan

I've began to shift my paradigm of thought from focusing on my happiness here and now, to the eternal. Yes, this is something I've always known, this is something that I could check the right answer in the box on a test, but to truly sink in at a gut level and to have it as a mental pivot on which to point my thoughts down the right channel, was new. I'm sure you will read this, just as I would have a few months ago, and move on, unchanged. My simple, and unflattering words are not enough, in themselves, to apply this truth to you. So I pray that God will do what I cannot. And I ask you to stop for a few moments, look at your own life. Are the decisions you're making right now something you will be glad you made when you stand before Christ in eternity? It's something to think about.

Ryan

Tags: The Hiding Place, Bible

A lot has happened over the past few weeks, and, unfortunately, I don't have the time to give a lot of details about it all. So, I will resort to a much quicker (and easier for you) way, pictures! Thanks for reading/viewing.

I've been spending a lot of time over at my brothers house. We played a game of chess the other day for the first time in a while. It nearly ended in a stalemate because we think so much alike we anticipated each others moves. Katie officiated, of course .


Our church had its VBS with the theme "Custom Built Garage". I helped out where I could. It was a lot of work for those involved! But rewarding.


Mom and Kara (my sister-in-law) planned a secret excursion for Jason and I last Saturday, and we just had to be along for the ride and guess what came next. It was a blast! Our first stop turned out to be a train ride in a nearby town. I have lived in Adrian for 21 years, but I've never actually ridden the train. Katie loves "Thomas the Train", so she was in heaven. It was a really fun experience.


We then went out for ice cream and a cool place called Handels Ice Cream, and then headed back to Adrian for our final stop. Those of you who know me know that I dearly love to ice skate! And I was overjoyed to find out that was our destination as we neared the ice arena. They dropped off Jason and I, and went to pick up a few groceries while we skated. The place was nearly empty, and so I had some freedom to try a few new things. I'm slowly improving.


A couple days later we went back over to Jason and Kara's for a very good meal, followed by one of my favorite deserts, homemade sugar donuts!! I can eat these things till I'm sick!


Last Thursday, my cousins, aunt, and grandma came up for another ice skating excursion. Again, a lot more fun!


I am now writing this (somewhat hurriedly) from my Uncle Dan's house for my cousin Amber's birthday party. Her boyfriend, Seth Fish, and friend Amber Petty, are also here to help celebrate. It has been a blast!

Clayton goofing off.


Making pizza rolls for dinner


Seth


Amber


Amber


Their very spoiled (and aristocratic) dog, Buddy.

Well, it's after midnight and I need to get to bed. I will try and post a more substantive post at a later date. Have a good day.

Ryan

Tags: Summer, Family, fun

My thoughts have been rather jumbled as of late. A few of them are:

1. School starts in less than a month...kind of puts me in the doldrums right now.

2. We as humans love mysteries. Most bookstores have an entire section devoted just to this genre. Is it a good thing? Is it simply a by-product of our innate desire to discover truth about God? Should some things about God be left as a mystery?

3. Where do you draw the line between unrealistic perfectionism, and realistic performance?

a. Corollary to #3 -- How hard do you push yourself to your limits before it goes "too far"?

4. Why is it sometimes so difficult to discern the direction of God? (Not enough experience? Immaturity? Personal Faults?)

5. How is it possible to forget in a few weeks what you've studied for a few months?

6. Too many other thoughts to mention.

Summer is drawing to a close. This has been the fastest summer I can ever remember. Filled with busyness, laughter, hurt, and God.

Ryan

Tags: Random

"Unto the Hills"
(GBS Song)

"When my plans have fallen through, and I don't know what to do, I just look unto the hills, whence cometh my help.
When the dreams I dreamed have died, and I need a place to hide, I just look unto the hills, whence cometh my help."

That's where I'm at right now. Maybe you've been there. It's not fun, it's not easy, but God is here.

Ryan

For all of you who have been anxiously awaiting these pictures, I sincerely apologize for the delay! I simply haven't had a lot of time to update. For those of you who may not be aware, Nathan Easley and Heidi Holmes were united in marriage on June 21st in Cincinnati. They were kind enough to ask me to photograph this special event. I am still in the process of editing the 2,000+ pictures, but here are a few for your enjoyment.

Ryan

Tags: Wedding, Photography

I am writing this sitting in the hospital with my grandparents as they make their fourth trip to the hospital in two weeks. But, don't worry, they're alright. Just a persistent cough that needed to be taken care of. In fact, we walked through the door of the hospital and they said, "He belongs in bed #6" (the bed they are usually in). They were even thoughtful enough to put up a sign.

In case you can't read it, it says, "Watters, George & Bonnie - Honorary Bed." It does make you stop and think though about just how fragile life is. The other day I did some yard work out to my grandparents house, and on they way home I felt something crawling up my leg. So, I pulled up my pant leg a little bit, and pulled off a tick just a little below my knee. Ticks are not fun creatures. Not only do they enjoy the delicacy known as your blood, they are also very hard to kill. On top of this is the chance that it will carry some disease such as Lymes disease. It's kind of scary isn't it. Something 1/100 of my size could possibly carry something that would either kill me, or permanently ruin my health. Life is fragile. That's why it's so vital to have the security of a relationship with Christ.

Across from us is an attempted suicide from a drug overdose. My heart goes out to him. To feel so hopeless. He's not much older than me. People need to know the truth. They need to know that there is Hope, and His name is Jesus Christ. Do you feel the need?

Ryan

Tags: Family, Hospital

Here is another thing I can check off my list of life goals...kill a bat. Here's the story. I was working steadily away at my job around 11pm last Thursday when I suddenly get two text messages from my Mom. The first says, "a bat is in the house" the second says "frantic!" I bust out laughing!! In fact I walk down the hall laughing loud enough for probably all of my coworkers to hear. I, of course, being the good son I am , leave work immediately to make the 15 min. trek home to rescue my "frantic" mother from her ferocious nemesis. She had, of course, by this time barricaded herself in her room. I love to play racquetball, and I happened to be carrying my racquet in the trunk of my car, along with some old towels. So, I cautiously walk into the house armed with my racquet and towel. Then, I spotted it. It was hanging from the ceiling in the living room.


So, I paused long enough to take a few pictures, and then, went to work. I twirled up the towel, and 'snapped' it at the bat. It, of course, took off flying around the house. I ducked several times as it flew above my head, it was great fun! It then made a most grievous error. It flew down the hall, and then headed straight back toward me. And there I stood, racquet in hand, ready for the assault. I recalled all the skills I had gained in my love of racquetball, and with one deft overhanded slam, sent the foul fowl to its death. It bounced off my racket, hit the wall, and landed in the chair, never to rise again. Using the towel I picked it up, and deposited it outside. Mission accomplished.


Ryan - 1
Bats - 0
Bring it on!

Ryan
P. S. I hope you have enjoyed my slightly dramatized account of this infamous incident in the Watters' household

Tags: fun, bat

My summer break is already three weeks over!! That's...depressing. I cherish every day of it! I haven't had convenient access to the internet lately, hence my lack of blog updates, I will, however, attempt to keep this site more updated. I have found the problem as to why I can't upload pictures to my website, but I still don't know how to fix it. I have a little under 8,000 pictures on my computer, and one of them has a small problem (e.g. an extra space in the keyword, etc.) and my website building program can't get past it. However, I don't know which file it is! Grrrr.... Oh well. Worse things have happened.

I'm going to post a few pictures just to give you a quick idea of how my summer has gone so far:


My brother Andy and his wife came up for the weekend with their kids, JeNa and Jaxon.


We had a church picnic with a softball game. My brother Andy (pictured above) and I were both on the winning team.


Andy was playing around and came up spitting when he realized that the pepper shaker was actually open


I've had a couple of cookouts


I accidentally got a really short haircut (short for me).


Mom & I went to Hidden Lake Gardens on Memorial Day and I took a few pictures.


I performed the great Coke experiment (see blog below).


I've done lots of yard work (both on ours and my grandparents).


My brother Jason and I re-roofed the shed.


Then Jason & I tore out the carpet in the basement...after working on the shed for many hours. We were tired


We've had lot's of campfires!



I've spent lot's of time with family.

I have returned to Lenawee Christian School to work for the summer. I believe this makes my 5th year to work there.

And thus my summer has gone. All in all, pretty busy! But it has felt good to catch up on some sleep! Trust your summer is going well.

Ryan

Tags: Life, Summer, Relax, Photography

I had an accident. I left a bottle of hand sanitizer in my car, and it, and due to high temperatures, melted and ran all over in my change dish. Because this happened at GBS, I was too busy studying to take care of it immediately (hey, do you have a better excuse? ) and it sat in there for...a while. It corroded the coins and something, I don't know exactly what it was, was produced all over the coins. I really wasn't sure how to clean up the coins after I got home from GBS, and we didn't have the right cleaning supplies, so I decided to put it to the ultimate test, and submerge them in a bowl filled with coke overnight. The results were...disturbing. It cleaned off probably 60-70% of the unknown substance from the coins! I wish I had take "before" pictures, but here are a few "after" shots.



Enjoy your next glass of Coke!

Ryan

Tags: fun, Test, Coke

I just experienced the first real storm of the summer. I was sitting working on my computer when I suddenly came to the realization that it was dark... not a good sign! I looked out the window to see the trees bending, and debri flying everywhere, driven by the wind. It was a very fast moving storm! I raced outside as fast as I could and just stood there in the middle of it all. I raised my arms and felt the wind whipping around me, and the debri brushing up against my skin. It was awesome! I then ran to put a few things away around the house that could be damaged, and put our cars in the garage because of the possiblity of hail. By this time the temperature had dropped nearly 25 degrees. Then the lightening started. Flash after flash, followed almost immediately by claps of thunder that were nearly deafening. Power!

As I stood there, taking this all in, it struck me, God is powerful! God is majestic! God is artistic! Have you never seen the ferocious beauty in a storm? It can be terrifying, but so is God. Yes, He is "meek and lowly of heart" (Matt. 11:29), but He is also fierce, and terrifying. He is the definition, the epidome of strength and power! Have you never read any of the descriptions of God throughout the Bible? Just look at Revelation 4:5 for example which describes the throne of God, "Out from the throne come flashes of lightening and sounds and peals of thunder." And later on in vs. 11 the elders praise Him by saying, "Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." For an even more ferocious descripton of Jesus, look at Revelation 19:11-13, "And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God." Power!

It is most certainly important to understand and accept the amazing gift of God's love, patience, and mercy, but not at the expence of creating a passive God who is nothing more than a benevolent grandfather. There is such a thing as a healthy fear of God. This fear is not the fear of a slave to an unjust, tyrannical dictator, but the healthy respect, the healthy fear, of a servant to His just master. Don't ever lose sight of this balance.

Ryan

Tags: Summer, Storm, Bible

Some friends from school recently got engaged and had an interesting predicament. One of them is a student here at GBS, Vita, but both her and her fiancee are from Ukraine. He here was here for only a short time, and actually left to go back to Ukraine today. So, they needed someone to take their engagement pictures on very short notice. I normally don't do those types of pictures, but have on occasion in the past. I really wanted to help them out so I agreed. It turned out to be a lot of fun. It's interesting just to note all the little cultural differences between our two countries! It even showed up in the style of pictures and poses we did which seemed natural to us (Megan & I), but a new concept to them. It was a blast. Here are a few pictures from the outing...


See yah,
Ryan

Tags: Photography

Whew! I finally have a few precious moments to slow down and let you all know what's going on. Tomorrow is Student Development Day here at GBS, which means that we have no classes, and hence, no homework due tomorrow. But, it has been very busy lately (as always), and I am enjoying my time of just relaxing. I haven't taken pictures in quite a while, and I was getting shutter happy tonight so I took a few pictures of items around my room. One is of my Archaeological Study Bible, which Megan got me for Christmas. I love this Bible! It has been awesome for both devotional reading, and background research for a school paper.

The other Bible is my Reader's Greek New Testament. For those of you who may not know, The New Testament was written in Greek, Koine Greek to be exact, which is what I've been studying since the beginning of this year. It's a lot of work! But it's worth it, and it's slowly paying off as I can now stumble along through the passage as the preacher reads from the pulpit. I have a long way to go, but, the Lord is helping.

The next picture is of John 3:16 in the original Greek.

The other picture is of a gadget Megan also got me for Christmas, a remote control helicopter. This thing is very hard to fly, but when you finally get it going right for a few moments, it's a blast!

I am really enjoying my classes so far this semester! They are really stretching me to think, and to learn. The strange thing about knowledge is that only makes you hungry for more. Maybe because the old cliche is true "The more you learn, the more you realize how little you actually know." I will try and keep you more updated from here on out *fingers crossed with smirk on face*. Have a great day!

Ryan

Tags: School, Random

It has been an extremely busy past couple of weeks! I have a lot to update you on. I actually went Alabama this weekend with the Ministerial Dept., and had a blast. But, it is now 1:56 A.M., and I just got back to my room from working on Greek for class tomorrow (oops, today ) and I am too tired to do it now. I will try and make time later. See yah!

Ryan

Tags: Busy, School, GBS, Crazy

For a funny blog see my Mom's entry here.

Ryan

Tags: Photography

I decided to roll all three posts into one. I apologize for the gap in updates again. I don't have convenient internet access for my laptop at my house, and so I ended up putting it off till I got back to school. I arrived about 12:00 yesterday afternoon, and I survived my first day of classes today. I've returned with mixed emotions. I must admit that I am slightly reluctant as I begin this semester, just because of the sheer vastness of the workload before me. But, I know the Lord brought me safely through this last year, and I'm sure He will do it again. I have added a few pictures, one of which is my room after I dumped everything off before heading to work yesterday afternoon. Trust me, it looks better now

Ryan

Tags: Back, Return, Break

I have returned! After a 2-3 month hiatus, I am back up and running. I have successfully finished my 3rd (and by far, hardest) semester at GBS, and will be heading back on January 7th to dig into my 4th semester (which will be comparably, if not more, difficult). But, the Lord was faithful, and He gave me the strength I needed to make it through. I am now on break, and it feels wonderful! I haven't slept this much in 4-5 months! I am currently up at Megan's house in Shelby, MI, and we will leave on the 24th to go down to my house to finish out the break.

I will probably not attempt to catch up on all that has lapsed during the 'silent months', because it would just take too much time. But I'll just state that the semester went fairly well scholastically, and I am enjoying my job working for Dr. Brown (it keeps me busy!). I hope you have a merry Christmas!

Ryan

Tags: Busy, Break, Personal, Website, Return

You may be asking, "Why such short posts?" The answer is simple, no time. I know that sounds like a lousy excuse, but to that I say, become a GBS student and see for yourself what it's like. Hopefully I'll get some time this weekend to upload pictures, and post some more blogs. Have a great day!

Ryan

Tags: School, Busy, GBS

I ventured into a new area tonight, carpentry (yes, I heard you chuckle as you saw my sorry excuse for an entrance project). The fact of the matter is I don't have enough space to hang my clothes so I am forced to build myself a "closet/closerack". It's going to be a double bar rack which will greatly help with the space issue! I got it about half way done tonight.

Tags: Carpenter, Clothes Rack, Build, Construction, GBS

A few weeks ago my Grandparents came up for a visit and we went to Kelly's Island (around Port Clinton, OH). For those of you who have never been there, you ride a ferry over and then rent a golf cart and ride around the island and look at the beautiful scenery. It's really a lot of fun, especially for a photographer! Enjoy!

Tags: Grandparents, Kelly's Island, Photography, fun

I ran across this little toy in Cracker Barrel the other day, the gyroscope. I remembered how much fun I used to have with them growing up, and since it was not that expensive I picked one up. They still fascinate me! If you've never seen one in action there quite a marvel! They will balance on just about anything. My fellow INTJ'ers (see previous post