IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A BOBCAT!

Just got back from Orientation at Texas State University in San Marcos! Two days of sessions and activities for both student and parents.

Here are a few of the things I learned from the Orientation Leaders:
· TX State University was established in 1899 under the name of Southwest Texas Normal School. It was originally created to train public school teachers. It began with 17 faculty members, 303 students, and 5 buildings on 17 acres. It now enrolls more than 30,000 students and has more than 225 buildings on 457 acres.
· The school became a college in 1919 and became a university in 1969.
· The school colors are maroon and gold (after the native Texas gaillardia flower)
· Mascot is the Bobcat (also native to Texas)
· The only elected president to come from a Texas University was LBJ (statue on campus and the Student Center is named after him.
· Other than LBJ, the next most famous alumni is George Strait!
· While wandering the halls I also discovered a few more famous alumni (Rosalyn Baker, Beth Moore, and ‘Ask Heloise’ )

And here are a few observations of my own:
· Wear comfortable tennis shoes! This campus is in Hill Country and it is built “with the terrain”...which basically means every step you take is either up or down – It’s like traveling on a stairmaster! I don’t think he will have to worry about gaining the ‘freshman 15’.
· Don’t drive anything larger than a Honda civic. (LONG STORY...I will post about it later!)
· I will gladly join the Texas State Parents Association – at the ‘Bobcat level ($50) – I don’t have to be at the Maroon, Gold, or President’s level ($1,000) because I can buy my own t-shirt & travel mug!
· Make sure payment is made before Aug 25 or they drop his classes!
· Wells Fargo is the ‘preferred’ bank of the university and they have convenient locations all over campus as well as ATMs (no fees!)...but when you agree to open an accountyou’re your student...they also give him a credit card!

And a few things Kaleb wanted to make sure I learned:
· There is a 9-hole golf course on campus (one of the top rated 9-hole courses in the state!)
· Course fees are $7 on weekdays and $10 on weekends for students...OR...a 12-month membership for students is $250 ($100 for 4-month membership)
· The Rec Center has a Golf Simulator which includes 38 PGA courses to choose from ($10/hour) Kaleb wants to play the St. Andrews course.

Move in Day is AUGUST 19th!

Preview of my article for this week's church bulletin

Hello, my name is Gina. And I am a Facebook Addict. I know I’m an addict, because what I wanted to write next was...”but I don’t spend as much time on Facebook as some other people!”

Don’t get me wrong, I can list many good things about social networking sites like FaceBook. I have reconnected with old friends all over the country. I am able to share daily contact with distant relatives that I would normally only see a couple times a year. And best of all, I have made closer connections with members of my church family.

I am able to catch a glimpse of my brothers and sisters daily lives. I’m connecting with members of my church family on a more personal level and learning what goes on in their lives during the week. There are opportunities every day to send some cheer, make someone smile, or say ‘you hang in there!’ I’m growing closer to them because I am spending time with them (even though it is through the internet) and learning about them. I know when they are having a good day and when they are having struggles; I know when they have had a great accomplishment. And then when I see them on Sunday, I can’t wait to greet them with a big hug because we shared something during the week.

Wednesday morning an article popped into my inbox about this very subject (Facebook) and it began with this scripture. “They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.” Nehemiah 9:3

Wow, half a day reading God’s Word and worshiping. How much time am I spending each day reading my Bible and worshiping the Lord? Not a day goes by that I don’t check what my friends have posted on facebook. But do I let a day go by without checking what Jesus has posted in my Faith Book? Am I networking with God? How else am I going to get to know Him on a more personal level?

So, pricked in my heart I started searching through scriptures (on the internet of course!). I was reminded that my personal relationships with my church family are extremely important and necessary, but they are to come second. My personal relationship with God is first. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ~ Matthew 22:36-40

So, I have some work to do: some habits to break and some habits to build. Here are my challenges to myself. 1) No facebook before Faith Book – in other words – network with God before networking with friends! Psalms 145:2 ‘Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. 2) Keep an eye on the scale...no, not THAT scale! – But the one that shows where I’m spending my time. I need to make sure it is tipping to the ‘right’ side! Proverbs 3:6 ‘in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.’ 3) Continue networking with my church family. 1Thessalonians 5:11 ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.’

Who else want to join me in this challenge? Facebook friends please feel free to post on my wall to prod me to my goal and send me encouragement!

4th of July

We went to the lake with friends to watch the fireworks at Johnston's Creek. This was by far the best way to watch fireworks! Staying cool floating out in the lake! We got there early and glad we did...I have never seen so many boats in one spot! The fireworks were awesome! And without alot of loud noise -- I guess being on the water or away from any buildings/trees absorbs some of the explosion noises! I didn't take my camera...only had my cell phone so these pictures are grainy and the ones I took after dark didn't show up too well...but I definitely want to do this again next year!