Today was a beautiful day. I enjoyed it very much.

I went to Wal-Mart, a regionals basketball game (we won), and two soccer games.

I got a free NASB study Bible.

I asked a girl to go out on a date in person. She said yes. She later said no online.

Caleb and Isaac were baptized in the Ohio River at one in the morning. It was cold.

Good night.

It's so much easier not to "like" a girl. Why don't I ever find myself attracted to girls who are attracted to me? Is it so hard? People tell me all the time that I am cute... Whatever, I guess. I wish I didn't like her, because I am pretty sure it's a dead-end street. She's not the one, I guess. I hate it when life goes this way. I can't wait till, for once, I am not the lone man out, not the one who has to deal with liking someone and not being liked. I can't wait to embrace change. It's especially hard to see relationships exploding all over campus, great relationships between great guys and great girls... And I find someone authentic, someone real, someone passionate about ministry, and it's a red light. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. Could she like me? Yeah... But I think she looks at me like a little brother. Being short and looking young has its blessings, but my eyes catch the curses more. I just want a break, even a temporary break, a little encouragement that a relationship is at least possible. Sorry to rant. I will post something halfway meaningful tomorrow. It's ironic, though, isn't it? The moment I "stop" pursuing girls I meet her... And then my immature pain rushes back to me, as if a dammed waterfall has broken. It's all right, though... I know how wretched I am. She deserves someone much better than me.

I promised pictures from the Valentine's Day meal 4North of Restoration Hall threw for the girls. I could only get a few pictures for you. I have not posted as much as usual because I've been so busy lately. My social life is crazy; I made a pact with myself to double my friendship circle, and that's already happened. I continue to make friend after friend. And all of you expecting to see me Sunday, I won't be at Southwest, unfortunately: taking the opportunity to sleep in!

Brian Brentlinger looking all pimp in his nice clothes. He had to get my tie working for me. This guy and I have enjoyed many good trips down to the Ohio River to talk and sometimes smoke a cigar. He's a youth minister in Southfork, Kentucky. He is proud to say, "I'm dating a cheerleader!"

Trista and I posing for a picture together. Finally! A girl who is shorter than me, and who looks like a Junior High kid, too! She's a pretty cool girl, and she always murders me in ping-pong. She's a cheerleader here and is a new student this semester. She's rooming with Brian's girlfriend Megan.

Forest Gafford. He's such a weird kid. He wears tie-die shirts all the time, so he tie-died his hair. He looks like a walking lollipop.

I AM BEAST. Even when I am dressed up, I look like a little child! Oh well. These are all the pics I have for you. These are Trista's pictures; Brock hasn't gotten his to me yet. Don't expect them any time soon.

I'm the cute little kid in the blue shirt. People around the campus call me "Little Man" for obvious reasons. I got this off of a friend's website; the caption is LITTLE MAN BOWLING! Haha. In the chair to the left is Andrew, then there's Cassie to the far right with a chair between us, and Tim is currently bowling.

People who've never met me often say that what I actually look like shatters their expectations of how they expect me to look. I don't know if this is good or bad?

My spring break plans to Red River Gorge aren't looking so sure anymore. Alex got a phone-call from his mom begging him to return home over spring break (he doesn't go home a lot), and on top of that, he is going to Africa this summer as a missionary, and he needs to get about a dozen vaccinations over spring break. I'm still open to spring break ideas, but it looks like the old Starbucks will be seeing my face a few more times. That's okay, though. I have several books I want to read, a book I may want to finish, and the time on my hands will be relatively nice. I imagine I'll stay on campus for a day or two, then return home for the rest.

I went bowling last night with Tim, Cassie, Trista, Lindsey, and Heather. Megan was going to go, but she was too tired (the bowling started at 10:30 and ended at 1:30 a.m.). Lindsey and I, not avid bowlers, decided to leave early. I'm glad she rode back with me, because she kept me from getting lost about three times. The roads are so confusing on the Western Hills of the 'Nati. I am going to lunch here in a few with Leann, Courtney, and Lizzie, then I think I will work on Sunday morning's lesson plans. Oh, and I'm going to write a report on Brian McLaren's More Ready Than You Realize for my evangelism class... and then write out my testimony as well. Most of my friends are gone with their youth groups for C.I.Y. Believe downtown.

Having finished Celebration of Discipline, I've picked up a book by Ronald Rolheiser called, The Restless Heart. It is all about loneliness and life. From what I've taken from Rolheiser's words, he and I have a lot in common.

But the harder I try, the more clearly can I feel the depth of our fall and the weight of it all. And so this might could be the most impossible thing: your grandness in me making me clean." - David Crowder

The weather has been amazing. It came as a surprise: the clear skies and warm temperatures yesterday felt like spring, and even with rain, today has been absolutely beautiful. As Caleb and I walked down to the chapel across the quad, "Today is a good day to have a girl." Then, "But it's a great day to be single, too." He agreed. Today, I keep feeling like I am at Woodland Lakes Christian camp, which I attended before my freshman year of high school. It's crazy to think that it's been four years since that week that really initiated much of my spiritual growth.

Here is something I found fascinating in my study of the life of Abraham. In chapter 17, we find ourselves alongside Abram and Sarai when their names are transformed into Abraham and Sarai, when God reveals Himself as El-Shaddai, the "God of power who makes His people fruitful." God gives Abraham the covenant sign: circumcision. He commands Abraham and all males to be circumcised. There are two parts to this covenant sign: the act and the fact. The act of the sign is the cutting of the male's foreskin. The fact is the scar left on the body. Why was the covenant sign circumcision? Simply because the most emphasized promise God made to Abraham was many descendants; the promise had to do with reproduction. In Christ, circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing... But there is still a covenant sign! The sign of the new covenant, just like the sign of the old covenant, has two parts: act and fact. The act is baptism, and the fact is the "scar" of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, revealing that we really belong to the new covenant.

My brothers on 4North and I made Valentine's Day a day to be remembered. For dinner, we dressed up in suits and ties and served the girls dinner at the dining hall. I got to serve a pretty girl named Cassie. They really loved it. We arrived before the hall opened to prepare: setting out silverware, drink glasses, and napkins. We escorted our "ladies" to their seats. I will put pictures on here sometime later; Brock and Trista took pictures, no telling when I'll have digital copies in my hands. I looked like quite the handsome gentleman. Later, we serenaded our sister floor--Third Rhine--with a rendition of "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias. I know I spelled his name wrong. Dave played guitar and the R.A. Crego led us in the song. We sang passionately; the girls deserved this special Valentine's Day treat.

This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers. Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed--keep that dusted off and in use. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. - 1 Timothy 4:10-16, the Message