Happy Monday!

After two weeks of school, I think I've finally got the hang of my schedule. Honors English is making me rethink my studying/ homework scheduling, but other than that, it feels a lot like last semester!

This semester, I have a new Spanish teacher. I end up being very disappointed with the teacher I had last semester, she was very passionate about the Spanish language, but wasn't a patient teacher. Over the last couple of weeks I've been able to observe the methods and teaching ideas of my new teacher and I'm really excited about learning Spanish in the less-stressful environment of her class. Spanish is her second language and she's a lot more understanding when you don't immediately "get it". We did some review from last semester and I really was happy about how much I still understood after almost a month of not studying it. Another neat thing is my class mates: a friend from my history co-op is also in the class, Allison(not to be confused with my sister!) is also a dual-credit student, I'm so excited to have her to hang out with! Also there are another girl that I was friends with from last semester who is also in the class.

Honors English is lots of homework, but I LOVE the in-class discussions! We've been working through some essays on education and I'm learning so much. The class is very small, only 9 students and it's really motivating to be in a class where I'm challenged! The most surprising part of class is the fact that there are 2 other dual-credit home schooled students! 1/3 of the class is home schooled! Needless to say I'm very comfortable in the class. :c)

Chris is also doing well in his class. He has the same teacher as I did last semester and he's already starting to work on his first major paper!

In other things...

Allyson is training for the Rodeo Run. This race is one of the events that kicks off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She'll be running the 5K, we also have some friends from church( including Melissa!) running in the 10K! Good luck guys!

Track season is starting up for Allyson, so she plans on doing a lot of running this spring!

Today, Chris informed me that they were planning to build a Starbucks in the Randalls were he works! I'm soooo excited. Right now, there is no Starbucks on the way to school and I would have to go waaaay out of my way to get to one. This is very convenient!
Starbucks is a favorite of mines, but I try not indulge too often.

as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

- Psalm 103:12

Be blessed!

Love, Adrienne Renea

Preach the Truth!

"I would rather preach the truth with too great a severity,
than to ever once act the hypocrite and conceal the truth!"

-Martin Luther


For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

- 1 Corinthians 1:17


What is the Truth?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
-Hebrews 9:15

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

-Hebrews 9:28


Amen!

Singing the praises of my Beautiful Savior,
Adrienne Renea

School, New Attitude, and an Update

School starts tomorrow! I finally got my the book for my English class in the mail today. We ordered from an Amazon seller and it took forever!! We were suppose to get is somtime around Christmas, but the seller basically forgot to ship it...they finally shipped last Tuesday and I'm so glad it got here before tomorrow! My classes are spaced about two hours apart, so I'll be spending some extra time on campus. I'm going to have to work on self-discipline and train myself to work and not be distracted by all the going-ons of campus! I'll be mainly spending time out of class in the library and it's going to be tempting to put aside my textbooks and pick up a novel!

Last Tuesday, registration for the New Attitude conference opened! This year the topic is Scripture:

This year at Na 08 we’ll rediscover the well-worn pages of our Bibles. We’ll spend time considering the certainty, sufficiency, and relevance of God’s word- that it may become to us a joy and our delight.
-from New Attitude

I'm soooooo excited! I'm praying and saving, taking all the appropiate steps to be ready to attend!

John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Josh Harris- just a taste of the amazing speakers that will be there!

Check out this nifty video:

Update: Dad came home from the hospital last night. He's feeling well and is looking forward to getting back to work. He has medication that is working to regulate his blood pressure and lower his thyroid levels. Thanks for your prayers!

Much Love,

Adrienne Renea

Austen Fans, Mark your Calenders!

To all my fellow Jane Austen Fans,

Do not miss Masterpiece Theater's Complete Jane Austen
Starting today, every Sunday until April they will be showing adaptations of all the Jane Austen novels and a new biopic of her life.
I will be trying my best to catch as many of the movies as possible!

Love, Adrienne Renea

Weekend Hospital Stay

On Thursday, Dad had a doctor appointment and they checked his heart rate, found it really high and admitted him to the hospital. He's still there. Most of the day yesterday, we went to help at a debate tournament and later that evening we went to visit him and his heart rate was much lower. He really wants to come home. He feeling fine, but the doctors want to continue to monitor him until Monday. Hopeful the doctors will be able to find out what caused the irregularities and Dad will be back to the usual early next week! Your prayers are much appreciated!
Love, Adrienne Renea

Photo Shoot!

Allyson's best friend, Jennifer spent the night Saturday. They were wearing matching shirts so I shot some photos of them:



They had a great time laughing, making videos, baking cookies and going shopping.

Spectacles!

Check out Mikey's new specs!

"Everything looks really big!" - Michael

I-O-W-A!

Today is the Iowa primary and unless you have been living underground for the past year, you already know that!
I haven't posted anything about this, but I have given my support to Former Ark. Governor Mike Huckabee. This man is a true conservative and support many of the values I believe in. I would encourage you to check out his stance on the issues. I would also recommend checking out Hucks Army.

The votes are in and Obama, Huckabee Win Iowa Caucuses.

I'm sooooo excited! Iowa is the opening caucus and is thought to have a strong impact on the respective parties' presidential nominations.

The Texas primary is March 4th, but because I have school and work that day, I'll probably participate in early voting. If I can get off of work early, I'll be trying to attend my precinct meeting.
I urge all you who are eligible to vote!!! In November we had a state election in Texas there was a measly 10% voter turnout. Even if the issues don't directly affect us, we must take interest in the things happening around us and let our voice be heard!

Love,
Adrienne Renea

New Year Fun

Happy 2008!

It's a New Year, and often times we look to this as a time for change and a new start. Many people make resolutions( including myself!) and many fail to keep them, but I am so grateful for the my never-changing Lord!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

-Hebrews 13:8

Even though we may fail our Lord is always there!

For me 2007 was a year of many first and milestones: Driving, Adulthood, First Job, College Classes.

I have had a blast: learning, watching people grow, getting to know new( and very different!) people, and drawing closer to God.

As Christians we are new beings in Christ and all the old has past away. It it so comforting to go before God, confess sin, and resolve to glorify Him; I don't have to wait 'til a new year!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”- 2 Cor. 5:17

Amen!

I pray that your 2008 is absolutely wonderful!

Much love and Happy New Year!

Adrienne Renea