Having decided to take a two-day break from practicing, I have discovered just what an amazing life non music majors have. No wonder I was on the verge of tears all afternoon. I really am feeling as befuddled as ever by the never-ceasing busy work which I can't seem to become master over. Aileen reminded me I've only been here three weeks. I'm also a bit uptight about having to go to Sig Johnson this week about not singing Sunday. Our choir is up this week--it came up a lot sooner than I was expecting. I can be very strong and bold when I think about these things, but then as they approach I am as timid as the lion in Wizard of Oz, so please pray for me. I am irrationally terrified of Mrs. Johnson.

Today after a quick dinner I went down to Target with Jay and John (Lucianno--fellow organ student, from Nashville). I forgot my main reason for going--ice packs. But I now own enough slacks and socks to handle this weather properly. Now my room is finally clean again and I am setting about homework, glad for the free-time no practice has afforded.

One great thing to report: Our religion class topic--what is salvation?--led to some in-class discussion between Eliza, myself, and another girl from my hall. Then as Eliza and I walked to religion I started asking her questions about where she stands. She'd consider herself a Christian. I kept asking leading questions and it becomes clear that she has no idea what it means to be a Christian. "Following God, I guess, but I don't always totally do that, and I don't really know what it means to follow God, I guess." Anyway, our conversation was wonderful and left on "Think about that, have fun in class, and let's have dinner together soon to keep talking." She is so open and so clearly needy.

That was after this conversation took place. Karin and Eliza and I are in the same religion class and so we walked out together. Before Karin reached her bike, we had this conversation:

"Did you do that assignment for German?"
"What assignment?"
"Ya know, the one where you have to memorize those instructions?"
"Um, nope. Haven't studied German at all since Friday."
"Oh, that's right, you don't study on Sundays."
"Nope, that's my day of rest.... I don't know about you, but I believe the Bible is God's Word and if God says it, I believe it, and I obey it, that simple. So when it says to rest on the seventh day, I do. I love it!"
"I like you!" (She is intrigued by my no-worries way of brushing off all responsibility come Sunday.)
"You should try it sometime!" I challenged.
"So what do you do if you have an exam on Monday morning?"
"I study hard Saturday and get up early Monday."
"Yeah, I guess so. That's cool."

And then she left us for her bike and Eliza and I continued talking. I think she's going to take the challenge sometime. That's what lead to our conversation about Chrsitianity; taking the Bible as God's Word, following God's commands, etc.

Pray for Eliza and Karin.