Currently Reading Utopia: Thomas More By Thomas More see related

I haven't posted in a while... I think it's time to say goodbye to Xanga. I'll probably switch to Blogger for the summer.

Here's what I have to finish by the end of the semester:

• a 10-12 pg paper for Italian Cinema
• a 6-8 pg paper on how I define religion
• 2 sets of workbook pages and lab manuals for Italian
• a 5 minute presentation on Italian artists in Italian
• the book Utopia by Friday
• then I have 4 finals

Wow! I can't believe school will be over in 3 weeks... then I'm off to Maegan's wedding!!

Some of you may already know, but I am going to Los Angeles for a Summer Project in late May.  If anyone would like to support me with money or prayers just let me know. I have to raise $1500 very soon. Just e-mail me at paige.j.ellis-1@ou.edu and I can send you more information. :)

Currently Reading How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life By Melissa Hellstern see related

Emily Solomon gave a great devotional at Phi Lamb last night.  Here's what I got out of it:

Many times in our lives will be filled with suffering. It is how we respond to this suffering that determines our character. How does Christ want us to respond??

James 1
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Perseverance= n. 1. steady persistance in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. 2. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation

So we must "press on toward the goal" and continue to work at gaining and glorifying Christ. Satan will try to hinder us and discourage us, but if we keep going we will develop character. We will be "mature and complete, not lacking anything." God will fill our every need, not in a materialistic way, etc., but spiritually and character wise.

When we "consider it pure joy", this doesn't mean we are necessarily happy about our suffering. 
Joy= the prospect of possessing what one desires--> i.e. Christ

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”- Deuteronomy 6:4-5

I don't have much to say, except that I am getting bored with Xanga.  I prefer Blogger.  Maybe if more people commented. :)

And I have felt a presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:
A motion and a spirit, that impels
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things.

-Wordsworth

Currently Reading Ponti: Italiano Terzo Millennio: Intermediate Italian By Giuseppe Cavatorta, Elissa Tognozzi see related

My internet hasn't been working for a while, so that's my excuse for not posting...

Class breakdown:

The Renaissance- This class is going to have lots of reading and the teacher is kind of scary... but I think I am going to enjoy it because it relates to Italy.

Intermediate Italian- I have actually been able to understand what is going on in this class.  I like my teacher because she is a non-native speaker and she breaks things down in English when we don't understand.

Italy and Umbria- This is my online class.  So far it hasn't been much fun.  Learning about Italy is always fun, but I already have to redo my first assignment. Boo.

Approaches to the Study of Religion- This may be one of my favorite classes.  I love my professor because he makes us think.  The books we get to read this semester are really fun too. 

Italian Cinema- I have the same teacher for this as my Italian class.  We haven't watched any films yet, but hopefully all of them will be interesting. I do wish we got to watch La Vita è Bella though.

I hope everyone elses semesters are going great so far.  I know some of you are already stressed out, but don't be.  Be comforted in the fact that Christ loves you always and he will be there to strengthen you.