SAU Fall '09

So... not sure what inspired me to start blogging again... could be the fact that I actually have some time to blog... anyhow, that's besides the point. I'm back, and I'm going to try to update fairly regularly... we'll see how that goes. ;) 

After a busy and incredibly fun summer working challenge course up at camp MiVoden in Idaho, I am now back at SAU for my junior year. It looks as though it promises to be a great semester, despite my vexatious Word Processing class.

When I arrived at my dorm room this past week, I was greeted by this lovely sight...

     

... an oh-so-sweet gift from my precious roommate Olivia. She is pretty amazing like that... :)

To start the semester off right we had a Welcome Back to SAU party at Olivia's house this past Sunday... what a blast!!! I think the pictures will attest to its incredible funness. ;)

... and thus begins the fall semester of 2009. :) I'm excited to see what incredible things God has in store for this school year... should be an adventure. ;) 

And I will leave you with one last parting shot... a classic for sure... I supposed mothers are notorious for catching those once-in-a-lifetime photographic moments. My mother caught this one which I have ever so appropriately titled... 

"The End."

- Shannon

Vertical Caving Class

Vertical Caving from Southern Outdoor Leadership on Vimeo.

Pentecost!

For those of you living in the Chattanooga vicinity, just wanted to let you know that Pentecost² will be happening next week! :)  It is a revival meeting that will be held here on SAU's campus. Starting this Friday at 6:30 PM, David Asscherick will be preaching in a tent, on the lawn by Talge Hall. For the times of the rest of the meetings, visit seyc.org.  Hope to see you there!

- Shannon

Blue Springs Cave

This past weekend found me in Blue Springs Cave... the most amazing cave I have ever been in.  It is a locked cave, so the majority of its formations remain undamaged and absolutely incredible.  The cave has been mapped at over 33 miles so far.  Our final destination was the Cathedral room, at less than 3 miles in.  Judging by what we saw in those 3 miles, I can only imagine what the rest of the cave must look like... 

(p.s. The pictures really don't do it justice.)

- Shannon

A Sunny Sabbath Afternoon...

- Shannon

Woe is me...?

As the new year dawns upon us, so too looms the daunting prospect of another semester. Part of me wants to say "ugh" while the other part heaves a hopeful sigh at the notion of getting on with life... classes to take, trips to go on, friends to see... one could almost get excited just imagining the possibilities...  But anyhow, I won't try to deny myself the blissful agony of bemoaning my sorry lot.  (Besides, isn't that what most everyone else is doing right now?)  

Tomorrow I take leave of my home sweet home.  I probably won't end up pulling out until an hour before curfew... it seems to be a habit of mine...  Unless, that is, the campus store is open... then I will have to go early to pick up books.  Otherwise I was planning on going to class Monday morning without books. :)  My class load is slightly more intense this semester than say, last semester.  The anticipated schedule includes World Civ, General Psych, Computer Concepts, Health for Life, and a few fun ones... Horizontal Caving, Vertical Caving, Advanced Rope Tech, and a canoeing trip down to FL over spring break. (I'm counting on the first three to elicit me a little more sympathy than any of last semesters classes.)  

Anyhow, enough of my bemoaning nonsense... Life is always a joy and an adventures when you have committed your all into God's care, and you know you're where He wants you to be.  One of my favorite quotes is the one by Jim Elliot that I have as my blog heading - "Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."  If we were to live each day by that principle, just think of how much more we could get out of life.  I'm beginning to wonder if that's what I shouldn't be aiming for this next semester... a hilt of a lot more. ;)

- Shannon   

Family Picture!!!

YAY!!! Another monumental event occurred in the Taylor family this year... a family picture! Granted we're not ALL here... but close! We're only missing Nick, Audrey and Luke in this picture... which is not bad considering we haven't all been together in at least three or four years. Now if you only knew the fun involved in getting everyone to pose for a group picture... let me tell you!  First there's making sure everyone has something decent on... it never fails that someone will show up in something TOTALLY not with the theme...  Then there's the hair... oh my... someone almost always gets overlooked until the very last second, and then it's a mad dash for the comb.  Once everyone is "on scene", then the REAL fun begins... "Alright... tallest in the back.  No, you're not tall... move to the front. Ok, middle's fine... just quit pouting.  Now don't stand so far apart! Act like you love each other.  Now I want you two to swap places... Why? Because I said so! And don't lean in so far, sit up straight.  Now you're blocking the person behind you... move to the right a little... no, MY right! There... now DON'T MOVE! Ok... EVERYONE SMILE!!!... listen here young man, I don't really care if you don't want to smile, just SMILE! Ok now... CHEESE!!! *click*... AHHH!!! Just IGNORE the dogs... someone wasn't looking at the CAMERA!  Look HERE, and let's try this again!..." (continues on for a least another 15 minutes before a halfway decent picture is taken, or the photographer has a mental breakdown.)  Anyhow, you get the picture... ;)  In the end, I think both family dogs made it in as well... only, it's kind of like a "Where's Waldo" sort of thing... lol... didn't even notice the second dog until just now.  Below are everyone's names, starting from the back, going left to right.

 

  Alex, Anya, Michael, Sergey

Sveta, Isaac, Vica

Elise, Mom, Dad, Me

Heidi, Hannah

- Shannon