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Books, books, and more books! So far, in most of my classes I have had to read, read, read. I can not complain at all because of the simple fact that reading happens to be a hobby of mine. Yes…It has been really heavy reading material, but I take some time, turn my music on, kick my feet up and begin to read as much as I can when my day is over. The book for my Criminal Justice class happens to be one that I take interest in the most. Going into criminal law, I try to learn everything I can about this subject. This book elaborates on the policy issues, concerns and patterns that help make up the criminal justice system. It is a book that is both intriguing, surprising and descriptive. Another book that I’ve been really taking interest in is the text that I am reading for Abnormal Psychology. The entire course is very interesting while trying to observe, understand, and become more knowledgeable of behavioral abnormalities and dysfunctions. Those books are very good reads so far. Well, I have to finish reading a few chapters for my Sociology class so I am about to get back in the books! =)

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Well, well, well ….We have finally arrived at a new semester. This semester I am really excited because I am setting new expectations for myself. It is so crazy how fast this year has actually been going. I’m pretty sure that many of my colleagues would agree and say that fall semester just flew by. I am doing well so far managing the busy schedule that I have and remembering that when it gets rough to just continue to stay strong and rely on Christ. Before this semester began last week, I could feel myself growing in my intellect as well as my faith. I am pumped up and ready to put my best foot forward in every class. Every morning I continue to encourage myself and rehearse an affirmation that I learned in high school called “Today This New Day.” It goes like this…”Today this new day, I am a successful student. Overnight I use my mind and body has produced thousands of new cells to give me the greatest advantage possible. I am born a new, revitalized, and full of energy. I am rare and valuable, unique in all the universe. I am nature’s greatest miracle in action. I have unlimited potential.” It continues to go on and gives me the strength I need each day to complete what ever task that I need to for the day. I am excited about what is to come this semester.

Have a wonderful spring semester everyone!!

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For my Criminal Justice class this week, my professor took us on a tour of the Jackson County Jail. While I was very nervous about this adventure, I was also excited about what I would be able to see. We were able to see the visitation area where inmates are able to see their families. We were also able to see the control room where the officer who is on duty is commanded never to leave his station. Because of that, the officer had a personal bathroom and a little kitchen area so that everything would run smoothly. The most interesting part of the trip was actually going into the “yard.” The yard is the place where the inmates go to play basketball, or just sit around. They are only allotted a small amount of freedom in doing so. While we were in the yard, we noticed that there was a red flashing light blinking in the barracks. The barracks are what house the inmates. That flashing light meant lock down because they were having a transfer of inmates coming in. Watching the inmates walk in behind the steel fences and loads of barbed wire was shocking. Noting that the distance between the inmates and my classmates were far, but not too far, was crazy. But at the Jackson County Jail, inmates are given certain freedoms. They are not necessarily locked behind bars but have cubicles with 6 inmates to a cubicle. They are more well behaved. I learned a lot and was glad I had that opportunity. This motivates me when it comes learning more about criminal law.

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We worked with some awesome people this week!

We are officially “over the hump”! Melissa and I made it through week 4, which was spent at Camp Chenaniah in Honor, MI. This camp was rather “rustic” as our boss likes to say, but it is a wonderful place to grow, serve, and have fun. There were only about 25 kids there, ages 7-17, and Melissa and I were counselors in the senior high girls’ dorm. Along with being counselors, we also led game time at night and were able to tell the kids how AWESOME Spring Arbor is!

We were there with two other college teams, Indiana Wesleyan and Southern Wesleyan. It was great interacting with other college students again, and I’m excited to keep in touch with them even after we’ve said goodbye. One way in which I’ve been growing this summer is learning how to appreciate the people in my life, even if I’m only with them for a short time. A difficulty in this job is attaching yourself to a person, a staff, or an entire camp atmosphere and then having to say goodbye after less than a week. When talking to Melissa about it after the second week, she felt herself starting to build a wall when we walked into camp #3 because she didn’t want to be hurt from having to leave those people once the week was up. We’ve both come to realize, however, that we can’t harden ourselves to the beautiful opportunities God has given us, even if we can only experience them for a short time. Ever since we decided to be open and welcome whatever relationships God has brought our way, I know we have both been refreshed and overfilled with joy because of what these new friends mean to us :).

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