I'm finally taking a few momements of my anti-social time here at CASI to make a journal entry. Since I haven't written anything here since I was in Kansas, I thought this would be an appropriate time. Well, really there's not much to tell, other than I'm an insane driver. You can read Beth's journal entry about how a sane driver would go about getting from Kansas City to Phoenix. I wrote down times like she posted, but they're in my car now, which means they'll probably never make it onto this website. Instead, I'll give you the brief synopsis: Leave KC at 8:05 AM CST. Drive, stop for gas, drive, stop for food, drive, stop for gas, drive, stop for food & gas, drive drive drive, stop for gas again, drive, wonder where in the world everybody else in the world is, finally get closer to Phoenix and see some other cars, arrive at the 101/202 interchange at 12:25 AM MST for a total trip time of 17.25 hours, a new record for me, and I've not heard of anybody making the trip any faster. I can even safely say that with the exception of times when I could see 300 yards up and down the road without seeing a sole around, I kept it within 5 mph of the speed limit.

Back to where I am... So what has CASI been like for me? Well, there has been some good eye opening, learning, and worshiping. To summarize it into 3 words really doesn't do it justice, but that's the best I could come up with for the moment. As far as what I've done so far, Here's a short rundown (each elective meets only once).

• Sam's large group core class on what the Church should look like
• Bob's workshop (all week) is on the Bible, historical evidence, and how to interpret it
• Lowell's small group (all week)
• Mike's elective on Christian Perspective on Choosing a Career
• Matt's elective on Sex & Dating
• Bob's elective on Muslims / Islam
• Mike's elective on Leading an Investigative Bible Study
• Trip to St. Stephen's in San Diego, and the beach at Coronado Island afterwards
• Hiked to the cross on top the mountain/hill
• Ultimate Frisbee & Flag Football
• Daily worhip practice for powerpointing

On the inside, its been difficult not to compare this year to last. Both times I came into the week with things on my mind, but I've had a much more difficult time leaving the stuff at the door and focusing on the things at hand. Not so much when we're in the midst of studying but moreso during freetime. I stayed up very late last night, talking with people and studying my bible, and finally just sitting and thinking things thru. One of the things Sam has said a few times was that when people have problems, they shouldn't look to the past for the solution but look to Christ. I've heard that before, but I've also heard good reasons to look at your past - which helps to figure out what you're feeling as much as why. However, I still pondered over what Sam had said, I knew there was a reason why it was resonating in my head. Finally, the obvious became obvious to me, I was trying as hard as a rock to apply what Sam had said to somebody else. Duh, it was me who needed to apply that to my life, and my attitude.