I have had a greatgreat weekend.So the IV retreat (The Fall Thing) in
Lansing—what can I say but wow! What a great experience! Not only did
I learn a lot about studying the Bible and the power of prayer, but I
also was able to strengthen relationships with some really wonderful
girls in my dorm–Grace, Chelsea, Hannah, Karen, Abby–You gals rock!!
Go Pi Lamda Chi!! It was a spiritually good time as well as lots of fun
and I hope to be able to do that again soon. I know that having these
strong Christian friends in my life will be a blessing.
    Also…. I’ve made up a special little list as
you’ll see below. It is not meant in any way to say that I am readily
seeking a husband (or even a boyfriend….) at this point in my life
(though, Lord-willing, that will be a welcome blessing some day), I
just thought I’d get it out there to let everybody (girls and guys)
know what I expect and what I’m looking for. Just so there is no
confusion. 

Margaret’s Ideal Man
A List for All to Read, Enjoy and Contemplate

My ideal man……

       Shall:

  Necessary

Be a Christian[1]

Love God more than
me

Love me lots!

Be a gentleman

Ideally, have
beliefs very similar to mine (theologically and doctrinally)

Intend to support his family with his career

Go to church regularly

Want children (more than one!)

Have a sense of humor

Be smart

Be able to carry on an intellectual conversation

Enjoy spending quality time alone with me

Show signs of being a mature husband and father

  Not necessary, but
pluses: 

Be a stud!! (yes, that means handsome)

Be able to sing or play an instrument

Enjoy reading (for fun)

Shall Not:

All necessary

Smoke or drink habitually[2]

Have any body piercings or tattoos

Lie/cheat/steal (habitually)

Be too sarcastic

Make wealth or “success” a goal in life

*Footnotes*
[1] (not just
nominally—actions speak louder than words/without works, faith is dead)
[2] The occasional cigar, pipe, glass of wine,
beer, etc.  is fine

   Here I am….sitting in my dorm room…..alone….again.
This is getting to be rather annoying. I’m not quite sure what exactly
I expect, but I’d really like it if certain people would start acting
like they at least care. Don’t you hate it when people pretend like
they care, and then in everything they do, you can’t help but wonder if
they have ulterior motives. I must be misunderstanding. I hope I am,
anyway. It’s bad that it makes me so upset, I probably shouldn’t care.
I should just get over it. But it really sucks when you’re the odd one
out. And I don’t think it’s because I did anything to deserve that
position other than just being the type of person that I am. I’m not
good at consoling or comforting, I never know the right thing to say, I
can hardly hold a legitimate conversation. I have nothing to offer as
far as “social” things goes–I must just be a very boring gal with no
personal appeal. Disheartening, indeed……I’m beginning to see just
how dependent I am upon the extroversion of others and why in certain
ways I can be a clingy person just because I’d rather not put forth the
effort to be on my own. I don’t know anymore what exactly to expect.
       This shouldn’t be anyone’s fault
but mine, yet I  can’t help wanting to place the blame elsewhere.
Humanity, right? Blameshifting is our expertise. As well as
selfishness. That really is the root of all sin, I think. It’s all
about the self. So, I think that’s my problem. Humility is essential.
God give me humility. Maybe things will work out.

Walked outside this morning and saw blue skies! That means happy days
are here again… Just a short entry for now, because I’m off to
register. It’s starting out as a very good day (sore throat and
all…).

i am much disheartened and much alone.
but never abandoned.

He will put strength in me.
Job 23:6

   YAY! Stacy is the best–she taught me how to crochet! This
will definitely keep me occupied and will come in handy for gifts.
Working on a scarf right now–or at least trying to. I still need more
practice, but it’s a lot of fun. Had a pretty restful Sunday. Giles was
feeling a bit ill, so I visited the Catholic mass where Jack and Evan
go regularly. Stacy and Andrew came along too–it was goodtimes. It
actually wasn’t too different from what they do at Dr. Willson’s
church–just a little more crossing and such. The “homily” was a little
distracted and general, but fairly useful as far as application. Not
strong theologically though. I’ve decided that’s pretty much what I’m
going for in church–good, strong theological preaching (longer than 15
minutes!) and traditional worship format (i.e. hymns). I really miss
Chalcedon, but I’ve been trying to listen to Pastor Joe’s sermons on
sermonaudio.com (great site) and going to weekly Bible study has been
helpful. It’s just a different environment.
    Still lots going on socially……feeling a little
oblivious about certain things. I always get the feeling that so much
goes on that flies right above my head (or behind my back…). Some
days it bugs me, sometimes not. Today didn’t start out as one of those
days, but I think it has ended up as one. That’s ok–sometimes it
happens. Thankfully, God has used days like these to remind me of all
of the blessings He has given me and usually these issues bring me back
to where I need to be spiritually. A blessing in disguise. Tomorrow
is another day.

   It’s raining and I like it! Lightning and thunder every
few minutes, it’s like a summer shower. Except in the fall. My window
is open and the sound of the rain reminds me of home–we listened to
the rain at dinner sometimes with the window in the kitchen cracked.
It’s one of my favorite sounds. It’s beautiful outside, anyway. Misty
in the sky and the leaves that were still on trees last week now are
like a blanket, all yellows and brown, carpeting everything and hiding
the sidewalk. I love Hillsdale–it’s just so picturesque, even on rainy
days.
    Speaking of my schedule (which I wasn’t…) I’m
still having trouble deciding which English class to take. It’s a
choice between another lecture/seminar type thing (except fewer people
in the lecture–30-35 or so) and a regular 12-15 person class. Mostly I
just want to be able to have a legitimate English class with a forum
for discussion; not just a class where the prof. lectures and the
students sit there listening. That is important and still should be
done, but I really feel like I would much rather talk about the
literature than just listen to somebody else talk about it.
Anyway….that’s my rant for today….oh and thos durn College
Republicans keep calling me! I don’t know exactly where they are
getting their information, but I don’t want to volunteer! Even if it is
$50 a day–I have way to much to do. Speaking of which, I should be
reading Latin now.