Starting in H-Town

Hey guys,

Well, God provided in amazing ways, and $12,000 was raised in the 36 hours before RUF stuff started. Wow. I got the call from Clif that I was approved to move to campus only two hours before the first RUF leadership meeting. It's good I was going to a campus not far from where I was staying!

My new contact info is:

832.656.1548
3400 Edloe St. #331
Houston, TX 77027

I am only two blocks from Lakewood Church, which I hope to attend, if just out of morbid curiosity. It recently moved to the Compaq Center -- yes, a basketball arena -- and has grown to the tens of thousands under its now-famous pastor Joel Osteen, author of Your Best Life Now.

The Rice campus is absolutely beautiful. The school administration is very helpful, and we've had no trouble getting me an ID, parking pass, etc. Wow! I've met the leaders of the other major campus ministries, and I'm glad to say that they all seem like great ministries. I couldn't say that at UT. I spent last week working on finding potential freshmen RUFers, and I must admit that the dynamics of working at a school of 2500 people (Rice) are very different from those at a school of 60,000 people (UT). It is certainly a culture shock for me!

We are also starting to do some RUF stuff at the University of Houston, a primarily commuter school of about 33,000. With that many students, though, there are plenty on campus or near campus, and so there is a lot of potential. We hope to get recognized as a student organization soon, and will be starting our UH Bible study tonight. Soon it may become a full-fledged RUF.

I will be starting a directed discussion called "The Deuce." (I think the name refers to some Rice thing...) The idea is to engage in applied apologetics by having topics of a semi-apologetic nature and holding open forms in which to discuss them. Last year Pat did stuff like "Are the Gospels reliable witnesses to Jesus' life?" and "What does God think of the [Presidential] election results?" Any topic suggestions you guys could make would be great. We're trying to do stuff that isn't extremely common (e.g., evolution vs. creation), but still stuff that can be relevant in getting conversations about Christianity started.

I had a rude awakening recently because I attended a "Singles" Bible study. I'm no longer in college and I'm not allowed in the married peoples' groups, so I'm stuck with the "Singles." Now, I love twenty-somethings just like me, but it's a bit disheartening to be grouped with the "Singles." Translation: "Christian dating service for people too inept to get dates elsewhere." Man, that hurts. But, hey, it's true. And maybe I'll have a date soon. ;-)

One of my roommates still hasn't moved in (after two and a half weeks!), but the other, Bob, is a good friend from growing up. We buy fine beers at Central Market and split them, which (obviously) cuts the cost in half. Ahh. His dog, Gary, is totally crazy, and we love playing with him. We also like watching Arrested Development, which is a brilliant show.

I think that's everything I could possibly say.

Welcome to Fabulous Lex Vegas

No lie, that was on a T-shirt that Krammy and I saw at the County Festival we went to on Saturday. We've been here one week and thus far: I went to a bridal shower, went to 2 cities to buy a bed, went to 3 cities and still can't find decent bed sheets, moved Krammy in, learned how to clog to Bluegrass and how to play the spoons from Krammy's girlfriend Katie, drove to Blacksburg to see Mac, have had 3 slumbers parties with girls, Kram and I had dinner with our new pastor as well as the Pearsons and 2 student dinners, we've exhausted both of the coffee shops and have been to the bar once, we went on a historical tour and to a Festival...all in the first week! PS: They play Bluegrass music at our church worship time. I'm having a culture shock! Our first "real" day of work is tomorrow and the freshman get here on Saturday. Whoo hoo! Yeah for each of you getting things going and even large groups under your belts. Fun! Keep on blogging and spreading the love.
Col 2:5

KRAM

Give me a - K! K, you got yo K, you got yo K!
Give me a - R! R, you got yo R, you got yo R!
Give me a - A! A, you got yo A, you got yo A!
Give me a - M! M, you got yo M, you got yo M!
Give me another - M! M, you got yo M, you got yo M!
Give me a - Y! Y, you got yo Y, you got yo Y!
What does it spell? KRAMMY!
Who's the man? KRAMMY!
Who's Birthday's today? KRAMMY!
Who's going to parlay? KRAMMY!

In case you don't know the number, it 615.944.1900. Give him a shout. Holla!!

the real question

the real question for all of the guy /girl interns at the same campus a la liz and Alan, is when are yalls first small grp meeting . You know the one where you share your deepest secrets with each other and pray for and with each other. Boo yah! Will Todd you rock my face off! Walt is that a hickie? TCU girls being pretty friendly huh? Urinator... there are no words.

Peace
Jrams

I've got wheels of solid steel, I've got tires that grab the road...

Yes its true, the words of Cake say it best....I got a car!!!!! A most generous family (who has already given me a considerable amount of money) in my home church called me a few days ago and said they wanted to give me their daughters old car (a 1998 camry with 60,000 miles on it). I'm super-pumped!!!!! I'm glad that God is faithful even when I'm not.

Things in Tuscaloosa are moving at lightning speed...its crazy!! Right now I'm in the process of painting parts of my house so that it will look absolutely fabulous for when all of you come to visit. I definitely have a way cuter house than my co-intern.

So about this internship thing, I'm really bad at it!!! I've already had to repent quite a few times that I just don't love students. Of course, its probably because I don't really know any of them yet, but still. It's been tough to realize that I could care less about those that I am here to serve. Pray that my heart would soften towards those around me!

I really do love my job. Despite the fact that I've gotten no sleep and have been going 90 to nothing since I stepped foot on campus, I LOVE being an intern. God has been so gracious to let me do this.

Well, I know you are all busy, but I just wanted to give you a quick update on ole hacksaw. I'd love to hear how everyone else's experience has been. PS If you want to see something super-embarrassing, visit www.bama.ruf.org under the staff column...The picture on there was chosen for me, and I don't know how to change it!!

Check ya later,
Anna

Quiet Times and Gettin' Money

WOW Robert! That is awesome man. The Lord truly is in control.

I'm assuming that classes have begun at a lot of our schools now. Class starts today in Fort Worth, and I'm still not really sure what the heck I'm supposed to be doing. I can already see that I am in the calm before the storm. I really do hope that everyone will keep using the Blog as a way to keep in touch, and tell prayer requests. I think it is going to be a huge challenge, but very fun this semester as we try to keep our heads above water.

Elizabeth and Alan, is your first large group tonight? Good luck with that whole thing. Just remember everybody's name that you meet and you'll be fine. Peas in the middle ease.

Walt

Bunge's Weekend Update

Ok, this is all I've got this week (and it's all I need)...


(As always, click for larger picture.)

Celebrate good times, come on...

Ok, that's the song that is stuck in my head from the wedding I just got home from, but do you know who else is married now...STEVEN AND RACHEL NICOLETTI! Congrats!!!!!!!!
PS: When is the next intern wedding? Walt, Will and Alan?? Let me know, and I still want to be the flower girl!

Hackers...

So, one of you decided to be funny and try to log in under my Blogger ID. This is the e-mail that Blogger sent me today:


This email is a response to your request for information about your Blogger account. To regain access to your account, please click on the
following link:

http://www.blogger.com/p.g?k=*PJodaflkjasldkfj15

Clicking on this link will take you to a web page that will let you choose a new password. Once you've submitted your new password, you'll
be able to log in to your Blogger account.

If in the process of recovering your password you see the log into Blogger page, please see this Blogger Help article for information on
how to fix your browsers cookie settings:

http://help.blogger.com/bin/

You could also try logging in/recovering your password from a different web browser - we recommend Mozilla Firefox:

http://mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Sincerely,

The Blogger Team


I don't know which one of you is trying to sabotage my Weekend Updates, but I'll find out and then you'll be sorry...

In Case you Haven't Heard....

He's unstoppable. Our good friend Alan Williams is no doubt FAMOUS! I was at my church's (Independent Pres.) bookstore today and what should my wandering eyes behold, but the INfamous (meaning, more than famous, of course) Walk On. I told the lady behind the counter that I knew the author of that best-seller, and she was undoubtedly impressed. Way to go, Alan. Make the interns proud, buddy!

Also, late breaking news, I have been cleared to move to campus, but I still don't have a car so it looks like I'll be walking to T-town! If anyone is driving from memphis to any point on the way to Tuscaloosa next week, be sure to pick me up! I'll be the one beside the yoke of oxen dragging my belongings on the side of the highway.

No news to speak of regarding the DunwoodySingles.com prank. Hopefully I won't be hearing any more from the gold-digging fellas of that highly esteemed dating service.

Another little tid-bit of info, I'm already over my text-messaging limit for the month of august, and its only 4 days into it. I'm attributing my overuse of this fine feature to the last day of training on which I sent more text messages than anyone ever thought possible within an 8 hour period. I still have great notes though, since I was on the front row.

Well, now that you are utterly bored and totally uninformed about anything of relevance to your lives, I am heading out. I hope support is "flowing like wine" and that supporters are "instinctively flocking like the salmon of Capastrana." You know, I've found that quoting Dumb and Dumber really can be pastoral.

Quiet Times and Gettin' Money

Quiet Times and Gettin' Money
ATTENTION: I, Walt Jones, am not engaged. The freaking Bunge is speaking untruthitudes. He shall be tarred and feathered, and his tires shall be slashed. I do not like girls, because they have cooties, the peepee on themselves, and they always turn the air conditioning down at training. So, I'm joining Will and Alan in Hawaii. Goodbye cruel world, hello warm sun.

Walt

Best Wishes

I would just like to send my best wishes to Mr. Ramsay as he prepares to face the world of electronic gambling. David Green has written a 62 page handout with over 4 million bullet points that I found very helpful concerning partypoker.com. On the topic of romantic encounters I have also heard news that Will Todd and Alan Williams are en route to Hawaii to begin their lifetime partnership. When asked about his decision Will said, "He's a good kid. I think the union will be very pastoral." I hope everyone is doing super and not sweating constantly as I am each day in South Carolina. Happy belated to The Vigg and congrats to Walt!

Bunge's Weekend Updates

I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it has been too long since I have updated all of you as to the happenings of our grand intern class. Last week was, quite frankly, somewhat unnecessary because we were all at training; we all knew what was going on. Although it doesn’t directly pertain to our intern class, I just have to say that I’m witnessing a true phenomenon. My dad, a 55-year-old doctor, is actually IMing his friends. Please pause to consider this for about five minutes. He’s 55. He’s IMing. I wonder if he knows all the internet lingo like “lol (laughing out loud),” “ty (thank you),” or “brbifmaidalolutbagac (be right back in a few minutes after I do a load of laundry, use the bathroom, and get a coke).”

Anna called me the other day and left me a message saying that she had something funny to tell me. After I called her back, she told me that Steve from DunwoodySingles.com had called asking for Anna Duggan, a 29-year-old doctor who makes 100k+ a year, loves kids, and wants to get married. She quickly and fearfully hung up the phone and called me, requesting me to post a plea. Whoever’s sick joke it was to sign her up for this site, come forward. She is not amused.

Jonathan Ramsay has given in. After his trip jacks put out Will Todd’s two pair in the final hand of the Marriott World Series, he has decided to conquer the world of PartyPoker.com. Throwing aside all allocations that Party Poker juices the pot, Ramsay has decided to put his reputation (and credit) on the line and battle the internet sharks. He requested that we all call him “Johnny Four Fingers.”

WALT’S ENGAGED! Get excited because in just fifteen and short months, Walter Jones will be standing at the end of that aisle waiting on his beautiful bride. Walt and his bride-to-be have set the date to Reformation Day 2006. Everyone is invited, but costumes are required. Tricker treaters will be shot on sight.

As we all know, Sweet P is a charming guy, more than able to win the ladies’ hearts. I just thought it absolutely necessary to show him in action. As you can see, another helpless girl has fallen victim to the P Factor…

(As always, click for larger image.)

And many more on Channel 4...

Happiest of birthdays to the Urinator. I wrote a little poem in her honor:

There was a girl named Sarah
who always had to pee
She's gonna be the intern
at Washington and Lee.

Today's her twenty-third
she's ready for a a drink
Hooray for Christian liberty
as all the glasses clink.

xoxo,
char