I scream, you scream

We had an Old Testament midterm the other day.

And as far as the people I have talked to go, no one is extremely pleased with their score. 

Not that anyone bombed, it's just that, considering how well we all know this material, we expected better. I honestly walked into that room expecting something in the high 90 range.

... not the case.  

So, playing the part of the mature college students that we are, we decided to go and get pizza and ice cream.

And as we were out walking about I came to the decision that it is not the end of the world. The point of this is not the number written at the top of my paper, but that this past month I have studied the Old Testament and gained a greater knowledge of it than I have in my life, and that is not going to be easily forgotten.

I can tell you so many details and story lines and symbols and underling messages and applications, and that, not my score, is what really matters. 

Yes, it would be nice to have my score reflect my knowledge, but I'll take what I can get. And at least now I know for next time what to expect and what details to pay special attention to.

And really, I feel so cool with all of my OT knowledge. I can tell you the background of Ruth and the symbolism of the Passover and the stories of David's sons. I can explain the law that made Tamar's actions sinless, and why Boaz was obligated to help Naomi and Ruth. I know details about the Plagues in Egypt that I never even imagined before, and I know all about the Israelites' experiences at Sinai.

But that's not even it. I can describe the scenery of these stories and how far one place is from another. I can tell you about the view Goliath had growing up, and I can draw you an accurate model of an oil press. I will always be able to pull the picture out of my scriptures and tell people about the day I stood at Saul's palace where Michal let David out the window.

I'm never going to forget these things. As long as I am giving it my all, and these memories are all I get out of this experience, well, then it was worth every penny.

Just enjoying some ice cream. I think I got Bisquck flavored? He didn't speak much english. But whatever it was, I would highly recommend it.