since you asked

I know grades aren't everything, and it's too bad students are so driven by them. That we can't be more self-motivated to learn minus the tests.

But I know that I wouldn't have studied Chemistry like I did on Wednesday night before my Thursday exam without that carrot in front of me.

I guess what I'm saying is this: I scored surprisingly well on my exam. 5 pts came as a bonus for turning in a few review questions on Tuesday--when I thought I'd for sure need those five extra points. Guess they didn't hurt me.

As for the Anatomy & Physiology lab exam, that was pretty good, as well. I'm hoping for prettier on Monday's lecture exam. But as Nicolle reminded me recently, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

He is faithful and deserves honor for these scores, as for everything. Whatever abilities I have for studying, retention, recognition, they come from Him--and can be taken by Him. Because He is good, He has given me friends to pray for me through my stress and fear of failure, my pride. He also deserves honor for being patient with me, my hard-headedness, my forgetfullness of His grace--how to receive it, how to give it away, how to live it. Thanks to those of you who don't fail to remind me of this free gift.

That He would teach us to be bearers of grace, receivers of grace.