Christmas 2008

Life

I have been a horrible blogger this month! With no funny and fresh stories from Human Impact class, I'm low on the inspiration meter although my life has been plenty interesting lately. So, I'm just going to ramble randomly on thoughts of life as of late.

I always feel incredibly nostalgic when the end of the year draws near and it really makes me stop and think about what all can happen in a year. I like the idea of setting New Year's resolutions, but the only one I actually carried through a whole year was in 2007 when I made a commitment to not date anyone for a year. My main goal for 2009 is to be in the Word and be thinking about the Word everyday. I want to know Jesus and learn how to love Him even more and more! I want to actively display my love for Him on a daily basis, using the time He has given me on this earth to serve and love others, that they may see the Hope that I have!

We still have quite a bit of time left of break and I'm looking forward to the time off. I'm coming up to Indiana to see Renae in a couple weeks and I'm excited to see where she has been living these past few months! She claims to have seen some cool adventure spots up there, so we'll see what she's got. ;)

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about patience. I think that is one thing I will always have trouble with, because I am so impatient with a lot of things. I think part of it is that I can see so many possibilities in the future and I just want to have them now! But I do see the importance of waiting and giving things time to grow and develop and that is the only way it will work out in the end anyway. I just need to rest in Him.

Snowed in at the Hollow

My faithful Anders withstanding the elements to protect me from unwanted intruders-- his leathery, ruddy skin makes him impenetrable to danger!

On Holiday

After the horrors of finals comes a nice little event called "Christmas Break," tucked away in between the time before Christmas to midway through January. This time, kids, we do not have to return to the halls of Washburn until January 20th! And so begin the festivities. My little heart is soaring.

Thanksgiving Weekend Pics

So, Ren just posted hers on Facebook, and I thought I'd share mine, too! Soon, it will be time for Christmas!! :) Lalalallaa!!! Enjoy.

Farewell, Kellis-- fare thee well

Psyched about my rare spot in the coveted circle parking lot, I marched triumphantly in the snow to my last class with Kellis. My usual seat against the wall was taken, so I chose one of the few available in the middle of the room. Ignoring claustrophobia wanting to arise within me, I looked around at everyone cramming at the last second. I scanned the sea of worried faces for that of Mercedes, but she and her shenanigans were nowhere to be found.

Kellis passed the tests out to everyone and I finished mine in a record twelve minutes. I hopped over slumped backpacks and coats in the aisle and placed my test face down in front of the Kellis. I smiled at him and whispered a simple "thanks"-- with more meaning placed behind a single word than ever before. With a signature Kellis move, he nodded his head and blinked a string of rapid eye movements to show his acceptance of my gratitude. He knew.

I walked confidently out of the room, remembering everything Kellis had imparted to me-- how proud he should feel of his little grasshopper who changed her ways! Our journey has finally come to an end-- a more satisfying one-- and I can only think of these Wicked lyrics to summarize our time together: "Because I knew you, I have been changed... for good."

I heard a whirring noise behind me and before I could glance back, E.K. whizzed past me on his bicycle-- the flaps of his hat whipping the air and providing him a faster means of escape. I could only stare at the back of his head diminishing smaller in the distance and silently applaud.

Mele Kalikimaka

I love this Christmas song, I don't care. :)

I am my Beloved's and He is mine

"And you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem in the hand of your God... and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."
-Isaiah 62:2-3, 5

What an amazing thought it is that God still calls me His own and actually rejoices over me, no matter how many times I screw up. I promise to be His Beloved and then I slap Him in the face in the next moment when I choose other gods before Him. How often I break His heart, yet He never stops wiping my tears away and showing me the abundant life He promises to His children.

How lovely is His face! When I don't drink from the Living Water, I consume other things that do not satisfy and my soul is left in a wearied and hungry state. Everything is meaningless without Him-- this life, this world makes no sense if I'm not following Jesus. Like Paul, I do not do the things I want to do because of the battle that I fight with my fleshly desires. Nothing good comes from me! I so want to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit that dwells within me.

No matter how unfaithful we are to the Lord, He just wants His people back-- to return to their First Love! I'm choosing to take the Lord's hand and live my life according to His plans and not my own. That is the grandest Adventure. My heart longs for Him-- His love is the purest form we can ever find if we just choose to accept it.

The names have faces, the faces have names?

Don't ask how I found out, but Emo Kid's real name is JAMES!

That just doesn't seem to fit him-- I think I'll stick to E.K.

Mercedes' name is still a mystery....