My sister is home. :)

School stress

I miss the carefree days of Summer when all I had to worry about was what bike route I was going to take! This semester is going to be super intense.... I've got four papers to write for my Short Story class and three essay exams, three intense papers for Art Criticism, one huge research paper for Art of Africa, a couple papers for Spanish Grammar Review-- along with keeping a weekly diary in Spanish, and one other paper for my Peru class. And that doesn't even include my tests, oral exams and other projects!

I think what it really comes down to is becoming better organized. I need to take advantage of my time at the museum, and use that time to only work on school stuff. Even though my schedule seems pretty busy, I've got to use the free time I do have to work ahead on things and not procrastinate! This is my last Fall semester.... I've got to remember that I'm nearing the end and can't give up now!

I love my friends.

I really and truly feel blessed to have all of them in my life-- the thinkers, the intellectuals, the artists, the free spirits, the Jesus lovers, the rational ones (yes, I do have a couple of these, thank goodness!!), the impersonators, friends who make me laugh until I cry, friends who inspire me to grow and change my thinking, the ones who doubt. I love all of their imperfections, for there is power in weakness! I am quite content with my life, really basking in the love of Christ and just wanting to give Him my all. I'm excited to grow in areas where I am weak, that Christ will be glorified!

We need other people around us, and I'm realizing that more and more. I love love love how the Lord sometimes uses other people to reveal Himself to us. I received such healing recently from a dear friend, and am continually amazed by the grace of God. Thank the Lord that we do not have to do life alone, that if we mess up, we are not abandoned. I'm blessed to have people around me who want to help and understand and comfort, but also to challenge me!

I thank the Lord for you!!

This is fun :)

My innermost cry

Abba, Father

Purge my soul, my everything, 

Within and without

Mold me, mold me, mold me

Into someone you can use.

Purify, my holy holy God.

One more hour to go...

My bags are packed, I'm showered and clean, my boarding pass is ready to go, and after all the flurry of activity in the last few hours, I'm finally starting to feel the tiredness.  Now I just wait...  There will be plenty of time to sleep on the plane and in the rental car later.  I'm excited to get to Maine and taste truly fresh lobster!  

My eyes are burning... I don't think I'll be making much more sense in this entry... I've already caught myself staring blankly at the screen for five minutes without typing.  See you in a week!  Love you all!