A Year At a Glance

2011. It is over. It's been real. It's been surreal at times. But now it is coming to an end. As I reflect...which d303 taught me to do so well, so many different things come to my mind. However there are a few big things that stand out the most.
1. "In the business of life, God calls us to still waters, to quiet resting places, and to the all-embracing comfort of His love." Roy Lessin
         Life is crazy. It always will be. As humans we find ways to make things busy. I think its a weird condition. Yet still God calls us to be still. I have been so blessed by the times this year that I have listened and answered that call.
2. Abide.
         God calls us to abide in Him. In His perfect love, in His comfort, in His peace, in His plan, in His timing. This word has been a verb that I have been striving towards. I don't always do it but I am working. God is working. 
3. Where there is a need you meet it with Christs love.
         This summer I realized how true it is that it is not just the sick and widowed in Africa and India that need us to be Jesus' hands and feet. There are people we interact with everyday that need that from us. It doesn't matter if the person who is a millionaire or has a dollar to their name. They need Jesus just as much as I do. From what I've seen a lot of times I think its the millionaire that is almost more forgotten. We all need mercy, and grace, and love from our Father.
Micah 6:8 "And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
4. His ways are so much higher than ours.
          It is embarrassing how much I think I have control of my life. It is crazy how much I think that I know what is best for me. I know what is going to help me and be the best option. Really...I have no idea. My small mind has no clue what is best compared to what God knows.This video talks about it a bit (feel free to skip to 3min in)

5. He shows up when you ask.
        This semester more than ever I have asked God to show up. Not in a "Hey God....I'm gonna be here....if you want to come too you can." but in a "God I can not do this without you....show up, I need you." kind of way. and He has with out fail and without delay.

God is so faithful. I feel like I say that all the time in my blog...but it is just what I think as I reflect. As we enter the new year.. know that He goes before us. He will never fail us. I am thankful. I am blessed.

Peace

I took a break from blogging. And that's fine...because I blog for me.. not you, or you, or you. It's really a very selfish activity. I guess with the final push of the semester and tons of events to attend I got wrapped up in other things. Which is great. Busy livin. Less bloggin. I am not really sure what all I want to include in this blog because there is far too much that has happened to recap it all. So I might not. I'll include a few pictures. Finals went well, all the Christmas activities were great, hanging out with my staff was magical as always. Now I am home. It has really been restful already. After the first Christmas break and Summer... a lot of friendships change...and now a few more are even changing. But it is ok. As my roots grow deeper with friends at IWU ones from home look a little different. Which I don't think is totally bad. Probably healthy.

This Christmas season I have been focusing on how Jesus is our Prince of Peace. I have tried to maintain peace in this season where our society tells us to run around like crazy, spend tons of money, push and shove. I'll be honest. I have definitely slipped up and peace has been on the back burner at times. I'm trying to rest and be at peace in this place and in this time. God gives us a peace that surpass all understanding if we let Him.

I am excited that this year Christmas falls on a Sunday. Katie and I both wish Christmas fell on a Sunday every year. I don't want to sound judgmental or condescending...but the answer "no, we are just staying home as a family" in response to the question "are you going to church on Christmas?" It bothers me. I think it probably bothers me because more and more I've realized how easy it can be for us to put "family first". It seems like such a harmless thing...but it's really still and idol. It's putting something that is not God...before God. I just think about John 3:16...so cliche..but so intense. I also think that it will be so fun to rejoice as a community of believers tomorrow. Celebrating our blessings and the birth of our Lord and Savior. Jesus really is the reason for the season right?? haha it's not just a catchy saying. Ok, thats my rant about that. (ps blogs are a perfectly ok place to rant about things like that)

Tomorrow Alex, Ayla, and Austin join us. It will be great to have a full house.

Here is Lindsay cleaning the lobby before we RA's went home for break!

Macy's downtown. If this doesn't scream consumerism...I don't know what does.

My wonderful Dad, who is also a grandpa, working like an elf on fixing up a wooden rocking horse. 

Mom and I waiting for Christmas Eve dinner at Niko's.

Be

Be Bold, Be Thankful, Be Quiet, Be Original, Be Spontaneous, Be Punctual, Be a Star, Be Young, Be Loving, Be Crazy, Be Loud, Be Random, Be Adorable, Be Unique, Be Daring, Be Obnoxious, BE YOURSELF.

I had a class cancelled so......

I decided to blog.
Sleep in.
Shower.
Pinterest.
Look at my new favorite website goglamping.net
Go to 11 o'clock chapel.
Relax.

I think it was a good choice. I CAN NOT believe that the end of the semester is here...it absolutely blows my mind. I don't know what else to say about it but it's been great. I have enjoyed my classes. I had minimal freak outs. Always a plus. I have loved being an RA. My unit is amazing. God has shown up in more ways than I can count. I have fallen more and more in love with Him. I have made wonderful new friends and deepened relationships that already existed. I've been surprised. I've been broken. I've been energized. I've been angry and bitter. I've been uplifted. I've been encouraged. I've been cautious. I've been reckless. I've been reflective. I've moved on. I've reminisced. hahaha I could probably keep going but I won't.

The weekend will be here before I know it. I am looking forward to it. IWU is magical during Christmas time. I hope for lots of time by the fire and lots of coffee.

Christmas Tree Lighting

This week we had our first snowfall for the year. There were about 4 inches of snow that stuck. We had our East Village Christmas Tree Lighting. It was magical as always. It's now December...so all the boys shaved.

I am on duty this weekend. So I made treats to take around to all the girls.

No/So staff

The end of No-Shave November