Woohoo! Christmas time!!! I love the day after Thanksgiving. It's so lovely. Just because it's the beginning of the Christmas season *grin*. So I'm having the most wonderful day ever- Dad and I went shopping on what is known as "Black Friday" the world over. And it was indeed crazy. But anyway, after that I came home and played...yes you guessed it- Mario Party 5... with Jes. And now I've just come home from Bliss. wootwoot. And I must say, I miss my Bryan folk immensley. Namely the people who have been so nice as to call or IM me a happy thanksgiving, but others too. Love 'em... I most especially enjoyed a phone call from a certain Andra Branson this afternoon. lol... Anyway, I'm watching my two favorite kids tonight so I must be off. Then tomorrow it's time for a trip to the mall. Dress shopping is most assuredly my fave. So for now I'll leave you with some things I'm thankful for:

- my brother and sister
- Bryan College and the opportunity to go to school there
- the grace of God- His mercies are new every morning
- the freedom in this country to worship Him
- our President and our troops protecting us
- the change of seasons
- being able to communicate with God- through prayer and His word
- friends that rock!!
- music- and especially the people who make beautiful music for me to listen to
- literature (i'm not a geek- really... i just enjoy reading haha)
- all other great forms of entertainment like movies (quality ones at least)
- humor
- color- i mean, life would be so very bland without it...eh?
- accents- i love people with accents and wish i had a cool british one.
- the salvation Christ has provided for me through His matchless sacrifice. i'm indebted to Him for eternity and can do nothing less than live my life in worship to Him.

Today is Thanksgiving... in case you were unsure... And it's wonderful! The sun has finally come out- it must be the first time I've seen it in quite a few days. Woohoo! Anyway, last night I saw the Incredibles with Jes and dad. It was wonderful! Not like any other Pixar movie, in that it wasn't really humorous, but I really liked it still. After the movie, I saw the Urban Sophisticates and let me just say, they were awesome. They always are, but I enjoyed this show in particular. And I also saw Jen and Ryan and Steve and Charlie. Good times. Jen is applying to Bryan!!! And two other places... But we'll see where the Lord wants her. I myself am hoping it's Bryan. My sophomore year would be that much more awesome... :) So yes, we had fun last night, and I'm in love with Urban's music. I'm so glad to be home. During fall break I missed Bryan. This time I do a bit but I'm really glad to be here at home, only I won't be here very long...sigh. And then we've got to jump into exams and the banquet and a myriad of other things. So I'm revelling in this time I have with Jes and Eavan and playing Mario Party 5, etc. hahaha So It's also pretty cool that I've heard from more than a couple people from school in only the last few days. I love you guys! And it's almost that time to begin helping mom with the cooking. So I'm off. ps- hurray for the macy's parade that noone seems to watch anymore... i dream of someday going to see it in NYC...

Ok, so I'm sitting here reading all these Bryan people's Xangas and the last one I came across was David Sutton's and at the end of his latest post, he states, "thank God for what He did for you when u read this, He's awesome." So I've been inspired, if you will. There's been so much going on that I'm not quite sure where to start. There is much to vent about but this is most assuredly not the place to do so in great detail. But more importantly, I'm here writing to talk about the more positive things in life lately. And what's wonderful is that the positive things are coming from those things that, on the surface, seem negative. Which is perplexing at first, but here's the thing: I am constantly being brought to a place where those things that give me security are becoming unneccessary. I know I talked about this so much in my last post, but it's just an awesome thing to not feel like I need to rely on anything. Nothing. But Christ. It's amazing how unimportant some things are to me now, how almost complacent I can be about the trite things in life (well, trite NOW, but not before...) and how I consequently become more passionate about the things of God and living life to the fullest. And seeking friendships that count. So thank you, God, for shaping me and molding me and teaching me that the process is tough but beautiful!

That show was so amazing! And incredible. But what an evening! I am learning so very much about people and reality and Christ and perspective and focus. Sometimes you really can't rely on people. Sometimes they frustrate you. But the coolest thing in the whole world is that when we see Christ first and foremost and before anything else in our lives, we aren't ever disappointed. That's so wonderful! My God will never ever disappoint me or frustrate me or anything like that. He is the one and only Constant in my life. And I love that. I've had so many great discussions with people about that this week- especially today. Jessi, Jackie, John, you guys are awesome! Wow, I love learning these things, though I may not appreciate the learning process itself. So yea, as for events after the greatest show ever (AKA coolhandluke), Paul, Jessi, Paige, and I watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I canNOT believe Paul had never seen that movie! It was kind of sad to watch it without Trigger, but there's always time for another Python viewing. lol! Many laughs, good times...ANd we went to Huddle House afterwards and saw some folks there but mostly talked about some deep things such as... Now is not now. Think about it.

So it's been an insane beginning to the week. I've been busier than I've ever been in my entire life I think. Or maybe it just feels that way. I'm not overwhelmed, but I just always have somewhere to be. I'm more than thankful that I have no huge papers or tests this week. Oh and another thing that's keeping me preoccupied is this banquet deal. I'm having the best time ever helping my friends ask their guys. I think our hall's little plan for Deborah was the best so far. haha. I've decided that I truly am Emma (from the Jane Austen book...and movie...). lol. Anyway, I'm really enjoying our SGA. We're starting to get super busy with different things but I love how supportive we are for eachother and how we all work together so well. Imust say, we've got the best class in the whole wide world... So I'm really truly excited about mi familia coming to visit this weekend before we head home for Thanksgiving. Woohoo :) Friday is the CoolHandLuke show which I am oh so thrilled about. Today should be a good day. I got a great night's sleep last night, even though I had several dreams (none of which I can remember.). I had a wonderful night last night after the SoundOff. John, Jackie, Brandon, and I watched Elf, which made me so very happy. I looove that movie. Then we ran to Wendy's, which was kind of scary...Then I came back and I hung out with my girls before going to bed at 1, which was pretty early for Demi to be quite honest. Anyway, it was a good day overall and today's off to a good start and despite frustrations with spring registration, not getting the classes I wanted, logistical nightmares, and planning and work and drama, GOD IS FAITHFUL. And constant and unwavering and sufficient and everywhere and all-powerful and loving and my everything. I love to think about Him being Alpha and Omega. That's it right there- I mean, He's the beginning and the end, He's never not. (...? that sounds funny) He always is. I love that. TheEnd.

Last night was incredible- I could live off that day for many weeks. David Crowder was incredible!!! I haven't been to a really great live show like that in quite a while and it was so very awesome! Jeremy, Paul, Trigger, and I left school at around 6 and got to Fathom where a very long line awaited us at the front door out onto the sidewalk. The ride there was so very awesome by the way. You guys rock my world... so awesome to have brothers in Christ like you. So we got in line until Jeremy and I decided to grab some Qdoba before the doors opened, at which time we went inside and experienced one of the greatest live shows ever. The guy who opened for Crowder- Shawn something... was really good. But Crowder was just amazing. I had looked forward to this show, but it ended up being way better than I'd hoped- even better than when I saw them at CornerstoneNC.......

So yesterday was amazing...and rather chilly to be quite honest. And I love it actually. Coats and scarves and gloves and hats and such are so much fun, let me tell ya. So yesterday I got up around 12:45 (yikes!), and I went down the hall and ate some oatmeal and watched Dead Poets Society with Katrina. It was the first time for both of us. And I officially love that movie, except it's so darn sad. But wonderful. So after that, I took a nap and then ate dinner and had planned on going to the rugby game with BonnieMarie, but concluded she wasn't going since she was in the middle of a nap at the time we had planned on leaving, which was fine because I wasn't 100% gung ho about driving to Knoxville and watching that game in the freezing cold, though I really did wish I could have supported my guys in their rugby glory. And they won of course. :) So instead of going to the game, I went for a drive last night, spent a couple hours alone in my room, and then I was able to enjoy open dorm and visit 4th short, which is easily the best hall ever, and our brother hall. I watched Charade with some folks in David's and George's room and visited with Jeremy and Kyle and admired the Christmas lights in both rooms. Then I wandered around a bit trying to find Tim to lend him an Earthsuit cd so that he may discover the beauty that is the drum skills of Hutch Hutchison. And I talked to mom on the phone. I love my mom. And then Jessica and Andra and I hung out in their room and watched some Shrek2 and then headed to WalMart and saw some of the guys and then went home where I tidied up the room and got ready for church the next morning. I went to Calvary Baptist today with Jeremy and Kyle, which was pretty cool, then we had lunch back here and everyone was lovely and now I'm wasting time on this crazy blog until I have to get ready for the DAVID CROWDER show tonight.... YEA! I'm so excited about this show, you have no idea. So, well, I guess I'll be off. :)

Hey everyone!! I'm a little exhausted right now because it's been SUCH a crazy long day. We had a Western Civ project to present today which included roasting a chicken, which turned out to be really great actually. We also had the Freshman talent show tonight, which proved to be something similar to a logistical nightmare, especially when poor Katrina got sick and couldn't sing for either of her two acts, which ended up not being such a huge problem, because we totally covered for her, which was awesome. I had such a blast! And Kristen, you're beautiful and sang beautifully. And Trigger, you are my freakin' HERO! Anyway, after the talent show, some of us went to our room and watched some of Finding Nemo until the guys had to run out and then we went to eat and to WalMart- what else? :) Now, WalMart was QUITE the experience...hahaha... Let's just say that the group of us met a couple of interesting kids while we browsed and messed around. So now me and Kristen and Jessica are watching a wonderful movie and I'm sleepy and I get to sleep in tomorrow then I get to go to the rugby game...wootwoot!

It's almost ironic but not really at all ironic that IMMEDIATELY after i begin to pray for God to humble me that He does just that. I'm finding that that was a very dangerous thing to pray. I've been asking God to make His desires mine and to make me live for Him alone and to humble me so that I can listen more earnestly to Him before myself. And boy, has He done that just in this weekend!!! I'm amazed, and frustrated, and almost angry...because God answered my prayer. He has taken a lot of the things I've been so happy about and made me realize that they're not supposed to BE my happiness...or my completeness. It's in Him that I must be satisfied and I don't find it easy to learn that when things have been going almost perfectly. Therefore, God knocked me off my freaking pedistal (sp?) and took away a few of my securities that I enjoy SO much, and He's been breaking me. Ouch. Ouch again. It is NOT easy. But it's neccessary, and I'm finding that I automatically lean on Christ as a result. So.....mission accomplished. God knows how to answer prayers, though I hate it. And He knows I will. And to be honest, I think I knew that I would hate it too..when I prayed to the Lord to humble me. LOL But even though the world seems to have been turned upside down and all I want is a week or two alone just with God or something...there are much bigger and better things going on lately. For instance, Matt Willhoite was killed in a car accident this weekend. So please pray for the family, you guys. It's a wonderful thing to picture Matt with Christ right now, but it's hard on us here, especially the basketball team. On a different note, this past weekend with the CLF retreat at Precept Ministries was wonderful! I loved getting into the Scriptures at that level. It was amazing and enlightening. And we had fun. Soooo that's about it, and I'm off to visit my adopted hall... Huston 3rd! later...

Today is one of the most beautiful days I've experienced in Dayton thus far. It's 62 degrees and everyone's wearing sweaters and it's Friday and we're going on our CLF retreat this weekend and everone's family is here this weekend and tonight is the Fine Arts concert. Come on, let's hear it for all my friends in Chorale..woohoo! I'm more than excited. And this weekend is Illuminate, which means that there are a million and one cool people visiting Bryan and that we had an awesome Worldview chapel this morning...pretty sweet. OK so I'm thinking it's about that time for yet another rant. This one may or may not be long. We'll see how many tangents I can find to run off with... So God's been really working on my heart lately. Which is interesting because I've heard people say that before but have never used the term myself. And I really think that it makes sense to me now. God really is molding my heart and shaping it into something that belongs to Him solely. I'm seeing my attitudes towards different people and things change. And most of all...I'm seeing my desires change. The things that were so important to me now but are ultimately inconsequential are seeming less and less of a priority. I love the feeling of falling in love with Christ and finding that everything else becomes petty...well maybe not petty, but I don't know...something similar. So as a result of all this, I've decided to take the initiative to get oh so much work done in the past couple days, finished a speech in Comm., cleaned my room and organized and built a bookshelf with Jackie, though I really did nothing at all as far as that's concerned. So at this moment I'm at my desk listening to Coldplay and about to go find Jess and Jackie...must meet with advisor ASAP and go shopping even sooner....lol. So that's it for now...later!