This too shall pass...

I'm plopped down in a chair in a computer lab on campus, waiting for my next class to begin, and I feel the need to write. So...here goes.

This semester started and backhanded me across the face, something I was not in the least prepared for. I don't know why I had this thought in my head that this semester would be easier, less hectic, and un-stressful than last semester, but I did and boy was I wrong! All of a sudden, I was bombarded with assignments and tests with no idea how to balance them. I was talking to Tressa and explained to her how I feel like I'm a football.

The football has been hiked back to the punter. The punter grabs the football and takes a few steps forward, gaining momentum, then rears back and kicks the crap out of it. A few weeks ago I was the football frozen in suspension right before it was kicked. That scared me because I knew what was coming. But now, I'm in the air. I've got a dent in my side that's bruised from the impact of the cleats. I've been spiraling through the air, screaming and fighting desperately to get down. To just fall down and roll away to safety, where no one can find me. It's hard balancing time and school and friendships and relationships when everything is demanding it.

Although I'm flying through the air, I have forgotten one thing. Who the Receiver is. There is Someone who hasn't abandoned me, hasn't given up on me, who is rooting me on and encouraging me and that guy is Jesus! The love of my life! I know His arms are open wide, and His eyes aren't leaving me. He's focusing on where I happen to be flying, and He's running over just in time to stretch out His nail scarred hands to catch me. And when He does catch me, I'm bruised and battered and crying. He holds me close and runs to safety, knocking down any defenders who happen to get in His way.

This strange analogy brings comfort to me on days where all I can see is the crowd that I'm passing. God is good and faithful. He will sustain and strengthen. Every night I'm caught, because each morning comes with a kick. But it's such a sweet time with my Saviour.

That's my heart. That's where I've been the past few days/weeks. If you can at all relate, shoot me a message and we'll discuss and I'll pray for you. There's also someone else who's been holding me. Teresa. Without her encouragement, prayers, support and love, I wouldn't be able to hold on. We all need someone in our lives that we can run to and be held.

This too shall pass...

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I have the absolute worst attitude to have right now heading into finals week...

you know the one I'm talking about...

the "I DON'T CARE" attitude!

This is extremely bad.

Please pray for me...in all seriousness.

Thanks!

Let me tell something to you...

I know my size may be daunting, but...

I gotta see this movie!!!

Yay Christmas!

1) When do you start putting out Christmas decorations? Usually the day or so after Thanksgiving. This year is different, because we were all busy the days after so our stuff isn't up yet. =/ Hopefully this week!

2) What's your favorite Christmas song? I'm not a huge fan of the traditional carols about Santa such as "Here Comes Santa Claus" or the others like "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer", "Jolly old Saint Nick", etc. etc. I love the ones about Jesus! "O Holy Night", "Do you hear what I hear?", "Little Drummer Boy", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "O Come all ye faithful", ya know...those kinds!

3) Do you have a real Christmas tree or an artificial one? We use an artificial one. The real ones were getting too expensive.

4) What's your favorite holiday tradition? I have two. 1: I love watching old home Christmas videos of when me and my sis and bro were younger. They're hilarious. We always watch those. and 2: My mom color coordinates the wrapping paper for each of us and we don't know whose present belongs to whom until Christmas morning! Fun!

5) What really gets you in the holiday spirit? The cool weather, putting out decorations, shopping for everyone, sipping Apple Cider, hanging out in sweat pants for days on end...ah! the good life!

6) What's your favorite Christmas TV show? "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". The cartoon one...the original one. Forget Jim Carey and his dumb attempts to be the Grinch. Give me the good 'ole cartoon one! I watch it multiple times during the holidays!

7) What's one thing on your Christmas list that you REALLY want? I REALLY want the entire FRIENDS series on DVD!

8) What's the best present you've ever received? Hmm...toughy...probably my high-hat. And I don't say that because it's the most embarrassing home video that I own, I say that because it really was a surprise that wasn't expected at all!

9) What's the worst present you've ever received? Hmm...toughy...haha...Probably the rainbow colored, fuzzy sweater my mom gave me when I was in 9th grade. It was cute, but that's when the gay pride colors came out and I was scared to wear it. I think I still have it...tags on and everything

10) What's the best present you've ever given? Wow...I don't know. I don't remember.

11) What's your favorite thing to do during the holidays? Spend time with my awesome family. All day, everyday!

12) Do you believe in Santa? Heck yes I do! I have the shirt to prove it!

13) Have you ever met him? YES! Polar Express, last year, baby!! Woo!

14) What's your favorite Christmas memory as a kid? I don't have many actual memories. I watch home videos and have to believe that it's me on the screen. Meg and I had good times! I guess my fave holiday memory would be not being allowed to leave my bedroom (with Meg and Ross--we all camp out together) until we heard "the song". "Jingle, Jingle, Jingle". When that song came blaring over our speakers, we rushed out the doors and into the living room where Santa had left all of our stuff. I'm 21, Meg is 17, Ross is 15...and we STILL do that tradition!! It's great!

15) Do you buy your pets Christmas presents? Yes! They're part of the family, too!

16) Do you play in the snow? Well, I promise if there ever was snow in Effingham I would be playing in it. No such luck so far...=/

17) What's your fave holiday dessert? Anything. Desserts are the best part. My hips give that one away!

18) Do you spend Christmas with friends or family? I spend Christmas day with family, but the other days I spend with friends and hanging out and catching up with people who've been away at school and who I don't get to see often!

19) Who's your favorite reindeer? Vixon. It's the coolest name, hands down!

20) Ever met an elf? Not yet, but I will...

21) Favorite holiday beverage? Apple Cider. Hate hot chocolate. OH! And Starbuck's holiday blends are cleaning out my account! Especially those Peppermint Mochas! MMMMM!!!!

22) Favorite Holiday Movie? Elf. I absolutely love that movie!

23) Anything else you'd like to say about Christmas? I'M SO GLAD IT'S FINALLY HERE!!