hooray for relaxing...

it's so nice to finally have a relaxing weekend...despite the fact that i am a bit concerned about my politics test grade which should be returned to me sometime this weekend. uh, yeah. i might have to work a little harder for the last test.

BUT, grades later....for now, it's some fun and relaxation!!!!!!

A bit o' sunshine on a rainy day...

There is a blue VW Jetta outside of my unit...


walking past it makes my day a bit brighter. : D


oh silly, silly me.

i wish...

two and a half weeks cannot go fast enough enough...




if i wish upon a shooting star...will it go faster?

Teehee!

I love how...

• You remember all the little things...
• I can't help but smile...
• You see me for me...
• The giggles just spill over so often...
  

Peace Amid The Rush

Why is it that I always feel like I am in a rush...there are always things that need to be accomplished: studying for next weeks tests (4 in fact), writing two papers for next week, juggling a schedule for next semester, trying to decide whether to pursue a minor, things to read, meetings to go to...

...and yet I have become so thankful for breakfast with my King, because that is the moment in the day that He, and He alone, has my attention...without the distractions of work that needs to be done. I've learned so much in the last month of breakfasts, thought and prayed through so many big decisions...some exciting and smile-producing : ), some stressful and worrisome.

But, the advice, encouragement and truth in Proverbs--a perfect, month-long book--always seems to be what I need to hear at the moment I read it.

So many thoughts pressing, pushing through my head...and yet overflowing gratefulness for the abundant peace of breakfast with my King.

When Did You Fall

Pure sweetness...
listen here


You’re all smiles and silly conversation
As if this sunny day came just for you
You twist your hair, you smile and you turn your eyes away
C’mon, tell me what’s right with you
Now it dawns on me probably everybody’s talkin’
And there’s something here I’m supposed to realize
‘Cause your secret’s out, and the universe laughs at it’s joke on me
I just caught it in your eyes, it’s a beautiful surprise


When did you fall in love with me?
Was it out of the blue
‘Cause I swear I never knew it
When did you let your heart run free?
Have you been waiting long?
When did you fall in love with me?
When did you fall in love?


Make your way over here, sit down by this fool, and let’s rewind
C’mon, let’s go back and replay all our scenes
You can point out the hints, the clues, the twists and the smiles this time
All the ones that slipped by me
I bet my face is red, and you can hear my heart poundin’
Well I guess it don’t matter now that I realize
‘Cause baby I missed it then, but I can surely see you now
Right there before my eyes
You’re my beautiful surprise


...when did it suddenly dawn on you?...

Is it even necessary to say that I am smiling right now??

: D : D : D : D

No Sacrifice

Jason Upton

To you I give my life
Not just the parts I want to
To You I sacrifice
These dreams that I hold onto

(Chorus)

Your thoughts are higher than mine
Your words are deeper than mine
Your love is stronger than mine
This is no sacrifice, here’s my life

To You I give the gifts
Your love has given me
How can I hoard the treasures
That You designed for free?

(Chorus)

To You I give my future
As long as it may last
To You I give my present
To You I give my past

What?

It's SNOWING? In October???


* * * * * * * *
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(if you didn't know, that's snow)

Ohio is just weird.

Romans 5:4

Patience develops strong character and helps us to trust God each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

Timely and encouraging words found in the hallway of my dorm...

Lord,

I need to focus; help me to focus.
And help me to keep my gaze solely on you.

Amen.

Curiosity

Clue 1...


i smile when something points to the wonder, the hope that perhaps my wish is slowly coming true...

...or is it just a figment of my imagination influenced by the ponderings of my heart?

My Prayer

I pray these words on behalf of all those who are involved in or affected by the tragedy at home.

hide me now

under your wings

cover me

within your mighty hands

when the oceans rise

and thunders roar

i will soar with you

above the storm

father you are king

over the flood

i will be still

and know you are God

find rest my soul

in Christ alone

know His power

in quietness and trust

when the oceans rise

and thunders roar

i will soar with you

above the storm

Father you are king

over the flood

i will be still

and know you are God

when the oceans rise

and thunders roar

i will soar with you

above the storm

Father you are King

over the flood

i will be still

and know you are God

*Still, by Hillsong

Just me.

I am tired, but happy.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There's nothing better than going to bed with a smile on your face...

Giggle.s.

the feeling of finishing a speech and knowing it went well.

42 minute phone calls with grandmas.

snail mail.

snail mail from a friend.

packages.

especially surprise packages.

healing.

miracles.

thank you, Jesus.

amen.

Life has been, well, life. duh.

Life has been typical of college, I guess...

• too much energy at midnight to go to bed, but not enough energy to get up for class in the morning.
• never ending homework.
• meeting lots of people. some more eccentric than others.
• realizing the little things about home that you miss...fair season, funnel cakes, fresh-cut flowers.
  
• becoming tired of eating in the same place 3 times a day, every day.
• being easily distracted by the "need" to check things such as facebook and email at 20 different times throughout the day.
• checking my mailbox at least once every day in hopes of mail...preferably real mail, not this university spam.
• realizing pringles should never be mailed. they arrive in a million pieces. *note to parents*
• realizing what 18 years in Lancaster can do to your speech.
  

And yet, adjusting has been amazingly smooth...

• realizing the loveliness of naps and the importance of time management
• decorating a minute cubicle to make it my home, complete with pictures, pictures and more pictures.
• suddenly knowing that you can survive on your own. you CAN do laundry (even if at home you thought you couldn't) and you can make unique concoctions in the nuker.
  
• and you can't do anything without the ever present worship music and, when needed for the giggle.s., country music.
  

It's all good.


* * *


and this is so sweet (Rascal Flatts)...


I wake up and teardrops
They fall down like rain
I put on that old song we danced to
And then
I head off to my job
Guess not much has changed
Watch the clock
Head for home
Check the phone, just in case
Go to bed, dream of you
That's what I'm doing these days
Yeah, that's what I'm doing

Celebration

FIREWORKS!!!!


the beginnings of some fireworks...

my favorite picture...

I Got a Feelin'

Billy Currington

I don't wanna rush this thing
I don't wanna jump the gun
I really wanna say those three little words
But I'm gonna bite my tongue

Yeah, I'm just gonna lay on back
Leave it on cruise control
I'm gonna hold it all inside
Till the right time comes down the road

I got a feelin'My head's a reelin'
My heart is screamin'
I'm about to bust loose
Bottled up emotion
It's more than a notion
It starts with an "I"
And ends with a "U"
I got a feelin'
Are you feelin' it too

Welcome to Cedarville University

The Dixon Ministry Chapel

...and again.

The Centennial Library from across the lake...

...and up close


the Engineering, Nursing and Science building:
also known as my home for the next four years.

YAY!

YAY!

ECSTATIC-NESS!