Highlights.

The school year is almost over…

I made some incredible friends this year. People who push me to my limits and make me laugh and know exactly how to push my buttons and hold my hand when I cry and speak Truth into my life.

I took some awesome classes. I also took some lame classes, but whatever.

My TA liked to hold her dog in one hand while passing out tests with the other.

I had my fair share of star gazing.

I ran into a man with a beard like Gandalf’s. No joke.

I stopped eating bananas for 4 months. I heard that mosquitos don’t bother people who don’t eat bananas. Well, it’s not true.

I had my share of heartache. It was nothing my Father above couldn’t handle. He held me while I wept and then told me everything would be ok. And it is.

I got new headphones three times. Ridiculous.

My wisdom teeth are growing in and it hurts. My retainer doesn’t fit my teeth anymore (sorry Dr. Grace) so I have to wear it again. It will also hurt. That doesn’t really have anything to do with my semester. I just really thought you should know.

I learned how to introduce myself to people. I might be a little behind the curve, seeing that I’m 20 years old. I always used to say “I’m awesome at making friends but terrible at the initial ‘hello'”. I don’t know why but for some reason I used to feel weird telling people my name. Lame, I know. So anyway, now I’m a Meeting Machine.

I already loved riding my bike. But I got a new (it’s actually really old, but it’s new for me) road bike and now I LOOOOOVE riding my bike. I named him Duke. He has been very good to me. I try to go on a solid bike ride through the old neighborhoods around campus at least once a week.

Some FANTASTIC live music. Phil Wickham, Hillsong, Needtobreathe.

I realized that my little sisters are actually really awesome people. (Hey, at least I’m being honest here!)

I discovered that I am actually an introvert. Don’t think for a second that means I’m shy. I am a people person to no end. But I also love to be alone. Is that weird?

I finally watched Avatar. I was a skeptic. It changed my life forever. And it got me really excited for heaven. It’s hard to believe that life could possibly get better than Pandora…

I started running. I hate it. My legs always cramp up and my lungs always make fun of me. But in some strange and twisted way, it feels good.

I discovered that I like black olives. Crazy right?

I changed my major for the final time. I am officially an International Studies major with a concentration in the Middle East. I start learning Arabic next semester. Pretty freakin awesome, if you ask me.

I figured out what I want to do with my life. It has nothing to do with my major.

I fell in love with God.

A Product of Procrastination

It is really hard to keep up with thing. I’m in a season where life is going too fast to document any of it. But I am alive and well. I think the big lesson that I’ve learned so far this semester is the best one I’ve ever learn: how to really sit at Jesus’ feet and pour my heart out to Him and then let Him to meet me exactly where I am (usually in a state of complete brokenness) and speak healing to wounds I didn’t even know were there. Yeeeeeeeah. It’s been difficult. But it’s been rich.

Last night, I lead worship for FCA. It was a last minute thing. The guy who asked me said they try to keep it to an hour, so I would only have time for two songs. And one was to be a cover. Well shoot. I only really have one song in my arsenal of songs one might hear on the radio. It was my only choice. So I got up and whipped out my cutsie-pie acoustic rendition of Chris Brown’s Forever. I think they were laughing at me. But I was laughing too. So I guess they were laughing with me. In any case, it was a humbling evening and a jolly good time. I had to pray to segue into actual worship time. After something like Chris Brown, it’s important to get your heart in the zone…

What kind of music have you been getting into lately? I’ve recently developed a fancy for folky gospely bluegrassy things…
– Sandra McCracken’s album The Builder and the Architect. Oh goodness. It is raw and worshipful and awesome.
–  Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors’ album A Million Miles Away
– The Wailin’ Jennys’ album Firecracker
– Patty Griffin’s latest album titled Downtown Church. It was recorded in Downtown Presbyterian in Nashville and was produced by the great Buddy Miller himself. I’m pretty sure most of the album is old hymns and spirituals. It is a fantastic blend of folk, gospel and country. I highly recommend for all you Griffindors out there!

Grace and peace
Hope