Decking The Halls....And Speaking From My Heart

Christmas! One of my favorite times of the year. And it's not because I love the getting and giving of presents. Nor is it because I love to decorate (which I do). And it's definitely not because of the shopping (I don't like that part at all). I do however love the fact that every year the Christmas plays and songs and movies about Jesus' birth cause me to think about it in a whole new way. Two of my favorite Christmas songs are "Mary Did You Know?" and "Strange Way To Save The World". Each song makes me think about possible thought and feelings that Mary and Joseph might have had. But what about all the others that were there or somehow related to the circumstances of Christ's birth. How did Mary's parents take the news that she was pregnant? How would it have felt to be one of the many people occupying the rooms in the inn so that there was no room for the Messiah? How did the Inn Keeper feel? Did he even care? Every year I think of new questions and perspectives on the birth of Christ and I love the new light it sheds on it. Whatever the case, the birth of Christ remains the "Reason for the Season" and we all need that reminder once in a while. Another thing that I love about this time of year is being with family. This year, Christmas will be quite different for me in that area. It will be the first Christmas that I will not be home. I love my family and I love it when we're all together. I love big family "get-togethers". And I might be a bit bias, but I think that I have the best family in the world. I will be with extended family this Christmas and I'm excited about that. They are fabulous and I love them all dearly. So as I decorate and...shop, I will be thinking of you all and hoping that you have a wonderful Christmas. And when you think about Christ's birth try seeing it from a whole new perspective this year. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Who I Am Today

There's a saying that you don't know what you have until it's gone. Those that know me know that contentment doesn't come easy to me. However, I got thinking about this phrase recently as I reflected back on some things in my life. I'll be the first to admit that I've had a pretty wonderful life. Things have always had a way of working out quite well. No, they don't always come in the time that I would like them to, however, I've never really lacked anything. And until this point in my life, I've never had the difficulty of searching for a job and coming up empty handed over and over. I've also had jobs in the past that I haven't really enjoyed at the time. And of course, being me, my solution was to move on and try something different. Now, I don't think that there is anything wrong with trying new things (I'm a big fan of that) but I do think that I too often don't appreciate what I have while I have it. While I haven't always liked the jobs that I've had in the past, I've had some pretty good ones. So at this "almost jobless" time in my life, I've had time to reflect on the past and appreciate what I've had. I just wish that I would have had that appreciation at the time. But as Anne of Green Gables said, "Tomorrow's a new day with no mistakes in it yet" and now that I've learned that, I can put it into practice.

I also wonder about God's timing a lot. It seems that His timing is never ours. I'm one to always be making plans and thinking about how I think things should work out, but then they never seem to happen the way that I plan. And then things will come along in life and I'll think "If only that had come along a little sooner" or "I never thought I needed that to happen". But think about your life. Think about all the things that have happened to you, both the good and the bad. Think about all the things that if you could go back and change, you would. And then think about how they have made you who your are today. It amazes me that God can and does take both the good and the bad in our lives and uses them for His honor and glory if we let Him. And those things that happen that aren't necessarily bad but we think we could have lived without, tend to most powerfully influence our personality and character - for the good or the bad.

These are just some thoughts that have been on my mind lately and I felt compelled to share. Things here are going pretty well. Still only working part-time. I'm exploring the possibilities that will get me a car so that I can hopefully expand my job search a bit more. It's been quite cold the last few days and feeling more like Fall and Winter.

On This Beautiful Day

The last couple of days have felt like Fall. The air has been cool and we've had frost on the ground. Fall is easily one of my favorite seasons. I love the smells and the colors and everything about this time of year. I do miss the spectacular display that the leaves put on in New England though.

I get very excited for Thanksgiving and being with friends and family. Then after that I get all hyped up for Christmas. I love walking into the stores and seeing all the new stuff for the up and coming holidays. (I don't like to see Christmas trees in October though). :)

But while I wait for all those special days, I'm having fun carving pumpkins and baking cookies and taking walks in the crisp cool outdoors... :) Happy Fall, Everyone!

If You Want Me To...

The only way that I can think to describe the last few months is “hard”. I know, it’s such a broad term, but it’s also so true. Don’t get me wrong, I can see ways that God has blessed and taken care of me, but life’s been far from smooth. It’s been downright rough at times. And as the end of the year comes closer, things seem to be piling up. I don’t know what I’m going to do next year. I want to continue with my education, however, I’m knot sure that I will be able to at this time. Please don’t think that I’m giving up if I take another year off, but know that I would only be doing what I believe is necessary. I ask that whatever I choice, please respect my choice and let it be just that, my choice. I’m also struggling with my lack of transportation at this time and so I ask that you keep me in your prayers concerning that as well.

Through the hard times and the struggles though, I friend of mine reminded me of a song that I actually love but had forgotten about. The words are as follows:

The pathway is broken And the signs are unclear And I don’t know the reason why you brought me here But just because You love me the way that You do I will go through the valley If You want me to
Now I'm not who I was When I took my first step And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet So if all of these trials bring me closer to You I will go through the fire If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen When you lead me through a world that's not my own But You never said it would be easy You only said I'll never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me And I'm all by myself And I can't hear You answer my cries for help I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through And I will go through the valley If You want me to. ~Ginny Owens, "If You Want Me To"

The words of this song have applied to my life more than once and they do again. Please keep me in your prayers as I figure out the future. Thank you to all who have helped to make this year easier. I don’t know what I’d do without you. :)

Quick Update

I have been really encouraged lately as God has been answering prayers, sometimes in unexpected ways. And He's been answering little things too. It's just really amazing to see how God provides and usually not how I thought or planned either. That's the great thing - He works in His own time and way, He's always "on time". I've also been growing a lot in my relationship with God and learning a lot too. God is so amazing!

Life is hard.....

...But God is good!

Hey all, let's see...guess I haven't been real good at updating. Ooops!

The last few weeks have been very busy and stressful. However, through it all, God continues to be faithful and teach me many things. I am doing very well though. I'm learning to fully rely on Him.

I don't have much to update as far as the future goes. I have 4 schools on mind that I am applying to for next Fall. It will depend on what the best move is as to where I go. I'm not worried about it though.

As far as the present, I'm enjoying my classes and everything right now. I'm really enjoying the time that I get to spend hanging out with my family. We have fun. I went to Disney for the first time last weekend. :) That was fun! I'll try to post some pics soon.

New Year, New Start

WOW! I haven't updated in a while. Let's see.......

I finished last semester on December 14 after many grueling finals. I was glad to have those behind me as I left for Maine. I flew back home on the 15th. It was wonderful to be home for Christmas and spend time with my family.

Break was great although it seemed to go by far too quickly. I flew back to Florida January 4. I can say that it is nice to be back. I missed my family and friends here.

I'm looking forward to this semester and hoping that it will be a little better than the last.

As far as the future goes, I will not be returning to Trinity College next year, however, where I will be is not finalized at this point. This year was good and necessary and I have learned much, but it's time to move on. Please pray for me as you think to that I will have clear direction for the future.

I'll hopefully post a little more often now. :)