Simply Christmas

So I'm sitting here in the back of my house at my parents computer (which, I'm fairly convinced, is the first computer EVER and could NEVER run slower than right now) and I am listening to my family enjoy one another in the living room. I have enjoyed this break far more than any others I can recall. I have had some amazingly incredible time with my friends and I have had a chance to love my family more than ever before. I didn't think that was possible.

God has been so good this year. Looking back, I have learned so many valuable lessons.

The first one of the year was that my identity is so solidly rooted in Christ and nobody can ever take that away. It took 20 years, but I'm finally there. :)

The next lesson was a lesson in friendship. I have the most INCREDIBLE friends and God has shown me that time and time again through last semester. When I was going through some hard stuff, they were right by my side, no questions asked.

Family. Family means everything to me next to Christ. Through good times and bad, they always love me and they never fail to show it. Sure, sometimes we hurt each other, because we're imperfect beings...but we are always there for one another.

Provision. God has provided everything I have needed and then some. Well, and then LOTS! I am ever amazed at what He has done for me. Whenever I need something, it is provided. And sometimes, when I think I do, and really don't, He shows me that through providing what I truly need.

Patience. This past semester has been my most trying semester in various ways. However, God, in His everlasting grace, has provided me with new patience each morning.

And all of these things because of Christ. If it was not for His birth on Christmas and His death and resurrection 33 years later, I would be lost, and so would you. I am ever thankful for all He has done for me and His everlasting love. All day I have been reminded through different things just how wonderful He truly is.

Merry Christmas, everyone. May you see Christ in this season.

Studying at Starbucks

So I'm sitting here at Starbucks with some amazing friends...

Caleb, Ellie, David, Kyle, and Paul.

As some of us are studying and some of us are relaxing, I can't help but think about this Christmas break.

Am I going to make a difference? Am I going to do what I plan on?

I really want to. For those of you who don't know me, I would say I am quite ambitious. I have so many things I want to do and sometimes I feel like society tries to make us limit our goals and make them really small so they're attainable without much work. But what about larger goals? Bigger dreams? What about the fact that, if given the chance, I want to go to every country on this earth? What about how I want to learn at least 4 more languages in my life besides English and Spanish? What about the fact that I want to see my program implemented WORLDWIDE?

Dreams.

I have so many of them. If I typed up my list, I would keep you here forever.

But for now, let's just think about break.

We have a few weeks off of school (less than normal, sadly). That's plenty of time (especially for those of you who travel long distances home) to get things accomplished that are on your mind. For instance, I want to completely brush up on my Spanish abilities this break. I have all my notes from high school. Why not? What will stop me? Only myself.

I won't keep myself from my dreams this time. I've done that in the past. It won't happen again.

Dreams.

What are yours?

Finals and Freedom!

So today was my last day of finals. Keep in mind that finals week is next week. I just have wonderful professors who want us to be done. :)

Reflecting over the semester leaves me with many feelings and many questions.

*Did I do as well in school as I could have? (probably)
*Have I befriended people rather than made enemies? (Yes. I hope so.)
*Have I kept my focus on Christ as well as it should be? (Probably not. I fail so often.)

But then there come questions that I'm not sure I can answer right now...and maybe never will be able to.

*Did I positively influence my residents?
*Have I helped them adjust as well as I could have?
*Have I befriended them in such a way as to hold them accountable yet love them unconditionally?

As these questions enter my mind, I can't help but think through them all. Truth is, I should be finishing a small paper and submitting it right now. But these questions are much too pressing to just ignore. I should put them aside for a later time. I believe I will do so. But I encourage you all to take some time to reflect on the last few months. Think of goals you had set, ideas you wanted to see brought to reality...have you done so? Has God given you the opportunities?

Thank Him for all He does.