1 and 2

My two very favorite things that happened today:

1. I am officially done with my Geology Lab. Took my final today, I think I did pretty well and now I am finished with one class. 5 more to go...

2. I started uncovering my truck from the snow so I could drive to salt and I realized I had a business card stuck under my windshield wiper. No big, Corey who is the Young Life area director, sticks one on there every week. This one was different. It had a little note from him and his wife Jillian on the back. It was so sweet I kept it. The blurry words and ice chunks didn't matter.

My Favorite Part

Last Young Life Experience Training.
I can honestly say that this has been the highlight of my week for the past 8 weeks.
The people here are so friendly, encouraging and real.
I'm so excited to get more involved with Young Life here and create deeper relationships with the people and kids.



The lights outside of my window with a haze from the snow. Lovely.

Time to go...

Back to school it is.
After church mom made delicious cheese sandwiches and we began to decorate the house with Christmas things. These next two weeks need to go fast so I can be home to enjoy them.

Jon gave me a ride back to Ellensburg. We had a nice talk on the way up. Jon is great.. pretty much like a big brother that I've never officially had. When we walked into his apartment, we found his snake dead. Such a sad day. It was an ice box in there so it must have froze to death. That is not a fun way to go :( He wants to get a kitten now though.. Bad idea!



Ellensburg was in a fog as we drove into town. Extremely pretty sight.

Bridal Showers to Birthday Dinners

I went to my first ever bridal shower today.
I was covered in toilet paper imitating a wedding dress.
It ended up being a shorty short one from Vegas!
Gifts of skimpy underwear and lots of cooking supplies were unwrapped by the bride to be.
Apparently that's what women are classified as today.
Cooking our husbands meals wearing nothing but matching see through bras and thongs, haha.

My grandparents had us over for dinner for Carly's birthday. Grandma's spaghetti and pumpkin pie for desert. Nothing beats that.



Ooh, I get to take informal pictures at the wedding too. I'm excited!

Happy Birthday Carly!

Today my big sister turned 20 years old! She is such an amazing sister and young woman and I could not ask for a more wonderful sister to have. We went to a coffee shop in downtown Kennewick to listen to the Seaworthies play some music. They were great! Then to the redroom we went. Shannon and Stephen (The Meteors) were doing a show and they were amazing to listen to as well. There are some truly talented people in the world and it's cool when you know some of them. Happy Birthday Carly!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for...

- Jesus dieing on the cross for me.
- My parents who would give the world to me.
- The best sister I could ask for.
- A house to keep me warm and a bed to sleep in.
- My kitty Bella.
- My best friend Laurel and the crazy things she does to make me laugh.
- Coffee.. well mainly caffeine to keep me awake when class is boring.
- My camera to capture the world in photos.
- Books to read and movies to watch.
- Craft materials to make pretty things.
- Clothes to cover my body and shoes to wear on my feet.
- Food to eat and keep me plump.
- Music to dance to and sing along with.
- Wonderful grandparents and relatives.
- Wool socks :)

I could probably go on for a while.. I am a very lucky girl and have been blessed with so much. Thank you everyone who have been such huge support and role models for me these past couple of years. I could not ask for more amazing friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving!

People I Love

My family went shopping today. My mom, Carly and I all found dresses to wear to the upcoming weddings we were invited to. I then got to see my best friend! She kept hugging me when I walked into her house, haha. Oh how I've missed Laurel. We went to Red Robin and saw lots of friends. It was great to reunite with them all. We hot tubbed with Meryn, made snow angels in our bikinis and watched the first half of the Princess Bride. I love the Adami family. They are so great!

Break Time

After much awaited time it was finally time to go home.
Tommy picked Carly up in Seattle and they picked me up on the way home.
The roads weren't all that bad which was good.
We made it home in once piece and it felt so nice to sleep in my own bed.
I just love being at home.

I drive a beast...

She's a champ.
Home tomorrow!

Sunday Best

I had my own form of church this morning.
Quite time in bed. It was much needed.
God is so great and he showed me some cool things.

--

I sat looking at wedding pictures online while gazing out the window at the snow.
As much as I'm not wanting it, the flakes were beautiful.
Tuesday is supposed to be a whopping high of 17 degrees.
Hopefully we can all make it home alright.

--

Skyped with mom and pops.
Oh boy, I can't wait to see them in real life.



This picture describes how I'm feeling.
I'd like something big and warm to cuddle with.

Nothing Exciting

Nothing very fun happened today.
But that's quite alright.
I just want these next couple of days to be over so I can go home.
I spent the evening watching a movie by myself.
That has become my Friday and Saturday night ritual.
Maybe sometime soon I'll make some friends.
But for now, my movies keep me company.

Almost Home..

I've been giving my camera a break, haha.
It started snowing this evening.
Only 4 more days until home.
Hallelujah!

True Love Is...

Now Hollywood wants to make you think they know what love is.
But I'm a tell you what true love is.
Love is not what you see in the movies.
It's not the ecstasy, it's not what you see in that scene
you know what I mean? I'm telling you right now, true love is sacrifice.
Love is thinking about others before you think about yourself
Love is selfless not selfish. Love is God and God is love.
Love is when you lay down your life for another
Whether for your brother, your mother, your father or your sister
Its even laying down your life for your enemies,
That's unthinkable, but think about that
Love is true
Think.

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast
It is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs
You see love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, it always perseveres
Love never fails. Love is everlasting
Its eternal, it goes on and on, it goes beyond time
Love is the only thing that will last when you die
But ask the question why? Do you have love?

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

There is no greater love than this than he who lays down his life for his friends
Now are you willing to lay down your life for your friends?
You're probably willing to lay down your life for your mother
your father, or your best friends
But are you willing to lay down your life for even those that hate you?
I'm going to tell you who did that
The definition of love is Jesus Christ. He is love
The nails in his hands, the thorns in his brow
Hanging on a cross for your sin my sins
That is love he died for you and me while we still hated him
That is love
God is true love, and if you don't know this love
Now is the time to know, perfect love

Chorus
I'll put you in front of me
So everybody can see
My love, this is my love
I know that I'll be alright
As long as you are my guide
My love, this is my love

Love - Jaeson Ma feat. Bruno Mars
(check out this song)
Perfect description of love - Jesus.

The World Is My Playground.

I have made up my mind that I want to study abroad.
I went to the study abroad seminar today and came away with booklets, brochures and an excitement to travel.
There are a couple universities in Argentina that are sounding pretty great.
I can work on my spanish while exploring the beautiful country!
God's opening up some cool doors for me.
I can't wait to see where I'll be going.

Everywhere I look...

7 more days...

new beginnings

Young Life training tonight was extremely encouraging. Part of it was about worship and how it doesn't always have to be in singing form. We can give God glory by sharing what he is doing in our lives too. The second half was about diversity and how each and every one of us is different and has unique gifts to bring into the ministry. It reminded me that I was made exactly how God intended and I don't have to try and be like all of the other girls at college. I can be myself and be more than okay with that because who I am is needed in the ministry.



There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Hey Dad!

Dad came to visit with his 2 motorcycle buddies. We ate at pizza hut. It made me extremely happy. I didn't feel lonely when he was here. It made me even more excited to go home and spent time with him in 9 days.

A Saturday at School

Well here's to around the 3rd weekend I've actually been at Central for the weekend. I prefer spending it at home because there are actually people around. It becomes extremely deserted on the weekends and feels rather lonely. I kept pretty busy this one though so it went by pretty fast. Anything to speed up these next 10 days.

-Homework
-Football game.. we won! The football team was amazing this year!
-Lunch.. giant calzone.
-Walked around the downtown shops with Rubal.
-Dinner.
-Urinetown.. this was a musical put on by the theater majors at Central. It was hilarious and the whole cast was incredible. By far the best musical I've ever seen.
-Watched Sweet Home Alabama in bed.

Sometimes.

Sometimes I miss you in July
When it's hot
And lightning rips
Along our tongues
Thunder roars
Against our bodies

Sometimes I think of you
When I am drinking my tea
As it is getting cold
And the day isn't even half over.



This is my favorite picture of a woman and man that I've ever come across.

Happy Veteran's day

There was a Veteran's parade downtown today. It was freezing cold but super adorable.
Chicken noodle soup for lunch and then I camped out on my comfy bed and watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Such an adorable movie. I want to go to Greece right now and wear flowy dresses while painting over looking the water. Ah, it sounds so wonderful. It makes me miss my best friend. We talked on the phone today but I get to see her in 12 days! Oh, I can't wait!

No Lights

The power went out when I was in the shower.
People kept coming in and asking if I was alright.
Of course I was alright.. I was just showering in the dark. No big deal.
We proceeded to play some apples to apples with the girls in the hall.
Finally the lights came back on. We cheered and then it was time for dinner.

Snow... Really?

Who would have thought it would start snowing today?
Not me, that's for sure.
I'm sitting in Geology class, where my teacher is playing Mumford & Sons aloud by the way.. and it starts to come down.
This isn't just a little downpour either.
Giant snowflakes start coming down.
Sort of like a mini blizzard.
Well, say hello to winter time.

Andrew Belle, Enough Said.

Andrew Belle was at Central today. He was literally 5 feet away from me at one point. I'm officially in love with him. His voice, his face, his hair.. oh boy, everything about him is wonderful. We even made eye contact several, okay many times. He smiled, I smiled back. It was a magical moment. I skipped psych class and it was totally worth it. Anything to see a free, rather private like concert from my favorite artist. I just couldn't stop smiling :)



I've decided to write my final english paper on abortion and how it's murder. As I was researching I came across this verse. How amazing...

You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there — you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in you book, before any of them ever began.
Psalm 139: 13-16

Jesus

Today was all about Jesus. Carly and I took the bus downtown. We stopped at Starbucks to get ourselves a mocha and then on to Mars Hill church. The worship was incredible. Truly talented musicians. The worship here in Ellensburg just isn't quite at that level so I really enjoyed it. Mark Driscoll is just so awesome to listen to. He has such a passion for what he talks about and I came away feeling inspired. Carly's lucky she gets to go to that church every Sunday.



The sermon was on the rich and the poor and how we need to use our wealth to worship, not worship our wealth. We need to guard our hearts by worshiping Jesus so that our focus will be on him and not on material things that we covet without even knowing it. My favorite analogy was that we are all little gods.. we sit on a throne which is a toilet every day yet we act like we are poor. A huge majority of the world doesn't even have a toilet to sit on. How can I say that I'm a poor college student when I walked a block and bought milk, juice, and yogurt because my fridge was getting a little bit empty? It's not about being rich or poor but where our hearts are.. are we righteous or unrighteous with what we have?

Bonding Time

Well we had lots of adventures today. Carly, Derrick and I rode our bikes insanely far to her friend's house to have brunch. They made us coffee, hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls, eggs, bacon and chocolate chip pancakes. It was quite the meal complete with a lot of laughs. It's so much different hanging out with college kids compared to in high school. I'm not quite sure what it is that's different but I like it. Carly and I then walked down to the Ave and did some shopping. Goodwill treated us nicely! $4.00 crocks.. I'm pretty stoked. I've been wanted some of those for a while now. Our grandparents then picked us up and we celebrated my great grandma Norma's 89th birthday at my Aunt's house. There is never a dull moment when everyone get's together. Chinese food, grapefruit juice, chocolate cake a fortune cookies, enough said. We picked up Derrick for some more fun and played guitar hero and watched a movie. I feel asleep during it but what's new? Today was fun. I really enjoy spending time with Carly. I seem to feel more at ease when she's around, haha. Maybe it's cause she's so laid back and carefree. I need to learn from her.

Sisters in Seattle

My grandparents picked me up on their way to Seattle this afternoon. I'm going to spend the weekend with Carly! I have missed her so much!

We had a great dinner at Piatti in the village. My dinner was fantastic and ate the best chocolate desert of my life.

The Seattle rain didn't fail and we soaked our shoes as we talked at Gas Works park. Jessica Gualke, Shannon Toomey and Josh Cole all stayed at the house tonight too. It was great seeing them, it sure has been awhile.

Guitar hero and a movie with Carly. Then beddy by time.

Stress Balls

Carrie and I went to a stress program tonight.
We made stress balls.
I named mine Eugene and Carrie named hers Carl after the guy from Yes Man so you can only guess how you pronounce it, haha.

I'm An Author

I wrote a children's book and illustrated it today.
It's about an elephant named Petri.
It's going to be sent to a library in Sudan.
I hope the children like it.
I would love to see their faces as they read it.

Just What I Needed.

I admit, I've developed feelings for a guy who is not good for me. I've already become somewhat attached and now I'm being pushed away. Why does this happen? Why do we want things we can't have? I'm beginning to feel like I'm never going to be good enough for a guy.. for a marriage. There is always something that I do or say that makes them run in the other direction.

Thank you salt..
I needed this message. It spoke right to my heart.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8

When we're purely focused on God it makes since that we'd see him. We're looking in his direction. Having a divided heart won't allow us to see him.. all we'll get are glances here and there. We have to put down our idols and I admit that my idols have been guys.. looking for the potential husband everywhere I go and doing my best to be the pretty girl that catches their eye. How in the world can I be singularly focused on God with those things constantly running through my head. When we let go of our idols we can see God and love others the way he intends us to.

I was reassured tonight that I am beautiful in God's eyes. If I'm not beautiful in the eyes of one guy on this planet, that's okay because I have the most important thing in the world to tell me I'm His everyday.

Unicorn Mug

It's pretty self explanatory.
My new mug has a unicorn on it.
Yes, it's that awesome.