Oh Happy Day

I need to say that I have a lot running through my head from my few weeks of grad school and I am sure I could "flesh them out" (I HATE that phrase. NASTY!) on my blog for all to read but does anyone really want to read that? Honestly, when I get to someone’s blog that is all theological and junk and don't read it. Boring!!! I want to hear stories from your life or funny poems or yummy recipes. So, I will attempt to keep blogging and theology separate. If you are interested in what I am learning please ask though. It is not a secret!

So, Happy Valentines Day!! The day of love! The most romantic day of the year! Red white and pink are everywhere! And once again, just as my entire life has gone, I am sin un Valentine (without a Valentine in Español). I could be down and wear black and put on my facebook how much I hate this socially constructed (philosophy term, hope I am using it right) holiday to make us spend money, but I will not do that.

I really don’t know anything about the history of this day and my mentor group leader said it is all a myth anyways, but a day for love in nice. Kinda Jesus like. I mean obviously we do not need a day to show others love, we should do that every day, but we should also remember Jesus everyday and I still love Christmas and Easter. So I embrace Valentines! Last night I gladly helped a friend pick out flowers for the girl he is dating. I gave flowers to my roommates. I even made a few cards. They are ugly and look like a 5 year old made them, but they serve their purpose. To show love to those close to me! YEA! I also received a sweet package from my mom and am expecting one from the BFF any day now. How fun is that!

For those out there who hate Valentines, I think that is fine. I had my time of wearing black also. But for the rest of us, just show those you love how much you love them. I mean our economy needs money put back into it I hear, so you can even be politically active. Ha! So jump on board the love boat and have fun! (so corny I know)

Plus today is a Thursday and that means LOST. What more can you ask for?

Updated

I got tired of the pink and green. So now it is blue and green. I dont know how to make it fancy so pretty colors is all I got!

There It Is

I have been wondering if/when this would happen and it hit me this week. I miss Colorado. Things are awesome here in Abilene and I know this is where I am supposed to be, but sometimes I need a little reminding.

I dont know exactly why I started feeling it this week, but it was probably a combination of things. Maybe it was after looking at the pictures of Jeremy and Kelsie having an AWESOME adventure into the mountains. Or maybe it was because I have been stuck inside a lot lately and am getting the itch to do something fun outside, but Abilene is limited. I know some of it is because of my out-of-placeness here.

In CO I had an amazing church that loved me and I had a place with them. I loved my teens and laughing and being a kid with them. Grad school is so adult. I also had a job that was somewhat evangelistic and another job that was totally in the secular world and I was surrounded by non-Christians a lot. And I liked that. I liked hearing about their lives and letting them see the hope of Jesus in mine. I liked seeing all the different people come in and out of Starbucks and getting to spend a few seconds of our lives together. I liked having to work hard at my relationship with God instead of floating by like I am here. I loved walking outside and being overwhelmed by the beauty of nature around me. I liked a lot of things.

But Abilene is good too. I LOVE my teammates and they love me. We have the best times together and have great conversations about God and missions that I could have with no one else. The thing that makes me different from a lot of people, they have it too, and cant explain it either. I get to go to class and learn about God and the Bible and how to better my Christian walk. I get to study the Bible for school. That is way cool. I get to meet new people all the time who have cool stories and we have Jesus in common. I liked being challenged even if it is frustrating.

All this to say I miss Colorado and cannot wait for spring break, but I need to be in Abilene. Since I need to be in Abilene I need to focus on the positives and not what I am missing out on. I am good at that.

Proud Moment

I have to brag for a second. I just finished my first grad school paper and I think it is pretty good. The best part is that it is not due until Friday. Go me! I am so on top of things! Mainly I am finished because I have another paper due the same day that is even longer and I have not started it yet. But it is a momentous occasion and I needed to share! Thanks!

A Year Gone By

I have been writing this blog for a little over a year now. I had forgotten but was reminded tonight while watching the superbowl and remembering where I was last year. I was at home in Houston in pain after knee surgery, watching the game with my friend Randi. I just looked back over my beginning posts and had a little time of reminescing. Not exactly the best time in my life but it was memorable.

I can't believe it has been a year. So much has happened. First of all, my knee is doing much better. It is still not fully healed and my never be, but to the eyes of most people I am fine. My scars are still fading and strangely I still have a bit of a bruise on the back of my knee but they are all little reminders of that awful day last December.

It's amazing how much a somewhat major injury can change you. My life is still awesome and I can do most things I want, but a day does not go by that I dont think about my knee. There is always a pop or a pull or a buckle that reminds me that I am still not the same. Oh, and I have never fully regained feeling in my leg where they numbed me. All the Dr. says is "give it time." All of this reminds me to be careful and not push myself, when before there was nothing stopping me. Want to jump out of an airplane? Sure! Want go to rock climbing? Totally! Want to run another half marathon? I'm there! But not anymore. I am much more careful with my body now and probably always will be. I decided after my surgery that I would rather die in an accident then have to recover from something major. And since I don't want to die I will just limit my risk-taking activities to a minimum. I still have a blast, do awesome things and hardly even notice that my life has changed. But it has and I am thankful for the lessons learned.

A year ago I do not think I would have known I would be in grad school now. Nope, I would have seen myself still in Colorado. As much as I miss CO and as intimidating as grad school is I am so happy and thankful to be here. I am having an awesome time with my teammates, learning a lot and planning exciting things for my future. Some of it scary, but exciting and hopefully following God's will. Cant wait to see what the next year of blogging brings. Keep reading!!!

Here are some cute pictures of my team.

Top left: Jeremy Tatum, Sara Lukkason, Chad Lukkason, Ellen Shutt, Wes Shutt Reid Overall, Me, Lauren Sutton

We are good at being silly!

Breakfast + Home church in pajamas = best Sunday ever

Happy LOST Day

Here is a song devoted to my favorite TV show. It is to the tune of He's A Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean. Watch the video below for the tune but its only a little part and its kinda rough and the ending does not match.

Tomorrow's Thursday
Know what that means
The very best night
A night of LOST.

We see what
Is going on with
The weird ending
Kate and Jack.

Watch it with friends
Have a party
Watch it at home
Dont get too scared.

What is black smoke?
Maybe Jacob?
Are they in hell?
Has Jack turned?

Only 8 shows
Stupid writers strike
I hope it ends soon
We want LOST.

I hope we find out
Who is on the boat.
Are they good or bad?
Is Ben a liar?

Time is counting down
So many questions
I cant wait for 8
That's when it begins
I'm excited!
LOST is here!

Happy LOST Day Tune