My Christmas

I always spend my holidays with a variety of people, young and old, new and familiar, but Christmas is always the same. Though we do change over the years develop into our own separate people with distinct characteristics that make us us. We've got the English teacher who has an outstanding heart for keeping the earth green and qualities that I'm still figuring out. The potential Chemistry Teacher, who is sarcastic but so sweet. The potential Engineer, who loves his family more than anything and is such a brother to me and a great one at that. The fashion guru mom. The funky hip mom. The sweet caring, hippie mom. The moms. The writer father. The crazy awesome mad scientist dad. The go with you anywhere grandfather. The intellectual do anything for you grandfather. The wannabe movie star, that loves helping animals. The children. The learners.
I love family. These are just few of the great characteristics I get to enjoy every holiday and special day and good day and terrible and day. This was my Christmas.

Shine your light

Tonight, as I sat in Christmas Eve Service at church, we have a tradition of lighting hand held candles and singing Silent Night. We used to sing in a circle that lined the church but every year it has changed even if just a little bit. I'm starting to view even those smallest changes in a good way, it's not really my church in the same sense anymore; its great for the people that are there, it's a great environment for spiritual growth, it's not mine anymore. Though that's besides the point that I want to make.

Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm all is bright, round yond virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

We lit our candles, slowly, the fire and the light grew in the room and everyone had their candles lit. Some took longer than others and during this time of waiting I applied the thoughts to my life, my future. Talking to people about Christ, sharing His love. Christmas is about His love, perfect love, life is about His love. Silent night, Holy night, all is calm, all is bright...no matter how many people in that room had "fallen away" from the church or "gone sour" or "didn't care for the politics of the church...etc" it didn't matter, it was peaceful. It wasn't about materialism or being caught up in presents, it was about a Savior being born, about being thankful, about the gift of love that God has given us, it was absolutely mutual all around. It was beautiful. Though too short lived, soon announced was, now we will sing Go Tell it on the Mountain and you can extinguish your candles, I tried to grasp onto the moment for as long as possible, but unfortunately great and favorite moments have to end. Those that blew out their candles quick reminded me of lost faith, forgotten faith. Darkened room.

For me I will side with Bebo Norman this holiday and this lifetime,
"Great light of the world, fill up my life"

Make me thirsty Lord. Thank you for this family you've given me, Thank you for giving us the gift of love and our Savior. This is my prayer this Christmas, this lifetime.
Amen

tired

I'm really tired of being referred to as stupid. I thought high school was the end of that but lately it's just like wow I can't believe you don't get it. I do get it, I'm looking...
...outside the box and seeing what others don't see
...seeing what is at the core of the situation or idea
...farther or into a different area than you're are

I think I am entitled to feel that way. Right?

P.S. I don't like writing negative blogs, I'm just so frustrated I could cry

Such Great Heights by Dynamics. I need to remember that, really great remix of Such Great Heights

Saturday

Yesterday I began to read my first college book that started out, "Once apon a time... " and the name of the book was....... Educating Congregations - The Future of Christian Education by Charles R. Foster. I would have to say he did an outstanding job of keeping the reader engaged from the first page but hey I'm still only in the first chapter so I'll let you know how it goes.

I just found this singer named Brandon Heath, I'm in love. He is so great. I feel like I can't not listen to Christian music, it's my absolute favorite.


I'm crazy all over the place today. Sitting in my room on my computer listening to campaigns and finding new artists. Ok so maybe not that crazy. I was watching a video for the one campaign today and I learned that 16,000 people die a day from starvation!! I want to change that.
Relating to that I was talking with the students from my old youth group that were here and explaining to them what they had to do in order to organize 30 hr Fammin. I miss that. I really need to start something new or get involved. I am so passionate about it. I'm ready to act on it here.
I read this really great quote today that stated, "God did not create your body and put a dream inside; God created a dream and built your body around it. You are more than your body; you are a dream of God." Let's all live that out ok? I really want to more and more everyday be that person that teaches others about Christ and shows them His everlasting love.
I have never been more sure that this is where Christ wants me to be, this is what He wants me to be doing. Don't get me wrong, I am a sinner who can't live without my Savior, what I'm trying to say is I'm not perfect and monthly, weekly, daily, per minute there things Christ teaches me and shows me that I might be doing something wrong. I want a make a difference, not to just be able to say I made a difference but thats my dream, His dream.

That's all for this time, off to Boise.

College Life Part 1

Sitting in bed with Rachel watching Flicka when I should be reading Making Disciples...thats the life. Also being flooded with texts.. oh boy well i'm frustrated. TWIRP is this weekend, I think I'm going with Rachel because Brandon and I got into a fight whats new. Loves to all