Family Christmas

Summary of my family Christmas in Grants Pass:

Christmas tree for backdrop: $25
Gifts from "Santa" (aka Chrislyn and I): $3 each

Wearing the gifts for our family photo: Priceless.

The Doghouse

This video was forwarded on to me and I simply can't resist posting it: Beware of the the Doghouse

My dad has watched it at least 8 times and he still laughs. :)

Enjoy... and stay out of the doghouse!

The Latte Boy

I discovered this gem of a video when I was in Louisiana with Nicole.
She emailed it to me the other day and it makes me smile each time.

Taylor the Latte Boy

In the Present

I remember feeling confident.
I was exactly where God wanted me to be.
I was sure of it.
I was sure because I was full.
I was broken.
I was aching.
I was filled with hope.
I was seeking.
I was growing.
I felt so in tune with God's heart for His children.
I was experiencing the Father-love of God, first-hand.

I wasn't sitting in church services wondering when the Word would speak to me again.
I wasn't playing the role of a messenger, turning messages from the pulpit into "things that are good for you to hear."
What I studied and learned and wrestled with wasn't for anyone else but for me.
It spoke to me.
Personally.
Intimately.

Everyday for 4 months.
No questions asked. In regards to "what's next?" that is.
It's not like I knew. Or had any inklings. And it was okay.
I remember lingering in those moments.
Drinking up the moments.
Satisfied with where I was.
Savoring life.
Caught off guard by how peaceful I was.
As painful and devastating as it was.

So why can't I be in that place again?
Resting.
Resting in absolute assurance.
Confident.
Confident of the present.
Okay.
Completely okay with the unknown future.

Could Bolivia spill over into a lifetime?
Or at least into now?
Right now.

I know.
God isn't a God of confusion.
God's will isn't mysterious.
Psalm 37:4
Trust.
Be.
Ask.
Seek.
He has my best interests in mind.
I know.

These are the Truths
I keep passing on.

YES

It's finals week on campus and sleepless nights, movie-watching, and delirium is in full swing.

Yesterday, I watched part of "Grease" in the Rug Room, which was the 5th movie in a row that some students were watching while "studying."

I am tempted to question their study habits. But alas, I am not their mother.

The days have been very F-U-L-L.

• I've made selections for the Chile and Nigeria May mission teams and have held our first meeting. (I'm leading the Chile trip!)
• I'm trying to solve roommate conflicts and room change shuffles.
• I've worked a few days until 11:30 pm.
• I coordinated a Gingerbread House building competition between the halls and spent $100 on frosting and candy. Now I owe the winning hall some homemade goodies.
• I attended the GFU vs NCU basketball game at Fox and the familiar ache returned to me as I drove away.
• I had a very confusing meeting with my boss that has left me feeling emotional, conflicted, and confused. A giant "?" is all I see in my future.
  
• I'm getting ready to go to Mexico for 10 days with 7 students. (Jan. 2-10)
• I've cried... in a meeting, in chapel, on the bathroom floor. Mostly because I want to badly to say "YES" just like Mary did when the angel approached her about conceiving the Savior of the world. I just don't know exactly what that "yes" entails quite yet.
• I waitressed at the Late Night Breakfast and got to wear reindeer antlers and a green striped apron with a cupcake on it.
• I wore an ugly Christmas sweater and black stirrup leggings with red snowflakes on them.
• I didn't get a Christmas tree this year and my apartment is devoid of any festive cheer. :(
• I haven't done any Christmas shopping.
• My best friend got married.
  
• I'm wondering if it's really vacation if I still have to be on-call. *sigh*

I'm not burnt out, so why am I tired?

Will you meet me here and put your arm around me? I want to rest more than my head on your chest; I want to rest my mind.