belated merry christmas.

due to my lack of internet at home i was not able to wish my blogging buddies a very merry christmas.
sorry.
but i finally found a connection to the outside world...
starbucks on a rainy day brings a great big smile to my face.

break has been great, but flying by.
reunion and fun for a few days in springfield/ozark/branson.
oklahoma with julie for a few days. so wonderful, but went way too fast.
christmas festivities with the fam.
a couple of days of nothing.
steph comes to town, although i have yet to see her yet.
and then in 3 days i will go to cincinatti for the world mission's summit!!!
and then straight back to wa-110 for a final semester.

i'm refusing to dwell on 'this is it' because i'm afraid i'll have a meltdown. even though i have somewhat of a plan, at least for the next year and a half or so after graduation, i don't do well with change. i miss the people i love entirely too much, and i like my little comfortable, evangel bubble. albeit a plan, it's a scary, and somewhat vulnerable one.

praise god for skype.

have a happy new year. make some good resolutions, friends.

i want an orange.

i would so much rather be in corinth, enjoying a nice, corinthian orange than studying right now!!!
it's going to KILL me. okay, not really. i am feeling rather dramatic. i feel entitled as it is 2:23 am.
oh boy, oh boy. and also....i'm gonna need to think about this.

hmmmm...i am not in a decision making mood. which is good. no decision necessary. yet.
but, i'm not feeling very contemplative.

what?

i just need sleep.

too much coffee.

i think i officially drank too much coffee today.
i think maybe around the region of 12 ish cups? that sounds about right.

12 cups of coffee
16 hours of homework
72 pages of a portfolio
3 Power Points
4 hours of sleep last night
22 geology questions
62 minutes in church
4 pieces of chicken
and 0 naps later...

my day is FINALLY over.
unfortunately, because today lasted so long, tomorrow will come quicker.

however, all numbers considered...it's good to know i have 1 big God.
and some more for you...James 1:2 says to 'count it all joy...'

and so...despite the fact that my eyelids are twitching, i can't feel my legs, my brain has imploded, and my stomach has coffee/creamer induced voids...i rejoice.

i rejoice because:
God is good.
God is BIG.
tomorrow comes.
i am blessed.
i really have it pretty great.

so, what began as an attempt to feel sorry for myself, has somehow, by the grace of God, turned into something quite different. i am not sure that has ever happened so blatantly to me before. i'll take it as a good sign.

with that, i'm off to bed.
be blessed.

the verdict is in.

i. have. a lot. to. do.

it is slightly less than awesome.
but, such is life.
don't worry. i'll survive.

more to come.
stay tuned.

official. or something like it.

well.
i received my acceptance letter (well, it was an e-mail) today for the world race.
259 days. that is less days than i will be abroad.
oh boy. if you are reading this i am asking for your prayers and support.
i will be getting a WR blog soon, so i will be able to keep you posted via that one.
i am so excited about this amazing opportunity the Lord has given me.
it's a little nerve-racking, sure. but, i am trusting in His faithfulness.

i'll write more later.
i should be writing a paper.
woops.


and now for a joke.
what do you call a cow with a twitch?











[beef jerky.]
bah ha ha.

signed. sealed. delivered.

well, i have officially submitted by application for the world race.
now i will have to wait for my two references to be sent in and then i will set up a phone interview. after that, i'm not really sure how long anything takes, but i will keep you all updated! i have such a peace about this. it's been a good week in that arena. i'm still going to keep praying about it and just keep listening to the ushering from the Lord. i know that He is good and faithful, so i'm not too worried about making the right decision.

i think that's all for now.
love.

one step at a time.

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

i think it's time to take a step of faith. of course, one step probably won't get me anywhere of much significance. i faithful life i guess, is what i am striving for. the Lord has always proved his faithfulness to me. i'm not sure why i struggle so much with stepping out and trusting him. probably my pride. along with a lack of faith. i just need a mustard seed.

i have not been able to shake the thought of the world race. the idea of traveling for 11 months to 11 countries to do missions work is something that is intriguing and compelling to a point that i cannot seem to get rid of it.

all of that to say. i was really wrestling with the idea of all of this the other day. it seems so unpractical and ridiculous. it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. and yet, the cause of Christ, generally speaking, is unpractical and ridculous. so, i went to church the other night and the Lord really spoke to me about stepping out in faith and no matter what just loving Him. i really felt like i should at least apply for this thing.

so, i come home and log onto the website. up in the left hand corner it says: no more excuses. the application fee is being waived for one more week. i think that's enough time to get it done. :)

i am scared beyond belief.
more excited than i have been about anything esle in a very long time.
i want to cry and jump for joy all at once.
whatever happens, i know God is in control. the task now is to go from the knowing to the believing. in that, i belive a life of faith will truly begin to take shape.

i'll keep you posted.