Sign of the Times

Poor, poor fireplace.  It never saw this coming... 

Don't know about you, but I still prefer the real thing. :)

Confession:

My confession is that I am pathetic.

I have learned a couple lessons today.  The one I will share here on the world wide web is, well.....more like a lesson a 3-year-old would learn.  I have learned that I should never leave my favorite possession in Chambanavoy over breaks.  Not because she has been damaged or stolen or anything, just because it breaks my heart when things like THIS happen:

This is how my bed looked when I got back to EP tonight (Thanks to Mom... :))

Some of the pandas had written welcome-home cards for Jennifur and I.

Panzy (yes, that's her name) was wearing a flashing Christmas necklace

 

 

This almost killed me.  Fuzzy was waiting under mistletoe for Jenny's arrival. :(

I almost couldn't take it.  I about got back in my car and drove to Savoy and back to get Jenny.  I didn't forget about her, mind you... As I was loading my car with everything but the kitchen sink to come to EP, I looked at her and gave her a big hug, and put her back down on my bed.  AAAARGH... Mom couldn't believe I didn't bring her home...Serves me right.

And that, friends and/or stalkers, is my confession.  I am pathetic and have an unusually strong attachment to a stuffed panda bear...whom I will never leave in Savoy again.  Not that my behavior has ever been encouraged by my mother or anything.... :)

The Reason for the Season

The Good Shepherd
The Door
The Vine
The Bread of Life
The Light of the World
The Word
The Way
The Truth
The Life

Wonderful
Counselor
Almighty God
The Everlasting Father
The Prince of Peace

Immanuel.

Merry Christmas.

Priorities

An important lesson that I need to learn:  I just can't please everyone.  There are numerous reasons why this is true, but for now I am thinking about callings and priorities.  God allowed me to stay living in Champaign(ish) this year.  Why?  The international student ministry, Sunday school, supporting the church and YG.  I usually think of it about in that order.  What is missing from that list?  My job.  I tend to think of my job as a means to get to stay in Champaign to fulfill my callings.  Meanwhile, I interact with 60 kids during a week and other teachers and staff....both in Rossville and at VASE, many of whom have lots of issues they are dealing with...  The needs that are present there alone are overwhelming to think about.  I do acknowledge my job as part of my calling, but it typically falls toward the end of the list.  I don't like that.  I don't like feeling like I'm not giving 100% to something that is really important.  I think I need to start praying a little harder about what my calling is, if nothing else, to reassure myself that I am on track?  ...And to remind myself that I can't be all things to all people?  Or I should I be able to be?.....

Sometimes there are no words...

It's official (in case it wasn't already).  I can play the six degrees of separation game solely by going through John.  This makes me smile a lot.

stuff that makes you itch is God's creation too

It looks so innocent...