Highlights of 2011 so far...

1. Appetizers with Jeremy on New Years Eve
2. Writing papers for my Jan Term class at the Service Station
3. Spending the night with a wonderful Hmong family
4. Wine glasses for Valentines day
5. The movie Morning Glory
6. Cups of coffee in the morning
7. Convictions in Psalms class
8. Smoking a pipe with Jeremy Dean
9. Dreaming of life after college
10. My lovely small group dinners on Tuesday nights
11. Pop music, good food and light hearted conversations with Liz
12. Walking in the rain
13.Talking about life with Lauren at Le Petit Chat (and unlimited coffee!)
13.Huckleberry Cream tea
15.Realizing college is not about grades
16.Preparing for Michele's Market Fresh wedding
17.Taking baths when I'm stressed or sick
18. Michele's bridal shower
19. Growing with Jeremy
20.Portland trip where Caty hit a home run and Lauren, Liz, Anna and I explored downtown.

Bigger than me.

When someone you know dies, you are forced to look at life differently. Death reminds me that humans are fragile. When someone dies you don't want people to tell you that it will be okay, that God is in control and that this is his plan. I am fully aware that God is in control but that doesn't mean that I am just supposed to  be okay. I want to worship and love a God who wants me to be honest and real. I believe God is personal. Life is hard and losing someone is hard.

I believe that life has a purpose. Death also forces me to think about my relationship with God and with people. Times like these remind me that I have the opportunity to take part in God's plan because of Christ. My prayer is that I learn to live a life of patience, selflessness and honesty. The world keeps telling me otherwise, but I have to believe in something bigger than me, bigger than life and ultimately bigger than death.

I love you Grandma Noble.

A bleak, snowy day.

Snow. Snow has been falling from the Spokane clouds all day. Grey skies. The sun has decided not to reveal her ray of light for some time. Yet, we all know Spring will come soon enough. There is no doubt in my mind that Spring will come with her golden skies, grassy hills and fresh flowers. But until that day, I wait in the warm quietness of my home. Today I bought a new book, cleaned my house, put some chicken in the crockpot for dinner and listened to new music. Some winter days can be more than just grey and cold.