ok, not really updating cus it would be stupid to try to cover months at a time.  If you want to see pics of what has been going on you can go to my webshot page at the link below.  other than that, I will see everyone after finals (last day is may 14th)

http://community.webshots.com/user/simscity16

So this is what hit me in my quiet time with God today. 

I am reading Matthew for my New Testament class and in Matthew 5:16 it says " In the same way, let your light shie before me, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in Heaven."  The neat thing I was thinking about there is that everything, and i mean everything we do should relate back to God and His getting the praise and glory. 

The second thing - which probably struck me more was in a book called The Dangerous Duty of Delight by John Piper.  " The tragedy of the world is that the echo is mistake for the Original Shout.  When our back is to the breathtaking beauty of God, we cast a shadow on the earth and fall in love with it.  But it does not satisfy. 

So the challenge is - Are we chasing Shadows?  I know I am chasing certain shadows in my life instead of turning to the original source of beauty. 

just something to think about.

ok, I guess i will update : )

so I have been home from school a month.  thats hard to believe.  Lots has gone on in that month.  I miss school and my friends there but its been great to see people here too. Here is what I have been up to.

 - traveled to south carolina and new york for christmas and new years.  Saw family, celebrated christmas just like we do every year.  The cool thing was that I got to see both my great grandparents in new york.

 - been working 8 hour days for my dad while on break.  I decided I want to be a stay at home mom cus working is hard : ) 

- went skiing with Beth, Barbara, and Sarah as a christmas gift.  Instead of exchanging gifts we decided to hang out.  terrible skiing weather but the best of times with friends.  lots of memories and good stories.  " Is your butt cold?" : )

 - went to King of Prussia to visit with Grove City people and ate at the Cheese Cake factory.  Well first of all Aaron and Barbara and I drove down.  I drove - yep long distances behind the wheel can be etertaining.  Barbara and I ate way too much but the cheesecake was great.  Then experienced my first guy/girl sleepover.  Yes, I am still a good christian.

- Went on the winter retreat.  Worked long hours in the kitchen but being with Beth, Laura, and Rachel is always fun.  Visit rachel miller's xanga for great pictures.  I started the ketchup fight but Rachel definitely finished it.  It was great to serve and hearing that people accepted Christ makes it worth it.

- My great grandpa passed away on friday.  He was 94.  He was a prayer warrior and he and my great grandma have the best love story after 70 years of marriage.  WE are going to his funeral tomorrow.  It will be rough because we all loved him alot - but he gets a great reward now.  I can only think that I am so blessed to have known him for as long as I did and to be really loved by him.

well how is that for an update.  there was more I could have wrote but I'll stop.

My finals are done with....can you sense the relief? 

so tonight we are celebrating Christmas Eve as a family because then we travel to South Carolina for Christmas and New York for New Year's. 

So leave a post and tell me what your favorite Christmas tradition is.

almost Christmas time....