Yesterday I did something impulsive. On a whim, I
decided to go home. I wasn't going to because I'm
going to be home in a week anyway, but you see,
Mark and the gang came up from Texas to celebrate
Christmas early for various reasons, and so this year's
Christmas was set to be very small (Maralee and Brian
can't make it home either, or Loren), so I just had to
go. It was so great to be there and hear the kids play
piano, sing, and recite the Christmas story, and pretend
to be a kitty cat with Luke (random, I know).

Summary of happenings:

I'm getting a new job. At the start of next semester
I am going to go from Shelter Para to Behavioral
Disorder Para. Yipee!! I'm very excited becuase these
are the kids I already know and love, and now I'll just
get to work with them more instead of moving around
so much. The position opened up because one of the
B.D. Paras is quitting. This is a big answer to prayer
because it means 40 hrs. a week instead of 32.5. I
really could use the money.

I am on the verge of finishing "Howard's End" but
almost don't want to because I'm enjoying it so
much. The story and characters have entranced me.
Margaret and Helen, the Wilcox's, their differences,
the marriage between Magaret and Henry, the tension
that arises from Henry not being able to connect the
mistakes he has made with the sins of others he sees as
lower, lesser beings than he... It's fascinating.

I heard about ice storms in Georgia. Toccoa friends,
did this affect you?

I have been taking Folic Acid and sublingual vitamin
B12 for a couple weeks now (my mom read something
about its benefits for those who suffer mood swings /
mild depression) and I've noticed a change. It's not
huge, but it's like it takes the edge off of my downer
moods. They're not quite as low it seems. I am
very grateful about this. If you suffer from this as
well, I recommend looking into this natural solution.

I really enjoyed "The Chronicles of Narnia." The whole
thing with someone innocent dying in the place of a
traiter reversing the code of death - that was great.
I had never read the books, so this was my first
encounter with Lewis' creative children's masterpiece.
It was really good.

I wrote a song about telephone poles and played it at
the coffeehouse, along with Christmas and other songs.
It was fun.

Kristi had a great party at her house last Friday night. It
has been great getting to know 20's and 30's people more
and more....and learning to salsa dance a little in the
process. (emphasize "a little") Speaking of, I'm supposed
to go meet up with them for a little more Christmas
festivities at Rachel's house.

I leave you with a new song blurb, written in the car this
afternoon, remembering the drive to Lincoln Sat. night
in the snow, on lonely, scary, country roads.


There's a city carved out of the middle of nowhere Nebraska
Lincoln, you are my guiding star
Everything's cold as ice in the middle of December
Lincoln you shine like a frozen star

Guide me home - I've been lost out in the country
Guide me home on these dark and icy roads
Guide me home to a love that I can lean on
I keep coming back to you, even when you're cold

to this city carved out of the middle of nowhere Nebraska
Lincoln you are my guiding star
I've been melting in the warmth of the cities far below you
Lincoln you are like a frozen scar

Guide me home - I've been lost out in the country
Guide me home on your dark and icy roads
Guide me home to the love I've learned to lean on
I keep coming back to you even when you're cold
'cause you've got something that I need way down in your frozen soul

And in a couple of months it will all be set free to sing again
and I will come dance in the sun like a child

Renee and Abby - I can't wait to see you girls soon.
All the rest in various far away places - wish I could see you soon.
To all - Merry Christmas time!!!

I just have to share the good news first of all...
"NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!!"
Blessed snow. Tomorrow I will dance and perhaps
cook, and definately practice for my coffeehouse gig
coming up on Friday.

"So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, come peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise this song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary."

Lord, help us to have loving hearts. Teach us to love as you love.
Help us to follow the greatest command by loving you with all of
our beings.

I write these words tonight out of a great sense of my inadaquacy.
I cannot get along in the world very well some days.

But God, my soul reaches out for you, for something True, and
for hope. I believe there is hope to be found in you. I do, despite
the tears that came tonight over too many things I don't understand.

The world is so much bigger than me. Tonight there are people in
hospital beds who you are watching over and reaching out to. Bless
all those in real, actual need. And Lord, bless me too. I love you, help
me Father.

Once again I ask, though it seems audacious, please just
work everything out for me. However all of this mess in my brain can
best work out, let it come to pass just exactly that way, even if it means
more pain. Anything Lord, as long as it's from you.

"I'll take anything, anything genuine
and looking up from where I went
I can take whatever I get.
Falling from your hand or falling from your lips.
As long as it's from you I know I can take it, I can take it.
And I'll rejoice!"
--Smalltown Poets song

Friend, dear person, anyone reading this...
may you seek him in every blessed moment of every day,
and may the blessings be many. Let us long together for
that day of sweet release when our faith will be sight.

p.s. I will be just fine. :-) The moods, they change. Have
a good day, or try just a little.

I'm still here, just blog lazy.

I'm still thinking a lot, but I can't
write all of it here, and a summary
would be too disjointed and non-
conclusive, and I like to be at least
semi-conclusive. So...here's to life.

Tonight I have been reminded that
there is much more to life than the
things we see. The unseen is what
we are to focus on, for what is seen
is temporary, and what is unseen is
eternal (says Paul).

Even if you wonder about life, about
your life, about the meaning of the
present stage of your life, know this:
there are unseen forces at work, and
God knows everything that you need,
and what is best. And He is good. He
is faithful, loving, and good.

I'm just preaching to myself here, as
usual. Lord, how I need the Gospel
every day.

Have a good week, friend. Hey, and
take it easy.