Pics from the Party

The appetizer. Ay Mate! It's a Bloomin' Onion!

(See Jess Smith ... I don't eat healthy all the time! :) )

My lovely mother whose birthday was on Valentine's Day (hence the decorations) and my brother whose birthday was on the 11th (and the 9:00 train who made a guest appearance in our picture)

Me and my little brother who at 14 is not so little anymore!

P.S. Spring is coming very soon!

Late night ramblin's

I have been checking the weather at some of the places where we will be at on choir tour. I was checking Lake Placid, FL where we will be Monday the 25th. That weekend the forecast was calling for mid - 80s and sunny. I know it is like 11:41 and I should be sleeping, but when I read that, I got this huge riduculous smile on my face. :) Just the thought of being somewhere where the temperature is natural and not produced (fire, heater, coat) makes me vera happy!

And by the way, I just checked the grand town of Ocala, (how do you pronouce that anyway?) Florida and the genius weatherman is forecasting a balmy high of 79 and sunny skies. Ok, quit drooling -- I know you are jealous! :)

So anyway, just sharing the good news.

I'm ready for spring. I stepped outside today, and felt it in the air -- spring is on its way. (I can't wait to mow the grass and smell that wonderful, springy aroma.)
Side note:

*Words of Wisdom from Dove Chocolate* -- "Share a sunset."

Oh, pleez. Who gets paid to write these???

"Listen to your heart." aw, how precious...

Ok, so right now I am thinking of Bro. Sankey and his little "Dove Chocolate Introduction" in chapel... now that man knows how to relate to college students!!

Have a blessed, chocolate-filled weekend!

P.S. I almost forgot to mention this, but chapel this morning was amazing. I was so overwhelmed by how wonderful God's family is. As the students from South Korea were singing How Great Thou Art, in their own language, hands raised, worshipping, I could not help but be overcome with emotion and praise to a God who looks past and over cultural boundaries and welcomes all into His family. I felt like we had a little taste of what heaven may be like. Sometimes I forget that heaven will be full of people from other races, nationalities, tribes, etc. It is going to be so awesome!! God's family is beautiful!

Sometimes Love

Valentine's Day. A day known for love, roses, and chocolate. Some people get googley-eyed and sappy. Others mourn their fate/lost love/lack of love. This Valentine's, I'm doing neither. I'm choosing to think about and wonder at THE LOVE. His love.

I got Chris Rice's Short Term Memories CD several years ago. I love it. Its such an easy-going, sing-a-long CD. But there is one song that I don't think I ever really heard until a week or two ago. The words and the message is so powerful.

Sometimes Love
Chris Rice

Is our world spinning backwards
What has brought about this change
Can’t you see that people aren’t the same
I wish I were dreamin’
And could wake up from my sleep
And find us all the way we used to be
‘Cause the love that used to be is dyin’
Is anybody even tryin’
And I don’t know how, I don’t know why
But somethin’ in my soul is cryin’ (listen)

Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand
Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand

One pair of hands broke some bread and washed some feet
Opened eyes and soothed an angry sea
Belong to a man who could see our deepest need
And showed us love the way it has to be
‘Cause he knew the price that love requires
And he laid down his own desires
He stretched out his hands to save his friends
And said no other love is higher (so listen to me know singin’)

Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand
Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand

Love can change us, love can make a way
Only love can change us, love can make a way

Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand
Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand

Clumsy Fly Music (ASCAP)

Listen to it at: http://www.chrisrice.com/music.php?id=6

That phrase "Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand" hit me full force. His love is so amazing, deep, and wonderful, that He endured pain and suffering and death so that His love could reach down and change me! Wow!

Think about that on Valentine's Day. Bask in HIS love.

"By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. "

1 John 4:9-10 NASB

Four Score and seven years ago...

Today is Abraham Lincoln's Birthday. I have included the Gettysbury Address in this post. I memorized this when I was younger, but I don't think I ever fully appreciated its meaning. I reread it again... and wow, it is pretty amazing. So, take some time to read a little history. Appreciate this man and his vision of a nation FREE under God. Happy Birthday Abe.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. "

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm

Photo from: http://openphoto.net/gallery/image.html?image_id=10853

Let it Snow * * *

As I am typing, my brother is watching the news and they are forecasting 3 to 5 inches of snow for tomorrow along with nasty roads. Since I have to drive in the morning, I'm thinking "Oh, great." Will GBS grace us with a coveted snow day, or will we need to trudge through the sludge to fill our minds with learning and information? *Sigh* I could use a day at home, desperately! Much, much to do. If I think about it too long, I began to panic, "How will I ever get it all done???"

I'm learning that every moment matters. It's to the point that I'm asking myself, "Is what I'm doing right now accomplishing something/anything academically and/or spiritually?" FOCUS, I must keep my focus, especially since Choir Tour is *gulp* next Thursday!! I'm excited though; somehow God always brings me through, gives the necessary strength, lifts me up. He is such an awesome God.

Well, I hope I'll be snowed in, but if not, there is always homework to do!! :-) * * *

I have entered the Blogging Domain

So, I spent several hours last night looking at people's blogs. It was so neat reading about people's lives, especially people that I haven't seen in quite awhile. So I have decided to join the ranks and the community, if just to become more connected with my friends. So this will be my place for my ramblings, pictures (when I figure out how to do it!), and my profound thoughts too (how rare they may be!)

Now Homework and a shower is calling my name quite loudly.

I'm smiling -- it is an absolutely beautiful sunny winter day!