January 15, 2011 -- Adios San Diego

There is not much to say except, "Thank you, Jesus, for such beautiful weather the past few days!"

I have been so blessed on my last weekend at home to have eighty degree weather, warm winds, lots of sunshine, and a beautiful day on Coronado "Island".

This is the Coronado Bridge!

What a fantastic way to end the trip home. We rented bikes, excuse me, Surries (four person bikes), that were really fun. But, we did find it to be tiring. My cousin Kendra and I worked our little quads like crazy to get that little bike where we had to go!

This is me on the Surrey.

The nice thing about Coronado is that you get a beautiful view of the city. Of course, everyone knows that San Diego is the greatest city in the World. But, that's just common fact...

"Ah, San Diago. Drink it up, it always goes down smooth!" Ron Burgundy

The point of this post is really just a way for me to express how this past week has been a challenge. Once again, I am packing up my belongings, and heading out, except this trip will be much more challenging as it will push me out of my comfort zone.

I have found that I while I am super excited, I am getting nervous--for the trip, meeting new people, finding my internship, getting settled, finding where everything is...the list goes on.

Of course, I have to continue to remain in prayer as my thoughts and anxiousness want to take me away! I have everything settled, my mom has been a great help to me, and I'm really ready to get going on to something new...

Please continue to pray that the Lord would give me peace, and His strength to endure Monday! I'll attempt to blog sometime next week, but until then, Adios San Diego...Hello Chicago!

January 10, 2011 -- The "Knits" of Life

Well, I arrived home after a wonderful weekend with my grandparents. They are so funny and really interesting to be around.

One of the things that I "picked up" while I was there was the ability to knit! Let me tell you, it is complicated, but once you get it, it just comes. I started knitting around two in the afternoon on Saturday and didn't put it down till near one in the morning on Sunday.

That is my grandma, Grami, holding the first thing I ever knit!

After church on Sunday, we went to the local Michael's and I bought some yarn, because, of course by then, I already had about five people ask me to knit them scarves. I figure it is good practice for when I have kids. It will become my summer project -- they can have a new scarf, mits, and hat every fall and they can choose their color of yarn! Ha! That will be the day...

Anyway, I started a scarf Sunday afternoon and I worked on it all afternoon, all evening (even on the plane back to San Diego). It was fun! I'm including some pics of my first projects so you can see how well I'm doing...It's not perfect, but I'm pretty proud of myself!

This is when I first started about three o'clock in the afternoon.

This was how far along it came by about six thirty!

And, this is where I was at last night when I went to bed about one o'clock am.

Coming away from my grandparents was hard. They are getting older and it kills me to think that this time might have been the last time I see them. Of course, I pray that isn't the case. But, nonetheless, it was hard to come home and get right into the swing of things.

It was a hard day today. Realizing that a bunch of my friends are back at school and I'm not going back and, not only that, but I don't know anything about where I'm going to be next week. There is so much to do between now and then and it's getting to be a little overwhelming, but maybe I'm just getting too worked up about it.

But then, I came across this quote, and I realized/remembered, where my mind and thoughts need to be. The quote says, "Whether you're pushing a stroller or a grocery cart or an aluminum walker, whether you are single, married, or a widow, whether your challenge is eight children or no children, whether life has you nursing children with measles, a husband with cancer, or your own osteoporosis, your life counts--counts mightily--as you face its challenges with a heart full of devotion to God." Liz George

My life counts! I'm over here worried about these little things in life until I remembered that its OK! And, as I've mentioned before, Philippians 4:6-7 promises that if I go to the Lord with my anxiety and requests, He will grant me His peace that passes understanding and guard my heart and mind.

Of course, this all came to me while I was knitting. And, it made me think, each of these rows are like years in my life and each stitch is a different event, and when I devote my time to knitting it, similarly to how I should devote my time to the Lord, in the end, even though there may be a few ugly, hole-y patches, it will be a beautiful piece of work that counts!

And, I will say to my family and to those around me that they are all part of the "knits" of life.
Have a great week!

January 7, 2011 -- How the Time Flies

It's crazy how fast time goes when you're havin' fun! I don't know that I can honestly say that time in Eureka, CA flies...but I'm having fun at least.

For those of you that didn't know, I'm in Eureka, California visiting my dad's parents. They have lived here for a number of years and I don't get the opportunity to see them often. Likewise, they aren't able to travel like they used to and therefore, they don't see me as often as they would like. So, for the weekend, I was able to come up and see them.

But, isn't it amazing how fast time really does fly. I mean, it just seems like a month ago that I moved to California from Pennsylvania and about a week ago I started high school, and yesterday I went to college. And, now, I'm getting ready to finish my last semester...doesn't seem possible.

I am keenly aware of how quickly time flies especially here with my grandparents. They are full of stories from when they were "kids", from when their kids were kids, and from when I was a kid. I just turned 22 and it almost seems like forever ago that me and my cousins were running around.

I remember feeling, when I was younger, that time couldn't go fast enough. Now, time goes so fast, I am always wanting to go back and do something again. And yet, I'm so anxious and excited for the future and all that it holds...

Wow. Why is it that we are never content in the present? We are always looking behind, complaining we can't go back and "do it again". And, we find ourselves straining towards what is ahead, trying to get to the next phase of life.

Seeing my grandparents in their old-er age makes me wish I had had more time with them in the past, it also makes me wish I had more time in the future. Who knows how long they will be around. But, maybe instead of looking behind and thinking ahead, I should just enjoy this special time I have right now; savoring every moment with them.

Of course that was my plan the whole time, but I just thought I'd share this little thought that was on my heart. They already went to bed tonight, and as many of us are wrapped up in the craziness of life, maybe we have an opportunity everyday to just take a moment and thank the Lord for the time we are in right now. It may not be the "season" we want it to be, but He has given it to us regardless and we are still called to be in it and give glory and honor to His name through it.

Because, after all, the time flies, and before you know it, we'll be whispering goodbye to this world and entering the next. Enjoy the time you have here...