And So It Goes

Although I have talking of a decision about a mission ever since the beginning of this school year, I am proud to say that the decision has in fact been made. I am handling all the details with my school for deferment and will soon begin the process of paperwork with the church. I am going on a mission! It's such a glorious thing to say!
To say this idea has been troubling my mind for the past year would be beyond an understatement. I think it has been troubling my mind since the time my brain developed the capicity to think for itself. With so many wonderful examples leading the way in front of me, I have witnessed the great experiences and opportunities for growth that a mission can offer; however, I have also seen the wide span of stress it can cause before a person actually leaves. The past twenty years of picking up and dropping off missionaries at the air port keeps flashing in head and I am now constantly feeling excited, nervous, scared, ready , unprepared, and a whole slew of other contraditing emotions.
It is a scary thing I am doing here, but at the same time I can sense the future blessings and the beginning sweet taste of adventure. I can't wait to take advantage of the opportunities to serve the Lord and his children in whatever part of the world (or country) that God deems me to serve in. (Everybody cross your fingers for South Africa since I have already started learning Zulu this year, but anywhere will be beautiful I am sure.)
Now I just need to study and prepare myself spiritually and mentally, get all my schoool affairs taken care of, go get my passport, finish this quarter and spring quarter of school, and then... oh yeah actually fill out and turn in my papers. It's going to be a busy next few months but...
Such is life.

Holi-of-days Past

With the Christmas and New Years as no more than a fond memory to me now, I have begun Winter Quarter of my second year in college with what I hope with be a lasting energy. Fall Quarter did a number on me and for quite some time I found myself reeling in a state of panic not only my present mental state but for the mental state of my future as well. Winter Break proved to be the perfect way to recover however and now that I am moving back into the flow of things, my only hope is that I don't burn out again like I did last quarter.
My break back home was full of fun, rest, and a whole lot of "me" time which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was able to see some of my good old friends, ski with family, eat my weight in yummy Costco quesadillas, watch movies, and take long naps. Truly my idea of a good break.
I returned to my humble abode up north on the eve of New Years and was able to enjoy the turn of the calendar while watching magnificently synchronized and colorful miniature bombs explode off the Space Needle. Yes, I think watching fireworks in downtown Seattle had to be much more fun than waiting for a ball to slowly descend down a pole on t.v. four hours after it actually happened.


(Reunion! The old gang out to our traditional lunch.)


(Rennie's Senior Recital)


(Look what Mommy got me in LONDON!)


(One tall Space Ship!)


(Russell and I at the Seattle Center)

I am now fully immersed into my class and work schedule and once again I am exerting all my energy just to balance all my commitments and still get to sleep, eat, and occasionally exercise. My reading load is rather large due to the brain malfunction I had which caused me to sign up for two intense literature classes in addition to my required theology class. It has been tough so far and although I know it will probably only get worse, I can't really complain because let's be real...most of my homework is reading books that I would want to read anyway.
Ah, I love my chosen major!
Such is life...