Wednesday Update: Summer travels, holiday travels and more!

I have so much to share with you, dear friends!

Tonight, I'm watching Miracle on 34th Street as I type this update(I just finished "You've Got Mail"), and work on my final paper for the semester. Its the original version, but with technicolor, so its really the best it could be.

First of all, its Advent and I'm so glad. Just under a year ago a dear friend of mine gave me a book that she had read during advent for a number of years. It's called, "Jesus, Be in My Christmas" (by Sarah Hornsby) and has morning and evening readings for each day of Advent. Last year, I wrote about the book a number of times (you can check it out at: http://tiffslifeingreenville.blogspot.com). I've been looking forward to reading it since before Thanksgiving... I kept reviewing the calendar to make sure I didn't miss the beginning of Advent, because I wanted to start right at the beginning. Its been blessing me ever since the first Sunday of Advent last week. One notable quote from Monday was, "If I listen, God speaks daily to me, making the most ordinary circumstances profoundly holy."

I'm getting more and more excited about traveling home for Christmas. When I initially planned to attend graduate school, my parents and I discussed that I would probably not be able to afford to travel home for the holidays. I was OK with that thought and planned to work here in Waco as late as possible and then head to the Fergason's for Christmas week. Well, a few different circumstances came up and so I decided to go home for the holiday, but I also get to spend about a week in San Antonio. I'm thrilled to spend some study-free time with the kids and Karen and John, as well as Karen's parents. I'm looking forward to playing with the kids and baby Drex, and I'm really looking forward to praying with Karen and spending some quality time with her.

One weird quirky thing is that the closer I get to visiting my parents, the more often I talk to my mom. We just really like each other, and so we often talk for a few minutes a couple times a day. As my visit gets closer, I end up calling her more and more often, until the last few days I'm speaking with her every day. It makes no sense, really, but I just get SO EXCITED! This year my grandparents will be in town for 3 days, it seems, which is the longest I've been able to spend with them in a number of years, and my dad and I are going to attend a Baroque concert together (last year I heard my dad sing in the same concert, which I attended with my mom). I'm excited not only for those things, but also to sleep in, go to movies or on long walks, and to read books of my choosing - HURRAY for winter break. OH.. and a little special treat for me... like a wrapped present... I get to see Erin O'Hara while we're both home over break - hurrah!

I'll be back in Waco before the New Year begins. Sorority recruitment begins on January 1st or 2nd (spirit days) and it was cheaper to get back before the 31st than try to fly back on the 1st and drive up from San Antonio.

Sarah leaves this Saturday (I'm driving her to Dallas in the AM) and she returns on the 30th as well. I think she is even more excited than I am to see her family!

I don't know if I've mentioned it yet or not, but not only do I get to travel home for Christmas, but I also get to travel to AFRICA this summer. I'll be leading a general interest ministry team May 13-28th. We are going to be working a few different churches in Nairobi, Kenya - working in Kibera slum, which is the largest slum in Africa, and spending a lot of time with children. I'm praying for the Lord's provision as I begin this week to interview team members and prepare mentally for this experience. I'm so thankful for the Lord providing this opportunity!!

More randomness.... Well, I'm almost finished with my first semester as a graduate student. I have loved it so far. I am enjoying the academics, the social aspect and am loving working with Alpha Delta Pi (as an advisor) and the chaplains of Greek organizations. I can't believe it's 20% down already. It's gone so fast.

In the meantime, I'm very thankful for the Lord's provision of favor to me in this community. I'm blessed that I've been well-recieved and have had great opportunity to influence students, even though I haven't been here long.

I'm hoping the Lord will help me to be more diligent in spiritual matters as I move into the spring semester, that I will be refreshed and encouraged, and in being so, will be able to encourage and refresh others.

Blessings to you,friend, this first week of Advent.