Or whatever you'd prefer me to call Belton. :)

A few things on move-in:

1. Before I officially launched off, on the way I stopped by Half-Price Books and found 2 Caedmon's Call CD's that I don't have my own copy of ("40 Acres" and their self-titled) as well as Jennifer Knapp's "Kansas" CD (which is still one of the greatest of that time, in my opinion). I was extremely pleased :).

2. After that, I stopped by the Swan house and FINALLY met Sarah and Sydney (their new twin babies :)! I'm telling you... they are precious! Agh... I have baby fever :). I wasn't able to stay long, but I got to talk to them and see Samantha and Jacob, for a good 15 minutes.  On my way out, of course, they gave me a coke and some cinnamon rolls :). I love them! So blessed to know this family.

3. The drive up to Belton was pretty amazing. The weather was SO beautiful - pristine blue, cloudless sky, and I got to watch the sun set out my window. It was perfect. I could have driven for several more hours; I still really like driving.

4. I arrived at the U of MHB at 6:30, and quickly checked in and got my key back.

5. About the actual move-in, I'll save you all the gory details and simply set the scene: 3rd floor. 5 doors total to open. 5 trips from car (in a less-than-convenient parking spot) to room. Aching muscles. Out of breath. Lots of sweat. Paaaain...

6. After finally getting all my stuff in the room, it took about an hour and half to put it all back.

7. I injured myself within 5 minutes of packing one of my boxes (I was taking out my razor and nicked my pinkie - lots of blood!). Thankfully, a care-package-ish thing with band-aids and wipes that mom sent along with me were right next to it in the box. Thanks, mom!

8. If anyone reading this needs any of these items, let me know, because I have enough to supply a small village of each of these: toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, Advil (I rarely use this), chapstick, gum, toothbrushes (believe it or not), FLOSS.

9. Just in general, I came back with way more than I brought home (though it may have evened out slightly more than I would think because I brought a lot of books and cds and such back to sell). "Can't wait" for the move-out come May...


I have my first 8:00 class tomorrow morning... eek! I'm actually really nervous. I'll post tomorrow letting you guys know how Day 1 went!


Now, about the actual Break (I know this is kind of going backwards, chronologically... I hope you can handle it) - here are some highlights:

1. Job at the Mail Handler! What a blessing.

2. Helping out at Christmas On the Highway and hanging out with "the gang" at IHOP afterwards.

3. Being back at my home church, and having the opportunity to share my testimony of what God's done for me this past semester during the CYS service.

4. Pappasitos. I won't disclose how many times I got to eat there... that's between me and the Lord.

5. Chipotle/Starbucks with Kendall Timmons.

6. Sleepover with Danielle, Amanda, Kate and Kelsey at Mama's house.

7. Lots of Amanda time :).

8. LP at IHOP (to refresh you, LP refers to my PALs friends: Lauren, Sarah, Julie, Jenna, and Mary).

9. Giving gifts to everyone in the family (including extended) for the first time in my life. Fun stuff!

10. UT Snuggie.

11. CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!

12. The "Christmas Miracle" that was getting the living room, new TV, Christmas tree + decorations, etc. all pieced together on Christmas Eve. New tradition!

13. A Muppet's Christmas Carol.

14. Hanging out briefly with the Wahquists at their Houston house.

15. Dropping gifts off at a few doors Christmas Eve (and freaking out later because it got really, really windy...).

16. Getting my poem book finally (a book of the poems my dad has written to me on each birthday from 0-18).

17. More pajama pants (my collection has grown exponentially).

18. That Thing You Do.

19. Christmas in San Antonio - lots of rest, food, and family.

20. Making a pen with Grandpa.

21. New Years at Zach's (5th Annual).

22. Going back to Belton briefly for Katie and Grant's wedding - Cracker Barrell, that silly peg game (I bought one), driving to Dallas, a bladder very near exploding, beautiful ceremony, kickin' reception, dancing with Lucy-Goose, sleepover with Mel at her apartment, ACC Sunday morning, Dead Fish Grill for the first time.

23. El Gallo with Liz.

24. College party at the (John) Roberts' house; brought friend Nikki and had long, fruitful conversation. Pray pray pray.

25. Settlers of Catan.

26. UT/Bama game (excluding most of the Facebook statuses that followed. People were de-friended) with my family, Mama and Papa, and Amanda.

27. Sleepover with Marie.

28. Lunch, Blake's basketball game, and Target with Sarah Madden, including another (hopefully) fruitful conversation. More prayer.

29. One of the most wonderful daddy dates Saturday night (of course, it was at El Gallo. I believe the best ones are held at that glorious place).

30. You've Got Mail with Amanda. I forgot how good that movie is.

31. (I forgot this one - it doesn't fit in with the flow, but I'm too lazy to go and insert it in there) The Wahlquists coming to CYS and then to Del Pueblo with us, and getting to lead worship at that service with Andrew.

32. CYS potluck after service.


Farewell, friends. It's been a good break! I'll most likely be seeing most of you soon (Spring Weekend is this month - I'll probably be coming back to help at it. If not that one, then the Jr. High one in February).

Oh, and I think that I'm going to take a 30-day break from Facebook. I could just monitor how much I get on it, but as I was thinking about it, in the back of my mind I thought, "Could you give up Facebook for a month?".  Of course, Yes. "Then do it!". So, I'm doing it, hoping to use the extra time wisely (ideally, in seeking the Lord, especially in this time). I'll most likely still be blogging, and I'll check email. You know where to reach me.

Before I go: I am officially going to start Interning at my Lifegroup this semester. What that basically means is I'll be in training, under Sarah, David, and Joey, to be a Lifegroup leader. Sarah asked me after Thanksgiving Break, and after prayer and lots of conversations about it I said yes. The goal of interning is to get to a place where our Lifegroup can multiply out. I'm really excited! This semester holds a LOT for me; be praying that God will continue to direct me, and most of all give me peace as I wait on Him.

This is my goal this semester...

1Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

3 Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!

Psalm 105:1-4