Updates from a New Year

Last night, I took a walk in the snow. It was gorgeous...the kind of snow that glitters as it meanders slowly to the ground. If it wasn't so cold, I would have sat in a snow drift as the flakes buried me in joy. But alas, I was too numb to stay out for longer than 15 minutes.

This past Christmas was both the hardest and the most joyful I've ever experienced. My time at home was so relaxing and rejuvenating. And Urbana was amazing...God opened my eyes to becoming the incarnation in the most difficult places in the world. I'm really excited to serve somewhere...anywhere. God is moving in China and Africa and India and South America. And I want to go to them all :) This break was countered only slightly by some of the scariest news I've ever received: that a mole I had removed contained cancerous cells. I'm going to be fine, but it will be a couple weeks before I know that it is all gone and that I'm completely healed. And to think that I almost didn't go to the doctor to have it looked at...God is so good to me, even when I have no idea of how He's working!

And now I am headed into my last semester of undergrad. Time flies, but I hope that this doesn't fly too fast...there's still so much for me to learn! I'm only slightly less socially awkward than when I started :)

"I think I figured it out
We need to be together
Like the shore and the sea..."

"What is New Years Eve, Alex?"

What's really in a new year? Surely, the dropping of a large sparkly ball and record signups at local gyms don't do this holiday justice. Instead, this should be a time to set goals and strive to make real differences in our lives. I have, for example, made a few decisions regarding my 2008. I'm determined to play on "Jeopardy" and be intentional about my daily quiet times. I want to read books off my must-read-before-I-die list and exercise my culinary skills (as though they exist!) Mostly, though, I want to be genuine with everyone I encounter. I tend to fold inside myself when I'm tired, stressed, or hurting. 2008 will be an opportunity for me to be sincere about loving those around me and become empty of self. Wishing all a blessed new year!

"I wish we could open our eyes, to see in all directions at the same time..."