Kristin’s Blog

Well, yesterday was a great day.

We went to church, which was great. The Sunday before Christmas, we always exchange presents with friends and eat doughnuts and sing the Hallelujah Chorus. I had a great time. Then my sister and I were planning on baking some cookies! But as we were driving home, we couldn't stop but be in awe of the beauty around us. Our world in southeast Pennsylvania was coated with ice and everything was incredibly beautiful. So my dad recommended that we go to a local park and take some pictures. And I'm so glad we did. Katelyn and I were one of the very few at the huge park, and we basked in God's nature (a few of my favorite pictures of the 200+ I took are below).

We did end up making some cookies and going out to dinner with the family. We were loud and laughed a lot in that tiny little Italian restaurant (I'm pretty sure the other people in there thought we were crazy...but we are, so that's okay). The day concluded with watching "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time EVER...I don't quite know what to do with that. But it was great.

It is a wonderful life.

Blessings.

Posted by Kristin at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I love being home for Christmas. I can't believe a week of my break is already over. But it's been fun and absolutely beautiful out. For the fist time in I don't know how how long, it looks like winter outside. So last night, I wrote a little response to it and I included it for you.

"The ice and snow descends like ribbons, tangling themselves in the branches of the trees. Shortly, every one of nature’s appendages is encased in crystal. The weight of their new cloak draws their arms closer the ground. And as night creeps in between their fingers, light transforms them into a glittering spectacle.

Ice forces us to slow down, to take a break, to sit by the fire and sip hot tea while reading Harry Potter. It urges us to snuggle in blankets and take the time for real conversation. Our auto-pilot is relieved of his duties, and suddenly our focus is completely on the world around us.

So often we fly down the highways of life focusing on a destination, miserably apathetic to the life that surrounds us. It’s as though the “bad” weather is the manifestation of God grabbing us by the shoulder and telling us to s.l.o.w..d..o…w….n.

Often we resist the poor conditions and get frustrated with our ruined plans or the bitterness of the cold. All the while, the brilliance of the world silently begs our appreciation, our Creator beckoning for our attention.

And God whispers in our ears, “Let this scene snatch your breath away so that I will need to breathe for you for a time. Come, bring that blanket over here and lay your head on my heart and let’s breathe together for a time.” And if we come, we experience the most glorious of all experiences.

Being. Together.

And the sleet raps a soothing rhythm to compliment the symphony of intertwined breaths and heartbeats."

Posted by Kristin at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I MADE IT THROUGH FINALS WEEK!

Delightful. It was a fairly decent week amidst all of the exhaustion. Here was how the rest of the week panned out (at least the fun things...)

Tuesday: 10th hour breakfast when all of the faculty and staff make breakfast for us...at ten o'clock at night! Always complete with the soccer boys singing a rousing rendition of "The 12 Days of Christmas." Which I have yet to enjoy. But, hey, to each his own.

Wednesday: Handed in that Prophetic Books II exam and was delighted to discover that I THINK I did everything decently. Yay!

Thursday: Worked for 5 hours straight, went to dinner, and got DRENCHED because it rained like...five inches that night. Then, we went to Dr. Bancroft's house to watch Wall-E (best movie of my LIFE...seriously, I can't get enough of it...especially with good friends at Dr. Bancroft's house). Afterward, I hung out with Meghan, and my friends Lauren and Kim who graduated this morning. We spent a lot of time catching up.

Friday: Church History exam, then packed up my things and went to Panera with Jodi and Elise. Went to the last Advanced Comp class...it was so sad...then I drove home.

Saturday: Went BACK to school for commencement, watched several friends graduate...it was kind of emotional. Then went out to lunch for my friend Marissa's birthday with a bunch of friends! It was so dear...aw, man, I miss them already....

BUT! I am so thankful that it is break. I am so happy to be home with the family and my friends. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

*Blissful sigh*

Posted by Kristin at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Current temperature: 26 F
Currently listening to: a menagerie of Christmas Music
Current imperative assignment: Prophetic Books II take home Exam
Current mood: tired and slightly grumpy

Well, I have often complained about a busy schedule, but I must admit that schedules are a very good thing, albeit stressful. It's finals week here at PBU and everything is topsey turvey. I had the distinct pleasure of NOT having any finals today which is great...but I spent a huge chunk of my day avoiding and begrudgingly working on a very involved Take Home exam. It's ok, though. I think I am just tired and need to get out of the apartment.

The good news is that twofold: tonight is a little Christmas Party down at Heritage Hall, complete with the Grinch and a story told by our very own Dr. Petersen, storyteller-extraordinaire! So in an hour and a half I will be able to escape into the bitter cold and find myself amongst good friends.

The second part of the good news? I had a beautiful-beyond-beautiful weekend. Three of my good friends, Seth, Lillie, and Tim, all had birthdays within three days of each other. We were trying to think of something fun to do for them, and we decided to have a group of us come over to my place and chill for the weekend! I forget how blessed I am sometimes. We had such a good time. Lillie and Tim came up with me early and we had interesting conversation on the way, discussing everything from relationships to how we see God. Then when the rest of the guys came, we played quite a few games and laughed and watched movies and just spent time relishing in each others' company. It even snowed a little...geeze...I'm telling you, perfection. The next morning we went to my church and afterwords we went to Seth's house. His mom made us brunch.

God has taught me a lot through my friends. He has taught me how to love and be loved. He has challenged my thoughts with those that are not my own. He has shown me how much I have been given that I do not deserve. And even though we're a bunch of goofballs...somehow, mysteriously, the God of the universe shines through our relationships as he hand-crafts us into the men and women he is preparing us to be. Crazy. And beautiful.

Lillie and me!

<3

The Birthday Trio!

Los chicos.

Woohoo!

Posted by Kristin at 9:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Current temperature: 31 F
Currently listening to: "Crush" by David Archuleta
Currently reading: "Breaking Dawn" by Stephanie Meyer
Current imperative assignment: :-D
Current mood: dandy

Thanksgiving Break was a whirlwind, busy and chaotic and messy and lovely all at once. I have to say, as I pulled my little car up in front of my apartment, I sighed with relief to be back to school. This week, of course, is more relaxed than any I have had up to this point most likely. Finals week is just around the corner and soon we will all be home sipping hot chocolate by the fire and relaxing. Maybe.

I just have to say...our apartment looks awesome. My camera is broken or else I would put some pictures up. I really need to get that thing fixed. But we have a Christmas tree and EVERYTHING!

Last night, the girls from B dorm came over and we watched Elf together. It was great to all cram in our apartment and talk and laugh and enjoy spending some time together. I live with beautiful girls.

I am really looking forward to this weekend. The PBU community chorus is doing Handel's "Messiah" and I am going to go see it! Then my WWC guys and my dear friend Lillie are going to come over and relax at my house so we can spend some quality time together. Lillie is leaving after this semester to do a semester abroad in Uganda and we are going to miss her dreadfully.

But as for now, I am just enjoying sitting around and enjoying the Christmas decorations all over campus. It is so wonderful.

PBU at Christmastime!

Posted by Kristin at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)