With Shouts of Joy: It's Been a While

Wow! It has been such a long time since I've really posted anything of worth. Life has been out-of-the-ordinary for about a month now, since the students have been on Christmas break, and I have been really enjoying the time with friends and family, and resting up for next semester. So for this post, I think I will just hit on some of the things going on in my life and the lives of the people I love over the past month. Things that have been on my heart, and just good times that were had this Christmas break!

Right after leaving Knoxville I was able to take a week and travel to Spartanburg, Charlotte, and Boiling Springs on a marathon visit of old friends. It was such a wonderful time - I was able to see so many friends who have become dear to me over the years. Seriously - couldn't believe how many people I was able to spend really good quality time with. The only bummer was that I missed a few in Boiling Springs, but hopefully I'll get back there soon - I really love that place and the community that became my family. Also, let me just say how much I realize I love the people of Spartanburg. I mean, I knew that I had come to really love being there, but it hit me afresh when I visited a few weeks ago - I have been blessed with AMAZING people who really love me and care for me in that city, and I miss you all terribly. Thanks for showing me the love of Christ and just pouring your lives into mine.

My brothers and I spent the entire week before Christmas working out tails off to make an NC State Corn Hole board for our dad's Christmas present. We had to try and apply a million layers of paint and use saws and drills, etc. without dad finding out about it. Also, paint takes about 10x longer to dry when its cold outside. Suffice it to say - I was paranoid for a week! BUT, it all paid off. I thank Chris Keene and the Gardner-Webb Theatre Dept. for my excellent training in detail work in painting - the end result was pretty awesome!

Another awesome thing - it SNOWED on Christmas! I absolutely love snow, and I absolutely love Christmas, and the two combined was wonderful! We got about 12 inches total, and it really was a Winter Wonderland.
I was really grateful to, and excited by, my family this Christmas. We scaled back our Christmas to each other so that we could give to others and invest in the Kingdom of God. What a blessing.

The day after Christmas we went to our friends, the Teaters' house, and had a sledding party! I love it when we do things like that - like we used to when we're kids. I hope I never get too old to have sledding parties. Also, Luke and Betsy came from D.C., which was wonderful, since I think they're awesome and I want us to be good friends. My not-so-secret hope is that one day Betsy and I will be able to have coffee dates on a regular basis.... Also, I'm dying to visit them in India.

Once they move there, that is! On December 2, my friends Aaron and Abby had their first baby - little Eli. From what I've heard it was a wonderful day, in that Eli was born, but otherwise pretty terrifying, in that he was way too early, Abby went into seizures and almost died, etc. Their journey has been incredible to watch and read about (Facebook and blogging can be huge blessings when keeping up with friends!). I am amazed at the provision of the Father in their lives, and so thankful for this sweet baby boy who I know already is, and will continue to be, such a blessing. I'm also amazed to see the vast community that has gathered around them in support. They inspire me, and I hope to have such an impact in so many lives. You can read about their story here.

Dec. 27th - Jan. 1st I was in Greensboro, NC for the MidSouth region of Crusade's Winter Conference called Encounter. Wow - lots of capitol letters in that last sentence. It was really an amazing time with students, fellow staff, and the Lord. A huge blessing for me was that it was the first time since coming on staff with Crusade that I began to feel like I "fit." Not that anyone has made me feel like an outsider - quite the opposite - I have been truly welcomed and made to feel at home among the staff and students at UT. But you know how it is - it just takes a while to feel like you're not the new person, especially in my case, not having a Crusade background as a student. It was a wonderful time, and included a dance party - one of my favorite things in the world!

The past few days I've laid around and read some awesome books - another of my favorite things in life. I can seriously get caught up in a story. Something I decided a long time ago - music and books are always worth my money! (not that I blow it all, but if I'm going to spend some - that's a good investment!)

Finally, my best friend is having a baby in about 3 WEEKS!! I think it's really cool that she got to experience being super pregnant at Christmas time - could kind of identify with Mary. (thought I don't know if she feels the same way!) But I get to be Aunt Cayli so very soon, and I CAN'T WAIT! If I love this little baby so much already, what will it be like to be a mom? I hope I get to find out one day!