"Well, That's Just Life"

That's the kind of thing moms say when their kids don't like something. I'm saying it now to give a picture description of my life since the last time I did this.

My life is so full of gifts from my good Father. I have been looking back over this freshman year of college, and even though I didn't want to come, I am so glad I did. God had so much to give me. So, here are just a few of those undeserved presents that I have seen recently.

Cardigan Donuts. This is one of the best places in the skyway, or should I say it is the best place? Anyway, the employees are great and usually really friendly, and one of them is my sister, and the owner goes to my church. They have donated dozens of donuts to BCS, and the students are very appreciated. Thank you, Cardigan, for getting us through the year. Wait, I guess God got us through, but Cardigan was one of the means. 

Chapel. I love chapel. I especially love the worship time. It has often been a great encouragement to me during some of my darkest times. 

Being out side and getting dirty. 

This watch. Lydia surprised me with this beautifully colorful watch. 

Green buds.

Cookies. I got a request from a friend for chocolate chip cookies "with a kick." These have cinnamon and cayenne pepper in them. They are delicious. 

Olivia. This young lady and friend has truly been one of God's really good gifts to me while in college. In some ways we are very different, but we are sisters in Christ and that's what makes our friendship so special. 

Walks and talks with friends by the river. 

Even Minneapolis. I kind of copy-catted Priscilla with this picture, but who cares? Even though the city is definitely not my favorite place to be, I have learned a lot from being here. 

New places. I love to find new places in the city, like this thing that has steps right into the river. 

Old houses. 

The Mississippi. The river reflected the sky: so blue. 

Donuts. I know they're really not healthy, and I'm sure my body will be ready to recuperate from the donut life once I get back home. But, seriously, donuts are good, and they're even more of a delight when eaten by the river or with friends. 

Water. It is very necessary to life. 

Packing. I know, I don't leave till another month, but I really didn't need all those books on the shelf, and it was fun to begin the packing process. 

So, there you have it, another sneak peek into my life. I enjoy it. 

In a Week

Last Saturday about this time, we were getting a blizzard. There seemed to be no end to the falling snow. This morning I went out barefoot, did cart-wheels and hand stands, climbed a tree, and got dirty in the sunshine. It has changed from winter to spring so suddenly. I checked the weather for the next several weeks (not that it's super reliable), and the temperatures are getting higher and higher. I went for a long walk by the river, and I will probably have a good sunburn.

Oh, the joys!

See, God was right when He said in the Psalm that joy comes in the morning. Winter doesn't last forever, even in Minnesota.

Last week's blizzard (more like, snow that just kept falling).

This morning's backyard sun.

Napping on the lawn.

I love dirty hands. It usually means work or play, both good things.

Dirty bare feet with remaining snow in the background.

Very dirty feet.

My view from the tree. 

Don't worry, Mom, I did clean my feet. The spicket is one of my favorite parts about summer.

By the way, I am getting the sunburn I talked about. 

She Lives

I live and my life isn't as amazing or adventurous as some might would want, or even as much as I would want. But life is really made of the mundane. I think some people make too big of a deal about the big things that happen in their lives, they forget the little things, the blessings that God has provided abundantly to us least deserving people. Their lives look falsely wonderful. I think I have done the same thing, so I want to show what my day to day life is like.

Who wants to see a toilet? Hey, it's a vital part of life, and I really love the way the morning sun lights up the room. 

I am becoming one of those weird natural body cleansers kind of people. Or I just don't have the money to buy new more shampoo. Oh well, that's life.

I love to draw, but at college I don't have the resources I have at home. I simply used a scrap piece of printing paper, a pencil, and a picture. 

Now I have time to leisure read. Not sure you would call this a leisure read, but I guess I mean I can read it at my leisure. Just say "leisure" one more time.

My friend and housemate Jessica knows me well. Her Birthday present to me. 

Pocket portrait of my niece. She's much cuter in real life.

My Birthday cake was apparently the best thing I have cooked.

First Birthday party, and we played banana grams.

I cleaned the bathroom. Look at that, you can see through the mirror!

Sometimes the best thing for my soul is to sit on the floor, listen to Sons of Korah, and write in my journal while the sun brightens the room.

A cozy corner on the floor to read. 

It snowed again. We got a blizzard. 

Parties are fun. We had to cancel the shower for Hannah because of the blizzard, but because people made food, we had a shower rehearsal. 

Basically liquid licorice and the snowy world. April 15th is different around the world. 

Sometimes when I'm a little distraught, I become more artistic. 

This was good stuff. I brought it to Tyler's, and Keenan said he would take the whole pan. After small group, I delivered the remains to the boys. It brings me joy when they actually like my food. 

Sometimes when I go for a walk, I play tourist and take cool pictures. 

Writing out lyrics to songs is just more fulfilling then printing a plain sheet off the computer. 

So my life is awesome because it is the life God gave me, but it's honestly no more awesome than yours. Start enjoying the "mundane." I'm not sure that's even a thing in God's eyes. 

The Beautiful Place I Call Home

It's been one of those days that I'm longing for the country, anywhere away from this city. Take me away from here!

Anyway, home is on my mind. That's full of country. I can simply walk out the door and I'm practically in the woods, even if it is raining.

So, with my longing, I wish to stab several country pictures up on the target. Yike! That sounds strange. Well, we better get started; there's a bunch.

Back home last summer. Our creek. 

Clear, fresh creek water. 

Black-eyed susans in Minnesota. 

That was somethin' to remember. A lake in Minnesota at the camp where we had out freshmen retreat.

Horse on the farm in Minnesota.

A hike along the St. Croix will do you some good.

Back home again to those lovely trees.

Yes, you know I couldn't make a post like this without a picture of our road.

Don't you ever just long for a nap in a ditch along a country road?

I'm glad I call this place home. 

Those girls automatically go with home. 

A winter sunset with so many silhouetted bare trees.

That little droplet of light.

We basically live on top of a mountain. Isn't it glorious!

I miss this. 

Yes, and them swirvin' roads. 

Uhwarie Mountains near Sophia, NC.

Wouldn't you envy this bedroom window view? I'm not tryin' to make you jealous, but I don't have to envy it (when I'm home).

All them trees, just biddin' you to climb 'em. I'm sorry, my English just goes down heel when I'm thinkin' of home. 

Ain't that a purdy driveway? 

Of course, this one's purdier 'cause it's mine. 

Ain't that some'in?

Well, I guess that'll do for now. 

Take me home!

OK, I gotta be thankful for where I'm at right now. 

This is where God placed me.

But give another month and a half--woof!--I'll be swept away to paradise.