sleigh bells are ringing

candy canes, originally uploaded by SpacePotato.

I'm so glad I can just focus on the Christmas holiday!


YEAH!!

praise God

Day 9!, originally uploaded by .rach..

He got me through Finals.

I know that stressed more than was necessary, but I got through it and that's what matters. I just have to rewrite one more paper and get it in by noon tomorrow to raise a grade, but otherwise I'm done!! I'm so stoked. And I'm so TIRED! So I'm going to take a shower and pray that wakes me up. I want to just enjoy tonight. Man, Finals stink.

♥♥♥

date night

Candace at Lunch, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

The best thing about my finals week:

My date with Candace.


I had a few breakdowns today, but at least I got to spend time with my best friend one-on-one. I love when we're able to set aside time just for us. It's the best!

driven

2 goals for the last month of 2007: Tie loose ends and get organized.
- finish finals with the strength from GOD, because I don't have it
- finish the reading in my Year Bible so I can give it to my mom for the New Year
- go through apartment, finish unpacking, and put things in their place (including the pictures that still need hanging)
- set up my life calendar before the New Year

Goals for the year 2008:
- write down "intentions" for each week so I can work towards something worthwhile, rather than getting bogged down by the have-to's and should-do's
- keep Lauren sane for her wedding
- graduate

Hopes:
- that I might discover God's plan for me as a single woman
- that I am able to positively influence the lives of people I come into contact with

pit of the peach

James and the Giant Peach, originally uploaded by me.

Remember when homework was interesting, creative, and fun?
Remember when it was something you actually looked forward to?
Remember when all you had to show was the finishing product?

What happened to THAT?

I miss it.
I miss doing things like drawing and creating and playing...
... WITHOUT feeling guilty!!


Now, back to reality and writing papers for finals.

cold beer?

Cold Beer, originally uploaded by Beauty fer Ashes.

She isn't doing too much work
She's not too far along
She is however chatting up
A chum, a future beau?

chalk drawings

chalklove!, originally uploaded by becaboo.

I am run-down, anxious, sleep-deprived, and totally stoked on God! I spent a ton of time in my Bible and got to work with FloodKids twice. I have such a hard time seeing these things as opportunities as I'm doing them even though I know they are. I am excited to see the kids perform during service next week. At least at that time I should have my life back in order, or at least I hope! I cannot wait till finals are through!!

God, be my strength and my shield as I try to praise you with my diligence and hard work. Amen.

anxiety takes over

peace, originally uploaded by becaboo.

Have you ever felt so utterly consumed with anxiety that your heart literally beats out of your chest, your lungs feel tight, and your muscles tighten and twitch slightly. I feel that. I hate that feeling. The reason for the feeling is random and uncalled for so dwelling on it will only add to the foolishness.

So as I have been wanting to do for a long time, my plan is to lock myself in my room for a good while to just focus on God, His word, His love, His strength, His grace, and mostly importantly right now, His PEACE!

As they say, "No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace."

flappers

flappers, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Goal: to recreate this picture tonight!!

be still

, originally uploaded by lovegaby.

I am so excited about reading the books I bought today! I've turned into a total nerd and I'm not sure if I'm so ashamed of it... I'm in awe of God's amazing grace and love. I hope I am able to be still and listen to Him this weekend as I work towards the training for small group leaders this Sunday. I desperately want to continue to give back to my community in any way I can... I think Flood College is my chance to do so. I'm stoked and God's my rock!

serenity

yay i went to the beach!, originally uploaded by becaboo.

With haste I run from one thing to the next
All the while becoming more tired and perplexed
I reach for the tunnel's ending bright light
As the clock ticks down and day turns to night

One thing I'm forgetting, one thing I've been missing
I discovered suddenly as I began reminiscing
In the past, when I was feeling sad and alone
God was the one to bring me back home

He is the answer and the only true key
He knows what I want and who I need to be
With sincerity and love, He carries my load
As He directs my way along this serene road

(not my best, but the first version was deleted)

anxiously awaiting

Omaggio ad agedsenator, originally uploaded by danydrs72.

I have the computer show in the background...
And I should be getting the one in the foreground.
I simply cannot wait!

It WILL be amazing...

No rebuttal!!

sinking

|Into the Abyss|, originally uploaded by *JBR_JBR.

Overwhelmed
I'm sinking
I can but hardly breathe

Hands are shaking
My confidence fading
And I'm searching for the "out"

If you find it, let me know
I need a remedy quick
Sicknesses overwhelming me

One more assignment
A few more awkward moments
Until I may retire for the night

I'll be diligent
Get things done quick
Just to spend time with You...

I need You...
Just You.
Now.

my hope

Psalm 46:10, originally uploaded by lovegaby.

O, how I miss thee...

Let me count the ways!


Still doing the first Chem Lab that's due tomorrow.
I'd rather be conversing with God!

caffeinated study sesh

John 14:27, originally uploaded by i am a mermaid princess..

I thought this was extremely appropriate with finals just around the corner. I am already done with one of my classes and I have a few more assignments and exams for the others.
I really need to buckle down for Chemistry.

Things I still have left to do:
- - - Chem Lab 1 (monday night)
- - - Eng A Paper (wednesday afternoon)
- - - Eng W Final Paper (next wednesday morning)
- - - Eng A Final Exam (next wednesday afternoon)
- - - Chem Lab 2 (tuesday evening)
- - - Chem Extra Credit
- - - Chem Final Exam (next wednesday evening)
- - - Math Final Exam (next thursday afternoon)
- - - Eng A Paper Rewrite (by next friday afternoon)
He'll give me strength
He'll give me peace
He'll give me direction
He'll put all at ease
-- by photographer

my bleeding heart

Dicentra spectabilis, originally uploaded by ngawangchodron.

"It is at the edge of a petal that love waits."
- William Carlos Williams

---

I wore my heart on my sleeve
Can't remember where it all led me.
But I remember the breakups,
Make-ups,
The everywhere and in between.

I struggled to fall asleep some nights,
Trying to relive those moments.
But now I have found friends,
Hope,
And the Love I'll always need.

Guide my heart through these next few years,
As I see my friends become spouses.
Lead me to find my purpose,
Peace,
And patience, as I wait for the man of my dreams.

---

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

elated erasers

LOL., originally uploaded by becaboo.

Today was a good day and it was a bit sad to say goodbye to the kidlets... However, I'm very glad that I am done waking up early to simply cook for and clean up after the lil' guys.

I've been feeling really inspired lately... I will hopefully be receiving the macBook for Christmas (and probably pay for part of it), and once I have it, I can upload my photos from my phone, to my computer, and to the internet. With that I might be able to start my own photo blogs! I love the photos I'm finding online in the meantime. On that note, I'm going to get back to it.

♥ Lauren

poopie-be-gone

So it's official. Tomorrow is my last day at the YMCA Preschool, and I'd be lying if I said that I was anything less than stoked!! I am glad I got the experience, but I'm even happier that I'm done. I look forward to more time with God, a more peaceful sleep, and way more time to connect with the people in my life! I'm excited for all the "Winter Break" brings: family, friends, and the holidays.

Time for bed.
I have to get up for work in the morning.


Peace.

the tree

Prayer from Flood:

Slow me down, Lord.
Ease the pounding of my heart by quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tension of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory.
Teach me the art of taking minute vacations--of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to smile at a child, to read a few lines from a good book.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values, that I may grow toward my greater destiny.
Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward to the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.

Colossians 2:6-7
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

late night/early morning coffee

Here's the dilemma:
I'm sitting in Lestat's with my best friend.
Slowly, I'm starting to get sleepy.
I don't know how much longer we will be out.
If I drink more caffeine now, I'll be up for a while longer.


Here's my decision:
Diet soda.


I am so glad that Lauren was able to come down from Fresno. I'm very glad that we got to just hang out and watch movies with Tommy. I am excited to see Veronica tomorrow. I look forward to my last theatre presentation on Tuesday... It's going to be stinkin' sweet!! I cannot wait for this stressful and busy semester to end! This is signing off for the night.

God is good.