Christmas Break!

Yesterday in celebration of being done for a few weeks my friend Alisha and I took a trip over to the Art Museum.  The great thing about our museum is that it is free!  It is the perfect place to visit in the winter when it is cold and dreary outside.  While we were there we stopped by the ticket desk to see if there were tickets available for the Monet exhibition-there were!  The SLAM currently has a tryptich of Monet's water lilies plus a few other pieces.  It was a beautiful piece.  Alisha and I sat there for probably an hour and just talked and looked at the artwork.  Then we explored the rest of the museum. It was the perfect afternoon celebration to the ending of our semester.  I think I want to spend more time at the museum, it was really enjoyable.

Oh and Happy Hanukkah! We are celebrating at work.  I get to be a bystander and listen as the residents light the candles each night, pray in Hebrew and sing different songs.  It is such a joy to be allowed a glimpse into different traditions.

Now back to packing and cleaning!



PS- I didn't take it.  I'm not that much of a rule breaker.  This is someone else's picture.  I just wanted to give you an idea even though this picture just doesn't do it justice.

Advent

I love the season of Advent.  It is a season of longing and expectation as we look to the birth of our Savior, Jesus.  It is a time in which we can see God's faithfulness woven through our story and through scripture.  There were promises made, promises fulfilled and still we wait for the final promise to be finally fulfilled.

I feel like my time at Covenant has allowed me to feel and experience Advent and Easter in ways that I never had before.  I can pray, Yes Lord Jesus come quickly and there is a deep yearning and a hope for Christ's return in ways that there never has been before.  I have allowed myself to see and feel the brokenness of this world.  Yet, it isn't all bad.  We have a hope and a longing.  I can look back at these past two years and see the faithfulness and kindness of a Father that loves me, who has gently led me through some dark and challenging times.  He has sustained me just as he has continually sustained his people.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Refrain

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Refrain

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

Refrain

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.

Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Refrain

Thankful

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

(Psalm 100 ESV)

What a season to be thankful!  I wish I knew where my camera was so I could have taken pictures of our feast.  What a glorious day it was yesterday to cook, fellowship, eat and drink with friends.  Rebecca and Kerstin did an amazing job! 

Looking back over this past year I have so much to be thankful.  The Lord has placed me in such a sweet community here in STL.  For two years I had neighbors who allowed me to be a part of their families and their chaos.  He blessed me with sweet relationships and friends that are willing to speak truth in love.  He has given me friends that see me for who God has made me to be and encourage me in that process of growth. 

I have seen friends come and go as they move all across the country, and soon to be the world.  He has opened my heart in ways that I never expected and through a process that was painful.  He is continuing to do so and it is exciting to see and to feel differently.  

I am thankful for my STL family.  They love me well and have made me feel welcome. Lastly, for my family and their love and support and that the Lord is still at work in growing and shaping us.

I am thankful that we are His and He knows us! 

Hallelujah

Bethany Dillon's song: 


Who can hold the stars
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?


I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach


I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is


Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah


The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day


Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play


And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free


Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah


---------------------
A sweet friend gave me a cd and a note with this song on here the other day and I have been listening to it a lot since then.  The end of the semester is slowly making its way here.  I am definitely feeling weary and looking forward to the little rest that Thanksgiving break will bring.  


This semester has been one that has been non-stop (why you don't hear from me much).  The Lord has been a constant though as I am having to wrestle through who I am, who he is, and who is he making me to be.  Of course all of these questions hit the hardest when I am in the middle of internship!  

Mid-semester

Well it is October.  It is mid-semester here.  Those first two sentences can carry a lot of weight or a little weight depending on who you are.  This time of the semester is absolutely crazy.  Plus, throw in the fact that it is my internship year.  I feel like the Lord has been growing and stretching me in leaps and bounds this semester.  It is so encouraging to see and hear change in my own life and heart.
I am learning to recognize how I relate to people, how to do it differently, and how I have been impacted by other relationships.  God, by his grace has given me sweet friends to walk with me through this hard process of sanctification.
This week I decided I had what one of my counseling books would call a "corrective emotional experience."  I don't really encourage you to go looking for them because they aren't always fun.  They are definitely redemptive experiences as God continues to show his kindness and love to us but a challenge as we see are own brokenness and the Lord at work.

In class this week one of my professors asked us, "Do you believe people can change?"  Of course I want to say yes.  But really there are some days I wonder if they will.  I always want to hope they will but knowing there is risk in investing, in hoping for the change of another.  This professor pointed us to Philippians 1:6, He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.  We then looked at Philippians 3:4-16.  We have hope for change.  Christ is at work in us and in others.  Even though I struggle to see change in some and even begin to hope for them, the Lord is at work and will continue on in it.

Thanks for partaking of some of my ramblings as I am processing through things I am learning and experiencing this semester.  It is all a work in progress.

The Crazy Life

Life right now is crazy.  I am pushing through some 12 hour days right now between work and school and man let me tell you it is tiring! The highlight of the week is Wednesday.  I have absolutely nothing to do on Wednesday.  So I stay home, read, write papers, drink tea and listen to music.  It is glorious.  That will be my day again today, plus putting my life back in order.  The busier the week is the more out of control my room gets.  I feel like this week I reached an all time low.  Not that I'm making excuses, but not coming home until 9:30 and 10:30 almost every night of the week will do a girl in! 

If you need me this weekend you can most likely find me at home catching up on the rest of life!

Jealousy!

Slightly jealous.  In case you haven't heard, I live with a sweet family. They are the next best thing to my own but I will claim each of them as a part of my family.  They are leaving on a weekend adventure today and I wish I was going too! They are headed to the happiest place on earth, no not Disney.  Auburn! Oh, the Loveliest Village!   Happy Game Day Weekend everyone.  Football season is here!! Whoohoo. 

War Damn Eagle!

Started!

My final year has started!  It is crazy to believe that I moved to St. Louis two summers ago.  I am starting my third and final year at Covenant!  Man how time flies.  the Lord has been gracious to me during this season of life.  He has blessed me with some sweet families and friends whom I can turn to.  He has stretched me in ways that I was not expecting.  I know it is not over yet.  This year still holds a lot for me.  If you thought the past two years were a roller coaster with me, just wait!  Internship is guaranteed to be a ride.  Hang on with me as I continue to learn of the Lord's goodness and mercy.  And as I continue to see and feel the depths of brokenness in our world and long desperately for Christ to return and make all things new.  So beings final leg of graduate school!

Colorado!

This past weekend I headed up to Denver to check out the city and visit the Wood Family.  It was my first trip to Colorado and I loved it.  The flight in was definitely not my best.  There is a first time for everything and it was for sure the roughest flight I have ever been on.  I need to be sure to travel with Dramamine (or Phenergan) next time I will.  My time with the Woods was sweet.  It was so good to spend time with Barb, Andy and the kiddos. 

Friday I had coffee with one of the local CTS grads who is establishing her counseling practice. I walked away from that conversation thinking we could be friends.  I really enjoyed hearing about her experiences in Denver but also learning about her as a person.

I ate at a great Mexican place downtown Rio Grande, the food was really fresh and had great flavor.  There are multiple locations, C.  Also, I went to Dazbog coffee a couple times.  Great outdoor patio, plus you can bike to several of their locations.  I think what I loved about being in the city was that you could bike to everywhere, or walk.  You could also catch their light rail to get where you want to go.  

Saturday I went up to the mountains with the Woods.  It is amazing.  We went hiking in Silverthorne which is near Keystone, Frisco, and Breckenridge.  We stopped off in Frisco to pick up some beer at Andy's favorite local brewpub.  I really enjoyed the beers we got from Backcountry Brewery.  I was really thankful to be hiking with four small children because I am really out of shape so it was nice to have a slower pace, not because of me but because of the kids!

Barb and Andy are a part of a church plant in metro Denver.  Sunday night I joined them and the rest of their team at a vision and prayer meeting.  I loved meeting the different people that showed up as well as other members of their team.  

I think I was most surprised by the weather this weekend.  The sun is really hot in Denver.  When you are in the sun it gets really hot, but being in the shade makes a huge difference.  I was told that winters in Denver are actually better than winters in STL which is really encouraging to hear.  Because the sun is so strong in Denver whenever the sun comes out it melts the snow rapidly as opposed to STL where you go days without the sun and end up suffering from SAD.   Denver has much more sun during the winter months which I really like.  

That's right, it has been almost a month since I have posted.  Life has been a little crazy this month.  I was in class for two weeks from 8am-5pm and I think every ounce of my energy was zapped from that.  The week post class I spent holed away in the library working on class assignments.  If you need me this week I will be there again.  Life has been hard and challenging this summer as the Lord continues to stretch and refine me.  There have still been more goodbyes to fill the summer which is always saddening.

This weekend though was a whirlwind with most of the family here for a visit.  We ate our way through STL.  Now, I need a week or two of serious working out.  We hit three donut shops, Anheuser-Busch and Schlafly tours, Crown Candy Kitchen, hung out with my STL family, walked the Botanical Gardens and made our way around town.  Now back to the real world.  So thankful to rest today!

sweetness

These girls know the way to my heart.  What a fun and sweet way to end a day.  All four of us are currently in different cities for work and vacation and yet because of technology we  are all able to share a few laughs and stories with each other.  Thank you to these wonderful ladies for being such a blessing in my life!  Last night was a technology victory for all four of us!

Moving!

Today is my final day on campus.  I am washing my sheets now and will pack up all that remains to move over to the new house tonight! I'm halfway unpacked at the new house but still have lots left to do.  I forgot how many shoes I own!  Looking forward to settling in this next week.

oldie but a goody

Yesterday I spent some quality time with Nana.  We went out to lunch and then back to her house to look at pictures.  We went through 8 reels of slides.  We found some really great pictures from mom's childhood.  Here are a couple for enjoyment.

Wrestling or Rasslin'

This past weekend I spent a few days in Lawrenceville, GA (not to be confused with Atlanta).  MTW had a Vision Retreat for three days that I attended to learn more about short and long term options.  The weekend at MTW headquarters was wonderful.  I had the opportunity to interact with many of the staff members and recruiters from the organization.  Different departments shared what they do, their interactions with missionaries, and why so many of them have been there 10+ years.  I think what I loved most about this experience was seeing how much the MTW staff cares for, loves, and prays for their missionaries.  While there I also got to hear from five different missionary families.  I had some really valuable time learning about the missionaries, sharing my story with them and getting really great feedback. We also spent time in prayer with each other which was wonderful.  I met missionaries from Australia,  Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Peru.  All of them in different stages of time in the field. I appreciated the honesty of the missionaries as they shared their experiences, their struggles and God's faithfulness through it all.  They talked about God's sovereignty, his perfect plan, and our own pride.
I think my favorite part of the trip was that I had time for great one on one conversations with many of the missionaries to learn more about them and their experiences.  They were interested in hearing about me and my call.  Dr. Kooistra, the head of MTW talked with us about support raising and what it means to be called. 

My prayer is that the Lord would continue to make my next steps clear.  That he would continue to give me clarity as I move forward in my final year at CTS.  That he would give me a burden for a people group whether it is stateside or abroad and that my heart would be open to his direction and call on my life. 


To those that are considering the Vision Retreat (you know who you are), I highly recommend it.  Even if the area of the world you are interested in serving is not present MTW will arrange a time for you to speak with someone from the Resource Team to learn more about opportunities.  The time with staff and missionaries was very encouraging.  They were able to answer questions and concerns.  I still do not know what my next steps will be but feel at peace and encouraged knowing that I can't make a wrong decision about it. 

Another pictureless one

Sorry folks. Not too much to capture around here.  Life has been slow lately with no class, not much work and a lot of hanging out.  I am trying to enjoy the slowness as it is all about to change in a few weeks!
I leave town tomorrow for my vacation in Huntsville.  I will be around town from Tuesday until Monday.  After my stint at home I will hit the ground running here in STL with internship! I will start seeing clients soon after I get back.  I have 2 already!
My goal now is to have as much packed as possible for my move at the end of the month so it won't be too terrible come the final days.

Officially...

It feels like summer.  The Browns were kind enough to include me in the family pool package this summer.  Now, I have access to the pool any time I want!  After my first trip to the pool this week it really does feel like summer.  Oh how I have missed the pool.  STL pools are not your average, run of the mill community pool.  These things have big slides, lazy rivers and zero entry play areas.  It is like your own small water park for the community.  It sure beats the heck out of the swim team pool.
Now, all I need is some shaved ice to seal the deal that summer is here!

Summer transitions

And so I enter in to another new season.  Summer you think is supposed to be here but it was in the 50's yesterday and low 60's today.  Summer, I think is confused about its timing.  The one thing I do know about the timing right now is that it is really hard.  What they don't tell you about seminary is that you will make really amazing friends, establish deep relationships with families and friends and then they up and leave to go serve the Kingdom somewhere else in the world.  It stinks!! (edited for my mother)

Some of these people I may not get to see again until glory.  The most interaction I may get with them is Facebook, thank you technology.   But having your heart ripped out multiple times this summer as you watch friends and families leave in their moving trucks and cars is depressing.

I think the hardest part for me is knowing all of my favorites from my two years here are leaving.  My support system has been completely overturned.  The Lord has been gracious and blessed me with sweet neighbors, roommates, and classmates-all of which will be changing.  I've got a big summer ahead.  Your prayers are coveted this summer as I seek direction for next steps.  I am looking forward to my new house mates.  I look forward to fun times ahead with them!

Finals week

It is finals week here.  I am closing out my second year of seminary-CRAZY!  It has gone by super fast.  It never fails though I always catch something or get sick for finals.  I guess it is the whole semester finally catching up with me.  At least this time it is just a sinus infection of some kind!  I'm a little less than a week away from being done.  I only have one paper and two finals to go.  Prayers appreciated!

Final days

Oh what a sweet week this has been.  I LOVED having my family here to spend time with them! Kim, Trevor and the kids have worn me out this week.  We spent time at the Botanical Gardens, Science Center, and Zoo-all of which are FREE!!!  The weather was not quite as warm as we all had hoped for but we still had a really good time.  I was able to take my first trip to the science center with the Hackmans on Tuesday.  I have many fond memories of going to hands-on science centers/museums as a kid.  I feel like many of our family trips included stops to these places.  Mom always made things "educational".  The STL science center has a great dinosaur exhibit and architecture and space.  Plus, you can walk across the highway and look through windows in the floor of the bridge at cars passing under you.  You can even use speed guns to check the speed of cars!  How fun!   

I really enjoyed watching Kim and Trevor parent and love on their kids this week.  It was such a joy to watch them as a family have fun and do life together.  Thanks for letting me be a part of your family for the week.  I loved every minute of it.

Rainy days of May

It is May and it is a cool 45 here.  Yesterday was warmer and nicer.  I was able to spend some quality time with Kim and Kier while Trevor hung out with the younger two for nap time.  We all got to enjoy some coffee and baked goods at Kaldi's.  Even though my time yesterday was short with the family I enjoyed getting to hang out with Kim.

Today was our chilly day at the zoo.  Kim, the kids and I hung out for a bit before I had to jet for the day.  We got to spend the morning playing in the Children's zoo, petting sting rays, and riding the carousel.  We had a really good morning running around the zoo!

They're Here!!

It is the weekend I have been waiting for-my cousin is here!  Kim, Trevor and the kiddos came to STL this weekend for work and a vacation.  It has been almost two years since I have seen them!  I have more or less given up school for the short time they are here so that I can maximize my time with them just in case it is another two years until I see them again.  As soon as they rolled in to town we grabbed dinner at Pi in the Central West End.  If you come through town you really should try it.  Their deep dish pizza is amazing.  It is a cornmeal crust-really different from a crust you would be expecting.  They also put their sauce on top.

Today we spent the day at the Botanical Garden with some dessert on the Loop at Fitz's.  The weather was perfect all day!  It was sunny and warm so we were able to enjoy all of the flowers and a walk at the Loop. I think we will all sleep well tonight.  I know I will!

 

He is risen!

This was my first Easter to not go home. I stayed here to celebrate with friends and be at my church here in STL.  It was a busy weekend here for me of food, fellowship, and school.  I spent time with friends, other families, and my books.  Being a part of the Covenant community has been such a blessing these two years I have been here.   I do have to say I am sad I missed the egg hunt and basket at home, but I really enjoyed the meals and fellowship here with friends and families.

I didn't take any pictures but thought I would include the egg hunt picture from HSV.

*And to anyone who was concerned, the tornado went north/south of me here in STL.  It did hit one of my fellow student/church members house and car.  They are both ok.  Otherwise, we are just in the midst of our April showers.  

Need a House?

I have a friend selling their house in STL.  If you are searching for one it is beautiful!  They have done a great job with it.  Good neighborhood, fun restaurants, close to World's Fair Donuts! Check out her house! If you are searching for a house in STL.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I feel like I have been living life in a holding pattern lately.  I have been waiting for things to happen.  I do not really know what my next steps will be so I am just waiting for a little direction or for doors to open or close.  Today, one of those doors closed.  I applied to Maryville University for an internship for this next year and I am not one of the candidates they will be interviewing.  Back to the drawing board.  I was hoping for MU but had a feeling that I wasn't going to be there.  I emailed the counseling office to see what the next step for placement will be for me.
So continues the holding pattern for my life.  So much is unknown and not yet revealed to me yet.  The one thing I do know is that the Lord is faithful.  That he is has brought me thus far and will continue to carry me on through these unknowns.  I look forward to seeing where He places me for internship.  I also look forward to seeing where He places me post-graduation!

A Process

Lately, I have hearing from people how life is a process.  I myself have been experiencing life as a process.  One thing that I think I can take away from this semester overall, both in the classroom and out is that we are in process.  The Lord is at work in us.  Some days I wish his work was complete.  Obviously, I'm not standing with him in glory and he has not returned to renew all things, SO he is still at work.

I have spent a lot of time in Romans 5 this semester, apparently some of my professors have too.  One of them pointed out this week that it is part of a process.  He was giving perspective to our suffering, whatever that may be.  The Lord is daily, maybe moment by moment refining each of us.  Some days I feel like it takes for freakin' ever! But I know in the end the results will be glorious.  Our Father doesn't disappoint.  He is a loving Father who is looking out for us.  He knows our every want and cares deeply for us.  He can handle my questions and for that I am grateful.




[Peace with God Through Faith]
[5:1] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:1-5 ESV)

Feeling blessed

This past week has been my spring break.  It has been busy and restful and sleep deprived.  Tuesday I celebrated my birthday with friends that were still around town.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I spent a lot of time on the phone with friends and family talking and catching up.  I have sweet friends that took me out for all three meals of the day and gave me amazing gifts.  This week even though I had a crazy schedule and wasn't able to return many phone calls or emails I have felt blessed by the many relationships and friends that I am surrounded by.  The Lord is good at reminding me that I am well loved.  Thank you friends for celebrating with me and making me feel special!

Spring Break

It is spring break in Alabama.  Hope you are enjoy the warm weather, beaches and pool. We are enjoying are 1-3 inches of snow with a little sleet mixed in.  I can only keep dreaming of the Florida beaches.  One day.

We interrupt

our regularly scheduled programming...
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Symphony

Last Friday I adventured in to the city to see the symphony with one of my classmates.  I think other than an elementary school field trip this was my first  trip.  I loved it!  The STL Symphony  has Friday morning performances with coffee, donuts and discussions prior to them performing.  The performance is much more casual than their evening ones would be.  I enjoyed my morning out with Alisha and the whole performance.  It was worth the $10 ticket and I would highly recommend going again! Yes, only that much because they have student discounts! They also have free single seating tickets that you can try to get right before a performance if all the seats aren't filled. How fun is that! 

The symphony was featuring a violinist, one of reasons we went.  It was a great performance .  Check out the options to go! They have an expensive but what sounds like a really cool performance coming up next month doing Lord of the Rings!

Weekend Adventures

This weekend I have had so much fun hosting Jenna! I think we have worn each other out every day thus far.  We are both sleeping hard each night.  We have been to the zoo, the City Garden, an Orchid show at the Botanical Garden, Schlafly for a meal, Pi for another meal-the cornmeal crust was absolutely amazing! We had some frozen custard, checked out the Arch and even managed to squeeze in a trip to Costco and Trader Joe's.

If you are in town during the orchid show at the botanical gardens I highly recommend checking it out.

What is Love?

God's got a funny sense of humor.  I had a conversation with someone yesterday and she asked me, "What have you learned about yourself recently?"  After reflecting, I said, "That I am well loved by many people."

Now, you may be saying, DUH, Mary Martha. Look at your family, your friends, your neighbors. Of course you are well loved! You are and have always been surrounded by people that love you. I think it is one of those head and heart things. You know, but do you really "know" it.  Being someone who appears to be "even-keeled" and not easily ruffled it is easy to plow through life very independently not allowing others in to experience life with me.  It also doesn't allow me the chance to "be enjoyed" by others. (A phrase that makes me cringe, but I am growing to understand it more and more).  All of this means that yes, I know I am loved. I have heard I am loved. Do I really get it though?

In the midst of transitions, hard summers and confusing events the Lord has placed people in my life that love me well. They have been sweet reminders of how much He loves me.  Their love for me is just a small glimpse of how deeply the Lord does care for and love me.  Yes, I am just a wretched sinner that is undeserving and yet I am more loved and cared for than I ever deserved or imagine.

I have been blessed by friends who call and leave sweet voicemails and text messages.
Friends that send me care packages. [Yes, cookies were included in this at one point =)]

Friends that send me flowers.
Parents that send me care packages and surprise bouquets of flowers!

Friends that cook amazing meals, buy me gatorade when I'm sick, sit with me, cry and laugh with me, and bless me with their sweet children.
Friends that send me cards.
Friends that encourage me with their words when I need it.
Friends that just let me be.

I am surrounded by such a sweet community of friends that love and care for me. God was sweet in reminding me yesterday, Valentine's Day, how much he does love me through these many relationships that I am in.  It was a love filled and blessed day.

Someone asked me today how I was doing. My response,  Really well, Really loved.


[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. [11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. [12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. [13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
(Romans 12:9-13 ESV)

Dove

I've grown up using Dove soap.  The smell of the original bar actually reminds me of Meemaw. I'm taking a weekend class at the end of the month called Women in Ministries.  For this class she had us watch these two Dove Campaign for Real Beauty videos. I've seen some of their commercials before but thought I would share these videos.  I think the first one is pretty eye opening to how "plastic" our culture is.  It is so fake and airbrushed.  The second one is very sweet. Hope you enjoy the videos.

Crazy Friends

Chick-fil-a opened a few blocks away this morning. A bunch of my friends camped out last night in the sub-zero temps to be in the 1st 100 for the year supply of free Chick-fil-a.  I think they are crazy but they got their free food!

No school.

School is cancelled today. We are supposed to have snow, right now it is somewhere between 1/2-3/4 inch of ice.  We have been getting little tiny sleet pellets since I woke up this morning. It has been hysterical to watch because it only just started and everyone already has cabin fever!

The men on campus aren't used to being cooped up for such extended periods of time so they are all trying to find ways to get out! It may be a long few days stuck inside! I'm just thankful I can hang out with my neighbors and I don't have to stay in my apartment the WHOLE time.

Enjoy the views from outside my window! I plan on eating soup and drinking tea!

No thanks, I'll pass...

... WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM MONDAY TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ST LOUIS HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR FREEZING RAIN... SLEET... AND SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM MONDAY TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING... LIGHT FREEZING RAIN WILL DEVELOP ON MONDAY AND CONTINUE IN WAVES MONDAY NIGHT. THE FREEZING RAIN WILL OCCASIONALLY MIX WITH SLEET AND SNOW LATE MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY MORNING AND EVENTUALLY CHANGE TO ALL SNOW TUESDAY EVENING. THE SNOW WILL END WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* ACCUMULATIONS... ICE ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 1/2 AND 3/4 INCH ARE LIKELY... WITH HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. SLEET AND SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM AROUND 3 INCHES ACROSS SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS TO 6 TO 12 INCHES IN PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND EASTERN MISSOURI.

* WINDS... NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WILL GUST TO 40 MPH TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY.

* IMPACTS... SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATION AND GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS MAY LEAD TO WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES. THE COMBINATION OF ICE... SLEET AND SNOW WILL MAKE ROAD CONDITIONS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THIS COULD LIMIT TRAVEL FOR DAYS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TRAVEL WILL BECOME DANGEROUS ONCE THE FREEZING RAIN BEGINS. TRAVEL IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY. AVOID ANY DOWNED POWER LINES AND BE READY IN CASE OF A LOSS OF POWER. UNTREATED ROADS AND BRIDGES... SIDEWALKS... AND PARKING LOTS WILL BE TREACHEROUS. ADDITIONALLY... 6 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW IS EXPECTED ACROSS PARTS OF THE AREA. THE RAPID ACCUMULATION OF SNOW WILL MAKE TRAVEL EXTREMELY DIFFICULT... IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE. IF TRAVEL IS NECESSARY... MAKE SURE TO EXERCISE CAUTION. BEGIN YOUR TRAVEL WITH A TANK FULL OF GAS... AND CARRY A WINTER STORM KIT WHICH INCLUDES A SHOVEL... FLASHLIGHT... CELLPHONE... AND BLANKETS OF EXTRA WARM CLOTHING.

&&

More Information

... DANGEROUS WINTER STORM TAKING AIM ON REGION BEGINNING MONDAY...

.A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION... MOSTLY IN THE FORM OF FREEZING RAIN... WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE AREA LATE TONIGHT INTO MONDAY AND CONTINUE IN WAVES THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. THE PRECIPITATION WILL MIX WITH SLEET AND SNOW ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MISSOURI AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS ON MONDAY AFTERNOON AND MONDAY NIGHT... BECOMING ALL SNOW AS COLDER AIR WRAPS INTO THE SYSTEM. FREEZING RAIN WITH A LITTLE SLEET WILL BE THE PREDOMINANT PRECIPITATION TYPE FURTHER TO THE SOUTHEAST ACROSS EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI AND SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS. SLEET... SNOW... AND FREEZING RAIN WILL CONTINUE ON TUESDAY... WITH THE MIXED PRECIPITATION CHANGING TO ALL SNOW BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

THE GREATEST SNOWFALL AMOUNTS WILL LIKELY OCCUR ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MISSOURI AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS... WHERE AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF 12 INCHES WILL BE LIKELY. ICE ACCUMULATIONS IN EXCESS OF 3/4 INCH ARE LIKELY ACROSS EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI AND SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS.

THE SNOW WILL END DURING WEDNESDAY MORNING BUT WINDS WILL INCREASE BEGINNING LATE TUESDAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY AS THE STORM SYSTEM DEEPENS ACROSS THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW AS WELL AS AN INCREASED RISK OF DAMAGE AND POWER OUTAGES DUE TO THE ICE ACCUMULATION WILL LAST INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING.

Slow Saturday

Today has been a perfect Saturday before school starts for the semester.  I met with one of the women from church for breakfast and Bible study.  Our time this morning was one of the best I think we have had yet.  Our conversation was more real and we were both able to share about our lives.
I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon cleaning the apartment and hanging out with one of my roomies.  As exciting as that may sound to you, I loved it.  We don't get quality time together often so today was special.  Plus, who doesn't love a clean house?!
After cleaning and talking and a little bit of putt-zing around we ventured off to Winslow's Home for a snack and conversation.  Really, my lunch was a brownie, a goat cheese cookie (you must try one), and coffee.  The company, conversation, and food were fantastic.  We spent three hours eating, drinking, and chatting.  I highly recommend a slow Saturday, especially if it involves good conversation and a goat cheese cookie! 

Jan Term

Jan term started right after the new year and I have spent my month enjoying life here in STL!  We also got a good bit of snow here though it doesn't have quite the same effects as it does in the south.  Covenant did delay the opening of school by an hour to allow for the clearing of roads one morning.  Too bad it didn't impact any class I was taking!

 The first picture doesn't do it justice but it is a long way up the hill without snow.  Put snow on the ground, snow boots, and pull a sled with a small child behind you up the hill and you have a killer workout!  After getting cold enough we all came home for a warm lunch and to curl up under some blankets!  It was a great first trip to Art Hill!

One snowy day I adventured out with Rebecca and her kids to sled at Art Hill.  Art Hill is in Forest Park.  The hill is huge and people from all over town come to sled on snow days.  They put hay bales at the foot of the hill to stop people from running in to the pond at the very bottom!  It was cold and windy but my hot hands did their job and we had a blast!