It's A Good Thing We Run

Snippets from conversations that have taken place between Kirstin and I over the last week.

I think it is probably a much needed blessing that we love to run... :)

Never Again

One week ago I sat in my Nursing Ethics class and listened to my professor say:

"Now is the time to stress." 

The paper was assigned. 

I knew it would be due in 7 days time. 

I knew it was going to take some serious effort and some serious time. 

And yet...

At about midnight last night I sat down in front of a completely naked word document.

Way too many mg of caffeine and almost zero hours of sleep later, i'm sitting in the back row my first class of the day in baggy sweats with a sore throat and super shaky hands (i'm thinking i'm not a huge fan of 5-hour energy).

My dang paper still isn't done.

Not even close.

I have until 3 pm.

Baby step to 5 pm...

You'll find me passed out on a couch somewhere.

Never again.

For The Bathroom Mirror

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

Henry B. Eyring

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

The dye has been cast.

I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tinted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. 

I no longer need pre-eminence positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be right, first recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted up in prayer, and labor with power.

My face is set, my goal is heaven.

My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed, will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the case of Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me and when He returs for His own He will have no problem recognizing me.

My banner will be clear.

A Random Collection

1) I love my mitten mug.

2) Lets bring NBA back to seattle.

1) She's gorgeous.

2) I miss her way too much.

3) She is coming soon. Not soon enough.

1) I have a lot of jeans...

2) 5 have holes so big they are unwearable.

3) 2 are too big.

4) 1 is too small. 

5) And yet they all remain in my closet. 

1) She is 9 now.

2) I am an awful aunt for forgetting to call her on her birthday.

3) I love her so much!

1) School started again.

2) I have so much to do.

3) But really I find myself not wanting to do any of it.

4) I have to do it anyway.

Happy Tuesday!

Things To Celebrate

First off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my oh-so-great friend and roommate Christie. 

I love this girl. I love that we live together. I love that its gone well. I love that she is so chill. I love that she is hilarious. I love that she falls down in the kitchen almost on a daily basis. I love that she puts up with me. I love that ridiculous things come out of her mouth all the time. I love that our relationship is extremely sarcastic. I love that she doesn't mind me being a clean freak. I love that we have had many adventures in the relatively short time we have been friends. I love that when we first met I thought she hated me and now I know that thats not the truth :) I love that my brother married her sister so that we can be kinda sorta not really related. 

Happy birthday Christie! Love ya!!

Next item of business: Lets talk about Steph and Jared.

Steph and I hit it off early in junior high and she was one of the few school friends I kept all through high school and beyond. She really is just the greatest. She and Jared started dating while we were still in high school and made a wonderful couple. Together they have been through a lot. They have experienced more hard things than some people will in an entire lifetime. For the last couple of years Jared has been battling cancer, and Steph has been at his side through it all. They documented the last few months of his treatment here at a blog that Stephanie kept. A couple of weeks ago, Stephanie and Jared were finally married, and I was blessed enough to be there to witness it. It was such a special occasion and I cannot even express how happy I was to be able to be there and celebrate the happiness and start of a new life for my long time friend. The Issaquah Press published a great brief article about them and their journey that can be found here. I love you Steph!!!

Home Highlights

I am blessed enough to have many homes away from home. However, currently Provo is the home with my car. And my apartment. And my clothing. And many of my friends. And my education. And my jobs. And my routine. I am sad to be leaving my Seattle home after this incredible Christmas break, but admittedly I am ready to start up my life again with some regularity and routine. I love BYU. I love that thats where I get to go back to. I am ready to take on another semester and get myself one step closer to graduating from nursing school.

Home highlights:

Sticking to our long-time tradition and going to wrap presents for the Forgotten Children's Foundation.


As I mentioned already in a recent blog, reuniting with this girl.
One night we made frozen hot chocolate. I know it doesn't sound like it makes sense, but once you taste it, it becomes instantly obvious that that is the perfect name for this delectable creation. Thank youuuu Pinterest.

Many many game days/nights with the family.

 Spending another wonderful Christmas Eve with family and friends at the Richards home.

Getting to be with these beautiful little girlies on their first Christmas morning in their new house!

Running along the lake waterfront in Kirkland. Seven beautiful miles that couldn't be marred by the rain.

The honor and blessing of being able to attend Steph and Jared's wedding.

Watching dad figure out how to get all the grease out of the turkey pan using a homemade siphon. Awesome.

Eating mamma's cooking! :)

Every moment spent with my best friends.

 

This picture is seriously the perfect depiction of us. Jules: always a total babe. Rachel: always freaking hilarious. Me: always a weirdo.

Julia's 21st birthday!

"Um, no, we don't drink alcohol" was said more than once.

Me: "Woah, its 0 degrees in Provo right now."

Paul: "Wow, that is like nothing."

Hahahaha. 

Getting to the point that I could hold this precious girl for long periods of time and she didn't cry (even though she looks sad in this picture...). 

Knowing that my big brother really does like having me around and misses me when i'm gone :)

I am so grateful for the constant reminders that I have of my many blessings. It is definitely the great people in my life that make living such a joy!