humbled, becoming small... Part 1

January 8th. Where on earth have the first 7 days of January gone? Over Christmas break I had a comical, yet serious conversation with my mom when she asked how I would say 2010.  Like it was a life or death situation. She decided on two-thousand-and-ten. I think I agree with her. twenty-ten sounds cool now... but go ahead and try 2011. Twenty-eleven. eek. I'm glad her and I got that out of the way as 2010 rapidly approached us.

I have a lot to say...  i think that is why I haven't updated since Dec. 24th..

When I look over the past three weeks I think I was traveling more than anything. In my mind, I knew I'd be all over the east coast.  But sometimes I misestimate things. (made up word, but sometimes its over and sometimes its under) Like the amount of luggage I pack, how long it takes to get from point A to point B, how much work I think I am going to get done, etc. Then throw some unplanned circumstances into the picture and its enough to make a girl crazy.

So here I sit in my apartment in Norfolk on January 8th, thinking about where I've been, who I've encountered, and conversations I've had.

One thing you may or may not know about me is that I tend to be pretty independent.  Always have been.  It's probably a pride issue.  No, maybe a control issue... Okay, both.  I like being in control of situations. I find comfort in closure. I typically do whatever it takes to be where I want to be, when I want to be. Sinful, I am aware.  So the best way I can describe the past three weeks would be: releasing of all control.  Humbling...wouldn't you say?

(new post... long posts quickly lose my attention.. See Part 2)

trains, planes, & automobiles...

Okay, okay... minus the planes.. but what an adventure it was getting to NJ yesterday! Phew!  I had my first ever Amtrak experience. (sidenote: I decided to leave my car in Norfolk over break and hitch a ride with a friend who was driving to Baltimore, then take a train from there to NJ)

And what an experience it was! Who knew the fun you could have on public transportation?

I decided to keep a running list during my 2 1/2 hour long ride. Before this list let me explain that I have never been in the Baltimore Penn Station before and had NO idea what to expect.  Was it like an airport? Was it like NY Penn Station? Was it even a building? Do I "check" my bags?  Who knew???

Turns out that Baltimore Penn Station is a building, a little like NY Penn Station, a little smaller.

Now for all the funny things that happened to me today (in my mind I laughed a lot...)

• a man at the newspaper station convinced me not to buy the apple crisps I was trying to purchase with my coke and Real Simple mag.  Without looking up he said to me..."These are $4.99.." I took it as a hint that I should not buy them..
• a fellow Mountaineer approached me and started to talk WVU.. thank God for WVU apparel in public places. :)  He was too cute.. and 75 years old, married, with two grown children.. only 2 grandchildren.. his son is 45 and unmarried.  
• I encountered a handful of Spaniards who were in America on holiday.. their English was excellent! But they did create quite a frenzy in the seats next to me.
• Grandma to my left speaking on her cell phone at a completely inappropriate decibel... apparently the money she loaned her friend was still available if she needs it.. 
• Grandma to my left hangs up... glances at texting Spaniard and gives her unapproving opinion of the Text Messaging trend.
• European teenage girl.. maybe she was 20 something... lunges down the already cramped aisle
• 3 sneezes from the man behind me..
• me sitting in an aisle seat....ouch elbows..
• 2 more sneezes from man.. swine.
• I think I hear Uncle Louis from Christmas Vacation a few seats ahead of me.. turns out its not Uncle Louis... just his voice.. as he talks to stranger next to him.."In 1950 when I was fighting in Korea..."  "I think Obama is making a huge mistake in Afghanistan.."   "Tiger Woods... what a jerk."  Way to hit on all of the hot topics Uncle Louis.
• I start to wonder if there is such a think as a snack car on this train somewhere...still somewhat a mystery.
• I learned the ins and outs of the universities in Spain, Germany, and America.  Also how to cheat in college in Germany.  
• Yes, it is official, there is a snack car on this train.. in fact they sell Bud Light cans. Interesting..
• Yes! Although I got separated from my mountaineer friend, we met up again at Metropark!  He made me smile :)

What a day.. what a day!  I didnt realize I'd learn so much from a 2.5 hour train ride.  Thanks Amtrak for getting me home safe and sound.

You may ask what I did with all my luggage.. cause I was also a bit unsure what I was going to do with it... but here is my big suitcase... in view from my seat... the red one on the left. ;)

Ornery...

I got to see her today :)

light, lights, lights!

a good friend from the area took me and Amy to see the boardwalk Christmas lights in Virginia Beach.  It was so fun!  They even give you a Christmas CD to listen to as you drive through the lights on the boardwalk.  It was especially fun to see the crazy waves in the ocean... remnants from the Nor Easter we had that week.

tis the season!

Snow in Colonial Williamsburg!

What a lovely, lovely evening in Colonial Williamsburg!  When we got there it was verrrry chilly. We ate at the Cheese Shop and before we knew it, the flakes began to dance outside! Soooo magical!

very snowy

the marching drummers and piccolos, look at the snow!

in the candy shop

caramel apples :) mmm..

in good taste.

an irish blessing in the book store

a fun night.

Thank you Jesus for the snow!

*Celebrating Semester One*

Thanks to Brooke who took the time to make this! What a great way to celebrate all the God has done these past 16 weeks!

Glory in the Highest

Tonight our staff team celebrated Christmas with Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, and Christy Nockels in Virginia Beach.  What a fun night! I laughed, cried, and worshiped.  Louie Giglio brought the word... never had I heard a better rendition of Luke 2, the Christmas Story.  He invited us into the first Christmas night in Bethlehem and taught how God came down into the nitty gritty of this broken world.  I loved how he illustrated the night of Jesus' birth and how the circumstances surrounding His birth were so far from perfect in the eyes of the world.  Mary and Joseph were probably looked down upon for supposedly conceiving this child out of wedlock, it was tax day, and this child would be born in unsanitary conditions in a cave on the side of a mountain.  Imagine that you were Mary at this time.  Consider for a minute what was running though her mind.  Consider the exhaustion after traveling to Bethlehem.  Consider the uncertainty and confusion and dealing with the stares of judgement from outsiders.  Consider Joseph and his role in it all. Phew!

John 1:14 tells us that "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." 

or in the Message Version "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood."

God decided to come down to earth.  He became flesh, human form, in the form of an infant.  I love how the message version says that He became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.  He came TO us. Humbled himself and moved into our neighborhood! In the midst of the brokenness, sinfulness, and self-gratifying ways of the world, HE MADE HIS DWELLING AMONG US.  I don't know what is a more beautiful love than that.

Amy, Matt, Brian, Brooke and me

me and the girls with Christy Nockels