I’ll unleash all of my wilderness exploring on you

These are from the park near by.

Christ is so cool. He's born, I get presents. He dies, I get candy.

Christmas break has begun, and the siblings have started coming home. The house will be full and load again.

In addition to my Christmas to-do list, there is the really long Thailand to-do list. Both are terribly daunting

On top of making and getting to my to-do lists, I have started say some of my goodbyes. I really hate goodbyes, and I am really bad at them.

So the multitude of tasks, and the goodbyes have made the last few days a little long.

However, with the Christmas spirit all around, nothing can get me down.

Speaking of Christmas, here are pictures from this years tree cutting.

Catch you on the flip side.

Quick! Call the plow!

It snowed Saturday night. I was hanging with some friends, so I was not the only one playing in the snow. It was late, and beautiful.

The next morning, I was awake in time to take pictures before things melted and got gross.

I know that snow means shoveling, bad driving, and wet feet. But it also means layering, sledding, and picturesque scenes. And right now, I am only looking at the good things. I'll let the downsides of winter hit me later.

In addition to enjoying the snow, I have been sewing. Mostly just hemming people's pants, but also some little projects. I'll post pictures of them soon.

I'll catch you on the flip side.

When life sucks, you look at it's beauty.

As some of you may know, things have not been going as planned for the past few weeks.

Crap happens and all I can think is "I didn't see this coming."

In the past I could find beauty in the unexpected, and joy in the unplanned. But not now. These surprises have been less like unanticipated guests, more like unanticipated overwhelming stress.

Therefore, my peace is now being found in the predictable: FALL.

I love all of the expected changes that come when fall is in full swing.

The progression of color, the cooler weather, the sounds of crunching leaves, the smells of damp leaves.

And so, a little over a week ago, I took my camera outside and enjoyed the beauty.

I hope you are all getting a chance to enjoy your favorite things (girls in white dresses and blue satin sashes etc.).

Catch you on the flip side.

A lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable.

And these are from day 2 of my adventures near Canada.

Catch you on the flip side.

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~Martin Luther

Today's pictures are from a walk in a near by arboretum.

It was a beautiful day after a bunch of bad weather days, and the company was great.

Introductions: the black shirted guy is German, and green shirted guy is dating the purple tank top wearing girl.

Catch you on the flip side.

Maybe you are more of a worker bee, a follower, a ticket ripper, or the man at the concert with the orange glow stick directing you where to park.

The family has been busy getting things ready for my open house on the 12th (if anyone needs info leave a comment). We have been cleaning and baking and it is showing on my nails.

It will go from 4pm to 8pm, and the plan is to have an inflatable bouncy castle. However the weather report at this point says there will some showers. I am praying God will keep my party dry.

This evening I went to an open house for some childhood friends, in fact we were all in fifth grade together. It didn't hit me until then that we were all really growing up.

I mean, as a home schooler you don't really get the "done with high school" feeling because you don't leave. Furthermore, since I am taking a gap year and will spend the first bit at home, I don't even have college to get ready for.

This does not mean I am not going to college, I AM GOING TO COLLEGE. It has been necessary . to clarify that lately. I am going to college, I know where I am applying, and I have an idea of what I want to study. A gap year does not mean I am ignoring college or any other of my future plans (and I do have any).

Anyways. I haven't had the goodbyes to classmates or finishing up final school projects (finishing up was put on hold until after the 12th) like other kids in my grade. However listening to how happy these guys were to be done with high school and moving on, I realized I am in the same boat.

My life is moving forward. My future is this huge empty abyss that I can fill with whatever I want. My hopes and dreams are beginning to take form.

I really am excited.

I trusted in God by taking a gap year like he was calling me to be. And I am trusting in him now by leaving my plans open for him to work. By doing this I now I have started off on the right foot concerning my future. I am following God, even though I don't fully know where I am going.

On a different note. Ryan and I took a walk last weekend and this is what I came up with.