there's something about the first day of a semester that makes me feel like i'm in elementary school again.
it may be the "first day of school" picture my house took this morning.
or the tremendous orange i just bit into.
this is monday.
it's a gift.
pardon me while i go live it.

what do you say to taking chances?...

so....i haven't been here much recently...
and by recently i mean i haven't been here all break.
i kind of expected to venture here a lot, but that hasn't been the case.
with that in mind, and my tea (with honey) by my side, get ready for there is much to tell.

i have experienced so much love, joy and laughter in this break.
God is good, and he is caring for my heart so well.
the highlight of my break (which i expected) was the conference i just recently got back from.
after leaving my friends at LT this summer, I had this conference to look forward to, knowing that this would be when i could once again hug and cuddle with them.
silly tears of joy. you should've seen me when i saw my dearest karin, tricia, brett, ryan, eric, kristin and josh...there were skips and hops, and my heart was dancing like crazy.
my heart felt whole once again, this family that was given to me this summer was reunited.
these are people that remind me how terribly important it is to live life to the fullest.
so here's to you, my loves: for the escalator rides, spinning hugs, ice cream, giggles, beds shared, surprise trips and glimpses of what heaven is sure to be like.
my heart so badly wants everyone to experience community like this.
this is something that i am realizing more and more that i am most passionate about.
this is what life is supposed to look like, the life that Jesus speaks of us living to the fullest.
and i know that i more often than not fall short of this life, but know that i am trying...so please keep me accountable in this.

but hey, it's a new year.
so let's wake up together, mkay?