Time with my best friend

Mom and I had such a great time together. Mostly we did nothing of importance but just spent time with each other. It was so wonderful to get to talk face-to-face and enjoy the company.

Here are some of the things that we did together:

Talked
Took the bus in the snow
Made dinner for Emily and Erin (my housemates)
Talked
Made lunch for the grad students in my office
Ran
Talked
Laughed
Hosted a Girls' Night for the women in my Bible study
Shared our hearts
Ran
Went to my church
Baked muffins for families in my Bible study
Talked

As you can see we kept busy but spent LOTS of time together just talking and sharing our hearts. It was so wonderful!

Thanks, Mom, for coming and visiting me! Love you!

Stand in the rain

Although this post has nothing to do with the weather, it is a funny coincidence that I am writing about this today, for it is pouring rain outside.

Lately I have been listening to the song "Stand in the rain" by Superchic[k]. I think that it describes how I have been feeling. The chorus says:

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

God has been taking me on a journey of my soul. Sometimes I feel like I am standing out in the middle of the pouring rain. But this rain is cleansing, purifying, refreshing. It brings life, hope, and freedom.

You can read all of the lyrics here and listen to the song here.

The dates are set...

Three important school dates are now set.

On Friday, May 16 I will be defending my Master's thesis.

On Tuesday, July 8th and Thursday, July 10th I will be taking my PhD prelim exams.

Right now I feel like all of my schooling is so focused on these dates.

Snow

Well, after being so excited that Spring had finally started to arrive, Mom and I woke up this morning to find ourselves in the middle of a winter snow storm. We are supposed to get between 1-3 inches of snow today. I think that Mom is a little shocked by the change in temperature from AZ; I think that it is about 50 degrees difference. But she does think that it is beautiful. It is fun to see the snow fall through her eyes. I too must admit, it is a beautiful snow fall.

Mom's coming!

In about 4 hours I get to pick up my Mom from the Des Moines airport. I am so excited to get to spend a few days with her! I cannot wait.

Today I saw...

A bird! He stopped to say hello to me while I was waiting to catch the bus to school. He sent me a bit of Spring cheer.

Now I realize that my excitement over seeing a bird might seem a bit crazy to some. But after weeks of snow, temperatures below -20 degrees, and no sun, Spring is a very welcome sight. It is amazing how wonderful Spring is after a cold, dark winter. The sights, sounds, and smells make me want to smile and be happy. I wish that there was some way to feel the joys of Spring without the winter.

HAPPY SPRING!!!

He is Risen!

Happy Easter!

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has risen!

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

I am so thankful to Jesus for the debt that he paid for me. Not only did he die for me, but he then arose and fulfilled his prior promises. This gives me the assurance that he will fulfill all of his promises. I know that once I die and leave this earth, I will enter into eternal life with Jesus. Oh, how I look forward to that day.

Statistics

This is a picture of the grad students and faculty in my department. In the midst of a lot of work, we like to have fun too.

Can you spot me? I am in the 'cross' in the 'A' wearing the blue coat.

You can see more pictures at http://www.stat.iastate.edu/StatTimes/winter_STATISTICS_2008.html.

Who is that Radical?

Tonight I had a few friends over for dinner and then took them to church's Easter celebration. There was a drama performance set in a P.O.W. camp. One of the prisoners had been under the command of a "Radical General" who had an entirely new way to fight the war and set men free. This "Radical General" is Jesus. We were challenged to ask ourselves the question "Am I willing to follow a 'Radical General'?"

I am. I am willing to be radical, to be different. I am following a General who sometimes gives orders I might not understand, but I will trust and follow. I will keep my sight set on my Commander for he cares for me.

John 5:24 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

Banana Pecan Smoothies

Blend together the following ingredients:
Frozen banana: cut into slices and freeze
Yogurt
Milk
Pecans
Cinnamon
Flax Meal

Enjoy!

The River

As the river flows...

So too do my thoughts.
Quickly changing direction.
Speeding up.
Slowing down.
There is no telling what is around the next bend.

I hope that you enjoy reading my thoughts and listening to the river. I pray that they will always bring glory and honor to the One who created me, my thoughts, and the river.