Monday, December 21, 2009

Trip to San Antonio

From College Station...or Round Rock, rather.

This Saturday was my 20th birthday! To celebrate the occasion, my parents and I, along with my boyfriend Chris, took a trip to San Antonio. We stayed in a hotel right on the Riverwalk, so that was very convenient! Saturday night we went to a wonderful Italian restaurant called Zio's. I would highly recommend it. We spent most of Sunday at the zoo. I hadn't been in quite a while, so it was extra fun! Over all, I would say it was a very successful trip, and a good getaway from the craziness of Christmas shopping.

Have a wonderful Christmas week!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

'Tis the Season?

From Denton.Bold..

Well, this weekend was a very exciting weekend. My birthday was on sunday, Dec. 6th and I turned 20! I can't believe I am not a teen anymore...it does not feel any different but it definitely sounds different, and by that I mean older (but in a cool way :]). My beautiful Mama and my lovely neighbor, Mrs. Dance came to Denton to celebrate my birthday with me. We had a great time. They made dinner friday night then saturday we went to the galleria in Dallas! :] I am so thankful that God has given me 20 years of life to live and serve him.

I guess you are wondering what the title of this particular blog is referring to, so now I am getting to the point! It is Christmas time and I love this time of the year. However, the past few weeks...especially the past few days, I have been extremely convicted about what I am really celebrating. I must admit that I am a huge sucker for Christmas and everything that it involves. I love all the lights and decorations. I love the Christmas trees, the ornaments, and the warmth it brings to decorate the house with family and friends. I love the weather, how it gets cold and gives us hope that we will wake up to snow on Christmas morning. I love the nutcracker ballet and all of the Christmas performances put on by schools and churches. I love love love Christmas music (yes, I am the one to listens to it even before Thanksgiving). I love all the Holiday drinks at starbucks even though I never get them because I am afraid to try something other than my regular, and comfortable, hot chocolate. I love how a Christmas tree looks with all the beautifully wrapped gifts under it and the look on people's faces as they unwrap them. I love the spirit of giving and the joy that it brings to people. I love all of the Christmas movies...especially ELF! I love Santa Clause and everything that comes with him. I love Christ. I love that God sent his son; "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" Colossians 2:9. I love that he was incredibly selfless, loved us so much, that he gave his life for us on the Cross because he wanted us to live a life where we are not tied down by our sin or have to carry the burdens of it; but could live a life in freedom proclaiming God's beautiful and glorious name and loving others. I love that Christ provides for us, that he never forsakes us and keeps his promises when we fail him each and every day. That is what I lose sight in every Christmas because I get wrapped up in the worldly holiday that is centered around selfishness. Yes, there is giving but that only lasts for a month and it is a giving in which we expect something in return. Why can't we give each and every day? Because that is what we should be doing as Christ's disciples. I am convicted because James talks about having a friendship with the world and once we have that with the world than we are becoming an enemy of God. "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4. If I love all the materialistic and worldly things of the Christmas holiday then I am not showing my love for Christ.

I pray that this Christmas we are able to see CHRIST and focus on him and not everything else. I pray that we are excited to spend time with our family, and that we are excited to give to those who actually need things and give it selflessly...not expecting anything in return. I also pray that we don't do these things only once a year but every day strive to live as Christ's disciples, devoting ourselves to others, having a joy that only comes from Christ's Spirit in us, and truly understanding the Christmas story and his life here on earth. :] We are incredibly blessed.

Thank you for reading and letting me share. I hope ya'll have a great week. :]

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Short post

From College Station...

So sadly, no snow. At least not enough to matter. Oh well, it's Texas. I was just happy for there to even be talk of snow!

I'm going home on Tuesday, and I could not be any happier. I have too much time on my hands here. It will be nice to have some things to do, and spend time with my family.

On a side note, happy birthday to Kristen E! She is 20 today! I have been so incredibly blessed to have her in my life, and I hope we stay friends for the next 20 years and longer!

I hope your weekend was fantastic!
Have a good week =]

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Scariest day of my life

From College Station...

I can't wait for tomorrow because I'm hoping to wake up and see white on the ground. I guess we'll see in the morning, won't we?

With that bit of excitement out of the way, I shall continue...

Today I experienced something very scary. It doesn't take much to scare me; however, I don't think I have ever been literally scared for my life like I was this afternoon. My house is on a culdesac, and the bus stop is right around the corner on the main street. I had gotten off the bus after finishing up class for the day, and as I was rounding the corner, there it was. A huge doberman that looked angry/hungry/rude. I tried to stay calm, because I have always been told that they can smell your fear. I guess he smelled it from across the street because he ran at me full speed barking angrily like he wanted to tear me to pieces. There was a pickup truck in front of me so I quickly contemplated jumping in the back of the truck. No I didn't care whose truck it was, I was more concerned with being eaten by the monster that was charging at me. I tried to remain as calm as possible in a situation like that, but naturally I started to panic and tear up. Just then I hear a whistle. I don't think I've ever been so relieved in my life. The monster's brave owner had been sitting on his front porch watching me fear for my life the whole time! I didn't even care. I was too happy that this angry animal was now heading back to where he belonged...preferably a big cage. I quickly walked down to the end of the culdesac and into the safety of my house, away from dangerous animals who want to eat me, only to study for one of my final exams... Come to think of it, I don't know which was worse.

So there you have it. My eventful day. And I ended up making a 95 on my final, praise the Lord!

Thanks for reading!
Have a good weekend!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Let it Snow :]

Coming from Denton...

Okay, so Kristen (Kennedy) just talked about wanting snow and YES let's keep our fingers crossed that she does, indeed, get to experience the joy of Texas snow! However, this morning I experienced quite the surprise...yes people...it DID snow! :] :] :] I was technically in Ft. Worth so it had snowed a lot more there than in Denton, amazing a 20 minutes drive could make that much of a difference. Anyways, I was staying at a friend's house and she lives in a gorgeous neighborhood in the country with acres of land, long white wooden fences all around, and some of the neighbors have horses. So, with blankets of snow everywhere it was a Christmas card picture, dream come true, a glorious morning, all of the above! I was so incredibly thankful for that beautiful image. It was funny because I was just telling people recently that I had a feeling it would snow this year and it DID. To be honest, I say that every year...that way it is bound to snow at some point. :] It has just been a lovely day and like Kristen said, it is supposed to snow again on Friday!!


I also wanted to take a minute to introduce this blog to you! Kristen and I grew up in the same youth group together and became such dear friends. I am extremely grateful that God has placed her in my life and how he has allowed us to have such a strong bond and friendship in him. We are currently attending two different colleges Kristen Kennedy at A&M University and I (Kristen Eddleman) at the University of North Texas. So, although it is hard being far from each other we both feel that God has placed us where we should be and are encouraged by all that God is doing. Thus, the reason for this blog! We want to be able to share with friends and family all the wonderful things that God is doing in our lives as well as others. :]

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Pslam 62:1-2

Almost done...

From College Station...

I feel like I should be saying something like "I'm so stressed from all these finals!" but to be honest, I'm really not... I guess I got it easy this semester. Two online classes which were done before Thanksgiving break even, not so bad. One final tomorrow night, then my last one on Tuesday morning, and I'm done. Almost halfway done with my college career! Crazy... it seems like only yesterday I was saying the same thing about high school. Despite the slowness of my semester, I'm ready to be home for Christmas. The day I come home means putting up the tree, and I can't wait! It would also be very nice if it snowed this year. As a matter of fact, it's supposed to on Friday!
Thank you, Jesus. You know just how to make my heart smile.

Have a great rest of the week, and a wonderful weekend.