In my mind, there are appropriate and inappropriate places to campaign. For example, it is entirely appropriate to campaign at a university, or door-to-door, etc.

But a church is entirely off-limits in my mind.

The house of God is a place where people come to worship and adore their Maker…it’s a place where they often come to escape the happenings of the world, and to fellowship with fellow believers…

It is NOT a place for political candidates to come and speak and hold a political rally, basically, during the worship service. I do believe that it is important for church goers, as with the rest of the country, to be informed, and to know the candidates and their stands…but I do NOT agree that a candidate should come and speak during a worship service.

I don’t care if you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Bull Moose (yes, that is an actual party!)…church is NOT the place to campaign.

Why do I rant about this? Because Senator Kerry did just that today. I am appalled. He turned a worship service, which is all about GOD, into a political rally, basically, which is about KERRY.

Whatever…Just wanted to rant a bit… 🙂

I love traveling…I love seeing the beautiful earth that the Lord has created…and more and more I find myself itching to leave the North American continent…I want to see Eastern Europe, Italy, Russia…South America…Australia…

So today I looked into prices for flights within Europe, and hostels, and such, just for fun…and discovered that with food and everything, I can backpack around Europe for under $1000. A flight from London to Florence is (and I’m not kidding) 1.99 pounds!! That’s like $5!!! RyanAir is one of the best values within Europe, and I was AMAZED!!

The most expensive part is getting from California to London, which is around $500. That is AMAZING! Not that I have that much money, but it is more realistic than I ever dreamed!

I also am trying to get together a road trip for Spring break…I love road trips! A nine-state road trip is in the works…

Sigh…these are the times when I wish that I had money, so that I could do these things that I’d like to do. For now, I’ll just dream and plan about the day that I’ll finally be able to see the world…and that will leave me content.

So, I am now considering studying in Lithuania in May! A man came today to my International Relations class, to talk about the study abroad opportunities that our school has with Lithuania Christian College…and it has made me so excited! I have always wanted to see Eastern Europe–much more so than Western, and this would be the perfect opportunity! I have until March to apply, so I am going to really prayerfully consider this…it would be so amazing to get to travel all around Eastern Europe–and I wouldn’t have to worry so much about school, because I will already have my B.A. 🙂

That’s about all that’s going on right now…I’m going to watch Gladiator tonight, since we’re studying the Roman Empire in my World Civ. class…great excuse to watch it! 🙂

The night finally came! It has been so hard for all of us to keep this a secret (even though we’ve only known for a day or so)…Stuart proposed to Leslie tonight–and we are SO excited!! Two amazing people, entering into a lifetime together…

I have posted some pictures below from the evening…it was amazing…she was shocked…and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for these two!!

Stuart and Leslie

The girls: (top, left to right): Ananda, Christina, Jessica, Leslie, Sara, Kirsten, Paige. (Bottom): Christie, Allison, Lesa.

Where it all began…our suite, Freshman year, Engstrom Hall…Leslie, Allison, Sara and Lesa.

Colorful leaves…frosted grass…cool, brisk mornings, filled with the smoke from woodstoves and fireplaces…the hope of a “White Christmas” (that never happens anyway)…waking up, wrapped up in blankets…Such fond memories of Fall.

And that’s all they are: Memories. I live in Southern California, land of eternal sunshine, practically…and no seasons either.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

The longer I am in SoCal, the more I dislike it, and I long to be back where there are seasons, where smog isn’t in the air constantly…where there is OPEN LAND between cities…and where I can enjoy the seasons individually–unlike two years ago when it was 85 degrees (Spring) in January (Winter) and the leaves were just turning colors and falling (Fall)…

Speaking of NorCal, I will be home for Homecoming this year–thanks to my parents. They bought me a plane ticket to come home and be with the family, and while I’m home I might check out the festivities. Homecoming is a HUGE deal in my town–with thousands of dollars worth of fireworks each year as well (I was the ASB treasurer, so I know these things, LOL)…

So, any Red Bluff people reading this, let’s hang out that weekend! Drop me an email or something, because I’d love to see you!

Back to dreaming about a REAL Fall…Sigh… 🙂

In the past few weeks, as God has prodded me, I have been making many changes in my life…and last night closed a chapter in my life that has needed to be closed for awhile.

Paige, Leslie and I went to Huntington Beach to have a picnic and a bonfire, and it was seriously unforgettable. There is just something about the beach, about the tranquility and the natural beauty, that just makes healing happen so much easier. There, as we shared stories while sipping hot apple cider and roasting marshmellows, it was just so amazing to me that God has blessed me with these friends…and even more astounding that there are several other girls in my life who are so special and so amazing. I know that I have done nothing to deserve these friends!

These girls have been there for me through so much, and as we closed a chapter in my life last night, I realized that I couldn’t have done it without them…without their support, without their constant love and encouragement. Thank you, girls, for being my friends…you mean SO much to me!

Today I spent the day reading, laughing, and hanging out with my best-friend of 16 years, Bethany. Yet another person with whom God has blessed me. She has been there through SOOOOOOO much over the years…and she is still there for me now. What an incredible friendship we share! I can’t believe she’s put up with me for 16 years, LOL. 🙂 I love you girl!

Life this semester is new for me, with many changes left to make…and I am so thankful that the Lord has enabled me to make these changes.

The freedom, the peace that I have felt in the past week have been so refreshing–and I have realized those things are what I have been lacking in the past few months…with one chapter closed, another can begin…

“Our God is an awesome God…”

If you would like to read the commentary that I wrote about the Presidential Debates, click here. Thanks to Todd for asking me to write the commentary, and for getting me back into the political groove.