Beautiful leaves… 

Here’s a quiz to see how well you know me…I haven’t done one of these in awhile, so I thought it might be interesting to see what you all think! 🙂

Well, it appears that I need to start liking lamb…according to this, and other travel websites, lamb is served quite often…fish is, as well…I can handle fish, but lamb? AND they really like their food spicy…that’s never good!

The International Olive Oil Council has this to say about Tunisian food…and lists several recipes…

It’s time to get adventurous!

As I sit here, writing my annual Christmas letter to put in my Christmas cards, I am amazed at all that has been accomplished/experienced this year…and, I am amazed at all that will take place next year!

2004:

* Being in TIME Magazine

* Visiting the Reagan Ranch

* Traveling to Chicago twice

* Moving four times (I hate moving!!!)

* Spending a weekend in Yosemite for my family reunion

* Completing two more semesters

* Probably 100 hours in youth ministry (yay for youth!)

* Writing well over 200 pages for school

* Working on the Bush Campaign

* Seeing God work in amazing ways…

And much more…

2005:

* Possibly going to the Presidential Inauguration

* Going to Kentucky for my brother’s Basic Training Graduation

* My own graduation

* Moving again…

* Tunisia!

* Two weeks of youth camp (one of those I am helping to create)

* Continuing work in my church…

* Beginning life in the “real world”

* Having so many options open to me for my future

* Seeing God work in even more amazing ways…

And so much more…

I am SO glad that finals are over…that I only have one semester left of school…that I get to learn Arabic soon…etc.

It’s been quite a year, and I can’t wait to see what 2005 brings!

WOW! Last Sunday I announced in church that I had been accepted to go to Tunisia, and mentioned that I was so excited to see God provide for the trip, because I knew that He would.

Well, the church secretary called today, just about an hour ago, and told me that a donation had already come in…for NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! $900!!!! Oh my goodness! That means that I only need $1875 left to raise!

The church also wants me to prepare a powerpoint presentation (which I was already planning to do–and even ordered a Burka–traditional Muslim dress–to add to the presentation) so that the church will know more about the trip, and so they will be more likely to give.

WOW!

I am astounded by the love of this church…and by their generosity…it is absolutely amazing!!

“If it’s God’s will, He’ll pay the bill.”

I saw this on Heather’s blog, and decided to give it a whirl…it was actually fun, and caused me to think about some things! It was also a welcomed study break…finals are almost done!!





9 things I want to do before I die

(these are in no order of importance):

1–Sing the National Anthem at a major event (NASCAR Race would be awesome!)

2–Travel to all 50 states, and all 7 continents

3–Have four kids–two natural, two adopted

4–Make an impact on the world, no matter how small

5–Bring the Word of God to those who have not heard

6–Climb Mt. Lassen (again) and Mt. Shasta

7–Play all the instruments my great-grandfather played (as of now, I play 3 that he played!)

8–Have my own house–my “dream” house (the “Father of the Bride” house)

9–Work with youth for a long time…they are so great!

8 things I’m wearing:



1–pajama pants (as always)

2–white socks

3–my Philadelphia t-shirt

4–my glasses

5–my “God is Love” ring

6–tennis shoes

7–my Messiah College sweatshirt

8–my hair in a pony tail holder (LOL)

7 things on my mind:



1–Will I remember everything for my IR Final?

2–Why can’t I graduate now?!

3–I can’t wait to go home and relax

4–God is SOOO awesome!

5–Who will I marry? (ALWAYS thinking about that one, it seems)

6–I really want to go to the Inauguration!

7–Why do I have such horrible allergies?!

6 things I touch everyday:

1–my computer

2–my cell-phone

3–my allergy meds

4–my hair

5–my pillow

6–my Bible

5 things I do everyday:

1–Read

2–Work

3–think about graduation

4–pray/read my Bible

5–spend time with friends

4 songs on my mind:

1–“White Christmas” by Bing Crosby

2–“The Hand Song” by Nickel Creek

3–“Be Thou My Vision” (the APU UCO version)

4– “One Small Child” (sung it last Sunday as a solo)

3 things I think of when I wake up:

1–Can I just stay in bed today?

2–Snooze button, one more time…

3–Another day closer to graduation!

My 2 favorite foods:

1–Ciatola (my very own creation!)

2–Salad

1 person I love more than any other:



My future husband, I suppose, even though I don’t yet know him…but I definitely love my family…more than anyone!

Well, inauguration plans are still a possibility! I have a handsome date for the festivities lined up, so that’s an incentive to get these tickets! 🙂 (Just kidding, Dad–of course that’s not the reason I want tickets!)

One final tomorrow morning, one paper due tomorrow afternoon…and then I am DONE.

I believe that I may be graduating with honors!! 🙂 My grades this semester may prove to be higher than I had expected, bumping my GPA up to 3.7…yay!

Other than that, life is just busy. I am never in my apartment anymore because I am so busy with work, studying, etc. And, I have to pack soon as well! 🙂

Back to this paper…

So, I found out that I may indeed have a way to go to the Presidential Inauguration (and all the festivities) in January! I won’t give details now, but in a few days I may need to be looking into funding a roundtrip ticket to Washington, D.C.!! This came as a shock to me, and it may actually happen!

Now to pay for an airline ticket…:)

Talked with a guy-friend from my semester in D.C. last night, and he encouraged me in a funny way.

The conversation went like this:

Him: (telling me about his girlfriend of three months now, etc.)



Me: Yeah, my love life is non-existent, but that’s okay.



Him: I always knew those Cali guys were stupid.

How sweet is that?! 🙂 Well, maybe it’s just sweet to me…It encouraged me, nonetheless. 🙂

Off to study, study, study! Big final tomorrow!!

Ahhhhh!! SO much to do this week! 🙂

I just finished the first part of my paper for Dr. Flannery (3 pages), and I have to start the next half…I have another paper to write (which is a final, thankfully) by Thursday…three tests…

But, then I’ll be DONE! 🙂

Tonight a few of us are going to taste Tunisian Cuisine…that will be exciting, and a great study break…

This is a really boring post, LOL…but there are “exciting” ones below to keep you occupied. Check out the comments on this post–what do you think?

5 days and I will be done with the second to last semester of my college career!!