Lyric of the Week

(I got this idea from Eva.)

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men
-"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns.

Merry Christmas, friends!

Question:

Why on EARTH does a gas station bathroom need a sharps disposal container???

WHY did I not know this show existed?!

I just found this...

And I got really excited when I saw that FACE (the guys in plaid) was on it! They're from my hometown!

Truth: I love acapella.

You know your walls are thin when...

...You can hear your neighbor below throwing up (I think).

Ew.

Time for some earplugs, pronto.

Add to my list:

• Petra
• Provence (Southern France)
• Morocco
• Nepal
• India
• Prince Edward Island
• New Zealand
• Senegal
• Kenya
• Switzerland
• Indonesia
• Hong Kong
• Black Forrest (Germany)

A Good Day

Today really was a wonderful day:

1. Slept in till 9...which I normally would not consider sleeping in but it seems my internal clock has shifted after having to get up at 4:15 nowadays...

1.5. (drove down to Northfield for Christmas Fest...)

2. Hung out with a dear friend and had great conversation that reminded me just how blessed I am to have them in my life.

3. Got to be a part of the Weiber family tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. As an only child, I didn't grow up with a lot of hustle and bustle of tradition around Christmas, so it was really fun to be in the middle of a family with three kids, all running around, eating Christmas cookies, putting ornaments up, etc...and they are WONDERFUL people and I am so blessed to have them in my life...I was officially "adopted" into their family today as Lindsey is being transferred (they were her adopted family while we were at St. Olaf)...Dave and Michelle are a picture of a marriage I'd love to have someday, and their children (Lauren, Rachel and Brandt) are just great. It was a joy to be a part of their family. Also, they sang me Happy Birthday. :)

4. Went to Christmas Fest and LOVED it. I don't remember enjoying it quite so much last year...They did some wonderful music, a few that I had done during my years there, and one piece that a student wrote that was nothing short of incredible. I loved the text (and, frankly, was a bit amazed that a student at St. Olaf chose it):

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

The tree of life my soul hath seen,

Laden with fruit and always green:

The tree of life my soul hath seen,

Laden with fruit and always green:

The trees of nature fruitless be

Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel:

By faith I know, but ne’er can tell,

His beauty doth all things excel:

By faith I know, but ne'er can tell

The glory which I now can see

In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought,

And pleasure dearly I have bought:

For happiness I long have sought,

And pleasure dearly I have bought:

I missed of all; but now I see

'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil,

Here I will sit and rest a while:

I'm weary with my former toil,

Here I will sit and rest a while:

Under the shadow I will be,

Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,

It keeps my dying faith alive:

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,

It keeps my dying faith alive:

Which makes my soul in haste to be

With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

If that's not a little bit "fundy" (thank you, Joe Budish), I don't know what is...

5. Came home, had a birthday present from my parents waiting for me. you know you're getting older when the vast majority of your birthday present is books... does 24 seem old to anyone else?

All in all, a great second day of my self-imposed birthday weekend...sushi last night, the Guthrie tomorrow!

Sometimes writing papers just about kills me.

Ugh.

I feel like I have the attention span of a two year old.