Last minute details...

We are about a week away from home (which is AWESOME!) I am very excited to see everyone!
So, here is what the next few days look like for me/us here at school.
Tonight (Wed. 10th)- Netball game. We are gonna FREEZE!
Thurs. 11th- Practice for Christmas production.
Fri. 12th- "Work day" that means 1/2 of us are cleaning the castle and grounds and the other 1/2 are in a seminar.
Sat. 13th- Relax, then dress rehearsal for Christmas program (I think)
Sun- 14th- Service in the morning then Christmas program @ night. (All of us roomies will have an advent celebration)
Mon. 15th- Lectures and then Christmas Program @ night again.
Tues. 16th- Christmas banquet. Secret Sister revealing.
Wed. 17th- Room cleaning/packing.
Thurs. 18th- Leave EARLY in the morning- our train leaves at 6:16am! Get home at 6:30ish!!! SEE FAMILY AND EAT MEXICAN FOOD!
Those are the major things going on so I will be pretty busy the next few days.
I may not write till I get home (not sure)
So, if I don't.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Winter Happenings

It snowed yesterday, well first it was a slush of rain, snow and ice. We finished morning lectures and headed to lunch wishing that it would be real snow, one of the staff people made a comment about it not being real snow right before we said the prayer for the meal, then we prayed and literally she said "amen" I looked up and it was snowing! Gentle, big white flakes almost the entire meal. It was a nice winter moment, very like yet unlike our Texas winter moments. It has been icy ever since. The forecast is snow tonight and tomorrow but who knows- it is not that predictable.

Nothing terribly interesting to say right now- I am very excited about our visit home. The advent season is much more meaningful this year because I am actually more aware of the anticipation. Most years it is too busy for real anticipation and reflection but not this time. I am keenly aware of what it means to "wait for Christmas" and its not the gifts that are under the tree that I am waiting for. It is all the thousands of other things that Christmas means- family, traditions, warmth, sights, tastes, smells and the love of people around you. What is most amazing is that CHRIST'S love is what makes all of this possible in the first place but He is the one most forgotten during it all. I have heard people say things like that before but never really understood what they meant- it seemed very "churchy" but I understand more now. When you are separated from it all you start to realize the "why" of what you are missing. So, at the risk of sounding a little "churchy" myself- I hope you too are anxiously anticipating the coming of Jesus' birthday and the wave of love that spread throughout the world because of it.