lately

- I have done lots and lots of school. Which is mostly reading ridiculous amounts of articles and writing papers.
- I taught a kindergarten drama lesson in class today. It was fun.
- have decided that my oven is out to get me. It gets REALLY hot and burns just about everything even if you turn the temp down. And then the smoke alarms go off. this is where the insanity starts!
- loving the fall weather in Boone. it's wonderful. I spend my inbetween class time sitting outside usually reading my Bible or a book and just watching the leaves change colors
-spending time with friends and realizing the importance of relationships and community
- most importantly I have been missing India like crazy. I never thought that it would get under my skin like this, that it would never leave my mind. but it doesn't. It's odd because sometimes I barely believe that I went where as other times I can't imagine not having gone. I miss the people and the culture incredibly. I especially miss the lepers. I can't even begin to explain how they taught me what true love is. those people are amazing. I want to go back. When I have no clue. Not anytime in the near future, to my dismay.
-along with missing India God has been teaching me a lot. in fact he's been using my longings for India and my memories to remind me of His goodness and continually teaching me new things about himself. I don't know if many people think about this but September 11 was last week. It amazed me how unnoticed it went by. It seemed like people don't really remember or if they do they are just pushing it aside. I was upset by the lack of remembering and realized that it had less to do with remembering the tragedy and more to do with remembering God's goodness and what he has done. I mean, how often do we just look back on our lives and the lives of others and just admire God's plan of redemption. just something I have been pondering lately.
-been talking on the phone a lot to my teammates. thank goodness for free minutes after 9. unfortunately one of the girls lives in Washington (the state not the district) so I have to wait till midnight to call her so that it is free for her. but i've logged many minutes talking to teammates. i didn't really think i would keep in touch so much with people but it has been incredible to even talk to about 4 people every now and then. I praise God for the friendships he has given me through these girls and look forward to being friends for a looooonnnnnnnnnnng time.
-loving my apartment. especially the walk in closet that i can actually walk into. someone could live in it it's so big. i am spoiled i know. also loving my turquoise room. it is very serene and calm which is usually what i need after long days of class,work, meetings, and studying
-reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. it's a great book about Christianity and honesty and well life. i reccomend it.
-realizing that my college time is going by way too fast. in a year i will be getting ready to student teach! this also means that i am realizing that soon i will be in the real world and i'm not so sure how i feel about that.
-going to some app football! yeah love the games and love tailgating and just the whole experience.
-went home 2 weeks ago for a Bethany Dillon concert, probably one of the best moments of my life i was so excited and happy! she is so talented and down to earth. i even met her after the concert and talked about india with her - two of my favorite things: india and bethany together, what could be better? no really she is super sweet and kind and signed my cd case and we got a picture
yeah that's it. sleep calls. class does not but unfortunately i still have to go anyways.