"I'll be found in You...still standing."

"I am changing, less and less asleep.
Made of different stuff than when I began."
- "Shadowfeet" by Brooke Fraser

I feel like that one quote sums up this year for me (if that's even possible).* I can't even explain it completely—it just is what it is. This year...I don't even know how to describe it. I have never learned so much within a single span of twelve months in my entire life. It has, by far, been one of the hardest years of my life, yet I can't call it bad. It has changed me so much. I am definitely not the same person I was a year ago, but in a good way. I'm wiser, more mature, and more aware of myself, others, and life in general. My relationship with God is different, too. It's closer and based on more trust than ever before. It's amazing, really.

One running theme throughout this year has definitely been adventure. Not just in the normal sense (though with a trip to Utah and Arizona, hiking, whitewater rafting, camping, and everything else, there was plenty of that, too!), but just life in general. Completely new experiences; never knowing what's coming next; scary, yet fun; never easy, but always rewarding...yeah, that's this year for sure. I've had to trust God like never before. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I trust Him 100%, no question. I've always trusted Him, but this year has brought about a new element of it that I've never had before.

I've cried more this year than I can remember doing in a long time, but I've also laughed more than ever. I lost a good friend for the first time, but I also gained so many amazing new ones. I had to make decisions that I've never had to make before, but through that, God reassured me more than ever. I guess there have been a lot of extremes. It's funny how it all balances out somehow.**

"When the world has fallen out from under me,
I'll be found in You, still standing.
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees,
When time and space are through, I'll be found in You."

* I love finding songs that describe my life to me. It always gives me chills (and usually results in some pretty obsessive listening...). I have to say, I think the craziest one was when I heard "Lonely Tonight" by Matt Wertz last month (see my post from November 3). Everything, down to the exact month and length of time. So weird.

** There you have it--my standard, super-reflective, end-of-the-year post. I can't help it; I try really hard to not go overboard, but I have to be introspective on here sometimes. :)

Finals Week, Fall 2009!

Helloooo, finals week! Studying, deliriousness, dance parties (bubble wrap included), and squeezing in all the once-a-semester traditions we failed to get around to doing during the semester. It's a good time.

First things first: An amazing "I Hate Exams" dance party in the Tharp Third lounge!

Ohhh yeahhh!! "Party in the USA," "Whatcha Say," "Down," "Year 3000," and, of course, "Cupid Shuffle" all make for a great stress-relieving playlist that is so wonderfully typical of TH3. :) Add in the bubble wrap, and you have the epitome of awesomeness.

Second on the list: Trip numero dos to Jenkins with Christy, Kristi, Courtney, Jesse, Michael, and Justin!

It started with a random invite sometime last semester, and now it's on its way to making itself a tradition. Since hanging out with these three guys doesn't happen as often as I'd like, it's always a fun time when we get together.

Next up: Christmas party at Audrey's with about 20 of my favorite people!

A rousing game of "Boxers or Briefs" (a potentially awkward game if you don't know the people well, which fortunately isn't the case with us), plenty of Christmassy food, and lots of laughing and random conversations... It's nights like this that make me realize how much I really do love my life. I have the greatest friends in the world.*

As soon as I left the party, it was off to Steak 'n Shake with Christy, Kristi, Tuna, Jesse, and Josh for our traditional once-a-semester late night trip!

Sooo much fun--after we finally got Josh to commit to going! It was just like always, complete with Jesse riding in the trunk (and us nearly dying, thanks to Josh's driving skills).

Then there's today, which has included nearly freezing to death...indoors (seriously, I've been wearing a coat, scarf, and gloves all day and I'm still not warm), attempting to remedy this by going to Perkits for ice cream with Emily and Courtney, and listening to a bunch of random music. Oh, and semi-working on a computer project, too.

Two more days, and I'm outta here!

*I also re-realized how huge my friend group is. The ones at the party were mostly just the closest ones. How did that even happen?!

Thanks, God.

I'm thankful for my little brother's random humor, my mom's listening ear, and my dad's corny jokes. I'm thankful for meteor showers and mountain air and laughing under the stars. For incredible friends who are there to keep me smiling, even through the hardest times, and who keep loving me, even after seeing the good and the bad in me. For hiking and Owl City and driving with the windows down. For acoustic guitars and waterfalls and Steak 'n Shake runs after midnight. I'm thankful for the fact that I can write cliché "thankful" blog posts and feel okay about it. :) I'm thankful for autumn leaves and how they blow around and crunch under my feet, for Christmas lights, the color green, and warm, fuzzy blankets. For songs that describe my life to me, rainy days, and giant bear hugs. For violins and good movies and long conversations about nothing in particular. I'm thankful for late-night adventures and old friends and meeting new people.

I'm thankful for the difficult times because I've learned to fully trust.

I'm thankful for Your amazing, amazing love.

I'm thankful for knowing that there's a point to everything that happens in my life, and that You are going to walk through all of it with me.

Thanks, God. :)