Oh Grey's Anatomy, I love you!

What is it about driving alone that makes you so emotional. I just drove back from Dallas and cried while I was on the road. I never cry, so that's a big deal. Now I'm in this really mellow pensive mood. For some reason this is a common occurrence for me. I'll be perfectly pleasant and then after an hour of driving I start thinking about all of the people I love, and all of my hopes and dreams, and about how I really want to get married, and about the wonders of being a child of God (as well as a child of Betty and Larry) and I start getting really emotional. Does this happen to any of you peeps out in blog world? Or am I just crazy?

Anyways, my class this weekend was great. I met some great people who are ACU students, but don't live in Abilene. I'm really excited about being a minister. I just hope I'm ready when the time comes.

Lastly, here is a great picture of my niece Kaelan. She really is the cutest. She has six teeth now. That is nuts. She'll be one in March. I can't believe it's already been this long. I love this picture because she looks mischievous. This is a quality that she gets from her aunt Sue.

This weekend I am heading to Dallas for a weekend class. This class will teach me how to manage conflict in the church. Is that even possible? Why are churches such an epicenter for major conflicts?

Hymn to a Good Wife
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

While apartment living does have its drawbacks, there are a few perks:
-Once a month someone comes and changes my air filter, I don't even have to think about stuff like that.
-Every once in a while an exterminator comes a sprays for bugs. I don't handle bugs well, so this is a big plus.
-A security gate surrounds the property providing a bit more safety.

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Charlie Bowman has finally arrived. I'm so excited to meet him! I know that Andy and Amy are going to be the best parents. What a cute family.

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The oscar nominations are out. Crash got several which is great because I thought that movie was quite moving. I'm rooting for Reese and Joaquin too, I just love them!

New Job Time

Tonight I am starting a new job. I am going to work with the women's ministry at the University Church of Christ. Tonight I have a meeting with the elders. What a way to start. I went to find a new outfit, but I couldn't find anything. Men don't care about fashion anyway. I've had lots of new jobs. Usually, the first day is uncomfortable and long. At least this first day will be short.

I love Napster. So many songs, so little time.

I miss my friend.

It is really nice to be back in Abilene and back in the groove. It's weird to think of Abilene as home, but it is now. Greek class today was just super duper. I think I did really well on my quiz. I have no idea why, but I just love Greek. I know admitting that takes away a few cool points.
Golden Globes Update:
First of all, when did they move the Golden Globes from Sunday to Monday? That was weird.

One big winner was Walk the Line. I saw that move over the holiday and I must say that I loved it. I'm so glad that Joaquin and Reese won. I just love Reese, she seems so happy and nice. If I lived in Hollywood I'd try to be her friend. Does any know if Joaquin is married? He always seems depressed. Quite a difference from Reese.

Desperate Housewives also took home a big award. I just love this show. I tried to watch it with my sister in law and I think she judged me a little for watching such a dark show. It is so great though. Lynette is my favorite.

Another big winner: Brokeback Mountain. I haven't seen this one because I live in conservative cities that don't allow these types of movies. Or at least that is my theory. (Side note: I think it has come to Abilene now)
Well, it's time to do a little reading of the book of Mark. I'm supposed to read it fresh, like I've never read it before. How in the world am I supposed to do that?

Exegesis: a little boring, but very insightful.

I'm usually happy and easy going. Honestly I have very few problems. But sometimes I just feel helpless. Things at home have totally exploded and there is nothing I can do because I'm stuck here taking a stupid exegesis class. I'm also very tired, already, with three more day to go.

Holiday Update:
Since it was just me and my parents for Christmas this year, we were able to do whatever we wanted. So we decided to head up to our cabin in New Mexico for a winter wonderland Christmas. Unfortunately, it was pretty warm for this time of year. In fact, I wore a t-shirt the whole time. So my hopes for snow were let down. The pond was frozen over though, so my little (and by little I mean fat) dog Dolly decided to wonder out on to the ice where she fell in! I was freaking out a little, she looked so helpless. Thankfully, my dad was able to get her out. After a hot bath and some time by the fire she was fine. On our last night at the cabin, the electricity went out. It was extremely dark. Naturally, my imagination led me to believe that a murderer had cut the line and was waiting to kill me in my sleep. In reality, it was just a busted transformer. Whatever that is. So now I'm back in Lubbock, enjoying sleeping in and catching up on my MTV. Life can't get much better I guess.

I miss all of you Abilene people!!

I love!! Christmas lights. Nothing decorates a house quite like thousands of tiny bulbs. Just call me Clark Griswald.

Okay, here is a picture of the actual lizard.
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I'm going on strike. Arby's chicken strips made me oh so sick and even sent me to the er. Pretty bad timing to get food poisoning, I have way to many pages to write. The only friend I have right now is blue gatorade. So, from this moment on I will not be eating at Arby's. Want to join me?

Gary survived another tribal counsel. The Linz family is still in the race. Yea for my favs!!

Need to be sleeping... can't fall asleep... too late to take any tylenol pm... what is wrong with me?

I had a great experience at Highland tonight. Two incredibly talented women shared the story of the women in Jesus's lineage through their gifts of art and drama. It was very powerful and if I tried to describe it, my words wouldn't do justice. So I won't. Just know that God is powerful enough to use very broken people to do pretty awesome things.
Here are some new pictures of baby girl Kaelan. She's just the best baby! She is so full of joy. I'm going to see her this weekend. Yippie Skippy!

Update your blog and call me in the morning.

As it turns out, blogging is actually good for your health. Doctors have found that cancer patients who keep up to date blogs about their illness tend to recover better than those who don't. Obviously, it's not the blog, but the fact that they are dealing with their emotions which leads to mental health. It is good to know that the time I spend on this blog journey in not completely useless. Just think of me as mentally healthy--although some of you may disagree. God bless.