Because.

FINALLY got home at 4am. It took me about 27 hours to get home. My first train was 5 hours late. What was supposed to be a 5.5 hour train ride lasted 7 hours.

Finally got to Chicago.

My wallet got stolen within the first 15 minutes I was there.

I have no money, ID, and I've probably just gotten my identity stolen.

But one lady blessed me with $20 so I could eat, and another girl gave me a granola bar (at this point, I hadn't eaten anything all day).

Then the next train home was delayed for at least another 5 and a half hours, but luckily Matt was only a few hours away and was heading home so he came and picked me up, and my train still hadn't left.

Then, like I said, finally got home at 4am. My mom and sister welcomed me with signs and a tiara and balloons and those party noise makers. That was enjoyable, especially after one of the crappiest days ever.

Canceled all my cards and memberships today. But I'm still a little worried about my Soc. Guess we'll find out on my credit reports. And I'll need to get a new license the moment I get back. Except I can't drive to get there.

But I have to wonder...what idiot would steal a wallet from a college student? They'll be sorely disappointed. And I hope they are. Jerk.

Now I just have to find a way to get home without any identity but a ticket stub.

But at least here there's lots and lots of snow. :) And familiar faces.

Oh! do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch.

Might I just express my excitement that I am officially enrolled in a class that is dedicated to a thorough study of Jane Austen's work??

:D!!!

Believe

I wonder what would happen if the world believed in God the way they hype about Santa:

Believe

(Click the 'Yes, Virginia Letter' and you'll see what I mean)

My totally super special awesome phone call!!

Once upon a time in a land far away there was a girl we'll call Lis. Lis was hired as a supervisor at a retail store which shalt not be named. It was cool at first, because she got a fancy name tag and this store contained objects that suit her favorite hobbies at a discounted price.

One day, after months of denying it, she realized that she hated her job with a deep passion lit by the burning flames of hell. She had a desire to build relationships with people and change the world. After attending a life-changing conference she had finally decided that the world was not going to wait for her to get her degree to change it (because at the rate she was going, that could be a very long time). Thus, she began researching for opportunities that would coincide with her career path.

After minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days, days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into about a month or so, Lis stumbled upon a ministry in her area that works with high schoolers in an attempt to reach them at one of the most critical times in their lives where they will be most influenced. It would basically pay her for acting like a kid. "Behold!" She exclaimed, "It's like being a camp counselor every day! And I'd be able to wear a different outfit every day?! I have suffered at the hands of the khaki pants and black button down shirts conspiracy for much too long! Plus, no more Christmastime in retail!"

So she filled out an online form on their website praising them for the ingenius idea to reach out to the city that she resided in and asked if they had any opportunities available.

One day passed. Then two..then three, until time turned into two weeks. And finally, her cellular telephone began singing "I Feel It All" by the ever talented Feist. She reached over and picked it up, holding her hand to one ear as the household dog began barking at absolutely nothing.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Lis?" (Pronounced incorrectly...as usual)

"Yes! This is Lis." (She corrected the pronunciation...as usual)

He apologized for mispronouncing her name, and she assured him that it happened every day of her life, so he had nothing to worry about.

He introduced himself as one of the dudes from this organization she had shown interest in. He explained how amazing God works, because they had been praying for new leaders to come and join their team. He apologized for taking so long to call her, but she assured him of her excitement that he even did call her at all.

They chatted for a few moments and agreed to meet sometime the next week to discuss more about the organization and see if Lis was really interested in joining their team.

She hung up the phone and just marveled at how amazing God is. Then she ran into the kitchen to share the news with the wonderful family she was living with, and asked everyone and their mom for prayer that this was the next place God was leading her.

To be continued...

Stereotypes, chaos, and snow (or lackthereof).

I've discovered that I have phenomenal reflexes.
However, I have terrible depth perception.

"Every saint can have his body under absolute control for God. God has made us to have government over all the temple of the Holy Spirit, over imaginations and affections."
Oswald Chambers

I think there are different stages of faith. And at the same time, as I become older and learn more about people and who God is, I'd almost find it safe to say that there are different styles of faith. Hm. I don't know if 'faith' is the term I want to use here. But I'm going to nonetheless, because the term 'style' is what I wish to emphasize. Perhaps what I actually want to say here is that there are different styles of worship. There are people who like old fashion worship. Whether that means hymns, potlucks, or only using an organ in church services. And a lot of times they grumble at the hoodlums who stole those hymns and organs and replaced them with drums and fancy shmancy lights. These hoodlums are more of a contemporary bunch. Like Hillsong or James River or even the Judges at Fine Arts (you AGers know what I mean). And we have the theologian-like-minded persons who like to break things down into minuscules. You know, because there must be some significance to the smallest hair on the big toe of the left foot attached to the seven headed, ten-horned monster in Revelation 12. It's okay, I have, and do, get curious and nit-picky about these things at times, too.
There are even those who find it acceptable to simply take, within or without reason, the bible as it is.
And I know there are more, plus sub-categories and other limitless possibilities and explanations. This is just my unorganized stereotypical less-than-bullet-point version of a long drawn-out thought process and debate I've had in my head.

Nontheless, they all claim to serve the same God.

I wonder...why do we so often limit God's abilities? I think it's difficult for us as humans to accept that our minds are finite. Is it really so unreasonable to think that God knew and currently knows that we all wouldn't be the same? As long as we all understand that no one comes to the father except through Jesus Christ and obey His commands, what significant difference does it make in the grand scheme of things whether we systematize our 'faith' or 'worship' or not?

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Anyone else think that this whole so-called terrible economic crisis is in everyone's heads? I think we're all freaking ourselves out for nothing. Maybe that's just me. Or maybe it's not.