Christmas break #2: Fresno

Acceptance

(My dad as a little boy. How cute is he?!

Dad- bet you're wondering how I got this. I'm sneaky.)

I am in my mid-twenties, a place that feels like the beginning of the transition from young and sparkling to adulthood and expectations of maturity. I am realizing that some of my assumptions about aging are not true. The me I envision in the future is much kinder and more thoughtful, finds time to write letters to family and friends, sits in a sunshiny garden and reads, hosts parties and never avoids visiting with friends, returns all emails and phone calls the day they are received, prays for everything she wants to and everything she says she will, eats chocolate cake and never feels fat. For years I have been idealizing my future self, and becoming disappointed by how little I really change. When will I become this perfect me I imagine?

While reading tonight, I came across this passage:

"Grace strikes us when, year after year, the longed-for perfection does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: 'You are accepted.... Do not seek for anything, do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted.'"

The Shaking of the Foundations, Paul Tillich

I have heard my dad say, while looking at old pictures, that he still feels like the boy he once was though his body has changed. For better or worse, I am me. I will very likely be me for the rest of my life. And God calls me- the me I am right now- worthy and loved.

Christmas break #1

This Christmas David had the brilliant idea of wrapping presents in fake gift boxes. A toaster that plugs into your computer and makes up to 4 slices of toast in 30 minutes! A Visorganizor so you can carry up to 7 pounds on your hat! The iFeast portable mp3 player/feeding station for your dog or cat!

My brother, mom and dad tried to act excited about their gifts, but their faces didn't lie.

Goodbye bangs!

Certainly, we have had a lot of fun together. I am sure I will miss you, and I know I will get tired of looking at my forehead. However, you just aren't practical for travel and humid climates. And because we will likely be somewhere humid for the summer and fall, I must begin to part with you now. You see, you take a long time to grow out and you don't always do it gracefully. So here is to side bangs, headbands and hair clips for the next few months!

Until we meet again, adieu.

From 75 to 15 degrees

After a few weeks of family, friends, food, Christmas, sunshine and chaos, we are back in Baltimore. It was great to hug those we love and visit our old favorite spots (more posts to come), and it was refreshing to forget about school for a while. Seriously, I finished finals and then immediately forgot about school. I was impressed with myself.

We are glad to be back, and we are glad that we are glad to be back. It is a good feeling to want to return to your home despite that home being new and very, very different.

And very, very cold.

So many Christmases

And so many beautiful Christmas trees. One of my favorite parts of Christmas morning is waking up early and looking at the tree, glowing and ready. It is so peaceful.

Merry Christmas

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."