{update}

GUYS. Blogging in college is hard. I hate starting every post with "Aw, gee, guess I haven't posted in three weeks... shame!" But this is becoming my reality, and I'm okay with it. I love blogging, so I'll keep doing it. Even if that means only a few posts each month, they'll be the kind of posts I want to be putting out there- a variety of sharing what God is doing in my life, thankfulness, bragging on the amazing people I have in my life, and tons of pictures of all the things I've been up to. 

God is teaching me SO much. I have been so encouraged and challenged by a million different things lately. I have a post in the works (okay, in my brain... soon to be in my drafts folder) about some of those things. 

Habits is a word that's been floating through my mind lately- getting rid of the old ones and forming better ones to take their place. Again, more on this in a later post. 

I have a WICKED HUGE announcement coming super super soon. Lots of you probably know what it is... because frankly I just can't shut up about it. A hint? I am checking a really big item off my bucket list this year. 

Spring Break is on its way! I fly back to NH on Friday night.

Today I found out I had a midterm on Thursday... just when I thought I was one small quiz away from freedom! Oh well. Still close! 

Tomorrow is Moody's Day of Prayer, and I am so excited to experience it for the first time. The Gospel Choir I am a part of is leading the whole required afternoon session, which is going to be so amazing, we have such wonderful songs this semester. Not gunna lie, I cry every time we do this set. ALSO, I get to solo lead one of the worship songs we're singing! If somebody gets it on video, I can share it here! :) 

Literally seriously goodness gracious I am so blessed. 

I got a job!! I am working for a childcare company that gives me the opportunity to work as little/much as I want. It is such a godsend. I may not get a chance to be assigned to a job until after spring break, but I am so grateful to have a source of extra income and can see how God's timing was perfect in the process of applying. 

Well, I am off to get a coffee before my 4 hour class (with a dinner break in the middle, so a five hour marathon 3-8!)... it is much needed this week, even for a girl who is determined not to be addicted to caffeine. 

Thanks for reading my ramblings, much love to you if you made it this far! 

-Emily

PS. look out for a February playlist soon! I will probably post it tonight during one of my class breaks. 

{February 17}

watching---> New Girl, the first season of Community on Cucirca, lots of cooking shows on Hulu, and various other shows during this resty/always-drowsy-from-Benadryl couple of days (more on my recent medical escapades soon...)

reading---> some amazing books for my classes, Jesus Calling, and The Casual Vacancy.

listening---> street noise, floor noise, roommate sniffles, and Spotify on shuffle. this second it is Mumford and Sons' Holland Road

making---> plans and dreaming dreams

feeling---> rather weak, still in recovery mode. but SO much better. also thoughtful and sentimental... as well as  slightly grumpy, too, but at least I can blame that on the meds they have me on.

planning---> an adventure for next semester... again, stay tuned!

loving---> relaxation and the things God is teaching me in these moments of both stress and silence

--Emily

P.S. Thanks for bearing with me these last few weeks of mild blog neglect, crazy stories coming your way this week or next! Meanwhile, keep up with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest! Let me know if you follow me on any of those places, I'd love to follow back :) 

Late Night Letters

I normally do this on Fridays, but inspiration struck while I was procrastinating writing a paper... typical. So tonight I wrote letters.

Dear Zach, you're the best- even though you said my glitter phone case was dumb and told me about Jon Foreman and Noah Gunderson coming to Chicago on a night I can't go. But really... you're great. I think I'll keep you. 

Dear blank wall next to my bed, I'm going to cover you with something. You're driving me crazy.

Dear Ema, I missed you this weekend. It was so quiet! I don't think I can ever live alone... ever. 

Dear Justin Bieber, your acoustic stuff? It's surprisingly so good. Do more. 

Dear 3 North (my dorm floor), I feel SO blessed to know all of you. This week I realized how God has provided us with such a life-filled community. In the middle of missing people from home and searching for the right church, we have each other as a community to turn to for encouragement & prayer. 

Dear God, you are so good. So so so good. Help me remember that and have more "Selah" moments.

Goodnight!

Quick Update & January [mini] Playlist

Goodness gracious me oh my, I have only blogged twice this month... pathetic! These things happen.

Update--->

I am back at school! I am in my third week of classes now, and loving what I'm learning this semester. I have a great book list, some amazing profs, and good friends in my classes.

Break was a much needed rest, but I am very happy to be back in the swing of things around here. It is so nice to have a new schedule, new girls on our floor & brother floor, fresh notebooks, and all that jazz.

I am a few small steps and papers away from having a job... stay tuned!

and finally... I'm going to Disney on Ice with Olivia tonight!!!! Yes, we are 19 years old. We just love princesses.

{mini} playlist---->

Love from a new desk location... 

"things that say a lot about people"

--things that say a lot about people--

1} the way which they treat the waiter/waitress:
2} how they feel about the weather:
3} whether they dog ear pages or highlight in books:
4} fingernails:
5} and hands in general:
6} their preferred creative outlet:
7} how much they dread/enjoy talking on the phone:
8} whether or not they drink coffee:
9} if they ever forget to eat:
10} how honest they are with themselves (and others):
11} if they correct your grammar:
12} and whether or not they get nervous before haircuts:

and me? 

with waiters, I smile and tip and ask how they are, but don't feel obligated to make excess conversation

rain and thunderstorms are my favorite, especially if it switches from that to sun and back again several times in a day

regular books? I NEVER write in them or doggy-ear, always a bookmark. You would know this if you've ever borrowed a book from me... but my bible? I go at it. highlighting, underlining, gold star stickers- everywhere in my trusty ESV study bible

I bite my nails when they're unpainted, so I have them painted 90% of the time

sometimes my hands are ridiculously soft, sometimes like an elephant (depends on the weather). a few of my fingers are really crooked. all my skinny fingers have big knobby knuckles. I never take my purity ring off my left ring finger and am often asked if I'm engaged... like a lot

writing is my creative outlet of choice

with my family, Zach, or my best friends? talking on the phone is essential, living 1,000 miles away from most of them! otherwise, I am not a huge fan at all and pretty much dread it. 

I love coffee, but don't drink it daily because I don't want to get to the point of needing it daily

I am pretty darn honest with myself and the Lord, and fairly honest with others, in the right context

I am guilty of correcting people's grammar every so often

yes, I get somewhat nervous before haircuts... 

how about you?

[I borrowed this idea from Katie, who got it somewhere on Tumblr]


much love, 

Em

2012: the highlights

I don't think any more words need to be said about 2012, so here are some photos of a rather significant  year of my life! Here's to 2013.

[Collage was made using the free Mac App "Picture Collage Maker Lite"]

resolutions.

NYE Photo courtesy of Kellyn, sorry I stole it! Check out her blog here.

Okay, so I had a whole post written out about my resolutions and why I think they're great... but I'm trashing it. After some thinking and reading other's thoughts (like THIS amazing blog post by Francine Rivers) on this whole resolution thing, I'm going in a different direction. 

Thoughts: 1) setting a tone for the year keeps your focus on the right things, 2) setting goals gives us a plan and purpose, and 3) New Year's resolutions don't have to be a huge list of "self-improvement" items I thought of for myself 4) My New Year's resolutions can be a list of ways to obey and delight the Lord this year!

Lord, please show me what my goal(s) should be this year.

what tone should I set for 2013? 

is there a specific word I can focus on this year? 

do only things that have a true purpose.

make things simple and be intentional.

joy.

---

I have some practical goals, too:

-get a job, make a new plan for managing money

-put my devotional plan into practice, baby steps style 

-less junk-filled media use, replace with the uplifting stuff (like Christian blogs or FaceTime)

blog goals: 

-post more often! always a goal

-narrow the topics of my posts, a new direction, if you will

-more pictures! I have recently acquired a new camera, so this will be fun.

& some dreams/bucket list items:

-go to Greece fall semester (ahaha, see how I snuck that in there? it's not official yet, but stay tuned...)

-go skydiving

-get my tattoo

---

do only things that have a true purpose.

make things simple and be intentional.

joy.

With three cheers for 2013, 

Emily