Vienna Waits For You

Every time I notice the clock hitting 11:11, I make sure to make a wish. Glancing at the clock and seeing that lucky time has somehow been becoming more and more frequent. It is now a part of my daily ritual.

I know it's not real. But every day I make the same wish, and it's fun to believe that it may, some day, come true. =)

Okay, so besides that silliness. The year is almost over and I am very satisfied with my life during 2010. So much has happened in the last year. So many good things have filled up my life. My heart is full and I can't think of any big regrets from the last year. God has been with me the entire time--through all the stressful freak-out sessions because of everything--through all of it.

My resolution this year is merely to become a stronger Christian. But there is nothing "mere" about that, is there? It's a big thing. Living my life to glorify God and making Him my first priority is nothing small, and unfortunately, it's not very easy for me either. But He is mighty, and very able to come to my aid. So, may the Lord continue my sanctification and bring me closer to Him. May I do my best in everything for His glory and in doing such strengthen my relationship with Him.

God bless you guys. Have an excellent new year!

"Slow down, you're doing fine! You can't be everything you want to be before your time."

Billy Joel--Vienna

Stranded

Here I sit, on a big, red couch, awaiting my Anatomy & Physiology final.

Here I sit, slightly concerned that I may not make it home from school tonight due to an expected ice storm.

Here I sit, contemplating the joyousness of my upcoming weekend and Christmas break.

Here I sit, wishing I could actually be lying down and sleeeeeping . . . in my bed and finished with finals.

Here's to the final push. Cheers!

Bring on the Hot Chocolate!

It's wintery days like today that fill my heart with bliss and remind me of my snowy childhood winters spent trudging around the northern woods.

The Christmas tree is up; the nativity scene is carefully set out on top of the piano; cutout snowflakes are taped to the windows; candles with pinecones and pine needles around them are on the island in the kitchen; and snow is falling steadily outside. Soon Christmas music will play, gifts will accumulate under the tree and Christmas cookies will be baked and frosted.

If I wasn't supposed to be studying for finals right now, I'd be outside in the snow, celebrating the white fluffiness of winter (for the short span of time that this snow actually lasts). I would build a snow family and have snowball fights and make snow angels. I would have time to soak in the Christmas feeling that I love. You know what I'm talking about, right? That feeling when you just know it's Christmas. You can feel it. It's a feeling of joy and togetherness that comes every year. Smells, tastes, feelings, sounds . . . . they all bring back memories of this time of year.

Hmmm. God is so good to us. I am so glad that he has blessed us with traditions, family, snow, and the beauty of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our risen, loving Savior.

Let's remember God's goodness and love (as we always should).

Childhood Dreams

Today I was thinking about college (I am pursuing a career in dental hygiene), and it got me thinking about what I wanted to be growing up. I have changed my mind so many times, but surprisingly, I still have similar dreams as when I was younger.

My first career plan was to become a nurse. For birthdays my parents would get me pretend doctor kits, which I would practice with for hours on my sisters. One year for my birthday Pappy gave me a real stethoscope--I was thrilled! Whenever someone was injured I would rush to there attention with band-aid in hand, ready to mend their wound. My mom called me "Nurse Nonie." Oh yes, I was going to be a nurse, and nothing was going to get in my way: it was my dream!

But then I suddenly developed an unreasonable fear of blood, thus ending my nursing dream and bringing about my new career option: teaching!

As passionate as I was about my medical profession I was ten times more into teaching (and fake office work). Mom and dad gave me a type writer and some old business supplies that they no longer needed, so I spend countless hours filling the note pads with "cursive" (which then consisted of scribbled gibberish), typing frantically on the machine and coming up with lesson plans for my usually non-existent students (sometimes I would make my sisters sit through my lessons--especially Gracie). This kept me busy for years. I even wore frumpy teacher-like clothes to school (which embarrassed Caitlin) and around the house. Some day I was going to be a teacher...and if I could figure out how to turn back time, I would be a teacher just like Anne, from Anne of Avenlee, and wear clothes just like her too! How exciting!

What has happened to my dreams? Did they purely disappear? Did all of that effort and passion go into things that I would grow to completely disregard?

While I may not be majoring in Elementary Education or Nursing, I have chosen to pursue a career in the medical field, thus helping people physically, and I also teach pre-school to kindergarden Sunday school class at my church. So no, all of my fervor didn't happen for no reason.

Also, even if I'm not pursuing teaching and nursing, all of the time I spend typing, keeping records, teaching dolls how to read and putting band-aids on family members was well worth it. I had a thrilling childhood, and I don't regret a minute of it!

And looking back, I also realize how much my parents have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. They believe in me and support me and love me like no one else does. They have never had a problem with my eccentric ways which at some points really have been "out there."

So that being said, I'm really glad that I took time to remember the past tonight. So often I overlook how great my parents are. They really do love me so much, and that's really great!

Eventually I may write about some of my other ideas for my future. I think one of the most interesting things I can write about is my childhood, 'cause frankly, it was a lot more exciting to be a runaway orphan than sit through countless hours of Anatomy and Physiology and English.

Peace and Love.