“We all need to find someone to keep us warm…We all need to find someone to make us hope.”
Last night, Luci and I went to a concert on campus. We listened to the band The Silent Years. My favorite song was “Someone to keep us.” As we listened to the song, I realized how peaceful and love I feel. Instead of having “someone” to keep me warm or give me hope, I have a community of friends who warm me with their presences and attention, how make me hope for what God has for me and them. Looking out the window at the snow covered bell tower I thought about how even though we’ve entered winter, the season when most of nature slips into hibernation, I feel utterly alive. Though the leaves have all fallen from the trees, the flowers are wilted and gone, the snow is glistening and the ice sparkling. All around me I see beauty that reminds me of how wonderful the world can be despite the bad.
Tonight ,I had a Christmas party for some of my friends here. Hosting always makes me nervous and a little stressed. Nearly all day I slaved away in the apartment (cleaning and cooking). By 7pm (when the party was supposed to begin), only Luci and Gillian were here. I was getting upset and nervous but eventually the party picked up. It was entirely worth the stress (and headache). A good variety of people came: Gillian, Luci, Lauren (the cool deep girl who gave me a ride to church at the beginning of the semester), Julie ‘n Jack, Jon 316 ‘n Christi, and Christy Brown. Heather ‘n Jake stopped in for a short time to say hello and so that Heather and I could exchange Christmas presents. Jon Shotwell and his friend (Noel) also stopped in for a while. As usual, I loved watching my friends come together and interact. The party lasted until midnight when the men were forced out. Jon ‘n Christy, Julie ‘n Jack and Luci were the last to leave though Lauren didn’t leave that much earlier than them.
Handing out gifts was one of the highlights of the night for me. The gift I was most excited to give was Julie’s “Therapist in a Box.” She loved it (as I thought, and hoped she would)! I found it in the bookstore at the University of Notre Dame and had to buy it for her b/c it was so funny. All night she cared it around and read some of the funny little cards in the box. Everyone else also liked their gifts (but most of them weren’t as funny as that one-that does NOT mean they were less special). Since I’m talking about gifts, Heather got me an AMAZING necklace and earrings from I believe Bangladesh. I wore the jewelry all night, I liked it so much. Though only thing I am a little disappointed about is that three of the people who I have gifts for didn’t come but I am resolved that I WILL get them their gifts before break begins!
I’m exceedingly tired so good night my friends. God Bless!
Tonight ,I had a Christmas party for some of my friends here. Hosting always makes me nervous and a little stressed. Nearly all day I slaved away in the apartment (cleaning and cooking). By 7pm (when the party was supposed to begin), only Luci and Gillian were here. I was getting upset and nervous but eventually the party picked up. It was entirely worth the stress (and headache). A good variety of people came: Gillian, Luci, Lauren (the cool deep girl who gave me a ride to church at the beginning of the semester), Julie ‘n Jack, Jon 316 ‘n Christi, and Christy Brown. Heather ‘n Jake stopped in for a short time to say hello and so that Heather and I could exchange Christmas presents. Jon Shotwell and his friend (Noel) also stopped in for a while. As usual, I loved watching my friends come together and interact. The party lasted until midnight when the men were forced out. Jon ‘n Christy, Julie ‘n Jack and Luci were the last to leave though Lauren didn’t leave that much earlier than them.
Handing out gifts was one of the highlights of the night for me. The gift I was most excited to give was Julie’s “Therapist in a Box.” She loved it (as I thought, and hoped she would)! I found it in the bookstore at the University of Notre Dame and had to buy it for her b/c it was so funny. All night she cared it around and read some of the funny little cards in the box. Everyone else also liked their gifts (but most of them weren’t as funny as that one-that does NOT mean they were less special). Since I’m talking about gifts, Heather got me an AMAZING necklace and earrings from I believe Bangladesh. I wore the jewelry all night, I liked it so much. Though only thing I am a little disappointed about is that three of the people who I have gifts for didn’t come but I am resolved that I WILL get them their gifts before break begins!
I’m exceedingly tired so good night my friends. God Bless!