It's a Wonderful Life

"No man is a failure who has friends." That's one of the closing lines of my favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. I watched that tonight with my family at the movie group my parents help lead at my church. In our discussion afterward, I was thinking a lot about the themes of relationships, community, and legacy.

George Bailey got the chance to see what life would have been like if he wasn't around. Naturally in watching the movie, you begin to think, geez, I wonder what that would be like for me? Whose lives have I touched? This made me remember back to the Night of Worship waaay earlier in fall quarter, which was in remembrance of Joe Snell. I didn't know Joe Snell; he was before my time at SPU. But getting to hear people share stories about the impact he had on their lives was really meaningful, and it made me think a lot about the meaning of legacy. What kind of impact do I want to leave? I want to be known as a friend who cares, who values relationships more than money or possessions, who is filled with Christ's love and spreads it to others.

I think this is why I am so drawn to working in relational ministry. To touch someone's life and change it for the better is worth so much more to me than a big salary. The end of It's a Wonderful Life really illustrates this: George Bailey's friends, those whose lives he has impacted, come together and bless him in his time of need. He passed up the big salary, the dream job, the chance to get away. And in the end, thanks in part to him, there was a solid community who rose up and embraced him. I want to live in (and even help shape?) a community like this. That's why I love that I've had the chance to work in Res Life this year.

And another thing: I'm so grateful for my family and friends. Just as I hope to impact others, I know that they have touched my life and changed me. So thank you, dear friends. May you be blessed as you have blessed me.

christmas comes this time each year

Wintertime is here! I'm home for Christmas break now, and I'm oh so glad that it's this time of year. Finals, etc, went pretty smoothly, but I'm definitely ready for a break and some time to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Here have been the highlights of the last few weeks:
- Christmas parties! All 6 of them: 2W Christmas, PA party, staff party, uscholar party, work party (and to any who are interested, NO, i did not win the gift card this year...not even with using my teeth!), and our faith&science final/christmas party. I love Christmas!
- Dr Stiling directing our uscholar class in singing Christmas carols. As Tyson said, we sound GOOD. :) Oh, and did I mention that we also had a violin, trumpet, saxophone, and kazoo?
- Painting my fingernails dark for the first time, thanks to my neighbor.
- Lamebook.
- Writing 4 papers and remaining really happy about life the entire time (there's a Christmas miracle for ya)
- Discovering Bustle
- Re-watching Amelie. It never gets old.
- Getting to have adventures with my friends before leaving Seattle
- Having good conversations with good people, even at unexpected times

I'm so blessed to have so many things to be thankful for, even in the midst of the most stressful time of the quarter! God is good.

Word.

These are the words to describe how I'm feeling now:

Tired. Hungry. Happy. Grateful. Old. Antsy. Anxious. Nostalgic. Excited. Nervous. Sad. Sleepy.

And yes, some of those are contradictory. Which really isn't that surprising because spring quarter is just a strange time of year. You are wrapping up one year, reflecting on the good times you've had and the friends you've made, and all you want to do is chill in the sun with those good people and ENJOY LIFE. But...this thing called homework is like a monster, growing bigger and bigger and threatening to consume all your time. And then! There's next year! You finally know where you will be living, what you will be doing, and you're starting to get excited! Who wants to wait until next year? You want to start getting involved now! But that will bring change...next year won't be like this year. And the question remains: how should you spend your time? Homework. Old friends. New friends. Homework. Staff. Work. Research papers. Finals.

Is it any surprise that I feel torn at times?

In a word, it's transition.

20.

First of all, photo credit to my dad, since he insists on having copyright to all his photos.

Yesterday was my 20th birthday! To sum up the day, here are 20 things I loved about turning 20:

1. The sun was out and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Perfect temperature!
2. My dear, dear roommate bought me flowers. :)
3. I woke up at 5:30 due to excitement...just like a little kid on Christmas morning.
4. I wore my new clothes (finally, I have jeans again!).
5. My friends surprised me at breakfast! It was wonderful.
6. I talked to my sister, who thinks she is all grown up at the tender age of 11.
7. My dad, mom, other sister, and grandpa came up to visit me!
8. Moonlight Sonata tea at the Teacup. Sooo great.
9. Getting a tea strainer! Finally!
10. Seattle Cheese Festival! Crazy, yes. Crowded, yes. Hot, yes. Fun, definitely.
11. Presents&Cake with my family!
12. We lit candles in the residence halls....OH SNAP!
13. Reading my mom's calendar from 1988, i.e., the year before I was born. :)
14. Indian food: chicken tiki masala and naan bread galore. LOVE IT.
15. Leftovers.
16. Doing absolutely NO homework.
17. Surprise #2 from the girls on my floor!
18. Having a Coach Sarah cake!
19. Get phone calls/texts/facebook messages/cards from so many of my friends.
20. Being surrounded by wonderful people all day, with no stress or disappointments, but just chill, relaxed, beautiful, fun-filled day.