exhausted.

Well, this past week has been jam packed with things. As of tomorrow, I am heading home for a three weeks until Spring Break. I went to classes the last couple days, but with my broken ankle trying to recover and so many other stresses and things building up, I've decided to take a small break off...long enough for my ankle to heal, and until I can begin walking. This past week has been so physically and mentally exhausting. I am glad to be taking a few weeks off, and hopefully I can recover and still stay on track with my schoolwork. However, I do not have internet at home, so I don't know how often I will be able to update this. Nevertheless, I will do my best to keep this updated, and I will be doing lots and lots of drawing and sketching in the next few weeks...so I'll try to scan some of the stuff I will be working on as well.

community.

Today has been rather nice. It was the first time that I've woken up, and my ankle has not been in terrible pain. It's so beautiful outside, and the weekend is just beginning. Last night, a pretty large group of friends and I were able to to all hang out at someone's house. We watched Despicable Me (an awesome movie!), and played some games afterwards.
 I am so in love with community. I really enjoy having alone time, and spending some time by myself; but, whenever I am able to take part in a community, it is one of the most beautiful things. I love stepping back from everything going on, and just recognizing how beautiful and special each person is, how each one of us were made for a specific purpose, and how perfect and rewarding the community of Christ is when it's healthy and thriving. It always makes for a special time.
As for the rest of the weekend goes, I'm not really too sure what I've got planned. I'd really like to do some more drawing and possibly painting. I don't have a scanner with me right now, but if I get the chance, I'll try to scan some sketches that I've been doing lately. Hopefully, you all have a wonderful rest of your Friday, and an adventurous, unforgettable weekend.

more holga.

Here are some more of my photographs that I took over Christmas Break with my holga. Hope you enjoy them. These were all taken out at a local park in Missouri.

blizzard.

A ridiculous blizzard is leaving its mark through town right now. We're supposed to get up to 18 inches tonight. It wouldn't surprise me at all if we get that much. It looks so nasty outside. School got cancelled for tomorrow, so now I've got some friends who will be able to hang out with me while I rest and recover from surgery earlier today. I am so pumped. I've got some awesome friends. I also don't have a ton of things planned this week, so hopefully, I'll be able to do LOTS of reading and drawing. I'm excited about that. Oh yeah, and I'll be watching an occasional movie here and there, but of course! I'll probably post some of my thoughts and stuff as I begin reading over the next couple of days. I'll also post some more photographs that I took with my holga over Christmas Break, so you can be looking forward to that in the near future. Enjoy the rest of your lovely night.

praise.

My surgery went well today. I'm finished and recovering.
Praise God for peace, for safety, for protection, for healing, for friends, for family, for community, for patience, for humbleness, for love.
Thanks for all the prayers.

surprises.

I just got back from the doctor's office. I was supposed to get a permanent cast put around my ankle, but they ended up saying that I am going to need surgery on it. I am going to get a bolt put in tomorrow sometime. It's only a twenty minute surgery, but I'm pretty nervous. I've never had a surgery before, and my family all lives eight hours away, so they won't be here for it. The good thing is that after the surgery I should be able to start walking in four weeks. Nevertheless, the surgery still makes me nervous. Your prayers would much be appreciated. It's so frustrating for me. I really wish this happened while I wasn't in school. I feel like I've already been stressed with schoolwork and big projects this semester, and this just adds so much more stress on top of everything. I'm trying to release all my worries on God, and I know a broken ankle isn't that big of a deal in the whole scheme of things; it's not the worst that could've happened, but it just makes a lot of things really complicated. Again, if you get the chance, remember me in your prayers tomorrow.

blessings.

This Saturday has gotten to a pretty good start. I got some extra sleep and have some good plans for today. However, walking around on crutches is starting to get annoying. It makes my morning feel extra long while I try to get everything done. But, I guess there's nothing I can do about it. My friends have been awesome though, helping me out whenever I need something. Anyways, like I was saying, today should be pretty good. One of my friends is from Michigan, and one of her friends from home is competing in the X Games this afternoon! So, that's going to be pretty sick. Hopefully, he'll do well; either way, it'll be exciting to watch. Later today, I think we're going to go to a friend's apartment and hangout, and tonight some of us are getting together to watch a movie. Sometime in between all the activities, I guess I'll have to sneak in some homework. Isn't homework such a bummer? 

Oh yeah, and yesterday I got some amazing news. I had entered a college photography contest with Photographer's Forum magazine, and I was notified that I am a finalist!! It was so crazy; I totally didn't think I was going to do well in it. Isn't it crazy how God surprises us sometimes? He is so awesome. In a couple weeks, they'll announce the winners...so I'll keep you posted if I end up placing in the contest. 

Well, I guess that's all for now. Until later, have an awesome and blessed day!! 

holga.

I got a roll of film back this past week. They have a bunch of photographs I took with my holga over Christmas Break. Here are some of the shots that I got back. Most of these were taken downtown. My friend and I went exploring. I'll post some more photos from my holga sometime in the near future.

patience.

Well, yesterday was an eventful day for me. I had a very busy day as far as classes go, and last night visited with some friends and watched a movie over at their place. On our way back to our car, I somehow slipped on all the snow and ice in the parking lot, and my leg totally bent the wrong way. And, to top it off, one of my friends also slipped and fell on top of me, so there was really no stopping what was about to happen haha. After a long, long night at the hospital, I left with crutches and a fractured ankle.
It's one of those things where last night I was having a hard time and really frustrated about what was going on, but this morning I've been trying to just put the whole thing into perspective. On the big scheme of things, I guess it's not really that big of a deal. I mean, yeah it's an inconvenience, but maybe it can turn out to be a positive thing. I guess I'm going to have a decent amount of downtime now, and maybe I can get even more reading done and work on some art projects! I don't know though, I think it'll just take a few days to get used to, but it's not the worst thing in the world...broken bones heal; it's just a matter of time and patience.

refreshed.

Hopefully, over this next year, I am going to start posting regularly. These past few weeks of school have been exhausting. I feel like I've been having a difficult time adjusting into my new classes, and things just feel odd lately. However, the last few days have been very refreshing. I've been reading a lot lately, which is amazing. I didn't realize how much I've missed it. I finished Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury this past weekend, and right now I am in the middle of reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I've been excited to begin reading Never Let Me Go, and so far it has not disappointed. Maybe in the next couple of days I'll share a little bit about the book and my thoughts.
Lately, I have also been working my way through the four gospels in the Bible. I'm wanting to spend more time in my Father's word this year. Passage after passage, I've been reminded daily of the authority that Christ has over our lives, our attitudes, and our problems. After reading countless stories of Christ performing miracles, driving out demons, and passing His authority onto us, it has really helped me get through the last couple of weeks. Maybe I'll expand on some of the things He has been teaching over the next couples day. Until then...have a blessed night.