Really?

So, I really do not pay much attention to the news and to politics, but the more I hear, the more I feel the need to become involved. Today, my dad told me about how people are pushing to build an Islamic Mosque near Ground Zero, and I know that I really shouldn't comment before delving deeper into the situation, but I need to speak my mind. I fully believe in the freedom of religion, but shouldn't we take sensitivity into account also. If people are not allowed to stand outside of an arab festival in the outskirts of Detroit to hand out Gospel of John pamphlets, peacefully, because it might offend someone, how much greater would the offense of an Islamic Mosque so close to Ground Zero affect not only those who tragically lost loved ones, but also other Americans who mark 9'11 as a loss of innocence, an end to peace, a turning point in American History.

Guilty Pleasure

This summer, I have found a Guilty Pleasure (that Dad, Mom, and Angie have enjoyed, as well): Hot in Cleveland. This TVLand original centers around the story of 3 50ish women who crash land in Cleveland, only to decide to stay there, in a house with an 80ish housekeeper (played by Betty White). Not really sure why I like the show, but it is pretty much clean, witty humor, so that is probably a good reason, and not nearly as disturbing as some of my other favorites, such as Bones, Law and Order: SVU, and NCIS. Anyone out there want to share their guilty pleasure tv show?

Rise and Shine

... and give God the glory, glory!
My first day back to work, after a week off to visit family. Long day-10:30 to 5:30. This would not have been quite so bad had I not been told on the phone last night that I would have an hour break (as usual), but instead, I got there to find that I did not have a break... at all. Not even 15 minutes off to just put my feet off, but oh well, I survived.
Tonight, I plan to finish "The Lucky One"- A Nicholas Sparks novel that I started yesterday after finishing "The Last Song" in 2 days... needless to say, I am on a Nicholas Sparks kick! Also, will be watching new show- Rizzoli and Isles on TNT.
Have a blessed day! Love, Christa

"Where and Who I Want to Be"

The title of this post is a lyric from one of my favorite songs in the musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Belle realizes that who she has become is who she wants to be, and that living with the Beast isn't so bad at all.
This phrase "where and who I want to be" reminds me of all the times I want to escape and be someone completely different only to discover that all along, I've had everything I need and am exactly in the place (physically or metaphorically) that I am supposed to be.
Just thought I'd share a few of my sentiments at the end of a busy summer, and state that I have decided to try to blog, if only a few sentences, every day in the next year (unless of course, I have limited access to a computer/the internet).
So my summer update
May: wrapped up 09-10 year at CUW with finals, audition for music department, and graduation. Began May-term Lutheran Confessions class and Multicultural clinicals at Hope the next monday. Lived w/ Grandma
June: finished summer school. Returned home. Began work at First Class Chirstian Childcare. Trip to South Padre Island w/ Family abruptly ended by Hurrican Alex.
July:Spend Dad's 50th Birthday in Houston due to "Alex" evacuation. Continued working. Played organ for Zion service for the first time Aunt Christa, Lauren, Sarah, and Skylar visit.
August: Take Sarah and Skylar to visit her in-laws in Wisconsin. We visit our family in Wisconsin. Return Sarah and Skylar to Aunt Christa and Lauren in Joplin. Visit Peter and Emily in KC. Will Continue working for 7 more days. Return to WI on 23rd. Start classes 30th.

Well, there's my summer update. Will hopefully be updating again soon. Sorry to those of you who's blogger accounts I'll be filling with my daily updates.
Love, Christa

O How the Years Go By

"And oh how the years go by
And oh how the love brings tears to my eyes
All through the changes the soul never dies
We fight, we laugh, we cry
As the years go by

We took everything
All our times would bring
In this world of dangers
’cause when your heart is strong
You know you’re not alone
In this world of strangers"

Wow, it has been a while! Quick update:
Christmas break saw me home and in OK for Lauren and Jordy's wedding.. I was a bridesmaid... Good time had by all!
January: Rehearsals for winter band tour (to St. Louis), Clinical hours at Immanuel, Tour to StL, Second Semester Started
February: Second Semester in full swing, planning and rehearsing tons for choir spring tour
March: Spring Break-Choir tour to WI, MN, NE, WY, and CO- Awesome time!
April: Home for Easter w/ Grandma =) .. Got to see Mom, Dad, Angie, AND Sandi.. Peaceful break-up w/ Jon, 19th Birthday last night =) Mom came up to surprise me, Applebees dinner w/ friends here... People I know will always be there for me... Impromptu party at Grandma's friday night w/ Ice Cream Sundaes!

Always Busy, Usually Focused, Sometimes Lazy, Never Alone
Love, C

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

"It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year"

Christmas is my absolute FAVORITE time of the year.
Despite the sometimes gloomy and very cold weather,
there is some warmth that I can never seem to find the rest of the year.
Despite the harshness of finals and the end of another semester,
the world possesses a fresh kind of softness every December.
It seems like everyone gains a refreshed sense of humanity and love for one another.

And, Christmas is almost here! (Only 11 more days)
Finals are almost over! (Evenly though I'm only done with one)
And, I'm almost home! (With a quick detour to Grandma's before I make it back to Missouri)

So why do I think the world suddenly becomes such a better place?
Jesus (Yes, it is the Sunday School answer)
But Love did come down at Christmas, and continues to come down throughout every new year.
I like to think that the first snowfall of the season is our reminder that Love is here,
among us all year round, and it just takes this very special time for us to recognize that.
I'd like to ask those of you that read this blog to take some time to think about this quote:
"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month"
-Harlan Miller
So, my idea is that on the 25th of every month, we open up that Christmas spirit.
What if one the 25th of every month, you did one "random" act of kindness
and spread that Christmas joy and general goodness throughout the whole year?
I might even suggest putting yourself in the Christmas spirit by listening to one Christmas song
on the 25th each month (I think I'll do this)
Just to remind yourself of the love that came to us that first Christmas,
and is always with us.

As for what I've been up to...
I have been fairly busy actually...
Thanksgiving = Home for 4 days
December 4-5 = Christmas at Concorida (Very grateful to Lisa and Grandma for coming!)
December 6-11 = Last week of regular classes
December 10 = Good friend Lucy and I were "Concordia Christmas Elves" by decorating the
dorm doors of some of our friends
December 11 = Meagan and I redid some things in our room (Rachel moved out);
we lowered Rachel's bed to couch level, and began redecorating a little bit
December 12 = Secret Santa Christmas Party and Wisconsin Lutheran High School concert
December 14-18 = Finals Week
December 14= Day I'm writing this blog, and got through my science final (An A I hope!)
Please keep me in your prayers as I finish my first semester at CUW, and as my family and I travel over a very busy CHRISTmas season! Thanks!
Love, C

Give Thanks to God on High

Thanksgiving is 4 days away! And only 3 showers in the community bathroom before I am on my way home =) Since my last post, life has been anything but normal. I posted on a Thursday, and that weekend (the 14-15) Kammerchor went on an overnight trip to Shawano/Green Bay. I, however, did not attend because Saturday morning while getting ready for the trip, I got sick to my stomach while recovering from a very horrible head cold/congestion. I spent almost the entire rest of the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in my bed and room. Although I would have much rather been on the trip, it was very relaxing, and as of now, I am MUCH healthier =)
I have been busy working on papers due Wednesday before break, and was planning to spend most of this weekend working on them, but I found out Friday night that Mom was planning to surprise me for the Christ the King Celebration! (She told me, no one else let the cat out of the bag). Christ the King Celebration is a Kammerchor and Alleluia Ringers concert here at Concordia to mark the end of the church year. I had a wonderful evening with Mom and Grandma last night, followed by church, an interesting Bible Study on Revelation, and brunch with Mom, Grandma, Karen, Jon, Eva, Matt, Elise, Madeline and Carly... Very Fun!
Mom, Grandma, and Aunt Karen came to the concert today (which went over very well I think!) and then we went with Meagan to Culver's for dinner (YUM!)
I'll leave this post with the text from one of the songs we sang today, which I find very fitting for the coming holiday (Thanksgiving) and as we think back on this end of the church year, all those Saints who have gone before us to worship Christ, as our KING!)
Love, C

"Give thanks to God on high for saints of other days,
whose hope it was to live and die in love's consuming blaze,
for Christ and His kingdom, His glory and His praise.

Their vision long-fulfilled, our prayer is still the same:
upon their work of faith to build, their word of truth proclaim,
for Christ and His kingdom, and for His Holy name.

New tasks today are ours who serve a world in pain,
new calls to challenge all our pow'rs of heart and hand and brain,
for Christ and His kingdom, while life and breath remain.

Give thanks to God on high for all the future sends,
in praise of Christ to live and die who calls His servants friends,
for Christ and His kingdom, whose glory never ends!"
-Timothy Dudley-Smith