Dear Summer

Dear Summer, 
When I graduated last May, I had super high hopes for our friendship. We've always been close and I was ready to create even more memories together. And with the throw of my cap, two months in Slovenia, and plenty of time in the sun we did just that. But that was last year...

This year, I thought things between us would be different. Let's face it, I'm growing up and I was afraid that with that truth the time was coming when the office would take the place of the pool and I'd trade in my flip flops for some heels. And maybe that day is coming, but I'm not ready to let go just yet.

I may be in the "real world" now, but I wanted to let you know I'm still open to our adventures. I love eating ice cream with you -sitting outside, taking in the smells of freshly cut grass and backyard barbecues. I'm ready for the fireworks and road trips. Please work your free-spirited magic on the weather and I'll bring lots of sunscreen.

Thanks for sticking with me through the years. I'm excited to see you again soon!

Stay cool as always,
Amy

My 2010 Was...

~ Playing Quelf and laughing harder than ever until 3 in the morning to begin the new year
~ J-Term roadtrips, hair dying, and some learning too with 1WO and my sis
~ An ongoing Fluxx tournament (best card game ever!) with Hannah
~ A playlist of B.o.B, Joshua Radin, Broken Bells, IYAZ, He is We, The Civil Wars, and Taylor Swift
~ Midnight chats with God in the prayer chapel, walks around the loop, and dreams of the future
~ A week in paradise with the family, wishing I had the life of a surfer
~ Listening to awesome sermons at Exit and wanting to take that church with me back to Illinois
~ Exploring more of the passions and gifts I've been given
~ Watching Grayson Chance, Ellen, and auto-tuned videos on YouTube
~ Being intentional about friendships, building them up before leaving school
~ Birthday dinners, forming nicknames, suffering in French, movie nights, Grille meals, bike rides, Walmart runs, hallway discos, "studying" in Upland
~ Graduating from Taylor with a BA in writing and a minor in psych
~ Turning 22 -no question I'm an adult now!
~ sLOVEnia - teaching English, building relationships, and seeing the Holy Spirit work
~ Obsessing over Lost's final season, Chuck, and a bit of Heartland
~ Getting good at the application process
~ Seeing Canada's parliament buildings in person finally
~ Eating my first lobster meal ever
~ Discovering pomegranates and loving them (weird, alien fruit)
~ Waiting, waiting, and more waiting 
~ Buying my first pair of skinny jeans
~ Babysitting as much as possible
~ Dealing with long-distances through many visits, phone conversations, skype calls, facebook chats, and the occasional sent package
~ Reading My Generation by Josh Riebock, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and a bunch of books by Henri Nouwen
~ Checking my blog's stats way too often
~ Getting a Wii for Christmas :)
~ Celebrating the holidays with family in Canada
~ Toasting in the next year with my sister, Anderson Cooper, and Pink's "Raise Your Glass" song

My 2011 is... yet to be determined. 

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been thinking about the magic of Christmas this year. I'm sure many people write you regarding this very topic all the time, but please take off your boots, grab some of your wife's famous hot chocolate, and bear with me for a few minutes, because I've come to a realization.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but Christmas is not about the North Pole's holiday cheer and fantasies. Being as wise a guy as I know you are, you've probably known this for quite some time. I guess it's me who took a little longer to figure out the real magic of Christmas.

You see, I was never a kid who really believed in you. Sure, I would pretend every once in a while, but I always knew deep down that it was all just that -pretend. And since growing older, I've felt that Christmas has lost it's magic altogether. It comes and goes; a day with a lot more build-up than seems necessary and not much of a climax (much like high school prom). I don't mean to sound like the Grinch, but that's how I've felt.

This year, however, I'm determined to remember what I've really known all along -though Christmas is not about elves, flying reindeer, or even jolly old you, that doesn't mean it's not magical.

Peace on earth may sound like a stretch in our society, but Christmas is still about miracles. All because one ordinary day long ago, something extra-ordinary happened: God came to earth as a baby. The star shone, the angels sang, and the best gift ever was given to an undeserving, but very needy, world. That gift was given to me.

So, thank you Santa, for keeping magic alive. Though you are far from the reason for the season, you do help put the wonder and awe into Christmas -feelings that really do deserve to be there.

Merry Christmas,
Amy 

This is Not a Thanksgiving List

Thankfulness is a funny thing. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone. And that may be true at times. But other times, it is overwhelming to think about all that you do have.

I know when I think about what I have, I have a lot.

More than I need. More than I even want at times. More than I can add to a list to stick on a blog post to tell you what I'm most grateful for (though I thought of doing exactly that). Let's face it, a list wouldn't cut it.

Because I have a life most people dream of having. I'm fed, clothed, sheltered, provided for. But more than that, I'm encouraged, challenged, motivated, comforted, and loved day in and day out. And I have the Creator of the Universe willing and wanting to bless me. Me (of all people)!

So, I don't have a cute, little list for you today in honor of Thanksgiving. Instead, I have a short piece of rambling and a whole lot of awe for the One who thought to give me the things I wouldn't even consider ever putting on a list.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope you are overwhelmed with blessings today.

Dear Reality

Hey Reality,

I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you that you've surprised me recently. I don't know why, because I knew you and I were going to be hanging out a lot this year... I just pictured things differently. For one thing, I thought you would be nicer. Don't take this the wrong way, but sometimes it feels like you're more of a stalker than a friend of mine. You know I don't mind irony and sarcasm every once in a while and I appreciate your honesty and criticism. But do you have to be so brutal? I'm trying here! Can't you see that?

I guess I just hoped you'd give me the benefit of the doubt. That you'd provide me with some tips on how to get a great job. Or that you'd introduce me to some good friends in the area. I know things take time and I'm willing to work at it, but you have to hold up your part of our relationship. I do want to be friends. You're humbling, you're challenging, you're adventurous, and I like that. Honestly.

I want to make this work. Just go easy on me, okay?

I'm still learning...

Amy

Graduation

I can't believe I've graduated! Congrats class of 2010! We did it :)

What I've Learned at Taylor

- College students really are a lot like babies. They sleep and eat at irregular times and have little responsibility.

- God is in the details. He goes before us and behind us. 

- Spontaneity doesn't have to be an enemy... in fact, it almost always gets along with fun and always tells good stories.

- Whatever you do, don't be tempted to test the DairyQueen ads. Blizzards aren't that thick.

- Discipleship is all about intentionality.

- Confrontations, though sometimes difficult, are worth the effort at times. 

- A leader can't lead until he knows where he's going. (I've written on this here.)

- People have interesting stories. You only have to ask the right questions and be willing to listen.

- Dr. H predicted the iPod before Dell invented it :)

- Pretzels + chocolate + peanut butter + ice cream = Ivanhoe's greatest idea

- One Tree Hill is artsy -I don't care what anyone else says!

- When in an argument with your spouse, just take off your clothes (Thank you Dr. Smith for that bit of wisdom!)

- DTRs should always take place while outside walking (bonus points if you're actually on the Loop).

- When falling off a horse, it may feel like you're moving in slow motion but you still won't be able to do anything to fix the situation until you hit the ground.

- Oxford is one of my favorite places on earth.

- God is in the middle of writing a better story than I could ever write myself.

- Making up songs, actions, and rhymes seriously helps with studying for tests -the stupider, the better!

- You can relate to just about anyone, all you have to do is be willing to talk to them enough to find common ground.

- Open houses are useless unless food is involved.

- Root beer can be just as much fun as real beer, without the next day hangover.

- Home is so much more appreciated after you've spent a significant time away from it.

- We live in phases -my entire college career can be classified into different tv shows, songs, and books my roommate and I have been obsessed with.

- Read alouds are still fun when you're grown up.

- Sometimes good discussions are more rejuvenating than sleep.

- God's plans are worth the sacrifice of leaving things behind. They're also worth the sacrifice of being left behind.

- Encouragement goes a long way. Using people's names, giving complements, or even just saying hi makes a difference.

- Figuring out your priorities is important, but consistently checking in to see how they are doing is even more important.

- Smash your idols, and when you look up and realize you've made more, smash them again.

- When change hits, people cope in many different ways and can go through stages all in the same day. If you're distant enough to have perspective, the psychology behind behavior in the midst of loss is really interesting!
- I am comfortable in the "new here" label. In fact, I think I might even like it.
- However, long-term investments are always worth working at.
- Four years of college go by way too quickly! Enjoy your days!
- You go to college for the education, but the people are what you'll remember.

...College has made me smarter!

On Saying Goodbyes

I hate goodbyes. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t. It’s awkward and difficult to let go of something you love. But it is human. Everyday people say hello, but they are also forced to say goodbye. They loosen their grasp on the one thing they wanted to hold onto forever and then they slowly release it for good. Sometimes getting it back later, other times not so lucky. Through tears and pain, they utter farewells, all the while wishing there was some way around it. 

Standing at one’s doorstep staring at the dust that is left behind when a car rolls out of sight is never where one wants to be. Yet day after day we find ourselves in that exact spot. Standing and staring, because there is nothing else we could possibly do. Because there is a certain humanness to sacrifice, to leaving and to staying, to giving up. 

But letting go, and saying goodbye, isn’t always a bad thing. Goodbyes mean progress. They bring growth and new challenges. They lead people down roads they may not travel otherwise. Roads to better places, to bigger opportunities, and to more sad goodbyes. 

But goodbyes also bring us to more hellos.    

Happy New Year!

2010.

The 2 times I looked at my watch and wondered why I couldn't just go to bed before midnight.

The os of surprise as we played stupid party games.

The knowledge that 1 night celebrating, 1 year behind us, and 1 life ahead is a gift.

The waiting for the next time there will be 0 days before the new year.

Comfort and Joy

I've heard a lot about comfort and joy recently. After all, it is that time of year.

But, as I've stood in candlelight services and sung Christmas carols with family and friends I've been aware of the irony. Though we sing about bright lights and silent babies, I can't get out of my mind the facts of the biblical Christmas story. For it seems, we've strayed quite a bit from what actually happened.


For one thing, Mary, Joseph, and those poor shepherds must have been really freaked out what with angel visitations, strange dreams/prophesies, and signs that a baby was on its way. I know the angel said "Have no fear," but really? How would you react when some man appears to you out of nowhere?


And no room in the inn has become nothing more than a cute saying to us. Though I'm sure at the time not having a place to stay while Mary was bursting at the seams ready to give birth would have been stressful. Animals and a manger may make nice nativity scenes for us to sell in stores and put in our front yards, but a stable is really no place for a newborn baby. Just think about what it must have smelled like!


Christmas comes with lots of talk about peace on Earth and joy to all men, but what has hit me hard this year is this:


In order for us to have comfort, and the entire reason we can talk seriously about those themes, is because Jesus was willing to sacrifice His own comfort. Of course He was a special child, but He grew up knowing His purpose was to die.


And with that knowledge He was born into discomfort, cried as a baby, and took the weight of the world on His shoulders.


Peace on Earth?
Yeah, there will be.

'Tis The Season...

-For midnight caffeine fixes to aid in the cramming
-For giant blow up snow globes and bright lights
-For white salt residue on your pant legs
-For slipping on ice and catching flakes on your tongue
-For predicting the endings of Falalala Lifetime movies
-For mini marshmallows floating in seas of hot chocolate
-For too much peppermint and red and white stripes
-For twinkletoes and little toy makers
-For shaking presents and guessing games
-For an old jolly man to check his list twice
-For spreading joy and cheesy jingles
-For sentimental wishes, hopes, and dreams

-And most of all for one gift sent long ago, that makes the rest of this list worth celebrating too.

Christmas 2009 is almost here!

A Day Like Today

On a day like today the weather decides to calm down and give us what we love about Fall. Waking up early to go to breakfast feels more like a treat than a chore. The test in that surprisingly challenging class is ready to be aced and the scarf you threw on this morning gets you a lot of compliments. You have enough free time to get ahead in your homework, to mark tasks off of your to-do list, and even watch a cheesy movie on YouTube. The emails in your inbox give you the opportunities to serve others, attend fun events, and hang out with your wing. The weekend is coming and although you have nothing planned you know it'll be a good one. Work is slow, but the time goes fast anyway because people you haven't seen for a while come by to chat. Meals in the cafeteria are better than normal and the group at your table makes you laugh. The semester is in full swing, you should be tired but aren't, and Fall Break is coming soon! On a day like today, I'm happy that it's Fall.

Dear Taylor Student

Dear Taylor Student (you can put your name here),

As I begin my senior year here in the cornfields, I'm prone to reflect back on what I've learned during my college years so far and look forward to the lessons I'll still learn before I leave. Maybe you are like me, with only one year left to take advantage of Taylor's many opportunities. Or you might be a freshman, like my brother, not knowing what God has in store for your next four years or even the next four days. Whether you fall into one of these categories or find yourself somewhere in between, these are the lessons I hope you and I will both learn before we graduate.


I hope you learn that living life together is much better than living life alone. That in spite of the difficulties that come with relationships, they're worth it. God made us for community. I hope you find that while here on campus. That through meals, wing events, small groups, and spontaneous bursts of energy you will see God in others. That you get a lot out of community and give back even more.


I hope you learn more about who you are while at Taylor. That through getting involved in student leadership you learn how to be a leader. That you figure out where you are going and help others to get there with you. I hope you attend chapels and find a local church. That you might base your identity on Christ alone and not on the brand names of our culture or the stereotypes of society. I hope you challenge yourself daily as a Christ follower, student, classmate, and friend.


I hope you learn what's important to you. Prioritizing well when the busyness of life tries to pull you down. That you place value on what God values and that when the time comes to stand up for your beliefs your faith does not waver. I hope you find what you are passionate about and never let it go. That you use your talents and shape your gifts. And that you live it all to the glory of God.


Most of all, I hope you learn that you are loved. That no matter where you go in life after college, you will never be alone. That whatever problems life throws at you, they aren't nearly as big as the One who created you. I hope you know that this life is not the end. That you learn to live with heaven in mind and take time to see God's beauty while still on earth.


I hope you learn all this and more during your time at Taylor.


Love and blessings as you begin another school year,
Amy

Goodbye Colorado

No more mountains for me : (

Summer Goals

~Practice guitar at least 3 hours a week. ~Read the Old Testament's prophets that I tend to skip over.
~Watch 10 classic movies that I've never seen before.
~Drive enough to feel comfortable behind the wheel.
~Write my roommate a letter every week.
~Pray a lot about the future.
~Have at least 10 good phone chats.
~Take 20 creative photographs.
~Find out as much as possible about Focus's book department.
~Read 5 plays.
~Brush up on my French skills. I'm going to need them!
~Make money!
~Figure out goals for my senior year.
~Write on this blog as much as possible.