This is the music in my life.

This Christmas break was... amazing. perhaps the best one so far. It was a whirlwind of getting reacquainted with old friends (and one in particular), having the whole family under one roof, talent shows, fires in the fireplace, music snow angles, cousins, and good food! But the overarching melody through it all was "All is Gift". every single thing.









<3

I like Christmas

Finals are coming along! half-way done. I just finished one final and have another today and the last one tomorrow. Whew!
Yesterday was the first time at Church in a while due to classes last sunday, travels to and from Midwest, chikfila, and lexington. It was wonderful to be back.
In honor of advent, we had a Gaudete service, a service of lessons (scripture reading) and carols. Its latin for "rejoice" (thanks Mrs. Walker, Jenny's Latin, and Wikipedia).

One carol in particular grabbed my heart and filled me with Hope. The promises in the first stanza are what i long for so much, the promise of comfort to those who mourn, whose back aches from a load of sorrow. the promise of peace to the world and peace to Jerusalem, a city so divided and disgraced by centuries of war. Thank you God, for covering our sins, for comforting your people, for descending from heaven to be incarnate to us. And thank you God, for not only being the Comforter, but also being the Savior. Please help me pass my final. Have mercy. Amen.

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People by Johann Olearius
1. Comfort, comfort, ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.

2. Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved His anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many a day,
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.

3. Hark, the Herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance
Since the Kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.

4. Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.

I couldn't find a great recording, but this gives you an idea of what the tune is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sfDESOjN0I&feature=related

END NOTE:

This is my view out my desk window this morning.

It snowed yesterday for the first real snow in Nashville so far. It is wonderful. I went for a walk last night with the puppy and looked back at my little house and saw two heads peeking out through our lighted window. I just love those girls.



I love my roomates, i love my apartment, and i love how Lacie, Sarah and I have formed little family of our own. I was immensely blessed by both roommates yesterday as they gave me rides to and from the car shop through the snow, and as sarah worked for HOURS to make Lacie and I some of the best Potato fennel soup Ive ever had, topped off with home made apple pie. so wonderful.

Up Late

Today is Wednesday, and its been a long week already. I had block classes all weekend which makes it seems like last week never ended, and I'm still recovering from having classes all day long. Finals are just around the corner, as in they begin on friday.
I realized today that I dont recognize when I am feeling stressed, but people around me do. I found I show it in one of two ways. Apparently I get a little crazy with cleaning and doing dishes and organizing. I feel the drive to organize some part of my life, and the tangible seems the easiest thing to reach for. I also get really creative- like today of all days I started a new project for window treatments in my room, or i made a banner of all the finals i have so I can get the satisfaction of pulling each one down as I take them. (See picture below).

In college, my roomates would tell you that during the most stressful part of the year, I spent hours making intricate paper snowflakes. (again, see below).



Last night I went to small group, which is always so wonderful. I'm so glad God has given me a place in Nashville that I sit by a real live fire, and talk to people who know me and love me, and feel at home. The night before Sarah and Chironna and I went to a Christmas concert at Lipscomb. It was beautiful, and it made me homesick for wheaton's christmas concert. Music truly is magical in how it can lift your spirits and convey so much emotion.

Well, I don't think there's any particular reason for this post, except nobody's on skype and its too late to call people. :-) And this is my blog, and i dont have to have a coherent post if I dont want to. so there you go internet.

Aunt boo's roadtrip.m4v

R.N.

The moment we've all been waiting for....


Ok! I think I will!


Hi, my name is Becca, I'm a nurse!

October First

I can't believe its already October. I'm sitting in Nanny and Papa's lovely basement, enjoying the heat of the fireplace. Being at their house is so soothing, perhaps its all the delicious food they feed me, or being understood by your own people, but it feels good. Somehow time got away from me these past few months. The intensity of clinical (nicknamed bootcamp) and the absence of a summer break made school feel endless this year. The accelerated pace of the program is beginning to wear on me, and in order not to get discouraged, sometimes I look back at all the things I didn't know when I started that seem second nature to me now. Here are just a few things I've learned in the past few months.
-sleep is important, especially when working 3 twelve hour shifts in a row, so you shouldn't feel lame going to bed at 9:30.
-wash your hands
-take the tourniquet off after putting the needle in when drawing blood.
- wash your hands.
- strep throat makes life harder. First line drug therapy is Penicillin- make sure your provider knows this. grr.
- wash your hands
-Nashville in the summer is like living in a giant hot cloud of steam coming from burning asphalt, just add pollen.
- use lotion on your hands
- treat all your patients like they are your parents.
- scrubs are great, except when you order longs and the pant legs are still too short

- Squirrel weddings are fantastic

- moving is always hard and brings out emotions i didnt know i had, but good thing my wonderful brother David helped arrange our furniture. thanks bro.
- I like driving a uhaul truck. very much.

- Birthdays are wonderful.

- Ukuleles make the world a brighter happy place.

- Records is spelled r-e-c-o-r-d-s. oops.

- Wash your hands and your dishes.
- I am so blessed by living with Sarah and Lacie

- Kayaking into the sunset is a new favorite, especially with wonderful friends.

- Being Aunt Boo only gets better.



- Church weekly renews my soul.

These are just a few things I've learned in the past few months. Hopefully I've learned enough to pass the NCLEX, my big huge test that determines if I become a nurse or not. So, if you happen to read this before October 12, please say a prayer for me, and if I seem hard to reach until then, know that I would really love to chat but I'm probably studying. maybe not, but i should be.

Lucy Eloise, welcome to the world.

For new babies, new life, a brand new little person with a beating heart and soft feet that have not yet felt the green grass or the grit of sand. For a healthy mind that can think and feel, for lungs that gasp and cry out as they experience filling with air for the first time. For eyes blinking at the sunlight, trying to focus and understand that other pair of loving parental eyes gazing right back. For thin dark hair, slowing rising into small curls as it dries. For little tummies quickly rising and falling 40 times a minute with each breath. For that fragile yet so strong little archipelago of bones down her back that protect her spinal cord from harm. Oh little one who will soon grow up too fast, I am so thankful to God for all of you, and for all that you stand for. Your birth is a reminder that we don't have hope because we have children, but we have children because we have hope. You, Lucy Eloise, are a living proclamation of your parents' faith and hope that God will keep his promises and will never leave you nor forsake you. Oh thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.


"From life's first cry, to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny"

for my fellow slow moving mammals

thankful today for:
-finding a new study "spot" last night- an empty multipurpose room in the commons.
-Lacie, and her teaching me ballet for a study break in the multipurpose room- pirouette!
-my hard workin dad and the voicemail he left: "Boo of Boo, I love you... etc"
-palm Sunday services, reminiscing about palm Sunday last year.
-babies sleeping in their father's arms during church
-google
-music therapy (presentation today on music therapy... I'm using this video for part of it . I'm not going to explain how right now.
-the bird outside the window singing its heart out this morning.
-English breakfast tea
-God waking me up on time after staying up late working, AND getting me to school early.
-One extra thank for babysitting on Saturday and taking 'C' to 4year old soccer game- he would run out to the field, turn around, and run right back to me and hug my knees. I tried to cheer and encourage and use guided imagery tactics, such as: he was the conductor and he needs to get that train(ball) back into the station (goal), or when he said he was too hungry he couldn't run i said he is like a cheetah- the fastest animal in the world, and the cheetah is fast because he's hungry! so go get your antelope (ball) and take it too your tree (goal) to eat (then i will reward you with your chicken patty you brought with you.)These tactics worked for maybe one or two runs into the field, but after I told him the cheetah one he ran back and told me that he couldn't do it because he's a "slow moving mammal!!" so great. I had to laugh. happy to report he did kick the ball once. we went to donut den to celebrate. Most fun i had all weekend.

top 10

Things i am thankful for right now:
- the Frothy Monkey coffee shop and how empty it is tonight
- the ability to actually study well tonight rather than waste time
- my sisters and how involved they are in my life, for better or worse, im so thankful they are.
- new sunglasses
- the bananna I thought to put in my car for a snack
- melancholy music
- the chapel being open and empty last night, and the piano tones bouncing off ancient rock walls.
- living with sarah
- omelets!
- my rib cage (I learned about this terrible disease yesterday that makes your rib cage grow concave and put pressure on your heart and lungs, you have to get a metal bar implanted across your chest under your sternum to keep it from becoming more concave.)

Padre nuestros, gracias por este dia. Amen.

Christmas break business

Summer's visit

Surfs Up!

Here are a few of my distractions lately...

Better World Shopper reveals where your money really goes when you buy a shirt at wall mart vs REI, and although you have to pay more by shopping at stores with better standards, you'll probably end up spending less in the long run and only what you need. Moderation. great idea.

Kings Of Convenience just released a new album that is ever so pleasant and relaxing.

Design Sponge has a great review of nashville and things to do, as well as millions of amazing Do It Yourself ideas. Great resource.

I'm always on the lookout for really beautiful fabrics to use for quilting and sewing projects (aka my 5 year old unfinished quilt). But Jo-Ann's can only go so far. I found the most beautiful/interesting fabrics here, especially this deer print (david you might like it!).

Tree Fall Design has some amazing ideas for using the fabric.

Molly's Blog is a good way to catch up on her life in Jerusalem! And Emily's too!

And finally, Paper Cut! or Shnerinshnitte as it is lovingly referred to, shows me what I'm up against in the paper cutting world. yikes.

There, That should keep you busy for a while. I gotta go study.

A little glimpse into my life...

Here are a few pictures of what's been going on lately- except that I dont have any pictures that represent the majority of my time- looking at a book or sitting in class. They wouldn't be as interesting anyway. At the top are some shots of an amazing sunset with two rainbows! Its been raining here for almost 3 weeks, monsoon season! Today we had a break and Sarah and I played some tennis. The next shot is of Sarah and I before we went to a free concert at Belmont University next door. The rest are of our apartment which is finally starting to look and feel like a home.

Entry from Last Tuesday.

This was from Last Tuesday

I’m trying to think of a way to tell you about my day in an organized manner. Lets see… well, first of all, you must know im in my apartment on my couch (from davie). My feet are up, im listening to pure moods, and all the happy light are on: aka I’m sitting under Christmas lights and two candles are lit. I got home about an hour and a half ago, and talked to mom and kendall while I reheated a global smorgasbord of leftovers- everything from pad thai, mac and cheese, and sundried tomatoes with basil. I’m still getting used to living by myself and figuring out what cooking for one person looks like.
Today I finished my second day of orientation, and both days have been really great so far. Monday was scary at first, but I made some friends on my way over from the parking garage and that made the day run much smoother. At lunch I met a girl I really connected with, Samantha, and she and I decided to be real friends. That is, after I asked her “can we be friends?”. She’s from New Hampshire (but doesn’t know brookwoods or deer run.) and went to Asbury for her undergrad. Its so weird to talk about undergrad… but I guess I have to get used to the idea that I’m not pretending to be a grown up but that its really happening. I pay bills now and to the electric company and write checks and stuff. So grownup .
Oh I almost forgot, last night sarah and her bro Johnny and I drove 7 miles each way to eat a chick-fil-a. on the way over I realized I was wearing my I <3 chick-fil-a shirt, and I felt like total fast food nerd. I asked if I could get a discount for being a big fan, and they said no! how rude.
So yesterday was great, very encouraging. Today I was running a little late, and on my way up to the 11th floor of the parking garage I got pulled over by a cop on a motorcycle. Yeah, didn’t see him coming, I had cut a corner and driven through some empty spaces, he yelled at me “now how careless was that! Next time go all the way around!!” he was mad, I was scared and sheepish, and he let me go. Whew. Then I got lost walking to my building, and finally got there 2 min. late- sweaty and panting. I didn’t feel so grownup then. But my new friends had saved a seat for me and I slipped in the back.
Today I met lots more girls and one boy, most of the girls were roommates of other girls I knew (jenny from wheaton) who are christians. Its indescribable the comfort I get from knowing that I share a deep soul connection with someone because they love God too. Its like how people like other people automatically if they’re both star treck fans, or love metallica, except that this kind of similarity goes into how you think and move and act and speak. Its so sweet. I think ill find a community here that can really support me academically and spiritually.
The past few nights I’ve had bad dreams, last night I dreamed I was at church and was about to take communion but the pastor was serving ice cream instead and a friend and I were in line but she hadn’t been baptized so she couldn’t get any and I yelled “why haven’t you been baptized?!” and everyone heard it and so she wasn’t my friend after that and I felt so bad. It wasn’t a great night of rest. I think the devil is attacking my dreams- my family and church- because this is a vulnerable time for me. I’m living alone for two weeks until sarah moves in over labor day, and I really hope to continue the devotional habits ive begun so far.
I love my church already, and I’ve signed up for a small group with my church and am looking forward to that beginning. Several people came up to me and welcomed me, and I really enjoyed the service. There are several wheaties there too! But I haven’t met them yet.

Whew, im so tired! Im planning on going to bed early and getting up early and walking. I’m going to play a little guitar before bed too. I miss living with my girls and enjoying each other’s presence, especially while cooking. Its weird to cook alone. Kitchens to me symbolize groups and talking and togetherness, now its scavenge. Haha, ok not that bad, but Im just getting used to this whole ‘im not living with 7 other girls anymore’. Its very different, but I'm aclimating slowly but surely.

I'm getting all domestic on ya

Living with Elizabeth was inspiring in many ways- she showed me you dont have to be a jock to be an athlete, or a prudish genius to be a theology major. The latest lesson I learned from her is that you dont have to be martha stewart (or Mom) to be a cook. Each discipline has several common ingredients: one part determination, 3 parts practice, and a heaping tbsp of patience. These lessons have enriched my life in countless ways, and have freed me from having one or two skills as opposed to a wide variety of hobbies and talents I can develop over time. Ah, The beauty of an interdisciplinary life! It keeps giving and giving. Although I was a little intimidated to try to bake my own bread, I was hungry and wanted to make a PB&J for lunch tomorrow so I went for it. Inspired by Elizabeth's weekly ritual of baking the most good smelling delicious fluffy yet substantial gluten packed loaves, I followed suit. Now I get to enjoy the fruit of my labor all week long. so thanks for all the inspiration E! I wish I could share my first loaf with you all with some of mom's raspberry jam.
go bake bread!