Ups and Downs and Nearly SPRING BREAK!

Ran 5 miles without stopping. AND loved every minute of it! + 5 points

Just received back a paper with the lowest grade I have received at Den Sem - yikes. - 4 points

It's sunny and 70 degrees here in the paradise referred to as Denver! +8 points

Someone ate or threw away my sushi in the on campus fridge. - 2 points

I finally got new glasses. It has been three years since my last prescription. + 2.5 points

Bachelor finale! He picked Emily! +3 points. BUT, after the final rose their relationship is on the rocks - 1 point. (DUH, Brad. Sleeping around two weeks before you propose to a gem of a woman is not recommended)

Stats tonight. Meh points

Nails painted, spring floral top on + 3 points!!

Assurance that despite the rough grade on my paper, I am in the right program, profession and will someday be a good therapist, by the grace of GOD - plus infinitesimal points!

Lent

Here it is again. One of my most favorite seasons.

This Lent I am giving up sugar and artificial sweeteners. It may not sound like too big of a deal, but Diet Dr. Pepper and peanut butter M&M's have become a delicacy for this sleep deprived grad student.

I am looking forward to the countless moments when I go to the fridge for a crisp drink and mild caffeine hit to pause and remember how it is God who satiates and fills.

I far too often (nearly always) go through each day as though I am completely self reliant. I am looking forward to learning, through something as simple as cutting out the sensation of sweetness, how great my need for God is. I am hopeful that as I experience cravings for sweetness, I will be reminded my deepest yearnings and invite in the only One who can truly fill me.

Here are some of Henri Nouwen's thoughts on Lent: Ever the more profound in his simple words than I could hope to be.

Lent is the most important time of the year to nurture our inner life. It is the time during which we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the death and resurrection that constantly takes place within us. Life is a continuing process of the death of the old and the familiar, and being reborn again into a new hope, a new trust, and a new love. The death and resurrection of Jesus therefore is not just an historical event that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place in our heart when we are willing to be attentive to it....

Lent offers a beautiful opportunity to discover the mystery of Christ within us. It is a gentle but also demanding time. It is a time of solitude but also community, it is a time of listening to the voice within, but also a time of paying attention to other people's needs. It is a time to continuously make the passage to new inner life as well as to life with those around us.

When we live Lent attentively and gently, then Easter can truly be a celebration during which the full proclamation of the risen Christ will reverberate into the deepest place of our being.

The Biggest Loser

I thought it was a stroke of luck that the Biggest Loser was on when I got to the gym tonight. How inspiring this will be, I thought. Au contraire! It is dangerous to mix motivational/inspirational television with cardio. I kept getting choked up with every time they pulled together as a team, or a trainer pushed them and then encouraged them. You might as well have put Hallmark commercials on repeat in front of me!

Tonight was my first night of official half marathon training (I am going by Hal Higdon's training schedule) and three miles never felt so good!

Discoveries

Spaghetti squash is incredible! I think I could eat it everyday (at least if this week is an indicator of anything).

Running is HARD. I feel I should start another blog about a faux-runner training for a half marathon. I suppose if it were easier, it would not be half as rewarding.

Stats. is. killing. me. First exam this Wednesday and this entire weekend is devoted to prepping for it. I seem to comprehend the material when I do the reading, but when I sit in class I feel as though I have never encountered the material before. It's stretching me, to be sure.

I seem to blog more frequently when I particularly wish to avoid what I am supposed to be doing. Perhaps this is why each post is composed in a library or while in a coffee shop. Case in point!

At it again!

After a whirlwind Christmas "break", I am back at it again with a new semester, new classes, new challenges and new goals.

As ever, I am horrible at keeping up with this thing, so here are a few highlights.

Time with the family was a treasure! Most of it was centered around sweet Cosi Mae, my niece. What a joy she is!

PASSED the advanced standing exam, thus tested out of a 3 hour theology class! Hallelujah!

Just got to go see The Decemberists in concert - something I hope to do more of this semester is go to more shows. I can't describe just how much I love live music and I hope to be able to say yes to more life giving experiences this semester!

My work schedule is set, so I am much better able to plan out my time and have a better sense of rhythm, as far as work, rest and play is concerned.

Got new running shoes, joined 24 hour fitness and registered for my very first half marathon! Excited for the process of training and endurance building and restoration this season will no doubt bring.

Most thankful for the classes I am taking this semester - especially the professors. Somehow I have more reading this semester, but I am a complete nerd and loving (almost) every minute of it. I must say, I could do without Stats, but that's another story.

Film Club is up and running. I am most thankful for a community of people to enjoy good art and thoughtfully discuss themes and the human condition through the medium of film. We've been on a Paul Thomas Anderson kick, but are switching it up soon.

This is petty, but still a highlight! I got the iPhone 4 and have been having such fun with it! It is so fun to get to have face time with my family at only the touch of a button!

Last semester was characterized by the Lord stirring up a lot of things in me that I had not been aware of, or perhaps had not yet been ready to deal with prior, or brought up old insecurities to rework through to bring about the experience of healing and restoration. This semester is beginning to be characterized by moving forward in things that I sense God has given me permission to move forward in. So many things that were in process are now in motion and coming to pass. The process was precious, although it was was messy and full of confusion at times. Now, on the other side of some of those things, I am experiencing clarity and confidence in moving forward.

Well, I don't know if this about sums it up, but it must suffice for now as a stats paper is annoyingly and persistently calling for my attention.

Much love to you!

A brighter day...

Free soy latte from Panera to keep these cold fingers typing.

One 25 pager turned in.

One 35+ pager getting ready to be turned in in only 3 hours.

The next Harry Potter book has arrived and I see much cozying up and reading into the night.

It's Tuesday = Brewsday at the Old Mill with treasured friends who will be relishing our new found freedom from these massive papers!!

How S W E E T it is!!

Bardo - Coffee House

A new favorite coffee shop just down the street from me.

Their coconut lattes are keeping this unmotivated girl caffeinated and functioning.

Walking to a coffee shop makes me feel like I am in Chicago...

Well, I don't know how the 68 degrees in December fits into that... But, you get the idea.