So Thanksgiving break at Tami Swenson's house in Boscobel, WI rocked my socks!

I could try to go into a play-by-play and give every insignificant detail of the trip, but really... I'm not sure it's worth my time to type or your time to read. Perhaps a short list of highlights will suffice?

As for the highlights:

*a positively *loopy* drive to Madison in the van including me, Tami, Elizabeth Wong, Jack Nehlsen, Anna and Emily Holsclaw, and twins' parents, who graciously packed us all into their van and suffered through a 2 1/2 hour delay in Chicago, just to make sure we all got home safely (um, Jack?)

*the lovely traditional Arabic breakfast prepared by Mrs. Swenson -- menaaeesh -- yum!

*Risk... and Jaimi's strategy for systematic world domination (wait -- what happened to our alliance??)

*Thanksgiving Day with 34 other people in the Swenson household, perhaps more food than I've ever seen in one place that wasn't a buffet of some sort, beautiful piano music, Scattegories, and a video tape of Princess Nora's birthday party ("Where are all the kids?" "Maybe she didn't want kids at her birthday party" "I bet they didn't pass security" "Nooo... all the officials just wanted first dibs on the cake!") uh huh.

*playing the game Mafia for the first time in my life. I caught on eventually. And Mandi saved me a couple times, too. I like her. She's my friend.

*taking an ill-fated trip to Debuque, Iowa with Tami, Elizabeth, and Jaimi. But at least I got to go into cool stores I'd never set foot in before (Maurices, Deb), meet a couple of Tami's friends from high school, and see three states at once while crossing the Mississippi River! Sweet!

*church with the Swensons and the McClures at their church in Fennimore -- who needs coffee to stay awake during the service when you've got fruit falling out of the offering table cornicopia and rolling down the aisle?

*teaching Jaimi and the other girls a jig in the basement to Celtic Christmas music... ahh, I miss dancing!

*tractor pictures before leaving, watching Jaimi "jigging" on the front porch as we pulled out of the driveway, and driving away to the distinct sound of Alison's giggles in the seat ahead of me

Ok, so that doesn't even come close to covering everything, but there will be another blog -- soon to come -- which will be singularly devoted to our "Thanksgiving 2004 Quote and Unforgettable Moments" list. I know you're sitting on the edge of your seat already. But you'll just have to wait a little bit longer.

Wait anxiously. Check back persistently.
You will be rewarded.



But for now, dinner calls.

Loved the Michael Glud ("He's so humble!") cereal party at Niedfeldt on Friday night; corn pops, slap jack, fooseball, and a strobe light make for unexpectedly fun times! Anxiously awaiting Gludfest 2005...

Although our much-anticipated day in Ann Arbor was foiled by unforeseen complications which left us in a decidedly vehicularly-challenged state, Tami, Laurel, Jamie, and I took it upon ourselves to redeem our situation by creating our own cultural, culinary experience in the tiny (and ill-ventilated, may I add?) kitchen of Benzing. One fire alarm, two close calls, three fire fighters and a charred falafel later, we had a beautiful (and delicious) Arabic feast, complete with (edible) falafel, menaaeesh, sauteed vegetables, ground beef, couscous, and sparkling white grape juice! By the end of the night, the girls and I came to realize that our Benzing escapades, perhaps not as sophisticated and not nearly as far removed from campus as we had been expecting, were nevertheless just as enjoyable as any time we would have spent in Ann Arbor. Not to mention the money we saved. So next time, I say we try Thai... any takers?

The movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding makes me laugh. And every time I think I have my favorite character "for sure this time"... another one steals the show. The dad cracks me up with his whole "give me a word" routine. I LOVE the mom. The aunt is hilarious, the brother is so endearing ("yeah, that Dear Abby really knows what she's talking about"), and the Grandma who runs around cursing the Turks is so ridiculous and random... she just fits. I love it. If you haven't seen this movie, my friend, you're missing out.

Thanks to Kristin's sale shopping skills, we now have a super-comfy chair in our room for your lounging pleasure. Come visit us and sit in it. We like visitors. But not today, because we're up to our faces in homework. Well, Kristin is. I am, too, actually... I'm just in denial about it, which is why I'm blogging. That's Logic 101, Katie-style.

Oh yes, and please be in prayer for me right now... I am trying to figure out whether the Lord wants me to be a part of the missions team going to Uganda this summer. I've never been on a missions trip before, mostly because I've never been 100% sure of my motivations for going. If you could pray that I would earnestly seek God's plan, that I would make His desires my desires, that He would make His will abundantly clear to me, and that my heart would have peace and contentment with whatever that is, I would be so blessed.

I have to make sure that I put myself where He wants me to be, not where I want to be.

Thank you, friends!
Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

It's been quite the busy past few weeks around here, and unfortunately, my blog has suffered for it. Better my blog than my GPA, though, right? In theory, at least. Too bad they might both go down together in this little thing called reality...

But honestly, it's good to be blogging again. It's therapeutic... in a different way than journaling... in this whole sense where I know that at least a few people will see (and some might even care enough to comment on) the words and sentences I string together in this little bit of webspace I call mine. Sweet.

The past few weeks -- months, really -- have been about discoveries, sort of. Discoveries about people and situations and experiences that push me outside of my comfort zone and stretch beyond my former points of reference. And I like it, at least once I recognize it and appreciate it for what it is... an opportunity to rely on Someone higher, put my faith utterly in Him, trust Him completely with the outcome, and grow because of it. And sometimes it's just a really good chance to try something new, challenging, or fun... and risk looking silly... and not let inhibitions stop me from gaining the experience.

Working on the Admissions Call Team (calling prospective students to talk to them about Hillsdale College), co-leading a Bible study, spending time at the nursing home, going to the Charity Ball, performing in a group act for the SAI concert, consulting "the enemy" (kidding, of course) and learning some Scottish Highland dance moves, dueling with duct-tape swords, Irish dancing again (inexplicable release, emotional high, flood of freedom, and pure joy... makes me wonder if I'll ever be able to DO anything with it), and trying out some wonderful new churches instead of settling for one that's within walking distance just because it's "easy to get to and more convenient" are really just the tip of the iceberg.


Ha! Like tonight, with Discovery #637.8 (approx)

Tonight I played Mortal Kombat for the first time EVER in my life at the Mu Alpha House. Besides being one of the most violent, repulsive, and horrendous video games I've ever had the displeasure of witnessing, it is also one of the most physically and emotionally draining to play. Unfortunately for all involved, including myself, it is also rather addictive. Quite addictive, in fact. And I think I almost liked it a bunch of times. Sort of.

At the very least, it really was invigorating.
You should try it.





I'll play you, k?

Speaking to me tonight...

There is an intimate relationship between joy and hope. While optimism makes us live as if someday soon things will go better for us, hope frees us from the need to predict the future and allows us to live in the present, with the deep trust that God will never leave us alone but will fulfill the deepest desires of our heart.

Joy in this perspective is the fruit of hope. When I trust deeply that today God is truly with me and holds me safe in a divine embrace, guiding every one of my steps, I can let go of my anxious need to know how tomorrow will look, or what will happen next month or next year. I can be fully where I am and pay attention to the many signs of God's love within me and around me ~Henri J.M. Nouwen

What a comfort it is to know that before we were born, God made His plan for us ~Corrie ten Boom

Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living ~Jim Elliot

The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived -- not always looked forward to as though the "real" living were around the next corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow ~Elisabeth Elliot

Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever ~Betty Scott Stam

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit ~Romans 15:13






Father, may Your love alone hold the key to my heart's joy and contentment.