Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Sometimes I wish I were a boy, like when you have car problems. This is assuming boys know about cars. I was driving on a toll road yesterday, coming from a visit home, and I heard some sort of clanking noise of sorts. So, I slowed down, pulled over and checked things out. Everything looked ok, so I got off onto the slower roads and limped home. I didn't go over 40 mph, and my car was shaking something terrible. As soon as I got home, my driver side back tire was hissing and quickly losing air. Apparently, a huge strip of the tread (whatever that means) on the tire had peeled away and I was down to the bare tire 12 inches around. So thankful it was no more than a tire, so thankful it did not burst on the interstate, but merely shredded just a bit.
I was able to get it changed out without shelling over a huge amount of money. I got to meet up with friends to play volleyball, and make it to my work Christmas party which I will probaby not be attending in the future. Not my scene, been there and done it, so now I'm good for the next several years.
Had Christmas this weekend at home. Now the family is up north, enjoying the pre-Christmas festivities with extended family. I did not think I would be too sad, but I think I'm gonna miss being around up there and just hanging out. Not a big fan of change.

I haven't been blogging lately, as there is not much going on in my life to blog about. I get up every day, go to work, come home, go to the gym, go to bed. Then I do it again the next day. Nothing spectacular, no divine revelations or proclamations lately.

However, I did attend Andrew Peterson's Behold The Lamb of God concert. It was once again, AMAZING! It was good for my soul! I was reminded that the Bible is one big story, all of it pointing to Jesus. I am discovering the riches of the Old Testament through the past several years in BSF. The continuity of the gospel runs through it all, even the some of the dry parts. I would recommend Andrew Peterson's new album: Resurrection Letters Volume II. Very good!

Christmas is fast approaching! For the first time I will be spending Christmas apart from my family, which saddens me and makes me realize I'm growing up. Change is a good thing, but I tend to cling to tradition and the past, especially during the Christmas holiday. I am thankful for friends with which to spend Christmases Eve and Day. This will be only my 3rd Christmas spent in Florida (after living here close to 20 years), which is a little depressing to me. I am so thankful for a week off after Christmas to join my family in Illinois for additional family time. Can't wait!

I've been going the past 8 days with work! Today is my last day for the weekend, and I am ready to take a few days off. I'm praying that I get through today without a hitch. Lately it seems to be so busy and I am feeling a glimpse of what it is to be a floor nurse.

I'm currently reading Philip Yancey's book, What's so Amazing About Grace?. It is very good. Grace is something I don't think I understand in full.

Andrew Peterson Christmas Concert is this weekend and I can't wait to go to it! 2 years ago he came to church, but I had to be with my family for Christmas. This time I am not going home for Christmas yet, so I can enjoy this!! Its been 4 years since I've been.

Hello, all.
This morning at church there was a group of people who came up and showed a sign of things they had been captive to/imprisoned by before finding freedom in Christ. It was so amazing!! Just to see what people struggled with. I look at them and think, not that person!! It made me think of my own struggles. My fear of what others think of me and how that paralyzes me in more ways than I could even count, the need for affirmation from those surrounding me so I know what they think, being single (as much as I say this may not bother me, or it shouldn't bother me!), accepting myself and my insecurities, new occupation, handling finances, my future... The list is endless.
On the other hand, the freedom there for me in Christ. The problem of letting those things go, I want to hold to them so tightly because it is what I know, it is what I identify with. What is freedom in Christ? What would God ask of me to do?

Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll. I worked the morning of Thanksgiving. It was a really nice and quiet morning! The anesthesiologists came out and hung out with the few of us nurses. And the nice ones where working that day, which I appreciated. No jerks on Thanksgiving! I got off at 12, and I was able to make it to Thanksgiving meal on time!

It was a good day to hang out with the family and friends. There was a lot of laughing and hanging out and eating. We went on a walk, made an ice cream trip to WalMart, ice trip to church, made a fire, played name games, and watched Enchanted.

Friday morning we went shopping at the town center. We left at 3:45am, I waited in line at Target for 1 hour and 45 minutes to buy my mother a Dyson vacuum cleaner. I also acquired new running shoes and a BPA free water bottle. We ended the morning with breakfast at Cracker Barrel! I vacuumed the house for my parents, which was so much fun. I love Dysons!! We ended the day by decorating the Christmas tree! I drove back late last night because I was on call, only to not be called in. If I had stayed in J-ville, I would definately have been called in. Because I came back, I have not been called in.

Here are some pictures I stole from the RUF Thanksgiving party. Thanks, Ande!!

I need to take of 26.32 hours off before 12/20. I am thinking of staying up really late tonight, only to call in tomorrow just because I could. There would be some "legit" reason.
I went to the Thanksgiving service today at church. Pretty awesome to hear people's stories of God's goodness and providence over the year. If I had the courage to stand up and talk, here's what I would have said:

1. Graduation: I made it...from nursing school none the less!
2. Licensing: I sat and passed the NCLEX-RN first time around!
3. Job: I had one before I graduated, didn't know I was interviewing at the time, they hired me, and they took a risk in getting a new grad.
4. Future job: Already I am looking towards getting a different job in a higher skilled floor. I know God will open up the right door for where I am supposed to go. Already he has opened up, or presented me an opportunity for 2 years in advance;