Dec. 24-28, 2004

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Well, I figured I ought to put up a Xanga post, since it's been awhile, but I don't really know what to say right now. It's very nice to be home, especially seeing my family. I've had some great family time and I'm really loving it. Christmas was awesome. Beautiful candlelight service at BCN - cried like a baby, but that's okay. Saw my dad take Communion for the first time (even after years of Catholic mass, where he's confirmed). God is doing great things. I'm a little worried about my brother though. Please pray for him. I still haven't really been able to see a whole lot of my friends yet, but plans have been made. Today I went to Opry Mills mall and met up with Patricia, a girl from the muscular dystrophy camp I've worked at. She's really sweet and I think she had a good time. It was nice to see her. Once again I'm afraid I have sunk into confusion about a specific person. I'm so ready for that to be over. I finished this great book last night - It's Not About Me, by Max Lucado - and it gave me some encouragement. Helped me remember that this situation is to be used for God's glory. I guess that's all I want, for God to be glorified. It's still hard though because I don't know what God wants me to do. It's a very difficult situation to maneuver, and I don't want to do the wrong thing - I feel like I've already done that twice. And yet I don't really know what the right thing is. I guess all there is to do is pray for guidance. But life is good. Great things are happening right now and I feel very very blessed. I hope everyone had a wonderful, blessed Christmas. I will probably continue my end of the year tradition of writing down "highlights," so you all can look forward to seeing those by the end of the week. 2004 rocked. Much love and peace to all. :)

Friday, December 24, 2004

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.