I will speak joy until joy speaks of love. [chris hall]

UPDATES on the events of Novemeber:

• I decided to stay in the Lansing Area for next year to student teach! Mark and Katie have opened their hearts and home to me and although Mark continues to tell me that nothing great happens in their house and not to have high expectations...I know that God has me with two amazing people for a reason next year. God does great work through Mark and Katie, and their lives individually and as a married couple in Christ continue to teach me new characteristics of who Jesus is. It is going to be fantastic, no matter what it looks like. Three people on a mission to serve the Lord and live like Jesus...couldn't get any better then that! If anything, I get to hang out with a woman I admire, a man who chose a great wife, and a gosh darn really cute baby :]
  
• My best friend from high school, Brandy, married the love of her life over Thanksgiving weekend. Brandy's wedding was so beautiful. the family. the friends. the parents. the ceremony. It was a perfect mix of people, the bride and groom were incredibly excited and thankful for everyone who was there. I couldn't stop dancing for two days afterward [CUPID SHUFFLE!]. It was incredible.
• I came home from Big Rapids (where the wedding was) with a changed heart. Since we were so busy with wedding events, we did not celebrate Thanksgiving the traditional way. Not being with my own family celebrating our traditions together was a weird feeling. I realized that, although I love my family and our gatherings, I do not need them to make my heart happy during the holidays. This gave me a boost of confidence for the upcoming years of my life, knowing that I can move anywhere to start my teaching career and I know I'll find another family/friends to share the holidays with if I can't make it home.
• God has just opened the lens through which I've been looking through. A lot of changes are stirring up in my heart, a lot of things are shifting and moving...I'm realizing that the only way I am going to start understanding what God's promises are for my life are by spending more time reading his word and seeking his grace. I tell my self all the time I can do it on my own, but it's time to jump off my personal independence fence and creature of comfort fence (thanks Steve) and take the sword to the areas of my life I've been too stubborn to change.
• I need to get off my soapbox and start seeing the world as God sees it and not as my heart desires to see it. I need to stop cocooning in what I know and am familiar with, and start seeking changes in relationships, life decisions, and self-control.
  
• There is a start to what I'll probably blog about on the 9th. stay tuned :]

Love you all.

Prayer request: My Nonno (grandpa) was admitted to the hospital last night. Please pray for his comfort and rest as we figure out what is wrong. Thanks everybody.