Last day of September!

And what a beautiful September day it is. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see fall weather arrive. I wanted to squeal when I was running around the house shivering while getting ready for work this morning. Call me crazy, but I LOVE IT!!!

School, for some reason, doesn't feel so overwhelming right now.

A dear friend invited me to go see "West Side Story" tomorrow night.

My sister will be joining me at my office two days a week.

It's a good day. ^_^

... Oh, and a pumpkin spice latte tastes even better on a cold, windy morning. =) Thank you so much, Mrs. E!

Ah, Friday... :)

Of course, the weekend doesn't feel too much different when one is drowning in homework, but Friday definitely does come with one decided benefit: the ability to stay up late studying with the knowledge that sleeping in the next day is actually okay! ... Okay, so maybe that was a little cynical. But there are happier thoughts to share, for certain.

Such as the fact that it actually felt cold this morning when I got in my car to go to work.

Such as the fact that I discovered today that my in-basket at work actually does have a bottom, and that with one more good, productive day like I had today, I might actually see the bottom of it again! It's a fantastic feeling to catch up.

Such as the fact that I have two new books that are just waiting for me to finish these classes so I can read them. Finding books on half.com for 75 cents is just too good for me to pass up. . . Yep, I have my sheepish face on right now.

Happy weekend, all. ^_^

Happy Fall!

First day of fall today! I wish it felt more like autumn weather, but I suppose that will come in time...

The other news of the day:
- more customized ringtones
- visiting with grandparents
- Hobbit day and being reminded of my Lord of the Rings mania
- Coldplay
- discovering Nightwish performing "Walking in the Air" AND "Meadows of Heaven" live in concert

I seem to have been stuck on the three-posts-per-month theme for most of this year so far; I have broken the trend already, but I don't want to fall off the bandwagon again. Despite all of my hectic-ness and busy-ness, it's nice to keep something of a routine and go back to writing regularly. So I really only have one point to writing this afternoon, and that is to ask if anyone has seen Love Happens yet, and if so, what you thought of it. We might make a trip to our favorite new, beautiful theater tomorrow to see it, but I'd love to get some general feedback before doing so.

So, anyone who has seen it, I'd be happy to hear (er, see...) what you thought!

In other news, today is the last official day of summer. I am quite ready for fall, and this fact makes me happy. Farewell, summer! You have been eventful, enjoyable, and enlightening, but I am ready to welcome a new season.

Thanking God today for changing seasons -- most of all, for changing seasons of life.

Legend of the Celtic Stone

It is officially summer still, so I can now say that I actually finished three novels this summer! It's a pathetic boast, since my summer reading list contained closer to 20 titles than 3 titles, but... I suppose I'll take what I can get. In any case, Saturday mornings are a perfect time to be lazy and read, especially when one has only a few chapters left--which is exactly the situation I was in this morning!

After spending several weeks deliciously engrossed in The Legend of the Celtic Stone by Michael Phillips, I finally finished the final pages this morning. I absolutely loved it. For anyone at all interested in historical fiction, this is a superb read. While I am by no means any sort of expert when it comes to Scottish history, I do believe that the historical accuracy of Mr. Phillips is quite outstanding. I found myself completely absorbed in the legends of Scotland, and I confess that I am more curious than ever to study more Scottish history. There is something very compelling, stirring, and fascinating about the ancient story of Scotland and of Scots. From the grisly and hauntingly horrific story of the Glencoe massacre to the story of Saint Columba and the spread of Christianity, it is a deeply emotional and bittersweet but beautiful history. I want more!!

There is an old quote that goes something like this: "Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly."

Legend of the Celtic Stone definitely falls into the latter category. Highly recommended!

My new favorite quote

"Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house."
- Henry Ward Beecher

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Also, customized ringtones are just way too much fun. We finally got the proper software and cables so that our silly mp3 phone can actually do what it was meant to do all along: create ringtones from any mp3 on your computer. We've had a total blast creating customized ringtones for a bunch of our contacts. From Harry Potter themes to "Chasing Cars" to the Angel theme to "Back in Black" to the North & South theme to the ringtone from A Good Year to the Forrest Gump theme, it has been quite the motley arrangement.

Who knew that something so small could bring such enjoyment? =)

Thursday Thankful

- Warm sun, but a decided tinge of fall in the air.

- Chinese chicken salad.

- Time with my family.

- Catching up with a dear, dear friend.

- Letters.

- Being so close to finishing a fantastic book.

- Catching up on more schoolwork.

God is good. All the time. =)

Tapestries of Life

"The Weaver"

My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

-Grant Colfax Tuller


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"Although the threads of my life
have often seemed knotted, I know,
by faith, that on the other side
of the embroidery there is a crown."

~Corrie Ten Boom


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God is FAITHFUL.
God is GOOD.
God is MERCIFUL.
God is PATIENT.
God is GRACIOUS.

But most of all...
God is SOVEREIGN, and His plan is perfect.

I am grateful for the opportunity to see that truth more plainly.