For me Thursdays mean the end of what is normally a long week and the beginning of the weekend. I have class on Fridays unfortunately and meetings and such, but I officially allow my brain to shut off on Thursday afternoons.
This week has been quite long but WONDERFUL. I returned from the honors conference on Sunday a little later than expected due to flight changes that were quite annoying (we ended up sitting in the airport for 3 hours because our flight was rescheduled from 11:45 to 1:40). Upon my return, I celebrated my birthday with dinner with my amazing roommates. They baked a gorgeous sunflower cake, had sunflowers on the table, and gave me the most thoughtful gifts. Monday morning I awoke to streamers hanging from the ceiling, polka dots on the wall, Happy Birthday notes on the mirror, and, perhaps my favorite, the numbers 2-0 created from polka dots on the side mirror. I have spent much time on the floor of my room this week studying and surfing the web and one of my favorite things has been laying back and staring up at the streamers and polka dots on the ceiling--they are just so much fun!
Sunflower cake created by Jessica (and her mom)
Dinner at PF Changs
Yesterday, Wednesday, was a day that I had been anticipating for the past thirty days. Adam had the day off, so he graciously drove up here so that we could spend some time together. We ate at this really cool restaurant called Open Door Cafe--just a little family owned place with really good hummus, super sweet sweet tea, and very good pasta. All there food is home-cooked and seems fairly healthy and fresh (except maybe the sweet tea). You should definitely check it out (www.opendoorcafebirmingham.com). After dinner we grabbed coffee and just sat in the park and talked for a while. It was wonderful just to be together.
He brought me flowers (as you can see at the top of the blog) and the Jim Elliot biography--Through Gates of Splendor. I meant to ask when I was supposed to read this considering my schedule, but refrained.
I am really excited to get into it soon though--perhaps I can finish it by Thanksgiving. I know that it will be encouraging to read about someones RADICAL devotion to Christ. Jim Elliot was willing to give up his home, his dreams, even his family and eventually his life for his Lord, knowing that all these things pale in comparison to the Splendor of Christ. I think that the sacrifice of my own ambitions and plans for my life is MUCH scarier than even the fear of death. I pray that God will use this book to continue to ignite a passion in my heart for missions, one that He has been kindling for many years, a passion that will greatly outweigh the fear that often creeps into my heart.
As I think about missions I have begun to pray about what God would have me do this summer. I want to know all of the details before I say yes, but is that really obedience, does that really require faith? There are many questions that I have, like will I be able to halt my research project for the summer? These questions make me a bit anxious, so I would ask for your prayers as I seek the answers and His will.
Well, it is a little late, and although I can sleep later than usual on Friday mornings, I need to get up and at em to study--3 tests in the next week. I am heading home this weekend to relax, shop, and celebrate!! I can't wait!
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