fight the cold!

The snow has fallen. It's about time to curl up next to a fire with some hot chocolate, but not just yet. I still have a week of exams to pull through.

After these exams are done, I know I will appreciate the calmness of the snowy north. Bring it on, weather! Give your worst, cause I'll attack it with a blanket, a good movie, and a hot drink to keep me warm.

Winter isn't as bad as people say if you have to right tools.

I'm pushing through to fight the cold, and, man, it will be an enjoyable fight for sure.

joy. fun. food. hugs. smiles.

Ahh... The semester is winding down. It's almost that time of year with joy, family fun, and food. Oh, the food.

But let us not forget what this season is about.
Celebrate the people in your life.
Celebrate your blessings, what you have that others may not.
Celebrate your life and the perfect life that gave itself that we might live.

Yes, eat, drink, and be merry, but also meditate on the somberness of what Christmas means.

We don't give gifts just because we can. Each gift symbolizes the gift of eternal life that we have been given through the birth and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you receive and give your gifts this holiday season, look at it as more of God giving to you His gift, receive it with your heart this season, and also don't forget to be thankful. Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's so easy to forget to be thankful. Thank people around you for the gifts they've given you this past year, not just physical, material gifts.

Give hugs this season!

friends.

It's always nice to know that someone's there, willing to take care of you or be there for you. I got my teeth taken out today, not the most pleasant experience, and one of my best friends came to take care of me and just be with me, and I know my other friends would do that in a heart beat if they didn't live so far away. I can't even express what that means. Typically, I'm the one who takes care of people, the one behind the scenes who tries to make everything happen. It was so nice for someone else to take that job for once. I'm just so thankful to know that I have someone to turn to when I don't feel well at all, or someone who just wants to spend some time with me. I can never give any of my friends enough, I love giving, but it's nice to know that that's not the reason they are my friends.

Friendships have been a huge blessing in my life and I can't imagine where I would be with my awesome, encouraging, honest, straightforward, loving friends. Honestly, they have no reason to love me, but they do, and I'm so thankful for that.

Friends are more than people to hang out with that's really fun to do, but true friend have a lasting impact on your life and you know that your life would not be the same without them. I want my friends to know that my life would not be the same without them.

I love you guys so much! Thank you for everything.