When asked as a kid what my favorite Christmas song was, I would always respond with "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." I obviously didn't understand the full gravity of the lyrics, but I loved the melody. Something about it felt cold and haunting to me. Christmas for most people is hot chocolate and warm fires. For me, it's bare branches and drifting snowflakes. Though the tune of "Emmanuel" is melancholy, its lyrics are full of hope for the coming Messiah. The Israelites waited for His first advent, I am waiting patiently for His second.
So, here's a playlist with some of my favorite versions of the song.
I got to photograph my sister's ridiculously good looking family this past saturday. Though it may look like frigid mid-winter in these photos, it was probably 70 degrees outside. The weather here in Nashville is so confused right now. It's currently pouring rain outside.
My sweet sister and I. And yes, my hair is now a nice shade of Christmas red!
Also...unicycles.
OH HEY. This is just a quick note to say I'm still alive, and have some super fun things coming here to this dusty little blog once finals are over. Only a week and a half, and I'll be half-done with my Junior year of undergrad. Can I get an amen? Yeah yeah!
Anyway. I've been swamped with papers and performances and all that jazz. Life is full right now, but it's quite nice. I'm looking forward to Christmas break. Road trips to Missouri, Passion Conference, lots of book reading and movie watching, a new year, The Hobbit, seeing Relient K and House of Heroes, and another year older. (twenty-one will be upon me in less than a month. I can hardly believe how young I am.)
Speaking of books, I'm working on a list of books to read over break. There are so many to choose from. I'm beside myself with glee!
It's funny how unfamiliar places can sometimes feel like home. Even though I'd never seen this house or laid in this bed until today, I'm totally at ease. Maybe it's because we ate pepper steak for dinner. I haven't eaten that since my mom passed. That one familiar food brought me back to her. And instead of sadness, for the first time in a long time, missing her brought joy.
I'm so thankful Thanksgiving break is here. I've been sick with a bad case of pneumonia for almost a week now. I managed to get out of bed yesterday and come with my sister and her husband to his parent's house. It's nice here. Peaceful. There's time for me to rest and procrastinate even longer on reading Last of the Mohicans.
Thanksgiving is still hard. It might be even harder this year than it has been the past three, due to circumstances that I must keep to myself. My sister and I were talking about it earlier. Instead of just grieving one day, we must grieve two--the actual date my sweet mom passed (November 27) and the holiday on which she passed (Thanksgiving). Just keep my family in your prayers. This isn't an easy time for us. But I'm thankful for the healing another year will bring.
It's funny how when life grows heavier in some areas, others grow exponentially lighter. God has placed some really incredible friends in my life for this season, and I am so incredibly thankful.
"In sickness and in health" Was more than just a promise. You showed it to your children, And taught them to be honest. Now they don't go a day Without saying the words "I love you."
First off, I've been a giant bundle of stress lately. I seriously have a problem with telling people "no." Thanks to this character flaw, I've ended up with entirely too much on my plate. I hardly have time to do the things I have to do, let alone the things I want to do. Thankfully, there are four weeks left in this semester. I'm really going to cut back on my commitments next semester so I can actually get the rest I need to function. I'm tired of pulling myself together and scrapping up enough energy to get through the day. I want to live.
November is tough month for me. If you've been around here a while, you know this already. Super thanks to those of you who've been praying for me. I've been doing okay thus far...I've only had my reoccurring dream once, and only one random breakdown. It's hard to believe my sweet mom has been gone almost four years. I miss her like crazy.
Lately I've been trying to plan out my future. Instead of worrying about the things I have to do today I've been worrying about the things that might happen twenty years from now. Life just can't be lived that way. It isn't possible. Christ has given us hope for tomorrow, but He's also given us hope for right now. I've stopped stressing over what might happen, and have instead been asking myself what's the next, best thing I can do?
My hair is long enough to wear in topknot. Squee!
I voted for the first time last week. I have peace about whatever happens tonight.
Finally, I found out a couple of days ago that I'll be going to Spain and Morocco this spring! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that God has given me this opportunity. Pray for our team, the missionaries, and funds. I know God will provide, and I can't wait to see what He is going to do!
1. Darth Vader and the Soggy Bottom Boys
2. Sad Vader roasts a marshmallow
3. Goodwill adventures
4. Arkansauce adventures
5. Cinnamon espresso cheesecake
6. Doodles
7. The color run with my best friend
8. PURPLE
9. New bangs
10. Redneck car fixes
11. Matching best friends
12.Foggy hikes
13. Cozy rooms
14. Freezing football games
15. Red lipstick
Grey streets lined with the ancient bones Of houses built so long ago. Trees in the middle tinged with red Leaves falling down upon my head. Fall wind whips at my tangled hair, October--sometimes too much to bear. I see you slim frame walk along The same paths my hands have drawn In the shakiness of unmet grief-- Each thought captured by a falling leaf. My mind sees this scene each night before I lay my head upon my pillow. I would love nothing more Than to hear you say hello.
My family came this past weekend. It was a good way to kick off fall. Nothing signals the start of a cooler season quite like bonfires, s'mores made with burnt marshmallows and reeses cups, good conversation with family, and red flannel shirts. Of course, if your family is like mine and has terrible luck, the fire department might show up and put an end to your fall festivities. Whatever. It happens.
At the moment I:
am sick. I'm off to the doctor as soon as I finish this post.
am thankful I'm done with my infernal paper on Edward Taylor's infernal poetry. Infernal.
am glad to see cooler weather.
am freaking out about the fact that I turn 21 in precisely three months.
am jamming out to some killer music.
I hope everyone is having a lovely fall thus far.
xo,
Katy
Fall came in with a quiet murmur. Apple spice and cameras in hand, Brittani and I walked around Radnor Lake. Trees rustled, deer and turkey scampered. There's nothing quite like good conversation and perfect picture lighting with one of your dearest friends.
.
Nashville falls are peaceful. In the midst of my hectic, busy college life, simple things like sweaters and tights, coffee and long hikes remind me to slow down and appreciate the beauty around me. I know spring is usually associated with new beginnings, but for me, it's fall. Fall brings a freshness and newness of spirit I can't really explain.
So, here's a playlist with some of my favorite versions of the song.
