2012 And 2013.

Oh yeah, 2012 ended. It kind of just...slipped out for me. Mostly because I was at my parent's home, totally sick (as in, sinuses draining, sore throat, cough, etc.) and because my boyfriend was flying across the country to be with his mom, who is even more totally sick (as in, infection to the bone, open heart surgery, 6-bypass, breathing machine, etc.).

But okay, a year in review. The others are doing it:
- I fell in love again.
- I flew to Alabama.
- I broke my leg in three places and had surgery to fix it.
- I moved into my own apartment.
- I got a new job and a raise at work.
- I bought a new car.
- I was accepted to my first and only choice of grad school: Johns Hopkins University.
- I started leading the middle and high school girls at church.
- I laboriously crocheted two stockings.
- Mom and I went to a work conference together.
- Dad bought my a new gun.
- Brad and Jeff both made it back safely from their deployments.
- I won third place (for a sweater) and second place (for a pair of gloves) at the Alaska State Fair (and deposited the prize $8 into my Roth IRA).

Phew. Not bad.

2013:
- Start Grad School
- Get back in shape (along with millions of other people)
- Not compare myself to others
- Read through the Bible
- Be the kind of person I want to be friends with.

Terrie.

Terrie is retiring. And really, that's quite a tragedy in my life.

Terrie hired me when I was in high school to work for the District filing papers in Payroll. And I helped with the AS400 to IFAS conversion. And did everything that no one else wanted to do. Ah, the summer of gluing and copying. (See posts from 2005 for more information)

Terrie was the one who, last fall when I was heartbroken, told me to "Buck up." Just like that, too. "Buck up, Melissa." I needed that, and she had the guts to tell me. I'm glad she did. I've thought about that a LOT since then.

Work will not be the same without her.

I like that she always does the right thing, even when it is hard. I like that she has high standards for everyone, but is realistic about what can and can't be done. I like that she gushes over her kitties and puppies.

I just like her. One and a half more days with Terrie and then... who knows?! Sad.

Lost In Austen.

I just watched the most delightful episode of "Lost in Austen" on Hulu. It made me want to speak with a British accent and wear long dresses.

If you are a Jane Austen fan, you should watch it too.

Christmas

I love this time of the year.
Christmas tree in my corner.
Snowflakes around my window.
Angels on my table.

But I really love reflecting on Christ as my Kinsman Redeemer. As the One who purchased me back from death and sin and lostness, as Boaz did for Ruth. I'll  never get over that. 

Apartment.

Really enjoying living in my apartment. It feels so cozy and lovely. I cooked dinner tonight in it for the first time in weeks (so busy these days!).

But busy-ness is the thief of peace and joy. I want to simplify.

I liked the pottery class J and I took together, but I am really looking forward to coming home tomorrow, putting on my PJs, and crocheting. I've got two stockings to finish by Christmas Eve!

Intentionality.

I've been thinking about the importance of intentionality lately. In conversations, at work, in my prayer life, in reading the Bible.

"What good is it my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?"

What good indeed?

It takes intentionality to live by the Spirit, to allow Him to develop those fruits in me. Apart from the Spirit, I am broken and sin-bound. But with the Spirit, there is life.

Too often I choose not to be intentional, and things slowly start to unravel. I don't like that.

(None)

I got into Grad School. Have I even mentioned that?  I registered for my first course yesterday, Research and Writing Methods.  It's exciting, but a little scary.

Stephen Lee is getting married in less than a month, and I'd LOVE to be able to go to his wedding, but I'm not old enough to rent a car and drive around, I don't know anyone else who is going, and I can't really afford it, especially with Grad School looming over me. But who knows when I'd see him again?!

I love my girls at church. Love them. I don't know where this came from. I've never really worked with this age group, but I love them.  Dessert with one tomorrow, breakfast with another on Saturday.