Purpose

YOU DON'T LET ANYTHING GET IN THE WAY OF YOU FULFILLING YOUR PURPOSE.

What is your purpose?

To glorify God's name.

Do you magnify Christ in your life?  That is, do you bring Christ closer?  Do you bring honor to his name?  Do you live for his glory?

GOD PUT YOU SPECIFICALLY WHERE YOU ARE AND YOUR PURPOSE IS TO MAGNIFY CHRIST HERE AND NOW. 

BE AN APOSTLE PAUL TO SOMEONE.  That is, teach someone.  Disciple someone.  Lead by example.  Yes, you should be getting taught, but you should be passing it on as well.  Who are you passing on the faith to?  Who are you encouraging?

YOU ARE HERE BECAUSE OF GOD'S SOVEREIGN HAND.  HE COULD'VE PUT YOU ANYWHERE, BUT HE CHOSE HERE. BE A SHINING LIGHT IN THIS DARK WORLD.

The reason why people aren't happy and satisfied is because they're not living this way.  Instead, they're trying to get joy from something other than God.

PURPOSE YOUR HEART FOR CHRIST BECAUSE THAT'S THE REASON YOU'RE HERE.

*This is based on notes I took from a sermon at CBC earlier this year, based on Philippians 1:12-26 and Colossians 1:28-2:3.

London Adventures: Feb 27 - April 3

Wow I have some catching up to do!!  It's been a month... or more than a month... let's see if I can recap...

Well, the first three weeks of this missing period were spent on and off with some sort of flu/flus.  Not fun.  And not good for productivity.  Every time I thought I was better I wasn't.  BUT I'm better now.

School:
Guess what.  Two weeks ago I had my last masters classes ever.  All of a sudden it seems like time has just flown by!  Now it's just deadlines and exams.  I turned in an essay the last week of classes and another the week after that.  I'll be turning in another next week and then I have a couple exams.  After that it's all dissertation!  Which I think maybe just maybe I've finally decided on a topic... but I'll wait to post that until it's certain lol

Work:
Didn't get a whole lot of hours in during the sick weeks, but I'm back to normal and grabbing up what I can so that I can have fun later!  I met another "Erin" for the first time since I've been here!  Except this was a guy and he spelled his name "Arran."  It was a spelling I'd never seen before.  Apparently it's not a common name in the UK.  I'm always having to repeat my name and being told that I'm the first Erin people have ever met.  Rarely, I'm the second.  And those two people who have met an Erin before have connections to Ireland.  It's really strange!  To top that off, a couple Sundays ago when I went to Starbucks with Lisa and Emily, they wrote my name on the cup (which they don't seem to do often here, or I think they just started really doing) and spelled it "Irin."

Hockey:
Last week I had my last game.  The Messersmiths were awesome enough to came out and watch.  It's weird to be at that point again where I'm not sure if I'll ever get to play again.

Church:
Church family has continued to be awesome.  Over the course of this chunk of time, I've been thrown into various group singing specials and become part of the new rotation for teaching Junior Church.

Randoms:
PARIS MARATHON IN ONE WEEK!!  EEEEEK.  Paula will be my travel buddy.  I told her she should pass me a baguettes throughout the race... or maybe crepes.  Being sick really took a toll on training, but two weeks ago I managed a 16 mile run and didn't die.  It was the longest run I've ever done in my life (previous was 15 miles three years ago on accident).  That will be the longest run I do before the marathon.  This week is all about not wearing myself out and fueling up.

I've moved house.  After much unofficial time spent in the spare room, I've got the remainders of my things out of the dorm and to the Messersmiths!  If you want my updated address send me a message.

Oh, and did I mention?  My hair is red...

Next stop: Scotland!

A Pleasing Aroma

Something that stood out to me while reading my Bible the other day:

"And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders 

fell down before the Lamb.  Each one had a harp, 

and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people." 

- Revelation 5:8

"Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar.  And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God's people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne.  The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God's holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out."
- Revelation 8:3-4

OUR PRAYERS used as incense.  As an offering.  As a pleasing sacrifice.

Let's take a closer look.  Webster defines incense as "material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned" or "the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned; broadly : a pleasing scent."  Synonyms include:  aroma, attar, bouquet, fragrancy, fragrance, perfume, redolence, scent, and spice.  Antonyms are fetor, malodor, reek, stench, and stink.  So incense is supposed to smell good.

And what does Strong's say?  The word incense here is translated from the Greek word thumiama, which means "an aromatic substance burnt, incense."  So it is a strong, good smell.  And this strong, good smell is found perfuming the area around God's throne.  And the source of the smell?  Our prayers.  How awesome is that?!

But it's not just prayers - it's our LIVES.  Take a look:

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God."
- 2 Corinthians 2:15

The word fragrance here is the Greek word euodia, which, like thumiama, is also defined as a good smell or incense.  But it's also specified as "a sweet odor, spoken of the smell of sacrifices and obligations, agreeably to the ancient notion that God smells and is pleased with the odor of sacrifices" and, as a metaphor, "a thing well pleasing to God" (Strong's).

The Old Testament is full of examples of this "ancient notion" that God takes pleasure in the smell of sacrifice.  Just a few examples include Leviticus 1:9, 2:2, and 3:5 where the sacrifice burned on the altar is described: "It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord."  This word aroma is the Hebrew word reyach which is used throughout the Old Testament, defined by Strong's as an "odour of soothing (technical term for sacrifice to God)."

Was it that God thought burning grain or animals literally smelled good?  Not really.  It was the act of obedience and reverence for God.  It was the heart attitude of the one offering the sacrifice.  David speaks of this in one of his psalms:

"You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.

You do not want a burnt offering.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God...

you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit..."

- Psalm 51:16-17, 19

Now we who live in the New Testament times, with the sacrifice of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, covering us, paying the death penalty for our sins,  do not need to offer a burnt offering, even in the "right spirit."  We are instead told:

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God 

because of all he has done for you.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - 

the kind he will find acceptable.  This is truly the way to worship him."

- Romans 12:1

 "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.  What's more, you are his holy priests.  Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God."

- 1 Peter 2:5

How do we do this?  How do we offer ourselves as living sacrifices?  What are the spiritual sacrifices that please God?  How do we become euodia, a Christ-like fragrance, the kind of sacrifice that God finds acceptable and pleasing?  The same word euodia is used in two other places in the New Testament:

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.  

He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

- Ephesians 5:1-2

"At the moment I have all I need - and more!  I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus.  They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God."

- Philippians 4:18

Following the example of Christ in love and humility.  Giving generously.  And how else?

"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, 

proclaiming our allegiance to his name.  

And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need.  

These are the sacrifices that please God."

- Hebrews 13:15-16

"So you should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.  Do not let sin control the way you live, do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  Sin is no longer your master... Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?  You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living."

- Romans 6:11-16

Praising no matter what, being faithful in our devotion to God, doing good, sharing, living in the new life Christ gave us - a life free from sin, no longer bound - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:22) - accepting God's gift of grace and striving to live clean, honorable lives out of thankfulness and a desire to please him:

"So think clearly and exercise self-control.  Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.  So you must live as God's obedient children.  Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.  You didn't know any better then.  But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'"

- 1 Peter 1:13-16

By imitating God, not the world (Romans 12:2).  By producing sweet-smelling fruit:

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  

There is no law against these things!  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there."

- Galatians 5:22-24

Such a life doesn't just please God:

"But thank God!... Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God..."

- 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

It adds to the Kingdom.

So how do you smell today?  Are you a strong, sweet, pleasing aroma or a retched, selfish stink?  If you're a stink, take the time to talk to God and give yourself over to him and allow Christ's sacrifice to cover you and make you new.  If you've accepted Christ, but you're not living for his glory, still hanging on to your old ways, let go.  Those old ways aren't worth it.  If you truly believe that Jesus died to give you eternal life, live the life of praise and sacrifice, the fruit producing life, that freshens the air of Heaven and Earth because of your thankfulness.  Because you know God deserves all honor and praise.  Replace that old air freshener and turn up its strength!  It seems like a lot, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming.  It's one decision at a time.  Then God will delight in you and seeds of faith will be planted among the lost.

"For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

- Zephaniah 3:17

Let's live to bring a smile to God's face.  Let's spread Christ's life-giving aroma.

All These Other Things

Seek God, not the answers.

Do you ever find yourself so adamant about figuring out something specific that you get hung up on it to the point that you're focusing on that problem or situation or answer more than you're focusing on God himself?  Even though you're talking to him about it, it's all about that thing you want to know instead of being about him.  The whole point of your prayer or quiet time is about seeking an answer rather than drawing near to God.  It's all about 'tell me, tell me, tell me, why aren't you telling me, I can't have peace without knowing this right now, tell me and then I'll rest in you' rather than 'God I trust you, you're awesome, help me draw closer to you because in you is all wisdom and knowledge and I know you'll lead me as long as I draw near to you, I can have peace because I know you're in control.'

Focusing on what we don't know leads to anxiousness, worry, stress, wasted time and energy, jealously of those who seem to have it all figured out, and bitterness with God for not doing things in the way we selfishly think he should.  But God calls things such as these "earthly, unspiritual, and demonic" (James 3:15).  Whether you believe in God or not, I believe everyone would agree that these things are undesirable.  With these things in your heart, there is no way you can live joyously.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, 

and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." 

- Matthew 6:33

Seek God, not just the answers.  Yes, the text before this verse is speaking of our basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing, but it has a deeper meaning than that as well.  It's about priorities.  It's about trust.  It's about living in God's presence and valuing that above all else.  It's about how even seeking 'good' things can become a stumbling block if not done properly.  Seeking God about your career path, about the next step in life, about who you should marry, about why he has you in a certain place, about why you're having a trial, or other such things is not bad, but it can become a hindrance to your relationship with God if receiving that answer is all that you're seeking.  If you're placing your condition for joy on receiving that knowledge rather than taking joy in God himself, then you're not walking in the presence of God and you're going to drive yourself nuts.

"You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of your presence

and the pleasures of living with you forever."

- Psalm 16:11

"All who seek the LORD will praise him.

Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy."

- Psalm 22:26

True joy is in the presence of God.  Fullness of joy is in him.  Does this mean we'll never feel sad?  No!  Joy is more than an emotion.  Happiness is an emotion; it's temporal and fleeting.  Fullness of joy, God's joy, is deeper than that.  It is what reigns in your heart and gives you peace even when things seem like they are crashing down around you.  It becomes part of who you are.  It defines who you are.  It is ever present.  It is the Holy Spirit living within you.  It is the Comforter at work saying, 'You're Mine'.  It is the presence of God.  It isn't knowledge or understanding about everthing.  It's knowing one thing:

"See, God has come to save me.

I will trust in him and not be afraid.

The LORD GOD is my strength and my song;

he has given me victory.

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!"

- Isaiah 12:2-3

God has come to save us.  Christ made a way.  He bridged the gap.  He gave us all access to the Holy of Holies - the presence of God.  And he came at "just the right time" (Romans 5:6).  If he came at just the right time to save us, why then should he slack on other things?  Why would he not take care of the smaller things in life at just the right time?  He saved our souls at just the right time.  Everything else should be a piece of cake!

Let's look a little more at the context of Matthew 6:33:

"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?  And why worry about your clothing?  Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.  They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.  

Why do you have so little faith?  So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat?  What will we drink?  What will we wear?'  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today."

- Matthew 6:27-34

 Jesus is saying here that as a believer there is no reason we should worry.  And what is worry other than a lack of trust in God?  Since God says he'll take care of our needs and he does things at just the right time, why then should we worry?  Why then should we get caught up on needing to know answers?  He will tell us at just the right time if we need to know.  Sometimes it just isn't time yet.  And sometimes we just don't need to know.  Like Paul said:

"I pray that God, the source of hope,

will fill you completely with joy and peace

because you trust in him.

Then you will overflow with confident hope 

through the power of the Holy Spirit."

- Romans 15:13

Because you trust in him.  Because you seek him above all else.  Joy and peace are yours.  Confident hope is yours.

"The LORD directs our steps,

so why try to understand everything along the way?"

- Proverbs 20:24

 The only thing we need to understand is that God is God.  This doesn't mean don't ask questions.  We are told to ask him for wisdom and understanding (James 1:5).  It just means trust the Lord to take care of it by giving it to him instead of dwelling on uncertainties.  Dwell on the certainty of God.  Dwell in his presence.  Feed off of his joy.  Seek God above all else.  Seek the Kingdom.  And all these things shall be added unto you.  At just the right time.

London Adventures: Feb 13-26

School:
 Manic couple of weeks.  Turned in an essay, gave a presentation, and came up with three possible dissertation topics.  I'm exhausted.  Seriously just weary.  That's the only way I can describe it.  Just weary.  So ready for the term to end so I can just focus on the dissertation and nothing else.  Hard to believe the first of the two weeks covered in this post was Reading Week aka Half Term!  I'm now more than halfway through my last semester of my masters!  Four weeks left.  The end of April after Easter break will involve turning in an essay and taking two exams for the start of 'third term' but that's all.

Been super tired, but I'm very glad I have some classmate buddies to do work with this term, namely Francesca and Andrew.  Francesca and I have been tag-teaming the research for our Silk Road essays.  Since our topics are related, we have to look at a lot of the same sources, which means we can each take half and tell each other if we find anything!  So far so good.  We had to present on our essay topics last week and we were the only ones who didn't get negative comments from the professor so far.  That was a huge load off.  At least I know I'm on the right track for this essay.


Work:
 I've gotten my full 20 hours in these past few weeks.  It's probably contributing to the tiredness, but I'll be glad to get that paycheck!  I've been really glad to get more opening and closing shifts rather than ones in the middle of the day.


Hockey:
We've had our games cancelled the past three weeks.  The first two were due to so called frozen pitch.  This past Saturday the opposition cancelled for a reason unknown to me.  Training this past Thursday was fun though because the guys' team needed another keeper, so I got to play with them.  Love the faster pace!


Church:
Last week, for the Sunday evening service we watched the movie Courageous as a church.  If you haven't seen it, you really should.

Last week was also the breaking of the fast.  Like NLAG, CBC also did a 21 day fast.  It's funny how things I thought I would get answers about are not what I got answers about, but instead I got answers and reminders I wasn't even looking for or didn't realize I needed.

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD.  "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

"The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" (Proverbs 20:24).  Do I need to understand everything?  No, I can still do what is required of me without that.  "No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

We had a visiting pastor come in from Minnesota on Wednesday.  He preached to us Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights as well as Sunday morning and evening.  The theme was overcoming demonic strongholds in our lives.  Something to think about - "Addictions come when you choose the wrong master.  When you don't choose God as your master, you get Satan by default."  What have you chosen or not chosen?  If you've chosen God, are you allowing him full access to the entirety of your life?  Is he your master on more than just Sunday morning?  Do you give everyday, every action, and every thought to God?

"Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts" (1 John 5:21).



Randoms:
Thank you for praying for my cousin Stephen.  He is back in the States. :)

Ran my fastest half-marathon of my life on Friday!  Guess I should run scared of being late for work more often lol... however, I then just wanted to nap for the duration of my shift...

The weekend was beautiful and sunny.  Loved it.  After a recovery run on Saturday, Paula and I sat in the hot tub at her and Bobby's place and chatted about life.  I stayed with them Friday and Saturday nights so that I wouldn't have to tube back and forth for all of the preaching this weekend.  It was really refreshing and so nice to relax a bit before heading back into school stuff.

The Friday of Reading Week I got to spend some time with Ingefleur at the National Gallery.  We were amused that we both wanted to head to the Impressionist section first.  She is an awesome sister in Christ and I enjoy hearing what she has to say.  And then this past Sunday her mom visited from Holland and brought me stroopwafels!  Guess I should keep her around! ;)

The ladies of CBC met for pizza this past Saturday before the service for pizza at an authentic Italian pizzeria.  Oh boy was it different!

Introduced the Messersmiths to Chinese mooncake.  I bought some at a bakery in Chinatown for one of the six children's birthdays last weekend.  I'm pleased to report that everyone loves red bean!

Sang a quartet with Lisa, Emily, and Cori on Sunday.  Kenny is visiting from the Messersmith's home church in Maryland and since he's a piano performance major he has given Cori a break from playing piano.  Funny thing is that all four of us since the alto part in choir (Cori would if she weren't the pianist.)  Lisa and I ended up with the soprano.  It was one of those songs that I feel like if it were a half step higher I would not be able to sing it!  Thankfully, we all hit our notes. :)

So incredibly thankful for my church family both here and abroad.  People to mourn with you, rejoice with you, learn with you, and teach you.

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.  This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.  No one has ever seen God.  But if you love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us... All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.  We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love" (1 John 4:9-16).

Thinking about a flight home for part of the summer.  Prices skyrocket at the end of June, so I'm thinking end of May or early June.  Any leads on good deals let me know.

London Adventures: Feb 4-12

School:
Been a bit crazy with essay and dissertation proposals.  A bunch of stuff due in the next two weeks.   This coming week is reading week (Half term - what??  I'm halfway through my last semester of masters classes???) which means there are no classes.  Need the time to get all this stuff done.  It will be nice to not have to worry about being in and reading for class and instead just concentrate on the work.


Work:
I've managed to get my regular shifts changed to closing Tuesday night and opening Wednesday morning.  This is much better than having them in the middle of the day.  Now I can pick and choose the others as they come up and it gives me more time to be in the library while it's open.  The coming two weeks I'll be getting a full 20 hours in (the most allowed on my visa).  There will be a bunch of double shifts, but I like that so much better than coming in more often for smaller increments of time. 


Hockey:  

 The game I spoke of in the last post actually never happened and here's what I had to say about it on Facebook in case you missed it, as well as some memories donated by teammates:

Hockey cancelled due to "frozen pitch." LOL I know plenty of people who would remember playing in an ice storm at UVA as icicles formed on the goal posts! Or how about 6am on the turf dodging snow mounds? It's 32 degrees, feels like 25, and it MIGHT snow 1-3 inches tonight. Yup, Longwood hockey would still be playing!

Katy: I still tell people about those practices! Miserable!

Carra: OH MAN SOOOO TRUE!!! I remember dodging the snow mounds whilst wearing TWO pairs of gloves and Multiple layers of shirts.... 1109 ♥

Dani B: Yeah, and what about when we couldn't put our water bottles on the turf because they would freeze.

Murph: oh my oh my crazy times!   

Seriously.  This is not an exaggeration!!!  But I wouldn't trade it now.  It's just so funny though to come from more serious play to recreational play.

 On top of this, training and the game was cancelled again this weekend due to so called "frozen pitch"...

Church: 
It did end up snowing last Saturday night and it was a good thing I had come to Chiswick before it started because London can't handle snow.  It was only about two inches, but you would've thought it had been a foot the way public transport shuts down or gets delayed.  London Heathrow (the airport) only has ONE snow plow!!!  So anyway, headed to church early and shoveled out the stairs and entrance.  Only main roads get plowed here and nobody does the sidewalks which is annoying because everyone walks and when it turns into slush it's so nasty.  Because there was concern over people slipping and falling going home after evening service, all afternoon and evening church activities were cancelled.  A bunch of us went to the Messersmith's and hung out for the rest of the day.  It was nice to have down time to chill and just hang out with other church people in a casual manner.


This week (today) we had another interesting Sunday because the heat broke in the church building.  I seriously don't think my feet have ever been so cold in my life.  By the end they were just in pain.  We were huddled together in the pews with blankets, coats, scarves, hats, and gloves.  But at the same time it kind of brought everyone together and oh my goodness the world ended there was some clapping during the hymns!  Afternoon meetings were cancelled again and we held the evening service in the creche downstairs because there were dehumidifiers with a heater of some sort in them.  I loved it because it was reminiscent of cramming 18 people into one dorm room at Longwood for a few hours of praise songs and Bible study.  No guitar, just a cappella out of the hymnals, but it was so soothing and joyful.  I miss getting together with friends just to sing praises and pray for hours on end.


Randoms:
Please be praying for my cousin Stephen who was on a mission trip in a country hostile to the Gospel message and has been missing now for three days.

 

London Adventures: Jan 6- Feb 3

Well I seem to have fallen of the rocker a bit here, but I'll do my best to recap.  I left Dulles the night of the 5th and landed at Heathrow the morning of the 6th.  Praise the Lord I managed to sleep nearly four hours on the plane!  That is seriously a major rarity for me.  A couple Messersmiths picked me up from the airport and the kids were in charge of keeping me up all day, which they may have enjoyed a little too much hahaha.  Great seeing everyone at CBC again that weekend.


School:  
 Somehow I managed to turn in 9,000 words worth of essays in the first week.  Seriously, homework over Christmas should just be illegal.  One of my professors highly discourages people from going home because we should be working on essays.  Really??  It's Christmas!

My schedule is the same this semester because all of my courses are full units, meaning they go the full year.  It's nice in that I am finally getting to know these classmates.  Apparently I'm not the only one who felt like no one talked last semester.  A group of us has started hanging out after class a bit and of course there are always the library parties.  One of them goes to the gym I work at, so I've started having a gym buddy again which to me is super exciting.

Right now I'm in the middle of two essays, a presentation, and three dissertation proposals.  And of course all of the weekly readings, but that is just assumed.  Thankful that the SOAS library has longer hours than the UCL libraries!


Work:
I've been able to get more shifts so far which is exciting because I want to earn as much extra as possible to be able to visit some other countries while I'm here.  This week was a bit insane because I worked two doubles on back to back days on top of everything else but I was glad to get the hours in.


Hockey:  
 Spring season has already started!  Crazy, I know.  Today will be game three already.  The weather had been really mild up until last week.  Now it's freezing and, speaking of which, Thursday night training was cancelled this week because it was too cold.  The problem though was that it was sent via e-mail only a couple hours beforehand and since I don't get e-mail to my phone here I didn't see it.  Therefore I ended up standing around a bit at the turf and then waiting an hour for the bus back to the Underground in the freezing cold.  Not fun.  Hopefully today's game won't be too cold.  It took me well until yesterday afternoon to feel warm again!


Church:
Like I said, it was great to see everyone again.  One of the Sundays we visited a nursing home, the same one we visited once in the fall.  We sang hymns and gave a Gospel message.  It's really neat to see some of the really old people who can't even really talk or anything anymore mouthing a lot of the words to the hymns along with us.  The next Sunday at church I had the privilege of praying with someone to accept Christ!  That was super exciting!


Randoms:
I'm wondering why I have been calling this the "Randoms" section instead of Miscellaneous, especially in light of my blog title.  Oh well.

The Chinese New Year has come and gone.  The New Year was on the 23rd.  Rachel and I went to Chinatown that night, ate Chinese food, and took in the atmosphere.  It was really cool to be there and it was nice to get out a bit.  I hadn't done anything except church, school, work, and one hockey game at that point since coming back.  The Chinese celebrate for a week, so this past Sunday Emily came with me between morning and evening services to Chinatown and Trafalgar Square where they had the end celebration going.  There were booths with food and souvenirs, lots of lanterns, and traditional Chinese entertainment on a big stage in the middle of Trafalgar.  I introduced Emily to baozi and I am happy to report that she loves the red bean one like all people should!

Yesterday I swam a mile and a bit at the gym.  It felt so good I wonder why I don't do that more often.  I hadn't swam since sometime last semester.  I think I'm going to start incorporating it into my training more.  It's a nice change especially when I don't like running in the cold or on a treadmill.  Oh summer, come quickly!!!  I also seem to have a new squat max!  My body just appears to have some miraculous way of hanging onto strength.  My lifting was so scattered last semester due to being sick a lot and I didn't have a gym over break and now after only a month of lifting regularly I already have a new all-time max??  Crazy in my opinion but I'll take it!

Received a penguin beanie with ear flaps and a penguin snuggie in the mail just in time for all the cold... thanks Kris!!  And it looks like some good friends are going to come visit in May!  I'm excited :)

Overall, I feel so much better about being here now than I did last semester.  For whatever reason I finally feel like I belong.  Like I walk around campus and I feel like this is my school.  I'm not just some random visitor.  I am so thankful for that.  Makes it all so much easier.