Crazy Love

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and I bought a book to read during this season. I've heard many positive things about Francis Chans's book, Crazy Love, and have wanted to pick up a copy for quite a while. I decided that this was a good time.

Advent is a season of preparation. A solemn time of quiet contemplation. A time to mournfully acknowledge my helpless sinful state and admit that I need a savior. "Who will rescue me from this body of death?"

But thanks be to God!

The month leading up to Christmas always seems to be the most chaotic of the year. There's nothing simple or sacred about December. It's a brass band in the background, crowded stores, noisy parties.

Sometimes the answer is to step back and sit in silence. To revel in the beauty of a clear night sky and meditate on this thought: The King of the universe loves me. Loves me in spite of all the things I'm not proud of and try to hide from the world.

He LOVES me.

This year, I am going to take time to be silent. To be still. It's not going to be easy - it's finals week. But I want to be sure to remember the holiness of this time, even if it means turning off "Jingle Bell Rock" and singing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" instead.

I haven't started reading Crazy Love yet, but the words on the back cover resonate with me and give me reason to think this is the perfect "Advent read."

"Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?

"It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe - the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor - loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. and what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss..."

I cannot wait to start reading this book. I will be posting reflections about each chapter here, so be sure to check back. I'll leave you with a song that makes me want to dance every time I hear it.
______________

He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane
I am a tree bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware of this afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me

Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us all

And we are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean we're all sinking
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way...

That He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves...

Well...

....It finally happened. I am officially quite comfortable working as a counselor in an elementary school.

How do I know?

Today I yelled, no, emphatically corrected, a child during group. No more always affirmative, nice Ms. Mock. I am acting like a teacher now.

The kids noticed, too.

"Ms. Mock, you're not as fun as you were last time."

"Well, D., you made me that way."

Can't decide how I feel about this.

Maggie, the Wonder Dog

So this morning I got up and decided to write a tribute post to this cute canine, Maggie the Menace. She may look sweet but there are at least six people that will agree with me when I say she is most definitely not.

Thursday night, my family got home from my mom's birthday dinner to find that Maggie had destroyed the garage (she tends to have psychotic episodes when left unattended...the vet prescribed anxiety meds). They let her outside and she ran away. She usually comes back after a half hour or so, but this time she didn't.

Last night, my sister drove around town looking for her on the side of the road but couldn't find her. We all assumed she finally got what she deserved...Thursday night games make for lots of drunk drivers...

So this morning I was going to try to think of something nice to say about this cute and cuddly puppy, whose behavior got worse as she aged, and not better. Once upon a time, she was an obedience school graduate. We loved her. Now when we make a command, she gives you a look that says, "I'll do whatever I want, buddy." (Actually, I think the look is a two-word phrase which includes a four-letter word that would be spelled with astericks on my blog...)

But I don't feel the need to say nice words anymore. The Queen Bee showed up in the front yard this afternoon, cold and wet, but none the worse for the wear.

Sorry, Mom. It was almost the best birthday present ever.

Happy Birthday, Stellan (and Mom!)

Stellan, that precious baby boy, I wrote about in an earlier post, turns one tomorrow. What a precious miracle and blessing his life is.

And tonight, as I write this, he is once again fighting a hard battle, as his heart is in SVT. He is not doing well. If you read this, pray for this little one and his family. Click here to read his story.

Also, my mom turns ____ tomorrow :) Happy Birthday Mom!!!

I'm Alive

I had every intention of posting regularly this school year, but I never remember to do so.

My days consist of school, running, class, homework, and sleep. It's really not that exciting.

I am running a half-marathon in March, so I am trying to be more consistent with my runs, but I'm not training for distance yet.

I love counseling in elementary school.

I am skipping class to hear Ravi Zacharias speak Tuesday night. I don't think my professor is going to be too happy with me, but she's the one that reminded us two weeks ago that we have one unexcused absence.

Next time, I will try to write something worth reading.