Well congratulate me, I survived the drive. Now for the real challenge: survive three weeks at home. :) I learned tonight that it's highly unlikely I will secure my usual seasonal job during winter break so I'm not sure how I'll go about making money. I have to find a way because I am definitely broke and in very real danger of not being able to afford next quarter's books much less my car insurance. Maybe I should lose the car...Trevor has a car...Galen finally has a car...there's always the bus...Perhaps go with a bicycle-no that's impractical in the snow. Hmm...

So parents. Mine offer such amazing wisdom and direction that after talking to them it's almost impossible to convince myself that any issue remains clouded. They have so many insights-stuff they've been sitting on for who knows how long, stuff I should have seen for myself but manage to get thrown into such a confused frenzy that I miss everything of importance. Thank you, God, for parents. O the messes I would be in without them.

Tuesday night was my last English class and we finished off presentations of our final papers. I had originally intended to write my persuasive final proving the diety of Jesus. A challenge, I thought, but would be worth it for both the experience in apologetics and as a witness to my English class. Procrastination edged in and I soon found myself without the time to do the research my topic demanded so I settled for a paper on stem cell research. I definitely felt like I had let God down and had ruined a chance to share the gospel with my class. To my delight, a girl did a presentation interpreting Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, drawing parallels with Scriptural themes. In about twelve minutes, she presented the basics of mercy, justice, corruption, good, evil, the need for a savior, and the gospel. It was simply amazing. This girl is unpopular, nerdy, long-winded and the class usually sends forth a collective sigh whenever she begins to talk. They were not especially attentive during the presentation and gave no outward evidence that anyone had been touched by it-but that's not really the point. Who knows what God will do with her presentation, but look at what He already did! His purpose to share the gospel with my English class was never reliant on my cooperation-rather I was offered the joy and privilege to be the one He used. When I passed on the opportunity to be involved, He used Liza. His purpose continued on unhindered. Amazing. It was so cool to listen to her speak and realize what was happening-and at the same time crushing to remember that I was offered the same chance to be used.

>been home for 8 hours and have been encouraged, challenged, and refreshed. And just a tad bit bored. :) Winter break? Bring it on.