winter break

so, i tried writing this once already, but i lost it the first time, just as i was about to post. let's see how this goes.

well, well, where to begin? this christmas break was one of the best i've had yet. christmas with my family was real great, although it was kind of weird to not be with david and amanda. but daniel and amber and little wrigley came over. after some good food, we played rock band which was so much fun. even dad got in on it!
the night after christmas, i flew up to indianapolis. it was so cool to be greeted at the airport by so many of my friends from youth group in costa rica. our unofficial reunion was so amazing and so refreshing. we had a chance to reconnect and we definitely just picked up right where we left off. it had been 4.5 years since we were last together.
one of the coolest things we did together was having a night where we had a "youth group." a couple of guys led us in worship with old youth group songs, and then we had a time to share what the Lord had done in our lives and things we'd learned over the past few years. that time was so uplifting for me, it was so awesome to see God's grace in each of our lives. i praise the Lord and thank Him that we have all been able to remain strong in Him and stay by His side.
another highlight of the trip was our time in chicago. that was so much fun. i got to see snow!!!! we walked around, had a photo-scavenger hunt and even got to go to giordano's and have probably the most amazing pizza that my mouth has ever tasted.
new year's and the next couple of days we spent together in kentucky. we closed the
year with prayer and reflection and welcomed the new year by watching the ball drop, making a few toasts to celebrate. then we made omelettes in a bag (something new to me). we had so much fun those days playing soccer, playing board games, watching many movies and just hanging out and reminiscing. definitely lots of laughter went down. i don't think i've ever laughed that much for so many consecutive days, it was crazy!
everyone went back to indiana before they flew back to their respective places. i stayed in KY for about a week longer with my friend emily and her family. that was a real special time. i felt like part of the family.
i was sad to leave my friends and come back to TX, not knowing when/if we could have
something like this again. this was so refreshing in so many ways. i can't believe how close we can remain even after so many years.
it was strange to switch worlds so quickly, but at the airport i was picked up by my friend charles who was one of the student leaders for my trip in mexico. we hung out
until his new fiancee, rikki, got out of work. i've mentioned her before, but she was the other student leader last summer. it was so awesome to see the newly engaged couple. and time with rikki was so sweet and encouraging, as it always is. i just love how we can have such a fun time, but also go so deep together.

the next week it was back to work and school for me. hit the ground running. after the first week, i went to the wedding of a friend of mine that i've known since freshman year. it was great getting to reunite with buddies that i led doulos with last year.
these friendships from so many different places and times in my life were just
evidence to me of God's grace and work in my life. i am so blessed to have been surrounded by brothers and sisters that have been with me through and through.
thanks for being one of them!