Student Life Blog

            It is the year 2010 and things are already looking up in so many ways. I, like many others here at Judson and elsewhere, feel that 2010 has many great things in store. It is hard to believe we are almost halfway through January. Things here at Judson have already been interesting.

            We were supposed to start the spring semester January 6^th, which we did but not for good. I was excited to come back to Judson but, as always, also not ready to leave home again. We went to our Wednesday classes and expected to go to our Thursday and Friday classes just the same. There was apparently a "winter weather threat" for our area predicted for Thursday morning until Saturday or so. My friends and I were eating supper at church when I got the text and then the phone call and I shared the news with them. They later received the same information. The cadets were mad because they still had classes so we had a little fun with that. The point is: classes were cancelled for Thursday and later for Friday as well.

            Thursday afternoon Holly Beth, Audra, Bethany, Ashley, and I went to Wal-Mart then played games in Kirtley lobby and ate supper there. That night was the BCS National Championship game and we had a watch party in the Round Room in the math and sciences building. Bethany, Ashley, and I went and it was a great time though I am not a fan of either team. Alabama became BCS Champions for the first time since 1992 so it was pretty awesome to witness.

             Friday night, January 8^th, a group of us decided to attend karaoke night at J&R's here in town. Holly Beth, Audra, Bethany, and I had talked about doing karaoke since our first semester freshman year but had still never quite gotten around to it. Jasmine, Jodie, Sarah Elisabeth, Jill, Bethany, and Brittany did not want to sing but we eventually got Jasmine, Jodie, and Brittany to at least. I think we have turned Brittany into a karaoke star, she was great. It was a very interesting night but SO much fun. It was just really great to meet more of the local townspeople and we got to make fools of ourselves too so we were excited. None of us had sung karaoke in quite a while so that made it even better.

            It is somewhat complicated to blog about the events going on around Judson and Marion right now when I myself am about four states away from all of that waiting for a snow storm to roll in. Really not much is going on at Judson right now. I imagine the campus is eerily quiet like a long weekend. That will not last for much longer though. In just a week all of us girls will come bustling back ready to start a new semester and a new year at Judson. I admit I will miss being home but I also cannot wait to get back to Judson. Since I cannot tell you much about what has been going on at Judson this past month I thought it would be fun to tell you a little about my Christmas break here in Missouri.

            I was able to begin my break a little earlier thanks to great professors that were willing to give some finals early. I left the Wednesday morning of finals week and it has been a wonderful break. It is hard to believe that it is almost over! As soon as I got back my phone started going crazy as usual with everyone here asking me to do stuff and everyone back at Judson and MMI telling me they missed me already. It never ends! I have been blessed with many great friends that I am so thankful for though.

            I have been super busy since I first arrived home. I expect nothing less when I come home for a "break" though. I have been playing with my niece and four nephews, I have been hanging out with my friends and their families, and I have spent a lot of time with my family as well.

            Some of my favorite times have been some of the most simple though. I had so much fun with Tara, Misty, Kendall, and Tara's family working on her brothers Joey and Eli's new rooms. We worked hard, stayed up late, and yes, painted Kendall a little too. The rooms look amazing! I also enjoyed times just hanging around church and town with my friends. Another favorite time was just this past Saturday sledding and playing in the snow with my family. I have one more week of fun here at home and I look forward to it!

            It is once again Christmastime. My favorite time of year. It always has been. Christmastime at Judson is my favorite time for traditions! My three absolute favorite traditions at Judson take place in December. December always starts off with a bang with so much to do in so little time and everyone starts to feel the rush to meet deadlines and get things done before Christmas break. As soon as December 1^st rolls around everyone goes into high gear working on papers and preparing for finals and such.

            My Judson Christmas festivities kicked off on Thursday December 3^rd with a Christmas party. Judson's Ambassadors and the Student Bloggers' Staff had a joint party hosted by Kati Burns and Katie Whaley, our leaders. We all headed to Kati's house for a few hours of fun before heading back to studying and what not. They cooked up a storm for us and everything was so delicious. We all gathered around the big Christmas tree and took several group photos then we packed into the living room for our Dirty Santa time. There were lots of great gifts and tons of laughter, of course. It was a great time to say the least and I would like to include another thank you to our leaders Kati Burns and Katie Whaley for putting the party and everything together for us. Thanks! We really appreciate how awesome you guys are! When we got back to campus we had a short break before the official Judson festivities began. My absolute number one most favorite tradition also happens to be one of the slightly secret ones, of course. It took place on Thursday night and it was awesome as usual.

            In the days before the December festivities really start, the social committee, and whoever else gets roped into helping, are in charge of getting the parlors and the surrounding area decorated. Everything always looks so great. Christmas Tea this year was just as lovely as last and all of the food was great. We all had a great time taking pictures by the trees and randomly around the parlors, too. We always do a Step Sing at all of these great events so we gathered on the steps and led our guests in some Christmas carols. Vespers was later that night at 6 pm in the auditorium. Vespers is my second favorite Judson Christmas tradition. I had heard a few practices and I could not wait. Vespers is a Christmas worship service that the music department puts on each December. The decorations were beautiful and so were the voices of the choir members. Vespers was, once again, an event to remember.

            The Thanksgiving season is upon us so I decided it would be fun to list some people and things I am thankful for and why. (Trust me, some of them will need a little explanation!) These are in no particular order. 

            Ten Things I Am Thankful For:

1. My salvation. (God in general) I have had many great experiences thanks to Him.

2. My family. They are the best. I could not ask for a better one.

3. La Familia. My three best friends (Kendall, Misty, and Tara). We are our own little family and I love them all lots, lots, whole bunches. We are "the Core". We added in several others: Steve and Clara (Kendall and my adopted parents); Julia and Brent (Tara's real parents and Misty's adopted parents); Chad, Kortney, Melinda, and Russ (our adopted aunts and uncles); Allie John; Laney Kay; Marissa; and Anthony. I am sure that was confusing. Basically we are our own little random family of close-knit friends and we like it that way. La Familia is an answer to a prayer I prayed almost eight years ago.

4. Judson. I prayed to God for guidance in my college decision and he gave me Judson. God just worked things out. I have been given another great family.

5. The Blue Js - My five best friends at Judson. (Holly Beth, Bethany, Audra, Jasmine, and Sam) They are my Alabama family and I love them all so much. I am so glad that these Alabamians took in this Missouri kid and made me feel so at home. There is a long story to how we got our name too but I will spare you.

6. The US military. I have so many friends and family members that are in the military and just as many that have been in or are planning to join. The military was part of my life plan too but it is not what God wanted for me so I remain simply a supporter. I love the military!

7. My Bible. It is sad that we sometimes take it for granted.

8. My church. I miss it when I am away at college. It is simply phenomenal.

9. FRIENDS. It is the best TV show ever!

10. Smiling. I love to smile. Smiling's my favorite. I shudder to think of a world with no smiles.