church hopping

I haven't been to the same church twice since mid-October. Each church I have visited has been friendly and welcoming. I feel a little bad I haven't been faithfully attending my TN "home church", North River. This past week I visited the Battlefield SDA Church, and I loved it. Nevermind the fact there was a small crowd, of which most had snowy hair. I promised them I would return. The elderly couple sitting in front of my brother and I turned around after the first hymn and invited us to come back and sing special music for them sometime. He was serious, becuase afterwards he took my name and number. It was thrilling to be invited back, included, and given a job. But I do have a question: Is church hopping o.k.? Personally, I don't think it is the most healthy habit to get into, mainly because no one will miss a vistitor if they are just passing through. There is no accountability, no stability. On the other hand, I think it is important to know what churches are in the area. Let me know what you think. Is church hopping a postitive or negative, and should it be encouraged to college students?

Rest

It is the official "stress-out week" at SAU. No joke.

They have graciously provided bubble blowing sessions, back rubs, and humor videos to watch during lunch. It was fun blowing bubbles for thirty minutes with Olivia, Sam, & Andrew, but sometimes it takes more than blowing bubbles to cure the "pre-break crunch"...

I think we all have been feeling it, maybe some more than others. Sometimes we forget what it is like to rest. I know I have. Last night Olivia and I went to sleep at 8:00 p.m. Some think that we are a little um.. shall I say... strange? but we really don't care. Our bodies need the sleep. This morning in nursing class we learned about sleep, and it was nearly one of the first times that I wasn't fighting sleep in class (at one point I started yawning, but I think it was because we were discussing sleep so much!). Getting adequate sleep affects so much of our lives, more than we realize. I actually remember what I read in my devotions, I made it to prayer group, had a relaxing breakfast- life is so much happier when I sleep!

For all of you who are experiencing the heavy load of life; take time to rest. Not just getting 8 hrs of sleep tonight, but to really take a big breath of fresh air, stretch your arms out, and to surrender everything to God. Trust me, I don't think you will regret it.

fall pictures

Andrew called me up and invited me to come take fall pictures with him. I in turn invited Olivia to take fall pictures too. If you are interested in seeing the amazing results of Andrew's brilliant idea, then go to Olivia's blog: www.olivialeighphotography.com/blog. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I have!

cleanliness is next to what?

Emily: "Olivia, I am soooo sorry about my side of the room being so messy!"
Olivia: "Emily, don't even mention it... look at my side of the room!!!"

Olivia: "It looks like a tornado just went through here!"
Emily:"Well... at least on your side of the room..." lol

Emily: "Honestly, I will clean up my mess today."

Olivia: "Emily, stop making your bed. I feel guilty when yours is made and mine isn't."

Refocused

People around me are hurting. They try to wear masks to cover up the tears, the guilt, the worry, and the pain. Without realizing it, I get enraptured with myself and forget other people. Today was a refocusing day for me. My eyes were adjusted in the way I view people. This morning at clinicals I had an unexpected patient that needed extra tenderness and an extra listening ear. Not to mention my oblivion to friends with wounded hearts. Walking down the promenade will have new meaning for me as I try to meet the eyes of my fearful classmates. At worship this morning our instructor read to us about the influence we can have on our patients:the way we can transform them just by our presence. Then at Christian Beliefs class, we watched a video that I have seen at least two times, it still provoked a tear or two from my eyes. Although I am a sucker for heart touching things, maybe this will adjust the glasses that you wear. I challenge you to look through the eyes of Jesus and see who you can touch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfeXxkbgCVE