Hawai'i Photos

Home again, home again jiggity-jig...

Back from Hawai'i...aside from being sick the whole week and subsequently getting an ear infection, the trip was great! I look forward to going back again one day! Pictures to follow shortly... :-)

Aloha, Hannah! Your tropical paradise awaits...

In one week, I will be humbly and thankfully soaking in the beauty of God's creation in Hawaii! My parents are celebrating 30 years of marriage this year and thought they'd like to take a trip with their kids (I'm glad they like us well enough to include us on this adventure!) My family has never taken this kind of trip before, and I think it will be a great time to be together. I feel a little bad for my father who seems rather downtrodden at the idea that he can't take half of his library with him. My parents rarely fly anywhere, and fitting a large stash of books into a car is a little easier than in a carry-on. I spent a good deal of time in Target's luggage section trying to help him find a bag for him which would accommodate everything he can carry on the plane. I think he'll manage.

This trip will provide a wonderful opportunity to practice my modest photography skills. I intend to spend a good deal of quality time bonding with my camera...

...Along these lines, I've been seriously contemplating investing in a better camera. Can anyone offer any recommendations?

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I just composed a list of books I'd ideally like to read this summer. It's over on the right hand side of my blog. This list does not include any summer reading I may have to do for my philosophy and English classes this fall (I'm still waiting to hear back from my professors). Any recommendations of things to add?

MMMmmm...Humble Pie with a side of Crow anyone?!?

So...I'm an indecisive and not wholly optimistic person at times...ok, often. Last semester Hillsdale was the last place I wanted to be--that is, until the last 3 weeks of the semester. Having decided to transfer early on, I thought that it would be wise to follow through with that decision. I did, and were my decision irreversible I think I would regret it. Thankfully, it isn't, and subsequently I can say with all joy and excitement that I will be back at Hillsdale next fall! I'm thankful to have been able to try out a different kind of school this semester because it has really shown me just how unique an education Hillsdale provides. It's not a perfect school by any means, but now having a point of comparison I can see how many great things the school has to offer. All that to say, I feel like a schmuck for changing my mind umpteen times. Thankfully, the Lord knows me better than I know myself and has seen fit to make my way undeniably clear. What a blessing!

As of tomorrow, I will be half-way through the semester. God has been teaching me so much since I've come to school. I've had so many days of feeling utterly helpless, but God shows me His faithfulness every day. I'm always amazed by how things seem to work out. During my lowest moments people seem to come out of the woodwork to encourage me. I'm so thankful for God's provision and faithfulness to me!

I've decided that I will be transferring closer to home at the end of the semester. This school is great for some people, but I've learned that the academic rigor for which this college is known is NOT for me. I certainly want to learn and get a good education, but I also want to do more than just study all the time. Anyway, I'm very much looking forward to being closer to home again! It will be wonderful to be able to be more involved at a church again, to see my family and friends more often, and to going to a school that will hopefully be a better fit for me! :-)

Once again, God has been bringing Romans 5:3-5 has been on my mind. What an encouragement it is to be in the care of our great God!

"...endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Would you please pray for me? I'm really struggling with loneliness and homesickness right now. I know the Lord will use this challenging time for my good, and I am trying to in Him for strength. Even so, I'm having a difficult time and would appreciate prayers!