Scenes from a run...via my iPhone

It was wonderful here today. Perfect for a nice long run. I only went 5 miles (which is not really very long considering I am supposed to be running almost 3x that in a month). While I am normally very focused, I was so captivated by GREEN. I love green. It is my favorite color--all shades! The trail was GORGEOUS. I snapped some photos on my phone with hopes that later this week, the whole family can go for a walk (and I will take the nice camera). PS this time of year definitely reminds me that I LOVE living in WV.

Now the kiddos are tucked snug into their beds, and I am curled up in the recliner. An evening of masterpiece theater (kind of my guilty pleasure). Tonight's feature?? Downton Abbey. I will let you know if it is good.

If you couldn't tell...

I am slightly obsessed with words in art.

Words as art.

The use of words in art.

Like this

and this

this one is dedicated to my WONDERFUL husband. I love you--Don't Forget. :)

NOT to be confused with word art.

Like the kind from Microsoft word that looks like this.

my favorite at the moment is this one...

I love words. They impact me profoundly. I know some people that have the same experience with movies or music. I am a word girl. So if you are annoyed by my constant posting of inspirational picture quotes or words as art... sorry.

It is almost time for me to head to the school and say "adios" to 2 more classes for the semester! Then later a fun dinner with friends - followed by one of my favorite events every week: Community Group. We are going to dig in to 1 Peter 4-5 tonight. Further thoughts on this tomorrow when I can blog at my leisure (as leisurely as one can with 2 children running around!)

After tomorrow...

I AM DONE...

pretty much.

I still have a paper to write, but it isn't due for a week AND it is my opinion on healthcare reform. Not really a stressful final project.

That said, finals have not been that bad this semester. I am not saying that the tests themselves have been easy or even that I have put in more time preparing. In fact I have put in less time. But my attitude is not stressed. I have worked hard and relaxed. I have spent time with Corey and the kiddos. I have gotten up early. I have spent time in the Word. I have spent time on the trail. I am really trying to get this whole BALANCE thing.

(liking this quote today, that I found here. Yoda was wise :)

Today my friend Britt worked "hard" on payment systems. We spent the last couple of mornings doing questions. This afternoon as a reward, we hit up Black Bear for lunch (I got the gouda riddance with tofu-YUM) and then took a really lovely walk in her neighborhood/up to the law school. It was great! If the wind hadn't been blowing so hard and the sky hadn't been so ominous, we may still be out there :)

This is Britt and I at a coal mine in Kentucky. We look pretty awesome, no?

Now I am looking over notes and having a glass of wine. Tomorrow I will proofread my take home exam and then take my last in-class exam. And then I am done... pretty much. WOW. Thanks for bearing with the finals posts/hiatus/boringness. Hopefully some new topics and additions will be made next week. Stay tuned.

2 down 3 to go...

Getting ready to relax a bit with the hubs after a very long day! I have one of my favorite snacks (toast, apple slices and cheddar cheese), a comfy chair, and a really great guy sitting close by-oh and Dexter.

But I wanted to share an inspiring photo and a really lovely quote that I stole from Chelsy (I'll Be Brief).

[source]

"May I never give thee rest until Christ is the pulse of my heart

the spokesman of my lips,

the lamp of my feet"

~Valley of Vision

I am so encouraged daily by Valley of Vision (a book of Puritan prayers). Today this made me realize how much I work and work for finals, but it is temporary. I want my daily pursuit to be for Christ to be the pulse of my heart.

The photo is Ansel Adams. He is one of my favorite photographers (EVER). I love the scenes that he captures, and how they don't need color to be moving and gorgeous. I thought this was a particularly inspiring one for the spring season.

Hope you are all inspired too. A few more days and I will be free of finals, and I am excited to see what the summer holds.

He is Risen!!

Today was Easter. The day we celebrate that Jesus rose from the grave--conquering sin and death. We spent our morning worshiping on the mountain--literally. Our church rented out Dorsey's Knob cabin and we celebrated our Savior's victory together up there. It was AWESOME!

Being me, setting aside studying is difficult. I am a worrier--anxiety, stress; I feel the need to be a great student. BUT... God has been teaching me a lot lately. And from a rather odd place--Libby's bible. We bought the kiddos a new bible about a month ago called the "Jesus Storybook Bible" and it is awesome. Every story ties in to Jesus at the end--a picture of the great plan that God had for all the world. So last night we read the Easter story--Jesus' death and resurrection.

Several things grabbed me...

1. When Jesus is taking on the sin of the world this little kid bible says ...

"Papa?" Jesus cried, frantically searching the sky.

"Papa? Where are you? Don't leave me!"

And for the first time - and the last - when he spoke, nothing happened. Just a horrible, endless silence. God didn't answer. He turned away from his Boy.

Tears rolled down Jesus' face. The face of the One who would wipe away every tear from every eye.

2. Jesus' actual death...

Then Jesus shouted in a loud voice, "It is finished!"

And it was. He had done it. Jesus had rescued the whole world.

"Father!" Jesus cried. " I give you my life." And with a great sight he let himself die.

3. Jesus' commission...

Jesus said, "Go everywhere and tell everyone the happy news! Tell them I love them so much that I died for them. It's the Truth that overcame the terrible lie. God loves his children. Yes, he really does!"

4. Jesus' promise...

"Even though you won't be able to see me anymore, I will never leave you. No! Not ever! I will be with you. Yes! Always and forever!"

Sometimes it takes a child's perspective for me to see just how much God loves me; and how he demonstrated that great love on Easter. I hope all of you see how you are loved. He is Risen!!

Countdown...5 days

While at first the countdown was exciting-and a great way to keep my eyes on the prize, it is now kind of scary. I have SO much to do and SO much to learn in 5 days.

Today was day number 2 of this...

[source]

So much info to cram into my brain before this criminal procedure exam on Monday. Back to the grind. At least a couple more hours before bed. I promise my posts will be better when finals are over...(I know, "excuses, excuses")

Countdown...6 days

I've been nose to the grindstone since 6 am... well, there were snack breaks, coffee breaks and even a youtube break while L found a video of Barry Cooper explaining FLIR technology. It is super funny if you want to watch it here! (It is loosely connected to Criminal Procedure)

If you want to read about more interesting things, you can read my guest post on Jess's Blog Crafting Happiness. I talk about my Spring to Summer Shape Up :)

PS I bet you didn't know I could FLY!