2010: Come on, bring it on

Today is the end of a decade---the last day of 2009. Every year about this time I look back and reminisce of the year past. There are always good memories mixed with some I'd rather forget. This year is no different. As 2009 draws to a close, I think about all that I've done this year. I feel as if this year has been very successful and one of the best I have ever lived (well, I'm only 18, but still, it was awesome :)). Yes, I wasted time, but I feel overall I used the time I was given to the best of my ability.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am of this year. I feel I have grown mentally, emotionally, and spiritually more this year than I ever have before. God has taught me so many things this past year that without making mistakes that I made, I might not have ever learned. I definitely made some wrong decisions this year, but nothing to big; just small lessons throughout that have added up.

In 2009 I became very close to two of my best friends, Emily and Micah. I have also been given the opportunity to become closer to friends I did not know as well before this year. I hope in the year to come I will get to know these people even better!

Now that 2010 is here I can't believe it. This year I'll be graduating, starting college, turning 19, and who knows what else. Right now I'm looking at 2010 as daunting and scary but I know it won't be that bad. Emily wrote an entry in Smiley last night that I feel is very accurate. She talked about how this past summer we (me, Emily, and Micah) were all pushing adulthood out of our minds. But as soon as Micah entered college, I entered my senior year and Emily her junior year, we all became adults in our own way. Whether we wanted to or not, we were forced into becoming adults. Not completely, but the level of maturity required of us is much higher now. Yes, we're all immature at times and still enjoy the same childlike activities we did this past summer, but we all know deep down inside that we're older. However, I think adulthood isn't as bad as we feared. Yes, it is intimidating, but it also has new advantages. I'm looking forward to the new adventures that await for me this year. I know I'll be experiencing more new things than I ever have before; the largest being moving out of my house and into a dorm, away from my family.

Although I still worry about friendships in Chattanooga while I'm away at school (whether that be Covenant or Northeastern, or wherever), I know that I can keep in touch. My friendships with people who went away to school this year proved that. I did loose friends, but I kept in touch with three very dear friends. Leaving home will prove who my true friends are and I know they'll always be there for me whenever I need them.

As I write this I am realizing that part of me still dreads what's to come, but a greater part of me welcomes it wholeheartedly. My whole life I've wanted a change and now that it's right around the corner I'm scared. But I refuse to let myself stay this way. I plan to take what's to come with an open mind and with God in full focus. I know He'll lead me where I'm supposed to go even though I have no idea where that is.

2010 will be great. I know it will. I'm ready for an adventure and I think this year offers plenty of it.

Well friends, until 2010, adios! :)

*New years resolutions will be posted tomorrow.*

-Sara Nade

"Chestnuts and fire, holly and hay, Jesus and Mary, what a great day!"

Today is Christmas eve. I can't believe it. In a couple of hours I'm leaving to go to my grandparents' house in Dalton for our big dinner and presents and all. I'm excited. :)

I still don't know if we're going to a Christmas eve service but I hope we do.... It won't seem like Christmas without it. :/

Also, I just found out that my dad's old friend's daughter used to date Stephen Jenkins. Which made me pretty happy. Even though he was probably a creep.

Anyway, I'm off to being Christmas festivities! :) Merry Christmas everybody! :)

-Sara

p.s. I love my friends. That picture is of our AWAD get together. Good times..... :)

Don't waste your life you freakin' moron!

Life------

It's such an odd thing. Always changing, never the same. The constant motion of life is what makes it so intriguing.

Having been on this earth for 18 years, one week and 3 days, I have concluded two things:

1. I have accomplished a lot.

2. I have accomplished nothing.

Yes, those two contradict one another----that's the point. So far I have had a very full life..... or so I like to think. I have had the opportunity to experience more things than many people ever get to in their entire life. On the other hand, I feel as though there is more I could be doing (like I have said a million times before).

The day of my 18th birthday was one I had dread for 17 years and 364 days. I woke that morning in a horrible mood that was partly due to the fact I was wallowing in self pity. I had come to realize that I was no longer a 'kid' by law. At heart I was and am and will always be. But the fact that I was now FULLY responsible for myself was more than I wanted to deal with or even think about (and still is).

However, with growing up comes benefits too. Small things that I'm slowly starting to realize. I'm trying to decide if the pro's of being and adult outweigh the con's. That's something that I will decide later......

I have yet to do something that only 18 year olds can do. Except for going to the mall on weekend nights and driving past 11 PM. The other night I got to see Micah (who is home for Christmas break!!!!) for just a few seconds and he asked what I had done that only adults can do. I answered with "nothing" and he quickly suggested we change that soon. I have no idea what he has in mind, but I refuse to smoke or get a tattoo (which I doubt he'll recommend haha).

Although I have wasted time the past 18 years, I feel I have done a few things right.....

Here are a few:

1. At the age of 5 I gave my life to Christ. Although my walk with Christ is something that I am constantly challenged with, it's well worth it. God is continually showing me his grace and forgiveness is every aspect of my life. I could live forever on this earth and never realize all He has done for me.

2. I have begun and maintained friendships with people who are very dear to me. I know I say that all the time, but God has truly blessed me when friends who care about me and are there for me whenever I need prayer, or whenever I want to talk, laugh, or hangout.

3. God has spared me from drama. Yes, I have had some in my life, but very little compared to many teenagers. Two things I am very proud of: 1, I've never had a boyfriend. 2, I've never been kissed. Many people would be ashamed of these, but I am very proud of them. :) Those are two things I take very seriously and am not willing to just give into.

Those are the three largest things that come to mind at the moment. I'm sure there are more but I'm tired and don't feel like sitting here staring at the screen any longer.

g'night all!

-Sara: AWAD-ee :)

Hot tea and composition examinations

Isn't it strange how coffee houses can make homework seem much more enjoyable?

A nice cup of hot tea and a warm, cozy coffee house makes everything much more bearable.

Let's hope I can make it through my last 2 exams.

"Raindrops keep fallin' on my head...."

I'm not sure why I have such an obsession with weather. Sorta messed up.... oh well.

Today was cold. :) Which I greatly love. Tonight and tomorrow it's going to be like 50 with POURING rain and hard winds. Sound fun, right? Why can't it be snow?

Anyway, today I was looking at a picture I took this summer. In it the wind was blowing and it was a summer day and the picture was taken in the shade. As I sat looking at the picture I was able to completely remember the moment the picture was taken. I could feel the warm summer breeze, feel the shade of the tree from the sun, and hear the noises of grasshoppers and other insects, birds, and random noises that make up summer. Right now I would give ANYTHING to feel a warm summer breeze! I love winter so much, but I greatly desire to feel a steady summer wind burst that brings the scents of summer with it. *sigh*

On the other hand, there is a slight chance of snow Saturday! :) haha I'll be keeping my fingers crosses! :)

Speaking of fingers, I was informed today I have very cold hands all the time.... I think I would like a muff. I've always wanted one because they are so sweet. Right now it sounds wonderful! haha

Anyway, have a loverly evening, all!

Until next time,

Silverdale Baptist Academy

"I've got the world on a string, sitting on a rainbow...."

Have you ever noticed how gorgeous raindrops are? The are truly beautiful! I just got off the phone after an hour long conversation with Micah and I was sitting outside listening to music and talking to him when it started to rain. Not hard, but just drizzling. A raindrop landed on my ipod and it sparkled! I thought it was pretty! They're so magnificent in the way you see things through them and they reflect color in such a brilliant way.

Anyway, that's my spill on raindrops.

I'm off to take a sauna and relax and warm up. OOO! I'm wearing striped knee songs! :) haha They keep my legs warmer and they're so cute! I love knee socks! :)

Adios-

Sayrah

Gobbledigook!

Yesterday on Thanksgiving I went around saying "Happy Thanksgiving! Gobbledigook!"..... I don't really know WHY. I mean, it sounds like a sound a turkey makes, but it's also the name of an AMAZING Sigur Ros song. Nobody understood it but Micah..... Emily would have if I had actually talked to her yesterday. Oh well.

So I just got home from a VERY exhausting day. Fun, but VERY tiring. It's a tradition that me, my mom, and my sisters get up REALLY early on Black Friday to go shopping. I was up at 3:30 AM today but we didn't actually leave until about 5. Oh well. But I got some amazing deals! One of my favorite finds was an $80 dress for $15! Cha-Ching *complete with arm motion*!

This evening I met up with the Gibbons cause Anna is in town! Which made me SOOOO happy because I haven't seen her since like----AUGUST! Sheesh. I can't stand college. But it was awesome to see her!

Anyway, on the way home tonight I was driving along singing Christmas songs with the radio. The Lord always feels like speaking to me on drives in the car alone at dark for some reason. I guess because generally at that time of day I'm just tired and ready to listen to what He has to say..... I don't know. haha Anyway, I was driving along and as cheesy as it sounds, he reminded me how blessed I am. I mean, yeah, that's obvious, but I mean, even for Americans, I'm REALLY blessed. Then I realized that that means I'm probably in the top percentage of spoiled people in the WORLD. Ha. That made me feel---weird. I guess right now I could go on blabbing about how I'm "oh so blessed" and how "I just realized how spoiled I am." But I'm not. All semester I've been talking about how I want to help others and do something significant but I just haven't had time. Well, my schedule has recently lightened so I think I really do need to do something to help others. Not just need though, I WANT to. Christmas is the hardest time of year for families and it also has the highest suicide rate than any other time of year. From what I've heard that's going to be even worse this year with the way the economy has been this year. I guess the best I can say is just to pray for those families.

Okay. I'm going to quit preaching even though there is soooo much more I want and have to say right now. Instead, I think I'll just leave with a few verses, a song, and a few of the greatest things I'm thankful for.

The stars are beautiful and incredibly bright tonight and the are is crisp and cold! :) The roof is calling my name! Goodnight all! :)

Sincerely,

Sara

My favorite things:

1. Family in friends (duh. how unoriginal.... but it's the truth.)
2. Sunny days. Is the the sun not amazing? I mean, going outside in it for just a few seconds can make you feel sooo much better! Not to mention it makes things grow and be even more gorgeous!
3. The outdoors in general. I'd live out there if I could.
4. Music. Seriously. I wish I could actually play the instruments I want to.
5. Cameras
6. Stars (not the band). I really enjoy star gazing. Cheesy, but amazing. It's an awesome time to think and pray. Also, it's wonderful when accompanied by Sigur Ros. However, a lot of the time it's nice just to be quiet. Or with friends. Or quiet with friends. Pretty much it's nice anytime.
7. The ability to walk. I would honestly be miserable without this strength. The Lord could teach me how to bare it, but it seems very difficult.
8. Same for seeing and hearing. If I couldn't hear I wouldn't be able to appreciate music. If I couldn't see, I couldn't do photography. Pretty much all of the senses are important.
9. The different seasons. I love cold weather so much, I love the fragrance of Spring, the heat of the Summer (and Summer break), and the color of Autumn. God is amazing in all that he has created. I have yet to find a fault!..... Not that I'll ever be able to! :)
10. The opportunity to get to talk to God. Personally. It's so--- satisfying. I'll admit it can be annoying when you want an answer RIGHT THEN, but sometimes that's not how God works and that's just something I'm learning. :) But to be able to talk to Him is such a wonderful gift. Who needs a therapist when you have prayer? sheesh.

This Is My Father's World Hymn

This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
he shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

For The Beauty Of The Earth Hymn

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (KJV)

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name."

Psalm 31:19 (NIV)

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Sorry this was so long! I never plan on posts being this long. gr. Off to the roof now! :)

"Lightning comes and lightning goes and it's all the same to me"

Yes, I love Third Eye Blind. Probably more than I really should....

Anyway, it's been a while since I posted so this is probably going to be long. Go ahead and skip to the end if you'd like.

So, I just ready Teh Emsters blog and it made me happy!

1.) Apples and Starbucks are amazing

2.) Grizzly Bear is awesome. I'm so proud of myself for finding them before Micah and Emily. That's a once in a life time thing so I'm going to enjoy it.

3.) The art exhibit today is going to be wonderful and I really wish I could go. Ugh.

Anyway, the last couple of weeks have been pretty good. Incredibly stressful but pretty good. Last weekend I went on a youth retreat with Covenant Presbyterian. It was awesome! I love everyone in that youth group (at least those I got to know) so much! The retreat was very much needed and it came at the perfect time. God knew I needed something to get me away from everyday life and to focus more on him.

The retreat lasted Friday-Sunday and as soon as I got back into town Sunday I headed straight to play a concert that involved music that I hadn't even seen till we were performing it. Oh well.

Monday rolls around anddddd *drum roll* I GOT A CALL FROM COVENANT COLLEGE! Yup, I was accepted! :) I was sooo excited! The big issue is money though. I won't know about that till next semester.

Oh, and I've decided something. I haven't really told anyone this and I don't plan to, but because Emily is the only one who reads this I might as well cause I'll tell her anyway. haha I think I'm going to apply to one crazy hard university. One that I most likely won't get into.... but I want to try. That university will be BU (Boston University). I know it's huge, non Christian, super liberal, and far away, but I want to see if I can get in. They have the best photojournalism program in the country. We'll see what happens with that.... More than likely I'll be rejected, but that's okay!

Ah. Also, I'm sick. Not horrible, but I'm still sick. It's to the point where you really want to just stay in bed all day but you know you're actually well enough to go out and about to school and such. Gr.

Tonight I work which will probably be insanely busy... but that's good cause I need the money desperately.

Choir retreat this weekend. I'm actually not sure how I feel about that. A lot of stuff has been going on at school and it's making me just dislike high school completely. The problem isn't just within my high school though---- it's outside too. It's in God's hands though.

OH! And, Emily shared a little about her dream the other night so I think I shall share mine from two nights ago cause I can't quit thinking about it. I never have dreams (at least that I remember) and the last two nights I've had full out nightmares. The first one I'll share on here cause it's almost comical, but the second one I won't share cause it's pretty upsetting and if anyone else but Emily reads this, I don't want them to know.

So, here's my dream:

I was sitting at the end of the road I live on (about 3 miles from my house) next to the railroad tracks. Somehow, my neighbor's trampoline ended up there so me and my sisters and my neighbors were jumping around pretending to be in a rodeo like we used to do. Well, my grandmother calls and was like "tell your parents that there are horrible tornados heading straight toward you." I had every intention (in my dream) of telling my mom.... but I forgot. Well, then my grandmother calls again to say her goodbyes (which is actually really morbid sounding). Then I look up and there are like 3 tornadoes of my road back where my house is and they're heading straight toward me. I notice they're still far enough off that I can make it home and to our basement before they hit. So, I yell "OH CRAP!" really loudly and everybody starts running..... except for me. They all hop into this green suburban and race home. I'm left there sitting on the trampoline with the storm getting visibly closer then I was like "Wait. I'm a bird. I can fly!" So right then and there I turn from a girl to hawk and fly home. I made it there faster than my family cause I learned that I could cut corners cause I could fly. It was pretty amazing. But honestly, that dream was terrifying. Seriously. I woke up yelling again.

I'm not sure why I just shared that..... except for the fact the flying was awesome. ahah

Anyway, enjoy the pictures from the youth retreat! :)

"Brilliant colors I have never seen..."

Ah. Fall is here. The leaves are really beginning to be noticeably vibrant. I love this time of year!

Today the weather is actually very dreary: cloudy, windy, and cold. But, I like it. :) I AM ready for some sunshine after having had so much rain over the last month or two, but today feels like a lazy day. I'm actually going to be home most of the day to enjoy the cold weather.

I have a list of things I plan to do today:

1.) Take pictures. Surprised? Didn't think so.

2.) Go down to the creek and sit in my favorite tree and/or hammock while listening to music and reading/working on homework/thinking.

3.) Enjoy homemade chili for lunch (yum!). It's a very soup-ish sort of day....

4.) COMPLETELY FINISH some college applications.

5.) PRACTICE. Sheesh. I'm such a slacker.

6.) Go to Bible study with dear friends this evening. I haven't been to Bible study in a while and I miss it immensely!

7.) After that, who knows. :) I'm feeling like Starbucks today, but I'll have to find someone to go with. I'm not much in the mood to go alone. Maybe I'll drag my sister there or a friend after Bible study. We'll see.

So I have a very full day ahead of me today. :)

I'm excited. We have a two day break from Chatt State classes (Monday and Tuesday) next week! :) I don't get out of Hilger classes, but at least it frees up my schedule some! :)

ANDDDDD, I have a very fun weekend planned:

Tonight- Bible study then who knows....

Tomorrow- Work then Abby's birthdayyyy!

Sunday- I don't actually know.... But I know something will come up.

Monday- Cinnamon rolls with two awesome people (which should be four awesome people total, but Emily is going out of town during the most inconvenient weekend this semester. Sheesh. She'll be missed, but I envy her for getting a full fall break. MS sounds awesome. I'm jealous. It'll definitely beat our cinnamon rolls....)

Anyway, I don't know why I felt like telling my life schedule.

Okay. I HAVE to get off of here if I intend to accomplish all that I have planned for the day.

Goodbye, all!

~Sayrah

P.S.-

Here are some of my favorite song lyrics ever (I say that a lot....). The line "brilliant colors I have never seen" reminds me of the Fall leaves beginning to change.

Deep Enough to Dream by Chris Rice

Lazy summer afternoon
Screened in porch and nothin' to do
I just kicked off my tennis shoes
Slouchin' in a plastic chair
Rakin' my fingers through my hair
I close my eyes and I leave them there
And I yawn, and sigh, and slowly fade away

Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors
I have never seen
Deep enough to join a billion people
For a wedding feast
Deep enough to reach out and touch
The face of the One who made me
And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace
Do I ever have to wake up

Awakened by a familiar sound
A clumsy fly is buzzin' around
He bumps the screen and he tumbles down
He gathers about his wits and pride
And tries again for the hundredth time
'Cause freedom calls from the other side
And I smile and nod, and slowly drift away

Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors
I have never seen
Deep enough to join a billion people
For a wedding feast
Deep enough to reach out and touch
The face of the One who made me
And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace
Do I ever have to wake up

'Cause peace is pouring over my soul
See the lambs and the lions playin'
I join in and I drink the music
Holiness is the air I'm breathin'
My faithful heroes break the bread
And answer all of my questions
Not to mention what the streets are made of
My heart's held hostage by this love

And these brilliant colors I have never seen
I join a billion people for a wedding feast
And I reach out and touch the face of the One who made me
And oh, the love I feel, and oh the peace
Do I ever have to wake up

Do I ever have to wake up
Do I ever have to wake up
Do I really have to wake up now

I just wrote this huge post on dating.

I deleted it though because I couldn't get the words to come correctly.

I'll try again another day.

For now, enjoy some song lyrics. :)

Cleanse Song by Bright Eyes (I've been addicted to this song for the past 3 weeks):

Hear the chimes, did you know that the wind when it blows

It is older than Rome and all of this sorrow
See the new pyramids down in old Manhattan
From the roof of a friend's I watched an empire ending
Heard it loud and long the river's Om
Time marching on to a madman's drum

Don't forget what you've learned all you give is returned
And if life seems absurd what you need is some laughter
And a season to sleep and a place to get clean
Maybe Los Angeles, somewhere no one is expecting
On a detox loft through a Glendale Park over sidewalk chalk
Someone wrote in red, "start over"
So I muffled my scream on an Oxnard beach
Full of fever dreams that scare you sober
Into saltless dinners

Take the fruit from the tree, break the skin with your teeth
Is it bitter or sweet? All depends on your timing
Like a meeting of chance with the train station glance
Many lifetimes had past in a instant reminded
Of a millstone house in a seaside town
When your heart gave out in a mission bed
So your wife gave birth to a funeral dirge
You woke up purged as a wailing infant
In Krug Thep, Thailand

Hear the chimes, did you know that the wind when it blows
It is older than Rome and our joy and our sorrow

"And when life seems absurd what you need is some laughter"

Well, yesterday was------pretty much one of the best days ever. No joke. Two factors contributed to this.

1.) I went hang gliding. Seriously. Yup, Quiet Sara went hang gliding. Didn't see that coming, did you?

2.) Hungout with Micah. Like, REALLY hungout. It was great!

See? I bet yall are all already jealous of my day, huh?

Anyway, I'll start with the hang gliding. It's something that I've wanted to do for a long time. Like, years. My flight was tandem (with an instructor) cause I'm not certified. We started in the valley behind Lookout Mountain cause all tandem flights are towed up to 2000 ft instead of jumping off the mountain at 1300 ft.

I was really surprised.... I thought I'd at least get nervous or anxious, but I was totally calm the entire time. haha :) The guy I flew with was really nice! He was probably 25 or so and it turns out he used to live on the same street as me! Weird, I know. lol

So, we (me and my family) arrive at the flight school at the bottom of the mountain and after getting all geared up (harness, helmet, and these oh so hott goggles) the take me to the glider. Mine was red and cool looking! haha :) I was shorter was the instructor anticipated so it took a little adjusting of the harness on the glider before I was at the right height. But, once everything was fixed, he signaled the glider (the thing towing us) that we were ready to go.

The climb up 2000 was really fast so the pressure was really high. I think we reached 2000 ft in about 1 or 1 1/2 minutes. Me ears were popping like crazy and I was FREEZING cause the wind was REALLY strong. I was wearing, jeans, a long sleeve shirt, and a fleece and jacket and I was seriously shivering and chattering (which, come to think of it is not all that uncommon for me). Once we reached the 2000 ft mark which was right over the flight school on top of the mountain, the unltralight released our hang glider which caused a loud snap. As soon, as we were free, we practically stopped in mid air. Which was a really weird feeling. Cause here you are, dangling above people's heads on Lookout Mountain, 2000 ft in the air, being held by nothing but a carabiner.

Once you are released and get a feel for the wind around you (which only take about 5 seconds) you start to move. To steer the glider to move your hips which is actually a LOT harder than it sounds. haha After a couple of minutes in flight, the instructor let me take over the flying for bit which was kind of unsuccessful. haha I steered if correctly and all, but getting it go in the right direction was harder than it sounds. In my defense, the wind was really strong yesterday..... the instructor even said so. haha

After I controlled the glider for a bit, he asked if I wanted to do some tricks which I responded to with a "HECK YES". haha He did something that was like a nose dive then pushed the bar forward which pulled us to a stop in then did a quick turn and repeated this a few times. IT WAS AWESOME! haha

After about 15 minutes in the air or so, we had lost altitude to the point where we needed to land. The landing itself was pretty cool cause he got really close to the building/shelter where people were. It was also a lot smoother than I expected. You come in pretty quick and when the wheels hit the ground you roll for a bit at a pretty good pace. My knees were dragging the ground at first but then I switched to using my chacos as extra landing gear. haha

Overall, hang gliding is a LOT safer and smoother than most people think. It's totally worth every penny! I really want to become a certified hang gliding pilot but it's SOOO expensive. Hopefully one day. AND, if I go to Covenant, the school is only a couple of miles down the road. hehe :)

Anyway, after hang gliding, Micah wanted to hangout. Which I was super excited about cause I hadn't hungout like this since Summer. When I got in the car with him, he had Bright Eyes playing (who I've actually been addicted to lately!). As you probably could guess, we went to Moe's. haha Then we headed to the play ground which was really nice. Then to his house. hahaha I love his family. They're like my second one! We walked in and they were like "MICAH! AND SARA!!!!". It was really funny. haha Andrew was like "Brother!!..... SISTER!" haha. We stayed and talked for about an hour before we had to head back to Covenant.

In all, yesterday was amazing. Enjoy the pictures! :)

-Sara Nade

"Elevator, DUH!"

"WUHOO! It's an apple on wheels!"

Kids? For sale????

STEWART!

coffee, cameras, phones, and cool bags. :)

This past weekend was Campus Preview Weekend at Covenant College. I went into the weekend having prayed that God would have me either love Covenant or hate it. Well, I loved it. Which I thought might happen. Actually, I almost thought I'd hate it.... I don't know why. I have always had this ongoing battle with Covenant for whatever reason. I'm kind of a rebel when it comes the the topic. It's the one school I hate and love. AH. It really is what I want in a school. However, it's going to take a miracle for me to be able to go there. $32,000.00 a year is NOT cheap (not that any college is exactly affordable these days). If God wants me there, He can easily provide the miracle needed. I'm not completely ruling out other colleges because there might be something better out there for me (which is hard to fathom right now). I'm going to continue my applications for a few other schools, but Covenant is DEFINITELY at the top of the list.

Anyway, CPW (Campus Preview Weekend) started with me arriving at Covenant at 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon. As soon as I drove up, Jillian came down to the car to help me take my stuff to her room. On our way up to her dorm, Micah met us and gave me a big hug which was WONDERFUL cause I hadn't seen him lately. Well, I had seen him a week or two earlier, but I still really miss him. Anyway, I took my stuff upstairs then headed to dinner with Jilllian, Micah, two of his friends, and one of Jillian's friends. Bethany, Jamie and Emily were there too but at a different table which I joined as soon as Jillian went upstairs to study for her Chemistry exam. The rest of the evening was filled with walking around the campus (which is absolutely GORGEOUS) and attending a TWO HOUR meeting in the chapel for all the previewers. The speakers were a little boring after a few minutes, but there were two bands that played and they were REALLY good. I seriously would buy their cd. After the meeting, me, Emily, Arthur, Jamie, and Bethany headed to the gym for Battle Ball. Which was------- dangerous. I feared for me life. Not really, but it was intimidating. haha It looked so fun though! We had planned on only staying for half of it, but ended up staying for the whole thing. After Battle Ball, we headed up to our dorms and went to sleep. Surprisingly, I got more sleep at Covenant than I do at my own home through the week. haha

Friday began at 7:30 for me. I woke up, took a shower, and headed to breakfast. I attended at Doctrine class at 10, then Chapel and 11, a Q&A session with the President at 11:45, then headed to lunch at 12:30 where I met Jamie. We had both planned on trying to go to 1 o'clock classes, but didn't even get through the lunch line till about 1:05. So, instead, we found Bethany and Emily and walked around some more. At 3 I went to an Old Testament class which I LOVED! I could seriously have sat and talked with the professor for hours. He was really interesting! After class, we walked around some more (yes, we did a lot of exploring of the campus) then headed to dinner. After dinner, Mr. Schriener had told us girls that he would take us on a tour of the tower, but he was in a golf tournament that day and he ended up playing longer than he had planned on so we weren't able to see the tower. BUT, the best of the weekend is still to come.....

Friday evening was Mountain Affair. The only word I can find to describe it is: INCREDIBLE. Seriously, Covenant College has some of the most amazing musical talent in the world. Most of the people that played (if any) weren't even music majors. I would have bought an album from every single artist that played that night. Music is definitely an important part of Covenant. Which is one of the things I love about it. Even though I'm not exactly musically talented, music is a huge part of me. I can't explain it, but it's a way I express myself. I wish I were better at playing instruments or singing or song writing or something cause there is so much I wish I could say that I can't. The music NOTES are a way I can express myself when lyrics fail. But I love all types of music... even music WITH lyrics. haha :)

After Moutain Affair, we watched UP in the Great Hall. I have never seen a group of people get so into a movie.... especially college students watching an animated movie. haha :) Once THAT movie was over, I went to watch a movie on the Chapel lawn with Jillian and a few of her friends. Everyone that I met was so cool and friendly. I saw a few people that were just NOT my type of people, but most everyone were people I could see myself hanging out with.

Saturday came and we went home. Well, for a little while. We gave Em a ride home from Covenant but instead of taking her home right away, she went to my house for an hour then we headed downtown for an adventure. We took our cameras and took TONS of pictures (as usual) and also vlogged. Which was-----funny. haha

Alright. I talked a lot. It was mostly for myself so I could have a way to remember the weekend. :) I can't wait to see where God has me in a year! Seriously, I'm excited for wherever He puts me. :D

Enjoy the pictures! :)