Eating My Roommate's Cookies

      As I write this I am indeed eating my roommates cookies. They are from Trader's Joes and they are yummy. They sit on this shelf in our "living room" (see tour of room-below ;o) ) and tempt me pretty much every day. All that to say, my roommate is a sweet young woman named Allie. But, we don't socialize too much. Different schedules, different lives. I am very blessed to have my own room. And the windows in this building are lovely. We have three especially nice ones in the living room. I have tea. My living situation is quite nice. So-with all of this-how am I? What's life like on the East Side of this Nation? Well, Massachusetts...Cambridge specifically. I'll be short-people are more apt to read short posts anyway. It looks long--but you gotta' count the pictures. ;o)

     So, some pictures to get the idea of how I'm livin' life: 

Snow! New friends. ^^ Beautiful cold snow. A natural store with tea!

    So, life has been good. I have met some sweet girls who have become my pals. We have gone swing dancing-yay! And we've seen Ladysmith Black Mambazo live in an awesome Old Civil War memorial building turned into a theater! As far as classes go, they have been on the up-side, though I'm looking for more of a challenge. Each class size is small, always under 20 people. They are interactive and the teachers are all nice people who enjoy their jobs!! I am in an internship class, so that means every Thursday I am going to an Adult Day Care Center for elderly with disabilities and helping out there. That has been lovely and a highlight. I love the clients and the easy atmosphere there....and it's just nice to get away from college students. I have two jobs, one at a library in a school (go figure right?) and another at Tutoring Plus, where I basically try to keep kids on task as much as possible--not the most fun job, but I'm grateful for it. I am also excited to be trying out different dance routines this week as part of the dance club on campus. They have a great way of running their club, lots of choreographies to choose from and two trial weeks for you to test out the dance before you commit to doing it. So far I'm definitely committed to "You Can't Stop the Beat," a song from Hairspray. It's a fun, upbeat and a wonderfully 60s dance number. (You'll love it mom. We shake and shimmy.) I've been to two different churches so far and brought my girlfriends to one that is very near where I live. That has been so refreshing for me--two Sunday's ago I just let loose in worship and danced for the Lord. 

        I can tell you-being here is different than California. The weather-love it. Yes, I get cold. Yes, I do miss being able to wear next-to-nothing sometimes. Sure, the ocean calls my name. But the air is brisk, not holding me down, I want to walk in it. The snow is gorgeous, and unless you have a car, it's not so much trouble to "deal with." You just keep walking! Sitting and drinking tea has a real satisfaction to it. And the sun isn't burning my skin off--though I admit the wind and cold has chapped it-new lotion from the natural store! And let's not forget, I lived in Norway for 7 months and never got tired of the cold....so I'm doing fine peeps. 

      Emotionally I have been well, missing some peeps from back home, missing physical touch (one of my top love languages) and feeling the need for Christian fellowship. The Christian's I've met have brought new breath to me and I'm so grateful. I have had so many beautiful and meaningful conversations with the friends I've met here-all at different walks of life where faith is concerned. I can see one of the main reasons God has me here is to be light, truth, beauty, and strong love to these friends. It truly is a blessing to give what has been sown so deeply in me. I am walking deeper in my convictions in a place where having certain convictions can be dangerous to one's friendship statuses. "Under a bushel" is not in my vocabulary. However, this doesn't mean I don't get lazy, or don't speak up at times. Continued prayer for wisdom and strength are always needed! God is close, I know. I know I need to draw near, really near, in a place where God culturally is very far. I keep feeling like I'm a visitor here, but I'm here to "be" for awhile. I don't want to start thinking about packing my bags and leaving just yet. I know God has roots for me here. Because GOD'S roots need to abide in Massachusetts.  

       Here is a little poem I just wrote, just kinda' came out--the desires of our hearts always will....

Grace and Glory 

God who carved my soul
take me and make me whole
I am longing.
Discard
what I do not need
Gain
Your glory. Grace in me-You.
Enough
This side of heaven I can not seem to reach-
enough
Show me Your face.
I want to see Love.

love to you all