Blizzard in October?!

Yep, this is what it looks like out my window. Snowy, wintry, and cold! I'm sitting here enjoying a lingering pot of coffee and a respite from the daily routine. Buster's purring from his spot on my lap. "Fill me up" is playing on my iTunes. The fire is crackling in my little fireplace and I'm watching "Hitch." Boy, I love snow days.

I'm also reading the book entitled The Birth Order by Dr. Kevin Leman. It's fascinating. Now I know why I'm a crazy only child:-)

This is also providing much time for cleaning and introspection. I've been doing a lot of the latter this semester. Part of the counseling program at Denver Seminary stresses the importance of dealing with your own issues first before attempting to counsel others. It's not as easy cleaning house as I thought it would be. Turning 25 last week, though, has encouraged me to dive in and enjoy a brilliant new year of life. Who knows what it will bring, afterall? You see, for the past few weeks I've been debating whether or not I should return to VA for grad. school. I've decided to make this semester my first and last at Denver Seminary. As much as I enjoy counseling, I'm too empathic for my own good. I just can't set boundaries well and end up crying more at clients' stories than they do. Go figure.

So, I've decided to pursue my teaching credentials and master's of education. I spent time praying each and every day for two weeks asking the Lord to move me. It was quite the experience, really, for it was the first time (sadly) I've ever really surrendered completely to God. I told Him that I wasn't budging until He moved me. And so He did. I found out that I'm no longer a Virginia resident (duh, Joy) and therefore the decision was made for me... I'm staying in Colorado. As such, I've now looked into Denver University which has an excellent education program that starts in August. Woohoo. Now the search for a job begins... come January I need full-time work. It'll be a relief to receive a bigger paycheck than the counseling center...

At any rate, as I look forward to my 25th year on this earth I can't help but desire to do better. Better at being independent, more mature, and maybe just maybe I'll find that career I've been searching for these past three years. I want to spend more time laughing and less time worrying. I want to spend more time with Andy and friends - enjoying the present moments of life - instead of ruminating about the future. I want to sing and write more. I want to get better at guitar. I want to learn a ton. Second quarter of a century... bring it on.

First Fallen Snow - Oct. 17th!

Snow falling on Denver... October 17th, 2oo6

Can you believe it? The year's first snow. Here I sit, enjoying chili and biscuits on this cold, wintry day after a long day's work. Midterm at 7:30a.m. followed by work at Colorado M.O.V.E.S. counseling center at 9am until 5pm. Whew - I'm exhausted. Time now to enjoy a lazy, cozy evening as the snow falls softly outside. Tomorrow I turn the big 25, so I've gotta catch up on my beauty sleep...

Rain Come Down

So I really should be studying for tomorrow's 7:30 a.m. midterm in my psych class... or I could update my blog.

Today I made a huge decision. Actually, it was the first major decision that was pretty much made for me. Thank God. To Him be the glory for providing for what has been eating me up for the past few weeks: whether to stay in Colorado or go home to Virginia for my education program.

You see, when I went home for that wedding (from a few posts down) something within me stirred relentlessly. I felt pulled back to the place I'd left two years ago this past August. It has changed a great deal along with the people in it, but Virginia will always be where my roots are planted. I feel connected to a time now removed. Childhood, high school, college, family times all shared with a whole lot of love.

And yet... with the help of a dear boyfriend and a best friend, I've realized the wealth of love at my fingertips here amidst such Rocky Mountain splendor. These two special people in my life have once again reminded me of who I am, what patience I need to have with myself, and what love I have for them in my life.



Two weeks ago today I decided to gather up the tatters of my faith and lay them at the feet of my God. I told Him I would seek His and no one else's opinion on what I was supposed to do - where I was supposed to go after this fall semester. Every morning I rose two hours before I needed to be at one of the jobs or school and I prayed. I journeled, I read, I studied His word, I even read through my father's old journals from when he was my age to feel a connectedness to his fatherly wisdom and experience. His pages further pointed me to our Lord. It was a wonderful process. Each day I thought on my devotions time and again. Time and again I felt the anxiety which has plagued me for three years now drip off my back like rainwater fleeing from the sun. I laughed at the ironies I'd see throughout the day. Twice now, my first customer at Crate & Barrel on Mondays has been named Virginia. Last week I picked up a Colorado quarter on the ground. Little things, sure, but with repetition they become funny "signs" and I know He's a God of humor. Rain come down...

At any rate, I thought my mind was made up. I felt pulled to Virginia and certain I would leave sometime in the spring to make the daunting cross-country move once more. Funny how we think we know it all. Today I was quickly informed by the VA school that I am not considered a Virginia resident. I won't be unless I have a year's worth of tax claims, state driver's license, and license plates from a Virginia address. Nice. There's no way I'm paying $750/credit for out-of-state tuition in my home state. So, Colorado, I hope you like me because you're going to be seeing a lot more of me yet.

CUDenver here I come...

Skinny Simpson and his new collar!

This is my handsome Simpson sporting his new green collar with the red heart tag. Isn't he a stud?! I'm proud of the boys...

Kristen and Chris' Wedding

The wedding was a magnificent affair. Congratulations, Chris and Krickey!

What an enchantment, though, to find myself transported back to high school. Hanging out with old friends, going with Mom, seeing old teachers and my youth minister, and revisiting my old life was really nice and affirming. It felt as though time had never passed. Ah Nostalgia, you get me every time!

Here's another couple of pictures before the ceremony took place:

Quotation of the Day

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."

Soren Kierkegaard

You see, I've spent a great deal of time in the past three years trying to figure out where I'm headed. I'm jostling back and forth between ideas, jobs, dreams, goals, states, etc. and all the while hurrying to make a good end of it all. How sad. This is how life can really pass you by.

Keep reading the next post about this past weekend's sentiments to understand what I mean by this.

Buster the Kitten!

For those of you who haven't met the newest member of my family, I am pleased to introduce you to Buster Runt the Kitten! Yes, he's an adorable orange tabby kitten who was the runt of the litter at the Denver Dumb Friends League. So you can imagine Simpson's surprise when this little tiny thing is chasing his 28 pounds of tuxedo wonder around the apartment. He's quite the bundle of energy and a cuddle bug too! He's going on six months now and has the softest fur of any feline! I hope you get a chance to meet him someday.