Study.

I'm at Starbucks with Allie studying. It's raining outside. Christmas music is playing in the background.

I'm a terrible studier. While reading The Daughter of Persia for 20th Century, I've finally come to understand the importance of my education. The book tells the story of the daughter of an Iranian military and political leader who left Iran at twenty three to study in the U.S. She worked hard to earn her sociology degree, and went back to Iran and literally changed the country. Having worked for the United Nations, she was familiar with what social problems her nation required attention. This single woman began an upper-level school, met with the Shah to gain government support, and helped raise a generation that desired change.

All from a sociology degree.

I feel like I've wasted the last two and a half years. I've built meaningful relationships and have had fun, but I don't want to graduate thinking I wasted four years and can't do anything with my degree. I have two weeks and two more semesters. It's time to work.

The Little Things, Number Three.

15. Foggy days and leafless trees.

16. Walking into my study room to find five girls--only one of which shares the room--studying and watching Pride and Prejudice.

17. Monday nights. The longest day of my week is over.

18. Cheez Its.

Youth Retreat.

This weekend, I headed to Camp Vesper Point in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. It's only about 45 minutes away from Chattanooga, but feels like it's in the middle of nowhere. I really should start carrying a camera, because I definitely don't have any pictures.

I stayed in an unheated spider-infested cabin (This was a hard one--I am TERRIFIED of spiders. But, I came away with no bites and never woke up to one on my face. This is good.) with six girls and another leader. It was so. much. fun. They taught me the Hoedown Throwdown (thanks Miley Cyrus) and we talked about boys and life and God. The weekend included four sessions focused on prayer and God changing your heart, games, free time, a hoedown, a bon fire, great food, great talks, and just having fun.

One downfall: I was sick. I came away very humbled by God allowing me to go, and using me even though I wasn't 100%. All in all it was a great weekend. I really just love those girls.

Concerts. I love them.

Mumford and Sons was last night in Knoxville. Oh. My. Gosh.

I stole this photo from Caroline Tait. Yes, she was this close. I was more towards the center and about fifteen people back. I should have fought my way through and stood with her. Dang it.

After seeing Jonsi (please watch this) and Sufjan in all of their glory, I didn't know how much I would enjoy Mumford and Sons. That was a silly thought. Mumford and Sons began with Sigh No More, and ended with an encore of The Cave. They played everything on their album, and some new stuff they've written while they've been on tour.

Can I just tell you that after this concert, I decided to pray that God would allow me to marry an attractive British man who loves God with dark hair and a beard. No, I'm not kidding. Just you wait.

The Little Things, Number Two.

9. Concerts. I love them.

10. Root beer, Mumford and Sons, and stars in a clear sky on late night drives.

11. Jungle's prayer meetings. I love that the girls on our hall gather together once per week to lift one another up in prayer.

12. Getting to know wonderful people over coffee and lunch dates, and celebrating God's call on our lives to spread the Gospel.

13. Good hair days.

14. Silver leaf earrings.

MTW's PCA GMC

Mission to the World's Presbyterian Church in America Global Missions Conference.

We like abbreviations.

I bought a new black moleskine journal, blank pages of course, just for the occasion.

The conference was Friday, 5 November through this morning, 7 November. I am very full and encouraged, with a bit of exhausted, excited, and anxious thrown in there. God is doing a great work around the world, and I am called to be a part of it through serving. It's not time yet, but it will be soon.

I have a lot to process from the conference. I learned a lot, prayed a lot, chatted a lot. I'm sure some of that processing process will end up on here. For now, I leave you with some thoughts from that new black blank-paged moleskine of mine.

Europe. Ready. Go.

This is what a call feels like. It includes tears.