Best Christmas Present Ever!!!

I'm getting a brother-in-law!!!! Congratulations to Emily and Brandon!!!! (And this is the quickest pic I could find...from Halloween. No worries. He did not propose as bacon!)

Needing to Be More Like Simeon

Luke 2:25

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

My heart is heavy this week. I am immensely thankful for the new life that Mike and I are leading in NC. We have made new friends, explored our new state, and watched in awe as God has affirmed His calling us here. It has been tremendously more wonderful than we even expected and I am grateful. But there are hard moments. We have questions about His plans, our future, His provision. And, as we start to feel we've come to be accustomed to, we are waiting on these things. Waiting to see His hand direct and provide. Waiting on answers to questions we're scared to ask. Waiting to feel stable and secure and maybe even a little more comfortable.

When I realized this morning that I'd be reading about Simeon and Anna - two big checks in the column of "Waiting on God" - I nearly groaned. I wanted to say, "God, I'm wanting answers here! Not another lesson on two people who waited and got what they wanted!" And then I realized...Simeon wanted something much worthier than answers to "I-know-He-holds-the-future" questions. He wanted to see the Salvation of people. And, then, as we read, he praised God that Salvation came. He blessed/encouraged/even warned Mary and Joseph. And that's the end of the "blip" of Simeon.

May we desire something much Worthier and Bigger than our little worlds can hold within them. And then, may we praise Him for being this One. May we bless/encourage/even warn others if we must. And, if that is all my life is about, may it be enough.

Our First Tarheel Snow!

OK, so it was more ice than snow this time... It's still beautiful! And my favorite part? It SMELLS wintry! Plus, it forced us to have a cozy night in of homemade pizza, ice cream cookie sandwiches (never too cold for ice cream!), a couple of good movies, and a lazy brunch this morning. Thank you, Lord, for forced rest in the midst of holiday bustle.

Letters to Important People

Dear Blogspot,

Please make an iphone app like Wordpress's. It really makes me want to change my blog over.

*

Dear Google Chrome,

Please make your browser more compatible with downloads. I would be all-Google Chrome if I didn't have to switch back and forth with IE all the time.

*

Dear Nestle,

Please consider selling your morsels in sizes by the number of cups rather than weight. It would be so much easier to know how many bags to buy without the danger of leftovers begging to be eaten mid-bake.

Sincerely,
Katie Eller

I can't believe...

that after seeing every single episode of "Ugly Betty" thus far (my girly, guilty pleasure), it was Mike, in all of 5 seconds, that recognized that Archie is "The Karate Kid."

Peace

Do you know what is almost as happy as unexpectedly receiving money in the mail (I know I'm not the only one who occasionally says, "You know what would be great, honey?...What if, when we check our mail today...")? It's finding a long-lost favorite CD!

I found this yesterday. Right before nearly selling it because it was in the wrong case (oops). It is on my "Top 5 of All-Time List" and I'd been missing it for YEARS. It makes me think of the summer before starting at Baylor because I think I played it on a near-continuous loop, particularly the song, "Peace." Which amazes me at this second, as I just realized that this is the Peace week of Advent. Hmmm...that calls for a posting of the lyrics, then.

He is my Light and my Salvation
whom have i to fear
in His secret place i'll hide and pray
that i might hear a simple word

o how i would have despaired
if You had not come found me there
i can lean against Your throne and find my Peace
find my Peace
and when my enemies draw near
i pray that they will find
that i'm protected and secure
all tempests He will bind with a mighty word

o how i would have despaired
if You had not come found me there
i can lean against Your throne and find my Peace
find my Peace

He is my Light and my Salvation whom have i to fear?

Oh, Peace. And then, if I might find the other of my long-lost "Top 5 of All-Timers" (Caedmon's "40 Acres")...