Day Thirty
30th October 2013
Yesterday included: breakfast with Angela & her peaceful words, seeing Ariel in Bible study prep group, meeting with Molly and reflecting with her on Fall Conference and prayer, seeing & hugging Becca in passing on the bridge on the way to Philosophy class, and praying with Anna

Day Thirty-One
31st October 2013
Today included: not enough sleep, skipping class to study for another one, beautiful fog in the midst of pretty fall colors on a peaceful walk to class, a Research Methods test, a breakfast sandwiched served to me by festive ladies in costumes (:, sitting by the fire in Davies among friends, lots of group work, a happy unexpected walk up the hill with my dear friend Leah, hummus and pita chips and new friends at dinner, tiny trick-or-treaters in Towers (say that ten times fast!), learning about Jesus' presence- always -in our lives in Bible study, a belated birthday surprise for Yui in his room with lots and lots and lots of balloons and really wonderful friends... like, lots and lots.. I think there were 24 of us in there at one point! (: (hence the picture above... and, yes, Yui wears a giraffe jumpsuit out & about), watching Yui eat his birthday pie from Isaac (you thought right, friend.. it's from the best pie place in the world!  Just look at Yui's face!  Enough said.  I don't kid around about that stuff..), silly friends watching one of those Air Bud Halloween movies (you know those talking dogs movies?  That's the one!), and just overall exhaustion..

but, I think I kind of like being exhausted, because it means my days are full (:  This life that God has given me sure is a wonderful one, and I'm so thankful for every minute.
But, rest is good, too, so I think I'm gonna go do that...

**p.s.  Hey, we made it through October!  (Minus one or two days and a few late ones...whoopsies...)

(: Sweet dreams!

**and for your viewing enjoyment, Happy Halloween from your friendly
neighborhood pumpkins back in the day** (:

Day Twenty-Nine
29th October 2013
Today that group of Towers leaders that meet on Tuesdays, just to be together & talk & pray, met at Amy's house and oh my lanta, that did more for my heart than I was expecting!  She had prepared so many pumpkin things, like muffins and hummus, and cider and coffee and apple crisp and fruit!  And we sat in a cozy house and shared with each other, reflecting on this past weekend.  That was beautiful time, even if for an hour, and oh-so-restful.  Thank you, Amy, for making your house such a home!

p.s. Have you downloaded the new Beautiful Eulogy album yet??  Ya gotta...holy cow!

Day Twenty-Eight
28th October 2013
This picture makes me smile so much.  I was walking into Schofield, where we meet for Intervarsity large group every Monday night, to meet with my friend Rachel beforehand, and I see two of my favorite people in the window knocking and waving at me!  haha you can't see them super well, but oh boy, these two lives... they're always makin me happy (:

Good morning, friends!
I see sunshine outside my window and that is making me so happy this morning.  Plus, I got to sleep in a little bit more than usual today, which was so much needed because I've been missing a full night's rest as of late.  I've been pretty tired this weekend, which leads me to a confession:
I don't have a picture for you from yesterday or the day before or the day before...
darn it, I was hoping to make it straight through the whole month...
I hope you aren't too disappointed!  I attended Intervarsity's Fall Conference this weekend in Alexandria, Minnesota, and just hardly took my phone out. 

But some highlights from this weekend include:

• just the presence of Chelcea & Ariel & Becca & Taylor & Holland & Molly & Afton & Lauren & TJ in my life
• truly enjoyable 5 hour car rides with Ethan, Teddy, Greta & Rachel
• The biggest gas station I've ever been in
• a walk with Becca in the woods.
• changed perception of prayer.  And growing closer to my Father as I learn.
• restoration within our chapter, and really seeing this beautiful community that I am apart of as family and as the body of Christ.

To make up for no posts this weekend, I found this picture of my Grandma on Facebook and it really makes me happy! haha  I love her so much!  She is such a beautiful woman!
Also, here's a beautiful song that I just discovered last night.
Happy Monday to you!  Promise I'll post a pic of the day for today, so be sure to check back later!

Day Twenty-Four
24th October 2013
Today, I am thankful for:  classes that are shortened, cups of cider, flowery couches, sun that pushes the clouds away and is like God whispering "I love you, Alexi" in my ear, yellow leaves lit by sun, sass from Sean about my sushi-eating habits (:, a text from a dear friend asking to spend time together, Holland, sitting on
Sarah's couch, the guitar parts of Ed Sheeran's songs, a room that feels like home, Anna, seeds.

Day Twenty-Three
23rd October 2013
Today was not my favorite day.  It just wasn't.
But there were a couple things that happened throughout it that literally made me smile... probably like a dork while I was walking to and from places, because people were probably wondering why I was smiling like that. 
One of these smiles happened as I was briskly walking to the HSS building on campus because I was late meeting my group for a project.  On my way, I unexpectedly saw the whole Blugold Marching Band practicing outside (hence the picture above).. that really made me smile a lot.  I liked that surprise.
Another smile happened on my way back to my room at the end of the day..  It was kind of snow/raining and chilly, and as I was walking into Towers, I heard the song "White Christmas" playing loudly from one of the dorm windows.. that made me smile.  I think I even chuckled a little bit. (:
But, true story: I really miss the sun.

Day Twenty-Two
22nd October 2013
Last night was my favorite.  Three friends and I ventured to Norske's Nook and ate pie (thus crossing off one of the items on my Eau Claire bucket list) and talked about happy things, (: like adventures we all want to go on.  But you don't understand... this was the BEST pie that I have ever had.. pretty sure the best pie that there is.  So, thanks, God, for really dear friendships and really great pie and for making a big world for us to explore.  Gosh, I really like my friends a lot.

Day Twenty-One
21st October 2013
Today I got to wear my new shirt that my parents so kindly purchased for me at that Rend Concert this weekend!  But this shirt represents Propaganda, a man who is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists... his music is just so darn golden!  He was there along with Rend on Friday.  My favorite thing about this shirt is that it says "Broken things made beautiful," a truth that has nestled its way deep into my heart the more I live.  Other highlights of today include (besides my shirt :)) :
oatmeal & Bryan and Katie Torwalt's new soundtrack!! in the morning(have you heard their song "Shores!?")
learning to talk to God more throughout my day
my English professor, Dr. Westerlund, and his genuine kindness that makes my days
sushi.  sushi all day every day.
Lauren and Andrea
walks to class with Amanda
The incredible covenant that God made with sinful us.
Further depth of love for Him
hugs from friends all day, like Holland coming up to me just to say she wanted to hug me!! wow.
honeydew melon and too many ocean puns
Isaiah 52:7

today was a good day.

Never heard of Prop, you say?  No worries, here ya go!: (:

Day Twenty
20th October 2013
Okay, so this picture was still taken yesterday, so it counts! (: 
This is my fam (except Paige) dropping me off to meet my ride to head back to school.  I'm so thankful for the way my family takes care of me and loves me so well.  Just knowing I was so loved by them this weekend did so much for my heart when it comes to rest.  Plus, getting to wake up hearing my parents' voices downstairs is a sweetness I have come to really miss at school, but something I so love.  I thank the Lord for this family of mine every day. 
Until next time, family! xo.

Day Nineteen
19th October 2013

Sorry, friends, I've been slackin a bit with these posts!
& I have more than just one pic today.. these were taken of my time at home this weekend. 
I've been home all weekend, and oh boy, has it been so restful! ..seriously the most rested I have felt in a long time.  There was a point yesterday, when I was laying next to my mom on the floor watching a movie, that I felt my whole body melting like putty because I felt so rested, inside and out.  It was glorious.
I am trying to discover what it is that I do to rest, and yesterday helped me get a better grasp!
I got to run on my favorite trails and see all of the Fall colors in their prime, my dad made me my favorite breakfast, I laid by the fire with my mama, and we realized it was our dog's birthday yesterday haha so she got a little popcorn cup and a few extra kisses throughout the day (;
Being home with my family just makes my heart sing!  I thank God for this restorative time.  I am learning what it means to truly rest.
 I hope you have had some restorative time this weekend, friends!