First Day of Summer

Hey remember when I used to write a blog? Yeah, I know it's been a while. Things have been crazy busy lately. There are never enough hours in a day. Work, workout, read, sleep, repeat. Honestly I don't know how some women work full time, have a family and a house to take care of and maintain their sanity. I only have myself to worry about, and I can't seem to get anything accomplished!

These hot days are flying by and I can't believe it's the first day of summer already. Wasn't it just summer of '09 a month ago? Summer has been alright so far, although not quite what I imagined. I tend to be an eternal optimist, so expectations can get a little too high at times.

I really like my job at Family Hospice. For the first time in my life I feel like I have a "grown up" job. I'm starting to really connect with the youth at my church, and I love spending time with them.

Although I hate to be bored, sometimes I let myself get too busy and there isn't a chance to let my mind wander. That's bad because it leaves no time for creativity, or reflection. At the same time, it's good because it leaves no time for TOO MUCH reflection and the often accompanying gloomy feelings. I need to work on that, or I'll never be able to sit still :)

Dangling Modifier

At times I can feel pretty low. It usually happens when I'm alone. When life slows down, if only for a day or two, and my mind starts to wander. I hate that I allow it to happen, and I'm a firm believer that we have power over our thoughts. I also think that we have to choose to be happy, even when our circumstances don't encourage it. Although I believe all these things, I sometimes embrace my misery. As I write this, I am doing just that.

I should write an anonymous blog so that I could write about all of my true thoughts and feelings, and people could read it and think, "Ahh I'm not the only one. What a relief". As apposed to when readers know you and they might read something and think, "Wow, that Kristina's an odd duck". They probably think that anyway, and I don't mind. It's our oddities that make us unique :)

The thing that's frustrating is that I try to fix things on my own. I learn a valuable lesson, and I know that God is the only answer. I vow to change my ways, and then I drift right back to where I started some how. I'm like a person walking around in the dark, who keeps bumping into the same things over and over and over again. I get mad at myself, but I don't change. I have formed some really ugly habits, and they continue to repeat themselves.

Mainly, I think I feel down when I think about blocked goals. The way I have imagined and do imagine my life to be. The disappointments and harsh reality checks. Aspirations that I do not know how to begin to achieve. Feelings of wasted time, and poor choices don't really help the matter either. Is this all normal? Am I the only one? Sorry to be a downer, this is what happens when I'm too introspective haha.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming

Now back to reading the Bible in a year (with some brief side notes I'm sure). I'm now 1/3 of the way through the entire thing!

I read Psalms 103:1-22 tonight as part of my daily reading. It is one of the most uplifting sections of Psalms I've read since January. "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." WOW, and as if that's not enough, "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities". No Karma or "What goes around comes around" to worry about when you're one of Gods children. Of course I'm not saying that bad things do not still happen, that would be foolish.

He didn't bring us out this far to take us back again

Things were going so great in our family. A new baby is on the way, we all get a long and are pretty tight knit, and best of all, everyone was healthy again. For those of you who don't know, last January, my Dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was given a clean bill of health by June. The last few monthly checkups were great. He was almost 100% of what he was before the cancer.

Last Friday my Dad had to go in for a few tests because they saw a "shadow" during his monthly checkup. Monday when I got home, we were eating dinner and I nonchalantly asked, "Oh did you get a good report today?" "Nope, it's back and I need four treatments", my Dad said almost as casually as I had asked. Instantly the mood at the table changed and things were awkward. I didn't want to ask anymore questions yet. I was shocked.

Last night my Dad and I looked at his C-T Scan on my computer. Today my parents went to to Barnes Jewish Hospital to pass along that CD with his information on it, and have a four hour meeting with a specialist. Probably not how my Mom wanted to spend her birthday. The Dr.s are extremely hopeful, and are wanting to try a different, and stronger procedure than last time.

All that I ask of anyone reading this is that you don't speak anything negative about it. We are all praying, some are fasting, and we believe that he will be healed. He is most likely starting treatments this Monday. If you get a chance, please keep him in your prayers.

God Says: So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth:it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless],but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose,and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
-Isaiah 55:10-11

That means that each of the Words in the Bible will do what it says. It actually has the power to produce results that we can see here in the physical realm!

God also says: I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
- Jeremiah 1:12

Believe and receive!

The B-I-B-L-E...

As I mentioned before, I'm reading the Bible in one year. Starting with this post, I'm going to write about what I read. Today's entry covers several days worth because I was behind on my reading. My One Year Bible carves out a daily helping of "Bread" from the Old and New Testaments, Psalms, and Proverbs (everyone's favorite).

I've been in the book of Joshua for the past few weeks, and I'm actually quite disturbed by it. It is filled with battles that are extremely violent. Hangings, beheading, slaughtering, and such. I'm just glad it's never been made into a movie.

Parts of the Old Testament I feel completely justified in rapidly skimming over. Take Joshua 15:21-20:46 for example. It is just a list of names of cities and possibly people (I don't remember at the moment). If you're looking for a unique baby name such as Ziddim, Kadesh, Kesil, or Ziph, this is a wealth of ideas. Also, I recognized the name Beth Shemesh in Joshua 15:10 and 20:38. An Israeli archaeologist spoke at William Jewell College a few years ago, and that is his main dig site. He said, "No I'm not as cool as Indiana Jones", and I instantly liked him. I interviewed him for the school newspaper and told him I was going to come over to dig. Still a life goal by the way.

I really liked reading Luke 18:6-8. "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes , will he find faith on the earth?"

Finally, I was reading in Psalms and saw the word Selah for about the 100Th time. I decided to look it up. I found this: It is probably either a liturgico-musical mark or an instruction on the reading of the text, something like "stop and listen". "Let those with eyes see and with ears hear" is most concise. "Selah" can also be used to indicate that there is to be a musical interlude at that point in the Psalm. The Psalms were sung accompanied by musical instruments and there are references to this in many chapters. Thirty-one of the thirty-nine psalms with the caption "To the choir-master" include the word "Selah".

A new idea...Maybe

Warning, this post is going to be a spattering of updates on old posts.

After a long stint, I'm finally done with another book. I started, "My Life in France", by Julia Child in November and I just finished tonight. Granted, I was reading about six other books simultaneously. It was a very fun read. I love France, and I love food so how could I go wrong here?! I would like to try cooking a few of her recipes some day. Some sound gross, but I think others would be great. Julia said something that made me have one of those, "exactly", moments. She said, "Nothing is too much trouble if it turns out the way it should". Of course she was talking about food, but like so many things, a deeper meaning can be found and applied to our lives.

I'm currently shuffling through "Intercessory Prayer", and about to start a few new books as well. I'm trying to read the Bible in a year on top of that. I should blog about that. Yeah I think I will. I literally did start January 1 and am still going strong. Of course there have been days I skipped and read double the next day but I'm OK with that. Maybe if I blog about it, it will help me read no matter what.

PS: I'm up to running 4 miles now :)

Times are a Changin...

We've been a pretty boring group for about 1o years now. When you have all grown ups in a family, the excitement of Christmas morning somewhat wanes. You see no point in an Easter egg hunt. Luckily, something in humans allows us to live vicariously through others and be excited for them. When there is a child in the family, for instance, things can become much more fun again. Watching their eyes light up triggers those childhood feelings of excitement about things we now take for granted.

Well things are about to be shaken up in the Brase family (or the Brave family as my mom likes to call us, but that's a whole other post). This isn't on Facebook yet. I'm telling my dedicated readers first, so listen up both of you :) This fall I will be Aunt Kristina!!!!!!!!!! Woo hoo! That's all I've got :)

St. Patty's Run

Well, I finished the race in 50 minutes on the nose. I normally run 10 minute miles and it was a 5 mile race. I thought I might go a little slower since it was more mileage than I'm used to, but the crowd sort of carried me along. There were 11,000 of us! Looking at all of the people was quite entertaining. Some were dressed in the most hilarious costumes. Here are some highlights from the race.

-Best costumes: Bride and Groom with cans tied to their ankles and a Still Just Married sign on their backs

-Most defeating moment: 40 year old man pushing a stroller passes me as though I'm walking

-Most inspiring moment: Seeing a woman in her 70's running in full costume :)

-Best feeling: Hitting the 3 mile mark and feeling a burst of energy


I almost brought my I-pod, but since I had never been in a race I thought I should experience all of the sights AND sounds. I'm actually very glad I made that decision because I overheard some amazing conversations during my run.

-"Well she didn't tell me he had one arm until later. She just said 'I met this guy from Mizzou and he had a tattoo on his arm'"

-"I love being around all these super athletic people, it turns me on you know?"

-"Cheating is just in a person's personality, it doesn't happen on accident. How long were you with her?"

-"I can't wait until Boston, are you ready?"



Well I'm hurting a little now, but I've never felt better. I'm hooked for life!

You've got to work your way through the pain...

OK so I know this isn't a big deal to most people, but it is to me. I finished one of the book on my aforementioned nightstand pile! Yes, The Complete Book of Running, is now finito. I figured I needed to finish it to get me pumped up for the St. Patrick's Day race I am running in on Saturday. So how has the book helped me? Well, I now know that I am supposed to eat a lot of protein for three days, starting a week before a big run, and carbs for the next three days before the run. I know that it is important to track mileage for the month and not the week, as your body sometimes needs to recover and have lighter weeks. I know I can run basically until I die. Haha

This book was written in the late seventies, so I also learned some things that seem a little funny today. For example, women can run in marathons! There's a brand that makes running shoes just for women now. Wow, Saucony you are a trailblazer. Runners World is a new magazine that has a four color cover.

On a sad note, the book spotlights several people who continue to run when they're elderly, so I wondered about the current state of the author James Fixx. I googled him and discovered he died of a heart attack in 1984. He was only 52. I could not believe it. It's almost chilling how many times he talks about heart attacks in the book. He praises running for aiding in heart health, there's a chapter about runners who have had heart attacks, and he mentions that his wife kept asking him to get a physical. In one chapter, he writes about a well respected doctor who tells him he does not really need a physical, because he believes the body can tell you what it can handle. That part is semi haunting. Heart disease ran in Fixx's family, and before he began running he was an overweight smoker. Some of the damage to his arteries had already been done. Still it seems so unfair that a man who devoted his life to physical fitness died so tragically.

There is a lesson to be learned here. If you have a serious condition that runs in your family, get physicals often. You can't simply rely on your body to tell you some things. Don't be too proud or too busy to see a doctor.

Good book though James, you contributed to some revolutionary ideas that are still guidelines today. Thanks.

"I gotta make clear, I can't say baby where I'll be in year..."

It's been a while since I last wrote. I'm not sure what happened, but evidently I was busy doing something. Honestly, I don't have anything super interesting to write about today. I can feel a change coming for me though. I have completely changed my daily schedule for one. I've removed some things, and added a few new activities. Opportunities are suddenly presenting themselves from many different directions. It's actually very interesting, and sort of exciting. I don't know where I will be in the next few months, but I know it will be a different place in many ways.

I want to share some awesome lyrics. They're so easy for a lot of people to relate to. I've actually never heard the song, I've only read the lyrics. You might recognize some of the lyrics from the title of a previous post.

Down those old ancient streets
Down those old ancient roads
Baby there together we must go
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done

Till you're satisfied with your life
Till you're satisfied with your life
Till you're satisfied with your life
And it's running right, and it's running right

Till you deal with the poison inside
Sometimes you've got to sit down and cry
When you deal with the poison inside
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done

Till you feel the tingle up your spine
Till you're satisfied and you're mine
Till you feel a tingle up your spine
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done

Till you live in the glory of the One
Till you live in the land of the sun
Till you feel like your life has just begun
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done

Till we dwell in the house of the Lord
Till you don't have to worry no more
Till you open a brand new world
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done

Till it makes you feel alright
Till you're satisfied with your life
Till you know you live in the Light
Till we get the healing done
Oh till we get the healing done

Till you look at the mountains every day
Till you wash all your troubles away
And you live right here in the day
Till we get the healing done
Oh till we get the healing done

Oh till it's Truth and it's beauty and it's grace
Till you've finally found your true place
Till you know your original face
Till we get the healing done
Oh child, till we get the healing done

Oh when everything's going right
Till you're satisfied with your life
Till you're living in the Light
Till we get the healing done
Oh till we get the healing done

Oh when you feel it, when you feel it in your soul
Baby, and you really know
That you reap just what you sow
When we get the healing done
Oh till we get the healing done
Till you know that it's working every time
Till you work it out in your mind
And you know it straight down the line
Till you get the healing done
Oh make no worry till we get the healing done

Oh we gonna go back, back to our favourite place
Oh look at it again
See it all through different eyes
When we get the healing done
Oh when we get the healing done

Oh we're living for the grace of the Lord
Baby feel so good about it all
Oh give thanks every day
Till we get the healing done
Oh till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done

Oh baby, baby till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done
Baby you got to stay
Till we get the healing done

If it takes to the break of day
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done
Till we get the healing done
You got to stay all night long

Breakthrough or Bondage?

I often get random, interesting thoughts when I can't write them down. Tonight, when I was in the shower, I had one such thought. We are so lucky to have such advanced technology at our fingertips. A lot of us can accomplish everything we need to take care of from our cell phone. At first thought, this realization was quite freeing! After thinking it through, I changed my mind. It isn't freeing at all, but actually quite the opposite.

If you try to call someone on their cell phone and they don't pick up, you're automatically frustrated. "Where is she? What could he possibly be doing, that he couldn't answer? Did she leave her phone in the car again?!" We want instant gratification. We WANT to know where the spare set of keys are. We WANT milk from the grocery store. We WANT to meet an hour later than what was planned. We WANT, WANT, WANT! This technology has allowed us to forgo waiting patiently, be poor planners, and change plans at a moments notice. Before cell phones we had to wait until a person came home to ask about the spare keys. We either thought about the milk before leaving for the grocery store or it didn't get bought. We had to drop what we were doing to go meet the person if we said we would be there.

Besides being frustrated with others for not picking up, we feel we need to be available 24/7, so that we ourselves don't become the frustration. This realization hit me today when I made sure to take my phone when walking my dog for five minutes.

People sometimes get worried when we don't answer. They even get worried when they can't get a hold of you for 15 minutes. "Well where were you? I've been calling and calling". It's just strange to think how many generations got by just fine, without cell phones. Also strange to think there's a generation of young people that has never known a time without them.

So I suppose it's up to the user, just how bound to their phone they want to be. If you're always available, callers might get worried when you don't answer. However, if you can't always be reached instantly...Maybe try leaving your phone where you can't hear it for a few hours. Warning, this could be a dangerous experiment. Please do not try this if:

1.Your friend is getting their wisdom teeth removed and you're their emergency contact
2.You have your phone alarm set for when you need to take your Lipitor, Yasmin, or Ritalin
3.You need to watch for and de-tag/delete questionable photos and wall posts on Facebook

Information Sponge

Most of my life I have never enjoyed reading. I think the main reason was that I hated sitting still. I would read a few pages and either have to get up and do something or I fell asleep. If you read my first few posts you already know this. If you were wondering, I'm STILL trying to work my way through Julie and Julia. Yes, I am that slow of a reader. I do have a good excuse now though. Right now I'm reading like I have never read before. I'm like a sponge, soaking up information. I'm currently reading about 6 books off and on. This probably drives some of you crazy and you're thinking, "How can she be reading all of those at once? Just finish one then move on to the next!" Hoho, no no my friend, if I did that I would lose interest quickly. It's the variety that keeps me reading.

I basically only read informational books. I'm not really a fan of fiction. Right now I'm working on:

Julie and Julia (since November!)
Captivating (again)
Wild at Heart (again)
The Complete Book of Running (I promise I'll give it back!)
The Beginners Guide to Intercessory Prayer
The Bible (does that count?)

Well these are all very interesting and keep me coming back. Hopefully I can finish them soon, so the pile on my nightstand shrinks a little!

"Till you've finally found your true place, Till you know your original face"

I am ready for change. I'm no longer satisfied with being mediocre. I want to make a difference. Time is no longer going to pass me by, while I watch complacently. The things of the world are beginning to have less and less appeal. They are fleeting, and of little importance in the scheme of things. The amusements of the world will not bring lasting joy. How have I been so selfish for so long? When did my self interest take a higher priority than doing what is right?

Unlike generations that have gone before us, this generation hates pretending that everything is alright. We're not about putting our best foot forward and sweeping problems under the rug. We allow our raw emotions to be seen and talked about, even if it hurts. We crave transparency, even if this exposes all of our flaws. We want to love more, we let ourselves cry more, and it's not only OK, it's what we long for.

Last night I heard a good description of a well known analogy. There are two paths to take in the world. One is beautiful, and very appealing at the beginning. It is wide, and highly traveled. The problem is that it leads to destruction and death. The second path doesn't look so appealing. It's bumpy, and it's difficult. It is a narrow path, and it's not a popular one. It's destination however, is true joy, and pure delight.

Right now I am in a strange, yet interesting place. I'm trying to figure out what on earth I'm here for. At the same time, I'm trying to form new habits and set new standards for myself. New boundary lines need to be drawn. I know that it won't all be pleasant, but it will be worth it in the end.

This might be vanity but...

So, as my childhood friends and some of my current friends know, I will believe almost anything. Now this is not to say that I am easily swayed about my core belief system, but I'm gullible and I will try most advice I read. Growing up, the thing to tease me about was my famous quote, "Well I read in a magazine that...". OK, I'm sorry that I like to get tips from magazines. Is that so wrong? All of this to say, I STILL love to get tips from magazines. Here one such helpful hint that is Kristina tested, Kristina approved.

Lately I noticed a rather concerning, deep line across my forehead. What?! I'm 24, I am not supposed to have that yet. I read about it, and supposedly it is the mark of very outgoing and expressive people. Why do these animated people get punished? Sometimes when I am telling an intense story, I realize I am putting a lot of pressure there. Any strong emotion puts pressure there. I read about a solution, and it works!

SOLUTION:Take the crystal clear scotch tape (the crystal clear sticks better than regular) and press one end under the line. Next, smooth out the line underneath and press the other end of the tape down. This is not for public viewing! Do this before bed. The article I read said you could see a difference after two weeks. I saw a huge difference in one night!

This can most likely work for any fine lines you might have. I am only saying forehead because that is the only place I have one (so far). Anyway, I'll probably write more useful articles I find and test in the future. Hope this was helpful!

Crazy Dreams...

Last night I had some very vivid dreams. I also woke up fifteen minutes before my alarm went off. I always take that to mean that I need to pay attention to the dream.

The dream began with a bunch of people around my age sleeping in a high school gym. Some of them I recognized. I do not know why we were there.

Next, I was in a house that a few girls I knew from college shared. Two of the girls are my good friends (Margaret and Lucy) the third was not someone I know well. It was complete chaos in there, and messy. There were so many people in the room. For some reason I tried to put my hairspray in the microwave.

After that I was in a house, upstairs, looking out the window. I heard a man yelling and he ran outside. There was a truck parked outside that had a plastic container in the back. It was being filled with water. The problem was that once it was filled, no one remembered to turn it off, so it was damaging the truck somehow. The angry man, saw another man outside and yelled at him and said it was his fault. He then picked up the truck, and body slammed the other man. They wrestled, with the truck between them somehow.

After this, I was down near where the truck and men were but it was empty. What was there were opened suitcases, with belongings strewn about. I somehow inferred they belonged to the young people from the gym. I got down to floor level and it was as if I was looking under my bed. I touched the things under the bed and they were soaked and damaged.

Skip to being inside a townhouse that belonged to my parents. I overhear my dad and brother talking, and my brother was the guy who was attacked. He was not upset and did not even have a scratch. He said "I don't know why he is trying to blame me. It isn't my truck. He lives on our street, he is strange". Then I looked out our front window and saw soldiers sleeping for as far as I could see. It looked almost like a movie. It was dawn, and the smoke from the campfire was still rising and they were hardly making a sound. I saw a storm coming in the sky.

Lastly, there was a knock at the door and it was Lauren. She asked if I was ready to go. I told her I had to go change clothes. Everything I did was in slow motion, even though I wanted to leave really badly. I had a white skirt on with black spots and I couldn't find anything to match it. I would ask my mom and Lauren and if one liked an outfit the other did not. Finally, I changed the skirt as well. We left, even though I still wasn't ready.

So weird huh? I've been trying to think about what this means all morning!

The last day like this.

I wake up feeling tired, yet again. After pressing the snooze button twice, I do not have the time to take my time. I drag myself to the shower as quickly as possible, squinting the entire way. I look out the bathroom window while the water heats, another cloudy day. I find an occasional cloudy day relaxing and reflective, but this many days in a row could make Doris gloomy.

I clock in at work at 9AM. I am still tired, and wondering why my coffee no longer has any effect on me. I sit groggily at the computer for most of the day. What feels like 5 minutes later, I look at the clock and see it's already 5:30. I leave work wondering what happened, and what I did all day. I can no longer tell any days apart. Monday I thought it was Friday. Wishful thinking?

Starting tomorrow, things are going to change. I want to really live in the moment. I don't want time to pass me by. I want to be truly happy. I want to seek out the needs of others and help them in anyway I can. I am sure that is the key to true happiness, and here is why. The happiest people I know, are the biggest givers. Notice I didn't say the happiest people I know are the ones who are involved in every organization possible and they're stretched so thin, that they're stressed. Being a generous person doesn't have to look impressive on paper. It just has to impress upon someone in your life. That being said, my new goal is to find a place of need and fill it.

Goodnight.

Now, the highlights

collages
Forenza sweaters
candles
Smoky Robinson
Something's Gotta Give
alone time
coffee
blogging
Julie and Julia
Santeria by Sublime
silk rompers
devotional
Ovaltine
praying
60's Brazilian music
spring fever

"I'm sooooo tired..."

I'm awake at 2:57AM. That is never good. My mind does not want to stop processing. I think sad thoughts, mean thoughts, and a few happy and peaceful thoughts. I know this blog is just all over the place, and I've asked a few of you what I could narrow it down to, but it's still undecided.

I think I'm delirious, I don't even know what I'm saying right now. Can I say that The Beatles have a song for every feeling though? Because they do. Hence my title. On another note, I did something mean today and I feel bad about it. Sometimes when I get hurt, I can make some pretty rash decisions. I'm a very emotional person who sometimes goes to the extreme of any emotion. Even if someone deserves only the very worst, does not mean that I need to be the one to administer "The Worst" to them. That would only make me the lowest of the low. So sorry to those of you who thought I was nicer than that. Hey we're all human, does anything ever REALLY surprise you?

I think I will try to make this a short post, because my eyes are starting to burn. I can get pretty bad bags under my eyes from no sleep, and there's no need to bring luggage to church tomorrow morning. Sweet slumbers :)

Who are these mall walkers and what do they want?

Well here I am. I love writing. It's neck in neck with shopping, to win the title of "Best Therapy for Kristina". I haven't REALLY been shopping and splurged in quite a few months. Until yesterday. I went to Target and blew about $75 and then to the mall($40). If it hadn't been for a dead cell phone, I'm afraid I would have kept on shopping till I was out of money.

I arrived at the mall yesterday morning before 9AM. I thought I couldn't get in yet, but I noticed one entrance had many cars parked by it. I went in and realized everything was closed but the mall was abuzz with walkers. Fast, slow, middle aged, elderly, female, male, black, white, solo walkers, and pairs. The walkers were quite fun to watch.


I eventually decided I would join them. I got some funny stares during my power walking laps. I initially thought it was because I was so much younger than everyone else there. I soon realized it was because I was wearing my friend Lauren's pajama pants, I had no make up on, my hair was a mess, and my eyes were as red as an albino rabbit. I didn't really care though. I noticed the walkers just draped their jackets over the railings and they trust each other enough to just leave them, it is the thing to do. They have their own culture, these mall walkers.

All in all, it was just interesting to be apart of a subculture that I have never seen before. I think I could study different subcultures for a career. I would love it if I could report on a new one at least once a week. Hmmm I'll continue to update...

Love

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Random Thoughts by Kristina...

- Spring fever in January is OK in my opinion

- I need a creative outlet, or else I lose steam

- Is it a good thing that I don't drink diet soda daily anymore (even if I replaced it with an entire French press of coffee)?

- I'm proud to be the youngest Rotarian I know of

- Washing your hair daily is overrated

- I hope that old saying, "Three times a bridesmaid never a bride", isn't true since I was recently asked to be in my 5th wedding!

- Everything old is new again, hence the excitement at letters in the mail, cloth diapers, old school fashion (don't get me started here, and music on vinyl

- Dance Dance Revolution IS a viable workout (if done for over an hour)

- Sometimes when I see real headlines, I imagine what they would say on The Onion

- I LOVE lists and I can make a list of why :)