This came in my mailbox today:

And it makes me very, very happy. :)

(What DOESN'T make me happy is that it was on HALF of the BACK of the card where Donald Miller's lecture was advertised...sharing the space with another female speaker at the lecture series...So, as an act of protest, I turned the whole stack over on our counter, so that Lauren and Debbie are the first people you see, and you have to flip it over to see Don. Not that I necessarily have anything against Don! It's just that everyone and their mom already knows about him and has read his stuff, while surprisingly few people have heard of Lauren - whose books are at least as good as Don's, and whose life journey to Christ through Judaism is supremely fascinating. Not to mention that she loves liturgy, which gives her lots of points in my book, and she has spent LOTS of time studying church history. Which rocks my world. If nothing else, more people need to know about Lauren Winner! If you haven't read her stuff, you can borrow my copies anytime.)

I heart Half.com

For many years now, it has been my favourite place by far to buy all my books & music. (If you haven't tried it, you really should! It's quite phenomenal.)

But today it has today become so much more. Because today, I made my first sale! So now, I'm officially an e-seller! :) And when I saw which one of my books it was, I was so surprised...No, not any of my fiction, nor any of the classics I posted. Oh, no, it was a VERY RANDOM book called "Hammocks: How to make your own and lie in it." Published in 1978. (Actually, I have Paul & Katrina to thank for that first sell, because I believe that book came off their shelves as they were packing up for TZ!)

So if you have any books around that you don't read any more (if you're stumped, think old textbooks...), or CD's you don't listen to any more, or movies you don't watch any more, you should try it, too! You never know if it'll sell unless you try...Trust me, it's amazing what some people will buy!

Yesterday was a big day

Yes, indeed, there were 2 major milestones that were passed on January 15, 2007 in the life of this 23-year-old.

1. I am now the proud steward of a church key! My first-ever church key. That means that I can literally be the LAST person to leave on Sundays. :) Or get back into the church if I realize on Monday morning that I left my coat in there, with my cell phone and wallet in the pocket. (Which did happen once last year!) The biggest reason for the key, though, is so I can get in to plan and organize songs, sound, and multimedia for worship team practices and Sunday morning services. Fun times! I'm stoked.

2. My dear, faithful companion Talullah passed the 100,000-mile mark yesterday!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!! (For all of you who don't know, Talullah is my car...) Yes, the road has been long, and not without its hardships along the way, but we have made it into 6-digit numbers at long last. Although, sadly, we may not make any more long journeys together, and this milestone may be followed by a retirement party once the winter is over, it still feels good to look down at the odometer and see that we truly have come a long way together. Talullah, you rock!

I spoke too soon...

Winter cannot stay away from Houghton forever. And so, it has been snowing for the past 3 days straight...sigh...

I must say, the stuff is quite beautiful! It's the driving in it that I hate...And, as such, I have been EXTREMELY grateful for every snow-less day so far this winter! I feel like they were all great big gifts from God, straight in my lap, because He knows how much I was dreading having to commute every day in the snow.

So, Abba, thanks for all of those days! And do You think you could bring a couple more sometime in the next couple weeks? Not so that the snow melts, just so it isn't falling from the sky onto the roads. Thanks!!!!

A new year, and so much has changed!

Michelle had now joined the ever-expanding ranks of my married friends, having been united with Mark in the presence of God and many wonderful Houghtonians whom I hadn't seen in a VERY long time! (And others whom I HAD seen, but it had still FELT like a long time...)

The bride with her hair-and-makeup team :)

Who, us? No, we didn't have ANYTHING to do with that car's decorations! (Please ignore the incriminating evidence in my right hand...)
Mrs. Potato-Bride hood ornament, lovingly crafted by Rachel, Paul, Tegan, and myself.

Rachel and Paul also join the ranks of recently-dating friends, in a twist that nobody foresaw but many are enjoying.

I am thoroughly enjoying my first non-snow-covered Houghton winter! :)

And, last but not least, I join the ranks of former-pet-owners. (Well, if you could call it ownership...) Yes, it's true, I no longer care for Shelby. Because, alas, in a cruel twist of fate, the Hopkins' cat Houdini decided that he would make a tasty dinner. 'Twas a sad, sad day...
Goodbye, Shelby! You were a good friend! I shall miss your furry softness! :(