Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve and I've had 1 out of 4 Christmases so far! We just got back today from my grandparent's house in Minnesota. We celebrated Christmas last night (minus one of my great grandmas who's in nursing care for a broken back) - I got a digital camera and photo printer from my grandparents! Actually, my brother, sister, and I all got the same camera and printer because we all wanted the same thing! I haven't really gotten to take many pictures on it and I was hoping to use it at TCX, except I just put film in my regular camera right before I came home from school! Anyway, it was a fun time. Tonight, I'm going to the Christmas Eve service at church with my dad, then tomorrow I have Christmas with my immediate family, my stepfamily, and my dad's side of the family! Should be fun!

Since being home, I've been working a ton at Panera Bread. I've been working full nights (10 pm to 6 or 7 am) and it really takes a toll on me! Definitely not a fun job, but it pays well. And I really really need the money. I found out at my last day of work before break at the Preschool Lab that they don't have any hours for me next semester. I was definitely bummed out about that because I love working there. I also applied to the Education library because they were hiring and I thought it would be a good job to work in my spare time (plus I could do some homework). But today, I got an email saying that they don't have hours that fit my schedule either (which is weird because I didn't even put my availability down on my application because I didn't know it at the time). So, now I'm without enough money to get me through the next semester and without a job. I'm working a ton here at home over break, except that I have to pay over $600 in the next 2 or 3 weeks between rent and a security deposit for next year - so that's basically my winter break earnings right there. So, I'm not in the best mood today (which sucks because it's Christmas Eve and I don't want to be crabby for Christmas!) because I have no idea what I'm going to do next semester. I'm lucky to have parents that will help me out, but I really hate to ask them to pay for all my expenses next semester. I'm almost 22 years old - I wish I could just pay for everything on my own without having to still rely on my parents. So basically, I have a lot of praying and trusting to do. I know God will provide for my needs somehow. But it's hard for me to be optimistic and positive about it all when I have no idea how it's going to happen. Like I've said before, I hate not knowing how things are going to turn out. But I do know that following and trusting God is what I need to do despite this time of uncertainty.

Anyway, not much else is going on. TCX is in a few days and I'm really excited to see my friends, both from Madison and from SDSP! I know this weekend is really what I need right now - 4 days of continual focus on God. I'm excited to see what He will teach me and how He will revive me!

Merry Christmas everyone! Don't forget that Chistmas starts with CHRIST!