Peace by George Herbert

Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave,
Let me once know.
I sought thee in a secret cave,
And ask'd, if Peace were there.
A hollow wind did seem to answer, No;
Go seek elsewhere.

I did; and going did a rainbow note:
Surely, thought I,
This is the lace of Peace's coat:
I will search out the matter,
But while I look'd, the clouds immediately
Did break and scatter.

Then went I into a garden, and did spy
A gallant flower,
The Crown Imperial: Sure, said I,
Peace at the root must dwell;
But when I digg'd, I saw a worm devour
What show'd so well.

At length I met a rev'rend good old man:
Whom when for Peace
I did demand, he thus began:
There was a Prince of old
At Salem dwelt, who liv'd with good increase
Of flock and fold.

He sweetly liv'd; yet sweetness did not save
His life from foes;
But after death out of his grave
There sprang twelve stalks of wheat
Which many wondering at, got some of those
To plant and set.

It prosper'd strangely, and did soon disperse
Through all the earth;
For they that taste it do rehearse,
That virtue lies therein:
A secret virtue, bringing Peace and Mirth,
By flight of sin.

Take of this grain, which in my garden grows,
And grows for you;
Make bread of it: and that repose,
And peace which everywhere
With so much earnestness you do pursue,
Is only there.

There are a lot of things in the world that I am afraid of, and during 2008 I faced a lot of those fears and it was a very liberating feeling. I was terrified by the thought of a committed relationship becuase of all the pain that I had seen failed relationships bring friends and family members. But when I found a loving and compassionate man, I decidded to put aside my fears and we have been together now for 6 months. I also used to be horribly afraid of public speaking, but after being elected vice president of my sorority, I was forced to speak in front of large groups of people. At first it was very challenging, but I have become increasingly more comfortable with it. I also got over my fear of airplanes and heights simply by just facing them and toughing it out. It is freeing to eliminate these fears in my life and I hope in 2009 I can keep pushing the limits!

My four year old brother cuddling up to me and asking me to read him a book =] Children are so prescious!

My future has been motivating me recently. When I think of all I have been blessed with in my life, it leads me to think about what I can do with it all to give back and share. After I graduate college, I want to attend graduate school to become a special education teacher. In order to do this, I have to work very hard in my undergraduate classes and at my job and extracurricular activities that will help me get into graduate school. At times I get really stressed or tired, but then I remember my future goal and everything is put into perspective.

My family who is always there for me, and my friends who are always at my side. In this season of consumerism, it is great to appreciate things like this that cannot be purchased with any amount of money. I consider myself truly blessed by the people around me.

The lovely smells of the season! Gingerbread, pine trees, fresh mountain air, hot chocolate, apple cider, ham...it just all smells so good. And all of these smells are so nostalgic!

One big happy family!

I met Jake on a missions trip this past summer. Even though he lives in Boise, ID and I live in Santa Barbara, CA, we are still together despite the distance. Meeting someone while you are both doing something you are passionate about and devoted to creates a solid bond on which to found a relationship.

I think the best way to give your time is to spend it doing something you are passionate about. You could do a lot of work for worhy causes, but if you do not believe in what you are doing, or if you do not care about it, your time could be better sent elsewhere. Find something you are pasionate about, and devote your time to that. Working toward something you believe in makes the work you are doing so much more benifical to you and the people you are helping.

When I am healthy and worry free!