Awkward & Awesome [airport and vaycay style]

Over Christmas break, I was in Hawaii & Denver. I would have to say it was one of the best Christmases ever. :)

The first 2.5 weeks were in Hawaii visiting my family, and the last week was spent in Denver (half doing a mission trip + ski trip with my church in ND, and the other half visiting old friends.) I would like to talk more about these mini trips (especially the mission trip), but I don't know if I'll be able to find the time.

Moving on.

So throughout my trip I documented some of the awkward & awesome that happened, plus there are pictures at the end. ENJOY!

--Awkward Stuff--

+The guy sitting next to me on a plane thanked me for not being a liner backer... "Ummm, You're welcome..?" I said.

+I got so many bug bites in Hawaii. Even bug bites on my bruise. D: 

+Putting on damp clothes because it's so humid. Hawaii isn't all amazing, but for the most part, the pros outweigh the cons. :)

+Awkward Aeropostale changing rooms where the door is see through, but after going in and shutting the door, they become tinted. Yikes. They took a little faith to use. 

+Crying at security (because I was sad to leave HI), and then an Australian lady asked if I was ok. Her accent was so thick and couldn't understand what she was asking so she had to repeat herself. twice. "Are you akai?"

+*While in Seattle* "If you're wearing a number 3 Russell Wilson jersey, you can now board the plane." Wow, someone's showing favoritism... Haha (I also had to look him up to find out who he was... Please don't kill me Seahawk fans.)

+"Wake up at 5:40am (on a Sunday morning)... Welcome to the life of a catholic." -one of my sweet friends

+I'm about to go on a kayaking trip, like, lifejacket is on and I'm in the water... And then my alarm goes off. Sad day... I couldn't even go kayaking in my dream D: 

--Awesome Stuff--

+If doing yoga in the airport wasn't considered weird.

+Going to the beach (and being hot) on Christmas DAY! 

+Obama golfing at our church on Dec 26th.

+Girl at a coffee shop complementing on my polished nails..."I wish we could paint our nails here." ...I feel your pain, lady. I can't paint mine while working either.

+Climbing up the side of a waterfall (3x) with Mark and two of my brothers.

+Praying with and serving homeless people of intercity Denver.

+New year resolutions are in full swing. aka, Gym=packed.

+The movie Frozen and everything about it. I cannot wait to see it as a live musical!

A few pictures from Hawaii.

A few pictures from Denver.

First day of skiing was beautiful!

Second day was a blizzard.

Both days were great. :)

The last few days in CO were spent with these amazing people!!

Now I'm back in school, back to the books, back to the studying and back to routine! 

Next week will be the third week of classes, but the FIRST week with 5 days in a row of classes. Our first week had a three days of school, and this past week had 4. I guess we're slowly easing our way into the semester, and I'm okay with that. :)

living

Usually people are excited to start their first day of classes, am I right? New classes, empty binders, seeing old friends, a clean slate and just the excitement of starting over.

My first day back was this past Tuesday, and that morning was not one of those happy first days.

I woke up dreading the things to come. My stomach felt sick, and I was miserable. I dragged my heavy body out of bed, did my morning routine, ate breakfast & started making my pb&j sandwich for lunch. 

By this time the pain was almost unbearable. I honestly think it was God trying to get my attention. "Rosala, you need to give this day to Me.... Let ME handle it." This verse was running through my head: 

"Seek Me and you will find Me when you seek me with all your heart."

With ALL your heart.

I left my half made sandwich (who does that?!) and ran to my room & read my devotional. It was perfect. I love when God does that.

From Psalm 4:

"Answer me when I call to You.
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress.
Be merciful to me & hear my prayer."

It goes on, & I encourage you to read it. So beautiful.
I prayed and asked Him for relief from my distress. Almost immediately my body felt better, my stomach didn't feel like puking, and I felt God's comfort. Truly amazing. 

I encourage you, if God is pulling or knocking, answer Him. Drop what you're doing (homework, laundry... sandwich-making) and talk to Him. Read His Word. Yes, those other things are important, but something else is more important. 

Give each morning & day to Him.