Goodbye Christmas break...

...hello to the month from hell! Today I started classes...my last semester, woot woot! In one month from today I take my comprehensive exam in Philosophy. It is a six hour handwritten essay test...yikes! Today marks the first day of "freak-out" mode for me! Not only do I have to study hard for my test but I also have three intensive classes. Yes, I am stressed and I will be until Feb. 28th at about 3 pm. I am trying not to work a lot this next month, which is VERY hard for me to do. I am just trying to take it a day at a time and stay sane. Good thing I have two awesome friends to hold me accountable and keep me from going crazy! Speaking of those two friends, I should mention that this past Christmas break was seriously the BEST break ever because of them. They are what makes it hard for me to say goodbye to my break and actually start back with my rigorous schedule of work, school, work, school, etc. But, hey, I have got to learn boundaries so now is the perfect time to start implementing some!

So, as I reflect on my Christmas break (a whole month and a half), I am completely and utterly overjoyed and blessed beyond words. The highlight of my break was for sure my trip with a friend to Ouray, CO for some hardcore ice climbing!
However, I cannot say enough about a family which I have adopted...wait, no, I mean a family that has adopted me! Ever since a friend re-appeared in my life about two months ago, her family has been nothing short of totally amazing to me! I spend more time at their house then I do at my own because I seriously feel so safe and comfortable there. I even spent four nights over there chatting the night away while my friend was gone for 10 days on a trip...yes that is how much I like them! I cannot remember the last time I felt so loved and cared about...they refuse to have me come over and not eat, they treat me like one of their own daughters, my friend's mom and I have had some long, deep discussions about everything and anything! I cannot tell you enough about them; there are just not any words to explain the joy and gratitude I feel. I wish there was something I could do or say to truly show my appreciation. To give you an idea...I feel the presence of the Lord while with them and in their house...what an amazing family! I wish I could only tell them how much they mean to me! I love them all soooooooo much!