whatever is lovely

The perfect song, that I didn't even know I had, came on when I was listening to iTunes on shuffle while doing homework tonight. I love when the Spirit speaks to me through music. Causes me to pause, think, and pray the words. Outlines and embodies the prayer that I didn't know my heart was desperate to confess. "Make Me Over" by Natalie Grant had that effect on me. I was going to just type out some of the lyrics, but they're all getting to me, so copy-and-paste it is!  I've been silent instead of speaking up Gave my advice instead of giving love I have been unfair, faithless and unkind I have shut my eyes just so I would stay blind It's not what I meant to do 'Cause I wanna honor you [Chorus:] Make me over, make me new Make me a mirror, a reflection of you Take me all apart Take me to your heart and pull me closer Oh, Jesus, make me over Take away the pride that whispers in the dark Take the stone out of the middle of my heart Hidden u...

Yes, I'm alive and still in Europe. In the past three weeks I've been to Prague, Interlaken (again), The Hague, Amsterdam, and just out and about in Maastricht. Here's a quick glimpse!  Watch me go off the canyon swing in Interlaken!! I'm still having a wonderful time, I hope you can tell! Someday, when I don't have reading, tests, presentations, and papers galore, I'll add the stories  and memories  that go along with these! For now, in the chaos and stress of the end of the semester :  I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord  in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord;  be strong and take heart  and wait for the Lord.  -Psalm 27:13-14-

Our second stop last week was Lucerne, Switzerland. It had been one of my favorite places from the Europe trip I took in high school, so I was excited to go back. The two hour train ride to get there from Interlaken had beautiful views for the entire ride. I love Switzerland! Alex and I traveled there by ourselves because the other girls' sledding excursion took the entire day.  Upon arriving, we hopped on the bus to get to our hostel, eager to put our backpacks down and find some real food for the first time of the day. But we got on the bus going the wrong direction, so that took longer than expected. Then, when we finally got going in the right direction, we missed pushing the button at our stop and had to get off at the next one. As soon as I stepped off of the bus, I immediately realized that my Eurail pass was no longer in my hand. Commence panic mode. Alex was reassuring, saying I probably just had put it in a pocket or my purse, but I knew. And I felt like I was going to g...

Blogging is turning into somewhat of a chore, so I'm going to try to make these short and sweet for my sake and yours!! But, well, no promises. Sometimes I just can't stop. Also, I'm breaking my carnival break up into different posts per city!  Day One  We started off our carnival trip traveling to Interlaken, Switzerland. It was a long day of trains, but so worth it once we arrived! Our hostel, Backpacker's Villa , was incredible. It was super cute, clean, there were Bible verses posted and a wonderful little meditation room, we had our own room, and the girls at the desk gave us great recommendations/didn't get fed up with us asking them questions nine times a day. We ate rosti, a traditional Swiss meal for dinner.  Day Two  Paragliding had been discussed all along in planning this trip, but I wasn't sure if it would work out. I'm a total thrill chaser/adrenaline junkie so I was 100% game, but the other girls didn't seem so sure. But we talked to ou...

We have this week off from class to celebrate Carnival (think Mardi Gras). Alex and I were considering going to Italy with some friends, but decided to go for something more low-key and not go with such a big group. So tomorrow morning, along with our friends Lainey and Emily, we are going to Switzerland then Austria! We decided to stay in Maastricht this weekend to catch up on sleep, homework, and see what the talked-up Maastricht Carnival was all about.  It was so great to sleep in and relax a little. These past three weeks have been incredibly fast-paced. As in I get excited when I look at my watch before bed and don't have to wake up for 5 hours. Lots going on, between tons of reading for school, making plans and traveling, and spending time with my wonderful friends, new and old.  Because we took advantage of a chance to slow down, I only really saw Carnival today, Sunday. It was super fun but one day was enough for me!  Alex and I getting ready ...