"I'll be home for Christmas"

As I sat in the Atlanta airport on a rainy Thursday morning waiting for my connecting flight, "I'll be Home for Christmas" played throughout the terminal. Ah, the words rang true for me right then. On my way home for Christmas. What a wonderful feeling.

Fall semester 2010 is over. I am now half way through my sophomore year, which is a little hard to believe sometimes. Looking back through this semester I'm just filled with thanks. It started off a little rough with me trying to adjust to changes in the atmosphere and a fuller class schedule. But, through it all God was and still is faithful. Oh, how wonderful it is to be able trust God knowing that He is an unchanging God who always keeps His promises.

Right now I am home (wherever home may be). The semester is behind me and I'm here with the family. It is wonderful. This period of rest will be much appreciated. I got all my grades back today and am thanking God once more for helping me maintain all my scholarships. With those grades in hand I can now really rest and enjoy my break knowing that that semester is done and gone. Ah.

In other news, these verses have been read the past two Sundays in different churches and I just think they are amazing.

Matthew 2:9-11,"After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

I love the last part of verse 10, "they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." Wow! Talk about super rejoicing. It's like Matthew just couldn't describe the wise men's reaction any other way. They saw just the star that marked where the King was and they rejoiced. Not just a simple, "Yeah. After all this traveling we're finally here." No, they were almost overly excited. They knew that this King was greater than any other King, or person for that matter. And so they rejoiced exceedingly (greatly) with great joy! They rejoiced that much just for seeing the star! Imagine how they reacted when they saw Jesus, the King! Verse 11 says, they fell to the ground and worshipped Him. These kings, or wise men, who came far from the east, fell to the ground to worship the King of kings! They gave Him extravagant gifts and worshipped Him with probably even more joy than when they had simply seen the star.

Reading those few verses is a good reminder of how awesome it is that Jesus Christ came to earth. How awesome it is that the King of all kings came to earth to be born as a baby and then to suffer and die to cleanse us from our sin and to bring us back into a right relationship with God. Oh! The wise men were right to rejoice exceedingly with great joy! And I pray that during this Christmas season, and even throughout every day, that I too would follow the wise men in rejoicing in what God has done, and not a simple rejoicing, but rejoicing exceedingly with great joy.

Well, this post ended up longer than I thought it would, so I should close until next time, which shouldn't be too long seeing as no finals will be getting in the way. (Yea!)

Georgia On My Mind

Thanksgiving break was packed with fun and restful stuff, but it all too quickly came to an end. Sunday morning we were up before the sun rose. We packed our bags and headed off for the airport. Goodbyes were said and hugs were given before Damarise and I darted out of the cold into the welcoming airport.

While waiting in the airport we got to see the sun rise above New York. Mm, what a beautiful sight. It reminded me of Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Isn't it wonderful that God's compassions are as sure as the sunrise. It never fails. What an awesome promise.

Our flight left on time and before we knew it we were up in the air bidding a fond farewell to New York. I was so tired that I slept for the whole two hours of flight time. When I woke up the pilot was announcing our arrival into Atlanta. Ah, back in Georgia again.

A good friend from Covenant offered to pick us up from the airport. It was wonderful! (and SO nice of him!!) While Damarise and I were waiting for him, we sat down in the airport to wait. I love sitting and waiting in airports. I love watching people hugging and smiling when their spouse, child, or friend gets off the plane. There's always so much joy in airports. I also love that airports are now playing Christmas music.

Before we knew it our friend was there to drive us home. We had a fun and relaxing drive back home. And, for now the Traveling Banana is taking a break from traveling. Passport and suitcase are safely tucked away while homework is everywhere. Papers need to be written, projects finished, and presentations presented before I can once again travel for Christmas Break. For now though, I'm happy to be back in Georgia.