Sunshine and Palm Trees

Greetings from Florida! Yes this is where my Christmas vacation is taking place, and yes, it is warm here. I was sort of worried it would be like on Home Alone 2 when they go to Florida and it was raining the whole time, but it is actually a bit like summer here. It felt weird to say Merry Christmas, when all I wanted to say was, "Happy first-day-of-summer!" College is going well. When I get back from vacation finals for this semester will start to begin and I'll be moving into the second semester. It's been a good few months. It took me a little while to get used to changes and being on my own, but I am finally settling in and enjoying my college time. I've made some great friends, most of whom are my roommates. Normally you wouldn't think so, because it seems like we are always together, but we get along so well and I truly believe God put us all in the same room together for a reason. I luv the girls I room with so much! They are such good friends to me. I am missing all my family and friends back home, I hope you are all doing well and are having a wonderful Christmas. I can't wait to see you again soon - I luv you all! Here are some pictures:

Here We Go...

This is what I'm thinking as we left the land I've come to love. We left yesterday, and right now, I'm sitting in a hotel in Grand Forks, North Dakotah. Still lots of driving to go. Trying to catch last minute glimpses of Alberta, a tear rolls down my cheek as I realize I won't be back for at least two years. Saying bye to many people I love, not knowing when I'll see them again. My last day of church at the Paul Band I got a sudden pain in my chest, and I whispered to my Mom, "Ok, this is either heartburn or heartbreak." Probably the latter. I can't help but feel, one stage of my life has just ended and another chapter is about to begin. At the same time as these emotions, I'm also feeling excitement. I'm going to college! And to a great one! WOW! It's pretty easy to say right now my moods are varying. :S Passing through the border was pretty easy, and I got the stamp on my passport which means I can stay in the U.S. as a student. Things went pretty smoothly at the Department of Homeland Security. :D That was a big blessing. Well, I am missing you all, and I will update when I can.
Talk to you later!!!
-D.L.

p.s. I found a heart-shaped chip! Thought that was cool. :)

How do you make time fly?... by throwing a clock out the window.

That's not how it's flying in my life. This past year has gone by so fast, and I realized that what my parents said was true - that the older you get, the faster time goes by. In just, a couple short weeks I'll be starting at Hyles-Anderson College, and it will be a big change. This is also about the time my parents are starting on deputation. To see more about them you can go to : http://www.whileondeputation.blogspot.com/ My last day at ATS was on Friday, and that was a sad day. I'll miss the friends that I've made there. This next week will be full of packing and goodbyes. We're having a yard sale this coming weekend, and we are hoping to get everything gone! Right now I'm up in High Level, guests at a church, and we ran into a friend! That was a blessing, as it sort of helped as we had to leave our dog, Dixie up here for the next couple of years. We are heading back home tomorrow morning, to get to work on getting the house all packed up. Also, I have some kittens at the moment, so if anyone would like one, let me know. They are cute and free!
Hope everyone has a good week, and I will talk to you later. :)
-D.L.