Today begins my first full week of college for Fall 2010 and I can't say that I'm super excited about it, but I am excited about the weekend I had!  Friday night we had a birthday party for one of the girls from my freshman floor and it was just a really good time to connect again and hang out.  Some of us came back to my room afterward and watched part of Emma.  We finished off the night by going over to Emily's room, she's a freshman RA and it was fun to visit!  It's so crazy to me when I think about how much has changed in the last two years and how much my friends and I have changed (for good).  It was just so clear to me how much more grown up I am compared to freshman year.

Saturday was also fabulous, probably more so because I got to see Shelby and my Uncle Kent!  They were up in the cities for a volleyball tournament at Augsburg and Michael and I went to watch.  It was so much fun!  I love volleyball and watching it was so great especially since it was Central.  Central volleyball just has a special place in my heart as it has always been a family thing for me.  The last time I went to a game I went with my Grandpa Butch and I have some good memories from then and other Central volleyball games.  So watching volleyball was great but seeing Shelby and Kent was way better!  I know I've been at college and away from home for two years now but I still miss not getting to see Shelby (and all my family) as much so I really treasure those times I do get to spend with them and wish there could be more.  I don't really know what else to say other than that it was so good and I wish it could happen more often! 

Sunday was also very good.  Church was so uplifting.  The songs we sang were just filled with Gospel truth and the message was from Jude and focused on remaining in God's love through building yourself up with the Gospel, praying, and waiting eagerly for Heaven.  I was reminded of the fact that while my love isn't fixed or perfect God's is.  His love for me is forever and it never changes, not even when my love for him is less.  The pastor shared this analogy with us: it's like a mother holding a young child, both are holding on but the child's safety rests in the strength of their mother's arms not their own.  After church Michael and I got Chipotle and then just relaxed for a little while before finishing up some homework.  We spent tonight over at Jason and Claire's (Michael's brother and sister-in-law) apartment for dinner and games.  I love getting to hang out with them, they are so much fun and yeah I just really appreciate them and getting to see them as often as we do. 

It really was a blessing of a weekend and I'm very thankful for it.  Hopefully it will help me to be more joyful tomorrow when I wake up to be at work at 8:00 :)