i went to a church retreat over the weekend. my first time in wisconsin.

i was a little hesitant about going because of all the reading and studying i had to do, but i knew that it would be good for me so i went. i've been attending the church since august, but this is really the first time i've been able to hang out with people. i'm glad i went. even though i got less than six hours of sleep the whole weekend, i felt rested and even energetic.

here are a couple of things i learned and experienced this weekend:

- the gospel works. throw it out there and it will be dynamic even if the person delivering the gospel may not have it all together.
- the harvest is now. it's blueberry season and blueberries are hanging from all over the place, yet so many of us are just looking at the blueberries, but not taking and eating the blueberries.
- i got just as much studying done this weekend in less than half the time i usually spend on weekends
- you can live as a single forever, but you cannot live without community.
- in order to have real community, speaking the truth in love is more important than being polite.
- several people told me that i have a west coast accent, but no one can explain to me what that sounds like.
- i've turned into a coffee snob.

now i'm back to being a boring law school student, but with a renewed attitude on life and the gospel. for the first time in years, i understand the importance of church retreats. in the midst of the busyness of life, it really is good for the soul to (literally) take time away, reflect and have fellowship with brothers and sisters.

even youths grow tired an weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
isaiah 40:30-31

new year. new semester. new classes. new attitude.

happy new year. i'm going by the lunar calendar.

i can't believe that it's already february. last week, chicago got hit with a pretty serious blizzard. all of downtown chicago shut down at 3pm on tuesday through thursday. my first snow days. the winter hasn't been too bad. but i've been told that i have yet to experience real chicago winter. whatever. the blizzard last week was one of the worst blizzards chicago has seen in years. and it really wasn't that bad. so long as you stayed inside, of course.

i've been pretty busy this semester. i really have no excuse for slacking off. this is my second semester and i know what i have to do in order to perform well. my feelings about law school haven't changed much. i still enjoy it. i think i enjoy this semester even more because i actually like the subjects i'm taking. criminal law. property. contracts. fun stuff, really. especially property. i know, i'm a nerd.

i have a friend who is trying to find herself in law school. and let me tell you. law school is not the place to find yourself because it's tough to get through even when you know that you really want to do law. so i'm thankful that i am able to enjoy law school. i will admit that i'm not sure what i'm going to do after law school, but for now, i feel confident that this is where i'm supposed to be.

the current theme in my life is that God is in control. but that doesn't mean i can stand back and expect God to pull through for me when i haven't done my part. i need to work hard and prepare myself so that God can use me when he calls me. i want God to be able to use me to do great things. i need to be prepared to answer when God calls. i don't want to say, "wait up, God. give me a few years to prepare." i want to be able to say, "here i am, send me." for now, that means doing my best as a student.

it's the year of the rabbit. my year. i guess that makes this year special. we'll see.