Rejoice with those who rejoice.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

Empathy is one of my strongest gifts, and I love that about myself. I like that I feel empathy for others and that God has gifted me to feel for others and want to help them. Though, I still feel that verse is hard. Very hard at times.

A co-worker, and wonderful friend of mine, have been talking about this verse a lot. It's such a blessing to be able to work with people who are great teachers, but you also have a lot in common personally and are able to be good friends. I have been thinking about this verse a lot.

Sometimes (maybe most of the time), it's harder to rejoice with those who rejoice than to mourn with those who mourn. Because rejoicing with others brings out the selfish side in me. It's easier to mourn with others when something bad happens, because who wants something bad to happen to you too? It's easy for me, usually, to mourn with others- to feel their pain, pray for them, try to tangibly fix it...

But what about rejoicing with others when they are rejoicing over something that you really wish was happening to yourself? That's hard. I am selfish. It's a constant battle to push my own selfishness aside, because I am sinful.

Don't get me wrong, I still am truly truly happy for others and love to rejoice with those who rejoice; it's just harder when people are rejoicing over things that I wish were happening to me too.

It reminds me of another verse. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Romans 4:11-12

Everyone knows what comes after that in verse 13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." But people don't often stop to ponder the two verses before. Those two verses are nuts.

Being content in whatever the circumstances? In any and every situation? WHAT? I am not good at that. And Paul wrote this book FROM PRISON! I tend to freak out in panic situations, and being thrown into prison would make me crazy- it would not be my first instinct to be content! I wish I could say those verses are true of my life. I would like to be more like Paul.

Overall, I think I am a pretty content person. I truly am thankful for all that God has blessed me with, and I would never want to drastically change my life. I am very happy with my life. Thankfully, I have been blessed to never have experienced true need on this earth like others have. Would I be content if I didn't have enough food to eat? Would I be content if I didn't have a place to live? Would I be content in prison? Paul was also SHIPWRECKED, and he was still content.

I pray that I can truly rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn, while learning to be content in all circumstances.

The weekend my siblings came home.

Friday was Kley and I's Christmas date. It was pretty good, but honestly not as good as I hoped it would be. (Finals just suck the life out of a lot of things- I am so ready for Kley to be done with law finals!). We went to Chipotle for dinner. Chipotle was the big thing in Minneapolis, but Pancheros is my favorite here. I think the meat is too spicy at Chipotle, but my uncle said it's very bland food. Ha. 

Then we ran a few errands- exchanged some leggings and bought a graduation gift for my awesome friend, Stephanie, who graduated from Baylor in TX this weekend! Unfortunately we couldn't go, and she is now in Cancun with her family. Wish I was there!

We were going to go ice skating downtown at the outdoor rink, but that was a bomb. We went, stood in line forever, didn't move, and then they finally came out and told us they ran out of skates, so we left.  Then we were going to watch something, but Kley was on the computer and I fell asleep too early. Super lame.

 Saturday we went to coffee with our friends Mark and Meg, who used to be in our old small group. It was so great to see them and to catch up! 

Then we headed to my parents to see my family, and everyone was home together- yay! We went to The Reason Christmas concert at Valley. It was good, but some of my family members were grumpy about going. Here are me and my sisters together! 

Sunday we had Church and our small group Christmas party. We played The Game of Things and Minute to Win It. Both awesome games.

Hope you had a good weekend! Christmas is almost here! :)

Connecticut.

Friday there was a school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. 27 people were killed- 20 children and 7 adults. I wasn't going to blog about it, because everyone else did, and I am so tired of hearing about it, only because it's so awful and horrible that I just wish it never would have happened and it makes me sick to keep thinking about it. I cannot imagine ever losing a child. I know I'm not a mom yet, so I don't understand, but I can't even imagine it.

From a teacher's perspective, it hits home because I am one. I am honored to read the stories of the teachers who gave their lives protecting their students. I feel as I haven't processed it and am just letting it slide over, because if I really thought about it I might break. I can't even begin to think of how horrible it would be if a gunman came into my classroom and pointed at one of my kids. It makes me cry and feel sick all at the same time. I spend all day with my kids. I know I am not their mom, but sometimes I feel like I am. I know them- I know how to stop their tantrums, how to fix their boo-boos, how to make them laugh, what they like to do, and how to fix most of their problems without them even telling me. I love them, and I cherish and protect them like they are my babies.

The only thing I would like to say is that I am thankful we have a BIG God, who knew this was going to happen, who was with those kids in the school, and who is the ultimate comforter. Someone else posted that, "God was grieved on Friday, but not surprised." I think that's a good way of putting it. I think of the lines from a great song:

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name, let the nations sing it louder
Because nothing has the power to save, but Your name.

I pray that Jesus is a shelter like no other to those families who experienced great loss this weekend.

Christmas with the fam.

My brother and sister are coming home this weekend from college for Christmas! Yay! :)

Hope you are enjoying your celebrations as well.

(This is a picture from my college graduation back in May, 2011.)

Best Christmas movie. Ever.

I understand that many people may disagree with me on this, but this is my favorite Christmas movie of all time and I watch it every year. 

(I also had a big crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas until the day I outgrew him. Unfortunately he is only 5'5"- what a bummer.)

If you have never watched this movie, you should and your Christmas will immediately be better. :)

Relaxing Sunday.

Sunday was so relaxing. I loved every minute. It was so nice to have an afternoon/evening with no plans, especially after a busy week last week.

We laid around, took a nap, watched a movie, read a book, I made chocolate chip banana bread and chili, and talked to a few friends on the phone.

It was wonderful. I wish more days could be like that. :)

Hope you find some relaxing time this week too!

Eating at Splash and visiting the mall in December.

This weekend Kley's parents were here- it was great to see them! Their motto is to always try new restaurants- "to get something you can't get in Orange City because all we have is Taco John's." This is a fun motto, because we get to try new places too! Friday night we went to Splash in downtown Des Moines.

(I admit, that I have lived here my whole life and I have never heard of Splash. Until Friday, that is. Shameful.) It is a really unique restaurant, specializing in seafood. It was really dark, with a few fish tanks, and some really interesting fish-scaly artwork on the walls.

I laughed in shock when I saw this. Who would ever order caviar for $276? Wow wow wow.

My dinner. It was called "Surf and Turf Fettuccine." It was supposed to be a mix for the "non-seafood lovers" that had shrimp and beef tips in it. Honestly, it was just okay.

My dessert- chocolate cake (or something like that)!

Kley and I (notice the artwork).

All in all, I will definitely live without ever visiting Splash again, but it was fun to try something new. If you are a big seafood fan, you might have a totally different opinion- I'm just not a huge fan.

Saturday we hit up the mall because Jana had some errands to run and to do some Christmas shopping. Going to the mall on a Saturday in December is CRAZY. So busy and so many people. (I actually had my Christmas shopping done before December this year, and many people think I am crazy for that. Well, there's my reason. Stores are way too busy in December. And I just like to get things done. :)

I did, though, get some new boots, which I love! (I exchanged a pair from our Omaha shopping trip awhile back- blogged about here.) My original pair was uncomfortable, and my new pair is from Born (super comfortable brand), and I love them!