Erica's Place

As you can either tell, or as most of you know so well... I am a Christmas girl inside and out. Christmas means so very much to me, it is what I look forward to all year around and then what I start missing immediately when it is gone. But like everyone knows, Christmas is not just a day, or a season, it is what you make of it and what is in your heart. I love to celebrate the Lord's birth, and I love the spirit of giving; I always have. But it is more than just giving and receiving, it is more than just a day set aside to celebrate Jesus' birth. It is believing that Jesus lived, died and is alive again, it is believing that no matter what may come every day can be just like Christmas to you and me. It is the hope for a better future, it is the love of family, friends and knowing how much you are loved by God as well. It is the child-like faith in the SPIRIT of Christmas itself.. This song following is one of my favorite songs... Josh Groban sings it and it has such a beautiful...

Wow.... This holiday has already come and gone... The three of us kids got here around 5 on Wednesday, and we had dinner and a relaxing time with my Aunt Carlene, then Yesterday was so tiring (especially for my poor Aunt). Each of us kids had cooking projects to do, as well as trying to make sure everything got set out properly. We got to eat lunch/dinner around 3 and it was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Then we all relaxed for about an hour and a half until Uncle Marty and Aunt Marcia showed up! Michael came over as well, and we all had pie, and then later after Uncle Marty and Aunt Marcia went to their hotel (compliments of Michael) we played Wii and Scattergories (spelling?) and then had leftovers! Yum! It was a pretty relaxing evening! Today we slept in a bit and then were up (me unfortunately with Sinus problems and a headache/migraine) and we went with Uncle Marty, Aunt Marcia, and Aunt Carlene to Hana Yori.... YAY I FINALLY GOT THE NAME RIGHT lol! It was SOOOO good I love restaurants th...

I know Christmas is a month from today, and I thought I would give you my favorite reading... I know we don't believe in Santa Claus, but it is the THOUGHT of the Santa Claus spirit that is alive in us today, and in the celebration of Christ's birth. It is definitely not about the gifts, it is what is inside you.... Sigh... Christmas! So here goes! Is There a Santa Claus? From the Editorial Page of The New York Sun, written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897 We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun: "Dear Editor--I am 8 years old. "Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.' "Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O'Hanlon 115 W...

This weekend was rather eventful, We had a Basketball tournament Friday, and I went to that, but didn't stay the whole time because I wasn't feeling so great, then that night I had sign team practice at 10... It was just 5 of us for the longest time because quite a few people including the director went out to eat after the tournament... They showed up around 10:45. But practice went well, and I found out once the director got there that I was going to be doing a part of the first verse on Lord You're Holy, as well as all the ad-libbing... Lol so I was there til almost midnight. So, on Saturday, I lounged around, cleaned and then I once again babysat for the same family from before. The children were once again angels. The youngest was NOT ready for bed when I put her in bed though, so I kept going up there trying to put her to sleep, lol at one point I could hear her singing her ABC's(I heard all this through the baby monitor in her room)as loud as she could. She is on...

It will be worth it all, When we see Jesus Life's trials will seem so small When we see Christ One glimpse of His sweet face All sorrows will erase So may we run this race Til we see Christ. This was the song sung in chapel today. An old but VERY TRUE song. Some of you know what has been going on in our family and in my own life, but it just seemed like bad things keep happening and life was just getting overwhelming to me. But yesterday, after a rather teary talk with my mom about the insurance and braces and money in general she calls them... and somehow gets them to do what she wants! So it looks like I may get my braces off (In Jesus Name I will at least) while I am home for break. Then I started worrying about other things this morning... And once again Mom came through for me... Thanks Mom! Then Chapel begins... And this song is sung, and I started thinking how true this is. We will not remember ONE thing from our life on earth. All we will see is Jesus and His goodness. ...

So I know I know, I am not in chorale, I wish.. lol. But I went to my Aunt's to see them perform this last weekend. So it was an interesting weekend though... Friday night I babysat at one of the biggest houses I have ever been in, and I did not get back to the dorms from there until after one! It was crazy! But the kids were in bed by 10... They have 3 children. A 2 year old ADORABLE girl, an 8 year old girl, and an 11 year old boy... They have to be the most well mannered children I have met. They asked permission for EVERYTHING that they did and if I said no, they did not question me... I give kudos to those parents. They got themselves ready for bed no questions asked, and when I put the 2 year old to bed (after reading her a fun book) she only asked for her tubby which is actually an Anne Geddy *spelling?* baby that she thinks is a teletubby... and then she went right to sleep... It was a VERY quiet night, and they live practically in the country. So it was a little scary too ...

If you are hurting not knowing what to do If you are wondering how to make it through The darkness that has come is not here to last Even when you're hurting and your "perfect" life has cracked You may think there is no one that cares But there IS One upon whom or sorrows bear There are times when you can not see the way In those times you try but can not seem to pray You're hurting and hoping that the darkness will fade away It seems so overpowering, surely it can not stay There is something that YOU have to do You see my friend, YOU have to do it for YOU Don't you know that when you are crying God is crying too? He feels all the hurt and pain that you are going through. Remember as you travel through the darkest of night That morning WILL come and everything will be made right I've heard it said rain must fall into everyone's life But it is up to you to mourn or be blithe This is a poem that I started years ago but never quite finished... and I still hav...

So I didn't really have much time the last week to get my DeKalb pictures up. I went on yet another MSA trip this time to DeKalb, but with a few of the same people and some others. It was so much fun! I love small churches! So, I here are some pictures from DeKalb. So I got back from DeKalb around 2:30 Sunday night.... had tests the next day... Helped Justin record a song for his song writing class, practiced for and then went to a freshman chapel that evening and then had a mandatory meeting with Sis Mooney and all girls... I had not even STARTED to pack yet lol! The next day was Day apart and I was not sure what it was exactly except I knew it was no classes and I was going to skip all together til Cheryl texted me that it was mandatory attendance for the meetings at 11 and 5... So I ran down to breakfast and went to the meeting, signed in... and after the meeting went upstairs to pack! I flew out that night for Cali! It was so good to be home even for one night. West Coast was a...