LOL, I got my mom hooked on sudoku...

That's what I came home to find out. The evidence is on this desk. Meh heh heh... I also found an old journal I used for my devotions when I was 16. Man, what a difference three years makes... I suddenly felt very old as I was reading it.

Anyway, I've been staying over at Lou's for the past few days, hanging out with everyone. I loved it. It was like one really long party...only with naps. And cooking. And more chocolate than I want to see for some time...

It was good to be with people and talk about stuff and laugh about the dumbest things. It was also good just to hang out with everyone. I think the times I liked the best was when I was sitting out on Lou's porch, rocking idly back and forth on the swing, surrounded by people. (We were always either all on the Internet or someone was playing guitar, lol...) I didn't say much, but I was so happy then.

We had a big dinner party on Thursday night; it was so awesome. Everyone really stepped out. I made the cake...I worked really hard on it, so I'm glad everyone seemed to like it. I told Jones half-jokingly that I put all my love for my friends in that cake, and in a way, I did. I wanted it to be really special because I had been having so much fun with everyone and I wanted it to be my thank-you. Anyway, I was treated to probably the shortest rendition of "Happy Birthday" ever...I'm not even quite sure what happened, but a glass of water got turned over, so the song ended real quick. Erin and Callis were acting like they were the victims of some horrible accident...they were just sitting there in shock for a few moments. Then everyone just started laughing. It was so funny...we did eventually get to the end of "Happy Birthday", though.

Worship last night was awesome, too. It felt really cozy, and I got to see even more people. But you know what's crazy? Even with all those people crammed into the Shack, there was one point during the night when I really did forget everyone was there. I guess it's harder to do that when you're actually in the band...even when you're in the back. I had forgotten that feeling, but I was glad to be able to experience that again.

I ended up reading my Bible in the morning at Lou's instead of in the evening like I usually do. I really felt close to him in the quiet, with the sun still starting to peek out. Maybe I'll start doing my quiet times in the morning now...it felt really peaceful then.

I thanked God so much for my friends so many times these past few days. I really do consider each of them an answer to prayer...I see God in each of them in so many different ways. I can't help but smile and love them, you know? I really am going to miss everyone...but I'll remember times like these and it won't be so bad. I treasure my friendships a lot...even if we can't be right there with each other, I know that the memories I have and the love I have for these people will still be with there. That won't change.

Sheesh...I get sappy when I'm sleepy. Night, people. :)

Oh, yeah...words of wisdom. No one can touch you when you've got a My Little Pony tee on. :P