Home for the Holidays

Last day in Chicago before coming home. Had lunch at the Grand Lux.

Props to Josh for the camera work. It was "precious".

Being home has been absolutely the most wonderful thing. I've finally been able to decompress and begin processing both my summer and my fall/winter. I have so much I could say about this semester, this year really, and the things I have learned, or maybe more appropriately, am trying to learn. I've had heavy thoughts and heavy days, with a few lighthearted ones sprinkled in by the grace of God to lighten the load. He's seen me through it, and I know he will continue to sustain me. He's pretty good at this whole refining thing he likes to do.

Christmas is literally just around the corner, and I look forward to having the whole Juchems family together for at least a few days. Just like the good old days, right? Before we all had to go and grow up. I know that on Christmas morning Josh and Mitch will come into my room and try to wake me up at the crack of dawn, just like they always have, so that we can go jump on mom and dad's bed. It isn't much of a surprise to them anymore - we've been doing it for nearly fourteen years now. Tomorrow we will bake the giant sugar cookie to leave out for Santa. It always ends up dry and stale as the Sahara, but Mitch won't let that one go. Believe me, mom and I have tried. And of course, we will spend three hours glued to the tv watching George Bailey kick old Mr. Potter's butt. I cry every time.

So Merry Christmas to everyone who follows me. It has been an incredible year of change and growth and I look forward to the upcoming year with the utmost anticipation. And now that this is starting to sound like a corny new years post, I'll again wish you a Merry Christmas and sign off for the night. Praise God for the birth of his Son and our Saviour!