Oops- November is over!

To begin this 1st post of December- some photos from NYC!!!

AJ & I outside the Gershwin Theatre after experience the phenomenal performance of Wicked!

The skating rink of Rockefeller Plaza- if only we weren't so tired from all the walking...

The banner of the Theatre in which we saw WICKED!

Debi (AJ's mom) and Kelly (AJ's cousin) in front of the Rockefeller Xmas Tree!!!

And a picture of my darling niece at Thanksgiving-

unfortunately I wasn't there, but photos help to keep in touch!

Hello from 40 degree Princeton on Dec. 1st!

I know that time continues at a constant rate, but regardless of how much I accept this empirical fact, my perception tells me that November went by extremely quickly....and I think I only managed to blog a few times last month...

Well, we did have Thanksgiving break, so I technically wasn't in Princeton much (as if I really stick to my title when I bloganyway, huh?) :) I have decided to elaborate on other ways I have sought God this past week- traveling outside of my new home Princeton.....

I must say, my excitement for Thanksgiving increased dramatically the week before last, as I finished classes and awaited the coming of AJ and his mother. Turns out, his 15 year-old cousin from PA came as well on Sunday to Princeton. We had a lovely time together, traveling to Atlantic City on Monday to see the coast (walking on a cold beach on Thanksgiving break- not sure I need to make that a tradition) and the excitement of casinos and shops. Although the day was lovely, Atlantic City didn't impress me much... besides the sea (oh, and the dining experience)...since I tend to find contentment (and God) in nature rather than human-constructed buildings, now even moreso since living in a city. (gosh, I'm a country girl... who could have predicted, right family?) :)

On Tuesday we headed into NYC for some city excitement. I have to say this was much more enjoyable for me, probably because I knew more about it and NYC involves much more than casino games! We walked along Broadway, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza (where we saw the scaffolding-encased Xmas tree), past the Empire State Building, and ate at Bobby Flay's first restaurant (in case you don't know who that is, like I didn't- he's a big-time cooking network guy)...the food was excellent (I had delicious sweet-potato raviolli), and in the evening we enjoyed some NYC pizza before heading to WICKED!!! That's right, we decided to embrace the opportunity of a Broadway show while we were there, and Wicked turned out to be an excellent choice. I really love theatre, the only bad part of seeing such shows is the fondness I seem to develop for my personal involvement, which is unfortunately a thing of the past... :) (or is it- I just found out in speech class about auditions for an upcoming spring play here at the seminary) :):) I just might donn that stage makeup yet again!

On Wednesday we traveled to western PA where AJ's mother's family resides and spent a full four days sharing delicious food, lovely walks, great movies, and some definite family bonding. :) I feel quite at home and welcome with his family, which I really appreciate! On Sunday I headed back to Princeton and had ample time to decompress from the week, to realize how much I am grateful for, and to especially reconnect with my heart's desire to be an earnest child of God, seeking life goals which will further God's presence in the lives of others. (sometimes my contemplative side actually has space to bloom here, believe it or not!)

I have especially reflected lately on how ready I am to start a life with Mr. AJ Munger, a man with whom I am falling more and more in love. I say this at the risk of sounding cheesy, yet it most seriously ties in directly with my search for God here at Princeton. The more I understand of this process of becoming a more deeply loving person, the better I see how love determines the foundation of any relationship... and particularly this new relationship with AJ. We are nearing on a year of being together, and I have only become more dedicated to making every effort to reveal my love clearly and without judgment (as demonstrated throughout all of Scripture), which in turn is reciprocated not only between AJ and I, but everyone around us. The love of God is thus manifest in our love for one another...friends, lovers, and strangers alike. I realize these are not original thoughts, but they certainly have begun new thinking in my quest for heartfelt, sustainable relationships with everyone I encounter and even those in other countries and contexts I have yet to meet.

Well, I would love to discuss other aspects of my growing faith, such as the conviction that my general positivity is a gift from God which I feel more and more compelled to display... but not at the expense of disregarding other's misfortunes. Also, I sense a great calling to be with youth, which isn't new, but is definitely continually reinforced.

Yet--- this post is long enough. I'm sending my love in written form to everyone who takes the time to read this.....

Emily