You're brilliant, grace marked your heart.

I'll be headed up the hill to hang out with Lauren in a few minutes, but I just wanted to give y'all a taste of how blessed I am to be where I am.

I just got back from a little bus adventure to Pike's Place Market to buy a gift for Lauren. It felt so good to be on my own. I finally feel comfortable going downtown by myself. I just dress up, grab my 75 cents to pay for bus fare, take a deep breath and embrace my independence. I love Seattle so much.

I got home and turned on Switchfoot's latest album Hello Hurricane!, which my friend Greg compiled on a MP3 along with some Anberlin and chill-out music. I've been wanting this album for a long long time. Jesus knew that it would make me happy, so he worked things out. I didn't even have to buy it. So happy!

Yesterday Greg, Eleni, and I went up to CrossFit Advantage to workout with a big group of friends and CrossFitters. I saw Natalya for the first time in forever. She's coming down to Seattle on Thursday, and we might go for dinner or something. Her life is really exciting right now (she's going to INDIA in September!), and it will be a blessing to hear about it. Love that little joy so much.

I have my French Final tomorrow. I have to finish the final touch-ups on the writing requirement, then I'll be all set. My partner for the Oral part is a cute Japanese girl, Karera. Her home was devastated in the Tsunami. Her family is fine, which is good, and she has such a great attitude. "We will overcome," she said. She makes me really happy, and I'm going to miss her. This will be my last time at Seattle Central until... I'm not sure. Maybe never. I'm already starting to feel nostalgic. It's been such a delightful experience to be in a classroom. Madame Lonay is retiring after 30 some years of teaching. I'm really gonna miss her. She is a wonderful lady, and an excellent teacher.

Laurel and Chad are coming next weekend. I'm really looking forward to seeing them.

I feel lavished with the gifts of my Father right now. I'm just throwing it all off, and finding joy just going along for the ride as I hold his hand. He's so tender with His children as we work out our lives, through the storms and struggles, and He's so near as he blesses us. I'm rejoicing in the truth "I have come that they may have life and have it in FULL!"