T - 24 days

Well, December has finally showed it's face, and it's very cold... Ohio, the one place that waits till December to snow, and then stops in April. I'm really not so sure what I think about snow. I love it, and I hate it. I really hate the problems it can cause in relation to going places. Like yesterday, me and some friends were going to head over to Dominick's house, who lives all the way up yonder in Batavia. But the snow killed our several weeks of planning :/ The high way was too dangerous to take, so we ended up having a small party at our house. Wasn't the same though. And it's so dang cold! I would LOVE it if we could have heat and snow together, but that just doesn't work very well... I hate the cold. It's almost worse than having to wake up early. Or having to wake up early when it's cold. That right there is the worst. But anyway yes, I hate the cold, so so much. I hate wearing massive amounts of clothes, and having to pile on big bulky coats. I really prefer just wearing jackets, or just a t-shirt. Or no shirt... Except not really. I also hate snowball fights, and such. I'm not very good at them, or making snowballs, so I get pelted a whole lot. And cold snow inside your clothes does NOT feel good.
On the other side though, I love the snow. It's so much fun to sled in! And it's so beautiful, when the whole world around you is blanketed in pure white. It sucks after they plow it, but for a little bit, it's so beautiful and peaceful. And I LOVE it when the water ices over, especially near waterfalls. It's one of the most beautiful things ever!
Sadly, you can't have one without the other. Luckily, it doesn't last for too long.
December is going to hold a lot of things, both good and bad, upcoming. First and foremost, Christmas break! I cannot wait for school to be over for a few weeks, and for some time to not have to think so hard on unpleasant things to come! The only thing I'll really miss is co-op. I love co-op. Especially the fact that I get to have every class with ma bestest friend Becca! That's makes things cheerier. And lunch and fourth period are the BOMB. Lunch, because I can chill with everybody, and all the cool people who I didn't manage to get any classes with, like Doug or Cami or Kasey or Emma or Justin, although I have fourth period, which is free hour, with him! And then free hour is the best! Me, Justin, Nate, and Andrew originated a prayer group/card playing group. It's the coolest thing ever, and so much fun :) And then mum's class, British lit, is so much fun :) and Josh is in that, the only class I have with him :/ good times!! Anyway, back on topic.
Other good things to come this December are the co-op semi-formal, which is gonna be fun. Apparently it's a dance too. I wish I could dance :/ I can however, go crazy, and slowdance. But nothing else spiffy, which depresses me. But it's going to be fun :) and afterwards, the after party!!
And then, just today, I got this card for helping get a Christmas present for people who can't get them, and it's going to the Christmas shop that they're doing at the church. I am so excited to be able to help in a way like this, it's so cool! :) It was actually a really random piece of luck that I picked up the paper. I kinda rushed out of the auditorium afterwards, forgetting to grab one. And I didn't remember for the longest time, and then finally, while we were outside, and Dustin was leaving, there was one just sitting on the ground! Kasey asked if it was Dustin's, and it wasn't! So I gnabbed it. And I was so psyched, because I would have been bummed if I had totally missed out. We get to turn it in on the 20th!
And then the {re}-Gifter is coming on the 21-23! Anybody who reads this and is going, please go on the 22nd at 8! That's when I'm going, and we should totally party together while watching :). I cannot wait to see this movie, it sounds spiffy!
The only bad thing that actually has come to mind is my history midterm. It's like... 30 pages long, half or more of which are essays, and then there's matching, short sentence problems, maps, etc etc. It's not going to be fun at all... But we have to do stuff like them twice each school year :( George Grant is evil!
Anyway, the obvious BEST thing coming this month: Christmas! It's weird. This year has gotten me feeling totally different about Christmas. For one, we're not going anywhere to visit family, which will be a bummer, but also very nice. But really, I just haven't been looking forward to the whole gift getting. I mean, there's some stuff I'd really like, like a new ipod, and some books and such. But nothing I really REALLY am desperate for. But I'm really psyched about getting to get people gifts! I don't really have any ideas, but I've got so many more friends that last year, and it's gonna be great. And then also, in church today, Alton was actually talking about this a bit. But in relation to not even buying gifts. Making gifts, etc. And giving money to the poor. And such like that. It got me thinking. But I don't know. I still think buying gifts is good, and something I wanna do, but I definitely want to make some stuff now too. One thing I actually thought of, was, (after a comment Alton said about loving to get presents in the form of cash or gift cards) to either take up donations for Alton, just cause he's awesome and deserves it; or get him a giftcard to Claire's ;). Anywho, we'll see. But really, I almost want to take the focus off of gifts all together. Even though it's a great thing, really, Christmas isn't about that. It's about celebrating Jesus, the one person that came and was not only willing, but completely able to go up on a cross, and sacrifice His very life, for the sins of not just me, and not just you; but of everybody in this whole world. Even the people you hear about on the news bombing places in India, or raping innocent girls, or robbing banks. Even the guy who sits in his room watching porn, or the kid who beats up other innocent kids at school for fun. Even the very own people who were sitting there, mocking him on the cross, whipping him, nailing his hands into that wooden statue, and piercing his side. And for you and me.
Woah. That's gotta send shivers down your spine. Or I would hope. Somebody's willing to sacrifice their life, and take up all the sin that you have and will ever commit, and take it upon themself? Doesn't that just send you into a fit of the heebie-jeebies? I mean come on. He didn't have to die. He didn't have to stay on that cross, or even take all the mocking. He could have struck those people down, wrenched Himself from that cross, healed all His wounds, and reigned fire down on us all. But no. Instead He chose death for Him, and life for us. Dude... that's hardcore love. He died for me. After all I've done, He died for me, knowing full that I would still sin, and fall short of His glory? Geesh. Our God is so amazing.

Anyway, I hope this last month of our year treats you all well! I encourage you to dwell on to dwell on how wonderful a saviour we've been blessed with this month! God Bless!

Arrivederci!

-Mikey