Short 'n Sweet Update

I haven't updated in a while.

Short 'n sweet version:

-I turned 21 last weekend. Some friends from Des Moines came to the Rock and ate cake with me afterwards, which was wonderful. :) My little brother took me out for lunch and I spent the rest of my bday going to class and working. It was good.

-I played in the ISU Concerto Concert last Saturday. I performed Weber's Clarinet Concerto #2 Mvt. 3. It went WAY better than it should have considering my hand circumstances. God answered prayers BIG TIME! I got a DVD and CD of the performance, and might try and figure out how to put it up on youtube for the fam and friends that couldn't make it to the actual performance.

-My laptop chord busted on me on Saturday-- it has been really weird going without a laptop all week! It has been good for me though. Top Songs for April will be a bit belated, as I don't have access to my tune-age at the moment. I ordered an iPod touch for my birthday. Haha, best part is I didn't realize the features of it til after I ordered it. I didn't know it had internet and games and stuff. I wonder how long it will take me to learn how to use it.... ?! I'm definitely not a technology genius.

-Josh McDowell is going to be in Des Moines this whole weekend speaking on different topics. I can't wait to be encouraged by this man's truths he is going to share!!!!

-I had an MRI and 9 viles of blood drawn last week to see what else is going on with my hand. The MRI showed that I have 2 cysts on my right hand carpal tunnel. My doctor doesn't think it's serious enough to operate on at the moment- but it will continue to be monitored and if tendonitis makes a comeback, I will probably have to have surgery. My hand is gradually healing. I'm finally able to use my right hand fingers slightly. And now that I'm off my steroids, I can actually take pain reliever!! PTL!

-God has continued to be faithful to me and bless my socks off when I don't deserve it. I learned SO many things in Spain that are still fresh in my mind and I continue to be in a mindset of trying to apply these learned truths to my life here in Ames. It's a process of transformation. It's hard. It's worth it. I'll blog more on this later.

Sending love to you, readers.

:-)

Remember to keep your eyes directed above. That's where hope and purpose lie.