The holiday season has come and gone, and I must admit that my true Christmas vacation has only now begun. I love the joy and giving spirit of Christmas, but the bustle and stress of the holidays puts normal life on the backburner for a while.
 This season was not the busiest I've ever gone through, but it had its share of parties, church services, and family gatherings.
We kicked off the festivities with the "Glory of Christmas" service at church, which included an original play written by Anna. To say I enjoyed helping some of the cast achieve the appropriately "old" appearance is an understatement. 
​

Several days later, we celebrated Christmas Eve, again with our church family, and then......came the big day.

Most of us slept in Christmas morning, since the morning service wasn't until 11. The kids were bursting with excitement to open presents, but Mom only let them open one before church. 

For Christmas lunch, Dad didn't want Mom to cook, and so he bought a myriad of appetizers, such as pizza rolls, T.G.I Friday's loaded potato skins, mini quiches, and mozzarella cheese sticks. It was absolutely delicious and didn't leave a kitchen full of dishes in its wake. Then, by early afternoon, we decided not to make the kids wait any longer and began to open presents.

Here are a few pictures of the joyous occasion.
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There were many other wonderful moments of that day, but Mom, the photographer, was enjoying herself and didn't want to spend all her time taking pictures. Can't say that I blame her.

I hope your Christmas was as joyful and restful as ours. May this New Year bring sweet times, stronger relationships, and a growing faith in the Lord.

In Christ,

 Abby

Do you know a college student? (You know at least one!)
This post is specifically geared toward those who know Christian college students attending a secular college. Notice that my title doesn't say "Gifts to Give to a College Student" - I'm talking about ways to help Christian young people navigate a both wonderful and dangerous time of life.
First of all, the obligatory picture. 

Here we go!

1. Let them know you are praying for them
Just knowing that someone is actively bringing you before God's Throne of Grace is an instant encouragement. Don't underestimate the power of prayer.

2. Ask questions about how school is going, but be sensitive.
Believe it or not, sometimes college students don't want to think about school - they may appreciate being asked about something else. 

3. Remember that they feel like a fish trying to swim upstream, in a world that wants to pull them along, and encourage them to keep going even in the face of adversity.

4. Ask when important exams are, and give them a text/email on exam day to remind them that you are praying for them.
I also know that random texts/emails are so special, especially since it shows that someone is thinking about you even when there isn't a huge crisis in their life. 

5. Be understanding if they have to occasionally back out of normal activities.
I'm not talking about anything drastic, but if a college student you know tells you that it just isn't possible to come to your get together, please don't be offended. Trust me, the weight of knowing that five projects are due the next day would certainly keep them from having a blast anyway. 

6. And finally, if you sense them pulling away too much from family, friends, and most importantly, God, don't pretend there isn't a problem. 
There's a good chance that they're just feeling lonely or overwhelmed, but it could be something else. If you have a good relationship with them, try to dig deeper and see if there isn't something bothering them that they don't to tell anyone.

And of course, it goes without saying that chocolate is ALWAYS                                                      appreciated!
​

Yeah, I know this is late! Nobody wants to hear that old story that time went so fast, I was so busy, I started school, etc. So I won't make excuses - I'm here now, right?
But in case anyone is wondering how school is going, I can say that it is great to be back in the familiar schedule of getting up early, working hard most of the day, and thoroughly enjoying the few minutes of me time that I get each day. The hard work has already begun, but I thrive on challenge. My classes for this semester are:
Anatomy and Physiology, lecture and lab
U.S. History to 1877
TV, Radio, Internet, Oh my! (An Honors class about communication)
Food Science, lecture and lab
Introduction to Medical Nutrition Therapy 

I'm taking 17 credits, which is the most I've taken so far. Hopefully I will glide through this semester without too many disasters and mental breakdowns. :)

Now, back to the RNC. I cannot believe that I forgot to mention in my last post about seeing Donald Trump. Well, technically, he saw me and I saw his vehicle. As we were singing, his motorcade came by - literally dozens and dozens of police cars and motorcycles with a few SUV's sandwiched in between. I saw a silver SUV go by, but failed to notice him waving at us until others around me starting gasping, "Did you see him waving at us?" I'm no Trump fan, but I definitely felt chagrined that I looked right at his vehicle and didn't see him. I would make a lousy detective.

So anyway, several days after that memorable night I joined a small group, all of whom were members of local churches, to pass out tracts and John & Romans in Public Square. We had heard that most of the excitement was happening here, particularly when it came to protests. Once we got there, I was going to be in a smaller group compromised of me and three other people from my church. As we rode along in the church van toward our destination, I reminded myself that I had survived Monday night, and would most likely get through today unscathed. 

Public Square surprised me at first. It seemed calmer than I had expected, with fewer law enforcement people around and virtually no protests. With a sigh of relief, I stuck by my dear friend Mrs. LiBassi and began handing out the literature to a mostly responsive stream of people. Everything was going great, and the atmosphere was cordial. 

However, after a few minutes, things began to change. A group of Hispanic people began to stir up a large anti-Trump protest right where we were standing. We moved.

Then, a group of "Christians" showed up with some very inflammatory large signs. I can't really judge whether they were born-again Christians or not, but their action were certainly un-Christlike. They set up camp in a large courtyard area and began to attract a large crowd. Then the cavalry came in (so to speak). Literally columns of police officers came swarming in, with helmets and shields. A group began to protest the "Christian" group, and soon both sides were yelling at each other across the crowd. Things got nasty fast. We moved to the outskirts of the crowd, and continued handing out the Gospel to the many people flocking to the chaos. Our male escort, Mr. Nolan, was keeping a keen eye on a man with a gun in case anything got out out control. 

The police formed a physical barrier around the inflammatory group. More law enforcement arrived, and two heavily armed SWAT men took up their position right behind us. It was kinda cool, since they literally looked like they crawled out of an action movie. People kept coming up and taking their picture, which gave us an opportunity to give them a tract. 

We saw a lot of weirdness, but also many civil and even kind people. Several people asked for additional tracts for family members, which we gladly gave. We even met some fellow Christians, who expressed their appreciation for our efforts. Although many turned down the Gospel, just as many accepted the packet. Only God knows the impact His Word has had and will have on their lives. 

After several hours, sunburned, hot, and thirsty, we were picked up by Pastor Royalty. It had been an adventure, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. We were thankful that no serious violence took place, although I know that people were arrested that day. On a funny note, later that day someone's tire blew, causing a total panic. Our pastor's family was taking a shift then, and they said that everyone started running, thinking someone was shooting. 

​Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of our time at the RNC, other than this nice picture taken by a friend from Monday night. 

Leave a comment if you followed the RNC, or whether or not you would go to an event like this!

The Republican National Convention.

The event that caused thousands of people to descent upon Cleveland and sent as many people going as far away as they could from it. 

Truth be told, I normally wouldn't have gone anywhere near the RNC. I'm not a big fan of crowds, and I certainly have no desire to mingle with violent, uncouth protest groups. I don't like any of the presidential candidates, so I wasn't about to go toting a sign in support. Yet, when our church decided to participate in an outreach effort in order to get the Gospel into the hands of the thousands upon thousands of people visiting the RNC, I knew it was an adventure worth being a part of.

The first part of my interaction with the RNC took place Monday night. Several like-minded churches were gathering to sing patriotic songs and pray on the steps of City Hall, and our church was going to join them. Now, I had been hearing for months about the tight security at the RNC and the very real possibility of an attack. 
I live in a rural area. I don't go out much at night. I'm a homebody who likes to avoid danger. Part of my brain was telling me that I was crazy to go downtown where other people were bent on making trouble. But I knew that it was the right thing to do - to show my patriotism as well as my concern for my country's spiritual condition.
So we went- a bus full of cheerful, chatty people who may or may not have been sharing my nervousness. The whole time, I kept reminding myself that I was going not for myself, but for God.
The first thing I noticed when our bus pulled over to the curb and let us out was the tense atmosphere. Maybe it was the sight of soldiers, policemen, and SWAT teams armed to the teeth and milling about. I certainly felt a trifle intimidated by the sight of snipers on top of buildings, ready to fire at a moment's notice. The other people hurrying around were mostly dressed very professionally, and at least half of them seemed to be with the media. It felt very movie-like.

We walked, feeling very conspicuous, until we reached City Hall and were greeted by about a hundred other Christians. To my surprise, big news cameras were already set up to cover our time of singing and prayers, and reporters were interviewing church members.

But once we all started to sing those beautiful, majestic songs such as our national anthem, America the Beautiful, and God Bless America, my initial fear melted away. Sure, we felt like we were in the middle of a war zone, with helicopters whizzing overhead and distant shouting. Who knew if someone might come along and start a ruckus any second. I just stood very close to AJ and smiled for all I was worth. As we alternated singing and praying, I noticed the mayor of Cleveland stroll by and talk to one of the pastors for a while. Then the Cleveland chief of police stopped as well and we all cheered for him. Many people walking by were filming us on their phones, and it was encouraging to see the smiles on most of their faces.

It was incredible. My heart never stopped beating more quickly than usual, and the slightest suspicious sound nearby caused me to look for possible places to hide, but the sheer thrill of letting my voice mingle with so many other Christians seemed to almost lift me out of my shoes. Like so many Americans, I tend to feel despair at the direction our country has gone. Yet it felt so satisfying to hear our country being prayed for in public.

Our time ended too soon, and we reluctantly walked back to meet our bus. Along the way, we thanked the police officers for their service. Many of them had come from states such as Utah and Georgia to help out. I can honestly say that although their presence was a bit intimidating, I am so thankful that so many were willing to stand around and protect people like me. They all did an amazing job. 

​But I wasn't done with the RNC. Two days later, I was going to be going out with a group to pass out John and Romans and tracts on Public Square. Right where the bulk of the protesters were. 

You've probably heard me say this phrase before.

It's the catchphrase of dietitians all over the United States. Why do they have to say it? Because people expect dietitians to eat "perfectly", to live on kale and quinoa and smoothies. I'm just beginning my journey in dietetics, but already I have people looking at me strangely as I eat a warm chocolate chip cookie or sip a deliciously icy Starbucks frappuccino. 

Just to clarify - dietitians and other healthful eating advocates eat sugar. And McDonald's. And doughnuts. 

I have had the privilege of spending a lot of time this year alongside dietitians at various locations across Ohio as well as at school. Whenever we have some time to kill, we enjoy talking about food philosophies. Thus, I've been able to learn first hand what healthy eating is really all about. And that's where the "everything in moderation" phrase comes in. 

One remark that an older dietetic student said in my presence that really made an impact on me was that eating healthfully isn't necessarily about adhering to a strict "diet". She said "Normal, healthy eating is eating one chocolate chip cookie and then saving the rest for tomorrow. And sometimes you just end up eating the whole plate because they taste so good. Both options are normal and okay." She wasn't saying that you should always end up eating the whole plate, but that it really is okay to occasionally indulge. (Of course, if you have a medical condition that strictly forbids a certain food, then you need to do what's necessary to stay healthy.)

I think that that is the idea that has changed me the most since starting my college journey last year. No one needs to feel ashamed in eating a bowl of ice cream. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you're a failure for going through the drive-thru after a hectic day. I can assure you that even those people who have spent years and years studying the body and how it responds to food do it. They just pick their treats and really, really enjoy them. Wouldn't that be a great way to live, instead of feeling guilty?

Having said all of that, I would like to leave you with a couple of really simple tips I've learned along my journey to moderation. 

1) Honestly, if you eat all the fruits and vegetables that you need to, you won't have room for a ton else! 
Half your plate is supposed to be fruits and vegetables, with a quarter being grains and a quarter being protein. This doesn't have to be the exact proportions at each meal, just a general guideline. If 3/4 of your plate is regularly carbohydrates, then you're probably not eating in moderation. 

2) Diet products are tempting, but it's better to just wean yourself off of constantly consuming sweet foods and beverages.
I can speak from experience with this one - sugar is addictive and your taste buds don't know an artificial sweetener from a natural one. I was a sugar fiend growing up, then went for about 6 months without sugar several years ago. It was truly a liberating experience! I have since gotten a bit of my sweet tooth back, but have been slowly but steadily cutting back. 

3) Practice "mindful eating."
Basically, mindful eating is using all five senses when eating. For example, let yourself inhale deeply before eating an aromatic food and let your taste buds really taste all the dimensions of the food. You might even take some extra time to make your plate attractive and visibly appealing. It requires you to slow down and enjoy your meal. I am naturally a really fast eater, so this attitude really helps me. 

I have had this post on my heart and mind for a long time. If you're like me and tend to have guilt attacks after a helping of a decadent dessert, then please relax. Eat your salads, by all means, but feel free to get that Dairy Queen Blizzard occasionally.

Everything in moderation. 

With a great sense of thankfulness and accomplishment, A.J. has finally left his high school days behind him. Of course, I still love to tease him that the work is just beginning! Over the last couple of years, he has discovered his love for advanced math, and will pursue that love through a degree in civil engineering. I can't say that I'm envious, but I can say that I know he will do well thanks to his self-discipline and good work ethic. 
Congratulations, J! 

Now, no graduation is complete with a celebration, and so A.J. joined the other graduates from church for a graduation-themed service. 

On to UAkron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby animals are almost always adorable (with a few notable exception), and our recent batch of goat kids is no different. Check out some of these cuties!

We have seven total, and they are all healthy and adorable. Their names are Lil' Nubbin, Lil' Debbie, Lil' Abner, Jeeves, Lorna, Carver, and Doone. Yes, we had a couple of themes going! 
​C'mon, who doesn't want one?!

Yes, it's that time of year! Actually, it's slightly past that time of year, but I've been super busy with school (story of my life!)

My beloved Doofy turned nine in April! I can still clearly remember the morning of my 11th birthday when Anna handed him to me for the first time. It was love at first sight, and we have been inseparable ever since. To celebrate his birthday, we had an outstanding gala event with fireworks, the finest imported food, and a community parade....almost.
We did have a party, though, with our friends the Nolans in attendance. Here are a two pictures of the epic event.

I look like I was run over by a truck - I was just absolutely exhausted by this point after a whole day of flying around cleaning and cooking. Doof looks pleasant though, which is what matters!

This has nothing to do with Doofy, but I couldn't resist putting in this picture of one of our newborn baby goats. Too cute!

Happy Birthday, handsome!

This is one of those posts that I debated back and forth on whether I should even do it or not.
​I eventually decided to go ahead with it, since the point of this blog is to let you all know what is going on in my life, and my recent activities for Relay for Life have been a big part of my life in the last few weeks.
​So, let me say it - I'm on a Relay for Life Team! I'm very excited to be a part of this cancer awareness event going on at U of Akron. And, to show my support for this great organization that has helped so many people with cancer, I committed to raising $100 for the event. I have met a good portion of that goal already, but I thought I would just get the word out about my fundraising efforts. I don't want anyone to feel pressured into donating, because my relationships with people aren't affected in the least whether they assist me in my fundraising or not. Believe me!
​If you're not sure what Relay for Life is, it is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting those with cancer and funding research for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Each year, over 4 million people in 20 countries unite to support this organization. I am proud to be able to be one of those 4 million this year. I think we all have relatives and friends who have battled cancer, and I feel that Relay for Life is a fitting tribute. My Dad's parents both passed away from cancer, so I have an especially strong motivation to see others with this disease helped as well.
​So, if you should want to help me meet my goal, just go to the Relay for Life homepage where it says "Support a Participant" and make sure to credit the donation to my name. It is a pretty straightforward process. The actual cancer awareness event I'm participating in is this Saturday, so I would need all donations before then. Again, I am just letting you all know about this opportunity in case you are interested.
​Thanks to all those who already have and will continue to support me through this exciting endeavor!

As many of you know, I have always had a passion for doing hair. Few things give me greater pleasure than whipping up a French braid or attempting the perfect ballerina bun. In order to feed my obsession, I have taken to browsing Pinterest for both adorable and ludicrous hairstyles to inspire me.
​Wellll.......I decided to try a couple styles, which required a "volunteer" to let me spend tons of time with my fingers in their hair. Thankfully, I had one - a normally sweet, raven-haired eight year old who would do almost anything for a big enough bribe.
​Here she is:

Wait, that is positively horrific. Let's try again.

After promising Tanya a bowl of ice cream in exchange for the use of her hair, I scoured Pinterest for a doozy of a hairdo. And I found it. Check this out:

I thought this looked pretty cool, so I grabbed combs, pins, and hair bands and set to work.

I did an inside-out French braid starting with the right side of her head, worked my way toward the left side, and then back again.

Then, I simply loosened the braid and coiled it into a bun.

Hmmm...understated, but sweet, in my opinion. Rating: Nice.

I just piled the hair on top of her head, then put this headband around it. I thought it looked pretty adorbs!