5 Things: So Many Bracelets

It's been a few months since I've talked about the five things on my mind, so here goes.

1.) We have a patch of bluebonnets growing in our backyard.  This is a source of so much joy!  Bluebonnets are my favorite flower, probably because blue is my favorite color.

Where I live in Texas, bluebonnets and all sorts of wildflowers are currently blanketing the hillsides and even growing along the grassy medians along the roads.  It's beautiful.  Because the bluebonnet is our state flower, it is actually against the law to pick this flower.  The fact that we have them growing in our yard is enough to brighten my day each time I see them. 

What is your favorite flower?

2.) I'm missing my little dog, Jack.  It's been a while since I've shared any pictures of this guy, so I will.

Can you believe he's almost three years old now?

 Here's Jack waiting expectantly for me to come downstairs and play with him.

And here's how he smiles at me when I let him up to my room to sit with me while I wrote.

Over spring break, all of my friends were out of town and I was recovering from a chaotic semester, so I spent much of my time home alone with Jack.  Now I'm craving some more puppy time! 

3.) Studying.  This has been on my mind for several months now, but with approaching finals, school has absorbed far too much of my time.  Studying kept me from going home for Easter.  Studying has pestered my thoughts quite a lot as of lately.

I've been doing some counting to see just how much time I have left of this endless studying.  Five more tests.  Less than five more weeks of school.  I am nearly free!  My reaction to the end of this insane semester reminds me of this clip from Tangled.

4.) This Friday, Ali is coming to visit!  If you're new to this blog and don't know Ali, check out our Facing Prejudice series and The Body.  That will get you started.

Ali is my best friend, who happens to be my adopted sister as well.  She goes to school three hours away from me, so we don't get to see each other nearly as much as we would like.  Actually, the last time I saw her was Christmas Break!  It's been three months, and it's time to reunite and create new adventures together.

5.) I'm selling bracelets to raise money for my trip to Kenya this summer!  If you live in the United States and would like to purchase one of these cute bracelets, make a donation of at least $5 to the Christian Relief Fund website and be sure to specify that it's for "Emily's Trip to Kenya" and then email me at emilytheperson@yahoo.com and tell me your address.  I'll mail a bracelet and personal thank you note to you!  (This offer only lasts through the end of May, for you future readers.)

I truly am amazed at the way the Lord has laid on hearts to give towards this trip to Africa.  I began fundraising on March 12, and I already have less than $1,000 left to raise.  If your heart feels led to support my journey to Kenya, I am so thankful and honored by your support.  I will share a blog post detailing each day I am there so you can see for yourself how powerfully the Lord is moving in Kenya. 

What are five things on your mind?

Three years ago: If Faith Can Move Mountains
Two years ago: I was ashamed.