Christmas

First, I'll give you what you really want, which is a look into the humorous life that is lived in the Pistone house.

Since the Midgordens (my sister and brother-in-law) were spending Christmas Day with the Midgordens, we celebrated a new holiday this year which shall be called Christmas Eve Day. Really, we basically decided that the 23rd was Christmas Eve, the 24th was Christmas, and today was second Christmas. Excellent decision on our part, I must say. Events included dinner at my Aunt's on the 23rd. That was awesome because I missed seeing my cousins and loved hearing about their lives. Also, I finally got to see my Aunt Paula's bear (they keep telling me it's a dog, but that's impossible) and her new house. Wonderful times were had by all and surprisingly I'm pretty sure none of the aunts were even tipsy.

The 24th we awoke early to open presents only to be foiled by Vincent's eye appointment. But present time finally came and much rejoicing followed. Good loot this year. My grandparents decided that the weather was too bad for them to leave the house (though it was only raining at that point) so we went to their house. We had a traditional all-fish-holy-day-of-obligation Christmas Eve (Day) dinner and then left as the ice started to fall. Well, the ice continued and we pansy protestants cancelled our Christmas Eve services, and so we all went to hear my parents play bells at the Christmas Eve service. Four boys in matching homemade red vests sat in front of us and both of my siblings managed a "Ding fries are done" joke during Carol of the Bells. After mass we said good bye to my sister and Jon who left to have Christmas with their other family.

Today we got up late since there were no presents to be opened. We all continued to lay about the house in pajamas until about 4:00, when my mother and I decided to go see a movie. I put on my boots and went to defrost my car. However, it was surrounded by about a foot and a half of snow on all sides and after pretending we were maybe going to go for about 10 minutes we went back inside and watched both Love Actually and The Holiday instead. When the movies were over my mother said, "What should we do now?" I realized I hadn't eaten in at least an hour and a half and since calories don't count on Christmas (or second Christmas) I seized the opportunity to stuff my face.

Now I find it about time to go pass out filled with merriment from my do-nothing and eat-everything Christmas. For sure, this is how Jesus' birthday was meant to be celebrated.

I hope you had as great a time as I did. I also hope to work out for as long as my little body can take it tomorrow.

Love!

-Veronica

Welcome Home?

Sometimes I wonder if I'm crazy. But then I remember that I'm 20 and I think we're supposed to be like this.

There's a funny thing about school and that is this: it keep you so stinking busy that you don't really have time to think about things if you don't want to think about them. You don't have time to deal with life-- you just live it and process it later. Healthy? Oh, probably not. But you know what, I've been learning the 8,000 paradigms that go with Greek verbs and I do not have time for this.

And so this semester, I kind of hit the wall. School just got really hard the last few weeks and I could not keep my paradigms straight for the life of me. It probably has something to do with going straight from school to overseas to school and never stopping to just be. Also, I've never really been one to turn the brain off for a moment (unless, of course, I'm watching the O.C.). So here I've been scrambling and dying, just a little bit, to get to this break and be able to just be for a while. I think my mind needs it.

But the problem with rest is now that my lower needs are met I can crawl back up the pyramid. Thanks Maslov for the imagery. And frankly, it is uncomfortable. The real question that comes out is, "If God and I are really doing pretty well right now, why am I still unhappy with this?" This can be whatever you need it to be-- but the issue for me is that I can't seem to shake it. It's there and I don't know how to make it go away.

I think I've been so busy for so long, I've forgotten how to be satisfied.

It's been a while but if I remember correctly, relearning satisfaction is neither pretty nor comfortable. Necessarily ugly, if you will. Oh, I will.

Here's to a break of rest, weddings, and freaking out. Should be... interesting.

Other news of interest: I am teaching a class at Gateway this January about Walking in the Spirit. So, that's going to be awesome. And if you'd like to pray for that, I'd really appreciate it. Adults are scary. Just trying to be obedient.

May the peace of Christ, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Cheers!

-Veronica

FREAK DO THIS

http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/kansas-city-mo/

What could have been.

One thing I have asked of the LORD, this is what I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.

Who is it that you seek?

We seek the LORD our God.

Do you seek Him with all of your heart?

Amen. LORD have mercy.

Do you seek him with all of your soul?

Amen. LORD have mercy.

Do you seek him with all of your mind?

Amen. LORD have mercy.

Do you seek him with all of your strength?

Amen. Christ have mercy.

Christ as a light, illumine and guide me.

Christ as a shield overshadow me.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak, and in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all powerful.

Christ as a light, Christ as a shield,

Christ beside me, on my left and my right.

Simple Devotion. [by: Misty Edwards]

I remember the first glance
I remember the first romance
I remember the first dance
When I fell in love with you

The first time God ever spoke to me I was six years old. I was in the first grade ccd class at St. John LaLande. Joe Ridings dad was the teacher. Joe and I have the same birthday... I think that's why I remember. Either way, the teacher was saying something and I thought to myself, "What if I don't believe in God?" and immediately after, he said, "And God knows if you don't believe in Him." To which I thought, "Ok, God. I'm sorry."

I decided to follow Christ when I was 10 years old. It was the summer before 6th grade. My sister came into my room one night and told me that there was more to getting into heaven than just going to church. I don't really know what made me want to do it, but that night I prayed that Christ would be my savior. I remember feeling the chills... and then my sister told me to start reading Romans. :)

The first time I ever danced during worship, I was 17 years old. It was the summer after my senior year and I was teenstaffing at youthfront camp south. Jason Ellsworth was leading worship and I just remember being so overcome with joy that I lifted up my hands and spun around. Something was awakened in me. Later, Jason told me that my dancing had really ministered to him. Lindsey Klapper said she saw me and thought, "Good for you, Veronica."

These are some of the moments I remember that have made me fall in love with Him. Just thought I'd share.

Love,

Vern

Some things I have realized.

He is a dreamer. He walks into places and is unsettled deep inside of him by what they are because he sees the potential for what they could be. He walks in the Spirit, in a way that fire almost burns in his eyes. When he talks to a person, he sees beyond the surface, beyond the how are you, I'm fine's and into their deepest hopes and hurts. He lives with a power that comes only from assurance in the freedom and righteousness of Christ. People alway notice that something is different about him. He speaks boldly. He is unafraid of the consequences and pursues his Lord with everything he has. He loves Jesus deeply. He hears the poetry of the story. Sometimes it moves him to tears... or at least, he understands when it moves me to tears. He feels it: the beauty of life, the immanence of the Kingdom. He understands that Jesus died to give us life now and seeks to live it to the fullest. Yet, he is a thinker. He poses hard questions. He knows what he thinks and why, yet remains willing to learn. He challenges me to continue to the next level. He awakes the dreamer inside of me and shows me that God isn't quite done with me yet. But he embraces humility. He knows that everything he has comes from his Maker. But he uses that freedom to serve others in love.

I don't know him yet. Someday, God will bring him to me. I believe this.

Why He's my fave.

So tonight, God said, "Hey, go to the fountain." So I went. And there were two girls there and they were already talking so I just walked past them. So God said, "Hey now, don't be a pansy." So then JB called and he came and we talked and then I said, "Hey, come pray for these girls with me." So we did. They opened up. And I think they are coming to the good ol' HC tomorrow. And that's why life is fun following the Son. Because He says, "Go south." And you go south and see what happens.

Livin' the dream.

-Veronica