Once Upon a Study Break...

In just two days, I have crammed 15 hours of studying in...for only two-and-a-half classes. WHAT?! I have ten classes to go. Well, nine-and-a-half.
Comprehensive exams are Monday. 9:00 A.M.

And they cover my entire graduate school academic experience.

I'm doomed.

My study buddy is talking to me...I hear words...MIRBI....RICE...rice? What? I think I need to get back to the world of schoolwork and pull out those dusty files of information stored away in my brain long ago...

Sensory Issues

After all my experience with children (and adults!) with sensory issues, my "sensory kids," I realize that I have a few sensory issues of my own. I didn't really give it much thought until one of my supervisors pointed out one the other day. That sensory issue is...CHALK!

Ever since, I've noticed several others. Here's a few of them:

TOUCH:
* Microsuede stuff couches are made of. I can't stand to touch it with my bare skin. It's sticky!
* Fleece. It's kind of itchy.
* Sand in my toes.
* Slimy food textures
* Grainy or chalky food textures
* Does being a claustraphobic (spelling?) in large groups of people count?

SOUND:
* Chalk on a chalkboard, even when it isn't screeching
* Metal on metal/ceramic (you can completely immobilize me by scraping a fork across a plate)

Weird things I do to relax without thinking about it ("self-stimming"):
* Run my hands through beans, flour, water, and other things.
* Chew on, not eat, weird things (like: plastic, straws, gum wrappers, fingernails).
* Press the back of my hand against hard surfaces.

So, now that you have a glimpse of my weirdness, how about sharing some of your own unique ticks?

My Love Letter

My Love,

Everywhere I look, I see you, feel you, hear you. When I wake up, I just can't start my day until I've heard your gentle, loving voice. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. Maybe that's because no one has ever loved me the way you do. How do you do it? You know my insecurities, my weaknesses, and my failures. You know I'm not the perfect girl. I just cannot understand how you love me so! My heart quickens as I write this. My words are so inadequate to portray the love I feel for you! You have taught me so much about redemption and unconditional love, and yet I'm still so far from comprehending it all. I struggle daily to understand you, as you wow and amaze me with each and every moment spent in your presence. You are breathtaking. You are irresistable. These words fall so short of describing you in all your glory. Your words are sweeter than all the chocolate in the world. Thank you for the roses, the beautiful, yet painful, roses and the little reminders every day that I am yours. I do not deserve you, but still you are here. Just thinking of it gives my heart a flutter. Your love story is the greatest ever told. I'm glad you have allowed me to be a part of it.

I will strive to honor, love, and cherish you with all that is in me, my sweet, sweet Jesus. Thank you for dying for me, my Holy Savior! Thank you for Your glorious, redeeming plan to save sinners like me!

I LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU!

Yours always,

Kristina

You gave your life for me. You love me like no other. You are my loving Father, and in YOU will I put my trust.