Merry Christmas

Greetings.
I do realize that it's been some time. I apologize for the irregularity in my posting, but I have again been somewhat busy in my studies. Now it's Christmas time again! Consequently, I felt the necessity for a holiday update on my life.
Short version: It's been fine.
Alternate version: School's been good. I've really been enjoying Greek and Biblical Interpretation. My other classes have been fine if not amazing. Next semester I'm required to start my internship. I'm not exactly sure where I'm doing that yet. I'm contemplating (due to the recommendation of some of those over me) either Palm Avenue Baptist Church (which I've been to once) or The Well (which I've never been to.) I'd appreciate your prayers regarding both the reduction of my anxiety and for clarification regarding God's will.
In other news, I'm very happy to be home. Zachary, Brenda, Emily, and Nanny are all here and Katie Ellyn and Justin will be here soonish. We've been having a good time just hanging out thus far. Zachary and I have been playing around with Linux lately (I'm actually working on this post in Mint Linux) and we've also been working on the Jeep's brakes. Good times.
Ted Dekker update: Amazingly enough, I didn't win the contest. Even so, I did my part and I have you, my faithful readers, to thank for it. Just to alert you, The Gathering (think the Star Trek Convention for Ted Dekker fans) is on April 20somethingth. It is this year to be only $25 and in both Chicago and Dallas. Those who go will get to listen to Dekker speak to his fans about his books and will receive a free copy of his new book The Bride Collector. It would be fun.
Uncle Randy, we watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy last night. I'm pretty sure that I was the only one who actually would say that I enjoyed it. It's possible Lauri enjoyed it, but Dad, Zachary, and poor Nanny are all convinced that it was the dumbest movie they've ever seen. I'll agree with them that it was incredibly stupid, but it was strangely entertaining. I'm still interesting in the book.
Substantially switching topics: 'tis only four more days until Christmas. Here's one of my new favorite songs.

I've been thinking about our (corporate) tendency to sing through songs and not think about the words. For me, this temptation is even stronger with Christmas songs. We know the tunes so well (we've been singing these very songs nearly all of our lives) and miss the intensity of the messages of the songs. If you feel like it, read through select lines to these songs without singing the tunes in your heads.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing.

Good Christian men, rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice!
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save;
Calls you one and calls you all,
To win His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save.

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Merry Christmas.