What do Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, "Snow Day," and Term Complete have in common?

Our two princesses on our way to Disneyland for the special Jesus Christmas celebration.

Knott's Berry Farm on Thanksgiving with the Sweeneys - a great day for Thankfulness.

Our "personal swimming pool" at Malibu beach with the Sweeneys!

My two little Christmas Tree helpers!

That is a real saw!  We got to choose our tree and cut it down - so fun!

Decorating the tree was a delight.  True to form, our tree touches our ceiling (only 8 feet high here!)

What do Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, "Snow Day," and Term Complete have in common?
They all happened in Pasadena in the last 3 weeks!

The pictures tell the story of an awesome Dadda-Daughters adventure to Nancy's Tree Farm where we got to choose and cut down our tree for the year.  We had a great time, and Nancy herself gave us each a candy cane.  Having a decorated Christmas tree has made our apartment feel more like a home than ever - we are very grateful for that.

Snow Day!  You may have heard about the crazy winds a few weeks ago in and around Pasadena that caused multiple closures and forced Pasadena to declare a state of emergency.  Well, that is where we live!!  I was on my way back from the library at 11pm the night the winds hit, and I was reminded of some of the pounding winds we experienced in the winter in Superior the past 6 years.  I don't think the winds were significantly stronger here than we experience in Boulder a few times a winter, but apparently they don't make trees as strong out here because trees were down everywhere!  Lots of huge trees were uprooted and laying across roads.  Over a week later, there are still trees laying in major roads because they haven't been able to clean them up yet.  So, last Thursday, the last day of regular classes, Fuller canceled school - Pasadena's version of a Snow Day! 

As of 11:30pm last night (Dec. 9), the quarter is over.  I might throw out some more serious reflections soon, but the overall take on the quarter:

• Great courses - challenging academically; profs who love Jesus; assignments and reading that helped me grow and learn; little to no busy-work.  Although studying about Jesus is definitely NOT the same as connecting with and serving Jesus, my courses stretched me to see God in new ways that I think will continue to bear fruit as I grow with Him by his Spirit.
• A lot of work - Wanting to get the most out of our time out here and taking a very full course load (18 hours compared to the normal full time 12 hours), I worked very hard at school!  Although life is definitely simpler out here with only two real foci (family and school - under the umbrella of Jesus), I definitely got less sleep through the Fall than I have in previous Falls while working at First Pres.
• Writing - I am growing as a writer, and I have a long way to go.  My engineering education didn't prepare me for writing 20 page papers that are logically structured and are properly footnoted!
• Community - I have awesome classmates.  it has been fun to get to know some of them more closely as new friendships develop.

I have lots more reflections, but that is all for now!

Other great stuff going on:

• We had a wonderful Thanksgiving visit from Janelle's parents and sister!  (Pics above)
• My sister, Arnica, just got engaged - so we are super excited for two Buckner family weddings coming up and we are delighted for Kevin to become "Uncle Kevin!"
• We had a bit of a scare with some ultrasound feedback from the Baby, but after some discussions with the docs, it looks like all is well with Buckner Baby Boy.

We are really going to miss being home for the holidays and seeing all of our wonderful community. 

May you know God's rich love expressed in the coming of the King as a baby,
Forrest