April is really flying by!

April has actually jumped on a plane and waved goodbye to everyone on the ground. It is crazy how quickly this semester has passed by, but I have loved every minute of it.
So here's a little re-cap of the past few weeks.

It is now April 25.
I am sitting at one of my friend's houses in Northern Minnesota, and there is snow on the ground. It is beautiful, but also unbelievable because it is almost May and last night it snowed several inches!
My friend Ellie and I had planned out a weekend excursion to Duluth to see the city and the Great Lakes! I have never been to Duluth and am really excited to see the city. We decided to leave a day early and make the six hour drive North to surprise Ellie's sister on her birthday! It was definitely worth it to see the surprise on her sister's face. "What are you doing here?!?" Happy Birthday Evie!!
I have always been someone who really does not like missing school, so this week has been filled with making sure I could make up for missing class. And it all worked out swimmingly! I am so happy to be up North!

The snow that greeted us...Merry Christmas!

 
And since there is snow, after doing homework this afternoon, our goal is to play in the snow and build a snowman. :-)

This week, I received my Graduation Application. (Where have these three years gone?!?)

Also-Happy Late Easter!! This year, I stayed on campus for break. I was on duty in the building, and it was nice to have many uninterrupted hours to get homework done. I was able to read 3 1/2 books over break that I had to read for one of my classes, run quite a bit, bike ride, and get a lot of homework done. With seven classes this year, it was good having time to get things done. It was also nice to be in Decorah without having any time commitments! 

 I also loved being able to cook for myself. I made an especially delicious quinoa pizza-dish. I used quinoa, carrots, lots of veggies, pizza sauce, and ate it over spinach and lots of salad toppings with fresh green beans. It was delicious! This was my yummy Easter brunch, and it was well worth it. Especially because one of the books I had to read for my classes was The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It is about a young girl who is fighting Cancer, and the people in her life who are affected by Cancer. Safe to say, I finished the book within a few hours and cried at the ending.

It was strange to be on campus for Easter. I definitely missed all of my family back home. I am sending many hugs to everyone!! I love you all!! Hope you had a wonderful Easter!! 

______________________________________________________________________________

There are officially four weeks left in the semester. After May is over, I will officially be done with my Education Major, ready to student teach in the fall. These past three years have definitely been one incredibly and amazing journey. I thank God for these years and all these experiences!! 

Loving this quote

I can't wait to come home and see everyone!! Sending many hugs to everyone in Denver, Boulder, Littleton, and Highlands Ranch, and all over the country--Portland, Seattle, Iowa, Ohio. I love you all!

Love, 

Caitlin

FTK (For the Kids)

This past weekend was Luther's first ever, Dance Marathon. I had the honor of dancing for twelve hours straight with my friends and many classmates. I had heard of a Dance Marathon before coming to Luther, as several other schools in the area participate in them. Basically, students fundraise money throughout the year for the Children's Miracle Network. Our fundraising went towards the University of Iowa Children's Hospitals. So throughout the year, the students register, raise money, and connect with children who have suffered in some way from Cancer or other rare/destructive diseases.

The actual Dance Marathon event takes place in a gym where participants dance for a set number of hours and are encouraged not to sit down. This is supposed to symbolize that dancers are standing up for those who cannot dance or stand.

So on Saturday, around four hundred people gathered in our Main Gym at noon and began to dance. The music was happy and upbeat, and throughout the twelve hours, various themes were kept. For example, one hour was "Neon Hour", "Norse Hour", "Beach Hour", etc. There were various groups that performed each hour including the dance team and a Capella groups. Overall, it was an absolutely amazing experience. The dancers were all united in dancing FTK (For the Kids).

One of the most powerful moments of the day was hearing the kids' stories. Several people affected by Cancer spoke to the audience about their experiences.

It was nothing short of powerful.

Cancer is a horrible disease that affects so many people. It was an honor dancing For The Kids, especially kids who cannot walk, or sing, or dance, or play. With the money raised ($38,612.01), the money will be donated to the Children's Hospitals and giving back to the families affected by Cancer, a gift to let them know that no matter their battle, they are being supported in many different ways. Throughout this event, I was struck by this simple fact...

Life really is a gift.

So why wouldn't we sing and dance??

Life is good, it really is. No matter what each day holds, there is always something to be grateful for. God put us on this earth to live and to live each day to its fullest.

It's a pretty unique gift that we have been given.

One of Luther's constant phrases said over and over is "Soli Deo Gloria" which is Latin for "To Him be the Glory". Our Dance Marathon shirts said, "Soli DM (Dance Marathon) Gloria" which to me means, "To Him be the Glory, so why wouldn't you dance??"

I am very grateful to have been apart of this event this weekend, and am grateful for these moments on Earth. The moments of great Joy and happiness.

 That is something truly amazing to live for.  

Hour Six!

Norse (Luther's Mascot) Pride Hour

LIG List

It has definitely been one of those weeks, a week that has been "crazy busy".
I know I am definitely not alone in saying this. It's the week back from Spring Break, professors are realizing that there are only a few short weeks left to cram in material.

With so much on our plates, sometimes it is far too easy to get pulled in to the complaining and negative viewpoints. I'm not saying I'm perfect, I definitely complain my fair share as well. But it is also good to reflect upon how good we have it here during these "college years".

In reflection with a friend a few days ago, she pointed out the point, "We have it so good here at Luther. These are the years we will look back on fondly."

And it is so true.

So this is my list of reasons why life is good, despite all the schoolwork, or fondly titled,

The LIG List (The Life is Good List)

1. This is the only time in life when we don't have to worry about anything except school and work.

2. This is the only four years of your life that you will live and experience life in proximity with all of these same people.

3. Our food is made for us, we don't even have to worry about grocery shopping if we want to!

4. We get to learn constantly. This is a huge gift!! There aren't going to be too many opportunities to just sit in class and learn.

5. Wearing sweatpants to class is absolutely okay. As long as you are on time and actively participating.

6. Long extended dinners with friends every night is something that doesn't happen often after school.

7. There are so many resources available on campus. (There is no gym membership)

8. You determine your class schedule, most likely your work schedule, and can stay up late studying without disturbing (too many) people.

9. Professors are there to help. Usually their door is always open.

10. You don't have to make your bed in the morning if you don't want to

11. There is always someone who will go on a late night Walmart or ice cream run with you.

12. You have the summers off

13. You can take classes outside of your major.

14. Coffee shops are an acceptable alternative to studying in the library.

15. Being able to skype/talk to family and friends from home is always wonderful.

16. Sporting your school colors

17. Concerts are free (There is so much musical talent here! And you can just go and listen!! Without paying!!)

18. You are surrounded by people who love to talk and socialize

19. You are actually social 24/7 and it's awesome.

20. You are being prepared for the real world...

21. And it is 100% acceptable to ask questions

22. Getting letters from home is so meaningful

23. Quidditch. Who plays that after college??

24. Meeting people from all over the country, and the world.

25. Being able to meet the president of the college

26. Music Directors are local celebrities

27. Let's not forget about the overabundance of inside jokes that never get old

28. Or the story about "that one time..." that relates to every single situation ever discussed.

29. The growth that happens over those four short years.

30. Looking back on freshman year and realizing how many wonderful times have happened, and knowing that even the bad times have helped to develop you in to the person you are today, and you are perfectly happy with that.

31. Living in such a close community that lifelong friendships can happen

32. Being able to leave your laptop in the library for hours and no one will touch it. (However, don't leave out your girl scout cookies, that's a different story)

33. Being able to travel

34. Road Trips on the weekend are also always acceptable.

35. Target is like the light at the end of the tunnel

36. Realizing just how much your parents have done for you for so many years,

37. And also learning how to be independent while at school.

38. Knowing that the other side of that due date is a very happy place

39. You are not the only one that procrastinates.

40. Getting home after a long day of studying has never felt so good.

41. Even driving home for hours is worth it after a busy term.

42. And knowing that by the end of the term, you are ready to head back, because life really is good at school...

43. And lastly, knowing that wherever life takes you after college, you will never forget the memories made in these four short years...because they've really been the best.

Portland

The second day of my journey to the Pacific Northwest had Kendra and I driving down early Saturday morning to Portland! It was about a three hour drive and was of course filled with a great deal of loud singing to NYSYNC, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, and High School Musical. What else?! :)

When we got to Portland, we met up with Kira, one of our friends since Kindergarten!! The best part out of this whole weekend was being able to some of my oldest and dearest friends. It was SO good to catch up!

We ended up touring all over the city and seeing all it had to offer! Portland is a strangely unique place. It is such a cool blend of hipster, music, and food. We were able to do quite a bit while there!

 Our journey started out with this welcoming sign!

 

It was so great to see Kira! We went around to a few thrift shops and found these gems...

 

As we walked around Portland, we found some of these wonderful places...

 

One of our first big stops was VooDoo Donuts!! We waited in this line in the pouring rain for an hour and a half. It was a good time to catch up on life. 

And waiting in line for that long was so worth it! VooDoo Doughnuts is known for is strangely unique donut flavors. 

 

This was my doughnut..."The Old Bastard" (Weird name, I know) But it was delicious! Glazed doughnut with chocolate, Oreo, and peanut butter drizzle. I absolutely love peanut butter and had no trouble finding the first doughnut I could with peanut butter and chocolate on it. 

 

Some of the many doughnuts...

We had gyros for lunch after our tasty doughnuts at a the"Saturday Market" full of many street vendors. 

Delicious...

We continued to walk around Portland and saw the sights, including the Columbia River, more of the market, and some of the shops around town.

These girls are great. :)

 

Even the trees were blossoming! It really felt like Spring. The rain really added to the experience. 

One of our last stops of the day was to Salt and Straw This is a famous Portland favorite, and is on Oprah's list of favorite things. They are known for their unique blend of flavors including such as "Spicy Monkey Banana Walnut" and "Lumberjack Stack"

 

I ended up trying Oprah's favorite...Olive Oil Ice Cream!!

It was honest-to-goodness, the best ice cream I have ever had. So incredibly tasty. 

 

Some of our other stops included Powell's books, which is a huge bookstore!!  It takes up an entire block. Book lover's paradise.

 

Our journey concluded with a trip to Pittock Mansion. 

This gorgeous mansion adorns a hilltop surrounding the city. From there, you can see for miles, and on a clear day, can see Mt. Hood just across the valley. 

 

Charlie's Angels...Because, why not?? :)

 

After a fun day in Portland, we headed back to Washington. I left early the next morning, but it was such a huge blessing to spend time with these two wonderful people. It was an incredibly joyful weekend, and I couldn't have asked for a better time spent with these two and in a beautiful place!

So many thanks to Kira and Kendra for making this trip possible. I couldn't have asked for a better trip!

 "Sounds of the wind or sounds of the sea, make me happy just to be."

-June Polis