It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees...

Yes, I have already started listening to Christmas music, mostly just my top 3 favorite albums - Josh Groban's Noel, Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong, and MOTAB's new Rejoice and Be Merry.
After a couple of very stressful weeks at school, I got sick and then took a 3-day vacation to Colorado. The trip is a topic for another post (I don't believe in blog barfing), but I will say that the timing of the trip was no accident. I felt and saw the Lord's guidance in that trip.
So, I think I've gotten an average of 4 hours of sleep over the last 3 days (ranging from 2 - 6 hours each day). However, in spite of still being sick and utterly exhausted, I am happier than I've been in weeks.
I needed that trip - the time away from school, the time in the temple with people I care about, and the time exploring a new area. Even the late-night sleep-deprived drive back was somehow peaceful.
I made it through a Monday and then went to a friend's house for dinner - and then stayed up talking until 1 am, and rather than drive the canyon that late, I spent the night. My roommates were worried, but it felt so good to be there with people I cared about and who cared about me. It felt like being with family.
The next day as I drove home through the Canyon in the dark, I put on some Christmas music. I really love Christmas music - most music makes me feel good, but Christmas music brings an even greater sense of joy, peace, and contentment. It was wonderful! I absolutely love the Christmas season, and everything about it - warm clothes, snow, hot chocolate, lights and decorations, time with friends and family, performances, yummy food, surprises, and most importantly, a time to focus on the Savior. What a wonderful blessing this time of year is! A time of peace. A time of joy. A time of celebration. And a time of love.