Hey y'all!

Just another wonderful weekend here at good ol', Luther College! On Friday, my dad came down (my parents here? What a surprise!!!) for my sister's golf tournament. We had a lot of fun, especially since it was in the high 80s!!! Can you believe it?!? But, alas, Saturday and Sunday turned in to cold and rainy. Typical Iowa!

On Saturday, my uncle came down for a late birthday celebration. The group went to T Bock's, the local burger joint, and we had a great time watching the Mavs game! The evening ended with an intense card game night; it's funny because I used to play cards all the time, and it had been months (or has it been years?) since last night! If anyone is in need of a good, chill-time activity, play a card game: for old school- try Hearts, for new age- try Revolution, and if you're really gutsy- try 500! I promise you won't be disappointed with the great time you have!

I'm starting to feel the pull towards Finals week happening. Relay is already on Friday, my audition for next year's choir is the following Wednesday, and only 3 weeks of school left! It has really made me wonder....how can I still have so much to do?????

The thing about the Finals "pull" is that it is equivalent to a fast speed, no breaks, tail-spin into studying, final papers, wrap-up club activities, end of the year parties, and all of the usual obligations that you had in high school. The only wonderful difference with college is that you also have to think about packing!!! Uh-oh! Have I ever mentioned that I'm the slowest packer ever? (I know others have claimed that title, but seriously, I should've started packing a week ago if I really wanted to be done on time!)

Thankfully, I'm only starting to feel the pull; I haven't actually been sucked into the chaos and high stress levels yet!

Stay strong seniors! Don't get overwhelmed!!!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Celebrating my 19th Birthday

As luck would have it, my birthday fell on the day that I would have to fly back to campus. I was disappointed to think that I would be spending the majority of my day in the airport, on a plane, and then in the car driving back to campus.

Actually, it turned out to be perfect!!!

Not only did I get the benefits of special treatment from my parents, but I also got to celebrate with friends back home and friends here at school. I know a lot of kids are pretty disappointed to have their birthday during school because then you just get a "Happy Birthday!" in passing, maybe a card or two (versus the tons of attention that parents give to you throughout the day- not too mention when mom makes your favorite meals!)

I was so happy to have my family around to make the weekend all about me. I got to pick where we ate and what activities we did! This included a visit to PF Chang's for my Chinese food fix and to Cristina's for my favorite Mexican dish before having to head back to Iowa. We also spent Saturday night in an intense game of 500 (a card game involving partners, lots of strategy, and of course, lots of "table-talk"- aka, lively banter that you could only get away with in the presence of family!) My mom, sister, and I also got to spend a majority of the weekend shopping- always a plus!

My actual birthday was yesterday- the 13th. And, instead of a boring flight and car ride, my sister made it totally amusing! She decided to tell everyone in the airport that it was my special day- this included security guards, the ladies in Starbucks (who broke out in a beautiful, jazzy version of Happy Birthday), and even the pilot of our plane- who proceeded to announce it over the intercom for everyone to hear and look at me. Not that I revel in attention, but who wouldn't be flattered by that?!?

Then, we got to stop in Rochester on our way back to campus for dinner at Olive Garden with some other friends also heading back to campus. It was great to taste my favorite meals one more time before returning to the caf!

Upon arriving at campus, happy with the way the day turned out, and sad it was over, I made it to my door.......when I opened it, my five closest friends were there with presents, a birthay banner, and tons of food! It was AWESOME!!! I was shocked that they went to all the trouble that they did! It made me feel so special and it totally reminded me of how lucky I am to have stumbled on such a sweet, amazing group of friends (they deserve to have their names mentioned: Allison, Christy, Emma, Ryan, and Taylor)- I know that I'll have them forever, no doubt in my mind. I want them in my life (and not just because of last night's excitement!)

Even Luther College came through for me- today in my SPO was a note for a cake baked by the Women's League- mmm, mmm angel food!

Birthdays are always great, but never have I gotten to experience one with both my home friends and family and my new college friends (basically family) too. It has been utterly fantastic!

I hope everyone can take a second to appreciate the gifts in their lives: family, friends, and all of their loved ones.

Have a great week!


"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not sne his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." -John 3: 16-17
I hope everyone had a happy and blessed Easter!

Nordic and a Little More Spring Break

Left: Me, overlooking the beautiful city of Erfurt in

Eastern Germany

Right: The group with Martin on a beautiful, snowy day in

Dresden, Germany in front of the breathtaking Our Lady Cathedral

Hey y'all!

Last night was the Nordic Choir Spring Concert, and it was wonderful! My RA, Laura, is in the choir and she looked so beautiful on stage. Every song was special and moving-they sang for two hours! I was so excited when they sang their Christmas at Luther pieces again. Even though we were pretty tired of the music by the end of Christmas at Luther week, it was so nice to hear Nordic's songs again. It was especially wonderful to hear the closing song "Wonderful Peace" because I was always so touched by this song during CAL week and I still listen to it regularly now.

I also want to write a little bit more about my trip last week.

You can see from the pictures at the top that we left Decorah in cold weather and arrived in Germany to find...more cold weather. Of course, that was expected, and it gave me an excuse to wear my long underwear one more time this year. Even in the worst of the rain and the snow though, we never stopped having a good time, enjoying the company and reveling in everything Martin Luther! I'm sure it's easy to notice that in the picture in the top right, we are even holding a Luther College banner. Basically, it's because we like to represent. The Looft family/friends are hard core. And, something even more special is that everyone in that picture went to or is currently atteding Luther College. Three generations are in that picture! I just can't get over how awesome it is to share in the Luther experience with so many other people who are in my family and close to me.

It was especially nice to be with them as I learned more about Luther himself; it was great to see the Luther haus, his tombstone, and the famous door in Wittenberg; where he was born and died in Eisleben; where he preached in Eislenach and Erfurt; the Wartburg castle where he translated the Bible into German...obviously I could go on and on!

Overall, it was a great trip that not only extended my historical knowledge, but also helped me put the founder of my denomination of Christianity into perspective.

I hope everyone had a great break and has also recovered from it!

~Anna

"Pray continually." ~I Thessalonians 5:17

Spring Break Recap

Hey y'all!

I hope everyone had a great, safe spring break! You know it was a good time when you need a vacation from your vacation! That is exactly how I'm feeling now. Unfortunately, no such luck! While I'm struggling with the time zone change and jet lag, I'm also back into the hectic life of spring semester.

I can't believe we have less than 7 weeks left! My freshman year is fast coming to a close- I can't imagine what's going through the mind of a senior. (Denial most likely!)

It's funny how perspectives change: senior year I couldn't wait to get out of high school and just be done. Now, I'm actually sad to think that this year might end, that one fourth of my experience in college will soon be over. It's unbelievable how fast it goes!!!

However, let's talk about something less depressing! I just got back from an amazing week in Germany! It was the experience of a life time, not only did I visit ten different towns and witness the amazing cultural differences of each place, I also got to do it with nine of my family members, sharing this time with them. It was really special to have my grandparents along; I know I need to treasure every moment I have left with them, but it's not at all hard for me to want to!! I brought back special memories with them that I know I'll never forget!

Although they may not be too happy about it, I added some pictures at the top which highlight my time with my grandparents (and do not in anyway make fun of how we all lookedwith our hoods on!)

Enjoy!

~Anna

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." ~Matthew 13: 44-46