a few of my favorite things.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

I have been singing the song "My Favorite Things" since our RUF intern Meggie had a My Favorite Things shower about two weeks ago, and it made me start to think about what are actually some of my favorite things. Some of these are new, some are old, but all have become some of my favorite things. :) 

Biking- this is definitely a new favorite thing. I honestly never thought that I would ever own a bike after my dad threw mine away a few years ago. I can remember telling my mother that I would never ride a bike in Auburn (too many people for me to hit and too many people to hit me.) I should know never to say I am not going to do something, because I usually end up doing it. About two months ago I went on my first bike ride with a friend to Town Creek Park in Auburn. To say I was a little nervous is an understatement, but we successfully made it without any accidents (mostly due to the fact that the person I was with is pretty much a pro at riding bikes) and I actually enjoyed it. Since then, I have ridden to Town Creek with my sweet friend Hanna, and also done some solo trips. I had to leave my bike in Auburn, it couldn't fit in my car, but my sister is planning on bringing it home soon. I am excited to ride it on the land around my house, and hopefully do some trail riding this summer.  

China- I love China. I went on a mission trip to work in orphanages during the summer of 2008 and fell in love with everything about China. It is my prayer that I would be able to go back to visit and serve the wonderful people of China in the future. I am also pretty sure that I am one of the few twenty year olds looking forward to my thirtieth birthday with excitement (you have to be at least 30 to adopt from China). 

Mumford and Sons and Ben Folds- I must admit that my taste in music is pretty sad. I have always been the girl that has basically liked anything that comes on mainstream radio. I also must admit that I am the girl that likes to sing along to every song that come on. My idea of a perfect car ride is one where everyone sings the entire time (my siblings love this....not). So, if I am not familiar with a song, I usually don't want to listen to it and it normally takes me a couple of times listening to a song to like it. One day I decided that I wanted to broaden the selection of music I listen to and my sister, Mary Elizabeth pretty much has the best music taste of anyone I know. So, with her help and Pandora I have been introduced to a whole new world of music. I had no idea what I was missing out on! 

Tennis- I love to watch tennis. I could literally watch tennis for hours. Who wouldn't want to watch tennis when Rafael Nadal is playing? One of my goals is to make it to all four of the major tournaments. The Australian Open is first on my list. I started attempting to play tennis about two years ago. I am not terrible, but my goal this summer is to become better. 

 Just Dance 2- I am addicted. I first played this over Easter weekend when our friends, the Weathers, brought it to our house. It is a dance game for the Wii (hence the title Just Dance) and is a great way to exercise while having fun. My mother, sisters and I played on Sunday for around two hours. In the Haynes household everyone is competitive, so our dancing turned into a competition. My brother Will and brother-in-law Jordan even got in on the action. 

Elisabeth Elliot- I have recently become obsessed with Elisabeth Elliot. I have read two of her books and started my third in a little over a months time. Her books are not always the easiest to read, she is extremely honest and blunt, but they are full of great truth. She is such an example of a woman whose focus is on Christ and His will for her life, no matter what the cost. 

My Family- Of course my family is one of my favorite things. I have been blessed with parents who love me, siblings who are my best friends, a brother-in-law who loves and puts up with the crazy family he married into, and a niece who in my opinion is the cutest baby ever. I am one blessed girl. :) 

Only 22 days until I leave for Dallas and 24 days until I leave for Honduras!