Full

My heart is full.  Saturday proved to be a perfect, full day.  I woke up thinking and tweeting: “sunny saturday and no plans as of yet. not sure how I feel about that…”

I started out by staying in bed for a bit and then going outside to embrace the sunshine.  I read and got a tan while laying on a combo of a sleeping bag, blanket, towel and three pillows with music playing in the background next to six different books (Wide Awake, Out of the Salt Shaker, Her Name is Woman, Christ In You, The Bible, Inner Healing).  I even had a blank canvas, paints, a journal, pens, and of course sunglasses.  I like to be prepared/going inside and up the stairs to get something is not an ideal interruption.

Somewhere along the way I decided to pile all my stuff on my stairs in case I decided to return to my spot on the porch after I made delicious sweet tea.  Sweet tea makes my heart happy and feel like summer.  Though, I never did make it back to lay on the porch.  Instead, I helped (Josh–a volunteer here for 10 days) make a sweet video in iMovie.  I am so using that to make some fun stuff.

Then I intended to go on a walk (with Jace), which was delayed due to hanging out and chatting.  Eventually, we (Jace, Allen, and I) made our way to the pond where we saw some poor, sad, dead frogs while discussing how dirty the pool looked and how we needed to get gloves before trying to shimmy down the zip line.  After the walk, we (Jace, Allen, Jen, and I) jumped into a game of Settlers, which made my heart happy since we hadn’t played it yet.  Then dinner, hanging out (most/all of the interns plus the volunteers), playing guitar on an adorable little guitar, talking about life, laughing, time for prayer (for Tara’s family–pray for them too!), and then we ended the day with watching Wolverine.  I even stayed awake and got in some discussion about how some characters have some bitter roots!

Thus, the day ended with the thought and tweet: “what an awesome full saturday that is ending with a full heart praise God!”  I am so thankful for the people God has put around me during this time to walk with me and build me up during this time of re-learning, un-learning, and learning while embracing who I am in Him!

Shooting Stars

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ¹⁶as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2:14-16

Lately, I crave summer: swim suits, laying on the beach, driving with the music blaring and the windows down, fluffy happy books, shorts and tank tops, flip flops,  going out on the lake, meteor showers, star gazing, looking at the moon, sitting on the deck or dock, and happy summer music.  In response to my craving, I’ve decided that my room is now summer. Basically, I wear shorts and a tank top.  Pretend the heater and the sleeping bag are just for fun and look at the happy summer pictures while listening to happy music.  My heart is extra happy so all of this fits.

Alright, so by now you may be wondering how the verse above fits into all this talk about summer.  Well then, let me tell you a little bit about today.  Today the weather was warm, sunny and perfect.  I wore flip flops, ate delicious pancakes with mixed berries (I love and miss fresh berries like strawberries and blueberries!), walked around outside and read Gone With the Wind.  But the best part consisted of later at night when the stars came out.  Tentative plans to watch a movie were thwarted by other events, which turned into new plans to star gaze by the pond.  To be prepared, I outfitted myself with my sleeping bag, two pairs of pants (one with stars on them of course), lots of layers, a hat, mittens and even socks (I hate socks, but thanks mom for sending me some…though I really don’t need more…I really hate them!).

Needless to say, God blew me away with His creation.  Everything made me smile and soak in the beautiful night.  The moon hid away until the right time when we saw its amazing orangish color and sat astounded at its huge size.  The shooting stars took my breath away and I got sad whenever someone else saw one, but I missed it.  The random conversation took the edge off the rest of the day.  And I’m still pondering which names fit the category of a “cuddly” name.  Yet, through all of this, I return my thoughts to God to thank Him for a wonderful ending to another day.  To ask Him to help me show that kind of beauty and light to everyone around me. To live out the call to shine like stars and take people’s breath away. To glorify His name and live a life full of love in such a way that others see Him.

Because that’s when my heart is happy.

Soul Cravings, Part 3

“I am not who I want to be, but I am on the journey there, and thankfully I am not whom I used to be.”

“Let him change you at your core, then let your passions fuel your life.”

I am so thankful for the changes that God has worked in my life already and wait in expectation for Him to continue to work in my life.  I have a LONG way to go.  But, more than anything, I want to become the best that I can.  I want to give everything.  Give it all to Him.  I pray that as I prepare to leave, leave, and arrive in South Africa that I would continue to let Him change me, mold me, and form me into a better person for all of the things to come.

“The reason your heart leaps when you see greatness is that your spirit is drawn to it.  The reason we can experience the vicarious exhilaration of a great victory or an amazing accomplishment is that the human spirit resonates with greatness.”

This resonates so deeply in my soul.  I am reminded of Ayn Rand’s books and her gift in masterfully portraying the need, the desire for greatness.  For as with above, God wants greatness.  He wants us spur us on toward living and excelling within our gifts, abilities and strengths.  ”Only God can take you where you were born to go.”

16 (Random) Things

So, I got tagged on facebook, but I’m more of a “blogger” than a “write notes on facebook” so I’m going to cheat and do this on here.  Let’s see where this takes us…

Directions:
Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 16 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. I will only buy something if it fits the ever changing definition of “happy.”  For example, I found the most amazing shoes at Ron Jon Surf Shop and let me tell you they were the epitome of happy.  Comfy, leather, green and white flowers. 
2. I will have 4 bookshelves in my room at home when I leave for South Africa.
3. I trust easily.  I will give people the full benefit of the doubt whenever possible.  Yet, I struggle with trusting God in many things.
4. I will show you every possible angle and not let you generalize about things. This may drive you nuts…
5. I gave up drinking pop/soda.  I last drank pop probably in fall 2007.  The only kinds I crave are Orange Soda and Root Beer–in the form of Root Beer floats.  Occasionally others, but not as much as those two.
6. White chocolate is my downfall.  I love it. I could eat it all the time.  Lindt White chocolate truffles especially.  
7. I get attached to things and am bit possessive.  For example, I’m in love with my bike and am already sad to be leaving it.  I also get attached to books and get all sentimental and can’t bear to think of giving them away.
8. I could walk on the beach for hours and hours, miles and miles, and not get bored.
9. I am a pen clicker.  Give me a click-y pen and I will click.
10. I made a goal to take/pick a picture a day for this next year.  In the end, I want to make a sweet collage.  So far, so good.
11. I prefer small silverware.  Small spoons, forks, knives.  Especially at Coldstone when you can use the “sample” spoon.
12. Toast with peanut butter and honey is one of my favorite snacks.
13. I love cake. Better than sex cake, strawberry cake, white cake, funfetti cake, everything.  Though, I’m not a huge fan of chocolate frosting.
14. I like to play songs on repeat.  ”Turn it Up” by Aaron lines has 237 plays on iTunes, which is not counting all the other plays on CDs and my iPod.
15. I used to collect quotes. All sorts. I would post them all over my room.  I did the same with fortunes from fortune cookies.
16. I leave for South Africa “next” week.

Yikes, do I really have to pick 16 people?  Nah, 16 is way too many people to tag in a blog.  Facebook, sure. Here, nope.  But, I will say thank-you, Sarah for tagging me on facebook!  Hope you enjoy my random list and I hope you’re doing well across the ocean!

The Year Through Pictures

So…I’m a copy cat.  Annie had this awesome post and so I wanted to do the same:

January: Ringing in the New Year–ready for a fresh start

February: A little salsa dancing fun before “real life” aka full-time job-ness sets in.

March: No homework means time to make fun recipes like Cheesecake pops, read lots of books, take a ceramics course, and work out

April: “ 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

May: I said hello to love at first sight

June: Summer nights with friends and  enjoying our sweet deck

July: There were a few crashes along the way this year.  A few rough spots, but in the end the plastic pops right out and the head lights are millimeters away from being smashed.

August: Spent some time with family.  Said “Look at the bull ship,” which was interpreted as “Look at all this bull shi*” (say that 3 times fast and your family will think you are NOT having fun when really you are)

September: Life may be a little messy, but at the end of the day I can always turn to my “church family” for anything I need.  I’m going to miss them…

October: “Ransomed” God, theology, podcasts, blogging, life, and everything in between could always be found in our conversations.  I miss her already!

November: “But if the bright lights don’t receive you, you should turn yourself around and come on home.”

December: Stay warm with a puppy, lots of blankets and hot chocolate while looking forward to a New Year. 

Good-bye 2008. Hello 2009.

Books Galore!

Step 1: Organize into piles by categories

Step 2: Take out the books from bookshelf number 1 and then re-shelve the books.  Then reexamine your piles and organize accordingly.

Step 3: Fill bookshelf number 2.

Step 4: Fill bookshelf number 3.

Step 5: Go back and make sure all the books are organized correctly and then leave the remaining books in the piles on the floor since bookshelf number 4 will be coming in a couple of weeks. 

Step 6: Go through all of the books one more time and move them around now that you have moved bookshelf number 4 back home.

Step 7: Attempt to pick out books to bring to South Africa.

Step 8: Get teary eyed about how you won’t be able to bring many books and how you have to leave bookshelf number 1, 2, 3, and 4. 

Step 9: Remember that people can ship you books.

Step 10: Bring lots of books anyway.

p.s. for those of you who were wondering (Tam), if you look closely you can see some of my pottery!  I’ll take some more pictures sometime soon, but I moved most of it home already so you’ll have to wait a few weeks.

me, myself & I AM

Sometimes, I’ll admit, I don’t read everything thoroughly.  Accepting this book was one of them!  I envisioned a thought-provoking narrative or at least a devotional type book.  So, when I popped open the box and looked inside (mind you, I was excited about getting this!) to find questions and blank pages, boy was I confused!  At first, I thought lame. I’m an avid journal-er but the whole fill in when your first date was kind of thing does not get me excited.  I put the book on the shelf and did not think about it until I brought it up with my friend.  Unlike me, she actually read the entire explanation and was excited about it!  So, I decided to crack open the cover again and give the book another go.  I’m not fully convinced yet, but my plan is to bring it to Africa.  I’ll let you know how the reading and writing goes.  Until then, here’s a teaser from one of the pages:

If my life today were a movie, these song lyrics would be in the soundtrack:

• Have I told you lately that I love you
• There’s bubblegum in the baby’s hair
• On the road again

If I picture my spiritual life as a journey, I would describe my experience as:

• walking in a circle
• shooting river rapids, just trying to stay in the raft
• leaping through flaming hoops
• pushing a boulder up a steep hill
• still waiting at the station with all my bags packed
• just cresting the summit–what a view!

 

There you go!  Go check the book out at Amazon

FREE BOOK

Tomorrow is the BIG day.  This book goes on sale!  Except the awesome part is that I already have it.  And even better…I have an extra copy thanks to some great marketing!  I’m going to be diving into the book starting tomorrow.  I thought it would be fitting to start on the day it’s released (plus, I just finished Wicked by Gregory Macguire so this will be perfect timing.  So, here’s the deal…I have absolutely no clue if anyone reads this other than my sweet friend Carrie who puts up with me because we both love blogging and talking about blogging.  But I’m going to give this a try anyway.  Plus, I figure the word FREE gets a lot of hits.  So, leave me a comment by Friday, August 22, 2008–I figured I better put the year just in case .  Then I’ll use some super technical skills and choose a winner assuming there are comments.  So surprise me and let me send you a book.  Leave your e-mail and we can chat via that on how you’d like to receive the book.  I’ll post updates from my reading as well so check back if you’d like!

Summary:

Most of us have no idea where we’re going most of the time. Perfect. 

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something….

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” –from the introduction.

 

Author Bio:

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

 

Cover art:

 

Don’t forget to check this site out too!

The Name of the Wind

Sometimes a book stays with you long after your hands have turned the last page.  The emotions, weight, and power of The Name of the Wind has stayed with me these past few weeks.  All of my other books pale in comparison.  I love and hate that feeling…

Here’s a glimpse of the hauntingly beautiful book:

“But we are all creatures of habit.  It is far too easy to stay in the familiar ruts we dig for ourselves.” p. 187

“I’m not saying it’s rational…Emotions by their very nature are not reasonable things.  I don’t feel that way now, but back then I did.  I remember.”

“My parents danced together, her head on his chest.  Both had their eyes closed.  They seemed so perfectly content.  If you can find someone like that, someone who you can hold and close your eyes to the world with, then you’re lucky.  Even if it only lasts for a minute or a day.  The image of them gently swaying to the music is how I picture love in my mind even after all these years.” p. 118-119

Zoom Zoom, Bang Bang Boom

I want to go on a motorcycle ride really bad.  This is totally unlike me.  I’m normally very against motorcycles and reiterate how dangerous they can be, but lately they look like fun… I think maybe Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (=awesome book) finally sank into my head.

Along with that thought….you make my heart go bang bang boom! Name that ridiculous song (boom rhymes with zoom…that’s all I got)

Those two thoughts are completely unrelated, but that’s kind of how things seem in my life lately.

p.s. Secondhand Lions=fabulous movie