Things I learned about myself today...


1. I could quite possibly be the "jumpiest" person on the planet.  We watched Signs tonight.  It seriously wasn't even scary by my terms, and I hate scary movies.  So it doesn't make sense that it heightens my jumpiness.  I am already easily startled so after watching a movie like that it's extreme... Like tonight- our friend scares us by opening the door quickly and yelling, and I proceed to not just yelp but to do an ugly little girl dance and throw my keys.  Why? I don't know... Apparently that's how my body responds to stress.  That'll be super helpful if it's ever not a friend just joking around, right? Wrong!


2. I am most definitely the weirdest car dancer ever, but I find a LOT of genuine joy in doing it... especially to T. Swift. 


3. I really love good analogies for spiritual things like our college pastor tonight comparing the Israelites journey out of slavery into idolatry as a dating relationship.  It makes sooooo much more sense to me now! I never knew the Ten Commandments were the DTR... the law now makes 100% more sense to me than it did in the last 22 years of being in church.  That's all it took was comparing it to my girl language, and it's like the fog has lifted.


4. I really really really really really love my job... It's exhausting at times.  It's frustrating and messy, and I'm not very good at it yet.  But I love getting to be available to students.  I love facilitating environments where community is built.  I love that people are beginning to trust me here.  I love that God is moving in their lives, and I get to be a tiny part of it. 


5. When I hear sermons like I did tonight that challenge me and rub me raw and leave me feeling a little wounded, I miss home.  I miss family and friends who can finish my sentences.  I miss feeling like it's okay to be a mess.  Homesickness and feeling vulnerable seem to be directly linked.  Maybe I could just find a way to avoid both of those, but I'm thinking it's not very likely. 

Say by John Mayer

On my way home tonight from a long but excellent day... I heard this song.  Isn't it funny how situations, movies, songs, books hold ties to memories?  When I heard this song, it was like torture listening until the end of the song.  I was bombarded by some long forgotten and long ago "dealt with" emotions.  To say I was frustrated with my mind is an understatement.  I hate how Satan thinks he can steal my joy like that. I refuse to dwell on the past in such an unhealthy way.

We'll just say I learned the lesson John Mayer is talking about in the song...

"It's better to say too much than never to say what you need to say."

For the past few months I've been minorly obsessed with visiting Austin, Texas... I've even sat in the floor of Barnes and Noble for over an hour reading a travel book about it.  I'm not sure where this desire came from, but I plan to act on it soon.  Anyone up for a road trip (or we can fly)?

Two things I've found myself a tiny bit addicted to lately:

Greek food... My friend Lindsay introduced me to this little slice of Heaven called Athena in Maitland.  Can you say DELICIOUS?!?  Maybe we've gone a lot lately, and I have no plans to stop. 

Gossip Girl... the series

Brittany is in really big trouble... I have pretty much wasted my life away lately watching the first two seasons of this show.  Such a new guilty pleasure... so dramatic and unrealistic and yet- I'm in love. 

Life is great in Orlando these days... Planning an update soon.  Here's a sneak peak. 

Made some new international friends and we've had some fun adventures!

Two articles I read today... They both struck me for very different reasons.  Life update coming soon!

The Story of Grace by Andy Stanley

What to Know When You're 25(ish)

I'd especially like to hear what you have to say about the second article... Not sure why it stuck with me so much, but I felt like that was my heart.  Is that really what I should know when I'm 25(ish)?  I thought it presented a nice balance of what it means to grow up without losing your youth. 

"There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. This season is about becoming."

*really liked this quote from the article

My beloved Georgia Bulldogs lost today.  I was frustrated and disappointed until I began watching MSNBC's special about the terror attacks on September 11th.


I don't know a single person who doesn't remember where they were on that day... 
I was sitting in an 8th grade math classroom...
The confusion swirling around the nation was unsettling...
I remember being picked up from school and asking a million questions trying to understand in my 13 year old mind... 
I remember the fear when my mom couldn't explain away my anxiety...


After a little perspective and a prayer asked in forgiveness and gratitude, I'm spending my evening remembering the troops who are sacrificing their lives and time to protect me.  I'm remembering the families who've lost loved ones, and ones who are missing fathers, husbands, sons, daughters, mothers, and wives because of their service to America. I'm thankful that despite my limited sight God is absolutely in control.    

Can't seem to find a lot of emotion for the Dawgs' loss after that. 

You could just build me a tiny little hut out at the end of this boardwalk, and I could happily live there forever...

Throw in a fountain Diet Coke machine with crunchy ice dispenser and access to a Kindle... I'm as close to Heaven as a girl can dream.