Pictures to Hold You Over

I hardly ever write on here because I'm always waiting for some great revelation that rarely comes. Or I just don't know how to write it down. I have lots of 'almost posts' in my head, but nothing that amounts to much.

So, in the meantime, here are some words of encouragement for you:



Some recent fun:




And some exciting news...debt free! Woohoo! :)



So, that's my randomness for now. I'll try to formulate something thoughtful soon. ;)

Memories of Egypt

I heard a sermon last week about the Israelites wandering in the desert and 'remembering' how great it had been to live in Egypt. As they complained about their plight in the desert and spent time dwelling on their current circumstances, they suddenly remembered Egypt with fondness...instead of remembering their slavery and oppression, they remembered being well fed and taken care of. Instead of opening their eyes to see how God was providing for them in the desert, they conveniently forgot about how horrible Pharaoh had been to them and their families.

I've been thinking about this lately in relation to my selective memory. It's easy to be discontent with where I'm at and think of how great I used to have it...living on a lake, surrounded by friends, a desk job...it sounds wonderful and appealing, and sometimes, like the Israelites, I wonder why I left. But if I'm really honest with myself, I have to remember the bad things too. I don't need to go into detail, but it wasn't perfect. When I was there, I 'remembered' other times and places with fondness too and wished I could have those things back. It's hard to be content.

Why is it that when we're in the middle of a situation, we so clearly see the bad things and find anything to complain about, but when we look back, we see the good and wish for it back or wish we had enjoyed it more? Why not focus on the good while we've got it?

At this moment, I'm sitting at a coffee shop downtown. The sun is shining, there's a nice breeze, I have no place to be for the next few hours. What a blessing. I could complain about why I have this free time...I was a bit annoyed this morning when I found out some other plans had been cancelled, but if that hadn't been so, I wouldn't have had this opportunity to enjoy one of the last days of summer. So that's what I intend to do. :)

I started this post thinking I would write about some other 'days gone by' that I've been thinking of after visiting my old neighborhood in VA, but that can wait for another day. I don't want to miss this one!

Favorite Birthday Memories

This being my 24th birthday and all, I thought I would take some time to reflect on birthdays gone by...

Here are some of my best birthday memories throughout the years:

--The birthday when I was around 6 or 7 and I was too sick to have friends over, but that meant my brother and I got the pinata all to ourselves :P

--When I turned 9 and had a 'kidnapped' party, which was a surprise to the guests...we woke them all up out of bed and brought them to our house in their pajamas to have a morning pj party

--When I was 10 or 11 and my friends & I made ice cream in coffee cans

--One of my college years when Andrea came to visit and we had 'brownie poop'

--My special birthday date with Dave last year out on a boat on Gull Lake

--And all the cakes I've shared throughout the years with my grandma & great grandma, who have birthdays close by...this year we share 205 years!



Happy Birthday Grandmas!

A Project

My mom & I picked this up from the side of the road. It had a FREE sign, so we finagled it into our car and brought it home. It has been sitting in our basement ever since, but I've decided to finally take it on. I started sanding and now need some paint. I'm thinking just white...any suggestions?

The Fraidy Cat Thrill Seeker

There's nothing I love more than a good thrill. I love to ride the biggest rollercoasters, go down the zip line, jump from the Pamper Pole at camp, and the one that tops the list was skydiving a couple years ago. I love a good healthy dose of fear...that little bit of uneasiness in the pit of your stomach just before you take the risk.

But then there's that other type of fear...

It seems so silly now, really. But at 3:30am I heard the doorbell ring. And I froze. I started imagining all sorts of terrible things. I started hearing noises. I was afraid to get up and afraid to fall asleep. My mind was going crazy. And really there was no rational reason to be afraid. I didn't even know if I really heard it or if I had just dreamed it.

People have died from jumping out of airplanes, and that didn't bother me the least bit. But I'm paralyzed by a doorbell?!

It's amazing to me the power that fear can have over me. Both mentally and physically. How it can seize my whole being. Even if it is irrational and unfounded. I hate it. And it's amazing, also, how now in the daylight it just seems foolish. I can see clearly now that there was nothing to fear. But in the moment, in the dark, it's so real.

-----

Sometimes I wish I could shed some of that daylight onto the 'dark' and uncertain parts of my life. To stop worrying about the unknown and step boldly ahead with feelings of anticipation and excitement for the thrills to come rather than fear of what could be.

I was reminded of this quote from Helen Keller, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure."

I want to live a daring adventure. I know I hold too tightly to security, and most of the time it's false security anyway. I know that the only real security is found in Christ.

Hebrews 13:5-6 God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"


It's worth the leap...

Life as of lately...

It's strange to have arrived at the stage in life where the year does not start with fall and end with summer vacation. I feel like summer coming to an end should mean change - in work or school or location, but it doesn't anymore. That's a hard adjustment to make.

I'm ready for change. This summer has been great -- I've enjoyed having a 'real' summer for once, spending time with family, going to weddings, visiting grandparents, and so on. But I'm getting antsy. I enjoy my job, but 15 hours a week doesn't add up to much and leaves a lot of time to fill. I'm ready for a new job. A new adventure. A new place? Something.

It's been a summer of job applications and cover letters and resumes. It's frustrating to apply for so many jobs and never hear a word. I've had one interview, but no news so far. I finally have another interview today at a different place. Not sure that it would be my top pick, but a full time job and experience would be a plus. I'll keep ya posted.


I spent hours chatting with these lovely ladies yesterday...so refreshing! There's nothing better than good friends! :)

I'm Back!

So, I know it may seem like I've dropped off the face of the earth, but no worries...I'm still here! Usually I just don't think I have much to say. Maybe this new look will motivate me to write something once in a while. We'll see...

Stay tuned.