Saturday, July 31, 2010
If I Die Young -- the band perry
when someone passes away you naturally take stock of your own life.
my grandma passed away this last week after many beautiful years of gracious and happy living. she died in an auto accident at the corner that i pass every day on my way to and from my current house. it easily could have been me instead.
great incentive to live every day on purpose.
my best friend said this song sounded like me. i was slightly taken aback at first. i was like, "you do realize this song is about dying right?" but then the more i thought about it, this song does sound like me, and how i would like to live in every day.
when you are living every day with no regrets there is no sorrow in death. and with our Savior there is no fear in death.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Some of My Favorite Quotes of All Time
"God notices the most trivial act, accepts the most threadbare service, listens to the coldest, feeblest petition, and gathers up with parental fondness all our fragmentary desires and attempts at good works" -Stepping Heavenward
"The reason the average woman would rather have beauty than brains is she knows the average man can see better than he can think" -Dr. James Dobson
Me to Janelle(6 yrs) - "Uhm, be careful with that, cause you don't have enough money to replace it!"
Janelle to me - "Oh, it's okay, I have 2 dollars and 51 cents!"
"What time to they televise the game on the radio?" -- Jenny
"I bet you were a chubby baby." - one of my residents who usually doesn't talk at all, to me... out of the blue.
"Makin' Memories" -John Schwartz, anytime anything funky happened in Africa
"T.I.A." - Me and David to explain anything slightly out of the ordinary, (it doesn't really matter what country we are in presently.)
Discussing rats in Kampala City, Uganda...Megan -"They carry diseases!" Manny - "No our rats don't."
"Glucose Biscuits: mmm, just like Mom used to make them!" -random sign in Kampala City
Chana to me while ordering at Chipolte: "You only order black beans cause you just came back from Africa!"
"I have always, always, always wanted to do that with a guitar!" --me to Nicole discussing using a guitar as a weapon.
"Jenna's too sweet, she wouldn't hurt anyone" -Sarah to me, discussing Jenna's habit of keeping a large blade knife with her after someone attempted to break into our house.
Jenna from the other room -- "Yes i would! I'd KILL HIM!"
"I realize I'm tipping sacred cows here" -- John Zumwald
"This is not a charismatic attempt to take over your life!" -- John Zumwald on lifted hands during worship.
"What are you doing? There's no chicken HERE!!" -- me to Jenna on a long car trip
"We get done at 230 right?" -- me to one of my nursing student buddies
"Tea party? Yeah, we're having one." -- her reply, misunderstanding me, not skipping a beat, and not batting an eyelash.
"That must be frightening for you." --"therapeutic communication" from one of our lovely nursing tests, and much quoted by our entire class, cause who would actually talk like that??
"looks like you're going to the gym" and "everybody in this family is friends" --my amazing parents' most quoted lines.
"We ARE the committee." -- "In the shadows to the left..." -- "Comes in handy down here bub!" -- "Had your chance; muffed it!" -- "You are a sad strange little man, and you have my pity. Farewell" -- "my apprentice has much to learn... much" -- fav quotes that are used frequently in my family...
"On the contrary my dear, I have the utmost regard for your nerves; they have been my constant companion these last 20 years" (me to Janalee quoting from) -Mr. Bennett (Pride and Prejudice)
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."
"The will of God is always bigger than we bargain for" -Jim Elliot
"I know God won't give me anything that I can't handle, I just wish He didn't trust me so much" -Mother Theresa
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart"
Psalm 37:4
"Live your life in such a way that if there was no God, it would make no sense"
"We look upon God as our last and feeblest resource. We go to Him only when we have nowhere else to go. And then we find that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven."
-George MacDonald
"God has made us for Himself, and our hearts are restless, until they find their rest in Him" -Augustine
"Only in a world where faith is difficult can faith exist. I don't have faith in 2+2=4 or the noonday sun. These are beyond question. But scripture describes a hidden God. You have to make the effort of faith to find Him"
-Dr. Peter Kreeft
"We are so culturally indoctrinated to be fast paced, high-energy, hands-on kinds of people that we tend to think of prayer as a passive, nearly "do-nothing" reaction. We tend to pray when we don't know what else to do. Beloved, nothing shakes the heavenlies more than prayer. Nothing moves the heart of God more than prayer. Furthermore, I'm not sure anything takes more energy at times than fervent prayer." -Beth Moore (Daniel Study)
"The question is asked. "Is there anything more beautiful in life than a boy and girl clasping clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?
And the answer is given. "Yes, there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped; their faces are seamed, but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion for one another. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love... Old love."
-Author Unknown
(random side note, but I want this quotation read at my wedding)
"The roads are rugged, the precipices are deep; there may be feelings of dizziness on the heights, gusts of wind, peals of thunder, fierce eagles, nights of awful gloom; fear them not! There are also the joys of sunlight, flowers such as are not on the plain, the purest of air, restful nooks, and the stars shine thence like the eyes of God." -The Spiritual Letters of Pere Didon
"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by the Holy Spirit's power. My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. The road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of adversity. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear." -A young African pastor martyred for his faith
"The reason the average woman would rather have beauty than brains is she knows the average man can see better than he can think" -Dr. James Dobson
Me to Janelle(6 yrs) - "Uhm, be careful with that, cause you don't have enough money to replace it!"
Janelle to me - "Oh, it's okay, I have 2 dollars and 51 cents!"
"What time to they televise the game on the radio?" -- Jenny
"I bet you were a chubby baby." - one of my residents who usually doesn't talk at all, to me... out of the blue.
"Makin' Memories" -John Schwartz, anytime anything funky happened in Africa
"T.I.A." - Me and David to explain anything slightly out of the ordinary, (it doesn't really matter what country we are in presently.)
Discussing rats in Kampala City, Uganda...Megan -"They carry diseases!" Manny - "No our rats don't."
"Glucose Biscuits: mmm, just like Mom used to make them!" -random sign in Kampala City
Chana to me while ordering at Chipolte: "You only order black beans cause you just came back from Africa!"
"I have always, always, always wanted to do that with a guitar!" --me to Nicole discussing using a guitar as a weapon.
"Jenna's too sweet, she wouldn't hurt anyone" -Sarah to me, discussing Jenna's habit of keeping a large blade knife with her after someone attempted to break into our house.
Jenna from the other room -- "Yes i would! I'd KILL HIM!"
"I realize I'm tipping sacred cows here" -- John Zumwald
"This is not a charismatic attempt to take over your life!" -- John Zumwald on lifted hands during worship.
"What are you doing? There's no chicken HERE!!" -- me to Jenna on a long car trip
"We get done at 230 right?" -- me to one of my nursing student buddies
"Tea party? Yeah, we're having one." -- her reply, misunderstanding me, not skipping a beat, and not batting an eyelash.
"That must be frightening for you." --"therapeutic communication" from one of our lovely nursing tests, and much quoted by our entire class, cause who would actually talk like that??
"looks like you're going to the gym" and "everybody in this family is friends" --my amazing parents' most quoted lines.
"We ARE the committee." -- "In the shadows to the left..." -- "Comes in handy down here bub!" -- "Had your chance; muffed it!" -- "You are a sad strange little man, and you have my pity. Farewell" -- "my apprentice has much to learn... much" -- fav quotes that are used frequently in my family...
"On the contrary my dear, I have the utmost regard for your nerves; they have been my constant companion these last 20 years" (me to Janalee quoting from) -Mr. Bennett (Pride and Prejudice)
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."
"The will of God is always bigger than we bargain for" -Jim Elliot
"I know God won't give me anything that I can't handle, I just wish He didn't trust me so much" -Mother Theresa
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart"
Psalm 37:4
"Live your life in such a way that if there was no God, it would make no sense"
"We look upon God as our last and feeblest resource. We go to Him only when we have nowhere else to go. And then we find that the storms of life have driven us, not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven."
-George MacDonald
"God has made us for Himself, and our hearts are restless, until they find their rest in Him" -Augustine
"Only in a world where faith is difficult can faith exist. I don't have faith in 2+2=4 or the noonday sun. These are beyond question. But scripture describes a hidden God. You have to make the effort of faith to find Him"
-Dr. Peter Kreeft
"We are so culturally indoctrinated to be fast paced, high-energy, hands-on kinds of people that we tend to think of prayer as a passive, nearly "do-nothing" reaction. We tend to pray when we don't know what else to do. Beloved, nothing shakes the heavenlies more than prayer. Nothing moves the heart of God more than prayer. Furthermore, I'm not sure anything takes more energy at times than fervent prayer." -Beth Moore (Daniel Study)
"The question is asked. "Is there anything more beautiful in life than a boy and girl clasping clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?
And the answer is given. "Yes, there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped; their faces are seamed, but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion for one another. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love... Old love."
-Author Unknown
(random side note, but I want this quotation read at my wedding)
"The roads are rugged, the precipices are deep; there may be feelings of dizziness on the heights, gusts of wind, peals of thunder, fierce eagles, nights of awful gloom; fear them not! There are also the joys of sunlight, flowers such as are not on the plain, the purest of air, restful nooks, and the stars shine thence like the eyes of God." -The Spiritual Letters of Pere Didon
"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by the Holy Spirit's power. My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. The road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of adversity. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear." -A young African pastor martyred for his faith
Girly?
So I'm planning a bridal shower and trying to come up with games. Let me first of all tell you that I absolutely HATE shower games! They are the most ridiculous mix of awkward and cutesy... its just sickening. That much being said... I found a couple that seem more random instead of awkward and more clever than cutesy... hopefully I am not a disappointment to the whole world of women out there. (then again... like I really care!!)
But interestingly enough, my family and I were in the kitchen at my parents house the other day (where all good discussions happen. No really, they do. Brain food in easy access, lounging against, or on counters or chairs, or doing dishes. The philosophy just flows). Anywho...
My dad made the interesting observation that when ladies get together in formal groups they play games. Strangely it seems that guys don't do this. With the exclusion of a sport game, it seems that they are hardcore and just plunge into whatever it is that they are supposed to be doing. I, of course, did not know that was what they did, having never been invited to a men's retreat (I can't imagine why! sexist little people!).
What it is it about ladies that makes us feel that we must have some sort of social ice-breaker type thing before we get down to business? Are we ladies really that guarded that we have to break down and feel comfortable by being silly before we can be real?
Anyway, I thought it was a strangely interesting and slightly bemusing factoid.
Guess I had better go get busy planning my stupid (newly discovered "girly") bridal shower games. *sigh*
But interestingly enough, my family and I were in the kitchen at my parents house the other day (where all good discussions happen. No really, they do. Brain food in easy access, lounging against, or on counters or chairs, or doing dishes. The philosophy just flows). Anywho...
My dad made the interesting observation that when ladies get together in formal groups they play games. Strangely it seems that guys don't do this. With the exclusion of a sport game, it seems that they are hardcore and just plunge into whatever it is that they are supposed to be doing. I, of course, did not know that was what they did, having never been invited to a men's retreat (I can't imagine why! sexist little people!).
What it is it about ladies that makes us feel that we must have some sort of social ice-breaker type thing before we get down to business? Are we ladies really that guarded that we have to break down and feel comfortable by being silly before we can be real?
Anyway, I thought it was a strangely interesting and slightly bemusing factoid.
Guess I had better go get busy planning my stupid (newly discovered "girly") bridal shower games. *sigh*
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Fantine
"i had a dream in time gone by
when hope was high
and life worth living
i dreamed that love would never die
i dreamed that God would be forgiving
i had a dream my life would be
so different from this hell i'm living
so different now from what it seemed
now life has killed the dream i dreamed."
that was a quote i found in my 'journey of desire' journal this morning as i was doing my biblestudy. its a quote from Fantine from Les Miserables. something in my heart resonated with the emotion behind it, however misguided the philosophy behind it turns out to be. i think i understand the absolute weariness of Fantine, as she realizes that her life is turning out to be so very different than what she pictured for her ideal. because i think i feel a little of it too.
but in the end, the truth is this. dead dreams fertilize the ground for growth of dreams that our Father wants to give us instead. hope is still high, though perhaps more mellow now that we see with matured eyes. life is still worth living, if it is lived on purpose. and i don't mean in a manner of purpose towards one goal, but i mean on purpose every day. small term goals. living today to His glory. love does sometimes die its true. human love that is. but there is a Love that does not die. but grows stronger with time, even more poignant with disappointments, deeper even when we run from it, and eventually saturates our very person if we allow it to. and shocks: God is still forgiving. no mistake is too big for Him to not welcome you back with open arms. no failure so great that He doesn't still love you.
and true this world is no heaven... but its far from hell. the small joys are still there. the sun still shines, rain still falls, dew still clings to blades of grass, fields of wheat still rival gold for beauty, people still smile, birds still sing, God is still not dead, and life is here for the taking.
when hope was high
and life worth living
i dreamed that love would never die
i dreamed that God would be forgiving
i had a dream my life would be
so different from this hell i'm living
so different now from what it seemed
now life has killed the dream i dreamed."
that was a quote i found in my 'journey of desire' journal this morning as i was doing my biblestudy. its a quote from Fantine from Les Miserables. something in my heart resonated with the emotion behind it, however misguided the philosophy behind it turns out to be. i think i understand the absolute weariness of Fantine, as she realizes that her life is turning out to be so very different than what she pictured for her ideal. because i think i feel a little of it too.
but in the end, the truth is this. dead dreams fertilize the ground for growth of dreams that our Father wants to give us instead. hope is still high, though perhaps more mellow now that we see with matured eyes. life is still worth living, if it is lived on purpose. and i don't mean in a manner of purpose towards one goal, but i mean on purpose every day. small term goals. living today to His glory. love does sometimes die its true. human love that is. but there is a Love that does not die. but grows stronger with time, even more poignant with disappointments, deeper even when we run from it, and eventually saturates our very person if we allow it to. and shocks: God is still forgiving. no mistake is too big for Him to not welcome you back with open arms. no failure so great that He doesn't still love you.
and true this world is no heaven... but its far from hell. the small joys are still there. the sun still shines, rain still falls, dew still clings to blades of grass, fields of wheat still rival gold for beauty, people still smile, birds still sing, God is still not dead, and life is here for the taking.
Coffee Shop Blues
Okay the coffee shop that I am currently sitting in, is being OVERRUN by kids at the moment. Which is fine, I mean, I like kids. Not in coffee shops, but I do like kids.
Anyway, needless to say I can't really hear myself think, so the deep thoughtful blog that I was planning on writing today, is going to be slightly lacking.
Also, I think mothers are getting older. Maybe people are just waiting longer to start having kids. I'm seeing ladies that I would expect to be the soccer moms of the world, and they are carrying around babies and 2 year olds. I think it has become fashionable to wait until you are 30 to have your first kid. I guess I shouldn't say anything about that, since its not like I can negatively affect that fashion at this point in time! haha...
Also, the LTR looking full back tatoo is no longer cool when you are carting a screaming 3 year old. But it is funny.
Anyway, needless to say I can't really hear myself think, so the deep thoughtful blog that I was planning on writing today, is going to be slightly lacking.
Also, I think mothers are getting older. Maybe people are just waiting longer to start having kids. I'm seeing ladies that I would expect to be the soccer moms of the world, and they are carrying around babies and 2 year olds. I think it has become fashionable to wait until you are 30 to have your first kid. I guess I shouldn't say anything about that, since its not like I can negatively affect that fashion at this point in time! haha...
Also, the LTR looking full back tatoo is no longer cool when you are carting a screaming 3 year old. But it is funny.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Smatterings
Smattering #1. If I ever get a husband, and he ever gets to be middle aged... remind me to NEVER let him wear a Hawaiian flowered shirt! I've just seen about 4 already this morning, and PUUULEEZZ people... you aren't in Hawaii or at a bbq! (and its 9am on a workday!) The shirt just makes you look silly!
Smattering #2. I can't believe i am admitting this, but I am actually shy of my new apartment. I have NO idea how that works psychologically. But needless to say, I have yet to think of it as my own. Someday, hopefully soon!
Smattering #3. Apparently I use the internet more than I was aware... I've been freaking out the last couple days because I haven't been able to get on from my computer. Which is completely weird, because I have a smart phone and shouldn't legitimately freak out about this sort of thing!
Smattering #4. Okay, I totally told my mom and sister that I thought it was all weird to meet my neighbor that lived above me and be all friends with her... but I actually met her this morning, and she's really nice. So I guess I have to rescind my former statements to that effect.
Smattering #2. I can't believe i am admitting this, but I am actually shy of my new apartment. I have NO idea how that works psychologically. But needless to say, I have yet to think of it as my own. Someday, hopefully soon!
Smattering #3. Apparently I use the internet more than I was aware... I've been freaking out the last couple days because I haven't been able to get on from my computer. Which is completely weird, because I have a smart phone and shouldn't legitimately freak out about this sort of thing!
Smattering #4. Okay, I totally told my mom and sister that I thought it was all weird to meet my neighbor that lived above me and be all friends with her... but I actually met her this morning, and she's really nice. So I guess I have to rescind my former statements to that effect.
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