Warning: *your LDL/HDL levels might go up from just reading this!!
I was first introduced to this concept quite shockingly by a friend who seemed to find absolutely nothing wrong with eating this concoction. My fellow nurse and best friend and I were equally appalled by her explanation that it is in fact EXACTLY what its name implies!!
I predict a large influx in the bypass surgery department in the next 30 years! I may consider changing my specialty to cardiac nursing.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
"I love our family!" -- Dash, The Incredibles
My parents greatly amuse me at times (but don't tell them I said that!).
-my dad, "Is there anything else you want on this list?" hands my mom the grocery list.
-my mom, glaces over the list then looks up, "Its four thirty... on a Friday... " gives him the have-you-lost-your-mind-you-are-thinking-of-going-now? look.
-my dad, shrugs, "Well, people are probably still out of town for the big 12 tournament!"
-me, offering my two cents, "Yeah, the boys lost yesterday, and the girls lost their game earlier today, which was only in KC, so everyone's probably back by now..."
-my dad, looks at my mom's still dubious face, gives her the ultra-super-manly look, and taps his biceps, "Don't worry, I'm tough!"
-me attempting, to help the situation, "Riiiiiight dad, cause REAL men go to Walmart at 4:30 on a Friday!" offer him the way-to-be-manly-(slightly-sarcastic) look.
-my dad, "Is there anything else you want on this list?" hands my mom the grocery list.
-my mom, glaces over the list then looks up, "Its four thirty... on a Friday... " gives him the have-you-lost-your-mind-you-are-thinking-of-going-now? look.
-my dad, shrugs, "Well, people are probably still out of town for the big 12 tournament!"
-me, offering my two cents, "Yeah, the boys lost yesterday, and the girls lost their game earlier today, which was only in KC, so everyone's probably back by now..."
-my dad, looks at my mom's still dubious face, gives her the ultra-super-manly look, and taps his biceps, "Don't worry, I'm tough!"
-me attempting, to help the situation, "Riiiiiight dad, cause REAL men go to Walmart at 4:30 on a Friday!" offer him the way-to-be-manly-(slightly-sarcastic) look.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Inspiring Women in My Life
The first woman that I can remember looking up to was my mom. From a very young age I wanted to be her. She was so smart on most things. Her organization and planning skills were (and continue to be) off the chart. And while there were definitely times when I was not very appreciative of her, there has never been a time when I could deny that she went above and beyond every day for her family, (usually without our appreciation). I could never hope to be as good of a mother as she is every day.
The second was my older sister Jenny. Jenny and I have had a strange relationship over the years. I had to wear all her hand-me-down clothes (NOT my style!), but filling in her footsteps was just as scary. Jenny always had this attitude that was soooo obedient to my parents which made me feel like the bad rebellious child. When she's mad, she's quiet, while I get explosive. She actually enjoyed memorizing scripture, while I did my bible subject for school kicking and screaming, or cheated and didn't do it at all! She could do public speech tournaments and smile in the spotlight while I go 4 shades of white, shake, talk really fast, and can't think to save my life. She could sing and led worship with my dad at a really young age, while I hid in the back of the choir and lip-sank the notes I couldn't hit. And she could draw. And not just draw, she can draw so that you would swear it was a photo rendering. My drawings look like Picasso next to hers. The few things she couldn't do (and trust me there were few!) I felt the need to rather mercilessly make fun of her about just so I could be sort of even. Secretly though, I have wished I could be more like her.
The third was a girl I knew in high school named Emily. She was always so meek and graceful and beautiful in everything that she did. And I think for the most part it wasn't just a front. She really does have a beautiful Christ-like character underneath. I remember when we played volleyball together and she was the only person on our team all year who got a yellow card. The rest of the team really wanted to pummel the ref in the parking-lot after the game. She was just the last person on our team that would ever have deserved that. But even then she was sweet and accepting of it, even calming the rest of us down. I have always wished I could be more like Emily.
The fourth place probably goes to women from history. I remember reading biographies of Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, Mother Teresa, and Elizabeth Elliot and thinking "Wow! God, can I grow up to be like that?" Especially Amy Carmichael, because I felt like she was a real Christian. She had a temper like me, and did stupid things (like me), and went on adventures (like i wanted to), and God still chose to use her to rescue all these orphans from the devil himself!
The fifth woman I have been inspired by was my lovely roommate Jenna. To this day I don't think she knows how many times she spurred me on by her own seeking after God. Through her I think I began to grasp a lot of the importance of hard-core prayer. And yet, I felt like she was a real Christian in that we could be silly together and discuss stupid things with that underlying understanding that God was at the center of it all.
The sixth woman I have been inspired by is ironically someone that I hated for a great portion of my younger life; my little sister Janalee. I can't tell you how much it pains my heart of older sister pride to say this but she is one of the biggest examples to me of someone who genuinely is committed to the cause of Christ. She has these amazing skills in just talking with people. And encouraging, its like a second language with her. On a regular basis she seeks out ways to go out of her way to say something fun to someone. I think I just forget half the time to be so extroverted.
More recently the seventh woman has been my dearest friend Chantelle. The better I get to know her, the more I am blown away by the things she has overcome in her life. The way that she goes on smiles through the pain. I love growing in Christ with her; she inspires me to some new level of strength.
There are several other people that I can see are already going to be the next people on my list. I intend to keep it growing, as each and every person I come in contact with I think has something to teach me (however inadvertently).
My question to you is this: Who are the people in your life that have spurred you on to love and good works? How have the influenced your journey heavenward? Do they know it?
The second was my older sister Jenny. Jenny and I have had a strange relationship over the years. I had to wear all her hand-me-down clothes (NOT my style!), but filling in her footsteps was just as scary. Jenny always had this attitude that was soooo obedient to my parents which made me feel like the bad rebellious child. When she's mad, she's quiet, while I get explosive. She actually enjoyed memorizing scripture, while I did my bible subject for school kicking and screaming, or cheated and didn't do it at all! She could do public speech tournaments and smile in the spotlight while I go 4 shades of white, shake, talk really fast, and can't think to save my life. She could sing and led worship with my dad at a really young age, while I hid in the back of the choir and lip-sank the notes I couldn't hit. And she could draw. And not just draw, she can draw so that you would swear it was a photo rendering. My drawings look like Picasso next to hers. The few things she couldn't do (and trust me there were few!) I felt the need to rather mercilessly make fun of her about just so I could be sort of even. Secretly though, I have wished I could be more like her.
The third was a girl I knew in high school named Emily. She was always so meek and graceful and beautiful in everything that she did. And I think for the most part it wasn't just a front. She really does have a beautiful Christ-like character underneath. I remember when we played volleyball together and she was the only person on our team all year who got a yellow card. The rest of the team really wanted to pummel the ref in the parking-lot after the game. She was just the last person on our team that would ever have deserved that. But even then she was sweet and accepting of it, even calming the rest of us down. I have always wished I could be more like Emily.
The fourth place probably goes to women from history. I remember reading biographies of Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, Mother Teresa, and Elizabeth Elliot and thinking "Wow! God, can I grow up to be like that?" Especially Amy Carmichael, because I felt like she was a real Christian. She had a temper like me, and did stupid things (like me), and went on adventures (like i wanted to), and God still chose to use her to rescue all these orphans from the devil himself!
The fifth woman I have been inspired by was my lovely roommate Jenna. To this day I don't think she knows how many times she spurred me on by her own seeking after God. Through her I think I began to grasp a lot of the importance of hard-core prayer. And yet, I felt like she was a real Christian in that we could be silly together and discuss stupid things with that underlying understanding that God was at the center of it all.
The sixth woman I have been inspired by is ironically someone that I hated for a great portion of my younger life; my little sister Janalee. I can't tell you how much it pains my heart of older sister pride to say this but she is one of the biggest examples to me of someone who genuinely is committed to the cause of Christ. She has these amazing skills in just talking with people. And encouraging, its like a second language with her. On a regular basis she seeks out ways to go out of her way to say something fun to someone. I think I just forget half the time to be so extroverted.
More recently the seventh woman has been my dearest friend Chantelle. The better I get to know her, the more I am blown away by the things she has overcome in her life. The way that she goes on smiles through the pain. I love growing in Christ with her; she inspires me to some new level of strength.
There are several other people that I can see are already going to be the next people on my list. I intend to keep it growing, as each and every person I come in contact with I think has something to teach me (however inadvertently).
My question to you is this: Who are the people in your life that have spurred you on to love and good works? How have the influenced your journey heavenward? Do they know it?
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Drought
I'm sure you have all felt those times in your life where you live for that one small little drop of water coming from the faucet and ache wishing the spiritual rain would just drench you clear through.
That's kinda what I have been feeling. Growing up, we would go to visit my Grandma and Grandpa on their farm. One of the coolest things once we got old enough and strong enough was to help water flowers by cranking the old hand pump out back. Now if any of you have actually used an old fashioned hand pump more than just seeing a picture of one in 'Country' magazine, you know that to get one started is no small feat. You can stand there for what seems to a child like forever pumping and getting nothing to come up. Thats what I feel like. Like I am thrusting all of my childish power and putting my whole body behind thrusting that handle up and down, and yet getting nothing to gush forth. I get these small little drips of water from the end of the spigot. But its not enough to wet my lips let alone quench my thirst.
I suppose a thirst for God is a good thing. But I am inclined to view it as a very disappointing thing at this point in time. I feel like I have been trying and trying. Pumping with all of my naive little girl strength. Attempting to force something that should flow easily.
So the question now is how does the pump get primed? Or is this the primer and I just don't realize that my efforts are getting it there slowly and surely?
That's kinda what I have been feeling. Growing up, we would go to visit my Grandma and Grandpa on their farm. One of the coolest things once we got old enough and strong enough was to help water flowers by cranking the old hand pump out back. Now if any of you have actually used an old fashioned hand pump more than just seeing a picture of one in 'Country' magazine, you know that to get one started is no small feat. You can stand there for what seems to a child like forever pumping and getting nothing to come up. Thats what I feel like. Like I am thrusting all of my childish power and putting my whole body behind thrusting that handle up and down, and yet getting nothing to gush forth. I get these small little drips of water from the end of the spigot. But its not enough to wet my lips let alone quench my thirst.
I suppose a thirst for God is a good thing. But I am inclined to view it as a very disappointing thing at this point in time. I feel like I have been trying and trying. Pumping with all of my naive little girl strength. Attempting to force something that should flow easily.
So the question now is how does the pump get primed? Or is this the primer and I just don't realize that my efforts are getting it there slowly and surely?
He's Been:
I got accused of being an agnostic the other day. I can't even begin to tell you the depths of my despair!
To clarify: I am not now, nor have I ever been in doubt of the existence of God.
He has been the biggest constant in my life. When I have felt I could trust no other, I always knew I could trust Him. When my world has crumbled, when no one could know my secret pain, He has always been there. The few nights in my life where I didn't want to go on living and I felt I had no one to call, He's been the best friend that got me through the night. When my heart's been broken and ripped to shreds by would-be relationships, He's sewn it lovingly back into a crazy patchwork quilt. When my very dreams and successes have fallen flat, He's been the only thing that kept me laughing. When I've felt hideous and exposed to the world, He's given me the power of an ugly, shameful cross. When I've cried I've felt His hand around my shoulder. When I've laughed, He's been the color of the sunshine. When I've danced, He's been my only tune.
There is no one more powerful in my imagination. There is no one more lovely to me in my life. If He were the ocean I would be less than a plankton, and yet He loves me. If He were the world I would be a grain of fine sand and yet He cares for me like a priceless emerald. I can't earn Him, I can't deserve Him, I can't be perfect like Him. But His love reaches wider than east is from west, farther than north is from south, longer than time stretches in my finite mind at its best. Before I existed He loved me. Though I knew not myself, He could have called me by name. He's never forsaken me, never left me, never abandoned me, never left me empty, or cheated, or lonely, or scared. There has never been a moment in time where He has walked away because He couldn't handle me anymore. His wrath has been unspeakable, but His love has been unquestionable. His call irrevocable, His blessings irrefutable.
When I have been faithless, He has remained faithful. No, I have no doubts that my God is very, very real.
To clarify: I am not now, nor have I ever been in doubt of the existence of God.
He has been the biggest constant in my life. When I have felt I could trust no other, I always knew I could trust Him. When my world has crumbled, when no one could know my secret pain, He has always been there. The few nights in my life where I didn't want to go on living and I felt I had no one to call, He's been the best friend that got me through the night. When my heart's been broken and ripped to shreds by would-be relationships, He's sewn it lovingly back into a crazy patchwork quilt. When my very dreams and successes have fallen flat, He's been the only thing that kept me laughing. When I've felt hideous and exposed to the world, He's given me the power of an ugly, shameful cross. When I've cried I've felt His hand around my shoulder. When I've laughed, He's been the color of the sunshine. When I've danced, He's been my only tune.
There is no one more powerful in my imagination. There is no one more lovely to me in my life. If He were the ocean I would be less than a plankton, and yet He loves me. If He were the world I would be a grain of fine sand and yet He cares for me like a priceless emerald. I can't earn Him, I can't deserve Him, I can't be perfect like Him. But His love reaches wider than east is from west, farther than north is from south, longer than time stretches in my finite mind at its best. Before I existed He loved me. Though I knew not myself, He could have called me by name. He's never forsaken me, never left me, never abandoned me, never left me empty, or cheated, or lonely, or scared. There has never been a moment in time where He has walked away because He couldn't handle me anymore. His wrath has been unspeakable, but His love has been unquestionable. His call irrevocable, His blessings irrefutable.
When I have been faithless, He has remained faithful. No, I have no doubts that my God is very, very real.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Art of Concealing Sources
My younger brother has a famous quote which he garnered from who knows where, which runs something along the lines of, "Originality is nothing more than the art of concealing your sources." This entire blog post I have decided to dedicate to my favorite lines from Old English type language be it book or movie which dost capture my heart
"I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow." ~P and P(the book)
"I should very easily forgive his pride, had he not injured mine." ~ P and P
"You mistake me, my dear. I have the utmost respect for your nerves. They've been my constant companion these twenty years." ~ P and P
"First, I must tell you I've been the most unmitigated and comprehensive ass." ~ P and P
"You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on." ~ P and P
"What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" ~ P and P
"Poor Jane. Still, a girl likes to be crossed in love now and then. It gives her something to think of... and a sort of distinction amongst het companions." ~ P and P
"Take the matter as you find it; ask no questions, utter no remonstrances; it is your best wisdom. You expected bread, and you have got a stone, break your teeth on it and don't shriek because the nerves are martyred. Do not doubt that your mental stomach --if you have such a thing -- is strong as the ostrich's; the stone will digest. You held out your hand for an egg and fate put into it a scorpion. Show no consternation, close your fingers firmly upon the gift, let it sting through your palm. Never mind, in time, after your hand and arm have swelled and quivered long with torture the squeezed scorpion will die, and you will have learned the great lesson how to endure without a sob. For the whole remnant of your life, if you survive the test -- some, it is said, die under it -- you will be stronger, wiser, less sensitive. This you are not aware of at the time, perhaps and cannot borrow courage of that hope. Nature however is an excellent friend in such cases, sealing the lips, interdicting utterance, commanding a placid dissimulation. A dissimulation often wearing an easy and gay mien at first, then settling down to sorrow and paleness in time, then passing away and leaving a convenient stoicism, not the less fortifying because it is half bitter." ~ Charlotte Bronte
"She was stronger alone; and her own good sense so well supported her, that her firmness was as unshaken, her appearance of cheerfulness as invariable, as, with regrets so poignant and so fresh, it was possible for them to be." ~ S and S (about Elinor)
"What do you know of my heart? What do you know of anything but your own suffering. For weeks, Marianne, I’ve had this pressing on me without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature. It was forced on me by the very person whose prior claims ruined all my hope. I have endured her exultations again and again whilst knowing myself to be divided from Edward forever. Believe me, Marianne, had I not been bound to silence, I could have produced proof enough of a broken heart, even for you." ~ S and S
"Is love a fancy or a feeling? No, it is immortal as immaculate truth, tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth drops from the stem of life, for it will grow in barren regions where no waters flow, nor ray of sunshine cheats the pensive gloom."
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds or bends with the remover to remove. Oh no, it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken." ~Sonnet 116, Shakespeare
"Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love." ~ Hamlet, Shakespeare
"The true adventurer goes forth aimlessly and uncalculating to meet and greet unknown fate." ~O'Henry
"I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow." ~P and P(the book)
"I should very easily forgive his pride, had he not injured mine." ~ P and P
"You mistake me, my dear. I have the utmost respect for your nerves. They've been my constant companion these twenty years." ~ P and P
"First, I must tell you I've been the most unmitigated and comprehensive ass." ~ P and P
"You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on." ~ P and P
"What are men compared to rocks and mountains?" ~ P and P
"Poor Jane. Still, a girl likes to be crossed in love now and then. It gives her something to think of... and a sort of distinction amongst het companions." ~ P and P
"Take the matter as you find it; ask no questions, utter no remonstrances; it is your best wisdom. You expected bread, and you have got a stone, break your teeth on it and don't shriek because the nerves are martyred. Do not doubt that your mental stomach --if you have such a thing -- is strong as the ostrich's; the stone will digest. You held out your hand for an egg and fate put into it a scorpion. Show no consternation, close your fingers firmly upon the gift, let it sting through your palm. Never mind, in time, after your hand and arm have swelled and quivered long with torture the squeezed scorpion will die, and you will have learned the great lesson how to endure without a sob. For the whole remnant of your life, if you survive the test -- some, it is said, die under it -- you will be stronger, wiser, less sensitive. This you are not aware of at the time, perhaps and cannot borrow courage of that hope. Nature however is an excellent friend in such cases, sealing the lips, interdicting utterance, commanding a placid dissimulation. A dissimulation often wearing an easy and gay mien at first, then settling down to sorrow and paleness in time, then passing away and leaving a convenient stoicism, not the less fortifying because it is half bitter." ~ Charlotte Bronte
"She was stronger alone; and her own good sense so well supported her, that her firmness was as unshaken, her appearance of cheerfulness as invariable, as, with regrets so poignant and so fresh, it was possible for them to be." ~ S and S (about Elinor)
"What do you know of my heart? What do you know of anything but your own suffering. For weeks, Marianne, I’ve had this pressing on me without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature. It was forced on me by the very person whose prior claims ruined all my hope. I have endured her exultations again and again whilst knowing myself to be divided from Edward forever. Believe me, Marianne, had I not been bound to silence, I could have produced proof enough of a broken heart, even for you." ~ S and S
"Is love a fancy or a feeling? No, it is immortal as immaculate truth, tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth drops from the stem of life, for it will grow in barren regions where no waters flow, nor ray of sunshine cheats the pensive gloom."
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds or bends with the remover to remove. Oh no, it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken." ~Sonnet 116, Shakespeare
"Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love." ~ Hamlet, Shakespeare
"The true adventurer goes forth aimlessly and uncalculating to meet and greet unknown fate." ~O'Henry
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Calling Out Your Name
Spring rains always make me think of this song, and while its not yet spring raining... the sky is very threatening and the winds smell of precipitation!
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