Lessons From My Mom

Last month Kiki wrote about "being good enough" and as I was typing out a comment, the idea for this post was born! 

March 3, 2012

I don't think I talk about my Mom on this space very much. She is hands down the most influential person in my life. We have been extremely close pretty much my whole life. She has taught me so many things and if I could just remember half of them I'd be sure to go places!

My Mom always taught me...

 To do my best - She pushed me to do things well, but to be okay with my limits.

To not be afraid of failure - Her exact words go something like this, "The only thing worse than failing is never even trying."

To listen up when learning opportunities show up - Her Dad told her "The only stupid question is the question that you never asked." and she made sure to pass that same wisdom on to me. Pay attention, ask questions, and GIVE IT A SHOT.

That I'm okay - This started when I was a baby. She would always acknowledge the pain and then quickly move on to helping me "brush it off" and reminding me that "it isn't any trouble just to S.M.I.L.E."

These pieces of advice have never let me down.

See , Mom? 

I have been listening!

And don't quote this post 

next time I'm struggling 

with something! :) 

I love you !

The Circle: Thank You Notes

This month, Kiki and Jess are hosting The Circle link up. Kiki described this month's theme this way:

While I know that most of us are not born with the gift of comedy (ahem, me), Jess and I have also realized that it's of equal importance to write sincere thank you notes to those people and things around you that you're thankful for, too. Think of them as little notes of love or laughter. You take your pick!

I'm going the serious route...

Thank you God for knowing me and making yourself known to me. Though I have to fight to keep my eyes on You, the sight that you have given to me is precious to me. For all these things that I'm about to mention, I am grateful, because I know they are meant to point me back to you.

Thank you John Piper and Desiring God for delighting in helping others come to see and savor God. My life began to look a lot different after you taught me that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." The pursuit of God IS magnificent. Thank you.

Thank you Mom for following so hard after God. I love you! 

Thank you to my siblings for letting me be "Sissy" for all these years...I love our talks, our laughs, our games, and watching each of you grow and try things! 

Thank you BBC for taking great books and ideas and turning them into lovely series (I cannot figure out how to make that word plural). 

Thank you Twinings for making such nice tea. I've really enjoyed them over the last few years. 

Than you Blogger for making a way for people to write and connect over even the silliest things. 

Thank you God for all the variety You've put in my little world lately...I'm thinking especially of the flowers coming up in my bulb garden, the warm and sunny days, and days like today that bring a dose of rain and dreariness. 

Thank you READERS it's fun to know that you're reading along. I especially love when you comment and tell me about the place where you blog! 

What are some things you're THANKFUL for? 

Maybe you'd like to join in the link up this month? 

The Scenic Route: A Weekend in Winter

I'm writing this towards the end of Sunday afternoon while drinking a glass of orange juice and watching the snow continue to fall outside my window. What a pleasant weekend this has been!

My goal Friday was to record a speech for my English class so that I could really enjoy the weekend. I recorded it that evening and finished the day with a plate of chili cheese fries and the second episode of Wives and Daughters.

On Saturday  the wind was blowing like CRAZY. It was March 1st and for some reason it just felt like SPRING. I decided to make waffles, mainly because I've been wanting to have some on hand in the freezer. Then it was time to head to a new Bible study group. Afterwards I fixed lunch, rotated the laundry, tidied the kitchen, cleaned the bathroom, and settled in for episode three.

Jay came over for the rest of the afternoon and tacos since he's getting ready for a trip. The wind was still blowing and a million of the tiniest snowflakes I've seen all winter were swirling through the air. It was too warm for it to stick, but the peace that snow brings still came. Before I started dinner I was by myself in the kitchen and I just felt so happy all of a sudden.

Over the last few years I've come to love a good, quiet weekend filled with nowhere important to go, good food, friends and family, and plenty of time to be still. That's exactly what this weekend was turning into and realizing it just filled me thankfulness.

The evening ended with an affogato (I'll be telling you more about this another day just in case you don't already know) and the final episode of Wives and Daughters.

Salad wars...mine vs. 

my brother's 

Today I really haven't done much except for enjoy a nice long shower, fix a salad bar, and continue to watch the snow come down. It happens to be piling up today. I plan on spending what's left of the afternoon finishing Emily Freeman's book "A Million Little Ways" and reading my Bible. After that, we'll see what the rest of this weekend holds!

How was YOUR weekend? 

What has left you feeling happy and thankful lately?

47 Years

Yesterday my Mom turned 47!

The last few years have been TOUGH, but she continues to rejoice in the Lord, try new things, and press on in the old things.

Moms do soooo much and we admire them for all that they do, but I always try to step back and remember that my Mom is more than she does...My Mom is worthy of my admiration simply for who she is.

So, on this day, you get to meet my Mom. :)

She is HILARIOUS...Like, embarrass you, perfect strangers, or WHOEVER, hilarious. If it's on her mind, she's saying it, asking it, and making sure EVERYONE knows.

She is SMART...I don't care what it is, she can figure it out (with or without Google). Knitting? Check. Crocheting? Check. Ailment diagnosis? Check (half nursing experience, half Google here). Math? Yep, she's got you covered. The list goes on and on.

She is FEARLESS...The things that freak everyone else out are like a CHALLENGE for her. She'll try ANYTHING at least once.

She is directionally CHALLENGED...In a new city and she tells you to go left? Definitely turn right. It's okay, she gets it. Turn right.

She is filled with FAITH...As in, she doesn't worry about anything EVER. If she does, she takes it to God because I have NEVER heard her say, "What if....". 23 years is a long time, and with most of them being very rocky and giving her every reason to run to the hills, she is there looking life straight in the eyes because she KNOWS God is at work.

She is LOYAL. This is probably my favorite and yet most frustrating thing about my Mom. She doesn't change her mind or her story or her tune. If she's for you, you better watch out because NOTHING will come against you. If she thinks it's good, you will not be able to convince her otherwise. This goes for songs like "Purple Rain" and "Hammer Time", foods like vinegar (she collects the stuff), stuffed mushrooms, quiche lorraine, and eggs benedict, and shows like "Call the Midwife" and old shows about any era in history.

She says things like "Meh!", "Whatchya gonna do?", "It's beautiful, I'm sure!", and "What will be, will be." because she TRUSTS and FEARS the Lord more than anyone I know. He holds the past, the present, and the future. She thanks Him for the good and clings to Him when the seemingly bad threaten to shake her.

It's been 47 years and I know that everyone who has known her should be very glad.

I can't imagine my life without her! I'm glad to call her Mom and best friend...I love a lot of people, but no doubt about it, she's my favorite!



Mom, I'm sure you'll read this eventually. When you do, know that I love you and thank God for you! I'm grateful for all you do, but more than that, I'm amazed by who you ARE.

Keep pressing on, looking to God, and being faithful. God is doing something beautiful and when I look at you I am reminded of what He is capable of.

Wherever I go. Whatever I do. I hope I never forget anything about you!!! I love you. :)

 (ps I'm crying now...)

Anchored Soul

I just finished filling up a journal. (I'll talk more about what goes into a journal of mine another time.) I've been working on this journal for just under 2 years...That means I was 20 when I started this one and I'm finishing it now at 22. 

The journal...

This journal covers a very distinct season of my life. It has been full of other "mini" seasons, but those two years had a theme...LETTING GO. 
And as I was finishing up this journal, I realized something...These last two years have been about letting go AGAIN. I've let go before. 
I play it tough, but letting go is by far one of the hardest things I ever have to do. I totally drag my feet when it comes to letting go. 

August 2010, celebrating "20" before I moved to do student teaching.

  The days around the time I turned 20 were so difficult. I look back and am absolutely THRILLED that they are over. Things were ripped out of my hand and I held on soooo tightly that I made letting go way harder on myself. Yet, I think I NEEDED that. I needed to let go and I needed letting go to be difficult. 
Why? 
Letting go (the hard way) made me more like Jesus. I see that now...This week, this holy week, with Easter just a few days away...I see how the last two years have made me more like Jesus. And all of a sudden, the last season of letting go is totally worth it.
  All the tears, the sense of being lost, the pleading, the clinging, the sleeping, the wondering if things would ever work out....And then the hoping, the drinking up wisdom, the moments of joy when I saw God or helped others see Him....They have blurred into one big, "hard, but good" time. 

September 2011, Celebrating "21".

I don't want to write too much, but I don't want to be vague either. 
I want you to see and be encouraged and I want to remember. 
The last two years I was letting go of so many things. It can be summed up in this: I was letting go of what I thought life was (is) supposed to be. I was letting go of things that had given me a sense of direction and purpose and getting to understand and treasure things that OUGHT to give me a sense of direction and purpose. 

I need to rewind. 

Me at 13 (stole this from somebody's FB album)

At 13, I was looking into colleges. I was planning my life and putting my previous years of hard work in school to work. I was finishing up jr high and was planning my road through high school so  that I wouldn't waste ANY time. I wanted my life to count. I wanted to make I difference. I wanted to accomplish big things. I, I, I. 
Slowly but surely, I let all of that go. I came to be enamored with what it meant to be a godly woman. I went from saying, "I want to be a teacher who makes a difference in the lives of kids and maybe even get into some kind of social work to help counsel them along the way too!" to saying, "I see that my role as a woman is to be a helper to men. I don't know what that means exactly, but I just want to do whatever God wants me to do." 
I saw the beauty of being a godly woman...I saw the beauty of marriage and family. I let go of me and began to see my role in the body of Christ. 

July 2006, during a mandatory "time of silence". 

At 15, I had  a firm foundation in Christ. Now I had a better idea of what it was to be a Christian woman...But, I had more to learn. I went to a leadership conference/ spiritual BOOT CAMP and came away with so many of my questions answered. For the first time in my life I heard and saw that I was created to live for the glory of God. I had spent the last two years listening to every radio preacher I could tune into, reading as much Bible as I could, and really trying to understand WHY I was alive. 
On my application to the conference, I remember summing up my reason for attending the conference as this, "After I got saved, I began to think, 'I'm saved, now what?'. They told me to read my Bible, pray, and go to church....So, I read my Bible, prayed, and I go to church...Still, I'm asking, 'What's the now what, after the now what?'..." 

July 2007, same conference, second year...FYI we were dressed up for a hoe down. 

I left that conference with a CLEAR vision of exactly what the now what, after the now what was!!!! I know it's basic and I know that I was on a journey towards seeing it. I am so grateful for the men at that conference and the time that God gave me to SEE why He made me! I left that conference with this quote by John Piper, "God is most glorified in you, when you are most satisfied in Him.". I left that conference knowing that my purpose was to make much of God...All the time, in all things.
  I left that conference feeling FREE to be the godly woman who served those around her and was pouring her life out to know God and make God known. 

May 2008

At 17, I had come a long way. I had shed many tears. I had had soooo many doubts and struggles. I had said goodbye to old friends, old habits, old movies, old music...Old things that drug me down. I had grown closer to my Mom and made a few new friends, I had formed new habits, found completely different movies and music to enjoy...I was FREE to know God and to make God known. I was pouring my life out to do just that. Then, something new came my way. The opportunity to plan and prepare for my life as "wife and mother". I was accepted at Whitefield College and the journey began. 

My brother's birthday...The desk in the background was my study zone. 

Again, I had let some things go, made some tough decisions, and had serious direction. This was like that leadership conference all over again...Day after day, month after month of AWESOME lectures, books, and a chance to write EVERY SINGLE DAY. I loved it!

January 2009. None of us knew that 8 months later, my brother's first truck would be loaded with everything he owned as he moved out. 

Then...Came 2009 and 2010. Things went a little downhill, but I was okay. My brother ended up moving out. 
2010 began as a year of "dreams come true". I went to EVERY SINGLE place I had EVER dreamed of going. I got to spend time with some awesome people, go to another conference, and see my brother. 

NEXT2010 in Baltimore, MD, May 2010.

George Washington's Mount Vernon, May 2010

Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod, September 2010. 

NYC, December 2010

I dealt with some hard stuff by seeing some family members and going to places full of memories that I hadn't seen or been to in a long time. I spent the month of July WRESTLING with God about what I would be doing that fall and dealing with the consequences of my own apathy. 
I moved to New England to complete my student teaching. I went to a great church, taught at a wonderful school, and for the first time in my life was SURROUNDED by a group of godly young women (and their families and friends). I loved it... I knew that I told God when it was over, I would head home. That time came. 

March 2011

Then, came 2011. What I thought was a year of HELL. I battled depression. I was SICK. And people around me were always asking me what was wrong with me. I was up and down and all over the place...Always crying and seriously just ready for this thing called life to be over. I'd get to the BOTTOM and just be CLINGING to God, crying out to Him. I read Martyn Lloyd-Jone's, "Spiritual Depression" and stayed in Psalms and Proverbs. That's seriously, probably some of the only Bible I read for most of that year. I was questioning God in what He was doing and what I was supposed to do. 
July of 2011 was amazing...I ended up at the Ranch for about a month. My mind was completely off of all the stuff in my "real" life and I was surrounded by people that love God, love to talk about His Word, and every single day was spent ministering to people or being ministered to by people. Still, the struggle was not over. I ended my time "helping" and things got worse again....Just when I thought it would never get better. It did. 

February 2012

Just like that, a major prayer was answered. I was okay. I still had more letting go to do. The rest of 2011 and really, up until recently, were marked by a toned down version of the first part of 2011. I was still up and down, but not nearly as bad. I was still questioning God and feeling TRAPPED. I didn't have answers. I didn't have direction or security in the day to day. I was gripped by FEAR. 
From December 2011 to March of 2013, the specifics of my life were given to me only as it was time to do them. I'm black and white. I ask a million questions and I form a million answers in my head. I need to know what is next, why it's next, and what it will lead to. I knew I was a Christian, I knew I was called to be a godly woman, and I knew I existed to know God and to make Him known...Still, I was caught up in the HOW. I need my today to lead to a good tomorrow. Not generally, but SPECIFICALLY. 
Now, I see that the last two years have been about letting that go. Over the last two years, God has been teaching me about how to walk with Him in faith the way that Jesus did. Depending on Him and looking to Him 100%. 
From December 2011 to March 2013, I haven't known what was next. Today, I have no idea what I will be doing next week. I'm writing this on Wednesday night and I don't even know what I'm doing on Friday. ZERO idea. 
For the last fifteen months or so, every couple of months, something comes up, somebody has a need or somebody needs help. I pack up my bags and I head out like Mary Poppins, Jesus until the wind, Holy Spirit changes direction and then I wait to see what will be next. I have taken care of people in their 80's, worked at a coffee shop, helped my Mom run her house, painted buildings/gardened/cooked/cleaned/ministered at the Ranch, helped my friend Heidi with her house, and none of it was ever planned or expected. All of it was dropped into my lap weeks before it was to begin. 
From the time I was 16, I was talking about "living on mission wherever God placed me"....I guess, at 22 I'm there...I got here kicking and screaming, crying and doubting...But, I'm here and I'm free. No conference, no college, no man, just God and His Word leading me, guiding me, protecting me, and making me sure of this: 
I am known by God and He is making me into the image of His Son, Jesus. 
By the grace of God I am what I am and His grace towards me was not in vain, I labored more abdunatly than they all, though it was not I but the grace of God that is in me. 
Now I see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know just as I also am known. 
I'm glad to be sure again. I'm glad to trace the patterns of God at work in me life. I'm glad for the direction He's given and giving me! I've seen my sin and I've seen His grace!
As I finish this post, I have so much truth bubbling up...Truth that has led me to HOPE IN GOD. There is a rap running through my head too. You can listen to it and know that all of this...All that I wrote, all that I've learned, and all that I live for is because of Jesus. This Sunday we celebrate that He died and ROSE AGAIN. 

He rose from the grave. He defeated death - first His and now mine! I have walked through the shadows and by God's grace and mercy, I have seen the LIGHT. A fountain of living water was brought before me and now I am overflowing that living water. 

OPEN

A few nights ago I was sitting on the couch and just had the urge to get up to do some clutter busting. After things were put away, I ended up vacuuming, getting rid of the dust, and cleaning the glass table. 
That burst of energy and motivation came out of absolutely nowhere. 
Yesterday, I got a call from my friend Amber. She and her husband were planning on taking a trip this weekend and were hoping to stop by to see me. She was calling to ask if they could stay the night. 
Of course, I said they could. This meant I had some serious work to do. Thankfully, the "worst" of it was behind me since I had just cleaned the area they would be staying in the night before.
Yesterday I pulled out my recipe book and set out to make chicken burritos for dinner (repurposing the left over "chicken tortilla soup" I had made the night before) along with blueberry muffins and a sausage egg casserole for breakfast today. 
It turns out, they got on the road way later than they had hoped and they didn't get here until nearly 11 last night. 
None of that really matters....What matters is, I love it when spontaneous things happen and WORK OUT in spite of the total lack of planning. 
Even though I had no idea they would be coming, I got a head start on preparing for their visit. Then, because of their delays, I was given LOTS of extra time to get everything ready.
They are gone now...The house is quiet, I'm sitting down to read and eat a leftover chicken burrito. 
One word is on my mind, THANKFUL.
Today I am thankful for friends, being able to sit and visit in person, roads that make traveling possible, a place to offer to people who "need" it, and the bond that we have in Christ. 
If we weren't Christians, I don't know how I would have met Amber. If we weren't Christians, I don't know what we would have in common. Because of Christ, Amber and I met and became fast friends. Because of Christ, Amber and I have maintained that friendship even though we rarely get to see each other and sometimes go MONTHS without even being able to catch up on the phone. 
Maybe you have a friend you need to visit...Maybe you have a room to pick up just because...Maybe you have a book to read and left overs to eat. 
Amber won't read this, but I'm thankful for the opportunity she gave me to SEE her and host GUESTS all at the same time. 
Saturday mornings spent quietly visiting with my Mom and waiting for the house to wake up while I putter around getting a buffet ready are some of my favorite days. 
You may or may not have much to offer, but open up and let people in. You'll be glad you did! 

Thanksgiving Our Way

I saw this link up and thought it would be fun! So, here we go....

Since we’re all “lifestyle” bloggers, we thought we’d let that be our theme: sharing all different facets of our holiday. Choose as many of the items as you’d like from this list to share about:

+ Thanksgiving Family Traditions
+ Favorite Recipe
+ Fashion for Turkey Day – What do you plan to wear?
+ What Thanksgiving means to you in one word
+ Your “Pinterest” table decor muse
+ A photo of something you’re thankful for
+ An inspiring quote about thankfulness

* * * * * * * * * * *

My favorite family traditions are the MENU and the COOKING. Every year we eat the same foods. Every year my Mom and I cook the meal. Missing the days when her Mom joined us helps me treasure the days we still have together all that much more. It won't be long until my sister finds herself part of the tradition  too! 

There are usually games of skip-bo played in the kitchen. I have my Grandma to thank for that tradition. 

And other than that, it's just a bunch of people eating a bunch of food and sitting around talking about a bunch of things. 

The thing that I am most thankful for in this life is PEOPLE. We are spread out, but I have a pretty great family. On top of that, I know some amazing people who FEEL like they might as well be family. And I am always up for meeting a new "stranger"....Grocery stores, airplanes, new cities...It seems that everywhere I go I am reminded just how much I am glad that God put so many other people in this world. 

America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration 

Christmas in New York City's Grand Central Station

Lastly, I want to share with you the reason why I am most thankful. You see, all of this, my life and all of the wonderful things in it is what it is because of what Jesus has done. His desires for me is what keeps me going. His desires for me are what keep me thankful. 

Jesus said, "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me, 

where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24

That's my hope this Thanksgiving. Thankfully, I know that this is promised me. Someday I will be with Him, where He is seeing His glory with all of the others who are His, FOREVER. 

In the meantime, I guess we have a bit of work to do. Enjoy your holiday for it is only a foretaste of the thankfulness you may feel forever. 

Frankly Friday...Three Simple Gifts

I couldn't make up my mind about what to be frank about this week. Since I have been pretty serious on the last two Fridays, I thought about choosing a lighter topic. 

Grocery shopping came to mind. I love grocery shopping and thought about telling you why. But then, I thought, who really wants to read about that? 

That's about as far as I got on "not so serious" topics.

Then, with the release of the iPhone 5 and pictures, status updates, etc. about it everywhere, I thought about getting frank about people's OBSESSIONS with technology.

Then, there was the birthday get together I had last night....Well, maybe that's what we'll talk about! (Up to this point, you have been brainstorming with me. Now, I have a topic and you get a real post.) 

* * * * * * * * *

Last week, I turned 22. I was BUSY getting ready for a houseful of guests to arrive. I wasn't really in "celebrate" mode. I did manage to pull together one of my favorite meals. I had thrown some pork chops into the crock pot that morning. By the time evening rolled around I decided on shredding them and turning them into BBQ sandwiches (I had buns in the freezer). I added southern mac and cheese, watermelon, and sweet tea to round it out. 

That night, I opened the gifts from my family and cards that others had sent in the mail. People called, my family ate dinner together, and that was that. 

Well, last night was the night to "officially" celebrate. I was going to fix a torte (chocolate, peanut butter, cream cheese), but then decided I would just make a batch of brownies. From a box. There was also ice cream and coffee. 

The time came to sit and visit with the friends that came and open the gifts they brought along. 

One of my friends is an older gentleman from our church. He has two sons who are in their late 20's and neither of them are married or have any children. He has been a big part of my life for quite a few years. We talk theology and life and constantly challenge each other to think harder and grow in the Lord. 

Anyway, he brought some gifts that really meant a lot. They were things of his Mothers. I didn't know his Mom, but knowing that he passed them onto me means A LOT. He has no daughters or granddaughters to pass them onto. As I was opening each one, there were instructions and stories. I almost cried!

 Three simple gifts, a potpourri jar with fresh potpourri, a little heart shaped glass box, and a little gold "pill box".

The potpourri jar was just a nicety. The heart box was to signify my heart and that it belongs to the Lord and He is keeping it. The pill box, was that the way to a godly heart is through the renewing of the mind. He chose that because in WWII, the soldiers had a sort of "bunker" that was called a pill box. It was a place where they would be safe, but also be able to shoot at the enemy. So, God will protect my mind and heart and these gifts are a reminder of that.

Hope that makes sense. The point: they were special. A lot of thought went into them. And I love them. 

I also got a gift certificate to a Christian bookstore and  candle called "Southern Magnolia". It's burning right now and I love it. Not very fallish, but I got it for my birthday and it kind of reminds me of my Grandma's perfume.

Frankly:

I'm very sentimental. 

Gifts that come from the heart are my favorite kind. 

Getting together with people is always special. Even if you don't "feel" up to it. 

22 is getting off to a pretty good start.

I can see why I take pictures at birthdays...This is one of the five pictures taken last night. And of course, I have a grimacy smile on the ONE that isn't dark!

Boxed brownies are pretty awesome. 

BTW, here's a little something I saw today and it fits pretty nicely so I'll share it with you too! 

via

From Four Days...Frankly

This last weekend was a productive one, so productive that it carried over into the week and I can't even believe it's already Friday! I'll tell you about that, and then I am linking up with Amy for something new called "Frankly Friday".

Highs

*Visiting with family

*Getting yard work done

*Cucumbers ready to be harvested 

*Lecrae's new cd Gravity just dropped, it's going big. I'm praying that it's as full of the Gospel as it can be so that all of these people will hear truth through some AMAZING music 

*Cooking out with friends ALL DAY LONG (this was probably my "most favorite" thing of the week)

*A batch of sweet tea

*Spending some serious time on the phone visiting with friends who just needed to talk 

Now, for the Frankly Friday bit. (As if I'm not already pretty frank and ready to just say it like it is...)

This week, I'm going to kind of keep with my theme of "highs" and tell you some things that I just really enjoyed. 

I am thankful for...

*Errands to quickly drop off something at a friend's house that turn into visiting on the patio, that turns inside to grab a quick soda, that turns into eating a light dinner, that turns into visiting in the living room until I absolutely had to go. 

*Small town living...A neighbor from down the street called to tell me that my dog was laying behind the van. On her way to work she noticed that the dog was laying there and was very concerned that someone might hit her if they started to back out. Yes, she called as soon as she got to work and repeated her concern several times. And yes, she called the dog by name. 

*The last days of summer. It's cooling off, but summer is hanging on. 

*Kids still playing out in their yards. 

*Cute old people. Especially the man who was shuffling around yesterday. It was sad to see him trying to cross a very busy street and getting honked at because there were lots of cars coming. He may or may not have been drunk and maybe even homeless. He looked pretty rough, but he was old and cute and looked as though SLOW was his only speed. 

*Friendly baristas. The car in front of me at the drive through paid and pulled right on through. The barista was like, "Ummmm, I'm not sure what that guy is doing. He paid and drove off without his drinks." So, I backed up. The guy's lights came on and he backed up for his coffee. When it was my turn at the window, the barista proceeded to apologize for it taking so long, tell me all about how a salted caramel hot chocolate is made, and how it is entered into their system. It was genuine friendliness and it caught me off gaurd. 

*Hot salted caramel mochas. Had my first one of the season yesterday and the above exchange took place. I think I liked it more just because of it. Oh, and by the way, I first saw the shuffling old guy as he shuffled across the drive thru lane. 

*A very unexpected outdoor concert in a park lot. As I was pulling away from the coffee shop, I saw these lights strung up in a sort of outdoor patio thing in the middle of the parking lot and I heard something that sounded like music coming across the parking lot. So, I drove out that way to figure out what it was. I heard a beat and realized it was a couple of guys rapping. I stopped to listen for a while and found out that they were rapping the gospel. I don't know who they were, but they reminded me that "It's alright....God cares for you!" and that there are people out there who do what they do in honor of what Jesus has done and is doing! 

So, to put all of this even more frankly:

I love people.

That's as simple as it gets. I love seeing people do what they do, being who they are. I love seeing people who are passionate about what they do. Not for what they get out of it or what it allows them to do for others, but because of the way it allows them to share and proclaim the excellencies of God. 

I've come into contact with a lot of people over the course of the last week. 

They all have lives, cares, concerns, passions, troubles, and a reason to smile. 

May I be passionate and friendly and full of joy so that they will know God better because of the time they spent with me.