So in between Earthquakes and Hurricanes, it does give us a glimpse into the unknown. The fact that we don't control much in this life, much less, natural disasters.
Yes I felt the Earthquake. Yes I felt the aftershock. And while it was pretty exciting, once I realized that I DIDN'T run over the curb, I had complete peace of mind. And while I think the entire DC area is about ready to unnecessarily prepare to bury themselves in a waterproof steel hole for this hurricane, I am still hoping that my kayaking trip tomorrow doesn't get cancelled....
See... he can do it! I'm sure I could too...
Because I believe that life is ours to be lived. To be lived loudly. With love, laughter, passion, and faith. I love being inspired, and challenged, and living life to the fullest. I hate to miss out on anything, because each new experience enhances who I am.
Steve Job's in an innovative, determined, hard-worker who has been on the cutting edge of technology for most of my lifetime. However, finding things like this: His Commencement Speech for Stanford University captured me and inspired me. I hope it does the same for you.
It is definitely worth reading.
Life is SO good, and I do believe, it's getting better... <3
Weddings, parties, trips to the beach and to Philly and all over the place! It has been a really busy and really great summer. And the best part? It's not even over yet... :-)
Kickin off the summer right with good friends, s'mores, bonfires, and LOTS of sparklers!
Lil Wave all wrapped up. This was the only picture I managed to take of my small group beach trip... but I promise, we had a complete blast!
Most of the fam out for lunch in King of Prussia <3
Trying to rally out a win in our Derwood Bible Church softball tournament. (It didn't work)
My love.
My current adopted substitute love
Lil CarBar's wedding!
In her Disney princess gown
P-ville bridesmaids!
The happy couple - post wedding
Phillies v. Nationals in Philly. Look at that extraordinary view. Mhmm.... Philly
Younglife leader.
That title enthralls all types of thoughts and images. Some are good, really good. And some aren't.
A Younglife leader is strong. They are fun. Funny. Crazy. Christian. ALWAYS THERE (like seriously... don't they have grown up friends?!?). Tired (although you may not know it). They always know what is happening at the school, with your friends, on your team. They come to games and check out your art projects just because they want to. Not because they have to.
To some, a Younglife leader is a grown up friend who cares just as much about making them laugh as they do getting real and talking about life and God with them to make sure they are movin in the right direction.
Younglife leaders don't take no cr** and tell it how it is. Life is great and a gift, but some things about high school suck and we get that.
Younglife leaders live with passion, and intention, and love, and adventure in their hearts and a desire to show the love of Christ though that.
I am a Younglife leader.
Last year was supposed to be my last year leading. I have been leading for 3 years now, and while my relationships have gotten better and better, life has gotten more and more tiring. Having a full time job, maintaining relationships with friends, family, a significant other, and younglife friends is exhausting. Add to the mixing bowl trying to stay fit, trying to do things like cook to save money, and going to bible study, and living with some adventure in life - and that is a full plate!
This summer I took off Younglife. I didn't take off time with my kids, just time with Younglife events. I didn't go to camp, or summer campaigners, and didn't stress about the planning or thoughts or logistics for younglife. it was nice. Almost too nice. I enjoyed the extra free time. I was worried that by the time this fall rolled around I would still be enjoying my little sabbatical from younglife. I was worried that my heart wouldn't be in the right place for another year of service. That I wouldn't be ready for the energy, the passion, and the dedication to be the type of leader we are called to be with teenagers.
Last week that changed. It was like I woke up one morning and realized how much I missed club with my kids. I wanted to plan activities, club talks, and figure out new ways to encourage my high school friends to reach out to their friends. My heart and changed - suddenly, drastically - and I knew it was only of God. Within a few days of my wheels starting to turn, and the call in my heart pulling again, I pulled up my gmail to find out some great news. We were going to have a new leader. A guy. JUST what we needed in our club. JUST what we have been praying for even when all else seemed for loss.
He answers us. He answers us with perfect timing. He answers us with better answers than we asked for.
And my friends, I AM a Younglife Leader.
Life is so good. And I do believe, it's getting better <3
My birds pulled out a clutch win against my 2nd favorite NFL team.
We have stolen the spotlight from every other team in the NFL during this free-agent frenzy.
We have stocked our deck with aces, and put on our game faces.
We have been deemed 'superbowl favorites.'
We have been hated by fans of other teams who want what we have.
We have realized a trend that Philly is happening.
So... I have kept my mouth shut. I live deep in Redskins nation, I get hated on for the Phillies stickers on my car, my Eagles shirts, my passion and fanage that has only been building for the last 25 years of my life. I get labeled as "the Eagles fan" and get all the love and hate that comes along with that. (Including the overused, under-researched insult 'You guys throw snowballs at Santa!' - FYI - if you are going to hurl an insult at me for something fans did two decades before I was born, look up the story. Here I'll make it easy for you -> Philly Loves Santa!)
But this is the most excited I have ever been for football season. I am not going to lie. I know that my life does not revolve around the Eagles, and that if there had been a lockout this year, I would have moved on with my life, probably gotten in more running, and less munching on wings and beer, but my weekends/occasional Monday nights would have been just a little bit emptier. Missing something.
The last three years I have been PROUD to be an Eagles fan. We may not have won the superbowl, and we may have lost in the first game of the playoffs last year, but we have been exciting. Three years ago we had a seasoned team and were definitely superbowl contenders. Over the last three years, we have lost (keep in mind all these people have been pro-bowl players): the core of our defense and leader of our team - Brian Dawkins. The man who was booed in 99 but came in to be one of the best quarterbacks in the franchise - Donovan McNabb (and to a division rival - ouch). And this year - one of the best kickers in the NFL, and hands down the best kicker in the history of the franchise - David Akers. We have gained: a cocky rookie who loves being an Eagle, and even better can sock it to the Gmen and Cowgirls by scoring a touchdown on a game -winning punt return - Desean Jackson. A reformed criminal who was not given a second chance by any other team, and is now walking the good path and making plays in his life and on the field - Michael Vick. And now a plethora of defensive and offensive players, ready to hit this season with fervor and passion. When the Eagles have looked like they lost their chance, BAM. There we are again ready for a power season. And that is what made the last three years exciting to watch.
So I have to speak to the hype going on right now.
Am I beyond excited that we have signed some of the best free agents in the league? YES.
Am I almost squealing for joy that Asmougha followed in the footsteps of Cliff Lee by turning down a higher paycheck in NY for a dream and team that Philly could offer? YES.
Do I think that the Eagles have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the last 3 years, and am very excited that again it looks like another exciting season? YES.
Do I think that we could win the superbowl this year? YES.
However, the danger is that Eagles fans always hope for the best and expect the worst. This year the expectation is big, and we all know that. Even with all the hype going on, I hope that my birds can realize that they will need to work hard for a superbowl. They will need to stay healthy, and realize that just because they "have the dream team" does not mean anyone is ready to hand them the dream. Andy Reid will need to push his guys. He will need to be more efficient this year with calling plays that compliment the game clock. We had had some great moments due to talent, and we have had some great moments due to luck. And while I will take luck from time to time, AReid has to realize that he will not win the superbowl this year on luck.
I do expect a serious run at the superbowl. And come February if my boys are playing in Indianapolis, I might consider selling my soul for a ticket, and will absolutely most definitely be crying if we win.
"To whom much is given, much is expected." Luke 12:48. Let's play like it my Phine Pheathered Phrends. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24
I like sundresses, nail polish, lemonade, and pearls.
I like football, and fights, and even though I hate to admit it - I think burps and farts are funny.
I like country music in jeans and a tank top, I like jazz in a slim dress, and just about everything in between.
I have no label. And I'm ok with that. Because as my friends will tell you, my label is: superballa.
I may not wear make up often, or look for the most trendy styles, or create beautiful hairstyles often, but when I do, I am very happy.
Enter my new obsession.
Women - this one is for you. For women who know just enough about hair and make up to get by. For women who want to add a little flair to their style. For women with the summertime blues, knowing that they want to savor being a summer girl for just another few short weeks.
While I was in high school when Laguna Beach started, and was living the collegiate dorm life with The Hills, I never really got too into the Reality Show Fixations of Lauren Conrad. But a few things I can assure you.
1- She is stunning
2 - She knows what she's talking about
3 - I have had my fair share of unflattering pictures and videos. I have never seen one of her. Coinsidence?
4 - She's always rocking the cutting edge, and shares her wisdom with us.
5 - This is the most important I believe - She embraces what she has, and encourages her readers to do the same. Have thick eyebrows, crazy hair, or non-defined cheekbones? EMBRACE it woman!
After reading this blog, I'm ready to become an LC Groupie and move to LA! Thanks for the beauty tips LC!
Days when we need to remind ourselves that love is not EARNED, it's given.
Days when we need to realize that who we were and what we've done is nothing compared to who we are and where we are going.
Days when we need to be humbled and realize that there is more in this world than just ourselves.
Days when we need to be reminded that there is grace, and love, and hope, and joy, and a future - just waiting for us.
I was out for a run and really needed to be encouraged a bit today, but in a way I couldn't verbalize to anyone. So I tossed my concern out to the big guy (God) and was so moved when the song below popped up randomly on my radio. It was a good song, and a good run :-)
Well, I like funk. I like funk music, playing that funky music white boy, and I even like the funky cold medina. I like a life with funk. So I'm putting a new spin on the phrase 'stuck in a funk.'
Have you ever just looked around your life and thought, "really and truly, every day has been better than the last." I don't remember ever thinking that before specifically, but I thought about it driving home tonight.
Things have been good lately. Not perfect, not only good. But yes, they have been good. I might even say great. And it seems that each day is better than the last.
And while I enjoy these last few moments of summer before the hustle and bustle of Younglife starts again, and share in the joy that some friends will be sharing as they get married in the next month, I know that it's true. That each day really can be better than the last.
Things still can and are going wrong. But I will pray, and smile, and move on because Life is So Good, and I do believe, it's getting better. <3
Let's face it, sometimes little things happen. They hit a nerve with us and we take it personally. And with me, it is 9 times out of 10 something that was done inadvertantly with without intention of anyone getting hurt.
But it still happens. Things personally move us, hurt us, make us angry with ourselves or one another. People personally let us down. Things don't go they way we plan them in our perfect snapshot of what life should look like.
That is the sympton of a fallen world. A world of pride, a world of selfishness, and a world of busi-ness. A world where our agenda does not always include the best of some of the people we love. We try, but we fail at times, because we are not perfect.
Which is why it's personal. There will always be personal let downs, personal disappointments, personal moments of feeling forgotten or not-good-enough. Which is why it is so great to have a personal God. I sometimes forget to be thankful for the fact that there is a God out there that doesn't just spin the world on an axis, but wants to be here - there - wherever we are - for those personal moments that we feel personally hurt. And not only does he want to be there, but he wants to be the source of that personal joy that keeps us from feeling too much personal hurt or disappointment.
I believe he blesses us dearly with people in our lives that love us and care for us, but without the occasional disappointment, we would not realize the personal joy that only he provides.
So is life personal? Absolutely.
Is that painful sometimes? Absolutely.
Is that overwhelmingly amazing as well? Absolutely.
Ok, so in an effort to actually keep up with my blog - I'm changing it up a bit. While I like to write stories for people to read, it is just too hard with keeping up with a busy life and a blog, and by the time I MAKE time for a blog, it's just a list of exciting things that have happened in my life, which always sound less exciting as a list.
So from now on it will be little glimpses of my life. From the small, seemingly unimportant blessings, to the big ones. Just whatever struck me as a wonderful moment of adventure, love, God, joy, etc. Life is so full of the little positive moments that when we miss them we miss moments worth cherishing.
I am so grateful for:
Roommates that are so different, so beautiful, and so much fun to be around.
Friends who inconvenience their lives to help you be closer to your pup for a week.
Learning the art of geocatching, speanding whole days laughing, and just being with a great guy.
Moments in the grocery store where God shows us that he is in control in the small moments too.
Friendships that are not perfect, but when put in the stress-test always come through brighter and stronger.
Puppy dates with Cooper, Blake & Luke, Lulu, and Bingo - and their owners :-)
2 Day vacations, family, friends, sun and the reminder that there is a life outside the mundane work week.
Friends who found someone that they want to spend the rest of their lives with, and have invited friends and family to be a part of that. It is an honor to share in their happiness.
"To whom much is given, much is expected." I'm grateful for having that engrained in me, and constantly beign challenged to live that out in my life, and seek new ways to to so.
Have had a year with slaing to live in the same state. See each other frequently, and wish her off to begin a new life up north.
Life is so good. And I do believe, it's getting better <3
