Running races and other momentous things

Ok, where to start.
1. In a mere 25 days I will be running the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run in Downtown Washington DC. Let me assure you of two things. The first is that DC is most beautiful during the Cherry Blossom season, and if you haven't ever seen it, you should plan to at some time. I plan to take my family downtown for the festivities when they come to visit for Easter Weekend. The second is that I will not be running the full 10 miles of the race. The requirements for the race are to finish in 2 hours and 20 minutes, which according to my calculations is about a 14 minute mile. This means that even though my original goal was to run the whole race, I will feel very proud of myself for finishing the race. Unfortunately between the holidays and then the car accident, my work out and running regimen has been on hold for almost 2.5 months! That being said, I am working hard, getting back in gear, and praying that God work a miracle through my physical strength to help me do my absolute best on the race. Feel free to follow my daily mile tracking on here or on facebook. I found it is a great way to keep accountable for continuing my training.
Another momentous occasion is that I crossed another thing off my 50 Dreams to accomplish list. If you read the previous post about this list, you will already know that I completed #15 - to dance freely in front of at least 10 people. What you may not know until today is that I can check off #41- send my parents to YL camp as adult guests. This weekend at the Annual Younglife Banquet, an item up for bid was a trip for 2 adult guests to attend YL camp. I tell you, I really wanted the homeopener tickets for the Nationals/Phillies game, but this was the clear winner. So with great excitement and enthusiasm, I announce that momma dearest and papa potts will be heading to North Bay in MD in June to see what YL is like. I am really excited for them for this trip for a lot of reasons. And despite my father's first reaction ("Um, so these people won't be a big fan of cocktails, right? Like, can I bring my beer?"), I am still excited for their four days experiencing this.
Also..... I am seeing my cuppa! I am flying out to see her, a wedding, and old YL Summer Staff friend, some cousins, and suprise a very good friend of mine who happens to be at this particular place on this particular weekend. It will be a very busy weekend, and I can't post where I am going yet, on the off chance that the victim of my surprise finds out, but pictures will be posted and stories shared upon my return.
Hoping this Wednesday evening finds you with peace and joy in knowing that you are loved and are worth a great sacrifice buy one who loves you deeply.
<3

25 things I love

I was thinking that I haven't blogged in a while, and I didn't really feel like blogging about recent happenings in my life, mostly because they haven't been super exciting.

25. I love driving on a sunny day with my sunglasses on.
24. I love when I check my ditziness at the door and show someone how smart I can be.
23. I love sitting in my circle chair with a good book in sweats with my glasses on.
22. I love running (and I miss it, can't wait to get back into the swing again).
21. I love when I cooked something that turned out delicious AND pretty!
20. I love wearing dresses.
19. I love labs, Cavlier King Charles Cocker Spaniels, and St. Bernards... go figure
18. I love Audrey Hepburn movies.
17. I love playing games... trivia, cards, sports, any game, any time.
16. I love letting other people drive.
15. I love mah seester!
14. I love pearls... a whole lot.
13. I love kids. I think they are cute, inspirational, and full of promise.
12. I love water ice or gelato. Sure ice cream is nice, but yum... water ice.
11. I love new jeans that fit perfectly.
10. I love country music... sometimes.
9. I love pastelling and drawing.
8. I love to sing my heart out to music in the car - even though my voice sucks.
7. I love to meet new people.
6. I love when it is all about other people.
5. I love kindness in humanity.
4. I love friends and family.
3. I love hugs!
2. I love God!
1. I love discovering new places.

Just a few quick things. Thanks for stopping by! Share some things you love <3

My 2010 so far with pictures and stories!

We had a blizzard! In case you can't tell, that is a car buried all the way under there. This picture was taken about a week ago (6 days to be exact) and yet, they still have not shoveled the thing out! I mean you can tell that it is a car now, because some of the snow has melted, but ... crazy!! People around here freak out with snow, the roads aren't great, and they think it is an apocolypse, and they close school for a week. Yes. A week. We got three feet of snow and they got a whole week! And I know I am a grown up, so I shouldn't care, but you know who else got a week of snow days? Teachers. I definitely chose the wrong career field...



Sorry, I am quite aware this pictures are in terrible order, but Happy New Years! I went out in Bethesda with a few friends to ring in 2010, and it was great! I think we should celebrate New Years every month if it gives me an excuse to glam myself up! My friends Laura and Arash up there. I guess Lauren was taking the picture and Sarah and Jason never made it out... apparently they just threw food all over the kitchen to ring in the new years. (not kidding, it looked like they got robbed when we got back)


Ahh... yes. Please note that this is not normally how I dress. That man left of me in the picture is J. His wife is in my small group, and every year they have this rockstar party. We just dress up like rockstars and play rockband, because we are super cool like that. It was a really great party, and we rocked out with too much eyeliner, men in women's jeans, fancy boas, fake eyelashes, and an assortment of fake tattoos. It was a great night, and just like every time S or I plan a get together it was snowing.
Unfortunately the night didn't end as well. I ended up hitting someone on the way home when he blew a red light and slammed on the brakes. So currently my car is gone (RIP B Dawk...) and I am recovering from some minor injuries. Accident happened about a month ago, and things are just now getting wrapped up. But I am getting another car this weekend, and finally heading up to PA to see my family, so tht should be great. (God-willing I get there!) I still have to say that the night was still a blast (up to the accident) and honestly, can you believe I had to stand on the side of the highway wearing that and looking like that on a Saturday night?!? I am surprised that I didn't at least get breathalyzed, although I did get some honks from supporting passersby...


Ok so this band is called Enter the Haggis. I love them. Found them in college, and just think they rock. Real high-energy stuff and have the quintessential quality that makes me like bands. Being underrated, and having a sweet sound and good lyrics. Well, some of you might remember the post I made about the 50 adventures I want to have. Well it is 49 now. I went to the concert with Ang and Ami, and they weren't able to get my camera out and set it up to catch this, but you can ask... it happened. I got to live #15. I tried to find some security guy in between the Haggis's sets, but instead I found a drunk friend of the band's manager. She grabbed me, took me backstage, and pleaded my case for wanting to dance onstage in front of 10 people. Well, after loosing a contest, I had to do it myself, so he led me up to the stage, and I did it. I can't remember what song they were playing at the time, but I just ROCKED OUT. I just danced my heart out. It was great. only 49 more to go...


Meet my baby cousin, C. He lives near me down here in the DC area, but I don't see him often enough. I am excited to take him out this spring and summer and get him away from his TV obsession with Baby Einstein, and start him early on loving this great city he gets to grow up right outside of. What to do with a three year old? I have no idea, suggestions welcome, but I just generally enjoy spending time with kids like that, they are so refreshing to be around. And it's fun to blow bubbles, and run like a kid, and play hide and seek in ridiculous places that a grown up will never fit in. But I have to say, I am pretty blessed to live somewhere near family, and can't wait to see the new house! Congrats fam!


I'm doing it. I'm going dark. Actually the idea is to slowly migrate to a bright chesnut red, circa Lindsay Lohan, pre-crack days. Like this picture. Plus it makes sense to look like my birthday twin. It is still weird to me to see her on tabloids and think that she is one day younger than me. Weirddddd. But stay tuned for more pictures as the red slowly takes over!

Me and mah madre! She came down to visit me in DC and we went to the Hirshorn Museum. It wasn't one of my favorite museums in the area (I have to say some of these Smithsonians really spoil me). But it was fun. It is always interesting to look at modern art and think about how really I miss the art and beauty in simple stuff too often. But about halfway through our meandering, we decided to take a cute reflection picture off this reflecting glass box. Well, it just looks like I'm trying to be emo. Bonus points for the To Write Love on Her Arms shirt, but I guess I loose all emo points for having my mom in the picture?? Whatever, I love her, I don't care.

Anyway, that is my life in pictures and stories lately! Happy hump day, the week is almost over!

live out loud faith

It's funny. The term live out loud. There is a Christian song about it, and the phrase "Have a life out loud faith" has been something I have heard more than once or twice. I like to think that I do live my faith out loud... or loud enough.

The song is beautiful. Find the lyrics right here. It paints this beautiful picture of how Christians get this ultimate gift of the sacrifice of Jesus, and suddenly we should never feel the need or the urge to keep our mouths closed about that ever again. And I think that is pretty accurate. I mean, I know that my faith is real, and I will share my faith and my story openly and honestly. But what happens to our voice when we are struggling with our faith?

Now, let me clarify that I still believe in the gospel, and I still think it is the most beautiful and honest love story of my life. I still know that without the constant love of God in my life that my life will be darker, emptier, and without the meaning and intention I live with now.

But I am referring to those times in which we question God. We question his love for us, his intention, his grace, and the promises made to us. The times in which we doubt God. I know that is a gasp moment - no one likes to hear that christians doubt, especially Christians who are supposed to have it all together. But not only do christians doubt, but they struggle and they fall too. Are we supposed to live those moments at loud too?

For a long time, I thought no. I didn't see that from my christian leaders or many of my friends. We are supposed to have it all together, in case someone sees us making the wrong case for Christ. I had heard the standard verses of encouragement "it is in our weakness that he is glorified" "take heart daughter, your faith has healed you" "everything is possible for him who believes" and "see to it that none of you have sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from God." Maybe I just never had that transparency before.

But I think that those struggles do need to be out loud. I think it's ok to say that we are afraid. I think it's ok to say that we don't understand God. I think it's ok even to challenge him and ask that he reveal how he is working when we don't see it. And even though these times are dark for us, we can rest assured that the light is something we are being guided back to. I think of that as the 'polishing' for us. I am reminded of two of my favorite verses from the bible, and let me first start by telling you why they are my favorite. They are so honest. I love the simplicity and honesty of both of them. The one is Matthew 13- a merchant finds a pearl that is so beautiful, so flawless, that he sells everything he has to buy that one pearl. Could you imagine one of your friends selling everything he or she owns for a perfect flawless item? No car, no nice apartment, no walk in closet, no sushi dinners... but that's ok, because he or she is the proud owner of that one most perfect and flawless thing, and nothing else matters.

And my other favorite is from Mark 9. Actually it immediately follows one of those encouraging verses I mentioned above. Jesus is confronted by a man who's son has been afflicted for most of his life, and he asks Jesus "If you can do anything, have pity on us and help!" I mean we can almost feel the desperation in this father's request. I picture him completely broken, exhausted. Wondering why these things have happened to him and to his son. Questioning what the reason or good from that situation is. I can identify with this father. I am there. I am sorting through a difficult and seemingly overwhelming, unusual, and unfair pile of crap (for lack of a more appropriate term). I can see him approaching Jesus, wanting to scream out for attention, just praying for an end to the hardship, a rest... even if just for a while. Jesus says back to him "If I can? Everything is possible if you believe." Jesus sounds like one of my friends here. "if I can?!?" Common... what's up? You serious? You are asking if I can do that?? Well, obviously!" And the man's response is (wait for it, this is the best part of the story) "I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!" I mean wow. How honest is that? I can hear my own words echoed in this story "I know it God, I know you! But I don't understand, I am wondering... questioning. I can't believe this all on my own, help me to rest in that faith!" Jesus then proceeds to heal the boy, and when others asked "why couldn't we help the boy?" He responds "This can only be taken care of by prayer." Here is another interesting point of that story. Between the middle and the end, no one retreats from the scene or whips out a bible for some prayer. No one recites words to the Our Father, or hits their knees in series of well-practiced thoughts and requests. The only thing that preceeds the healing of the boy is the honest confession and plea of the man to Jesus.

Yea, we struggle. And I keep that in more often that I should, this I know. I don't like to open up about how effected I am by things, how hurt, empty, pained, lonely, exhausted, or battered by things I am. But living out loud. Proclaiming that plea, "I hear you, but help me know it, feel it, believe it" is necessary. That is how we become less flawed. We are getting scrubbed so that we can more closely see ourselves looking like that pearl that is worth EVERYTHING the merchant owns. So I commit to living out loud in ALL areas of my faith, not just when I have the answers and feel full of love and encouragment for others.

The one other thing that has come together to move me to such a blog post, is actually a song by a sweet band named The Script. They have a song called the man that can't be moved. It has nothing to do with God. It is a beautiful love song about a man and his unrequieted love for a woman who is gone. I get the impression that there is a great love there, and she is upset, or angry, not out of love. And even if she is, the man clings to the faith that she will return when she realizes how much she is missing. But I thought about God. I thought about being that girl. I look around, knowing that I have a great love, a great romance, but I am tired, upset, and need to leave - get away. But he is waiting. Right where they met. For however long it takes for her to come back. He is devoted and dedicated to waiting for her. Just waiting... and knowing that she will come back. You can laugh at me for over analyzing, but you can not deny the beautiful story in the song.

Play the song loud, and live your life loudly. Don't worry about what you're saying, so long as it's worth it.

true beauty

Wow, what a steep expectation you might have by reading the heading "true beauty," but really this is just a bit of what I have been learning the past few weeks/days about being a beautiful women... (peppered with some pictures I have of beautiful women!)














First of all, since posting about dating random guys and realizing that I am called to pursuing more meaningful dating relationships, I have really been diving into the whole idea of finding myself in a divine romance, and really planting my heart where it can really be fulfilled, and find myself romanced by the one who really truly knows my heart. It has been an exciting few weeks, full of delight and joy and comfort that I have been hiding away for a while. But I was missing an important part of that. Cuppa sent me a book in the mail this week. It was what my friends from Pville and I worked out instead of our usual gift-exchange for Christmas this year. This book was randomly picked out by one of her friends, who didn't know me at all, but Cuppa knew that this was a good book for me. I got it in the mail, and it's called 'Do you think I'm beautiful?' Now before your eyebrows start raising, let me assure you that I am neither a complete narcissist nor hopelessly suffering from a self-image complex, but I do have my good days where I think a lot of myself, and my more humble days where I wonder why the same jeans are a bit tight and I found 2 new blemishes on my skin in the morning...
But when I think about beautiful women, I think about the women I know in my life. And I think they are all beautiful. From the snort from laughing too much, to the big bear hug when one (or both) of you know that you really need it, to even a brokenhearted tear, I can say without hesitation or regret, that I know and see all those women's beauty.

But we don't see our own. Tonight I texted a lot of the women in my life that I know are beautiful, just to remind them, and let them know that someone else thought they were beautiful too. And wouldn't you know that most of the responses I got back were "Thanks, I really needed that today." Something tells me that today was not really different than most, but that these girls had not been reminded that they are beautiful. It's such a shame. I have been struggling with my own acknowledgement of being beautiful, but it is so hard to believe sometimes. It actually saddens my heart to know that beautiful women do not feel beautiful or are not told often enough they are beautiful. And granted there are varying levels of beauty. But the beauty that I am talking about is a beauty that transcends looks. (And I do think that all of my girlfriends are physically beautiful as well,) but to a deeper beauty that says all of you is beautiful. It's different than hot, or pretty, or sexy... although all of us (even the good christian ones) want to be hot, sexy, or pretty. It is about being accepted and loved for everything you are, and still... someone thinks you're beautiful.

You know I once was in a room with a good girlfriend and a guy I was seeing at the time. The girlfriend said you me "You look really beautiful right now." And my immediate response was to brush it off and say "Thanks, it's just the dress." And she came back with, "No, it's you. You look very beautiful right now." The guy I was seeing said, "Yes, she always does." I still argued with them! I think my exact response was "You guys are just being nice. I love you." But it is so hard for us to take a compliment anymore, and I am not just talking about women on this one! But I think about what a difference it would make to just build other people up, to be able to see themselves in a very beautiful and honest way... the way their creator sees them. And why should I hide away from a chance to help remind people of how wide, and how deep, and how long his perfect love for us is?

favorite things and dreams

I blogged a few months ago about one of my favorite things in the world... lilies.

Today I would like to blog about something else that I love just as much. Pearls.
I think pearls are beautiful and classy and they come in all types of colors and sizes. They are formed throughout a long and painful process once the sand gets into the oyster. They are unique and original in each beautifully and naturally crafted pearl. They represent purity and beauty. They are of great value, and are the focus of my favorite parable in which a merchant sells everything he has to buy one.

Nothing makes me feel quite as beautiful as pearls, and nothing makes me happier to put on my neck, ears, or wrist. I love the beautiful texture, and it reminds me how in every way I can be beautiful and flawless, and refined to perfection once I find myself in the craftmanship and care of my oyster.
See that pearl bracelet on my wrist? That was my christmas gift from my mom and dad. This is the single most beautiful piece of jewlery that I have ever owned, and this gift almost brought tears to my eyes.

On to other things I love, my OJ (again with the nicknames) and I developed a list of adventures to go on. Some may know this as a bucket list, or a list of things to do before I die, but I just like to look at it as 50 adventures and challenges that I can conquer. So, in no particular order, here is my list of my 50 challenges:

1- Ride an elephant in the Jungle (Indonesia)

2- Skydiving

3- Missions trip in a foreign country

4- Hike to the peak of a mountain

5- Take a sailing trip

6- Go on a cross country road trip

7- Learn to drive stick shift

8- Kentucky Derby with a big hat

9- Ice skate at Rockefeller at Christmas

10- Ride on the back of a motorcycle

11- Give everything I have to someone (can be everything I can give, everything I have at that moment… I’ll know when it happens)

12- White Water raft on the CO River

13- Run a ½ marathon OR do a sprint triathlon

14- Worship with a different culture

15- Dance freely in front of at least 10 people

16- Take a helicopter ride

17- Go rock climbing

18- See the Northen Lights

19- Visit and explore Rio de Janerio

20- See Victoria Falls

21- Visit all 50 states

22- Ride the biggest roller coaster in the US

23- Make my own wine

24- Read all 100 books (I have a list of 100 books to read)

25- Not be in control

26- Spend a weekend, just me and God

27- Do God’s will, not my own

28- Help build a habitat for humanity home

29- Spend Christmas at a shelter

30- Make a difference in someone’s life

31- Write and publish a book

32- Watch the 50 Greatest American Movies of all time

33- Be a loving mother and wife

34- Go on a safari

35- Spend mornings with my husband and coffee on the porch

36- Attend a professional tennis tournament

37- Act ridiculous

38- Live in the now

39- Start a collection of willow angels

40- Watch the mummers parade – live

41- Send my parents to a YL camp as adult guests

42- Drop everything to help someone

43- Have a life changing conversation with someone about faith

44- Go back to school

45- Stand out of the sunroof of a moving car

46- Grow a garden

47- Sleep under the stars

48- Build or fix something

49- Explore the beaches & ocean of Australia

50- Surf in the Pacific

Random thoughts, but all things that make me happy, and that I am very excited to check off slowly.

dating on saturday... church on sunday?

It's funny. As a single 23 year old, I get dating advice from every married couple whether I want it or not. I get Christian dating advice, I get DON'T GET MARRIED advice, and I get "eh, you're young, go have fun" advice. It's so funny sometimes to get have different people that you love in different ways give you unwanted advice. Unfortunately, it can also complicate and confuse the already complicated and confused.

The advice of -never get married just mess around with someone until you are bored- was very poorly recieved by me, and actually saddened my heart a bit that someone I love so much would clearly be upset with their current situation. Needless to say, that advice has gone to the wayside... and quickly.

But I have been struggling lately with the idea that casual dating may not be for me. I have been dating, and I have been having fun. Most people in my life tell me, just date around and see where things go. But some of the more committed christians in my life have encouraged me to be more thoughtful about people before dating. As I said, I have been dating. It's been fun, and honestly a big part of me wants to keep going out with boys, and flirting, but something is missing when I do that. And it hit me the other day. My best friend Cuppa (nicknames are appropriate on a public blog) made me realize that if I do date random funny, cute, charming guys I may have fun for a bit. But when it comes time for me to get to know the heart of the person I am dating, how can I share my faith, if they don't already have their own faith? And 'just going to church' should not cut it. When I am struggling, overjoyed, concerned, etc... will I ever feel completely open and intimate with that person and comfortable sharing it with them? And if I can't, aren't I just leading to more heartbreak when I realize that I need to leave someone that I have spent so much time getting to know, or continue in a relationship where I won't ever feel free enough to share my whole heart.

I did break up with a dude one time because he wasn't at that same point in his faith as I was, but I don't think I ever really understood the point of it in the long run. I have recently come to understand this, and how important that is to me. Regardless of what some of the people in my life may tell me, I know what I want, and why would I ever want to sell myself... my heart... short? I wouldn't, and when I meet someone that loves me that much, he's gonna be happy that I didn't sell myself short too.

So... I am comfortably single, NOT DATING, and waiting for the (gulp... here comes the scary christian word) courting.

And that makes my heart smile. :-)







oh yea, and also... I love my cuppa <3

wanderlust...

I am a Philly girl, tried and true. I bleed green from Sept-Jan, and I will always argue that your cheesesteaks are subpar. I can be kind and gentle, but will not hesitate to get in your face if you piss me off. I have done the Rocky steps, seen the liberty bell countless times, and taken a picture in front of the LOVE statue. I will always hold my nose down at other malls that lack prestige in comparison to my beloved King of Prussia mall, I will never turn down a good soft pretzel, I will smile from ear to ear anytime I see a Wawa or get my hands on some Herr's potatoe chips, and I will always fondly recall my daytrips down to the Jersey shore. It's just who I am, and that stuff will never change.

I am also the first to admit that I am afraid of change. I am afraid to blaze my own trail and move away from my family, although sometimes I feel that pull in my heart to set out on my own adventure. Somewhere between the fear of setting out and the instilled wanderlust in my heart, I find myself not terribly far from home, working hard, and daydreaming about days to come when I finally take that big step. Sometimes that call hits me hard day in and day out, and sometimes that call is rather quieted. But I still struggle with that restlessness. This has found me visiting google maps quite frequently and attempting to plan out trips, and also consider moving out west somewhere. For now, all of these dreams have been kept to domestic dreams, although in the search for adventure and the beauty of God's creation, I would not argue being swept somewhere completely foriegn, but one thing's first.

Really, the only point of this posting is to let myself know where I want to go. To keep focused on that goal of following my heart and maybe this will help me stay motivated to save some money and take a nice vacation... for myself. Here's my golden list in no official order (and by no official order I mean the first 4 are the important ones, and then after that, it's whatevs):
Phoenix, Albuqurque, Tuscon, Sante Fe, Las Vegas, Reno, Seattle, Denver, Memphis, Topeka, San Francisco, Houston, San Jose, Portland (Oregon and Maine), Amarillo, Spokane, Seattle, Providence, Missoula, Sioux City, Tulsa, New Orleans, Boulder, Madison, Haleiwa, Fairbanks, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Lexington, Nashville, Savannah, Boca Raton, Pittsburgh, Charleston, Charlotte, Buffalo, and Manchester.

Quite an extensive list, and one that I don't expect to exhaust. However, it is nice to have listed out for my next big adventure...

Sometimes the rain comes, but the sun is not far my friends

So, I haven't updated my blog much lately, even though there has been quite a lot going on. This is because although a lot of the stuff has been great (being with friends, Christmas with family, shopping, great things happening at work...), a lot of not so great things have been happening too. A lot of things that are building up to knock me down and humble me, and make me stronger. A lot of things I would rather not share here. I will say though, that every time I have sat down to write a blog post it has come out desperate or depressing, or both. It's just one of those seasons for me, friends. And as hard as it is, I will rejoice when I have these struggles, because it builds character & perserverence (according to an excerpt from my favorite book of all time - ask me about it if you'd like!). But please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I walk through this challenging time. I also want to invite you to join me in welcoming the new year. My wish is that we all look to the New Year to improve something. To make a change. To take a step. To reach a goal. The promise of a new year is similar to a cleansing. Let us all look toward 2010 as a way of cleansing ourselves from the things that have brought us down, the things that have proved a struggle for us, and the things that we can learn from and use to grow.

I leave this wish for you, and also lend some words for anyone who is finding themselves in that valley like I am, where the rain just keeps beating you down. You will rise to the mountain, and maybe next year is the year that you do it.

Even though the journey's long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me
I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from
And the things I've left behind
But of all I've had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what's in front of me
With what's in front of me

mhmmmmmm... life is good.

Ok, so sometimes we are reminded of greatness when greatness shines on our life in seemingly not great or dramatic ways.

Like when friends come together.
Like when laughter flows like a river.
Like when prayers are answered.
Like when someone shares good news.
Like when someone shares.
Like when new people come into your life.
Like when old people come back into your life.
Like when people surprise you.
Like when you learn something new about a friend.
Like when you are overjoyed by something small.
Like when you are given peace.

All of these have happened to me in the past few days. And I now am just resting in peace and joy. This week has been crazy. Younglife planning meeting, getting the apartment ready for our party tomorrow, small group Wednesday, small group Thursday, passing out at work, getting the dog ready for 'weekend at grandmas.' But despite all the craziness, I AM NOT STRESSED OUT. Me. I am not stressed out. This is really weird for me. I am always stressed out. But I have been drawing closer to God, and ... gasp... giving up my control!!! It is beautiful and peaceful, and reassuring!

As I posted before I realized I had one of those mentor-type women that I was looking for. And today... well let's just say another one may have dropped into my lap in a very great and surprising way.

Also, with all the running around I do trying to keep up with many different friends in the area, they are all coming to me!! Tomorrow I will have 20 of my closest friends in the area over my apartment to share in the Christmas holiday! Ugly sweaters, potluck dinner, white elephant, christmas music... hmmm... great.

The laughter has been throughout the week, and I expect no shortcomings going into tomorrow. Not only do ugly sweaters and white elephant make people laugh, but my sister and some of the funniest people I know will be there. Laughter... hmm... :-)

One of my girlfriends got engaged! I was welcomed into someone's home and fed and loved. I was given a ride home which was by ALL DEFINITIONS an inconvenience, but a joyful one, as I learned more about the joy of love and selfless action.

I have met some great girls this week. I also just got an email from someone at work that I am excited to get to know. Again... joy.

Some of the people I have shared the most with in life have resurfaced. I am speaking about two people specifically, but just love that you can sit down and be with someone as if nothing has changed over the years. mhmmm...

My younglife friends have taken ownership of their club! That is so great to see. To see the joy and enthusiasm as they plan it, they start brewing ideas... just encouraging!

All in all, I have had a complete transformation from last week to this week, and I love it. It has created me into more of the person that I want to be, and less into the person who runs from God in sinfulness. And now my job is to take all that fulfillment, all that joy, all that peace, all that love, and send it out.

Yea, life is good.