Sorry for the absence...

I have been frantically working on my class blog for this semester, and I have kind of abandoned this one... but I will be back. In the meantime, check out my class blog!!

http://www.lindseysclassblog.blogspot.com

It's pretty sweet. I've really enjoyed writing about my experiences at the shelter. So go read it. :]

Poor Pluto...

So, I love Brian Reagan. He is hi-larious. I found some newer routines and laughed until I cried on this one. And you're welcome.

Let's Just Say...

Let's just say there was a girl doing some grocery shopping at a local Publix--hypothetically speaking, of course. And this girl was on her way to pick up a gallon of skim milk (because apparently I--I mean--she loves cereal too much) when a Greek god walks out of the bread aisle. This tall, dark man looked as if he had been carved out of stone, straight out of a myth. Needless to say, this girl had to pick her jaw up off of the floor and then attempt continue stalking--I mean, shopping.

She continued to the chip and bread aisle and watched as he retreated to the produce section. While perusing labels and prices, deciding between wheat or honey wheat, she momentarily forgot about Handsome Grocery Man. Winding her way to the fruits and veggies, she grabs some pre-sliced sweet apples, green grapes, and bananas, no man in the mental consciousness.

As she went to check out, looking for the shortest line, she saw his dark hair and piercing eyes peering over the divider (the partitions that divide the different check out areas), in his own check-out line. So, the girl went to a practically empty check-out line, and began to unpack her groceries. Then Handsome Greek Grocery Man is suddenly behind her in her check out line. Well, being stunned by his beauty, she quickly finishes unpacking her buggy, avoiding all eye contact, hoping he doesn't think anything of the amount of food on the counter. Then, in such haste, she struggles to pull the buggy out of his way and up towards the bagger lady and RAMS the cart into the adjacent divider, making a huge noise, causing the girl and the cashier (and anyone within twenty yard range) to jump. I, I mean she, apologized and began to dig in her purse for her debit card. With a flaming face and trembling hand, she swipes her card, awaiting anxiously to leave, but at the same time wanting to glance at his gorgeous face one more time. The cashier handed her a receipt and then he speaks. "Can I have..." The cashier and girl, look to him, not sure what he said. The girl is thinking he is asking for something in her buggy...or her number...but he says again, "Can I have that bag in green?" Oh. Well, at least he loves the environment. She steals one last glance, then pushes her buggy out the door. He wasn't seen or heard from again. Hypothetically. Of course.

Publix, where shopping is a pleasure.

My New Favorite Genre

... personal memoirs, specifically memoirs of spiritual journeys.

I have a new found passion for stories of real people and their journey (or part of their journey). My first books in this genre were by Tara Leigh Cobble--a singer/songwriter who chronicles her move from Nashville to NYC. Both of her books, Here's to Hindsight and Crowded Skies, were wonderfully real and rich.

Next was a little treasure I random I picked up at B & N for $4.95...yeah, a hardback book for 5 bucks...I didn't care if the book was horrific (though from the front cover it looked incredible), for 5 bucks I was going to get it. And it was totally worth it. It was a moving, albiet sad, story of a woman named Kate Braestrup who lost her husband in a tragic accident and was widowed with three children. She decided to purue her late husband's career plan... to become a minister. After graduating from seminary, she began working for the game wardens of Massachusetts. The game wardens are the forest police that go looking for people who have gone missing, rescuing swimmers/kayakers/hikers...etc. Kate explores issues of life and death, and where God fits in the midst of such chaos. Rich in insight and sarcasm, I loved it.

The next big venture was Eat, Pray, Love by Elisabeth Gilbert (actually, this is still a work-in-progress... I left it at a friend's apartment in Rome and have yet to finish it). Another delightfully funny and spiritual journey of Elizabeth Gilbert. After a heartbreaking divorce, followed immediately by yet another broken affair, she decided to take a year and travel to Italy, India, and Indonesia. Not only did the book make me think about life and theology, but it gave me an inextinguishable desire to travel to these countries.

Check these books out. I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Random Thoughts

Just some random, late night thoughts twirling around in my brain:

1. I am a nerd. I confess (ha! like you didn't already know...). A random girl's status said, "so excited...Greek starts tonight!" And my first thought was, "Man! I'm so jealous! I want to be taking Greek..." Then I realized she was not talking about learning a foreign language but a TV show.

2. I had the most pleasant conversation with the lady who bagged my groceries at Publix today. She was from England, and I think her accent was adorable. We chit chatted for a moment, then she proceeded to tell me about a delicious Christmas cake and meal that she fixes over the holidays. It sounded devine, and I loved her friendly enthusiam to share this bit of her life with me. That may sound extreme, but I learned things about her life in just that short conversation...like that she has a family, a husband, son, and two grandchildren. She's been in America for 14 years, but her sisters still live in England. I learned that her sons in-laws are "fully American" and were completely afraid to try her British cuisine. So she offered them "just a spoonful." They came back for a plateful and then seconds. Ha! I loved the delightful conversation and this delightful British woman.

Senior Year

My last year at Kennesaw State University starts in two weeks. I really cannot believe it is my senior year of college. Where did all of the time go? Oh yeah... hours and hours of studying along side hours and hours of creating new friendships with wonderful friends. Some of these friends have graduated this year and will move on to bigger and better things this fall. One friend is moving to Colorado, another is going to Bosnia for missions, and still another is moving to Columbus, GA. It is times like these that I dread change, for change is always first perceived as loss. Sometimes, it is loss. But the Lord works in change. He has made room for us to see what He is doing by removing the everyday mundane in which we have grown so accustomed. Though I will sorely miss my dear friends, when we see each other again, the reunion will be all the more sweet.

I have many changes to consider myself. I will (by the grace of God of my passing the GRE) be applying to grad schools this fall. Do I know where I'm going or what I'm doing? No. Do I have inclinations as to what I think the Lord wants me to do? Yes. I must keep trusting that He will reveal what He wants me to do in His own time. Have I mentioned before that His timing is often not my own? Well, it isn't. I want to know now what I'm doing for the rest of my life. He says, "Trust me, child, and wait." So, waiting is what I'm doing. It is not the end the Lord is concerned about but the means in which we arrive there. It is the journey that matters.

So I wait and pray. And in the mean time, do all He has given me to do! (Because it's a LOT of stuff!)

Bring on senior year and let's embark on the journey.

Grace and Peace.

Is school all I blog about?!?

Yep. That's what around 20 credit hours will do to you (17 plus research)...

In fact, as of this very moment I should be finishing my Clinical paper, editing my Experimental paper, writing a Clinical assignment, studying for an Experimental and Physiological test (this week!), writing a poem, writing two article summaries, and writing the results seciton of research I will be presenting in about a week and a half. Um... yeah. That's why I'm blogging instead. baha.

It's moments like this when the love of God, His Sovereignty, and Spirit-given Energy and Strength all give me immense hope. I could feel overwhelmed (which I do at times) or apathetic (which I am right now) or anxious. But instead, I should just be relying on the Lord and following Him, rowing like crazy, while HE steers the boat. (and gives me the strength to row! haha... love how it's all HIM and His goodness/power/love/joy/peace...etc.).

I've worked hard all semester and am now ready to stop, or at least lighten the load a bit. But instead, the burden seems haeavier and more intense, even though there's only 5 weeks of school left. And, I have strong feelings of apathy and restlessness. I need to pray for focus, strength, wisdom, discernment, and energy to finish strong! "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" "they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint." "Do not grow weary of doing good." "Pray continually." "Rejoice Always."

Wonderful promises and commands to which I must cling!

It's also crazy times like this when little pleasures are great. Some current favs include:

1. afternoon walks
2. gilmore girls episodes
3. phone conversations
4. going to the store by myself
5. random roommate moments

Here's to the rest of the semester!

Cheers

Desiring Europe and other random thoughts....

One of my high school chums, Amber Wilson, is in England studying abroad. I read her blog and see the gorgeous pictures of London, Paris, Kent..etc. and have deep longings to see those places too! Why is that? I think it's because when I see those pictures and visit those "other" places, it takes me out of the "American bubble" and mindset... it reminds me that there's whole wide world out there outside of my small world, here in Kennesaw, GA. It gives me hope that this whole journey we like to call "life" is way bigger than me; that the Church is way bigger than the church down the road, and that our Lord doesn't fit into a box or image that I often try to squeeze Him into. I was reading Anne Lamott the other day (Bird by Bird) and she was writing about the laboring process of...well...writing:

I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident. Not one of them writes elegant first drafts. All right, one of them does, but we do not like her very much. We do not think that she has a rich inner life or that God likes her or can even stand her. Although when I mentioned this to my priest friend Tom, he said you can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.

Ha! I think I do that unconsciously at times. Thinking, "I know the Lord loves that person, but surely He cannot LIKE them!" Oh, no. I fear I have compromised and placed Him into that tiny box He doesn't fit in. I must be wary of such dangerous thoughts.

... And all of this from some pictures of Paris. Jeez Louise.

One day I have every intention of going to see all the places I want to see. I'll name a few: France (Paris... the Louvre, the Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triomphe), Greece, Italy (Rome, Venice, cute Italian villages), Egypt (well, I would really love to tour the Holy Land. And yes, I DO realize there's a war going on. When isn't the Holy Land in the middle of war? I'm still going.), Africa, Australia....

Think I can go see all of these places in my lifetime? I hope so! I'll take my husband and children with me (assuming I'll have those).


Au revoir, for now!

Life has been very busy the past few weeks. School is definitely the main culprit of this hectic pace, but I must admit, my own social calendar hasn't exactly been empty. But, the thing is... I haven't been stressed. I mean, sure, I've had certain days where my stess level has risen, but overall, I've been very balanced. Thank the Lord! I pray(ed) that He will continually keep my priorities straight and give the wisdom and discernment to know when to yes and when to say no. And how faithful He has remained!

Today is a gorgeous day outside, but I haven't been out there. haha. I've thoroughly enjoyed a long morning/afternoon INside, filled with great new worship songs, gilmore girls, cleaning, and to-do lists. I'll go work-out later and start on homework soon. I need these days for the balance I crave. Since my week was CRAZY with school, meetings, birthdays, Bible study, and concerts, I greatly wanted today. Relaxation and getting things accomplished on my own schedule. Is that selfish? I hope not.

"...worthy is the lamb that was slain. Holy, holy is he. Sing a new song to Him who sits on heaven's mercy seat. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

Monday. January 26th.

This past weekend was wonderful. I was able to rest and relax (I've come down with some type of stomach virus, but thankfully, it has relented some today). And the most glorious part of the past weekend was Hope's wedding. It was simply breathtaking--not just the ceremony but the Christ-centered nature of the whole thing brought me to tears on more than one occasion. I was also able to see and visit with some old friends from high school, many of whom I have not seen in years. We picked back up like no time had passed between. I love that about some friendships. No matter the time or places that have flown by, you can always begin again in the same spot you once left off. Community is a wonderful thing.

I came back to school, ready to begin working again, but not prepared for some of the drama that had transpired over the weekend. Let me not be negative, some of the "drama" wasn't bad, in fact, half was great news. Wonderful that many of my friends are doing so well. But one of my dear, dear friends is hurting--and I hate that. I know some of the pain she is feeling, but some of it is foreign to me. Even so, my empathy and sympathy are great. I can't help but think of all the Scripture on suffering and trials. We are expected to go through these things that are hurtful, but with the Lord's help, we are to come out the other side victorious. It's hard to see this Truth when in the middle of the tempest. But I pray that she does, or will, now, and that I will when trouble strikes.

My new roommate (Anna Kate... who is great, by the way), Newt, and I are all going to a kickboxing class in a few minutes. I am so excited. I can't wait. Billy Blanks would be so PROUD! :-) Then, I have to come home and finish my chores and homework before tomorrow. Woo...I pray for strength, wisdom, and discernment, to know what to do first, when to do the rest, and the ability to do it well.

Until later......

Back to School??

You know that blog right below this one about being excited abouts school starting? Welllllll... let me just say that all that excitement has melted away by the flambouyant flames of stress. Yes, already!! With scheduling conflicts, try to scrounge up one more class, catching up on my research stuff with Dr. Mc, and thinking about changes to Bible study, I started to freak. This will be the busiest semester I have left in undergrad.... yikes! In the essence of Tara Leigh Cobble, the only thing I could pray was Send Help.

And as always, the Lord gave me peace amid the crazy start of the semester. Amazing. I was talking to Kayla earlier today and as I was telling her about my life right now, instead of the normal knot in my stomach tightening, I felt okay--at peace. I was almost surprised. Why am I surprised when the peace God promises fills me and the promised Joy comes at the most unexpected moment? I really should not stress or worry or be anxious... it won't stop the semester from happening and it won't do any good.

But the deal is... I want to. I'm probably going to. I mean, I'm human! But thankfully the Lord knows this and asks me to take my refuge in Him, not in the ease of a placid life.

"God is my Refuge, my Redeemer, my Stronghold, my Shepherd, my Redeemer, my Counselor, my Friend, my Savior, my Guide. I need not search for any further security."

Back to School...

I find that after a long break (whether it be summer break or Christmas break), I'm very ready for the comforts of a my regular, though often chaotic, schedule. I like to be busy. I like the feeling of contentment after my hard work has been well completed. (Will someone please remind me I said this about halfway through the semester when I'm nearly drowning in schoolwork?!)

Over this break though, I've a lot of time for reflection and rejuvenation. I've had a ton of time to read and visit with family (some that I haven't spent real quality time with in a LONG time) and play. But now it's time for work again. For everything there is a season--a time to rest and a time to work. I'm so so so thankful that it's my junior year of college, I'm on track, have a solid major, and plans for grad school. But I'm open to any possibilities. In fact, when people ask me about my future career, I want to laugh in their face (no offense). Because it will be another 3 1/2 years until I finish my schooling, and I don't know where the Lord will lead me along the way or after that. I merely have "plans" but the Lord will determine my steps (I am so thankful for such intimate care and guidance).

I will be very busy this semester, with 17-19 credit hours, supervised research, Bible study, church, and possibly a part time job. This leaves very little time for a social life! haha. But I've asked the Lord to balance my mindset and my schedule, so that I can have friends and be a good friend to the ones I have. :-) Friendship requires effort and sacrifice and risk. This I have learned but have not mastered. I fear I need forgiveness for not being a good friend at times. The work of friendship is SO worth the benefits. Proverbs and Ecclesiates talks about how two are better than one, to keep warm and help one another. We are made for community. I pray this over my group of friends, my roommates, and my church.

Let me be the kind of friend Jesus was to his disciples--a servant. Not needy or demanding but serving and loving. Let me the kind of student that exemplifies Christ.

New years resolution #11: Balance.

'09 Baby!!

Happy, happy new year!!

I make new year's resolutions every single year. I like to write down my goals (both realistic and non). Some of them are the same every year and some change. Some are funny, and others are grave.

But as I glance backward into 2008, I see a lot of growth. The Lord has taught me much. I can hardly believe where I was this time last year... spiritually, mentally, emotionally. I was in a very different place than this year, praise the Lord. haha.

Paul understood goal-setting. He calls us to be goal-oriented with Christ as our goal. Throughout the New Testament, he stated "set your mind on things above" "pressing on toward the goal to which Christ calls us heavenward." He urges us to "run in such a way as to win a prize..."and to live "worthy of the calling"

These are my goals. These are the goals that recurr every year--every day to be exact. It's a daily choice, sometimes moment by moment. It's our choice... to choose life over death, light over darkness, Him over ourselves. Acknowledging Him as Lord. We do not "make" Him Lord.

I'm always grateful for a new year, but many times I have a hard time thinking so broadly. Let me explain. I can't think about this year as a whole... there's too many possibilities, too many days, too many moments to account for. I like to look at each day that seems much more manageable to my meager mind. Taking each morning being grateful for His renewed Mercy, His unfailing, neverending Love and the joy found in His presence.

Let us learn from 2008, and strive for a better 2009. "Forgetting what is behind, and straining towards what is ahead, the prize for which Christ calls us heavenward."

Some '09 resolutions:

1. Get in shape! Working-out, eathing healthy, getting sleep.
2. Do well in school. Do the very best that I can. A's please! :)
3. Pray about grad school, and make decisions as to where to apply and go.
4. Do volunteer work.... somewhere, anywhere. Maybe w/ homeless, ASP, tutoring.
5. Paint more often.
6. Make regular family visits...w/parents, Dad, Austin, Douglas, Tracy, Carrie, Zach.
7. Get a "job" on campus... maybe with the school newspaper or magazine publication.
8. Be more hospitable/social. Sometimes I become a recluse when my schedule gets crazy.
9. Bake & decorate cakes. I want to refine this skill, in case my other career options plummit
10. Take more photographs. (Also a backup career option) :)

Peace and Love....