Thursday, July 28, 2011

From Beer to Bible

New things: Bangs (I'll show a pic soon when I can get a handle on them), latte art competition

I was in a fog tonight.  Not really ready for the day; ready to sleep at a moments notice. But the day charges on and so must I.  Tonight after work, a group of us went to my friend Andrew's coffee shop, Jubala.  There was a latte art competition, (Congratulations Daniel)! 
During the competition my friend Elizabeth and I went outside to talk about possible topics to teach on our mission to Kenya.  We sat ourselves at a table next to a group of younger guys, smoking and drinking and staring.  As we sat down there was a request for us to sit with them, in which we politely passed down their offer in order to discuss the trip.  Elizabeth told them we would be willing to talk to them after we talked about the trip.  They took it as us blowing them off (which I was fine with), but you know there is always that one guy that doesn't stop!
Elizabeth and I were able to talk about some topics and freely spoke of Christ, the Church, the Gospel, and context of the Kenyans.  Eventually the guys next to us started dispersing except that One!  Suddenly he just said "Whoo hooo".  I just looked at him and asked what he was referring to?  He just wanted to join our conversation.  So he came to our table and we began explaining what we were discussing about women of the Bible and how we are relating it to the women in Africa we will be meeting.  Edwin, my new friend, began sharing with us a metal band that apparently is at least spiritual.  Then he shared some of his own music that he has written, which was awesome and a great lead into his own understanding of the spiritual aspect of life.  As he began talking of the universe and the god, and our choices, and heaven as a feeling we one day obtain, and hell on earth, humans connecting spiritually, I soon realized that whatever he believes he wants to connect to us somehow and knew the spiritual route was the way to go.  It dawned on me that maybe people want the Church's approval.  I'm thankful Elizabeth and I had the opportunity to share with Edwin and I got to share the complete Gospel with Lars and Edwin.
I think most people that are unchurched stay unchurched because no one has invited them and on their own they feel out of place.  They feel like they have to fit a mold to be accepted.  Even Edwin mentioned they we probably come from a place that listens to pretty music with harps and look at pretty pictures of heaven.  I can imagine if we stopped judging tattoos, blue hair, piercings, the music, the language, personalities, etc... we might have a chance to get to know the person.  Why do we expect people to act like Christians when they don't know Christ?  It is not our job to change a person but our job to introduce them to Christ. 
My observation has been that when I am sharing the gospel, most people will share whatever they know about God, Church or spiritual life.  They want to seem like they know.  They want to be in conversation with us.  They want to be accepted.  It is sooo easy to start gospel centered conversations with people but we prejudge who is willing and miss out on what God can do. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Knee is the new Elbow

New Things:  Farkle, Christmas in July Party

Years ago I had heard a commentary on a study about the relationships between the opposite sex and the rarity of platonic relationships.  If a guy and girl are good friends there is usually something about them that is seen as attractive: physical or relational.  But it can be a one way street for the stronger emotions to mature.  Research concluded that 70% of the girls that casually touch the guy's elbow every time they see him would start dating the guy at the end of 3 months.  It might be due to more intentional flirting, the guy's physical sensation of a girl, a new awareness of the so called platonic friend, etc.... 
Therefore, I have decided that because I am such a terrible flirt, this is my only hope for a guy's attention.  I do well with direct instruction.  Unfortunately, I get too embarrassed to actually go up to a guy and smoothly touch his elbow as we casually laugh over something clever I say.  So it is really a joke with all my girls so we can bring attention to the fact that I don't flirt. 
Anyways, the girls got together to watch the Bachelorette.  Ashley, the girl, sure did have her hands all over the guys' legs.  She might be a little too cool with her flirting styles.  Anyways, upon noticing this new tactic we decided the elbow must have been last years flirting.  Knees are the new elbow. 
Now the problem is figuring out how to casually talk to a guy with my hand on his knee.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Dear Ames

New things:  bought butternut squash and went to sweet spoons


Dear Ames,
I just wanted to thank you for being a man of genuine chivalry.  You are what we girls in the south would call "a man's man".  Who else could wear pink or leave a fighting match in the ambulance with dignity?  Not many guys these days can use words like "sprezzatura" in a normal conversation and it actually be used in context.  It's like the word "winsome", no one uses it correctly.  Speaking of, I would characterize you as winsome with a level of maturity. 

I relish completely in your word usage.  The most simple concept sounds so eloquent coming from you.  Words are important to me.  I choose my words carefully so that my thoughts are communicated most accurately.  I respect those that communicate well.  I love to read classic novels, minus Tolstoy ;-),  for the poetic writing style that draws the most edifying picture for the imagination.  Our minds are marred by the flashy commercialism that culture has thrust upon us, but a simple word brings us back to the elementaries of reality.  Your words reveal that you see the best in people.  Although not all people deserve your kindness, they can be redeemed in it. 

I'm jealous of your life of accomplishment and adventure.  Most people believe you can only have one or the other.  I'm striving to accomplish and dream to adventure.  I constantly create lists of things I wish to do and try to satisfy my starvation of adventure with small steps outside my school and work bubble.  The purchase of a coconut or the chance to visit a new place in town gives small satisfaction.  I want to go sky diving, scuba diving, fly all over the world, take art classes, ride motorcycles, go spelunking, adopt, ride an elephant, ride in a hot air balloon, be in a flash mob, work in an orphanage, go to a Knicks game, etc....  Even if these were not some of your dreams, I believe you would be the type gentleman to help others' dreams come true. 

With all my heart I believe you are a man of integrity, genuity, drive, and gentleness.  You are what girls want but can't admit.  If you were to ever read this letter, Ames, just know I admit it, I choose the man in the pink!

Sincerely yours

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Because I said so

New things I did today: Bought a whole coconut, watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2, went to my first Kenya meeting for my trip coming up. 

I'm weird, I know I am, but people ask me all the time why I do some of the things I do.  Usually my reasoning is "just because".  I know nothing different; it's habit. Why do we eat eggs for breakfast?  Who decided that is a breakfast item?  "Just because we know nothing different; it's habit."  Sometimes I'm restless with life and need an oddity to keep me sane.  I can't explain my reasoning but it usually makes my life and yours more interesting.  Sometimes I have reasons for the things I do but they are personal and even tragic that I can't fathom having to express my unwitting reactions to the circumstances I've faced in the past.  Sometimes, I do it for attention and other times I do it to take attention off of me.  There's no real reason I'm weird, it's just because.

I'll list of few of my oddities to give you a better understanding of myself.  I eat one thing at a time on my plate to the point that I'll take apart foods to eat the parts of the food one at a time.  Best example is pizza.  I eat the toppings, then cheese, then sauce, then bread.  Highly unusual but I know nothing different. 
I take a cup with me every where I go: work, school, friend's houses, cars, grocery store, church....  I think it is just habit, but smart.  Who knows when you'll have a drink emergency.  I hate feet.  I have a reflex that will harm you if you dare to come near me with your feet.  I believe that is just a phobia that I have not chosen to control.  I drink unreal amounts of coffee where it is more odd for you to see me without coffee than it is to see me with coffee.  Coffee shops all over town know my drink order.  It can be an addiction but it started with bigger concerns than drinking coffee.  It used to help control my food intake, now it's an addiction.  I sleep on the floor.  Occassionally the couch will do but usually the floor is what I like best.  This is usually what gets people.  The truth is a long time ago I had an unusual experience in college.  The story somehow leads to the tv and floor being like my security blanket.  I like to challenge myself with small challenges daily to give myself a feel of accomplishment. I have a waiting list for roommates because girls that tend to live with me get married... you're welcome ladies!  I don't like to cry so I choose not to unless I'm watching a kleenex commercial or Glee episode.  I think like a boy, I need you to tell me what you're thinking or I'll never get it.  I love my last name CORE to the point I might negotiate with my future husband about taking my name. 

I'm sure I have other oddities that my friends notice, but otherwise I'm just me because I said so.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Conditional Love

New things: Ate fig for the first time, Made eggplant parmigiana, went to Heart to Heart and won for the first time in a drawing my first apron, Made plantains, got three free coffees this week, met 2 new friends randomly, throwing a party to meet new people,  signing up for a 1/2 marathon, and contemplating a new hairstyle or piercing.
Yesterday I got to love a child.  I probably didn't love perfectly, but I hope it was conditional.  Conditional!  Children are raw and natural.  Sometimes they behave based on the only ways the know how, loud and sinful.  Children are also quick to mimic.  I am now convinced the best love for children is conditional.  We love in a manner that will condition their behavior!

Yesterday at work there  was a 6 year old child that did not want to go outside with the rest of the children on the playground.  He walked all the way down the hallway with me, to the door until he realized his group was at the playground he doesn't like.  So he asks if he can stay inside. Unfortunately, will all children outside, there is not proper supervision inside for him.  I tell him he needs to stay outside for the next 5 minutes until we go inside for activity. 
Natural behavior beings... "LET ME IN, I WANT TO GO IN!" 
Me: "I know buddy, but I need you stay outside for 5 min. then we can go in."
 Learned behavior takes over: "I WANT TO GO IN THIS INSTANT.  YOU BETTER LET ME IN OR ELSE."
Me: "Or else what?  I really hope you are not going to threaten me.  It would be good for you to make a good decision and sit in the shade to cool off."
Boy: "I wish I would just die". 
Me:  I really don't want to hear that, I don't believe that is what is best for you.  I'd rather you wait 3 min and go inside like you want".
Boy: "You let me inside or I will pray what you don't want me to pray, I'll pray that I die"
Me: "Well I'm very thankful that God hears our prayers and then answers them by what he thinks is best.  I'm pretty sure God thinks it is not best for you to die right now.  He probably wants you to go inside when it is time."
Boy theology: "God can't stop me, it is my own body" 
Me:  "God is really powerful.  Can I tell you a story about how powerful God is?" 
Boy: "Only if we go inside so I can listen better"

I told the boy the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.  We can't control others' actions or opinions but they can't control God.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Call me Travelocity

First time to run the 10k Peachtree Race
First time to drive to Mississippi by myself
First time to buy sushi in a mall food court
First time to get coffee with a Mormon
First time seeing Zooey this year
First time eating at Waffle House by myself

Okay that's just a few things that are my "new" things from my trip.  My trip to ATL/ Bham/ Columbus was aawesome.  We'll take this one at a time...
ATL: Erin, Lane and I drove down Saturday, with a few stops making it a long but relaxing trip.  Then we stayed in hotel with valets which leads me to believe we have officially made it to "classy".  We went to a Braves game (Go Braves) where we met up with Lacie and Brittany.  Then Sunday we went to Jonesboro to visit Mike's Church.  It was good to seem him in his ministry and the love the church clearly has for one another.  Then Monday we ran our race.  I finished in about an 1hr 5min.  My goal was under an hour but I'll live. 


Bham:  I went on to see my family after the race for the 4th of July.  Really I slept and then went to see my friends Sadie, Mary Beth, and Leah for dinner.  These are friends for life and I'm so thankful I can count on them.  We are already planning a trip to Nashville which I'm sure will give me tons to blog about.  After I left I met with a guy I had met in Starbucks.  He seemed nice and just wanted to get to know me because he liked my choice of music in the drive thru.  Turns out that's all we had in common.  He is mormon and I am Christian, so you can imagine we had lots to talk about.  Then Wednesday, mom and I had gone shopping which is always a good deal for me.  Mom is very kind and generous but I mostly love getting to talk to her about things.  We are definitely friends status and she's still mom.  I'm so thankful for our relationship.

Columbus:  I made a trip to Columbus on Tuesday to see Todd, Jennifer and of course Zooey.  I'm pretty sure she is the most adorable baby in the world.  It was so fun to watch her observe her surroundings, try new words or movements, and laugh as she knew she succeeded.  I think Zooey is like me.  She likes a challenge.  Her success is on her terms, no one else.  She knows what she is good at.  She has a calm temperment.  She doesn't get over anxious but lets us know when things are not going well for her.  She studies her surroundings without making rash movements or decisions.  She's my lil peacock.



I drove back home today.  Got some Waffle House on the way.  Got some coffee.  A whole lot of singing and dancing in the car and now... sleep!