Here are some that have happened recently:
Seeing a komodo dragon
Sending off a bunch of postcards
Skyping a mom, a dad, and a dog
White nectarines
Trolling Saruman
Having a good experience at the grocery store
Contact from friends
Throwing myself a tea party
Finding the perfect souvenir for someone
Eastern Europe
My Utmost for His Highest
Reading 1/4 of War and Peace
Licorice cookies
Holding hands with an old lady
Disney Princess socks
Creeping on Russia pictures
Feeling His provision
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
17 July 2012
29 March 2012
A Week
Without going into details, let's just say I've had my fill of bad mojo this week. HOWEVER - and that's for you, Mrs. Millings, who taught me to never use my but, use my how and my ever - there have also been moments of not bad mojo. For those moments, I am grateful.
Take today, for instance. Seeing as one of my New Year's Resolutions was to figure out what nuclear engineers actually do, I took advantage of ANS touring the Clinac linear accelerator and RSEL that are housed in the basement of the NRE building here on campus. Since I am Georgia Tech ANS Tweet Master *brushes off shoulders* I tweeted a picture of our experiences for the benefit of all. I kid you not, I was retweeted by THE American Nuclear Society. I've never felt so validated in my life. (Dear parents and grandparents, a tweet is a short blib about what one happens to be feeling or doing at that very moment. A retweet is when someone who cares enough to read what you share thinks that your opinion/commentary/terrible pun is worth retelling to everyone who reads what they share. Love, Molly) Plus, I attended a Women in Engineering Awards Banquet tonight - read, capitalized on the opportunity for a rull good free meal - and ended up sitting right next to the Dean of Students. Not that it meant anything other than making me feel important, but still.
Anywho, it's weeks like these when I'm even more happy that I hoard tiny slips of paper and reused flash cards with meaningful transcribed excerpts. Think on this next time you have "a week":
"When many things seem to be going wrong, trust Me. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank Me. Gradually, you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground." -Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, October 3.
Take today, for instance. Seeing as one of my New Year's Resolutions was to figure out what nuclear engineers actually do, I took advantage of ANS touring the Clinac linear accelerator and RSEL that are housed in the basement of the NRE building here on campus. Since I am Georgia Tech ANS Tweet Master *brushes off shoulders* I tweeted a picture of our experiences for the benefit of all. I kid you not, I was retweeted by THE American Nuclear Society. I've never felt so validated in my life. (Dear parents and grandparents, a tweet is a short blib about what one happens to be feeling or doing at that very moment. A retweet is when someone who cares enough to read what you share thinks that your opinion/commentary/terrible pun is worth retelling to everyone who reads what they share. Love, Molly) Plus, I attended a Women in Engineering Awards Banquet tonight - read, capitalized on the opportunity for a rull good free meal - and ended up sitting right next to the Dean of Students. Not that it meant anything other than making me feel important, but still.
Anywho, it's weeks like these when I'm even more happy that I hoard tiny slips of paper and reused flash cards with meaningful transcribed excerpts. Think on this next time you have "a week":
"When many things seem to be going wrong, trust Me. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank Me. Gradually, you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground." -Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, October 3.
15 February 2012
Love Remains
It's the day after Valentine's Day, but I still love everyone and everything just as much.
Some things I loved about yesterday:
These pants. I wore them.
Wagon wheel earrings.
Not being as careful about food intake as usual*.
Cardigans.
Searching Bing images and Etsy with "funny cat valentine" "nerd valentine" "lord of the rings valentine" keywords.
Appointing myself Tweetmaster of Georgia Tech American Nuclear Society.
A compatriot in the effort to bring back "ballin'" to everyday vernacular.
First official Tweet, complete with nuclear Valentine's poem.
$2 Peppermint Mocha.
Annual Valentine's Dinner at Brittain Dining Hall**.
Cupcakes.
Pink socks with red hearts.
Some things I love about today:
Waking up early.
Hairbows.
Migas.
Homemade cookies.
Sunshine.
Cardigans***.
Granny Smith apples.
The pastor at the church I attend here in Atlanta ends every service saying, "Remember! The love in your heart wasn't put there to stay; love isn't love 'til you give it away". And that's what I love about Valentine's Day. I love because I am loved.
*Yes, I watch what I eat. Yes, it is lame. But sister's got to look good if she wants to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. And she does, very much, want to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. They're like heaven in pant form.
**I have an uncalled for obsession with this dining hall. It's not great. It's not even good. I just have a soft spot in my heart for ol' Brit-tain. And I've been wanting to eat there all year. And this was perfect, because last year the Katies Squared and I went on our Valentine's date to the Brittain Valentine's Dinner, too. We're making it an official tradition now that we've done it twice.
***I'm reverting to the phase in my life when I wore cardigans every day and every way. It's ballin' to be back.
Some things I loved about yesterday:
These pants. I wore them.
Wagon wheel earrings.
Not being as careful about food intake as usual*.
Cardigans.
Searching Bing images and Etsy with "funny cat valentine" "nerd valentine" "lord of the rings valentine" keywords.
Appointing myself Tweetmaster of Georgia Tech American Nuclear Society.
A compatriot in the effort to bring back "ballin'" to everyday vernacular.
First official Tweet, complete with nuclear Valentine's poem.
$2 Peppermint Mocha.
Annual Valentine's Dinner at Brittain Dining Hall**.
Cupcakes.
Pink socks with red hearts.
Some things I love about today:
Waking up early.
Hairbows.
Migas.
Homemade cookies.
Sunshine.
Cardigans***.
Granny Smith apples.
The pastor at the church I attend here in Atlanta ends every service saying, "Remember! The love in your heart wasn't put there to stay; love isn't love 'til you give it away". And that's what I love about Valentine's Day. I love because I am loved.
*Yes, I watch what I eat. Yes, it is lame. But sister's got to look good if she wants to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. And she does, very much, want to keep wearing her Summiteer Slim Fits in public. They're like heaven in pant form.
**I have an uncalled for obsession with this dining hall. It's not great. It's not even good. I just have a soft spot in my heart for ol' Brit-tain. And I've been wanting to eat there all year. And this was perfect, because last year the Katies Squared and I went on our Valentine's date to the Brittain Valentine's Dinner, too. We're making it an official tradition now that we've done it twice.
***I'm reverting to the phase in my life when I wore cardigans every day and every way. It's ballin' to be back.
03 January 2012
2012
Seeing as yesterday was the first day of a new year, and every blogger worth his spit has an obligatory new year post, here's mine.
I'll start by saying that I have never, for as long as I can remember, kept a New Year's resolution. This is probably because every resolution I've ever made has been something along the lines of eating less, exercising more, and sister loves to eat a little too much for that to be a reality. So, this year, when asked my resolutions, I kept it simple and attainable. I want to start wearing perfume more. I want to write more letters. I want to do more cool stuff.
These surface level resolutions are great and all, but when I'm tired I get real introspective and late last night I decided that I absolutely must write out serious life goals for the new year. Grabbing a Moleskine and a G2, I set down, prepped for writing, and froze. I had no goals. The only thing running through my mind was the chorus of a Luminate song. A chorus that says, "Here's to new beginnings, here's to breaking free. Let's chase a new horizon, chase who we're meant to be". Suddenly, I knew exactly how I was to compose these things I wanted, which were not so superficial as resolutions but also not so intense as life goals.
New Beginnings: This year, I'm going Mulligans on Jesus Calling, giving it a new start. I also hope to begin new and meaningful relationships, and open up to new opportunities that might arise. I also started a fresh journal.
Breaking Free: I've found myself in destructive cycles as of late, and I'm hoping to break free of that. I also want to break free of aspects in certain relationships that drag me down, plus unnecessary pressures, stresses, and anxieties.
A New Horizon: This one I took as "future goals", for lack of a better term. Step one would be to make a resume. And to find out what nuclear engineers actually do...
Who I'm Meant to Be: Ending high school, I knew exactly who I was. I think I lost a little of that my first year in college. So, for 2012, I'm striving to be me; a child of the King, a Proverbs 31 woman, a goober, a reader, a spontaneous dancer, an opera singer (in the car), an experimenter, a Walmart clothes wearer, a shoe collector, an adventurer, a proponent of the Oxford Comma, and whatever else strikes my fancy on any given day.
Not profound by any means, but that's exactly what I think makes this structure fit. Resolutions are way too mainstream for me, anyways. Here's to 2012!
I'll start by saying that I have never, for as long as I can remember, kept a New Year's resolution. This is probably because every resolution I've ever made has been something along the lines of eating less, exercising more, and sister loves to eat a little too much for that to be a reality. So, this year, when asked my resolutions, I kept it simple and attainable. I want to start wearing perfume more. I want to write more letters. I want to do more cool stuff.
These surface level resolutions are great and all, but when I'm tired I get real introspective and late last night I decided that I absolutely must write out serious life goals for the new year. Grabbing a Moleskine and a G2, I set down, prepped for writing, and froze. I had no goals. The only thing running through my mind was the chorus of a Luminate song. A chorus that says, "Here's to new beginnings, here's to breaking free. Let's chase a new horizon, chase who we're meant to be". Suddenly, I knew exactly how I was to compose these things I wanted, which were not so superficial as resolutions but also not so intense as life goals.
New Beginnings: This year, I'm going Mulligans on Jesus Calling, giving it a new start. I also hope to begin new and meaningful relationships, and open up to new opportunities that might arise. I also started a fresh journal.
Breaking Free: I've found myself in destructive cycles as of late, and I'm hoping to break free of that. I also want to break free of aspects in certain relationships that drag me down, plus unnecessary pressures, stresses, and anxieties.
A New Horizon: This one I took as "future goals", for lack of a better term. Step one would be to make a resume. And to find out what nuclear engineers actually do...
Who I'm Meant to Be: Ending high school, I knew exactly who I was. I think I lost a little of that my first year in college. So, for 2012, I'm striving to be me; a child of the King, a Proverbs 31 woman, a goober, a reader, a spontaneous dancer, an opera singer (in the car), an experimenter, a Walmart clothes wearer, a shoe collector, an adventurer, a proponent of the Oxford Comma, and whatever else strikes my fancy on any given day.
Not profound by any means, but that's exactly what I think makes this structure fit. Resolutions are way too mainstream for me, anyways. Here's to 2012!
27 November 2011
Giving Thanks
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7
It seems that overflowing with thankfulness is something I oftentimes forget to do. I'm grateful only for fleeting moments until anxieties and worries rear their nasty heads. Why is it that bad mojo always inhabits 90% of thought, time, and energy, whereas stuff that brings joy and contentment is kept to a mere 10%? This is one of the many reasons why I love Thanksgiving. A whole day devoted to overflowing with thankfulness. My family has had Thanksgiving at our Lakehouse ever since we've had the Lakehouse, barring the year I was in second grade and we went to New York, but even then the rest of our family was still at the Lakehouse having Thanksgiving. And we've had the Lakehouse for a pretty long time. My great-grandfather built it. I should probably know when. (I don't.) Regardless, Thanksgiving meal at the Lake is tradition. Was tradition. Earlier this fall, the Lakehouse was consumed by the wildfires rolling across East Texas. This Thanksgiving was our first without the Lakehouse. It was weird. We were able to feast at a family member's cabin close by, so after eating we drove to Bear Creek for the customary walk around the Lake, only this time included a walk through the rubble as well. At a point in our afternoon, the family gathered to share what we were thankful for. Now, when we do this, we go oldest to youngest. This means that all of the obvious answers are taken by the time it comes to me. On one hand, I don't want to just repeat what everyone else has said, but on the other hand I feel like a jerk when everyone else is thankful "to be here together" and I say something like "Mexican food". It's a conundrum. Usually I try to split the difference and say something unique, but still pertaining to everyone else. This year was no exception. I'm thankful that, even though we loved the Lakehouse, even though I would pick the Lakehouse over anywhere else in the world to have Thanksgiving, even though the tradition and memories reside there, even though it's been this way for longer than I can remember, we still get together as a family, we still have Thanksgiving, and no matter where we are we can still overflow with thankfulness.
I think I got comfortable with the Lake being the place for Thanksgiving. That's where we give thanks. That's where we count our blessings. That's where we overflow with thankfulness. Really, though, we should be doing all of those things regardless of where we are or what day of the year it is. So my Thanksgiving resolution, born from the ashes, is to overflow with thankfulness. All. The. Time. Besides, isn't that what we've been called to do all along?
What was:
What is:
Colossians 2:6-7
It seems that overflowing with thankfulness is something I oftentimes forget to do. I'm grateful only for fleeting moments until anxieties and worries rear their nasty heads. Why is it that bad mojo always inhabits 90% of thought, time, and energy, whereas stuff that brings joy and contentment is kept to a mere 10%? This is one of the many reasons why I love Thanksgiving. A whole day devoted to overflowing with thankfulness. My family has had Thanksgiving at our Lakehouse ever since we've had the Lakehouse, barring the year I was in second grade and we went to New York, but even then the rest of our family was still at the Lakehouse having Thanksgiving. And we've had the Lakehouse for a pretty long time. My great-grandfather built it. I should probably know when. (I don't.) Regardless, Thanksgiving meal at the Lake is tradition. Was tradition. Earlier this fall, the Lakehouse was consumed by the wildfires rolling across East Texas. This Thanksgiving was our first without the Lakehouse. It was weird. We were able to feast at a family member's cabin close by, so after eating we drove to Bear Creek for the customary walk around the Lake, only this time included a walk through the rubble as well. At a point in our afternoon, the family gathered to share what we were thankful for. Now, when we do this, we go oldest to youngest. This means that all of the obvious answers are taken by the time it comes to me. On one hand, I don't want to just repeat what everyone else has said, but on the other hand I feel like a jerk when everyone else is thankful "to be here together" and I say something like "Mexican food". It's a conundrum. Usually I try to split the difference and say something unique, but still pertaining to everyone else. This year was no exception. I'm thankful that, even though we loved the Lakehouse, even though I would pick the Lakehouse over anywhere else in the world to have Thanksgiving, even though the tradition and memories reside there, even though it's been this way for longer than I can remember, we still get together as a family, we still have Thanksgiving, and no matter where we are we can still overflow with thankfulness.
I think I got comfortable with the Lake being the place for Thanksgiving. That's where we give thanks. That's where we count our blessings. That's where we overflow with thankfulness. Really, though, we should be doing all of those things regardless of where we are or what day of the year it is. So my Thanksgiving resolution, born from the ashes, is to overflow with thankfulness. All. The. Time. Besides, isn't that what we've been called to do all along?
What was:
What is:
17 June 2011
DEVOTED
This past weekend I had the chance to accompany the Marvin Youth to Student Life camp in Talladega, Alabama. As an adult. I chaperoned. I chaperoned people less than six months younger than me. Needless to say, I was a little tentative about the whole trip and thought it would be a chore. Per usual, I was proven wrong. The community on this trip was amazing: sixth graders, sophomores, college kids, and associate pastors all intertwined to become family. I don't think I ever sat down to eat with the same people twice.
Before my class left for college, we all filled out a survey and gathered to discuss our spiritual gifts. Mine was hospitality: the gift of inclusion and making others feel comfortable. I would have never picked it to describe myself, but once it was in front of me I had a hard time understanding why I'd never thought of it before. It was so obviously me. And for someone who cares a great deal about involving every single person, this trip delivered. Not only that, but it provided some much needed spiritual revival. I cannot express how proud I am of all my MUMC Youth friends for taking the theme of the week, DEVOTED, to heart and fully devoting themselves to Christ regardless of what has happened or what will happen. They are such an inspiration to me!
Now on to Mission Week...
Before my class left for college, we all filled out a survey and gathered to discuss our spiritual gifts. Mine was hospitality: the gift of inclusion and making others feel comfortable. I would have never picked it to describe myself, but once it was in front of me I had a hard time understanding why I'd never thought of it before. It was so obviously me. And for someone who cares a great deal about involving every single person, this trip delivered. Not only that, but it provided some much needed spiritual revival. I cannot express how proud I am of all my MUMC Youth friends for taking the theme of the week, DEVOTED, to heart and fully devoting themselves to Christ regardless of what has happened or what will happen. They are such an inspiration to me!
Now on to Mission Week...
04 May 2011
Observatory
Is is acceptable to watch people performing Salah? I've recently discovered that a certain study spot gives me an unparalleled view, and it really calms me down and gives me peace to sit back and observe.
May the 4th be with you.
May the 4th be with you.
14 April 2011
Deliverance from All of the Madness
**this was intended to be finished last night...whoopsiedaisy. Consequently, "yesterday" is Tuesday and "today" is Wednesday.
yesterday.......was bad. It was real bad. My constant prayer throughout the day was just for some encouragement, something to remind me that I'm worthwhile. I basically moped straight until 6:00 PM when, sitting outside, drinking a Coke, I just stopped thinking about all of the negative vibes that had accumulated in my brain, I stopped praying my constant whines and needs, and I "gazed at God in silence". I've only read a couple of chapters in Crazy Love but had to look no further than the first page to find a reminder "not to rush into God's presence with words [...] The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him. " So I sat, I awed, I praised, and I gradually let myself start praying again, this time trying to focus on the positive and all of the opportunities I had been given to fully depend on God this day. Wouldn't you know I felt a little bit better? I still had looming rainclouds of calculus tests and CS tests and physics homework, but now I had an umbrella.
Fast forward to today - my favorite in a very long time, as I have seen the fruition of my desperate pleas for encouragement. I left my calc test mildly fried, to see "Cast your worries on the Lord, for He cares for you" chalked on the sidewalk. Every few steps, I saw a different verse. Then I encountered some old gentlemen wearing suits and passing out little Bibles. (I love old people, and there are so few on college campuses!) I struck up a conversation with one of them, talking of the beautiful weather and how it was a beautiful day for the mere fact of waking up this morning - but, of course, if he hadn't have woken up that would have been beautiful as well, he said. I walked away smiling after exchanging "Have a blessed day"!'s.
Cool Runnings was on while I was at the gym. Earphones don't stay in my ears, but I love this movie so much that I could recite all of the dialogue in my head while on the treadmill. In CS class, I finally put my finger on who my professor has reminded me of all year - the professor in The Magician's Nephew (ironic? CS class, CS Lewis?). I feel like if he invited me to spend the summer with him at his English manor, I would find Narnia in one of the closets. I got a letter I had been anticipating from my granddad, and a surprise letter from one of my favorite teachers. We got to make jungle noises in chorale. I got many more compliments on my dress than ever happens to me. And we had brinner. I couldn't help but praise God for such a good day, praise Him for such an awful yesterday which drew me to my knees in front of Him, and praise Him for carrying me through one to the other.
yesterday.......was bad. It was real bad. My constant prayer throughout the day was just for some encouragement, something to remind me that I'm worthwhile. I basically moped straight until 6:00 PM when, sitting outside, drinking a Coke, I just stopped thinking about all of the negative vibes that had accumulated in my brain, I stopped praying my constant whines and needs, and I "gazed at God in silence". I've only read a couple of chapters in Crazy Love but had to look no further than the first page to find a reminder "not to rush into God's presence with words [...] The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him. " So I sat, I awed, I praised, and I gradually let myself start praying again, this time trying to focus on the positive and all of the opportunities I had been given to fully depend on God this day. Wouldn't you know I felt a little bit better? I still had looming rainclouds of calculus tests and CS tests and physics homework, but now I had an umbrella.
Fast forward to today - my favorite in a very long time, as I have seen the fruition of my desperate pleas for encouragement. I left my calc test mildly fried, to see "Cast your worries on the Lord, for He cares for you" chalked on the sidewalk. Every few steps, I saw a different verse. Then I encountered some old gentlemen wearing suits and passing out little Bibles. (I love old people, and there are so few on college campuses!) I struck up a conversation with one of them, talking of the beautiful weather and how it was a beautiful day for the mere fact of waking up this morning - but, of course, if he hadn't have woken up that would have been beautiful as well, he said. I walked away smiling after exchanging "Have a blessed day"!'s.
Cool Runnings was on while I was at the gym. Earphones don't stay in my ears, but I love this movie so much that I could recite all of the dialogue in my head while on the treadmill. In CS class, I finally put my finger on who my professor has reminded me of all year - the professor in The Magician's Nephew (ironic? CS class, CS Lewis?). I feel like if he invited me to spend the summer with him at his English manor, I would find Narnia in one of the closets. I got a letter I had been anticipating from my granddad, and a surprise letter from one of my favorite teachers. We got to make jungle noises in chorale. I got many more compliments on my dress than ever happens to me. And we had brinner. I couldn't help but praise God for such a good day, praise Him for such an awful yesterday which drew me to my knees in front of Him, and praise Him for carrying me through one to the other.
13 January 2011
I Know the Meaning of These Nineteen Years*
*The title of this post is taken from Les Miserables song lyrics that have been stuck in my head all day. I don't know the meaning of life. Coincidentally, though, I have been alive for nineteen years. Which brings us to...
Today was my birthday. I woke up kind of dreading it. It was my first birthday away from home. I knew that my dad was planning to come to Atlanta and take me to see Beauty and the Beast at the Fantastic Fox Theater, but at the time I went to bed it was still up in the air as to whether or not his flight would be cancelled (pun always intended). Needless to say, not a great feeling to wake up with. Then I decided to make some tea and I spilled my entire electric tea kettle full of warming water on the ground. Oh boy. And because of the snowpocalypse I had no breakfast food in my room, forcing me to eat the top of a Chick-Fil-A bun instead. Then I read my Jesus Calling for January 13, 2011 and it was like Sarah Young knew I was going to be alone on my birthday for the very first time. She says, in God's perspective, "Thank Me for this day of life, recognizing that it is a precious, unrepeatable gift. Trust that I am with you each moment, whether you sense my presence or not." After reading that, I decided to thank God for my birthday each time I started internally whining. Can you believe my day got better? Because it sure did.
First of all, my morning classes were already cancelled, but I got an email announcing that my afternoon lab was cancelled as well. So, I watched two episodes of Friday Night Lights - Season One, my new TV obsession. I decided that I could marry Matt Seracen. Just might, if given the chance. Then the mass influx of Facebook "happy birthday!"s came. For the first time ever, I made it a point to individually thank everyone for the birthday wishes. It really made me realize how blessed with friends I am, even if this was the first time I'd heard from some of these people since middle school. Not to play favorites, but I was really impressed by the sentiments from Robert Goulet's wife, Vera. The mail at GaTech was finally up and running, so I was able to pick up a package which had been sitting there since finals week. Yes, it was from one of my best friends. And yes, it was an instrumental Whitney Houston CD. After some quality Big/Little study time my dad arrived! He came bearing gifts, even though I asked for nothing but Beauty and the Beast and Rose Festival. So, I opened my Hot Tamales, 8 gig flash drive, journal, and Bananagrams before getting ready for the evening. The Evening = Molly, Dad, Roomie, and Big all bundling up and braving the icy sidewalks to walk to dinner and then the Fox. May I say, stunning? gorgeous? unbelievable? And I'm not just talking about the girls, har har har. The Fox was breathtaking. And the show was such fun. And I would say more but I'm saving it for a time when I'm not blogging 'til my eyelids droop shut. (Jonathan Toomey, anyone?)
Long story short, birthday was made great by the plethora of simple pleasures gracing every turn.
In other, yet related, news, I've decided to start a Project 365! One picture a day for a whole entire year. Being my birthday, today is the first day, but forgive me for not uploading and editing the picture yet.
Today was my birthday. I woke up kind of dreading it. It was my first birthday away from home. I knew that my dad was planning to come to Atlanta and take me to see Beauty and the Beast at the Fantastic Fox Theater, but at the time I went to bed it was still up in the air as to whether or not his flight would be cancelled (pun always intended). Needless to say, not a great feeling to wake up with. Then I decided to make some tea and I spilled my entire electric tea kettle full of warming water on the ground. Oh boy. And because of the snowpocalypse I had no breakfast food in my room, forcing me to eat the top of a Chick-Fil-A bun instead. Then I read my Jesus Calling for January 13, 2011 and it was like Sarah Young knew I was going to be alone on my birthday for the very first time. She says, in God's perspective, "Thank Me for this day of life, recognizing that it is a precious, unrepeatable gift. Trust that I am with you each moment, whether you sense my presence or not." After reading that, I decided to thank God for my birthday each time I started internally whining. Can you believe my day got better? Because it sure did.
First of all, my morning classes were already cancelled, but I got an email announcing that my afternoon lab was cancelled as well. So, I watched two episodes of Friday Night Lights - Season One, my new TV obsession. I decided that I could marry Matt Seracen. Just might, if given the chance. Then the mass influx of Facebook "happy birthday!"s came. For the first time ever, I made it a point to individually thank everyone for the birthday wishes. It really made me realize how blessed with friends I am, even if this was the first time I'd heard from some of these people since middle school. Not to play favorites, but I was really impressed by the sentiments from Robert Goulet's wife, Vera. The mail at GaTech was finally up and running, so I was able to pick up a package which had been sitting there since finals week. Yes, it was from one of my best friends. And yes, it was an instrumental Whitney Houston CD. After some quality Big/Little study time my dad arrived! He came bearing gifts, even though I asked for nothing but Beauty and the Beast and Rose Festival. So, I opened my Hot Tamales, 8 gig flash drive, journal, and Bananagrams before getting ready for the evening. The Evening = Molly, Dad, Roomie, and Big all bundling up and braving the icy sidewalks to walk to dinner and then the Fox. May I say, stunning? gorgeous? unbelievable? And I'm not just talking about the girls, har har har. The Fox was breathtaking. And the show was such fun. And I would say more but I'm saving it for a time when I'm not blogging 'til my eyelids droop shut. (Jonathan Toomey, anyone?)
Long story short, birthday was made great by the plethora of simple pleasures gracing every turn.
In other, yet related, news, I've decided to start a Project 365! One picture a day for a whole entire year. Being my birthday, today is the first day, but forgive me for not uploading and editing the picture yet.
13 December 2010
Recommended Reading
I finished reading same kind of different as me today. It took me all of three days, and that included massive hauls of studying in between chapters. I was supposed to read it a long time ago, having had it recommended to me over and over, but that little contrarian inside took over and refused to budge the book from its place on the shelf. (Yes, this does happen quite often.)
Now, after having read it, I am so glad that I did. Powerful and moving, the story grips you and does not let go. The incredible faith of the principle subjects knocks you off your rocker and leaves you inspired. Perhaps, though, the thing I respect most about this book is that never once was I made to feel guilty for what I have. So often, radical Christians preach guilt and shame to the haves, garnering only superficial giving for the have-nots. True, honest, giving comes from the heart, not from shame. God has blessed us not that we may spurn His blessing, but that we may use it to bless others.
"So in a way, we is all homeless - just workin our way toward home."
Now, after having read it, I am so glad that I did. Powerful and moving, the story grips you and does not let go. The incredible faith of the principle subjects knocks you off your rocker and leaves you inspired. Perhaps, though, the thing I respect most about this book is that never once was I made to feel guilty for what I have. So often, radical Christians preach guilt and shame to the haves, garnering only superficial giving for the have-nots. True, honest, giving comes from the heart, not from shame. God has blessed us not that we may spurn His blessing, but that we may use it to bless others.
"So in a way, we is all homeless - just workin our way toward home."
25 November 2010
I'm Thankful For...
...grace that is greater than all our sin, the love of a family, weekly crossword puzzles, musicals, family traditions, a sassy cat and a sweet pup, friends that either understand my crazy speak or at least act like they do, mugs of hot tea, books by the thousands, escapism, our founding fathers, the Food Network, themed parties, Texas, brisk autumns, sense of humor, quality TV, browsing excursions, the freedom to have an opinion and, more importantly, disagree with others, Southern Living, chocolate so dark the first bite makes you cringe, means of communication, holidays, creative minds, wisdom, getting letters in the mail, memories, painfully delicous food, dreams, esoteric simple pleasures, movies, genuine compliments, Pilot G2 07's, experiences that stick with you for life.
14 November 2010
Holding On
"Yes, I can see the light that is coming for the heart that holds on..."
One of my favorite lines from a worship song. It reminds me of two things. One: when life is crud, everything goes wrong, loneliness settles in, and someone turns off the bathroom lights while you're in the shower, something better is coming. Two: when life is terrific, days are filled with love and laughter, Barnes and Noble has a sale, and the new episode of Grey's Anatomy is yours for the watching, something WAY better is coming. Even though that something is impossible to fathom, this heart is holding on.
One of my favorite lines from a worship song. It reminds me of two things. One: when life is crud, everything goes wrong, loneliness settles in, and someone turns off the bathroom lights while you're in the shower, something better is coming. Two: when life is terrific, days are filled with love and laughter, Barnes and Noble has a sale, and the new episode of Grey's Anatomy is yours for the watching, something WAY better is coming. Even though that something is impossible to fathom, this heart is holding on.
24 October 2010
Sunday Morning Coming Down
As I walked back to campus from church this morning, I passed a rather large and luxurious looking apartment building. I had almost passed the front door when I saw a large black man poke his head out of the door and say "'Scuse me!, 'Scuse me!" Taken aback, I slowly stopped and reluctantly back pedaled until I was even with him. He kept beckoning me to walk up the steps toward him, saying "It's Ok, I'm security here - it's Ok", and I hesitantly came closer.
"Is that a Bible?"
"Yes sir...?"
"I pulled you up on the security camera and saw your Bible. What did you learn at church this morning?"
"Well, we learned about giving, and how what you give should be between you and God, not compared to those around us."
"Mmm, yes. And what faith are you?"
"Methodist...?"
"Mhmm. I agree with what you say. My name's Leonard by the way."
"I'm Molly...?"
"Nice to meet you. I agree with what you say about giving. You really gotta feel it in your heart, not look at what other people do. We get a lot of hoomeless people 'round here asking for money, food - are you in a hurry?"
"Well, I'm just headed back...?"
"Yeah, well when we have extra food in here, I just get this feeling of God telling me who really needs it, and I like to give it out. I agree with what you say about giving. Ah, Molly."
"It was really nice to meet you...?" graceful exit
"Nice to meet you, too!"
I'm still not quite sure what to think about this.
"Is that a Bible?"
"Yes sir...?"
"I pulled you up on the security camera and saw your Bible. What did you learn at church this morning?"
"Well, we learned about giving, and how what you give should be between you and God, not compared to those around us."
"Mmm, yes. And what faith are you?"
"Methodist...?"
"Mhmm. I agree with what you say. My name's Leonard by the way."
"I'm Molly...?"
"Nice to meet you. I agree with what you say about giving. You really gotta feel it in your heart, not look at what other people do. We get a lot of hoomeless people 'round here asking for money, food - are you in a hurry?"
"Well, I'm just headed back...?"
"Yeah, well when we have extra food in here, I just get this feeling of God telling me who really needs it, and I like to give it out. I agree with what you say about giving. Ah, Molly."
"It was really nice to meet you...?" graceful exit
"Nice to meet you, too!"
I'm still not quite sure what to think about this.
19 September 2010
Thoughts
I've never really known much about Buddhism, except that it's a religion. This weekend, though, I listened to a new acquaintance explain her reasonings for being Buddhist. What I understood is that the entire religion is based on self - self punishment for wrongs and self rewards for rights. I can't help but think how entirely desolate, empty, and unfulfilling it must be to have everything center around yourself...
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