mabel's couch

dressed in gentleness

2011-02-14T18:13:00.000-05:00

this isn't written by me, but i often wish i could put together words like Henri Nouwen. i read this specific devotion almost every day and wanted to share it publicly, because gentleness is something i really admire in people. this is taken from Nouwen's Bread for the Journey.

Dressed in Gentleness

Once in a while we meet a gentle person. Gentleness is a virtue hard to find in a society that admires toughness and roughness. We are encouraged to get things done and to get them done fast, even when people get hurt in the process. Success, accomplishment, and productivity count. But the cost is high. There is no place for gentleness in such a milieu.

Gentle is the one who does "not break the crushed reed, or snuff the faltering wick" (Matthew 12:20). Gentle is the one who is attentive to the strengths and weaknesses of the other and enjoys being together more than accomplishing something. A gentle person treads lightly, listens carefully, looks tenderly, and touches with reverence. A gentle person knows that true growth requires nurture, not force. Let's dress ourselves with gentleness. In our tough and often unbending world our gentleness can be a vivid reminder of the presence of God among us.

christmas thoughts

2010-12-25T23:51:00.002-05:00

HAPPY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!! i am so blest to see so much family in one day! the highlight of my day was watching my 16 month old nephew open gifts. although he doesn't yet understand the concept of unwrapping gifts, he sure did like what was inside. he would open a book and want to read it immediately. we joked that out of all his fancy gifts, he loved the matchbox cars the best-- simple, inexpensive, classic toys.

i also exchanged emails with a dear friend today about the Dec. 24 reading from My Utmost for His Highest. one specific line from it was, "The most dangerous and unsure thing is to try to live without God." it reminded me that God is with me (Immanuel) and was a refreshing devotion to take in this morning. my friend's response was spot on: "It is Christmas and I am lost in presents and video games and movies and noise and I need Jesus to fill me. He is the only stable, sure, worthwhile thing there is."

my nephew was a picture of how i ought to be not only on Christmas, but every day. my focus should be first and foremost on Christ. nothing else will fill me or offer me the security like my Heavenly Father. i leave you with an excerpt from the aforementioned reading.

It is virtually impossible to doubt when He is there. Every time you are in personal contact with Jesus, His words are real to you. “My peace I give to you . . .” (John 14:27)— a peace which brings an unconstrained confidence and covers you completely, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. “. . . your life is hidden with Christ in God,” and the peace of Jesus Christ that cannot be disturbed has been imparted to you.

new specs!

2010-11-03T23:50:00.000-05:00

hi there! most of my time & energy is spent on the painting a day blog, and so this one is getting a bit neglected.

since this is my personal one, i feel the freedom to post a photo of my new glasses. they make me feel smart and comfortable.

"have you painted recently?"

2010-09-17T23:45:00.000-05:00

well, yes, i've been working on a little project. as mentioned in the post below, i started painting something new & it should last a year! so, to all my friends & family who have been asking, "Have you painted recently?" for the past 2 years, this is for you! i can now answer honestly. and i'm starting to feel less & less that my art degree has gone to waste!

since my newpaintingaday blog is a forum for that specific project, i thought i'd post a recent painting here. i haven't painted with oils since 2007, so i decided to pick them up. i finished this before i began the 365-day project. it's a (very unfinished) self-portrait. maybe one day i'll finish it. :)

30x18" oil on MDF.

a painting a day

2010-08-22T15:25:00.002-05:00

just a heads-up to my followers, i am beginning a new project (& blog to accompany it).

hope you enjoy!

love,
tiff

flavors.me!

2010-08-12T17:32:00.001-05:00

hi folks,

check out my temporary design "website" until the fully customized one gets up & running.

http://flavors.me/tiffanys

name change

2010-08-11T03:39:00.002-05:00

I recently changed my blog's name from "MI VIDA LOCA" to "mabel's couch." Not only was it time for a little change, but "mabel's couch" signifies much more to me.

Mabel was an old family friend who passed away a few years ago. Upon her death, I "inherited" her couches. Really, I was the only one who wanted them. You see, they're seafoam green and old, retro style, with a very synthetic material covering them. And for some reason, i LOVE them. I think they're beautiful. They have these wide, flat armrests that can hold drinks and plates and bowls and books. Also, the couch also doubles as a bed- which, of course, is useful.

Back to the blog-- since I spend most of my time reading, writing, & generally living on this seafoam sofa, I figured it would be a good name change.

"I got a lot of poop in my pants"

2010-06-15T15:54:00.001-05:00

You would think I'd post more stories from 3 months of nannying, but I usually share them so don't feel the need to write them.

There are several gospel moments during my day with 3 kiddos. One particular day, a little one had an accident in his pants (which unfortunately isn't uncommon). He came up to me and reported, "I got a lot of poop in my pants." Sometimes, I am very good at keeping straight faces at moments like these, but I couldn't control myself this time... and burst into laughter.

As I was cleaning up the situation [insert Jersey Shore joke here], I couldn't help but think how innocent and sweet it was that he told me about his accident. He told me immediately, directly, plainly, and trusted that I knew what to do to clean him up.

How often do I do that with God? I usually do not immediately tell the Lord when I mess up, trusting that He is both good to forgive and great to change me.

At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants."
Matthew 11:25

reconciled

2010-03-28T00:20:00.004-05:00

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven...

Colossians 1:12-29

Mirriam-Webster defines reconcile as
"to restore to friendship or harmony" or
"to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant."

Both these definitions really describe my past year. In retrospect, I think my 25th year of life has been pretty easy and pleasant. Friendships have evolved, like usual, but there have been two key friendships that have changed and continue to be sanctifying relationships.

We'll call the first friend "Sally." She and I have known one another for almost 5 years I guess. We learned about the Lord together and have many mutual friends. However, there was always an unidentifiable wedge in our friendship; something was missing. Once we began becoming closer friends is when I began to get hurt by her. At first it was something petty like not being invited into a small Bible study she started. Upon confronting Sally about this matter, she said that there wasn't room for me. Rejection... by one of my best friends. I dismissed this and pushed Sally back a few more feet from my heart. Another thing happened where I realized she hadn't told me the entire truth and just didn't care. Then, a few other painful times when she consistently chose her relationships with guys over me. Ouch... rejection again. And, over several years, I noticed a pattern in Sally's life of unintentionally hurting friends. After many confrontations, nothing changed in her life.... so I forgave her for the hurt she had caused me, and chose to "accept something unpleasant," and just surrender this relationship to the Lord.

The second story is about a guy named "Jack." We used to be really good friends. Then, after a series of events, our friendship went downhill really quickly and ended abruptly... and I was treated pretty poorly afterward. After that, we tried to make amends, but not much changed. Then, several years later, what seemed like all of a sudden, Jack contacted me and sincerely apologized for being mean. After having given up on our relationship completely, I feel as if God gifted me with it once again. The Lord, Creator of the Universe and the One who lives inside of me, continues to enlarge my heart and increase my faith. Lord-willing, this relationship with Jack is being restored to friendship, despite all the past hurt and painful memories.

The beauty in these two stories is that neither is perfect. Yes, there are glimpses of glory in each of them, but they are nothing like our Holy God reconciling us to Himself. Jesus came in order to make us holy and pure before God. Jesus made peace with God for us through dying on the cross. He submitted to that which was unpleasant to restore the harmony between the Creation and the Creator that was present before the Fall.

I continue to choose to remember that the Lord is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Be encouraged, my friends, relationships can be restored on this side of heaven... our prime example is our reconciliation with the Faithful One! Continue to pray, don't lose heart, persevere, fight the good fight.

(Another good passage to read: Joshua 1.)

blinded & burdened

2010-03-07T20:11:00.005-05:00

i realized recently that most of my posts are a little on the heavy side. i'm not the type of blogger who has witty and clever stories to write, nor do i have funny life stories to share with you. i have what is bouncing around in my mind and my heart, dying for a place to land... and that place just so happens to be this blog. so, take it for what it is-- and for what it isn't.

Lately, the Lord has been moving in quite uncomfortable ways in me. (I'm not sure if you can relate, but since the Lord lives in me, I feel like sometimes He makes His presence more known than at other times-- maybe like a little fetus kicking my ribs, but I don't know too much about all that!) Anyways, it seems like He is pushing my heart up closer to my eyes and then back into my brain. Know that feeling? Yeah, it's painful.

My worldview is constantly changing-- and much more quickly in the past year and a half post-graduation. Allow me to explain this: My view of the world and its suffering is broadening. I know it's the work of the Holy Spirit, but I'm not sure I can attribute this change to specific events or blinding lights on the road to Damascus. Instead, it has been walking blindly every day. What has this looked like for me? Trust in God for "micro" things: jobs, money, mending of relationships. And to trust in God for "macro" things: repair Haiti, repair Chile, repair Afghanistan... that the One who created the universe has a plan for this broken shell of a girl living in Charlotte and a plan for the depravity, homelessness, poverty, disease, war, sex trafficking, and general brokenness of humankind around the world.

I'm not at all sure where God will take me, how He plans on using me, or why He even cares (some days)... but I am so thankful to be His and will continue to struggle through what it means to be a holy & beautiful daughter in the sight of my Loving Father.

a prayer for the broken hearted

2010-01-22T07:30:00.002-05:00

dedicated to family and friends of Aimee Powell, a sweet girl now resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father.

(an Indelible Grace song sung by Chelsey Scott)

A Prayer for the Broken Hearted

No day in my life has past
That hasn't proved me guilty;
Prayers are uttered too fast
From a heart that's cold and empty.

Oh blessed Jesus,
May we find a covert in Thy wounds;
Though our sins, they rise to meet us,
How they fall next to the merits of you.

Oh, all in me calls for this,
It calls for my rejection;
This heavy unrighteousness,
Oh, is there no protection?

My best services are rags;
My best deeds are filthy.

Grant me hear Thy shoring voice,
That in Thy wounds is pardon;
Grant me see Thy willing choice
To make my hard heart softened.

Keep the broken-hearted sure,
Clinging to Thy cross, our cure.

Oh blessed Jesus,
May we find a covert in Thy wounds;
Though our sins, they rise to meet us,
How they fall next to the merits of you.

christmas card 2009

2009-12-18T21:35:00.008-05:00

Most of you reading this post will have received my Christmas card, with a link to my blog on it.

work: I am still learning something new every day about dental anatomy, making crowns and bridges, and I even got a good report last week! So, after 3 months, I think I'm finally catching on. Below is my "report card."

("near perfect"... hooray!)

home: oh, Allen Street, our home sweet home! Caroline and I almost forgot how vacant the street becomes once the cold weather sweeps in. It's bittersweet, because although our street is mostly quiet, we don't get to see all our favorite neighbors as much. The fence is serving its purpose and preventing folks from going into our back yard.

(me & caroline at a mute math concert)

church: the Lord is using Christ Central to constantly encourage and challenge me. I'm very thankful for my community group and the youth group especially. The teenage girls I get to be spend time with are such a delight and blessing. I'm so happy to be staying in Charlotte and be with them more.

(me & youth group girls)

family: Darla's college volleyball team went to nationals this year. Tj is changing schools. Mandy & Jacob are learning how to manage work with new baby Davis. Davis is the cutest ever and is a joy to be around. I never knew I could love a baby this much!! Momma is staying busy from keeping Davis during the day- any grandmother's dream!! Dad is staying busy researching good real estate deals in the area.

(davis- he's so stinkin cute!)

school: I'm hopefully going to be taking a seminary class next semester. I'm waiting on my acceptance into Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS).

thank you for taking time out to read this.

winter, the hated season.

2009-12-02T18:52:00.005-05:00

winter falls between december 20 & march 20....

why is winter my favorite?

- the air feels clean. something about the cold makes it crisp and non-humid and it feels good to breathe in.

- layers! i love scarves, sweaters, coats, boots, gloves, hats... and wearing 15 layers. it's so much fun to get bundled up & it makes outfits more interesting. i have an easier time putting together outfits during winter.

- christmas. that means advent, family all together, gifts, generosity, parties, happy people, good moods. and celebrating Jesus' birth collectively.

- new year's! i looooove parties, people, dressing up, sparkly things... and that's what new year's is. plus, it offers a fresh start, makes people set goals and evaluate their lives.

- my birthday!!!!! haha.... seriously, though, i love birthdays and parties and gifts, especially mine.

christmas!!!!

2009-11-30T17:53:00.005-05:00

you might be thinking,

"gee, tiff, it's a little early for a post on christmas."

.... and i would have to agree, but i will continue nevertheless.

you see, i'm not the usual type to get very hyped up about holidays (other than my birthday of course!). i understand it sounds selfish or scroogish or strange, but the way i look at it, i'm giving others more room to be excited since i'm not.

however, this year is different! i am beyond thrilled about christmas season!!!!

i don't know what hit me, but i want to decorate everything. i've already bought a real tree and am continuing to decorate the house, and i smell christmas smells at random points during the day. like right now, i smell peanut butter cookies (my momma always makes these at christmas). and, confession: i even have a crush on my christmas tree salesman (he was attractive, but i think it's because he has one of the most exciting jobs to me right now!).

i'm sorry

2009-11-25T00:08:00.003-05:00

this post is dedicated to all my friends who apologize too much- i'm sure i've probably told you.

it's been a tough lesson for me that at the beginning a new job, there is a learning curve. i just want to immediately be great at everything. this i-need-to-ask-someone-what-to-do-next feeling is quite annoying. i want to be independent, for goodness sake!

and so, in my new job, 97% of everything i do is something new to be learned. yikes! needless to say, i make many mistakes, so i find myself apologizing numerous times during the day. granted, these are much-needed and sincere apologies (unlike those crazy-nice people who apologize all the time!). however, i hate apologizing at work now... the words feel so empty. i wish there was something else i could say or do to make it better.

i'm not sure why this was the tradition in my house growing up, but i just didn't apologize much to my family. i guess it could've been because i didn't do anything to hurt anyone, but if you know me you'd probably disagree. in all seriousness, i think we were scared to admit our wrong, admit our hurt, and sit in that awkward or painful emotion. i think i was also scared to not be forgiven, so i just avoided the difficult beauty of forgiveness and instead chose to ignore the other person's wound.

this also hinders me from entering in to true confession and repentance to my Heavenly Father. He calls me and expects me to say "i'm sorry" regularly. and He promises to forgive me and still loves me every time i hurt Him. i'm so so thankful for a loving Father who prepared a way for me to come to Him and apologize.... and has left the Spirit to guide me into a deeper understanding of this phenomenon.

staying put

2009-11-07T00:18:00.004-05:00

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the value of staying in one place for years.... thanks to a few wise friends, the thought of investing in where I am for a little while really does make sense. It's strange to even write that, because I love change and moving and new adventures and excitement... and, not to mention, I would love to be overseas right now. However, I want to be obedient to the Lord. I know that as I'm seeking Him, I won't miss out... and missing out is ultimately what I fear.

And so, I hope that I will continue to see value in being in Charlotte, investing in friendships here, my church, the youth, my job, and still feed my desire for newness in other ways. It's so easy to just pack up & move away and start over somewhere else.... it's much more difficult in my generation to STAY. My goodness, I can't even sit still for 5 minutes....

Thank the Lord for the Holy Spirit and peace that passes all my understanding. He is good. Reminds me of my favorite psalm:

Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

(psalm 37:3-5)

isaiah

2009-11-05T23:04:00.003-05:00

my community group is breezing through the book of isaiah right now, and i cannot put to words all that i'm gaining from reading this prophet's writings. one thing i want to talk about is the theme of redemption. God's redemption. His love surpasses our comprehension. the beauty of His redemption, as modeled in isaiah, is that He first destroys that which he rebuilds. it's written throughout much of scripture, but is very obvious when you read chapters in isaiah. the book has taken me on quite the emotional journey, because the Lord is promising His wrath of doom and destruction on His people, and then promises to redeem, rebuild, and restore them.... to restore us. i want so badly to say that the Lord is judging and vengeful against my enemies only, but really He has already taken His wrath (that i deserved) out on His Son, Jesus. instead, the Lord simply asks me to wait on Him and hope for that salvation that's coming when Jesus returns. trust in the Lord's faithfulness (which He has shown throughout history), and do not rely on my futile attempts to save myself.

i'm so so thankful for where the Lord has me right now. although i feel a little trapped in committing to be in Charlotte for some years, i'm pretty confident it's where God has me. i'm simply grateful that HE HAS ME. the Lord, Creator of Heaven and Earth, wipes the tears from my eyes, holds my hand, and prepares a way for me to walk in. thank you, My Savior.

somebody's baby

2009-09-20T14:32:00.003-05:00

this hit home.

strength & song

2009-09-20T13:35:00.004-05:00

a little study on the Lord as our strength. Caroline and i are teaching children's church this month and it's been about the Israelites. We've taught them how good God is to them despite their ignorance, disobedience, and "whining" all the time. i had the kids practice whining and it was so annoying.... but that's what the Lord hears from me all the time and is still so patient and gracious. i pray i can be like that towards those around me and that i will thank God for being so kind to protect me no matter how i am to Him.

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

2 Samuel 22:33 God arms me with strength. His perfect way sets me free.

Psalms 22:19 But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalms 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

old bagels into bread pudding!

2009-09-16T21:05:00.004-05:00

friends of mine were about to throw away 15 stale bagels from bruegger's.... i hate waste, so i was brainstorming what could be done with them:
- croutons?
- feed the birds outside?
- give them to my neighbors?
- feed the geese at UNCC?
- feed the cats at UNCC?
- feed the college students at UNCC? :)

although it was a tough decision, none of these quite made the cut as soon as i thought of BREAD PUDDING!

you should know, i've never made bread pudding, but after perusing recipes, i decided that stale bagels just might work. and if they don't, then i don't have much to lose.

so, i just put it in the oven and will hopefully present a picture of it in about 30 minutes when it comes out-- only if it's a success!

here's the recipe i used

my end result is yummier than it looks!!

unfailing love

2009-09-15T21:48:00.005-05:00

i sent this out in an email a couple weeks ago and was thinking about it once again, so i figured i'd share it with the world:

"Overcoming the Insecurity of Feeling Unloved" (taken from the Bible & Beth Moore)

Prov 19:22- "What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar."

The Lord is suggesting that we are lying if we're saying that our greatest need is anything besides unfailing love. Prov 19:22 implies a deep craving for unfailing love: a love
that is unconditional, unwavering, radical, demonstrative, broader than the horizon, deeper than the sea. And it would be nice if that love were healthy, liberating rather than suffocating, and whole.

Since the only way to have eternal life is to receive Him, God created us with a cavernous need that we would seek to fill until we found Him.

Searching for perfect, unfailing love in anyone else is not only fruitless, it is miserably disappointing and destructive. I am convinced that our hearts are not healthy until they have been satisfied by the only completely healthy love that exists: the love of God, Himself.

Oswald Chambers: "No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by God first."

We are not wrong to think we desperately need to be loved. We do. But we are wrong to think we can make anyone love us the way we need to be loved. Throughout life we will lose people who really loved us to death or changing circumstances. As dear and as rick as their love was, it was not unfailing. It moved. It died. It changed. It left wonderful memories... but it left a hole.

Psalm 143:8 "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,/ for I have put my trust in You./ Show me the way I should go,/ for to you I lift up my soul."

Jesus Christ is the only One who is never overwhelmed by the depth and length of our need.

why i live where i live

2009-09-08T20:36:00.004-05:00

This is what makes caring for the body a Christian work, that through its health and comfort we may be able to work, to acquire, and lay by funds with which to aid those who are in need, that in this way the strong member may serve the weaker, and we may be sons of God, each caring for and working for the other, bearing one another’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ [Galatians 6:2]. This is a truly Christian life. Here faith is truly active through love.
(Martin Luther)

How did Jesus love? "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (Jn 1:14) Jesus relocated. He became one of us. He didn't commute back and forth to heaven. Similarly, the most effective messenger of the gospel to the poor will also live among the poor that God has called the person to. A key phrase to understand relocation is incarnational ministry.
(www.CCDA.org)

There's a contemporary model or urban ministry that best explains why I live where I live:

"the three R's"

1. Relocation: living among the people... "Living out the gospel means bettering the quality of other people's lives spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally as one betters one's own. Living out the gospel means sharing in the suffering and pain of others."

"By relocating, a person will understand most clearly the real problems facing the poor; and then he or she may begin to look for real solutions."

2. Reconciliation: people to people & people to God...

3. Redistribution: of resources

Step 1 is my short-term explanation, and steps 2 & 3 are long-term goals. to read more about this, click here.

PERSONAL NOTE: I cannot help but sing praises to my Lord for giving me the privilege to live among my neighbors. It has already grown my faith in ways I never could have imagined. And the Lord sure knew what He was doing putting me & my roomie Caroline together.... I couldn't ask for a better person to live here with. I am learning to much from her-- about urban ministry, loving neighbors, loving my friends, loving my enemies, praying for those who persecute me, and being free to be myself... to name a few.

emily & ryan's wedding invitation

2009-09-04T22:29:00.005-05:00

i had the privilege to help design my good friend emily's wedding invitation. for my first wedding invitation, i think it turned out pretty nicely and she really liked it- so that's definitely the most important thing! the wedding is "country carnival" themed, and i'll post pictures of the wedding/reception in late october!

also, picture a red border on the very outside of this (she attached the invite to a deep red piece of paper).

just some life goals

2009-08-30T22:43:00.003-05:00

maybe this post is more for me than for you readers. listed below are goals for myself, and i'm posting them as a source of encouragement and possibly even accountability.

some things i hope to accomplish in my life:

- be a part of a church plant
- live overseas for a good chunk of time
- practice some form of art therapy
- help raise a bunch of kids
- take voice lessons
- continue making art
- live simply
- learn to organize well

recession schmecession

2009-08-26T15:02:00.006-05:00

a customer at the coffee shop asked me one day: "is that your recession hair?"

my interpretation: "are you wearing your hair in a ponytail because you can't afford to get it cut right now, or are you just being lazy?"

well, lady, i'll have you know that it's not because of the recession that i can't afford a good hair cut right now.... and boo-yah, i'll just cut my own hair!!!!

so i did....

the front:

the back:

now it's not (by farrrr) the best hair cut i've ever received but it's manageable and i can wear it down comfortably. i guess it's a little shorter than i would've ideally liked but i just kept choppin away at it! :)

wwjd

2009-07-26T00:53:00.004-05:00

this week, i realized that i'm a christian cynic... and i don't like it. why am i so repulsed by christian culture, sayings, even most contemporary worship? i've asked the Lord to give me an open mind & heart, abundant grace towards people who aren't like me. let's see what happens since i'm now aware that i'm so cynical and believing God will change my ugliness.

art therapy

2009-06-28T00:22:00.003-05:00

Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

to read more about art therapy, click here.

trader joe's vs. starbucks

2009-06-16T15:48:00.007-05:00

i'm not much of a summer gal. this conversation has come up numerous times and folks seem to be surprised that i don't like summer. i don't hate it- it's just my least favorite of the seasons. i see why people love it, though. summer does have its perks:

- the concerts
- the new movies that come out
- more daylight
- people are happier and out more
- vacations
- water sports
- pools are open
- nights out on the porch
- an excuse to eat ice cream every day
- camp meeting!!!!

the thing i look forward to most, though, is TRADER JOE'S STRAWBERRY LEMONADE! don't waste your money on starbucks iced passion tea lemonade; TJ's tastes like it but better! try it for yourself!

if i was a rich girl....

2009-06-15T11:54:00.004-05:00

i would:

1. hire a personal driver
2. start my own business
3. hire a personal assistant- someone to check my email & organize my life for me... i know i'm not that important, but i've realized that i'm just not that good at it on my own. it would probably be a REAL SIMPLE employee.

*shout out to my girl, gwen stefani, for her inspiring music*

lydia serrer

2009-05-23T16:48:00.003-05:00

I met Lydia this afternoon in the coffee shop. She is a cute older woman rocking a gray bob with bangs. She has a thick Cuban accent, so thick she had to spell her first name for me to understand. She spoke of her time in Havana, being one of two females who attended the University... with Fidel Castro. He was in a gang and was such a big threat that the University closed down for two years. Lydia wasn't able to finish her degree.

One story she shared was about him and his gang urinating on campus as she was sitting on a bench working. He came up in front of her (exposed) and asked if she liked what she saw. This is why I love Lydia; she responded to him (without looking up), "I've seen better." Years later, she reconnected with him at a conference he was speaking at. When she introduced herself to him, he said, "I remember. You've seen better." She said that Castro remembered everyone and everything and that's how he got so powerful.

Lydia had to immigrate (the right way, she stated) to the States when her dad's newspaper company was taken from him, but she moved to Puerto Rico for 26 years to raise her kids "away from all the Cubans in Miami" and even worked for 6 years in the US Embassy in Argentina.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with her for the 3-minute window I had before the next customer came in. Oh, and she's in Denver now because her kids made her stop working and move close to them!

twitter takeover

2009-04-20T23:03:00.004-05:00

i must blog about this, because it's become a significant part of my life in the past 72 hours. it's called twitter. and although i've known about it for a while now, i didn't see the need to be on yet another social network. i think my total is up to 5 now... at the very least. i love networking, but twitter just seemed like a poorly-named facebook wannabe but never couldbe. quite the opposite, really....

just a few reasons why i enjoy it thus far:
1. when there are too many people using it, a big cartoon whale with birds holding him up comes up on the screen... "the fail whale". so, the makers of twitter are obviously thorough & clever.
2. you can "follow" celebrities... without having to be their friend. for example, i "follow" john mayer, so i get his status updates (which are quite frequent- 10+ times a day), and they're usually pretty interesting and amusing. others you might be interested in following include obama, oprah, ashton kutcher, ryan seacrest, and many more...
3. i also "follow" NPR and CNN to get the latest news updates-- also fascinating and keeps me current.
4. it uses a lot of '@' signs.

... and there's much more for me to learn...

front-door ministry

2009-04-14T22:49:00.003-05:00

tonight, i heard from missionaries in Mumbai, India... their stories were not only inspiring and encouraging, but also had me thinking about how what they're doing over there can also be done in the States. the Tombings, this Indian missionary couple, have planted churches, started a school, generates a lot of their income, built an orphanage, have a seminary, and reach out to surrounding poorer countries. and that's just the beginning, really....

as much as i'd love to be a foreign missionary, fearing the rebels at any moment and helping bring justice to the children of prostitutes & drug addicts... i realize that i actually have that at my front door.

recently, i saw an art exhibit & video from the artist, who is all about racial reconciliation, political & social justice, and urban "development"-- well, that's my interpretation. i was so intrigued by his art a couple weeks ago that i began to seriously think about what this means for me. right here on allen street. right now.

looking back to look ahead

2009-01-05T23:43:00.003-05:00

why i haven't blogged in so long, i'm not really sure....

happy new year!! i'm happy to be embarking upon this new year and am happy to report that a lot of change is about to go down.

last week, God began shaking up how i've been viewing my life. in short, He showed me that i've been waiting for something to happen, something to change-- so that i can "start" living. and My Heavenly Father wants me to not be wasting a moment where i can be living, embracing the gifts He has given me and where He has me at this very second. to not wait for a ministry, but to be faithful with what He has given me. and so He has given me a renewed vision for this season of my life. and i am so thankful that the Creator of the Universe has chosen me as His daughter and follower and promises to never leave me.

as i reflect on 2008, i can only be thankful for the time i have been able to spend with the ones i love. jessica bentson in the month of january. my mom in february (during my surgery recup). in NYC with renee & amy in april. graham & nicole in may. jessica figley in june, road trip to HHI. megan leap in july, with our many celebrations. good times with the youth group on the mission trip in august. sweet time with new friend, jessica forbes, in philly. family time (celebrating my first full month home) in october. quality time with the coffee shop girls in november. extended family & friends from everywhere made december special. all in all, it was a wonderful year, and i pray God continues to teach me more about His love in 2009.

in addition..

2008-11-08T15:41:00.002-05:00

Oswald Chambers:

"The disciple who abides in Jesus is the will of God, and his apparently free choices are God's fore-ordained decrees. Mysterious? Logically contradictory and absurd? Yes, but a glorious truth to a saint."

election & a pick-me-up

2008-11-08T00:45:00.003-05:00

How can I blog without mention of the recent election? No matter your party, your views, your opinion of the candidates, your race, your interpretation of politics according to the Bible... God was, is, and always will be. I think Derek Webb says is well- that we, as believers, serve a King & a Kingdom. Our Father in Heaven is in all and above all. So, where is all this anger coming from?

Whether who you voted for lost or won, trust ultimately lies in our Creator, not in one of His creatures.

On another note, this verse has spoken volumes to me this past week. Someone passed it on to me, so I figured I would share it with you:
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 68:19

The verse has been powerful for many reasons, so it's great to rest assured that I am not alone. My Savior daily carries the weight that I try to carry on my own. Every day, He is there, ready and willing to take on my cares, my issues, my mess. I am not alone. I can cast all of my anxieties on Him because He cares for me. Praise be to the Lord, to God my Savior, who daily bears my burdens!!

stealing computers

2008-10-17T16:00:00.002-05:00

think about this with me. how many times have we left our computers unattended in a public place, or seen someone else do it? (this is not a rhetorical question)

confession: i just did it. i set my computer bag in a booth at panera and went to the bathroom. my justification upon doing it was that all the guys around my booth were on their own computers.

once i entered the bathroom, the thought crossed my mind that one of those guys might be a computer stealer: someone who camps out at places like panera, coffee shops, & other free wifi joints, waiting for an trusting individual (like myself) to leave the computer for a short time. then, as soon as the victim walks away, the predator packs up his own stuff and on his bolt out the door, grabs the lonely computer!!! the culprit simply used his computer as a guise.

final thoughts:
i believe it's absolutely absurd that i left my computer out in the open, and i could blame it on the fact that i never used to lock my house or car until college... but i won't. what can you blame it on?

in the spotlight

2008-09-27T13:42:00.005-05:00

IN THE SPOTLIGHT is a new feature i'm adding to my blog.... it will feature a piece of art by me that tells a story or has a story behind it. i hope you look forward to these!

first, i wanted to spotlight the photo at the top of my blog page.

it's only a fraction of one of my favorite photos of all time! it was taken when i studied abroad in granada, spain-- in a plaza (i forget which one right now) that i really loved. it was so lively; live music all the time, tons of florists' shops bordering the square, and people talking and eating outside. a true european experience! i just happened to get a shot of this little child crawling in the sunlight. i couldn't have planned this if i wanted to.

here is the original:

the robot

2008-09-22T08:08:00.002-05:00

what i'm into now:

isn't this amazing?!

so, i think i can dance

2008-09-17T15:36:00.008-05:00

looking at my previous few posts, i realized that they have been pretty intense. and as we all know, that just isn't my life at all. i have moments of intensity, yes, but i figured that my silly side needs to come out in my blog more.

so, lately, i've been trying to dance better. i'm trying to perfect a few moves at a time. so far, i feel as if my "walk it out" has gotten to a level where i'd do it in public settings. my robot, however, isn't so great, but i still do it because who really does it all that well anyways?! i'm not naturally a great dancer. thankfully, i got the rhythm gene from my mother, so i can stay on beat for the most part. however, i really have to be taught how to dance, how to put moves together, etc. i learned how to "walk it out" via youtube instructions (you can make fun of me) and that proved successful, so that may be my main mode of learning to dance.

this is how i learned:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMHblX16TSA

when i am weak, then i am strong

2008-09-12T22:57:00.003-05:00

I just got back tonight from a jam-packed week in Philly. I'm still processing a lot of the info given to me, but I wanted to write a little before I hit the sack.

Being in a "class" or group with some amazing others was definitely a highlight of the week. It was really encouraging being around those with similar career paths. Hearing their life stories and all that God has done for them further convinced me that this is where My Father wants me right now. I felt so loved by the WHM Office/Sending Center the entire week, and I couldn't ask for a more prayerful group of people! From the food to the car rides, foosball games to Betsy's iced caramel lattes, conversations to homemade dinners every night... I cannot describe to you the love and care I feel from the people I spent time with.

I am so moved and thankful for everything. I feel this constant bear hug around me right now.... haha!

And to make things a little more clear, I am now beginning to raise support for my time in Spain. Prayer would be greatly appreciated and needed, because I cannot do any of this on my own, and I am hoping to depart in March (which means not very much time to raise funds!) I am holding strongly to the verse when God speaks to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).

Then, Paul continues with, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

thanks for your prayers and i'll keep you posted along this journey.

getting the ball rolling

2008-09-01T00:25:00.002-05:00

This afternoon, I spoke with a missionary couple serving in Granada-- Tom & Jane Wills. I felt like it was a good initial conversation with them. I hope to be having many more. I'm also ready to be over there.

I am nervous about next week when I have Assessment & Orientation Week up in Philadelphia. I had to fill out a few tests, and I will be receiving my results from them, so it should be interesting and informative. Now that I think about it, excitement trumps my anxiety.... I get to meet some new people who will be doing the same thing as me for the next couple years! I hope I am able to really connect with at least one other girl while I am there. Additionally, I will be living with a family for a week, so that will bring new experiences!

More about the convo with Tom & Jane: Like I was already praying, they told me that an ideal scenario would be for me to be in Spain by March. I was thrilled with that news! What's difficult about that, though, is less time being around the family. It's tough to even talk about leaving for Spain, because I know it's difficult for my family. I think it's hard to understand what I'm doing when one hasn't felt a calling like this before. On the other hand, it's hard for me to understand where my parents are coming from because I don't have children. Two years isn't that long, though!! While in Granada, I feel like I'll have my hands in many different things... I like the idea of meeting people, building relationships, sharing the gospel, learning Spanish, living in community, working alongside of a team, planting a church, and meeting any other needs.

I know that support-raising is a faith-building process, but I'm already worried about doing it. It's such a blessing that for the past few summers I haven't had any problem raising funds, and I've had the most amazing support team. However, this time I'm gone for much longer and already feel alone. In the past, several friends and I raised support simultaneously and I was in school around all my friends. This time is just different, and I'm going to start praying for my support tonight. I would really love to be gone by March..... maybe spend another birthday at the beach in Nerja?? :)

last week living in charlotte

2008-08-25T00:24:00.003-05:00

i've considered charlotte my home for the past 4 years now. although i've taken 2-3 month sabbaticals living elsewhere, i always come back to charlotte. this next week will technically be my last week living here in the Queen City.

it's not that i haven't come to love living in charlotte (finally), but i've decided to pursue missions in granada, spain instead. if you know me, you probably know some of my passions include loving & serving others, building relationships, living in community, church-planting, speaking spanish, learning about different cultures, traveling, and trying to live out the Great Commission. and that's what lies ahead of me in granada. it would be crazy for me to not run hard after this opportunity.

as of right now, i attend World Harvest's evaluation week September 7-12. then after that, i hope to begin raising support and working part-time somewhere!

i am this excited!!!!!!!

encouragement

2008-08-20T02:15:00.002-05:00

a verse the Lord showed me tonight....

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
"This is the way; walk in it."

isaiah 30:21

2008-08-03T23:11:00.002-05:00

unwinding, debriefing, reflecting, evaluating, introspecting.....

while doing those things listed above, i generally allow music to minister to me. this song below seems to line up with a lot of what i've been thinking and what the Lord has been revealing to me lately.

Loving a person just the way they are, it's no small thing
It takes some time to see things through
Sometimes things change, sometimes we're waiting
We need grace either way

Hold on to me
I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through

There's a lot of pain in reaching out and trying
It's a vulnerable place to be
Love and pride can't occupy the same spaces baby
Only one makes you free

Hold on to me
I'll hold on to you
Let's find out the beauty of seeing things through

If we go looking for offense
We're going to find it
If we go looking for real love
We're going to find it

sara groves, loving a person

peace & deliverance

2008-07-23T22:51:00.002-05:00

i cannot believe the summer months have almost passed. it feels as if i'm in the eye of the hurricane-- like everything around me is up in the air, like i should be a basketcase or really chaotic myself-- but i'm not. props to God! that sounds corny, but seeing as how i'm watching opportunities pass on by, yet feel at peace where i'm standing, is a sheer act of His supernatural power!!

i'm beginning to realize that all i have to offer is my life, my service, myself-- to the Lord. He wants me to follow Him no matter what, where, who, when, why, or how. His plan is way bigger than i can even begin to imagine for myself. we're all a part of something greater than our little worlds. i'm believing He is preparing me for something wonderful and befitting, even if it's not even on the radar right now.

i have decided to live in Charlotte indefinitely. i'm living with some friends in the university area and working rent-paying jobs. i hope to become more involved with my church, especially its youth, and, God-willing, take some sort of educational course. i also want to continue making art and will work on putting together gallery-worthy pieces.

i will now leave you with lyrics to a song i can't stop listening to lately. although it's a couple years old, mat kearney's "girl america" won't quit knocking on my heart's door. here are a few lines:

My girl America, can't you see
It's not the circumstances that determine who you're gonna be
But how you deal with these problems and pains that come your way
It's for you that I pray with hope for a brighter day
So I say, your deliverance is comin'

nothing profound

2008-07-07T22:57:00.012-05:00

per request of my mother, i'm going to write a bit.

both a lot and a little has been going on lately. allow me to explain.

it's been almost a month since my last post unfortunately. here are some highlights from that uncharted time....

june 10: my cousin, shaul, graduated from ministry school.

june 13: free movie on the lawn at freedom park

me & meghan

june 14: bridal shower for natalie & fun out on the town with megan

june 21: klif & amanda wommack's wedding on hilton head island with jessica as my date!

june 26: got to hang out with nana at the beach for a day

june 27: douglas & kaitlin rose's wedding in charleston/kiawah!

july 2: brickhouse dinner with the fam for jacob's bday

july 3: pops in the park (symphony at freedom park) & FIREWORKS!!

july 4: mamaw & papaw's for cookout & FIREWORKS!!

lastly, here's a little fruit from the garden i'm tending...

more to come....

i'm still alive

2008-06-09T00:08:00.004-05:00

i'm hopeful. been thinking a lot. i have a lot of time to think.

i like watering plants, watching them grow. watching tomatoes ripening daily inspires me.

human birth has also been all around me lately. from newly pregos to newborns, i love being around new life!

i also sold my first painting saturday. i'm actually quite thrilled about it, because it was a decent-sized one and it gave me some much-needed confidence.

the painting which sold!

multi-tasking creatures

2008-05-31T22:20:00.004-05:00

let me tell you, i have really been enjoying the weather lately. it all started when my a/c broke in my car about 2 weeks ago and i've been driving with the windows down all the time. i love experiencing the sounds of the street, people, cars, and music drowned out by the wind. (i've actually missed my turn several times because i'm so distracted). seeing people walk down the street, staring at the driver next to me at the stoplight, city lights, and watching the blurry trees whip past me. what i noticed most tonight was the smell. the smell of wind, of humidity, of the country versus the city, and of the italian restaurant's dinner menu.

the crazy thing, though, is that we can listen, see, and smell (as well as drive and think) all at the same time. we're innately multi-taskers. God made our bodies to perform countless functions simultaneously. i don't understand what goes on internally, but i am so thankful we are complex creatures. it's all a part of God's mystery.

i'm lazy

2008-05-27T21:41:00.003-05:00

my sweet mother came over to my place for a solid 5 hours to help me pack up my apartment. first of all, i have too much stuff. way too much stuff. i desire to lead a much simpler life than i do.

by the end of the packing time and as we were talking afterwards, i realized that i am very lazy. the reason i buy gifts or cards and don't end up sending them to people is because i'm lazy. wow, i've never called or considered myself that, and it really makes me angry. so, i want to fight this and become a harder worker. i'm praying through a few verses that will hopefully encourage me to not be lazy.

"For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread."
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

"A lazy man does not roast his prey, but the precious possession of a man is diligence."
Proverbs 12:27

"Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."
Romans 12:11

get ready....

2008-05-25T23:21:00.006-05:00

i think something big is about to happen. i feel it in the air. the Spirit is moving. i just had to share that i feel it. it's thick.

i'll let you know when something happens.

until then, here are recent photos from my trip to DC (Annandale, VA). i mostly visited and hung out with Graham & Nicole and their friends. the Davis' were so loving and hospitable. i soaked in all their love and rested a ton. i wish i could see them more!

also, mark beavers took me to my first MLB game! the Nationals lost to the Phillies by 1 run in the 9th.

me, coley, kim

the davis'

only six months behind... or ahead

2008-05-25T00:11:00.002-05:00

The first of June is just around the corner, and I decided that I want to once again attempt to read the Bible in a year. I figured that writing this on my blog would naturally keep me accountable. I'm kind of excited about it. The furthest I've made it is through Esther a couple years ago. This time, I plan on reading some OT, some NT, some of a psalm and some of a proverb. I believe this approach will be better for me because it offers variety. We'll see!

ramblings of a novice

2008-05-14T18:28:00.002-05:00

novice
noun
a person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation

I realized this evening that I am, indeed, a novice. That's a much nicer-sounding word than newbie, beginner or rookie. Novice sounds like I'm going somewhere, have direction, am educated and sophisticated yet lack experience because of my age.

Words mean a lot more to me than I've previously thought. This is supposedly one of the toughest transitions of my life-- at least that's what everyone is telling me. And I believe them. How can I argue when I have never gone through it? I'm not sure why I would want to argue either, considering how many people I know who are going through this transition or have just gone through it... and it was so difficult for them.

Even as hard as it may be, I would like to keep a record of my feelings during this period. I'm not really sure what to call this season of my life yet-- hopefully some hip, cool and clever name-- but I will nonetheless write about my experience as a recent college graduate, who hasn't any clear direction of what to do with her life. Please follow me while I learn to live independent of external financial help (parentals) and dependent on God.

I assure you this will be entertaining, messy, and most of all a learning experience...

i'm graduating today

2008-05-10T02:56:00.003-05:00

today, i'm graduating. it's 4am, i just finished everything i had to do before i sleep, and now i can't sleep.

but i'm graduating today, so sleep is pretty much irrelevant.

i'm having a killer graduation party with BBQ tonight, and i can't wait for all my friends and family to meet. it'll be fun. i'm making guacamole. and i made tons of brownies. mmm..... my faves!

¡felicidades!

"just don't freak out!"

2008-05-06T21:40:00.004-05:00

I wish I could have recorded what my Senior Seminar professor (Jamie Franki) said today as he gave all of us who are graduating a final lecture. He is already pretty entertaining, but this was wonderful advice he was giving about not only post-college but also the graduation ceremony. He suggested that we take some magazines to read while sitting there because it's so dull; give our "posse" trumpets and other obnoxious noisemakers so they can be loud (since they're supposed to "hold their applause until the very end"); decorate the top of our hats (which i totally agree with.... especially students in the art dept!); and to just be as rowdy as possible without getting arrested. I would love to be one of those people to shake things up a little bit during the ceremony... but I'm not.

He did, however, challenge us to think about what we would want others to know about college. I've already been thinking about that, and I mentioned it in a previous post. As Jamie was giving us advice about post-college, he said a few things that just resonate....
1. be pragmatic: i am not below a job that pays-- maybe i am overqualified, but as a human being, i'm not below any job really. money is important to live.
2. if you hit a slump in which you're not making art, it's okay. it happens. just don't give up.
3. making art is going to look a lot different when we get out of school. on one hand there are no deadlines. but on the other hand, there are no deadlines. haha.
4. spend time with yourself, you art, developing your style, feeding your mind, enriching your soul.... every day. i added some of those things, but i'm sure that's what he meant. just because i'm going to be out of school doesn't give me liberty to not learn. that's ridiculous.
5. just don't freak out! he kept saying this, too... he claims that when the going gets rough, freaking out won't help. so just don't do it. although i was laughing at him i do agree with this, but i tend to freak out often. they're usually mini freak outs, but still present.

I know he said more than this, but I remember these after 5 hours.

Oh yeah, I just finished my final three exams todayyyyy!!!! I didn't get much sleep last night, but I had to go out with a bang (aka no sleep). I'm honestly a little upset with myself because I just haven't performed as well academically as I usually do. My work isn't nearly as strong as last semester, but I haven't cared as much about it. I've been looking into the future and not focusing on the present. That's my one regret for the semester.

I'm going to sleep now.

Thank You, Lord, for being so gracious to me this semester. Even when I didn't perform excellently, I pray that You will still be glorified through my work and in my interactions with my peers. May this time not be in vain.

john.mayer-justification

2008-05-04T23:11:00.005-05:00

so you've probably heard of self-justification... it's when one justifies what they're doing as right. well, john mayer's newest song say just might be my justification for saying some things that i think i need to say. his lyrics are just another poignant reminder that it might be right to say what's on my heart. below are the lyrics:

Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems
Better put them in quotations

Say what you need to say (8x)

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead
If you could only

Say what you need to say (8x)

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You better know that in the end
It’s better to say too much
Than never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say (4x)

Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to say
Say what you need to
Say what you need to

Say what you need to say (16x)

art kindred

2008-05-02T01:34:00.004-05:00

one of my professors always encourages us to find an art kindred spirit. basically, he wants us to latch onto another artist who we can identify with, either because of similar styles, content, lifestyle or whatever else.

here's one of mine, helen frankenthaler. i love that she stains her canvas and that she was part of the AbEx movement.

blue atmosphere, 1963

contentment island, 2002

did you know...?

2008-05-02T00:14:00.004-05:00

did you know that if the world continues the same level of oil consumption, it is predicted that by the year 2020 there will be no more oil ....??

guys, this is a big deal.

i really think this is an important thing to consider when voting. just look into the candidates' views on conserving energy resources, their environmental plans, etc.

slightly overwhelmed

2008-04-30T23:00:00.002-05:00

this world has so much to offer me.
which door will i go through?
i just need to make some decisions, and it's honestly quite overwhelming.
i also have so many desires, goals, passions and dreams for my life.
where do i want to go? who do i want to be? what do i need to do practically to take me there?

i want to be ready for whatever the Lord has in store. so, here are a few things i hope to accomplish this next year:

1. speak more spanish. learn more spanish. use more spanish. teach more spanish.
2. make art. make art. make art. be around art. learn about artists. become friends with more artists.
3. live independently financially.
4. drive less.
5. conserve more. be less wasteful. do my part in taking care of the environment. teach others how to also.
6. read more. lots of books. different types of books.
7. start something. lead something. be involved in something much greater than myself.
8. work at a coffee shop.... no, seriously, i want-- er, have-- to do this. no question.
9. invest deeply in my friends. get to know them.

last day of class!!

2008-04-29T22:16:00.003-05:00

okay, so today was my last day of class until i graduate college!

i still have one day of finals... so i'm not home free just yet. but, wooooo, it feels so good!

maybe one day i'll write a book on what i learned during my past 5 years of college. or better yet, what i wish i knew before my last year of college! .... OR what i wish someone would've told me before i began college.

i think my calling in life is to be a guidance counselor. how hilarious would that be if i counseled high school kids. well, i could counsel kids and not be a guidance counselor. it's crazy how much i've been thinking about teaching lately. now, i don't know where i would want to teach, but i do know that i would like to stick with the middle/high school agers.

enough of this jabber. i need to finish school first!

I'M ABOUT TO GRADUATE!!!! haha.

fact about me: i love researching things. all types of things. just give me something, and i'll learn everything i possibly can about it. for example, i know way too much about elephants because i got on this huge elephant kick last semester.

why take care of the earth when it's all going to pot anyway?

2008-04-26T10:23:00.010-05:00

If I truly believed what my title says, I would question if I was, in fact, a child of God.

Dang, Tiff, that's a bold statement. Yes, I know it is... That's how strongly I feel about our responsibility in taking care of Creation for the redemption of the world.

Well, what is Creation? You know, when God did all that stuff in the first 6 days, like making light and forming the earth & seas and making animals (the ones Noah took on the big boat) and then making Adam & Eve. Okay, that is all Creation. It's not just you and me, which I feel is a common belief of our conservative Christian society. Well, at least in the South.

Why would God give us all this goodness and then not care if we destroyed it? And I'm speaking to Christians mostly.... because I think we have the narrowest and most unwavering points-of-view on this issue, and i hate it!

To "go green" right now is a trendy thing, and for those who hop on the bandwagons late in the game or not at all, I think you need to reconsider this one. It's redemptive. Let me repeat that, Going green is redemptive.

I can't write like this person, but I found this site on our responsibility as children of the Creator....

Genesis and the Psalms help us understand that the Creation is a gift from God. Everything in Creation is created by God and is good. That is why we, and all other parts of Creation, have intrinsic worth and are sacred. The Psalmists assume that humans have much to learn from nature and that all Creation participates in praise and glorification of God (Psalms 19, 36, 65).

..... However, the biblical message of environmental justice is more complicated and radical than simply requiring us to manage natural resources wisely and utilize technology and laws to maintain a healthy environment. Creation plays a central role in God's covenants and in the Christian understanding of salvation.

If nothing else, the Bible is a series of stories about covenants. When God makes a covenant with Noah, for example, God also makes a commitment to Creation (Genesis 8-9).... When the covenant is broken, all parties to it are harmed. In Isaiah, we see the earth mourning and withering from the pollution that is the result of people's transgression of the laws.

The Christian covenant is consistent with the Hebraic. As God's incarnation, Jesus has the vocation to restore right relations with the land (in fact, all of nonhuman Creation) as well as to liberate the poor and suffering. (Mark 16:15, John 3:17, Romans 8:18-21.)

http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/environmental/mandates.html

A group of Christian leaders, the Evangelical Climate Initiative, has taken some action. This is from their statement...

"The same love for God and neighbor that compels us to preach salvation through Jesus Christ, protect the unborn, preserve the family and the sanctity of marriage, and take the whole Gospel to a hurting world, also compels us to recognize that human-induced climate change is a serious Christian issue requiring action now..."

What's crazy is that this group of Christian environmentalists were met with an opposing Christian force, one that agrees with the Bush's minimizing the effects of global warming.
All this can be seen in PBS' Moyers on America Series, "Is God Green?"
i just saw this documentary and couldn't believe it!
other resources i dig:

Saving God's Green Earth: Tri Robinson
my first practical eco-friendly book
interview with Michael Wittmer, author of Heaven is a Place on Earth
Engaging God's World: Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
who killed the electric car? i just saw this documentary and couldn't believe it!
10 practicals
reusable bags
The Great Warming : haven't actually seen it, but it sounds better than An Inconvenient Truth (it has live testimonies from people being affected right now)
treehugger: be the change
stop global warming
National Resources Defense Council

Well, there are so many more that I like, but I'm tired of writing.

I do have some final words: I'm a passionate person, but I don't mean to point fingers at any person more than myself. This post is meant to enlighten and make aware and inform and offer resources. We are all pieces of the puzzle and can take 1 or 2 small steps at first to conserve energy, gas, water, trees and to 'keep Creation.' I'm simply trying to use fewer limited resources and face my own materialist tendencies head-on (some days more successfully than others!).

check it. don't wreck it.

2008-04-23T23:56:00.004-05:00

click me click me click me click me click me click me !!

this is a site that has some of my artwork and photographs on it....

take a look.

just for you, jessica

2008-04-22T10:34:00.005-05:00

this is my ring from NYC-- per request from red dreamer aka my beautiful friend, jessica bentson.

the attraction to the ring:
1) the color
2) the man who was selling it
3) the location-- we were at this outside market-like thing.... it was so cool!
4) the handmade quality-- the ring was too small, so the vender formed it to my finger size. you can see all the ridge texture from where he beat on it. i love it!

praying

2008-04-20T00:14:00.003-05:00

I thought I'd include that I'm currently praying for a job in Blacksburg. I know you're thinking, "well, yes dear, I would hope so...." But really guys, I'm being proactive about it. So far, I've sent emails to a few places asking if they're hiring. Thank you, craigslist, you were of no help in my job search!

Some places I'm interested in are teaching middle school, an art store in town, and 4 photography places. Please pray with me that I am seeking God and trusting that He opens and closes doors for His specific purpose. He is good, and I'm so thankful to be His beloved daughter.

open my eyes i wanna see you
open my ears i wanna hear you
open my heart i wanna feel you
and your great love, o Lord... once again

i wanna fall in love... once again
i wanna be more desperate.... once again
i wanna lose my sleep.... once again
falling in love with you

"open my eyes", sarah mcmillan

i blog more when i don't have rules

2008-04-19T23:12:00.004-05:00

one time, i made this rule where i had to blog every day, even if it was just a sentence. but that didn't last long. (it was a different daily blog that i unsuccessfully tried to start)

today was wonderful. bright & early, i drove up to davidson to meet with a couple other youth group leaders. when we finished, there was "art on the green" going on right in front of me. so i got to meet a lot of local artists, talk with them, and see their art. it was divine! i also ran into an old elementary school friend of mine, and that's always nice!

tonight, i came home and felt like painting. i've never painted a portrait of myself, so i figured i'd give it a whirl. i feel like i cheated because i don't normally draw myself from photos, nor do i like to. however, there's not a convenient spot in my apt to sit and draw myself, so i opted to paint from a black & white photograph. this is actually the first figure painting i've made. i've done more gestural figures before, but nothing like this.

well, here it is....

not the best quality photo-- i used burnt sienna, yellow, magenta, & white (no black).

isn't this hilarious?!

eye irritants

2008-04-17T00:17:00.007-05:00

I don't understand, but my eyes are irritated by some eye liners or mascaras-- it's so annoying! Tonight, I borrowed a friend's eyeliner and my eyes did not agree. It doesn't look as bad as the burning and prolonged suffering actually is....

Around my eyes is puffy...

hokie spokes, my thoughts on finding an apartment-- and a man

2008-04-16T23:03:00.005-05:00

After looking at places to live in Blacksburg today, we found one we really looooove!

It's right in the heart of downtown Blacksburg, above a bicycle shop called Hokie Spokes! It has so much character, is really small and cozy, and I want to live there!! It's as much city life as we could possibly live. And I love the idea of telling people that I live there. The rest of what we saw didn't make me excited... they all looked the same. I almost liken finding a place to live like "finding" a man. Though you may laugh, it feels strangely similar. I could settle for a guy who is nice and would make a decent husband-- but wouldn't I want a guy who would make me excited to say that I am with him?! Well, of course! Strange analogy, but I think it's true.

So, you walk up the door to the right of HOKIE SPOKES and a stairwell leads you up to the quaint apartment.

stuff christians like

2008-04-15T10:29:00.003-05:00

well, i was just reading a friend's blog and she had this link posted and it's really worth advertising on everyone's blog. the site explains things that christians like...

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/

it's a must-read... it includes posts like breaking up after a retreat, dating God instead of me, side hugs and so on....

dinner is served!!

2008-04-14T16:50:00.005-05:00

look at what i'm eating tonight.... it's vegetarian chili with tortilla chips. really, the chili was from a package & i just added tomatoes and beans. and the chips- well, i did cut up a tortilla and bake them. but it was really easy.

i think i was more excited about my presentation! haha.

ps. for dessert, i made cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips.... yummy!!

new york!

2008-04-11T15:23:00.003-05:00

I figured it'd be in my best interest to log my first visit to New York!! And it might be beneficial to the readers, also....

When Renee and I arrived to La Guardia Airport, we hopped the city bus and then rode the subway into the upper west side, where we met up with Amy! We dropped our luggage off at her place, walked a few blocks down to Central Park, and tried to eat lunch at Alice's Tea Cup.... it was a long wait and we were too hungry, so we stepped into a diner instead. After lunch, we had saved enough room for MAGNOLIA'S!!!! Boy, those cupcakes are dense and yummy!!

After spending more a little time at Amy's place that afternoon, I traveled solo down to MoMA via the subway. This was probably the most exciting memory of mine from the weekend.... only because I saw art in person that I have only studied in the textbook. And since I just had Contemporary Art History last semester, I feel like I appreciated the artwork much much more! I actually knew what I was looking at-- haha! I can't even begin to describe all of what I saw. I only had 2 hours to explore the grand museum (and it was free, thanks to Target!!), so I raced through 3 floors: Painting & Sculpture, Drawing, & the Special Exhibition called Color Chart. I feel like I did a disservice to MoMA, but I had no other choice! :) I saw some of my favorites (Pollock, Miro, Cezanne, Frida, Rauschenberg, Duchamp, Sol Lewitt, Van Gogh, & de Kooning..... just to name a few) and saw some artists for the first time. It was overwhelming, yet so freakin amazing!! Enough of that for now... hehe.

The second part of the night I met up with Amy, Renee, Kristin Greenslit and Danielle Vaccaro. We went to the Beauty Bar and got manicures, then had a NewYork-style late dinner at some French restaurant nearby. A little pricey, but it was very nice.... well, everything's pricey there. We caught a taxi home.

On the second day, Amy had to work for the morning, so Renee and I decided to venture down to the infamous Canal Street on our own. Now, this is the place where you buy fake designer purses from supersketchy people. We took the A train down to Canal St, yet couldn't find the flea market-like vendors (don't ask us how we missed it!) and gave up, so took the train up to Broadway & 34th (I think?) and shopped!! H&M and Zara got most of our attention, and Kristin met up with us at Zara. We were successful and had a lot of fun. Later that afternoon, Amy showed us her Redeemer Church office and then we walked down to Times Square.... stepped into the huge Toys 'R Us and soaked in the crazy tourist culture that Times Square exudes. We sat down at Junior's and had New York cheesecake and watched as Claymates obsessed over Clay Aiken (can i say gross!!?!). From there we searched to buy hats for the party we were going to-- without luck.

That night, we ordered in (you can get anything delivered there!) and got ready for a night out. We walked about 10 minutes to a really amazing apartment. The party's theme was something about wearing some type of headgear. Kristin, Amy, Nee, and I all wore hats-- nothing crazy like some people wore. I watched Carolina lose to Kansas that night and then joined the party crowd. We mingled, talked with some interesting characters, had some wine & weird cookies, then headed back home & slept.

Sunday, we attended church with Kristin. I enjoyed it, even though it was a guest speaker instead of the pastor; I learned new things about Van Gogh! After church, we tried to eat at Alice's Tea Cup with no luck, so we went to Carmine's and enjoyed a whole lot of amazing Italian food! Amy, Nee, and I went to the farmer's/flea market and looked around (I bought a ring!) and then made our last stop at Magnolia's with dual purpose-- to celebrate Renee's 23rd year of living and to buy some goodies to take back to NC. Finally, our trip to NYC was about over. We packed our stuff, caught a taxi, and escaped into the airport's grip.

stuff white people like

2008-04-11T14:59:00.005-05:00

the artwork that drew me in... can't find name or artist...

Very briefly today I used my roommate's computer and she had an article from TIME magazine online up. I was drawn in by the artwork posted and then read the title, "Liking What White People Like." So, I read the article. (Very interesting; if you want to read it, click here.)

It's about the popular blog "Stuff White People Like." I visited the blog, and it really is fascinating how seemingly true the posts are.... except if you read the TIME article, the writer isn't caucasian, yet can really relate to most of the stuff white people like. And then I was thinking about how some of my white friends wouldn't relate to a lot of the posts. Is it really about race? [hmph!] I don't like to believe so.

I do, however, understand that the blog is "making fun of white culture-- albeit a very specific slice of urban elitist white culture" (TIME writer, Jennine Lee-St. John).

Visit the blog.

oooooh wee oooooh wee oooh

2008-03-30T20:55:00.007-05:00

those noises have been in my head for the past couple days.

i'm going to NEW YORK CITY for the first time this weekend. Renee and i will be leaving earlyyyy Friday morning and returning Sunday evening. our good friend Amy just moved up there to work for Redeemer Church, so we're visiting her!!

me, Amy, Renee

something that makes me smile... oh, how i love elephants!

keri smith

2008-03-26T16:34:00.004-05:00

a friend of mine sent me a link to this artist's website about a month ago, and i find myself referencing it a lot, so i figured i'd share it with everyone i know! she's really interesting.

www.kerismith.com

that's all for now. i haven't been in a writing mood lately.

february

2008-03-04T01:51:00.011-05:00

consumed with mostly myself during the month of february, i have been terribly introspective and pretty self-centered unfortunately. after jessica left on feb. 6th, i focused on school for a week and then had surgery on feb.12th. and for two weeks, i stayed with my nurturing mother while she cared for me really well. i went through a lot emotionally, thanks to the meds... and not being able to do much physically caused me to look inside, maybe a little too much. i think this whole year, i've been dealing with some self-centeredness and pride issues. today, those issues were forced to the surface.

the first step is recognizing and i hope to be more of a servant and thoughtful for others.

4 days after surgery: my knee after 2 viles of blood were drained from it!

short & sweet.

2008-01-23T12:48:00.004-05:00

(Am I talking about myself or the blog?)

Me in a nutshell, like I would imagine a baby squirrel: I'm looking forward to graduating in May. I'm not sure what I'll be doing post-grad, but I'm praying through a few options.

I tore my ACL again, so I'll be having surgery February 12th.

This is how I injured my knee.

My friend, Jessica, is currently living with me and Kate. I love living with her and am sad to send her off to Madrid February 6th! I admire her for following her dreams.

me & Jessica

I got a MacBookPro as an early bday/grad gift, so that's pretty exciting. I am getting comfortable with it and learning new things about it every day. It still needs a name.

I am taking 3 classes (Drawing 2, Figure & Anatomy Drawing, & Senior Seminar), as well as interning with NoDa School of Arts. I like it so far, and I'm excited to learn about non-profits and hopefully get to teach some. I also hope to volunteer with a couple other art orgs in the area.

Relationship status: single. A good friend of mine swears that 23 years of age is the hardest for a single lady. My 23rd birthday is March 15th. We'll see. This isn't that intimate of a blog, so we probably wouldn't go any deeper than that anyways....

I'd like to start blogging more frequently, so we'll see how that goes.

right here & now-- fragmented....

2007-08-16T15:35:00.004-05:00

i'm living in the present. there's no better time than now. thankful for where God has me. i'm in school full-time. 5 art classes & loving every minute. overwhelmed & oftentimes exhausted by how much i'm doing and involved in: school, church, high school volleyball, friends, etc... but it's so good and i'm finally doing most of what i love. i'm trying to enjoy and soak up every moment of the season because i know it won't last that long. i love where i am-- geographically, emotionally, relationally, everything. i hate the distance there is between me and most of my close friends, but god has been so good at keeping our hearts threaded together. i'm in the middle of a lot of art projects and constantly have ideas for new ones.... it's just a matter of sorting my thoughts and trying to express them through art. tough, but oh so good. there's so much going on right now; i love it! i wouldn't have it any other way.... that's all for now.

maybe i just need to relax....

His ways are higher.

2007-04-27T15:04:00.001-05:00

The semester's coming to a close, and I have yet to update this blogger for four months!!

I don't know where to begin, so we'll do a brief synopsis of each month, from where I left off:

December 06-Jan 07: School went out on break, ugly Christmas sweater party, and I had surgery Dec. 19th to repair my ACL & miniscus. My mother was a tremendous help in caring for me for a whole week and a half after surgery. I was so excited to be able to hang out with my home friends over break... we needed time to catch up and chill.... even if I was really doped up. Then, hesitantly, I ventured to Atlanta for New Year's Conference with Campus Outreach (the college ministry I'm involved in). Crutches and all, I made it for about 6 days on the conference and came back to buckle down on physical therapy. It hurt, but I am sooo thankful for the Phoenix, the PT place a few minutes from my mother's house, as it has helped me to recover almost fully now. I also found a place to live somewhat removed from UNCC's campus with high school friend, Carina Vinzant, and her friend (now mine too!), Meghan Tartamella. They're super cool, and it's been fun living with them. School started smoothly, and I've been going to PT almost every week since surgery.

February 07: I begin to enjoy my classes, and only taking 12 hours! ;) I especially like my studios, which are Graphic Design 1 & Painting 1. The teachers are amazing and so helpful! Valentine's Day rolls by and I have a date. I visit Chapel Hill to see my lovely friends up there. Conveniently, they were hosting a Luau in the middle of winter and did a superb job replicating Hawaii in February. I always love it in Chapel Hill.... no matter the season. Earlier that week, I had been presented with the opportunity to go to South Africa (due to a number of events out of my control, I wasn't attending Summer Beach Project as Women's Coordinator as mentioned above). After praying about it & talking with my friends about it, I decided to go to South Africa to minister to college students!! My heart is for every nation to hear the gospel and know Christ intimately, so it only seemed fitting to go.

March 07: First things first, it was my birthday month! It was fabulous. Spring break showed up quickly, and I went home and started raising support for my South Africa trip. (I am going with 11 other students & 3 staff members to Johannesburg to work with college students for a couple months. Ask me more about it!!) I also attended a Bethany Dillon concert over Spring Break at Gardner-Webb with a couple of friends, and that was amazing. My birthday came & went with some fun happenings and doing what I love most... hanging out with my family & friends. It was a blast!!

April 07: I don't remember much from April at this moment.....

May 07: I "should" be graduating this month, but I'm not. So, it's been a struggle to get over the societal pressure to move on to the "adult stage" of my life. I'm rebelling against that, mainly because I coudn't make up my mind as to which major to choose for THREE YEARS! But, it's been time well-spent. I can definitely say that after all that changing of majors, I know myself so much more and I'm getting a degree in something I love..... painting. What will I do with a BFA in Painting? I'm not sure, but does anyone really know what the rest of their life will look like?? I think not. I'm just living in reality... kind of.

[image above] (me &) Darla at the prom looking soooo gorgeous!

May 19th I leave for South Africa, returning on July 9th!!!!

season of blessings.

2006-11-09T02:03:00.004-05:00

Wow, it's definitely been awhile since I've updated my life via blogger. And much has definitely happened since this summer!!

Fall semester of my 4th year of college is winding down.... but not slowing down. It has been a fast-paced, pretty busy semester-- and not what I expected at all. Allow me to give you a quick run-down:

August: BFF Nicole Prince marries stud, Graham Davis, on August 5th, in a most stunning wedding. Camp Meeting begins and ends. My classes at UNCC start up. I find out I am leading 3 amazing girls in a Bible study (Danielle Vaccaro, Kate Biggs, and Kristen Humphreys). I am also being mentored by Amy Alexander, a great friend of mine who is on staff for Campus Outreach.

September: I hurt my knee playing ultimate frisbee, get x-rays, and nothing is broken. This month is pretty normal otherwise.... a bunch of schoolwork, hanging out with friends, and loving learning new things.

October: I made a decision to go back to Summer Beach Project as Women's Coordinator. I was honestly so set on not going after this past summer, just because I was sure the Lord had something different for me to do. However, after talking with past women's coordinators and enjoying a day of prayer at Reedy Creek Park, I felt the Lord's pull to go back to Myrtle Beach for a fourth summer in a hotel! Sounds absolutely absurd, but I know it's the best thing for me and my growth as a follower of Christ. I found out that I tore both my ACL and miniscus from my frisbee incident after getting an MRI. Surgery's planned for December 12th. Another significant thing in October was the women's retreat in Albemarle on Lake Tillery. It was really fun to combine both Wingate's and UNCC's campuses into a house for a weekend. I also was able to meet a couple of girls who I'll be rooming with this summer, so that was exciting!!!! Also, I went to a halloween party on halloween night at some guys' house. It was pretty relaxed; I dressed up as Audrey Hepburn, and I must admit that I could've done better, but I threw toegether an outfit in a hour, so I was proud of myself for that. I also bought a dress for the part from Goodwill for like $5. Incredible.

November: This month has just begun, and I've attended one wedding.... Clint and Rachel (Nelson) Darst are now married! I had the privilege of helping take photos for their wedding, and it went so smoothly. The wedding was gorgeous, and Rachel did a great job planning it in just a few months!

So, where am I now? I am in the midst of exam-taking, presentation-planning, project-finishing, as well as loving spending time with people and soaking up college life.... late nights doing work and talking to other students; dreaming up what the Lord could do on UNCC's campus; planning the next couple of years I'll still be at UNCC. :) Right now, I am in the process of finding new housing for next semester. My roommate is awesome, but I am crowding her out of our 14'x10' dorm room. It's pretty tiny!!

I'll write more specifics on stuff later, but I wanted to post a general update...

third's a charm.

2006-07-27T09:18:00.001-05:00

The Summer Beach Project 2k6 literally just ended. Craziness, I know. Although I've been a part of SBP for three summers now, the third was absolutely the best. Having a little more responsibility stretched me. Did you ever pull your Stretch Armstrong doll so far apart that the little beans inside of him all came out? I felt like I was going to rip at the seams sometimes, but quickly learned that the Lord was just stretching me really well. In Spain, Renee and I would stretch almost every night, and each day I got more flexible. In the same way, I feel that's what God does... He continues to stretch me a little more each day, in order that He could teach me more, and to realize my need for Him. Reminds me of a verse we studied, found in Colossians 1:17: "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." I'm not going to rip ever, even if it seems that way. Christ holds me together, and for that I am thankful. Col. 1:29 has also been a pivotal verse in my life, speaking of Christ's power working mightily through me.... so not only does He hold me together, He is going to work within me to achieve His purpose for my life.

Another reason this summer has been the best was that God chose this season of my life to break down walls of spiritual pride. It took a few weeks into the summer for me to comply with this destruction of the walls I've been building my whole life, but I am so grateful for it. He's been preparing for a transforming summer all year, beginning with the end of last summer beach project, and His timing has once again proven to be perfect. I've learned that I, too, can be changed by His Word, by people, by His voice, and I actually want to be changed this summer. It was hard for me to admit at first that I needed Him, people, and to acknowledge that I don't know everything and to see my sin clearly. Thank you, Jesus.

God has also chosen this summer to show me a great example of a godly man. There have been godly men in and out of my life, but not as closely as a few guys this summer. He has increased my trust in men, as well as showing me the Biblical role of a godly woman. With the right leadership, ladies, you will love your role in the kingdom as a woman of God.... I didn't think so before this summer, but I do now. I am joyfully reminiscing all the little moments I saw God showing me what a gentle and quiet spirit really looked like. This is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

There is so much more from this summer. I came out with more friendships, and better yet, deeper friendships. I am so thankful for all of those who pushed me more towards Christ this summer, and I will not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in ann respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light (Colossians 1: 9-12).

espana.

2006-03-16T07:49:00.001-05:00

So, I am halfway through my study abroad journey in Spain. That´s so hard to believe; time has just flown by like the running of the bulls.... I had to do that. Anyways, I hate that I haven´t kept this blogger up, but I honestly didn´t know how to do this until I saw one made by a friend of mine.

I´m very thankful for this trip and for the sufficient funds to not only come to Spain, but to also be going to other countries in Europe. This week, God has shown me just how important community is for the uplifting of one´s soul. My time with the Lord here has been incredible. But, going from constantly being around a body of believers back home to being around a few believers and all, I have seen God´s provision daily. My birthday was yesterday, and all through the week and all day yesterday and even into today, I have been receiving cards, emails, Facebook messages (haha), and random phone calls from across the Atlantic (Miss Alexander!), I have seen just how dang blessed I am to have these lovely people in my life. My family and friends are absolutely THE BEST.

I don´t want this to come across bad, but it was honestly more meaningful when the girls I´ve been around here were amazing to me for my birthday! The reason it was more meaningful was because I didn´t expect it. My friends here are incredible and precious, but God just showed Himself more to me in the encouraging gestures from them. Five girls and I went to the beach all day yesterday (yes, we skipped class!) and had to meet early to leave and take buses, etc etc.... but, they made me cards and cookies and I didn´t have to pay for anything at the beach but the ticket there. I mean, I felt so blest to be in their company. They are all so loving. I just feel like the Lord wants me to know that He too is creative. And although He´s unchanging, He likes to use different situations in my life to show me who He is, especially when I am least expecting it.

Granted, it was sad to not be at home to celebrate my 21st. I definitely missed my family, my friends, and being in their company. I especially missed March birthday month at my grandparents´ house.... even though they are going to celebrate my birthday with me in May. Haha.... I can´t go a year without the cream cheese pound cake with my name on it!!

Once I figure out how I can get my pictures onto a disk and onto a computer, and find the 3+ hours it will take to do that, I will. I will continue to experience freedom in the Lord like I never have. I will continue to seek the Lord with all of my heart. I will continue to love people and serve them like Jesus did. And I will continue to pray for all of you.

Visados.

2006-01-17T23:29:00.001-05:00

The updated version of our trip to DC: Renee, Meghan (a good friend of ours along for the road trip) went to Washington, DC one weekend just to turn in paperwork for our visas. We arrived Saturday evening, after a super long drive. However, we did get to see our first McCafe, which is a McDonald's with couches and a bigscreen TV. I was excited! Family friends of mine, the Brasch's, booked our hotel in Maryland, just outside of DC, but it didn't end up taking my father's "usual way" of payment. So we went hotel-hopping, finally settled into one, after many long talks between my father and the managers, and went to sleep. Waking up Sunday, we left for the city. Let me just tell you that DC is on my top 5 places in America.... I absolutely loved it. We visited sooo many places in one day, that I am still baffled at how productive we were. (The most touching place for me was the Holocaust Museum; I could've stayed there all day...) Although it was freezing and we definitely stood out with our colorful garb and cameras, peppermint mochas and friendly people kept us warm. We did every touristy thing you can do, and I can't wait to visit once more with a native, who can show me all the cool, local things to do. That night, on our way back from the metro station, I get a call from Graham Davis, my best friend's (then) boyfriend who lives in the area, and he wants to meet up. So, we meet him at Wendy's, after a lot of confusion and misdirection, and talk. We have to cut it short, because Renee and Megs are falling asleep on us. It was a great end to the day, though.
Monday morning, Renee and I get up early, walk around looking for this Spanish embassy. And, after much delay, we find it, fill out a bunch of paperwork, and turn in our pictures, forms, and passports. What a relief! Then, we take a little pit stop in the Starbuck's at the hospital, devouring some coffee and the best bran muffins we've ever had in our lives. If you ever find a Starbuck's with those muffins, please let me know!! By the way, I think that Renee and I set a record for Starbuck's trips in a 24-hour time span. We had to have gone at least 6 times! :)

2006-01-17T23:28:00.002-05:00

me, whitney, & emily. Go heels! Since I´m missing college basketball this year, I thought I´d give my heels a shout-out! They´re going all they way, at least that´s what my bracket says.

spain?

2006-01-17T23:08:00.001-05:00

basically, the only reason i am doing this "blogger" is because i was encouraged to create something for those who want to follow my travels in spain. which i thought would be kinda fun anyways. however, if it proves to be a hassle, i might be compelled to not publish anything as often.