Random thing about me: I love vintage clothing.
(Photos by Red Velvet Art)
Therefore, I love this website and the owner's blog (Red Velvet Art)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Welcome to Monday
Monday can be such a "blah" day. So, I am starting a "Random thing about Me" Monday post. Please don't think I'm full of myself. This will just be a fun way to let you know a little more about me, and it will be a way for me to remind myself of fun things on "blah" Mondays.
It is full of oldies, pretties, and "handmadies." yay.
Friday, October 8, 2010
A Disney Princess Band-Aid
Pain.
In the attempt to show others that God is at work in my life, I have been guilty of suppressing pain, "pretending" it away. But I am learning that doing so does not show faith in God to heal me and use my scars for His glory and renown.
Instead of hiding myself away, I want to receive what the Lord has for me. It hurts when people ask me detailed questions--I am not always ready or willing, and that's okay. But instead of being a hermit, letting my wound bleed, and feeling sorry for myself, I purpose to allow God's healing touch in my life.
It's like a Disney Princess Band-Aid.
When I was a little girl, I, like many other children, LOVED wearing Band-Aids. Usually we had the cheap tan kind, but every once in an orange moon (who has actually seen a blue moon?) we would have the fun kind.
When it comes to wearing a Band-Aid, I am not advertising nor hiding my wound from them. It's no gigantic secret, but the intensity of pain and the depth of the cut can be kept quiet before the Lord.
I want Him to make beauty from my pain. May I wear His healing like a lady. Even a deep and nasty gash can be healed with the help of a pretty, pink Band-aid.
Okay, perhaps this is a very weird word picture, but there it is.
Oh, Lord, lead me.
"But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself."
Psalm 49:15
In the attempt to show others that God is at work in my life, I have been guilty of suppressing pain, "pretending" it away. But I am learning that doing so does not show faith in God to heal me and use my scars for His glory and renown.
Instead of hiding myself away, I want to receive what the Lord has for me. It hurts when people ask me detailed questions--I am not always ready or willing, and that's okay. But instead of being a hermit, letting my wound bleed, and feeling sorry for myself, I purpose to allow God's healing touch in my life.
It's like a Disney Princess Band-Aid.
When I was a little girl, I, like many other children, LOVED wearing Band-Aids. Usually we had the cheap tan kind, but every once in an orange moon (who has actually seen a blue moon?) we would have the fun kind.
When it comes to wearing a Band-Aid, I am not advertising nor hiding my wound from them. It's no gigantic secret, but the intensity of pain and the depth of the cut can be kept quiet before the Lord.
I want Him to make beauty from my pain. May I wear His healing like a lady. Even a deep and nasty gash can be healed with the help of a pretty, pink Band-aid.
Okay, perhaps this is a very weird word picture, but there it is.
Oh, Lord, lead me.
"But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself."
Psalm 49:15
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Two scoops of serendipity, please
I spend the last six days on a road trip with my Grammy and two of my aunts. It was a blast, and I learned so much from all of them. We went to Charleston, SC to see my cousin get married. Unfortunately my camera died a few months back, but my aunt graciously let me borrow hers, and I plan on getting the pictures from her within a few weeks.
Along the way there were some unexpected discoveries. The breeze of serendipity whisked all around us.
1. I finished Meet Mr. Smith by Eric and Leslie Ludy. It starts out a bit quirky and slow, but it is absolutely revolutionary. If you want a book that challenges you to give your heart completely to Christ, especially in the area of romance and sexuality, please read this book! It's so exciting! I've read a lot of "purity type" books, but none like this. Here's an excerpt:
"Purity's work causes us to approach every decision, every choice with a new question burning in our hearts. Instead of, 'What is best for me?' we ask, 'What is best for the fame and renown of God?' Once you start asking that question, your life will never be the same again. In fact, many of the seemingly confusing relationship questions that plague our generation can be answered by asking that one simple question" (214).
2. We visited Berea, Kentucky, a darling college town with multiple artisan shops. The students of the college are from Appalachia, and they sell BEAUTIFUL artwork to help pay for their education. I found a pillow I loved, but it was $179.95. Oh well.
3. I was able to visit with two of my very best friends. They live around one of the towns we stayed in, and so they were able to come steal me away. YAY!
4. I read through Making the Cut by Jillian Michaels. Although I do not endorse her attire on the front cover, I am excited about starting the 30 day program. Cheer me on, okay?
5. My aunts reminded me how MUCH I have to look forward to in life. Somehow I'd forgotten a bit. But the trip helped me to recharge, and I am ready to push!
6. We spent an afternoon in downtown Charleston. I've been there before, but was thrilled to go again. It's a must-see city of America. Totally. While we were there, I really needed to "use the facilities," and I do mean really. I dismissed myself from our group and began walking and thinking, "Surely it won't be too hard to find a place near the battery--it's so touristy."
WRONG-O, little AA.
Just so you know, it's residential for blocks and blocks and blocks. After a half an hour, I became desperate.
And then I RAN in street clothes back to find my aunts (they were waiting on me in the hot sun).
Life is fun. Let it be.
The Lord blesses us so very much.
Along the way there were some unexpected discoveries. The breeze of serendipity whisked all around us.
1. I finished Meet Mr. Smith by Eric and Leslie Ludy. It starts out a bit quirky and slow, but it is absolutely revolutionary. If you want a book that challenges you to give your heart completely to Christ, especially in the area of romance and sexuality, please read this book! It's so exciting! I've read a lot of "purity type" books, but none like this. Here's an excerpt:
"Purity's work causes us to approach every decision, every choice with a new question burning in our hearts. Instead of, 'What is best for me?' we ask, 'What is best for the fame and renown of God?' Once you start asking that question, your life will never be the same again. In fact, many of the seemingly confusing relationship questions that plague our generation can be answered by asking that one simple question" (214).
2. We visited Berea, Kentucky, a darling college town with multiple artisan shops. The students of the college are from Appalachia, and they sell BEAUTIFUL artwork to help pay for their education. I found a pillow I loved, but it was $179.95. Oh well.
3. I was able to visit with two of my very best friends. They live around one of the towns we stayed in, and so they were able to come steal me away. YAY!
4. I read through Making the Cut by Jillian Michaels. Although I do not endorse her attire on the front cover, I am excited about starting the 30 day program. Cheer me on, okay?
5. My aunts reminded me how MUCH I have to look forward to in life. Somehow I'd forgotten a bit. But the trip helped me to recharge, and I am ready to push!
6. We spent an afternoon in downtown Charleston. I've been there before, but was thrilled to go again. It's a must-see city of America. Totally. While we were there, I really needed to "use the facilities," and I do mean really. I dismissed myself from our group and began walking and thinking, "Surely it won't be too hard to find a place near the battery--it's so touristy."
WRONG-O, little AA.
Just so you know, it's residential for blocks and blocks and blocks. After a half an hour, I became desperate.
- The kind of desperate that causes your to knock on rich people's doors and offer them a dollar to use their bathroom.
- The kind of desperate that causes you to look for giant trees and bushes and calculate how quickly you could do your business without anyone coming by.
- The kind of desperate that causes you to ask five Hispanic men working on a ritzy home if you can use their portapot. Yup. I went with this one.
And then I RAN in street clothes back to find my aunts (they were waiting on me in the hot sun).
Life is fun. Let it be.
The Lord blesses us so very much.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Lessons from the Crack House
- Never try to help fat people out by giving them less biscuits or cornbread. They will always ask for more. always. The only good thing about that is getting a few steps more of exercise in an attempt to not look like them yourself one day.
- My two best weapons on the waitressing war path are:
2. a sweet tone of voice
- Compliment womens' purses or shoes--it's a way to connect with them beyond the food you are serving them.
- NEVER give too much personal information [creepy story I don't wish to relive inserted here]
- Offer large families with small children their bread first--they will love you forever.
- Sometimes you just have to act WAY--I mean WAY--more sorry than you actually are. (Example: "Oh, sir I am SO sorry that there wasn't enough extra white gravy on your country fried steak that came with a double order of mashed potatoes and hashbrown casserole along with biscuits, extra butter and jelly. Really--I am so sorry.")
- People really do believe that they can eat whatever they want...but as long as they are guzzling Diet Coke, they are on a serious diet.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Awake my heart!
This song reminds my heart to leap for joy because of the Lord Jesus, and bids me come and dance for the Prince of my heart.
Praise. His. Name.
Wading through the pressures, hurts, and unknowns of life sometimes leads me to emotionally curl up in a ball, cover my eyes, and say, "I don't want to think about life."
The hope I have in Jesus Christ reminds me to throw out my arms, jump off the floor, and race around the house like a little girl saying, "I can think about You! Woohoo!"
Nothing should excite me more.
Not engagement. Not marriage. Not babies. (Although I do desire these immensely and will be ever so thankful for them...)
Christ is risen from the dead and I am one with Him.
It's so good I can hardly believe it.
But I do, because miracles can come true.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Cornbread and Aristotle
After going to bed at midnight, yesterday morning I stumbled out of bed at 5am and surprised myself by making it to the 5:45am "boot camp" at the local YMCA. Interval cycling, suicides, squats against the wall, and crunches were all a part of this bless-ed experience. ; ) It feels somewhat amazing to be done with your workout at 7am. I then showered and went to Starbucks. Because I was planning on taking a short nap before work, I ordered a decaf tea instead of beloved coffee, and pulled out my not-so-faithful-yet-still-running laptop. And I wrote.
In December I graduated with a degree in English Literature from a small, yet respected, Christian college. I made good grades and was patted on the back several times. It felt good. I pushed hard and wrote about topics that I never thought I could. And then I came home. And now I'm a waitress. But as my former beau sweetly told me, "Audrey Ann, it's what you do--you serve food--but it's not who you are."
Instead of asking for clarification on one of Aristotle's remarks, I now ask questions like, "Sir, would you like biscuits or cornbread with that?"
I feel stupid, and I have a gut ache from seemingly too much humble pie.
Yesterday when I wrote at Starbucks, the Lord reminded me that I am still that "academic person" I was a year ago. I have learned SO.MUCH. from being a server that I would not have learned with a posh or cushy job. I have shared the beautiful gospel more than I ever have--and am becoming aware of how astoundingly blessed I am.
There is much running through my mind--and I am excited to share it with you. KNOW THIS--the Lord is so faithful to teach us and mold us.
In December I graduated with a degree in English Literature from a small, yet respected, Christian college. I made good grades and was patted on the back several times. It felt good. I pushed hard and wrote about topics that I never thought I could. And then I came home. And now I'm a waitress. But as my former beau sweetly told me, "Audrey Ann, it's what you do--you serve food--but it's not who you are."
Instead of asking for clarification on one of Aristotle's remarks, I now ask questions like, "Sir, would you like biscuits or cornbread with that?"
I feel stupid, and I have a gut ache from seemingly too much humble pie.
Yesterday when I wrote at Starbucks, the Lord reminded me that I am still that "academic person" I was a year ago. I have learned SO.MUCH. from being a server that I would not have learned with a posh or cushy job. I have shared the beautiful gospel more than I ever have--and am becoming aware of how astoundingly blessed I am.
There is much running through my mind--and I am excited to share it with you. KNOW THIS--the Lord is so faithful to teach us and mold us.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Needle and thread
I am waiting, praying, dying on this bed and no one knows.
Remedies of my own only induce more symptoms--regret and sorrow.
Oh, Jesus, you made the little girl live again.
Hear my prayer, please take me with you--past this feeble amen.
Let me wake--hungry for your word, not for raisin bran.
Let me run--not for five pounds lost, but so I can better stand for you.
Let me love--out of love for you and not for what I can gain in the end.
Please, take my heart and mend.
Memories find me--They are thick and rich, much like cheesecake
I miss him--it's both simple and complicated, but no mistake.
He is yours, and I know it. But he feels like mine-despite the sever.
As the orchestra played, we danced and we swayed, but not forever.
Let me wake--longing for You, Lord, not for his arms and that smile never meek
Let me see--that your plan is much more beautiful than the mole on his cheek
Let me know--you are with him now, and he's okay
Please, take our broken love. We give it to you. This I pray.
Remedies of my own only induce more symptoms--regret and sorrow.
Oh, Jesus, you made the little girl live again.
Hear my prayer, please take me with you--past this feeble amen.
Let me wake--hungry for your word, not for raisin bran.
Let me run--not for five pounds lost, but so I can better stand for you.
Let me love--out of love for you and not for what I can gain in the end.
Please, take my heart and mend.
Memories find me--They are thick and rich, much like cheesecake
I miss him--it's both simple and complicated, but no mistake.
He is yours, and I know it. But he feels like mine-despite the sever.
As the orchestra played, we danced and we swayed, but not forever.
Let me wake--longing for You, Lord, not for his arms and that smile never meek
Let me see--that your plan is much more beautiful than the mole on his cheek
Let me know--you are with him now, and he's okay
Please, take our broken love. We give it to you. This I pray.
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