7.30.2011

Understood

I opted to take a bath tonight instead of a shower, because I didn't want to shave my legs standing up.
---
Perhaps it's human nature, but I think a lot of us desire to be understood. We not only want someone to accept our quirks and idiosyncrasies, but to sympathize with them, to nod in agreement and say, I get you. No one wants to be compromised. After all, we search for the things that others have already understood, so that we might be understood- whether it's the way we dress, the way we talk, the way we express ourselves in a thousand different ways.

Stop searching. Neither you nor I will ever be fully understood by one solely of flesh and blood, but...

Cheers to those who understand me more than I realize. And praise to a God who understands me always and fully, who understood me before He created me.

7.29.2011

I Love My Job!

I'm home, and my belly is full with...chocolate shake. :  ) I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tonight, but that's not to say that this week was not wonderful! Especially the second half.

Here's a picture that my new and lovely friend and fellow Crowd Pleasers staff member Maria Lyuksyutova sent me from the day's festivities.

All I have to say after this week is that I love my job! And...
new friends;
old friends/old directors;
choreographing with said director;
punching fabric to make it look like fire;
singing I Want Candy all. the. time.;
clapping at On the Border;
drinking cranberry limeades while choreographing;
and swing dancing/faux swing dancing. 

That's only some of the things that I love.

Such good memories were made. : )
Now to get ready for next week!

7.25.2011

It's Back

The void. The same song has been playing over and over and over and over in my room. My cough occasionally interrupts the melodies, but it seems as if nothing can interrupt my thoughts. So I run to Jesus, because He has set my heart free. I run in the path of His commands, for He has set my heart free. That's comforting.

But at the same time, daunting. That I should trust something unseen with the very depths of my soul seems like an incredible task, right? How can I be so sure that He will catch me? Not only catch me, but keep me? I don't have any reason not to. My life testifies to this truth. Ask me my His story, and I'll gladly share.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forever more.
Psalm 121 


I'm leaving for a couple days tomorrow for work. My suitcase is filled with dance shoes, dance clothes, books, and other daily essentials. Seven dances will be taught in the next eight days. Let's do this!

Have a beautiful week!

My Doppelgänger?

According to my mother she is.

 Meet Eve Hewson, Bono's Daughter.

And, some mandatory Monday morning listening here.

7.24.2011

7.23.2011

I Love You, Too

When I remember that I am a beloved daughter of God, my heart melts. In His power, He brings me to whisper the words, I love you, too. 

Because I could never say those of my own volition...

7.18.2011

Contentment

Sweet, sweet moments have been filling up my cup today.

Work started. I loved every second.
It's always a joy when choreography works with real life dancers.
And the last hour or so is one I loved.

I was curled up in an oversized chair reading The Hiding Place, eating chocolate chip cookie bar(s), drinking peppermint tea, and asking my dad question after question about World War II and European geography. Soreness began seeping into my body long before sitting down, but so did the truth that my twenty year old body can't move as my sixteen or seventeen year old body could, but this soreness only added to my stillness. My heart, body, and mind were content in that hour I sat drinking, reading, and relaxing.

Contentment. Something so many strive for and something that can only be found in Jesus. A lost art and prominent theme in The Hiding Place. In fact, I'm going to go soak some more up and finish this cup of tea next to me.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

7.16.2011

Saturday Morning/Happy List

I took a week off. From life.

Except not really. Even though summer school has ended, I've definitely gotten into the full swing of work! Wanna know who/what I work for? Click here. Pretty awesome if you ask me. Most of the time when I'm not stressed out, it makes me happy. Like these ten other things.

1. THESE MUFFINS. + peaches & blueberries.
2. Breakfast with my dear best friend, Lyndsay.
3. Hanging out with little monsters at church on Sunday.
4. The Hiding Place- Corrie ten Boom.
5. Weekends with Brother. Miss. Him.
6. Buying FIVE (FIVE!) children's books for $5. Score!
7. Truth.
8. This. Full of pretties.
9. Encouragement from the sweetest places.
10. Psalm 119:114.

Bonus* 11: Jessica Bennett will become Mrs. Matthew Terrill tonight.
I. Can't. Wait!

P.S. I've got some posts a-brewin',
but who knows when they'll get on here...

: )

7.09.2011

Saturday Morning!

 

Good morning! Hope this little tune puts a smile on your face. : )

7.08.2011

A Full House

What a relaxing day! Today has been filled with watching Amelie, a visit from brother, and grilling s'mores. (+ summer school is over!) Mom, dad, brother, and I are lounging around after stuffing our mouths with Santa Maria Tri-tip, corn, grilled onions, spinach salad, and grilled beans. Feast. It's nights like tonight that I can't help but be filled with complete thanks for the people I call family- dad, mom, brother. They are three fabulous hearts and have loved me more in the last 20 years than I could ever dream of being loved.

Now I need to go get another s'more...

7.07.2011

Finals Day

Today is finals day at the University of North Texas, so I'll be taking a giant rain check on the blog.

It's my blog.
I'm autonomous.
I do what I want.

Love, love, love!

7.06.2011

Little Joys

I'm sitting in my corner chair, the one that rocks back and forth. The light above me is too bright, but I'm too lazy to dim it. I'm writing this morning because my heart is full, and I have blogged so consistently for so long that I feel the pressure to keep it up. But mainly because my heart is full. When it is, I have this instinct to write. And write. I tend to bounce around the joys in my heart, in my head, until I need to spill in an electronic journal. Some of those little joys I will share with you--

My toenails are painted the most delicious lilac color, lacey lilac.
Postman Pat delivered a package yesterday with my name on it.
Lyndsay comes home today. I hope...
I made someone cry. In a good way.
Summer schools dies Friday morning at 10:45.
Stepping Heavenward has catapulted my heart closer to the Lord's.
I made progress. Just in general- in life. I made progress.

And I'm walking as a beloved daughter of God.
---
When we were overwhelmed with sins, You forgave our transgressions.

7.05.2011

I Survived...

A day at the Thompson's lake house.

Yesterday morning, myself and three wonderful folks, Mr. Don, Sarah L., and Hank, the female dog, loaded up and headed out to the Thompson family lake house. We had an absolute blast, and I returned home sun-soaked, exhausted, and fully pleased with the day's events.
---
After floating in the lake for who knows how long and after Chris prepared the kayak, he and I jumped in and paddled around for a while. Correction: He paddled until I decided I wanted to help. We went in and around what I wanted to be secret coves and glided on the water as if it were glass. After slipping back past our friends, we headed into the big water...(!). It was so calm though, I felt like I was dreaming. Once we made it out a ways, we just drifted. I turned around to Chris and said, "I'm pretending I'm on a boat in the middle of some sea in Scotland or Ireland." I'm pretty sure he tried a Scottish accent as we headed back to the dock.
---
Then, it was time to take the boat out. And Sarah and I, of course, were the first to tube. What. An. Adventure! I literally could tube all day long, in my sleep, while I'm eating, etc. I love it! Mr. Don pulled us for a good 30 minutes, but we were anxiously pulled in so the men (+me) could wakeboard.
---
So, Pat was up on the wakeboard first, then Chris, then Mr. Don, then I daringly and bravely suggested I should try it. After all, that's all that matters. Thus begins the story of me wakeboarding. Chris basically took care of all things wakeboard for me; he situated the board on the back of the boat, tightened up the boots, etc. When I got ready to jump into the water I found this to be a predicament. I really had no idea how I was supposed to get into the water without face planting and hoping I would make it out alive. The next five minutes happened as follows: Chris picked me up, threw me into the water, jumped in after me (because I was upside down), and flipped me + the board back over. I got a quick lesson from that kid, then motioned I was ready once he got back into the boat. Mr. Don straightened the rope, I grabbed on, the boat accelerated, and before I knew it, I was wakeboarding! I looked up, saw Sarah waving her arms and Chris jumping, laughing, and waving his arms around. Both of them, especially Chris, doubted my abilities.

What. a. surprise! The only bad part was that I was only taught how to get up, but not what to do after. I think that's because Chris didn't even think I could get up. Boys, shmoys. I only tried a couple more times, but came out of the water smiling.
---
Blah, blah, blah, then Chris and I tubed and reverted to our 12 year old selves full of awkward moments and really really great times. We ate, floated around some more, and then I came home to dad singing Katy Perry's Firework.

I'm pretty sure this 4th of July tops the charts. Next year, I hope to come in contact with sparklers and roman candles. Can't wait!

And here I am! Wakeboarding pro, obviously.

7.04.2011

Happy Fourth, Friends

I hope you're all enjoying fire works, hot dogs, swimming pools, friends, and the heat!

I'll hopefully be spending some time at a friend's lake house, soaking up the sun, and eating plenty of blueberry crumb bars!

(P.C.: Weheartit)

7.01.2011

Thank You

Thank You for--

Sweet sleep and
Sleepless nights;
Loneliness and
Perfect company;
Sidesplitting laughter and
Gentle tears;
Ample time and
Self-inflicted busyness;
Open ears and
Open mouths;
Evening swims and
Morning coffee;
Reliance and
Dependence;
Intimacy and
Distance;
Burning anticipation and
Undesired doubt.

Thank You for these things and so much more.