Today was my fourth Wednesday morning volunteering at the hospital...and the first morning that I didn't pass out or get helped into a chair. I had a heart warming experience with a four year old boy coming out of surgery. Absolutely broke my heart to have him crying and being afraid because he couldn't see.
Leaving the grocery story, I felt so convicted- There I was, face buried in a pint of coffee icecream that I couldn't wait to dive into so I was attempting to eat spoonless when I saw a man, clean cut and responsible looking, holding up a sign asking for help. It said he'd been convicted and had 2 children and needed help getting food. I haven't cried in literally months and something inside of me just twisted up and made my eyes tear up...because there I was...in an suv loaded down with groceries, icecream dripping off my chin and drizzled down my shirt, thinking of all the things that I needed to be doing and the long day I had volunteering and babysitting and how late I'd be up studying...because I'm in college...and my parents pay for almost everything...and in reality I have NOTHING to be worried about. and there's this man, probably embarrassed as he can be, holding up a sign because he has no where to live and children to feed.
I wish I'd stopped. Or turned my car around and given him part of my groceries. But I didn't. I pitied him. I spent time thinking about him and his family and how I wish things were different...but I didn't actually do anything.
I felt the need to look up these verses to remind myself of what the Lord so clearly directs me to do.
Deut. 15:7. If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.
Luke 3:11. And [John the Baptist] would answer and say to them, "Let the man with two tunics share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise."
Mt. 5:42. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
What's even more amazing- I found these because I was googling- is the blessings that the Lord promises to those of us that serve the poor.
Prov. 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.
Deut. 15:10. You shall give generously to [your poor brother], and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.
Prov. 19:17. He who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed.
Luke 12:44. "Sell your possessions and give alms; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
^This one is my favorite. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
perfectly polished
wanted to share it with you all- I have a feeling it's going to be a really great one to follow and read!
http://perfectlypolishedofathens.blogspot.com
i know my god saved the day
Goodnesssssssssss....I'm sitting in my bed...eating rice crackers and peanut butter...and yes getting crumbs all in my bed. and just day dreaming about life. Not so much the future...but just now.
I've been thinking about starting to sew and sell my own aprons. I've spent the last 20 minutes looking at these from anthro. Don't they just inspire you to simply want to run to the kitchen and whip together something delectable? I have one from anthro that I just love. It's almost too cute to be an apron. I forget to wear it way too much. I really think it improves my cooking abilities.
I'm really just dying to try out tons of new things...I'm completely open to suggestions and I would love to have them!
*On an exciting note, I just found out these Swing Dance Nights that UGA holds on campus- swing dance lessons- and I just can't wait to go and try it out. All are welcome to come with me!
I'm really just dying to try out tons of new things...I'm completely open to suggestions and I would love to have them!
*On an exciting note, I just found out these Swing Dance Nights that UGA holds on campus- swing dance lessons- and I just can't wait to go and try it out. All are welcome to come with me!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
today
It's one am, i'm finally home and showered. I debated showering for quite some time but after recalling not only all my sweat but all the sweat from everyone else that's picked me up and hugged me or even stood above me in the bleachers...it was a must.
Today was just such a great day. I'm so blessed to have such amazingly awesome friends. "They're cooler than cool" - Chapman
I have an AWESOME one shoulder dress tan line.
I got to spend the weekend with two girls that are au pairs in Atlanta that are from BRAZIL. Ridiculously cool. We sat outside the credit card house on the porch lit with tiki torchs and talked about the differences between Brazilian boys and American boys. All too amusing.
It's been a blessed day of sun, football, tailgaiting, sweat, friends, friends and more friends, new people, game night, 21st birthdays, lots of walking- which sounds like a pain- but really- think about it! Just that we have the ABILITY to walk. I couldn't imagine life any other way. Sometimes I'm just blown away from the most everyday blessings. It's usually the everyday mundane things that I take for granted that end up just wowing me., catching up with old friends, reminscing with Tim Felz about me being an impulsive 16 year old, being blown away by Maggie Allen's heart and desire to serve, Zach Hogue's insane Spanish skills, Clark Boutwell's loving spirit, Jenna Bush's party hosting skills, Hunter Chapman's inability to complain, Wart's relectance, but overall final admittance that we are best friends, or at least he's one of mine ;) Hannah Cox's studious, hard working self ( She was even spotted reading a book at the game- dedication right there people!), lots of water, cranium, and 5 fans in one room
oh and Tram Jone's overall ceaseless ability to be entertaining
Today was just such a great day. I'm so blessed to have such amazingly awesome friends. "They're cooler than cool" - Chapman
I have an AWESOME one shoulder dress tan line.
I got to spend the weekend with two girls that are au pairs in Atlanta that are from BRAZIL. Ridiculously cool. We sat outside the credit card house on the porch lit with tiki torchs and talked about the differences between Brazilian boys and American boys. All too amusing.
It's been a blessed day of sun, football, tailgaiting, sweat, friends, friends and more friends, new people, game night, 21st birthdays, lots of walking- which sounds like a pain- but really- think about it! Just that we have the ABILITY to walk. I couldn't imagine life any other way. Sometimes I'm just blown away from the most everyday blessings. It's usually the everyday mundane things that I take for granted that end up just wowing me., catching up with old friends, reminscing with Tim Felz about me being an impulsive 16 year old, being blown away by Maggie Allen's heart and desire to serve, Zach Hogue's insane Spanish skills, Clark Boutwell's loving spirit, Jenna Bush's party hosting skills, Hunter Chapman's inability to complain, Wart's relectance, but overall final admittance that we are best friends, or at least he's one of mine ;) Hannah Cox's studious, hard working self ( She was even spotted reading a book at the game- dedication right there people!), lots of water, cranium, and 5 fans in one room
oh and Tram Jone's overall ceaseless ability to be entertaining
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
but your hair is messy
Today I picked up little Ella from school and after being in the car for about 30 seconds she goes, in her adorable little 3 year old voice,
" I didn't know you talked that like or looked like that"
...Now I have absolutely no idea what this means, I tried assuring here that I look exactly the same as when I picked her up on Monday and all the days before but she insisted it wasn't the same. Little girls are bewildering and just so wonderful.
Even when they cry and yell for a straight 20 minutes because they do not want to be woken up from their nap. ( I thought it was the other way around, That children didn't like to go down for naps but enjoyed getting back us? I guess Ella and I have much in common). I love the frank honesty of children. It's so blunt that it makes me laugh. Last week I was trying out a new light lipstick color and upon arriving at the school the first thing she asks me is " what is that on your lips?". I laughed because I felt so caught! It's similar to when little girls always ask while watching me apply make up, " why are you putting that on your face?" Sometimes I just laugh and tell them I don't know.
Today after some teary eyes and an extreme case of bedhead I asked Ella if she wanted to go brush her hair before her playdate came to pick her up. She stubbornly shook her head no and I asked why not and she looks at me goes " Why do I have to? Your hair is very messy"
" I didn't know you talked that like or looked like that"
...Now I have absolutely no idea what this means, I tried assuring here that I look exactly the same as when I picked her up on Monday and all the days before but she insisted it wasn't the same. Little girls are bewildering and just so wonderful.
Even when they cry and yell for a straight 20 minutes because they do not want to be woken up from their nap. ( I thought it was the other way around, That children didn't like to go down for naps but enjoyed getting back us? I guess Ella and I have much in common). I love the frank honesty of children. It's so blunt that it makes me laugh. Last week I was trying out a new light lipstick color and upon arriving at the school the first thing she asks me is " what is that on your lips?". I laughed because I felt so caught! It's similar to when little girls always ask while watching me apply make up, " why are you putting that on your face?" Sometimes I just laugh and tell them I don't know.
Today after some teary eyes and an extreme case of bedhead I asked Ella if she wanted to go brush her hair before her playdate came to pick her up. She stubbornly shook her head no and I asked why not and she looks at me goes " Why do I have to? Your hair is very messy"
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Gluten-Free and Loving Every Minute of It
Finding out about Celiacs and eliminating Gluten from my diet has absolutely turned my life upside down and inside out. It's incredible. I am so blessed to have this knowledge about myself and the power to make this change.
For years, my view of "normal" was completely skewed. I was always exhausted, overly emotional, extremely stressed, and my body hurt. I had issues with my stomach since a very young age which I believed that due to being lactose intolerant. I felt similar to the way you feel when you stay up until four am studying for an exam....just as if my nerves were shot and I was barely making it through....and I was just so accustomed to this way of life that I adapted it to, made the best of it, and thought nothing of it.
It's almost as if I had no idea that things were so wrong until now when I'm starting to experience what life is like without these symptoms of celiacs. Simply explained, celiacs is an autoimmune disease in which gluten attacks the intestinal villi. The villi are responsible for absorption of nutrients from all the food we eat. My dad was diagnosed with Celiacs a few years ago but I never noticed stomach pain after eating gluten and avoiding gluten was the absolute last dietary change I would ever want to make.
Long story short, I was blessed with finding out some amazing information about my body that has drastically changed my life. Every single morning I wake up and my body feels better than the day before. My head feels infinitely clearer. Last semester I had gotten to the point where I couldn't even remember the simplest things. Classes had started to become a serious struggle for me. I was embarrassed by my forgetfulness, my extreme tiredness, and overly emotional behavior! Now, I have more energy than I've ever had in my entire life. I can run without feeling dizzy and faint and stay focused and alert during all my classes. It's like a freedom that I've never experienced. It feels like "calm". That's the only way I really know how to explain it...just a really constant joyful calm.
I could go on and go and go about all the changes that I'm experiencing and how amazing they all are. I'm experiencing peace like I've never known it before. Everything in my body just feels so balanced. It's the most glorious feeling. Every day I feel more joyful and content than I ever imagined I could be.
Basically, this change is probably one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me. It's just another testament to how Great is our Lord and how much He has blessed me with this knowledge.
So if you're interesting in trying out new gluten free recipes with me- I'd love that!
mtwrf
When I signed up for all day Tuesday/Thursday classes I imagined Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to be days just waiting to be filled with adventures, naps, a little bit of homework ( to be done at a leisurely pace), open windows, pleasure reading, possibly a hammock, a delicious lunch prepared from one of my new cookbooks, roadtrips, sleeping in, games of tennis, long runs, spontaneous get togethers, antique shopping and thrift store hunting, painting, games of pick up soccer, laying out with the girls...etc.
And those were just the plans for early Fall....As the months get colder I envisioned drinking hot chocolate while reading the bible, snuggling with my best friends while watching movies, trips to ramsey to escape the cold, 4 day weekend trips to SharpTop Cove and Windy Gap....The list goes on and on...unfortunately...
My Monday, Wednesday, Fridays are just as slammed packed as Tuesdays and Thursdays....I'm still up before 7 and busy until 4. Every day of the week...except for Friday mornings....I can sleep into ten at the latest and it has become the most treasured morning of my week.
How and Why do we always do this to ourselves? All of us do it. Sometimes, I think we're slightly afraid of too much free time. I know I am. I'm afraid of being unproductive, or getting bored, or being idle. I don't like those feelings....I usually trade them in for being slightly sleep deprived, late to bed and early to rise, and constantly moving all the hours inbetween then.
Sometimes, I wish I'd just stop and ask myself exactly what purpose I'm serving. Most days I have some sort of an answer ready. I think I know why I do the things I do and why I love them and what wakes me up in the morning...but there are certainly hours that could be better spent.
And those were just the plans for early Fall....As the months get colder I envisioned drinking hot chocolate while reading the bible, snuggling with my best friends while watching movies, trips to ramsey to escape the cold, 4 day weekend trips to SharpTop Cove and Windy Gap....The list goes on and on...unfortunately...
My Monday, Wednesday, Fridays are just as slammed packed as Tuesdays and Thursdays....I'm still up before 7 and busy until 4. Every day of the week...except for Friday mornings....I can sleep into ten at the latest and it has become the most treasured morning of my week.
How and Why do we always do this to ourselves? All of us do it. Sometimes, I think we're slightly afraid of too much free time. I know I am. I'm afraid of being unproductive, or getting bored, or being idle. I don't like those feelings....I usually trade them in for being slightly sleep deprived, late to bed and early to rise, and constantly moving all the hours inbetween then.
Sometimes, I wish I'd just stop and ask myself exactly what purpose I'm serving. Most days I have some sort of an answer ready. I think I know why I do the things I do and why I love them and what wakes me up in the morning...but there are certainly hours that could be better spent.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
great is thy faithfulness
I had an amazing night of sleep last night. I brought up my down filled mattress pad from my bed at home. Now my bed is just so warm and inviting that I can hardly wait for bedtime to come so I can run up the stairs and jump in bed. I'm hoping this new found enthusiasm will make getting to bed earlier much easier. I absolutely love white linens. I just love the crispness and freshness of white. Makes me feel like I'm sleeping in a big giant cloud. Lovely. Completely blissful.
Lately I've been discovering that we all have the innate ability to control so much of our own lives. I've spent years and years trying to please other people and just always make other happy. Suddenly life just feels very liberating knowing that I can do everything within my power to share happiness and joy with others but that I also have the ability to simply walk away. I can walk away and not look back.
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
This verse just makes me so joyful because the Lord wants us to surround ourselves with things that are "pure, lovely, of good report, and virtue". He wants us to be free from earthly things and people that shackle us and prevent us from rejoicing in Him fully.
It's a beautiful Saturday in Athens, Ga!
Lately I've been discovering that we all have the innate ability to control so much of our own lives. I've spent years and years trying to please other people and just always make other happy. Suddenly life just feels very liberating knowing that I can do everything within my power to share happiness and joy with others but that I also have the ability to simply walk away. I can walk away and not look back.
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
This verse just makes me so joyful because the Lord wants us to surround ourselves with things that are "pure, lovely, of good report, and virtue". He wants us to be free from earthly things and people that shackle us and prevent us from rejoicing in Him fully.
It's a beautiful Saturday in Athens, Ga!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
giraffe
Holly got this adorable glass elephant necklace while we were in J.Crew last weekend and now I'm on a hunt to find a matching giraffe one.
Now, if I were a giraffe....I do believe the one on the right would be me.
A little silly, overly excited to be around my friends, and typically just being way too close to people.
( I now, in advance, explain to people that I'm just getting to know that I have a tendency to sit extremely close to others. If they are sitting on one end of the couch...I would never dream of sitting on the completely opposite end.)
Maybe I also identify with giraffe because I was the tallest kid in my grade until until 6th grade. They understand.
(nat geo)
Now, if I were a giraffe....I do believe the one on the right would be me.
A little silly, overly excited to be around my friends, and typically just being way too close to people.
( I now, in advance, explain to people that I'm just getting to know that I have a tendency to sit extremely close to others. If they are sitting on one end of the couch...I would never dream of sitting on the completely opposite end.)
Maybe I also identify with giraffe because I was the tallest kid in my grade until until 6th grade. They understand.
(nat geo)
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